Deep Cover

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Epilogue

The time is on the half, Citizens; here is your news.

The President of the Litou Confederation today again demanded that the Empire abide by a 10-year-old treaty guaranteeing the sovereignty of the Litou System. The office of Prime Minister Rom Balin has denied the existence of such a treaty.

The Confederated Government claims the treaty was signed by Emperor and Prime Minister, as required by Imperial Law, on 8/24 RGE 232. According to Imperial Records, the Emperor was then in seclusion on Korupa, where he died soon after. The Prime Minister, Triano Refel, was killed in a rejia-space accident on 8/25 while returning from unofficial talks with the Confederated Government.

The Melchorian Legation, named as co-signatory, has declined comment.

The Duke of Kraasnel, Lord High Admiral under the Third and Fourth Hastrids, testified today before the Imperial Select Committee on Corruption, Malfeasance, and Impropriety. The hearing, the Committee's first in six years, was closed to the public.

Popularly known as the FENIX Commission, the Imperial Select Committee was created to investigate charges of corrupt and criminal behavior within the Imperial intelligence community. In its initial report, six years ago, the Committee stated that no "inappropriate" acts had been substantiated, but that the investigation would continue.

His Grace the Duke of Kraasnel declined to discuss his testimony, but denied that it concerned the bombing death five years ago of his son, an outspoken critic of the Ministry of Intelligence. The Ministry considers the bombing a terrorist attack.

The Naturalist Society of Venndal condemned the Government for the third day in a row this morning, calling for the removal of Rom Balin and an investigation into planned weapons testing on the remote Imperial planet Pikor A. The Emperor, a member of the Society, declined comment as inappropriate prior to the upcoming Special Session, at which the tests are expected to be on the agenda.

High level talks between the Empire and the Melchorian League broke down today when the League Foreign Minister left the meeting room shortly after the session began. Neither the Melchorian Legation nor the Office of the Prime Minister offered an explanation for the walk-out. Independent observers suggest it may be related to the question of Litou sovereignty. The delegation from the Litou Confederacy, however, did not join the Melchorians in walking out.

A source close to the Minister for External Affairs expressed the hope that the Melchorians will come to their senses before relations with the Empire deteriorate beyond repair.

Sentinel Party headquarters on the mining planet Rorschach was destroyed by a fire-bomb yesterday. No deaths were reported.

It was the third bombing of a political office since the Emperor called for the Special Session two weeks ago; the fourth this year. The Terrorism Subministry of the Ministry of Intelligence has suggested that this bombing, like several of the previous incidents, resembles attacks by the terrorist organization Ariel.

Although the recent bombings occurred in outlying provinces, increased security measures will be taken in the capital, according to the Ministry. Temporary measures include restrictions on the movement of non-residents, ID checkpoints throughout the city, limited custody of known criminals, and unannounced cargo searches at Port.

Elections for the Rorschach constituent assembly, scheduled for today, have been postponed.

The Special Session of the Imperial Senate will open in sadness tomorrow following the death early this morning of Oriano Pakapala, one of the most respected senior Senators. Senator Oriano was killed instantly when his ground car crashed after apparently losing power. The juncture of the Fan and the Port Access Roadway, where the accident took place, has long been considered the most dangerous section of the Capital Approach. Senator Oriano's one-car crash is the fourteenth fatal accident in that area this year.

Senator Oriano represented the Amiori Free State for thirty-six years. He will be sorely missed. The State Holder of Amiori is unlikely to appoint a successor before the Session.

The Select Committee, of which the Senator was a member, opened within hours of his death with a short memorial service. Prime Minister Rom Balin, a colleague for thirty years, is expected to follow suit when the Special Session convenes tomorrow.

Also killed were the Senator's aide, Oriano Impecar (no relation), and their driver, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of survivors.

The cause of the crash has not been determined. Police ask witnesses to come forward to aid in the investigation.

The Imperial Academy has postponed its two-hundred twenty-third annual Gala Festival of Science, originally scheduled to begin tomorrow. The new date for the two-day celebration of scientific and academic advances will be announced at a later date.

No official reason for the postponement was given, but unofficial remarks by highly placed scientists suggest that several prominent members of the Academy will be too busy testifying before the Special Session to properly fete their profession. There are also rumors of a boycott of the Festival, led by Naturalists, Xenobiologists, and Ethologists. Such disciplines constitute an insignificant part of the Academy's membership.

WEATHER: Continued hot for the foreseeable future. No precipitation expected, and little cloud cover. Ideal for sailing, with steady but shifting breezes and strong updrafts. Traffic outside the city is expected to be light; inside the city, impossible.

This is your Public Information Channel, Citizens. Enjoy.