5-187: Vizier Frederick’s Offices
Oliver notes in passing that it’s entirely possible to log in without snapping one’s tag loudly on the terminal.
The terminal interface is some sort of conference document sharing application. While Lilith is talking Oliver can determine that there is a private and a shared document library. Oliver’s private library has scanned copies of all Argyle’s books and what files he was able to recover.
Lilith begins, “Well dears, as Vizier Frederick said, I am now ViC-,” she turns to Chris, “that is ‘Vizier in Charge’ dear, of a programme of work established to address the potential security threat posed to the Dominion by Willard Argyle, and his work.”
A young male Vizant Oliver has not seen before opens the conference room door and delivers Nanny a cup of tea, then leaves without saying a word.
When he is gone, Nanny continues, “the situation is that in attempting to retrieve the body of work known as The Argyle Notebook, you discovered evidence that Willard Argyle and his activities have become a threat to the Security of the Dominion. I will not go into specifics, and nor should you anywhere insecure, suffice to say that Argyle once worked at the Black Palace itself.
“The primary objectives of this project are as follows:
“One: The initial objective remains, The Argyle Notebook is itself a threat to the Security of the Dominion and still needs to be recovered. We do not know if any copies exist, so we must obtain the original, or a copy, so it can be analysed to see what countermeasures to the information it contains may need to be put in place.
“Two: Willard Argyle is to be located and ideally, returned to Vizierate custody.
“Three: Any materials he is working on or that he possesses are to be returned with him.
“Four: Any available additional information relating to his work on current, past or intended projects is to be collected and reported, whether sourced from him, any associates he may have, or other sources.
“The project also has four secondary objectives, as follows:
“Five:, ” she looks at Oliver, “Continue to research Argyle’s existing, and any newly obtained, archival works.
“Six: Recover Argyle’s chip emulator from the Pristine Hunting Lodge, or ensure it is destroyed.
“Seven: Report on any of Argyle’s past or present associates.
“Eight: Determine Argyle’s intentions for use of his knowledge.”
Nanny stops to sip her tea. She touches her console and a summary of the Mission objectives shows up on Oliver’s terminal.
Oliver is aware of Erin briefly looking across at his screen, but she quickly logs into her own before he has too much chance to become uncomfortable.
Nanny says, “for those of you unfamiliar with Vizierate Project procedures, secondary objectives are to be accomplished if possible, but not at the expense of primary objectives. It is up to the Project Manager,” she nods at Dicard, “to make that assessment.”
She pauses briefly to survey the room, and then continues her briefing.
“I will now outline the general project approach, but it is up to Vizier Richard to determine the specifics, isn’t that right dear?”
She looks at Dicard and he nods.
“You will again be assigned a ship for the mission, with crew assignments as per previous arrangements. The team will pick up that ship at Zargonia. Prior to that we will travel on a Vizierate research ship that happens to be travelling to the Capital. I will be accompanying you and will be overseeing the project in the short term from the Vizierate Tower.
“On arrival at Zargonia we may have a lead to investigate in the form of a former colleague of Argyle’s. You will look into out that lead and determine what best to do as a result.
“At the moment, the intention is that you will then collect your ship and return to Pristine, where you will complete objective six and also try to pick up Argyle’s trail. After that, Vizier Richard will have to determine the next course of action.”
She looks at Oliver, “Completion of objective five will mostly fall on your shoulders, Oliver dear, I’m afraid you won’t have a lot of down time on the journey.”
She stops to take a sip of her tea again, giving Oliver a chance to respond if he wishes.
“Understood, shouldn’t take too long to work it all out.”