[D4 EA Briefing Room] Of engines and reports.

[Aloysius Jones]

"Have a good afternoon, Miss Rupelle." Aly smiled as she passed. Once she was gone, he turned his attention to Alexei and approached.

"My apologies, captain, for disturbing you. I have some questions I was hoping you would be able to answer."

[Alexei Herald]

Alexei raised an eyebrow, surreptitiously closing off the noteputer, blanking the images.

"Go on, Mr. Jones. I'm glad you're looking better. My apologies for that landing - it was rougher than my standard."

[Aloysius Jones]

"I'm sure." he nodded. "That is actually what I wished to discuss. Specifically, I have questions regarding who may have caused it. Can you tell me anything about the sensor tech who has gone missing?"

[Alexei Herald]

"Not much, no. He was employed by your company. I read his file, but didn't turn up more than that, really - ex-combine, recent graduate. The usual."

Alexei glanced at the file. "It was all a bit too usual, in hindsight. It's easy to get complacent, I suppose."

[Aloysius Jones]

"His bunk was also a little too clean." he nodded. "Except for this."

He handed the oragami cat to Alexei.

[Alexei Herald]

If Alexei reacted to the cat, Aloysius would have to be very perceptive to catch it.

Taking the cat, he examined it quietly, letting the silence draw out.

"Do you know what this means?" It could be two different questions... depending on how Aloysius wanted to interpret it.

[Aloysius Jones]

"I was hoping you could tell me." he replied. "It's a message, but I'm not sure who it is for."

[Alexei Herald]

Alexei set it down gently.

"What makes you think I would know?"

[Aloysius Jones]

"I've spoken with the sisters already. I do not believe it was left for them." he explained. "You're next on the list."

[Alexei Herald]

"I see."

Alexei contemplated it in silence.

After a while, he said, "How willing are you to involve yourself in potentially lethal games of cat and mouse?"