Order: 56431-S.S.D.
From: Mahabi Kabali, Space Admiral, Commanding Fifth Sector
To: Sen Yen Lui, Commander-in-Chief, Space Scouts, Fifth Sector
Subject: Service Files
You will herewith order release of records of following (listed below) to be consulted, in accordance with usual procedure, by Kronfeld, Director of Colonization Project 308.
O-S-S-D 451 Marson H. Deceased
O-S-S-D 489 Ksanga, V.T. Deceased
(Coded note accompanying the above)
Sorry. Pressure is on, hard. We cannot sit on this now. Anyway both men are safely dead, and have been for years. And there cannot be any possible leak of the real facts; only suspicions.
(Call on private com-band from Kronfeld to Bryar Morle, Port of N’Yok)
Get your best private investigator on this. We know now that the probable port of entry was N’Yok. And there was a child that looked young but was about six or seven. Time of entry approximately fifteen—sixteen years ago. Sure, the trail is cold, and it’s getting colder all the time. But this is our first positive lead; it could well be the last. I needn’t tell you that this is a category one order. Time is running out. Draw on the Foundation Funds. We can prove our case if we have the evidence. Those boneheads in uniform are already sweating!
(Comment of Bran Hudd, partner in Hudd and Rusto, Private Investigators)
Cold trail? This thing’s in space freeze now. What does this joker think we are—miracle men or time travelers? Rusto: He lays down the credits like he grows ’em special in his cellar. So we go through the motion anyway. And a spread of cash can loosen tongues. You have that mock-up of what they think the dame looked like. Shove off and start earning our share.