Different Worlds, Same Patterns [Day 0]

[Kannon]

"I don't know, Emcas. He's not a carbon copy of anyone I could look up. Some features may have been genetically altered to make recognition more difficult." She sighed. "My best bet is that if he's a ghola, his genetic source used to be a Swordmaster of Ginaz. But if so, it can be a lot of people across ten thousand years of that school's history."

[Emcas]

"The clone of a swordmaster? Ominous" he took a deep breath "What is known about these swordmasters? Can your ladyship procure records of his fights?"

[Kannon]

"This won't be difficult. All Nikeion fights are routinely recorded and broadcast in shorts.We distribute the footage across the Imperium to draw tourists. There's no doubt Pankratos is a golden goose." She paused. "Those solido-projections will await you at PTOLOS. As a training material, if anyone cares to ask. As for the students of Ginaz in general, records are more incidental and sparser the deeper we go into the past. Their own libraries were destroyed along with the school by House Moritani two decades ago."

[Emcas]

Emcas gives a nod

''These records will be training material indeed, lady Xanthe. I am not for plots but if your path requires confrontation then I need to be ready.''

He pauses

''I do not know about cloning...can memories be recalled by the clone?''

[Kannon]

"I know of no case this has happened. You would not find anyone more secretive in the Imperium than the Tleilaxu, though."

[Emcas]

That did not click at all

"What is the use of a swordmaster clone that does not remember how to wield a blade? Muscle remembers only from the hours of training it passes throught so muscle memory is also out of the question."

He quirked an eyebrow

"Maybe he was cloned for the sheer physical aptitude? Then again...for what?"

[Kannon]

"I really don't know, Emcas." There was some exasperation in her voice, and the strip on her lip whitened again. "He is a magnet for fortune to be coming to this planet. My aunt obviously sees that and bets on it. But when a gift is not a gift?"

[Emcas]

The bodyguard took a deep breath

"Would her ladyship allow me to ask a question that might incite offense and outrage with it's implication in the current context?"

[Kannon]

That stopped her half-step.

"...I may choose not to answer it but I will not draw consequences for it being asked."

[Emcas]

He gave a solemn nod

"I understand that your father, our steadfast strategos, was quite the athlete in his youth. I would be curious to see his old accomplishments and what he looked like at his prime."

[Kannon]

"If this was this, I would know." Xanthe replied grimly. "You can find the records easily if you want to check it anyway."

[Emcas]

''Good'' he replied ''What does your ladyship wishes me to do going forward?''

[Kannon]

"He must have come from somewhere, in some way. There must be a way to retrace the path. And there are places I cannot go without making waves, like the Xenion's underbelly. I know that my father would not easily approve of such an extension of your role, but I do feel that my long-term safety depends on those factors... further afield."

[Emcas]

The bodyguard inclined his head ''I will do all that I can to protect you, my lady, even if I loathe leaving your side even for a moment.'' there was a pause

''However your ladyship is aware that I am not well versed in subterfuge. Do you know of anyone that could support us in this endeavor?''

[Kannon]

"You are the first I talk about this with, so not yet. Not many people I can trust with something like that, would you not agree, Emcas?"

She looked at him meaningfully.

"But I will find someone suitable, or at least a credible front for a way in. That, and the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother about to visit us might be sharing this very concern, so there may be a silver lining to her presence. We'll see."

[Emcas]

He seems to consider this and gives a nod of understanding

''What about your father? Does he shares your suspicions about Pankratos?''

[Kannon]

"He's a very forthright man with little patience for speculation. It's too early to involve him, before any case can be built. That, and he won't challenge the Archon's judgement without a very good reason. His unease about favouritism shown to Pankratos is quite hard to miss though. He worries about the state of mind of his sister and what it means for Harmothep."

She sighed.

"So yes, I want to sort this out for his sake, knowing he might be reluctant to do it himself."

[Emcas]

''I will be vigilant, my lady. I will have to take some gamble, I think, but I will do so with care.''

[Kannon]

"Thank you, Emcas." She smiled genuinely.

In their progression through elevators and corridors, the initial garden spot had been left far behind. They had reached deeper levels, where the stonework of the corridors was thicker as they grew narrower. Drifting glowglobes sometimes needed a push to the side. It was in such a passage that they heard footsteps from behind the corner, giving merit to any prior vigilance.

As fate would have it, it was the devil to have been spoken of. His metallic eyes glinted as the amused smile reformed his lips the moment he turned the corner and noticed them. A sign of respect preceded, but the following words set a different tone.

"Young lady Ptolemaios! You are late for the celebration. In fact so late that it has become early."

[Emcas]

Emcas's hair rose on his neck: No matter how jovial this man seemed such familiarity was unwarranted and the previous suspicions did not help paint a better portrait.

He stood straight and gave a reply in his lady's stead for this fool did not deserve to address or be addressed by Lady Xanthe in such informal tones, no matter who he beds.

''Lady Xanthe Ptolemaios is neither late nor early, she arrives when she needs to.''