The Scarman Enigma

[Robert Merlow]

FADM's Ready Room, Tuatha de Danaan

Merlow pounded his fist on his desk. They had managed to penetrate his security net, something he took great pride in, something that was never supposed to happen. He slowed his breathing to prevent himself from breaking anything in the room out of sheer anger and frustration. He looked to his right, his swords and pistols hung from their holsters on the coat hanger. He reached out and grabbed hold, standing and strapping those weapons to himself with speed and efficiency. He unsheathed his blades, examining them. He admired their sheen polish, not tarnished at all in the numerous battles he's had to use them to carve enemies in ways never quite believed by his own people. He sheathed them, the audible *click* ringing in the room. He walked out of the room, signaling to the two HiME agents stationed outside the room to follow him.

"Report?" he asked Harada Chie, a Combat-Captain in Section 9.
"Sir, we have signatures all over the ships," she replied as they walked down the hallway, "These perpetrators were able to hide themselves from our sensors in the Jefferies Tubes, indicating that they must be using some sort of passive stealth measure. These stealth measures are flawed, as we did get a good reading more than a few times. Latest estimate number them at around four to eight men strong."
"These are close quarters," Merlow stated, entering the turbo lift with the two of them, "Are our people equipped with swords and knives to complement their other weapons?"
"Yes Sir," said Miyu Greer, an Intelligence-Second Lieutenant, "We've already instructed our Sadukar aboard to use their knives and swords with great measure. They're probably going to need them."
"Good, good. We're heading to Senator Scarman's quarters now, so I hope you're both up for it."
"Always Sir," They replied in unison.
The lift started to slow down as they approached the VIP quarters, "Weapons drawn, ladies. Check your targets, and still close. I'll take point."

With that, the lift doors opened, an empty hallway in front of them. The trio advanced deliberately, Merlow gripping his rail pistol and a deployable one-way shield. The HiME each sported a unique weapon that fitted their personality. They noticed that Senator Scarman's room was open ahead, and steam was seeming to seep out, like someone forgot to shut the shower door. Their deliberate advance turned into a sprint as they rushed to check on the good senator. They found no immediate evidence of anything sinister, but the bathroom door was open. They felt as though they should investigate.

Merlow advanced a few steps into the room and cautiously deployed the one-way shield on the floor. He backed away and called.
"Senator Scarman, you in there?" The trio waited in silence, their weapons raised, their fingers tense on the triggers...

---

Commander in Chief of the Migrant Fleet / Former Fleet Admiral of the Liberty First Fleet
Second Survivor of the Mentat Program.
We must give and take with good measure. Give too much, we become complacent. Take too much, we incur the wrath of our own. Tread Lightly.
--Supreme Bashar Robert Merlow--