CHAPTER 21

Even Now, After All These Years

Focus Characters: Elaine Doi, Patricia Kantil
Location(s): Commonwealth Senate Hall
Core Narrative: Elaine Doi, the President of the Commonwealth, addresses the Senate Hall, thanking and paying tribute to Commander Wilson Kime and his crew for their bravery in discovering the hostile nature of the Primes. She also announces the formation of the Commonwealth Navy, with Wilson Kime as its first admiral. The Senate Hall erupts in applause, and Patricia Kantil, the President's chief of staff, congratulates her on a successful speech. The President meets with her staff, discussing the implications of the Prime threat and the need for the Commonwealth to take action. Patricia Kantil mentions that the President's approval ratings have increased significantly, and that the finance sector is jittery about the potential tax increases to fund the navy.
Broader Implications: The formation of the Commonwealth Navy marks a significant shift in the narrative, as the Commonwealth begins to take a more proactive approach to defending itself against the Prime threat.

Focus Characters: Hoshe Finn, Kareem
Location(s): Hoshe's target's home, a garage
Core Narrative: Hoshe Finn visits the home of Kareem, a man who works with Giscard Lex, a former classmate of Kareem's who has a history of illegal experimentation in narcoware. Hoshe is looking for Kareem, who is involved in a private contract to help Hoshe with a software fix. Kareem agrees to help Hoshe, but only after Hoshe pays him a large sum of money.
Broader Implications: This event highlights Hoshe's determination to solve the mystery of the Shansorel Partnership and his willingness to pay large sums of money to get the information he needs.

Focus Characters: Mark Vernon, Liz, Barry, Sandy
Location(s): Mark's home
Core Narrative: Mark Vernon prepares to take his family on a blockade protest against the navy's construction of a wormhole detector station in the Dau'sings. His wife Liz is hesitant, but Mark is determined to participate in the protest. They leave their home and drive to the protest site, where they meet up with other Randtown residents.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant turning point in Mark's character arc, as he becomes more involved in the protest and begins to take a stand against the navy.

Focus Characters: Ozzie Fernandez Isaac, Orion, Tochee
Location(s): A new planet, a forest
Core Narrative: Ozzie, Orion, and Tochee continue their journey through the forest, where they encounter a series of strange and unexplained phenomena. They discover that the planet has a ring and is orbiting inside a halo of gas around its star. Ozzie realizes that this planet is one of the "tree reefs" that he had heard about from Bradley Johansson.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant turning point in Ozzie's journey, as he begins to uncover the secrets of the Silfen paths and the alien world they are exploring.

Focus Characters: Stig McSobel, Kazimir McFoster
Location(s): The Del Rey Marina
Core Narrative: Stig McSobel, a Guardian, escapes from the navy by jumping into the water at the Del Rey Marina. Kazimir McFoster, a friend of Stig's, rescues him from the water and helps him to safety.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant turning point in the narrative, as Stig's escape highlights the determination and resourcefulness of the Guardians and raises questions about the nature of the Prime threat.

Focus Characters: Paula Myo, Tarlo, Renne
Location(s): The CST security department office
Core Narrative: Paula Myo, the head of naval intelligence, investigates the escape of Stig McSobel and the smuggling operation run by Adam Elvin. She orders her team to track down the equipment that Stig retrieved and to study its potential uses.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant turning point in the narrative, as Paula's investigation highlights the complexity and danger of the Prime threat and raises questions about the motivations and actions of the Commonwealth government.

Focus Characters: The professional
Location(s): The Clinton Estate's squash court
Core Narrative: The professional, a skilled assassin, kills Senator Burnelli in the squash court of the Clinton Estate. He uses his advanced software to infiltrate the club's network and divert emergency signals, making it look like a natural death.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant turning point in the narrative, as the assassination highlights the danger and complexity of the Prime threat and raises questions about the motivations and actions of the Commonwealth government.