The Travels of Anadrasata Nearabhigan: Day 18 Amnestri - Part 2
So here we have three men (who really ought to have names but don't yet) dealing with some new information. Someone isn't going to be happy....
It's 645 words for this section and I hope you enjoy it.
Index Page.
The local manager of the Northern Stars Line and the company's solicitor made themselves known to the Special Counsel assisting the Board of Inquiry shortly before the lunchtime recess ended. Preliminary introductions made, the manager explained, "The bridge key worried me. If all of the Empress Mahihild's copies are accounted for then the only place Mr dh'Lhong could have gotten one is from one of the places the Northern Stars Line keeps off ship copies. One of those places is in our main office in Mhaiphrial, where Mr dh'Lhong joined the Empress Mhaihild. Given the time differences, I sent them a priority telegraph to get an answer before they left for the day." He paused and ploughed on. "Their copy of the Empress Mhaihild's bridge key is missing. but so are their copies of the master keys to all of the Mhaihild's passenger staterooms. They also confirmed that Mr dh'Lhong did visit their office before embarking on his trip. Our Mhaiphrial office staff are staying late to check the rest of their keys."
The solicitor took up the conversation. "We don't know if the Board of Inquiry has issued any warrants or summonses regarding Mr dh'Lhong but we are hoping for your co-operation in having him charged with theft of company property and getting search warrants for his cabin and person to find those keys."
"It could be argued, and a solicitor acting for Mr dh'Lhong probably would, that this might be an extreme reaction to a director of the company borrowing company property for the duration of his trip on the ship in question," countered the counsel for the Inquiry.
"From what we heard this morning in testimony," retorted the manager, "with the bridge key in his possession, Mr dh'Lhong is a hazard to safe aerial navigation. The evidence this morning also suggests that he is a moral and physical hazard to the wellbeing of our lady and other female passengers who, if he has those master keys, cannot lock him out of their private quarters. Personally, I find his importuning of paying passengers reprehensible, and as a representative of the Northern Stars Line I am appalled that his actions will damage our reputation. If our passengers think we won't protect their personal safety. they won't travel with us, and they won't allow their female relatives to travel with us. On this point, our moral and commercial imperatives align."
"The legal ramifications of the company's duty of care to its passengers is also relevant," put in the company's solicitor drily. "May we have your support in getting those warrants issued?"
"I believe I can help," the counsel smiled. "If you'll just come with me, I'm sure an interview with the Rear Admiral and some of my Imperial Adjutant colleagues will get that paperwork moving."