Justin Kemppainen - The Legend of Ivan

I stared at him with a blank look. “Would you please arrive at your point?”

“Oh fine,” he said. “Obviously he’s hiding, but he’s not exactly the most inconspicuous individual. Of all the things he’s done, there are only a couple of stories where he’s helped someone out. I’m pretty sure the slaver one is true. Whoever was left, whoever he saved from that place… I’d bet you anything he’s hiding with them.”

“Interesting,” I said, genuinely considering the possibility.

Grey wheeled himself over. “That’s all I have for ya, so good luck in the rest of your search. I’m sure you want to be getting on your way.” He held out his good hand.

We shook, and I stood up. Donning my cloak and hat, I turned to the exit. “Enjoy your retirement,” I said, opening the door and stepping out.

Linus Newson remained waiting outside, a frown upon his face. “You were in there for quite a while, friend. What were you and Deacon Grey talkin’ about?”

“Business.” I glanced around, noticing several people peering out of their doors and windows, some standing in the streets and openly staring. It seemed the whole village was interested in what was going on.

The frown on my escort’s face deepened. “I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but you’re kinda causin’ a bit of distress around town. You’re not plannin’ on stayin’ are ya?”

I smiled. “No, and I likely won’t come back.” He brightened up a bit as I considered the astronomically remote chances of my return.

“Ah, good then. Can I show you back to your vehicle?”

I gave a nod.

The two of us passed through the ramshackle village once again, no more impressive the second time around. I ignored the stares of the denizens and the uncivilized squalor of their general existence. Already I was deep within contemplation of what to do next.

Assignment: Seeking information regarding the truth and whereabouts of Ivan.

Location: Belgriad

Report: Spoke with Traverian Grey, last known person to encounter Ivan.

Probability : 99%

Summary: Aging, retired, and crippled Grey gave details of final encounter. Ivan’s abilities [space/ground combat] seem peerless. Possible lead on how to find him [former slaves]; need to research.

“Amazing…” Marqyni Avieli put a hand over his chest, taking a deep breath as I finished speaking. “I’d not believe a word of it if it weren’t coming from you, my dear Sid.”

I returned to Dei Lucrii and my favorite library because I became stuck. Nothing I had heard or seen aside from one source lent any information toward Ivan being involved with slavery. The only connection, providing me with the kernel of certainty necessary for pursuit, was the former crime lord Hanatar.

Unfortunately, I had to spend over an hour summarizing everything I’d learned for Marqyni before I could pursue my line of inquiry. His exuberance, normally endearing, became the smallest bit exasperating.

“The slavery issue as a reason for Ivan’s betrayal of Hanatar was little more than a footnote in the conversation. Grey’s mention of a slaver colony has to be connected somehow.”

Marqyni put on a big smile. “My dear Sid… I never doubted you for a second.”

“Focus, please,” I replied with a frown. “I need to depart as soon as there is something to pursue.”

He held up his hands. “Very well! Very well. You come again, blazing through my house of knowledge spinning whirlwind tales. My pitiful little brain is boggling, grinding in such circles I can hardly keep from falling over…” He tailed off, noting the scowl on my face. “Oh, fine. What can I help you with?”

“Have you ever heard any connection to Ivan and the slave trade?”

The librarian shook his head. “Ivan is a cultural boogeyman used to frighten children. Though many tales present him in a favorable light, as a vanquisher, few express him with magnanimity.” He waved a hand. “Oh, there are some about rescued children, clergy or some such, perhaps its slaves in others, but otherwise no. In fact, the only connection I’ve ever heard to the forced labor trade was your own mention of Hanatar’s fall as a product of Ivan’s revenge. Obviously, the murder of the slave trader in Hanatar’s home, ah… who was it?”

“Barian Dreger,” I replied.

“Yes, Dreger.” He rubbed his chin. “You’re clearly correct; it must have some connection to what Grey mentioned.” He gave a laugh. “I still can’t believe you spoke to both Traverian Grey and Voux Hanatar. How by the tides of Old Earth did you manage such a thing?”

I raised an eyebrow.

Marqyni pouted. “Oh, fine. Be all mysterious. If you’re not going to humor me even in the slightest, what can I do for you?”

“I need both of us to dig through as much as we can to find… something, anything,” I replied. “I know it’s ambiguous, but there must be some news report of Dreger’s arrest. Perhaps Ivan tipped the authorities to a group of released captives. There’s nothing the GSA would like more than the good press of breaking apart a slaver colony.”

I furrowed my brow. “Or, maybe some of the GSA reports are public record now that Hanatar is in prison for life. Or… there was also the slave container Dreger discarded when he was captured. It was near to an asteroid field. The colony could have been nearby: not a terrible place to hide something of that nature. If we can find any survivors from Dreger’s slave trade, they would have been the most likely candidates for Ivan to approach for help.”

The librarian listened with a thoughtful expression. “Let’s get started then. You wish to be inside no more than an hour, correct?”

“Yes. You start with public GSA records around the time of Hanatar’s arrest; I’ll work on news archives.”

“Are you certain?” Marqyni frowned. “There’s going to be a broader range of subjects there; you might lose a lot of time.” He was referring to the Archivist instinct to tangential searching.

I waved a hand. “I can still dig through them faster than you can, no offense.” I smiled.

He rolled his eyes. “Very well, I’ll set you up here in my office and use one of the terminals out on the floor myself.”

“Good,” I replied. “Let’s get started.”

Dana’s improved programming and architecture helped. Using it made me nervous, as I had no idea what else her programming and the hidden vestige would have in store for me. I still couldn’t resist using it.

The result was nothing short of amazing. My mind blazed through hundreds, thousands of files, clippings, news reports. The fall of Hanatar was widely reported; killing a GSA witness in his own home drew not insignificant attention. They mocked him for it, and hardly a mention was made of the victim’s name, even less mention of former employment with his alleged killer.

Dreger’s initial capture was kept quiet as well. Only vague pieces about GSA pursuit and bravery against a well-known, unnamed slave trader received tiny blips in the waters of Hanatar’s destruction. There was nothing about a cargo ship full of people nearly smashing into an asteroid.

As per usual, dozens of times my mind was lost to the pursuit of other topics. However, a sharper focus seemed to be present, tangents more relatable to the focus of my search:

A historical catalogue of whistle-blowers and witnesses, successful and/or killed for their dedication. Various instances of forced labor and its degree of social acceptance. More recent uptake of kidnapping vacationers and tourists. Thousands of cities on hundreds of worlds with reported missing bankers, laborers, researchers. Even a tour group from Atropos Garden went missing and was later rescued by GSA forces.