“Technically. The keyword is invasive. We rely on publicly available data and anything we can acquire through an intersystem warrant. We only pursue other avenues when new intel is inconclusive. It becomes a question of semantics.”
Roe tapped the table with her left index finger, a tic which meant she was shaping a new line of questions. She turned to Haas.
“You squashed the last threat of an IC investigation into Shadow Gambit’s methods. Might a case like this one force you to back down if the Constitutional Committee brings it up again?”
Haas switched her focus between Roe and Shireena.
“If I’m granted another term in office? No. I can’t speak for a successor.”
“Fair enough. It’s Director Knightley’s position that Shadow Gambit is an effective tool, even if it skirts privacy concerns. It facilitates our work by reducing the need for field agents on Amity. Shireena, how many expulsions has the program forced?”
“Twenty-one in six months. That’s a small number, but it meets our per capita projections.”
Roe smiled, something she was not often inclined to do.
“Twenty-one less threats to the station. Well done. When do you expect to complete all profiling?”
“Three months at our current pace.”
“I see. This Riyadhi restaurant owner. He was profiled?”
“Of course. He and anyone in his family who applied for residency.”
Trevor interrupted.
“We move business owners to the front of the line.”
“Excellent. Director Knightley has instructed me to make an offer. We are willing to loan out three agents from our core staff to assist Shadow Gambit until it completes all profiles. These agents specialize in detailed backgrounding. Do you accept?”
Trevor didn’t see that one coming. Judging from her stoic response, neither did Shireena. He spoke for them both.
“Why the sense of urgency, Carson? We’re making fine progress.”
“In the Director’s estimation, fine is not good enough. What if the most dangerous threats have yet to be vetted? Does giving them more time play into their hands?”
“If the trend continues,” Shireena replied, “we only expect to expel four or five more residents. The odds of ...”
“With respect, Shireena, one rogue agent is a threat to all. Mau Ping proves my point. Governor, you will not have to pay these agents. They will follow SG protocols until the job is done. I estimate you’ll be up to speed within three weeks rather than three months.”
Roe’s assessment reinforced his question about sense of urgency, but Trevor saw no credible reason to object. He shared a glance with Shireena, whose gentle nod said she reached the same conclusion.
“We accept. Please thank Director Knightley.”
“I will,” Roe said. “You’ll have the agents within a standard day.”
“We’ll rearrange the office furniture,” Shireena said with a grin.
Trevor saw an opening and took it.
“While we’re on the subject, I think this would be an excellent opportunity to meet Director Knightley. He’s never visited since taking over for Lana Devonshire. Would it be possible for him to join those agents? I’d love to have a sit-down.”
This wasn’t his first such request. Roe licked her lips, a tell-tale sign of her response. Trevor learned to read her every move.
“I’ll pass along the invitation, Governor, but I’m sure the Director will decline. He’s not a traveler.”
“Then perhaps we could arrange a deepstream?”
“I’ll make a note.”
Yep. They’d been here before. Trevor spoke with Haas about Knightley’s reclusive behavior – the mirror opposite of Devonshire’s approach. Haas said SI was outside her control except on budgetary matters. She offered no viable explanation, though she had worked hand in hand with Devonshire.
“Please do,” Trevor said. “I appreciate all your contributions, Carson. But I’ll be blunt: The Governor of this station should have a direct line to the head of SI, just as I do with the Guardian fleet and Central Command. Without that link to Lana Devonshire, the Mau Ping incident would have gone a different way.”
“Noted, Trevor. Noted.”
He hoped the President would stick her neck in, but no such luck. She held to her plan of not intervening unless she had something useful to say. What was her true game?
“I believe that covers the internal reports. Any specific items you wish to introduce, Carson?”
Roe cleared her throat.
“You’ll each a receive a detailed copy, but I will summarize the essence. It will further illustrate the Director’s concerns regarding SG’s pace. He has activated more of our curated field agents than at any previous time. Their reports are consistent.
“We’re seeing a steady increase in low-level criminal activity across all worlds and demographics. Aeterna excluded, of course, since we have no agents there. We attribute the pattern to a growing sense of desperation brought on not only by the expanding territorial battles between Black Star and, well, everyone. Motif addicts are younger than ever. We see major lapses in law enforcement and steady infiltration of violent criminal elements into pockets previously considered immune.
“It is Director Knightley’s position that the failure of MR-44 left vast numbers of people feeling a sense of dread and hopelessness. Many believe interstellar war is inevitable, but more predict the collapse of society. Survivalist groups have grown exponentially. They’re preparing for the aftermath.
“I should caution that these numbers remain small relative to the total population, but we’re talking double-figure increases with no end in sight. That’s why this station is so important. It must remain a sanctuary from terrestrial conflict. A beacon of hope and stability, as a politician might say.”
