10 Minute Tales

Feb 19 (Untimed)

The ride back was quick, a gentle glide to the station. He got out quickly, storming to his office. Alyssa looked over, surprised at his arrival.

"Oh, sir! Sentinel didn't warn me you were coming."

"He's been a little buggy these days, let's just move on." He replied briskly. "You got anything on this latest one?"

"Well, only a couple of bits." Alyssa replied, tapping at her device. Queenson looked over. "Doctor Barb's notes suggest the doctor saw somebody a week before the fact. It's possible that this patient might be, or know, the culprit."

"Got a list?"

"Not yet, annoyingly. Sentinel says it's about the privacy of the patients that aren't involved."

"Sentinel, c'mon, we've had this discussion before. It isn't your job to say who's involved or not. We need access."

"Unfortunately, I cannot grant it directly. It requires permission from all patients on the list, and I am struggling to contact three members." Queenson and Alyssa glanced at each other.

"... How many of them are augmented?"

"Of those, only one bears augmentation."

"To the arms?"

"I cannot divulge that information."

"Senty..." Alyssa sighed quietly.

"... yes. The patient's arm is augmented."

"So it's possible for you to do the right thing." she smiled.

"I apologise for the inconvenience. The safety of all humans on this planet is my number-one priority."

"Right." Queenson huffed. "You're listening to her way more than you're listening to me."

"My apologies."

"So, what's the plan going forward?" Alyssa asked.

"I'll need to go to Sinis later."

"Wait, Sinis? Really?"

"Yes, really."

"... oh." she suddenly frowned slightly. "You talked to him again, didn't you?"

"He's a good man, Liss. I know you don't like him..."

"Pardon, but do you know the person in question?" Sentinel asked.

"I know of him." she replied. "We've never met in person, it's just an old colleague of his."

"Very well." Sentinel replied. "What other leads do you have that might be fruitful?"

"Alyssa can check the info on the guy, I'll make preparations for my trip to Sinis."

"Do you even know who you're going to see?"

"Not yet."

"Ugh, well... try and figure out before you're up there, okay?"

"I will, I will." Queenson sighed, sitting down at his desk. As much as he didn't enjoy it, the was deskwork to be done. He grumbled to himself as he started.