Chapter 19

Every question has an answer. Finding those answers is often never easy, and sometimes what we find makes us wonder if we should have started looking in the first place.

Despite what philosophers and advocates will tell you, there is always only one answer to a question. No matter how you try to manipulate or spin that answer, at its core is the truth. For better or worse, the truth is simply that. It is not subjective, not contextual, and most certainly not dependent on one's point of view. Truths are truths, and no matter how many times you re-think or re-calculate, the result is always the same.

For better...or for worse...

The conversation with Tomas stuck with me. I played it over and over again in my head as I reported for work, changed, endured Sharaya's endless attempts at flirting, and finally reported to the break room for my assignment. I must have been completely immersed in my own thoughts, because I barely noticed how full the room was until I heard the sound of a throat clearing.

Even after I looked up my brain still took a full five seconds to realize the break room was packed...and not just with my fellow shift workers. My throat ran dry as I spotted first one, then four, then over a dozen uniformed officers from the Karalla City Police Department. The term 'uniform' was perhaps a bit of an understatement. The officers I saw were all garbed in what looked like full ablative body armour, designed to deflect small arms fire thanks to the Duranite fibres woven into the fabric. None of them seemed to be carrying any kinds of weapons save their sidearms, which made me wonder just why they were garbed so.

The person clearing his throat was someone I'd only seen once before...the first day I walked into the Port Authority's main office. I drew in a quick breath as I spied the imposing form of Altreus Barkav standing in front of the assembled officers. Flanked on either side by so many people in uniform, the white tiger looked like some kind of general. I swear if those cool grey eyes had gazed upon me at that moment I would have turned to ash. I'd never seen such a look of caged anger in someone's eyes. Something was wrong...terribly, terribly wrong.

"It 'pears we got ourselves a problem," Altreus growled. "An' it's gonna take all you lot ta sort it out." Several murmurs could be heard throughout the gathered workers. Everyone began quietly asking each other just what was going on. I glanced back at Altreus and saw Sharaya standing there beside him. The look on her muzzle told me that this was serious. Up to that point I wasn't sure if she was capable of any expression other than lust. The fear in her eyes made my heart tighten.

Altreus waved forward one of the officers. Normally, those of a serval lineage were of a slight build. However, the one who stepped up looked like he could pummel a full-grown lion into paste with his little finger. "This 'ere's Sergeant Scoffit," said Altreus. "E'll tell ye what's goin' on." With that, the white tiger stepped aside and let the serval address us.

"About an hour ago, we received an anonymous tip that someone is attempting to smuggle a shipment of Caronite into the city via the Karalla City docks," he said. "I don't think I need to emphasize the severity of this situation, nor should I have to over-state how important it is that this shipment be found and soon."

He wasn't kidding. Caronite is a key chemical ingredient used to create explosives, both military and industrial. I think the reason it's considered an ingredient in several compounds is because of its inherent instability in its raw state. In its unrefined liquid form, Caronite is one of the most volatile chemicals in existence. A small vial of it is enough to take out a city block. An entire cargo container filled with it could level not only the docks, but a good chunk of the city as well.

"We'll work in teams of four," the Sergeant continued. "Two dock workers teamed with two officers. Mr. Barkav has authorized us to open every container both on the docks and on every ship in the harbour if needs be." This was met with a few groans from the workers, but that ceased with a warning growl from the Dock-master.

"Tha sooner ye quit yer bitchin' 'n' moanin' about it," growled Altreus, "the sooner we'll get this done, all right?" The group went silent. "Tha's better," he said. "Now, les' get ye split up."

All operations on the docks ceased. The cranes stopped lifting, the transport skimmers stopped moving, and those not involved in the search dropped what they were doing. In a matter of mere minutes, the entire ship side of the dockyards became as silent as Junktown. The familiar background noise of powered cranes, clanking metal, and the whirring of servos was gone. In its place was the gentle lapping of the water against the ships and docks. The place seemed dead somehow...muted by this ominous feeling of dread.

The workers had been paired off in such a way that at least one member of each team had the appropriate security credentials to override the container locks. Normally it was considered a federal offence to open these containers without the express permission of either the cargo's holding company or a representative of the carrying ship's home port. Given the circumstances however, a special permit had been obtained by the police through the Ministry of National Defence. When it came to matters of potential terrorism, the Ministry had the power to override even the most protective of laws.

The other member of the team of workers had the responsibility to catalogue each container as it was inspected. When a container was opened, the worker would scan its contents, cross-reference it with its original manifest to verify an accurate inventory, and then perform one final scan prior to the container being re-sealed. This kind of tracking would keep the advocates and accountants satisfied that no opportunistic looting was taking place.

The two officers on each team of four were also responsible for different duties. Only one officer from the break room was assigned to each pair of workers. When they left the break room they were met by the other assigned officer, who was garbed in the heavy armour of a bomb disposal specialist. I thought the regular officers looked intimidating in their body armour. These guys looked downright titanic, clad in something that looked like it could deflect an artillery shell.

As the junior member on the team, my job was that of the catalogue keeper and inventory taker. My partner was a grizzled old lion named Talbo Savarus. He was a hard enough worker, but like hard liquor, you could only really take him in small doses. He was a bit of a storyteller, and tended to get rather long-winded when he started talking about the 'good old days' back in his home country of Lakaya. Like many of his fellow countrymen, Talbo had fled with his family when the last civil war had broken out. Even though the majority of the fighting had died down, the smaller guerrilla strikes against the ruling monarchy were enough to keep those who'd fled from returning.

I felt oddly relieved that this situation had silenced Talbo somewhat. Despite the air of danger around us, I couldn't help but continue thinking about what Tomas had said, and was thankful I didn't have to consciously try to tune out yet another story from the good old days. In truth it was hard enough to keep up with the rather quick pace we were keeping. It seemed that just as I finished with one entry, Talbo was feeding me another.

We finally stopped after about three dozen containers to catch our collective breaths. I took a few minutes to go over the information I'd collected on the data-pad to make sure everything was in order. Despite how distracted I'd been thinking about Tomas and what he'd said, I managed to not make any mistakes. I smirked; maybe I had a real future as a dock worker.

"Everythin' all right?" I looked up to see Talbo standing in front of me.

"Hm? Oh, fine," I said. "Just making sure everything's all right." I held up the data-pad.

"Not just that," he said, putting his hand up. "Ye've been awfully quiet since this 'ole thing started. I know yer not much of a talker, but I aint 'eard a peep outta ye all night."

"I just didn't..." I sighed. I knew he wouldn't let up until I placated him somehow. I had to think fast. "I...I received some news yesterday...news about...my parents."

"Oh?" Talbo knew my story. He'd coaxed it out of me a few weeks back when I was assigned to him. "What did you find out?"

"Not much, really," I said. "But...apparently there are a few lingering questions about their accident."

"Somethin' the police can 'elp with?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No. Like I said, it's just a few questions that have come up, but not enough to have the police investigate." I shrugged. "I guess I'm just wondering if there's something I should do with the information."

"Why wouldn't you want to find out?" he asked. "I mean, is it somethin' bad...were your folks involved in somethin'?"

"I don't think so," I said. "I just...what if I don't like what I find? Wouldn't it be better just to live my life? I came here to...to start over, not to dwell on...the past." I was going to the lowest level of the Seven Hells for this, but as much as I was lying, it felt good to tell someone about my dilemma, convoluted as this particular version was.

"If ye ask me," he said after a few moments, "not knowin's worse than knowin' the truth. Even if ye don' like the answers, s'far better 'n' always wonderin' about it." Just then, one of the officers approached us and indicated it was time to continue. "Somethin' ta think 'bout," he said as we moved to catch up.

Something to think about indeed.

Two hours later, we were all back in the break room, drinking *chakrala *and being 'debriefed' by the police sergeant. An hour earlier, one of the other teams had found the cache of Caronite, thankfully not hooked up to any kind of detonation device. In fact, whoever sent it had taken enough care to ensure it was in a frozen, inert state before shipping it here.

Now that the cache was found, it was time for the detectives to do their thing. The container was now isolated, and until further notice, that particular section of the docks would be cordoned off. Altreus wouldn't be too happy with having to reposition everything, but with any luck the investigation would be over by week's end.

The two officers that had been with Talbo and I were sitting opposite us. It felt so surreal, socializing with them as though they were normal people. I realized that they were, but as a cub I was raised to respect and fear law enforcement. I'd always thought them to be above the rest of us...as though by donning that uniform they became something more than a normal person.

Yet, as they sat there, much of that aura of intimidation had faded away. It was kind of thrilling, being able to just sit and talk with them.

"So," said the one who'd been clad in the heavy armour...his name was Vinz. "I heard a bit of what you were talking about earlier...about your parents." I nodded, trying to keep the churning in my stomach to a bare minimum. "You sure the police can't help?"

"I doubt it," I said. "Like I said, it's not much for more information...just...questions, that's all. I mean, if I did find something I'd let the right people know, but..."

"But you're worried that you might not like what you find," Vinz finished. I nodded. "If you ask me, you'd be better off asking those questions and getting those answers."

"And what if end up not finding those answers at all?" I countered.

"It's not always about the destination," said Vinz. "You might not find the answers you're looking for, but at least you'll know in your heart that you tried."

"Is that why you do what you do?" I asked. "I mean, not every case gets solved."

"No," he said. "But you're right. When I put on this uniform, I do it knowing that every day, I'm trying to make things better, and that's what's important. Knowing that you're out there fighting the good fight more than makes up for the ones that get away. You might not catch them today, but if you want to catch them tomorrow, you've got to get out there and keep working." He smiled at me. "Make sense?"

I nodded and thanked him for the advice. I then silently cursed the Patrons for their constant nudging in this direction. As I finished my chakrala, my mind began thinking about how I would pursue this. I still had no real hope of solving this mystery, but maybe Vinz and Talbo were right. Maybe, for my own peace of mind, it was worth it to at least give it a try.

I had no idea then of what I would learn. Had I known, I never would have tried.

Te'Ki was still awake when I arrived home. She greeted me with a warm hug and a wide smile. "Welcome back," she said. Then, her brow furrowed. "You seem troubled. Is everything all right?"

I told her about the events of the day, from meeting with Tomas to the bomb threat at the docks. I also told her about what Tomas had said about solving the mystery behind my attack. If I hadn't thought before that the Patrons were determined to push me towards learning the truth, the moment Te'Ki agreed with both Tomas and Vinz, I was convinced.

"If there's even a chance you could end this," she said, "it's worth taking it."

"I know," I said. Even if I didn't recover the Ka'al P'ack outright, if I could somehow point the Clans in the right direction it could be enough for me to appeal my exile. High Appeal, as it's called, is an exile's one chance to contest their fate. It was a risky thing to do, and required the exile to have absolute proof of their innocence. If the Council approved, the slate was wiped clean and the exile was welcomed back into their Clan. If not...well...the chamber of the High Council always had a standing regiment of Shatlia present.

My mind was still reeling, but my body was having none of it. After the events of the day, I desperately needed sleep. I felt a monstrous yawn come to my jaws. "It might be worth taking," I pleaded, "but maybe it can wait until morning?"

She smiled and led me over to the mats. Before long we were snuggled up under the blankets, holding each other tightly. I let the feel of her body next to mine calm my mind. If I could, I would have made that moment last forever. Life doesn't do that though, does it? No...it always moves and always forward. There's never any going back...no do-overs...no chances to go back and take an alternate path.

In even thinking about finding that truth, I'd set both Te'Ki and I on a path that would shape our days from that moment on. I couldn't fight it...I had to find out...I had to try and learn the truth. I had to solve that mystery lest I go mad.

But at the very least...it could wait until morning.

Everything about it felt strange...felt off.

As I enjoyed a breakfast of cereal, fruit, and a steaming cup of tea, my mind began thinking about that night...the night my life turned upside down. It had been the first time since waking up that I'd actually sat down and thought about it. Now that I was, a lot of things about that night were making no real sense whatsoever.

"I mean, swords?" I asked. "Why swords? Why not a gun or even a knife?" I took a spoonful of cereal. "Seems a little strange."

"Not really," said Te'Ki, biting into a rather juicy slice of melon. I smiled as she tried to lick the juice off her chin. "If the Clans are anything like the Tribes, then conventional weapons would be forbidden on Clan lands. Or at least, their use would not be tolerated."

"Which would mean..." I didn't want to make that connection. As much as the truth was screaming at me I didn't want to acknowledge it. The mere gesture of respecting Clan law meant that my attack had been more than a simple robbery. That the Ka'al P'ack hadn't surfaced on the black market so far also meant that this had been more than it seemed. Still, surely someone so bent on stealing something so valuable wouldn't just hang onto it for sentimental reasons.

"So," I concluded. "It had to have been someone who knew the Kumal was happening that night, and who knew the Ka'al P'ack would be there. But who all knew?"

"Maybe another Clan," offered Te'Ki. "Perhaps it wasn't about money, but about possessing the artifact."

"It wouldn't do them any good," I countered. "If another Clan came forth claiming to have found the Ka'al P'ack, there would be too many questions."

"Perhaps if it was too soon," she said. "Maybe whoever has it is willing to wait until things calm down before revealing it."

"But again, to what end?" It made no sense. Prestige aside, the *Ka'al P'ack *was nothing more than an artefact...an icon of a by-gone era. There was no real power behind it...no supernatural endowment came from its possession, and even if it did, I'd wager *Ra'Tal *wouldn't look too favourably upon those who'd stolen it from a child. "Who would stand to benefit from stealing it?"

Te'Ki went silent. I mentally replayed what I'd asked myself just a few moments before to see if I was growing agitated. The look on her face wasn't one of concern, but determined thought. "I'm sorry," I said with a chuckle. "Not exactly breakfast conversation."

"No, it's all right," she said, smiling. "It's just a big question, that's all." She took another bite of melon. "What was it you said about your exile before? You weren't supposed to be banished originally, were you?"

"No," I said, finishing my tea. "Lars Rondoki wanted me dead...wanted Father to do it too." I snorted rather derisively as I recalled that day. My chest tingled slightly from the remembered pain. "By all rights I should be dead...Lars was adamant...he..."

The truth was there...in plain sight announcing its presence. It rushed up on me with such force that it threatened to catapult my breakfast all over the woman I loved. I began to shake. I couldn't sit still anymore. My breathing was growing heavy...I was excited and terrified at the same time.

"By the gods," I said. "That's it...that's...it."

"What is it?" asked Te'Ki.

"It was Lars," I said after a moment. "Lars and his Clan...they orchestrated the whole thing...all to keep the Ka'al P'ack *in their possession." I stood up and began pacing. "It makes perfect sense. Lars was the *Ka'al Shera for ten years straight. Last year he wagered the Ka'al P'ack as an added reward...but why?"

"Perhaps this Council wanted it done," said Te'Ki. I never really noticed it at first, but she seemed completely nonplussed by my revelation. I really couldn't blame her; she had no idea of the history between the Tiger's Paw and Midnight Fang Clans. "Regardless, like you said, it was a risk...one he probably wasn't willing to take."

"So," I said, still pacing. "Lars puts up the Ka'al P'ack, perhaps not by choice. He's sure he's going to win, otherwise he would have resisted it completely. However, on the off-chance that he loses, he has someone waiting...waiting to take down...the winner."

"That should have been your father," said Te'Ki, "but..."

"I took his place," I finished. My mind flashed back to that night. Had they all been black panthers? I couldn't really remember, but then again they had all been wearing masks. In the night even their profiles were hidden from me. I shook my head. What Clan if any they belonged to was irrelevant. "Those four had been tasked with murdering whomever they encountered with the Ka'al P'ack. They saw I had it, and by their orders should have killed me."

"But they didn't," said Te'Ki. "Perhaps they thought they did, but by some miracle you survived."

"That threw Lars' plans into disarray," I continued. "It should have been a clean kill...the Ka'al P'ack disappears for a while, and then in a blaze of triumph, the Midnight Fang miraculously recovers it."

"And out of sheer gratitude," concluded Te'Ki, "they're allowed to retain it. Those more religious would have deemed it the will of the god...er...Patrons."

"Yes," I said. "Yes...but I didn't die right away...I survived. So why not kill me while I was in a coma?"

Again, Te'Ki went silent as she thought about it. I continued to pace, my mind trying feverishly not to lose the momentum. With each piece falling into place I could feel the next one trying hard to present itself to me. It was all wild speculation but it was making sense. If the Clans were involved, the only one with enough influence to execute such a plan was the Midnight Fang. It all seemed logical, regardless of my feelings towards them.

My feelings...of course...the feud.

"They couldn't," I concluded. "The Midnight Fang and the Tiger's Paw Clans have had a blood feud between them for generations. Our Clans served different Warlords during the time before the Ascensions. Since that time, though, the Tiger's Paw Clan has turned away from the old ways." I stopped pacing. "The outright fighting's over, but the hatred is still there."

"They couldn't kill me without drawing attention to themselves," I continued. "If they'd killed me in the hospital so soon after Father's victory, it would have looked too suspicious."

"So they waited to see if you ever recovered," said Te'Ki. "And when you did..."

"And when I did, Lars petitioned for my death. He knew that if I was able to explain what happened to me, my family would openly accuse him of treachery. That alone would weaken his influence over the Clans." I sat down, that momentum I was feeling earlier beginning to slow. "It all makes sense," I said. "The Clan of the Midnight Fang attacked me to steal back the artifact."

There it was...the cold, hard truth of it all, laid out before me. I kept going over it again and again in my head, hoping...praying that I was wrong. But no matter how many times I tried, the answer always came up the same.

I'd been set up...made to take the fall in a plot that amounted to no greater end than one man's twisted vanity.

I must have slumped slightly in my chair, because a moment later Te'Ki was kneeling before me, pulling my hands into hers. I saw her looking up at me, her amber eyes filled with a pleading, hopeful look. I knew what she was thinking...and gods forgive me I wanted to believe it. I wanted to believe in that hopeful look. Instead I looked away, trying as hard as I could to keep the tears from falling.

"What is it?" Te'Ki asked. "What's wrong? I mean, now that you know, you could talk to your grandfather, right?" She brushed a hand over the side of my muzzle. "He could approach the Council...get you that High Appeal you were..."

I pulled her hand away from my face. She gasped at the suddenness of it. I tried my best to keep a calm look on my face, but the look in her amber eyes told me I was failing miserably. "Dalan? What's wrong?"

"I..." I turned away before I fully answered. I couldn't bear to say anything while looking into those eyes. I tried to hold it back as long as I could, but eventually the words came out. I only prayed that she'd forgive me in time for not being able to face her when I finally said:

"I...I can't."