B.
“The same difference of cell structure that would have protected Antarcticans from Padelheb’s virus could have, if there was a different intent, been exploited to create something that only targeted Antarcticans. Our advantage comes from our understanding of the world, not from ‘superior genetics’. Learning, not the luck of birth. If you want something to say we’re superior about, choose that. It’s far easier to prove true.”
Carr nods at this. “So it’s possible to design another bioweapon to target Antarcticans?”
“It would take time and equipment,” Quill says. “This isn’t something that someone could cook up in their garage.”
“Which raises the question,” Stevenson asks. “How exactly did Padelheb pull off such a scheme under the noses of the government?”
“To a great deal, he
was the government,” Nest replies. “I’m investigating any accomplices he may have had right now.”
“Speaking of accomplices…” Carr said. He walked around behind Quill, Celling, and Fansworth. “Captain Wenton Celling. You falsified a report of a hurricane, leading to the pointless evacuation of a major city…”
“The hurricane ploy served to get civilians out of the danger zone as soon as possible,” Celling responds. “We didn’t know the capabilities of the so-called “Secondborn” that appeared at the docks. It was best to get everyone out.”
“Immediately after,” Carr continued, “You presented the Baron of Argentina, Prenner Goldsmith, with a decoy rebel. In the confusion caused by this, one of his guardsmen, a certain Iridium, assassinated him.”
“I don’t know anything about that assassination, Carr?”
“Really?” Carr asks. “Because from where I stand, it sure looks like you conspired to get Goldsmith in a position where he would be vulnerable, so that a traitor within his guard could kill him.”
“How would that work, exactly?” Celling asks. “I don’t see how we did anything that might have helped with the assassination.”
Carr shrugged. “Even so, your command decisions are questionable. You’ve had a repeated problem with men turning traitor,” he pointed out. “One, a certain “de Protonne”, tried to steal the Key. Another shot the female rebel - although she was already dead by that point - against orders.”
“You’re right to be suspicious of that, Carr,” Nest says. “The man who defected declared himself Lord Iridium - a name also shared by the guardsman that killed Goldsmith. I suspect it to be a pseudonym.”
“Iridium?” Mira asks. “That’s a rare element. It’s a hard, dense silver metal. I can’t imagine why anyone would use it as a title of nobility.”
“What’s it used for?” Nest asks.
“Fountain pens,” Quill answers flatly.
Nest visibly grimaces at the absurdity of this situation. “I suspect some sort of conspiracy is at work, but I can’t see how shooting Anna would advance anyone’s goals. Rest assured that it is under investigation.”
Do you have anything to say to that?