B
It is announced that one of our more modern cruisers, the SFN Pylos, will be deployed to escort the visitors back to their home country, carrying with them a sample of our technology. This includes an electrical generator, batteries, and (off the books) the wormhole. All mention of andantesite has been carefully kept off the records given to Magellan. Loading has begun, the ships have re-docked at the capital, and the wormhole is being moved from Brazil HighCom to Argentina Capital.
Hidden dice will later be rolled to determine the success of this cover story
Intermission: Big Damn Heroes
By this time a contact team has been sent to Armen’s parents near Cape Horn to give them news of their daughter’s betrayal. Her mother and stepfather greet them. When they hear that it’s about Armen, the mother responds by asking,
“Oh, did that smartass guy get her in trouble again?”
“What guy?” asks the official in charge of delivering the news.
“That fast-talking chap she dumped in her high school years,” her stepfather replies. “Bound to have trouble when your ex is your Commanding Officer. I think his name was Cellworth… or Ceiling… or something…”
“Celling?” prompts the official.
“Yeah, that guy.”
Meanwhile, it is found the Lieutenant Wenton Celling has abandoned his post and taken a boat in pursuit of Edlin, leaving a note saying thus:
“If you won’t fight the plot, then I will.”
What do you do about him?
A: Give him another round of public denouncement, formally strip him of his rank, and send someone to get him back here for court-marshalling!
B: We have bigger fish to fry than a vengeful lieutenant. Leave him alone, quietly cover it up, take no action, and do not let it get public.
C: If he intends to go up against the plot armor, he isn’t going to be able to do it alone. Attempt to find him as soon as possible and get in communication so we can help him.