The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[Schipperke]

To Catch a Saboteur, Part II

Diary Entry

After Dr Plett's reaction when I interrupted his experiment, I was hesitant about walking in on another Scientist at work.  No point in antagonizing them unnecessarily.  I was standing in the cafeteria wondering how I could best find my next target when Kaila Swift strolled through, followed by Gobias in pyjamas and bunny slippers. 



Before I went after Kaila, I asked Gobias who the woman in the swim suit was.  "Before this building was converted into a Science Centre it used to house a swimming pool," Gobias told me.  "The old dear is a bit senile.  She gets dressed in her bathing suit and comes here every day and sits in the cafeteria.  We haven't had the heart to send her away.  She's quite harmless, and definitely is never allowed upstairs in the research areas.  We've convinced her that upstairs is the men's steam room and she's  quite content to avoid that!"

I felt sorry for the old woman in the swim suit.  And that reminded me, if I didn't get the lead out and find out who was sabotaging the research, before long there might not be any water for anyone to swim in.  I went after Kaila Swift.



I started to introduce myself, but she cut me off:  "No need for an introduction - I know who you are.  The famous Ben Oliver!  Everyone in Sunlit Tides was talking about your daring apprehension of Sneakers.  Although," she added fondly, "I've always had a bit of a soft spot in my heart for poor old Sneakers.  He's not really a bad chap - misguided, mostly.  But didn't I see you in the club one night singing karaoke?"

Well, I had been to the karaoke club in Sunlit Tides more than once.  But I hoped she was referring to the first time I was there, with the lovely Angela.  Time to change the subject.



I asked her what she thought of the problems at the research facility.

Her face grew serious.  "It has to be sabotage, I'm afraid.  There have been too many unexplained problems to be coincidence."

And did she have any idea who might be behind the sabotage?

"It's hard to imagine anyone could want to do such a thing!" she said.  "If the water supply becomes unusable, we'll all die.  Who could possibly want that to happen?  What could their motivation be for such a senseless act?"

Who indeed.  The lady definitely had a good point.  I asked her how she thought the water was being caused to burn, and she repeated Zebulon Plett's theory about a volatile hydrocarbon being introduced somehow.



"And now," she said, her eyes twinkling, "if you can spare a bit of time from the interrogation, can I challenge you to a game of chess?  I find you can tell a lot about a person by how he plays chess."

We played.



She won.

After the game I presented her with one of my gift-wrapped boxes.



"How delightful!" she exclaimed.  "You know, I've been wanting one of these!  The perfect gift from Monte Vista for a Scientist who loves to garden!  Thank you so much."

She was really a wonderful person, warm and friendly.  I found myself getting lost in her big brown eyes ...





Suddenly I could hear De Luca's voice in my head, "Snap out of it, Oliver!  You're not there to moon over brown eyes.  Get on with the mission."  Reluctantly I thanked Kaila Swift for her time and went looking for the next person on my list.

[Tilia]

Glad to see Ben doesn't mind a bit extra on his ladies.  He's an equal opportunity romancer.

[ladybug53]

Now Ben , you have to stay focused . Only a few more to interview and we shall see what is found out .  I wonder about  .....    Great update ! 

[Schipperke]

Glad to see Ben doesn't mind a bit extra on his ladies.  He's an equal opportunity romancer.

I think he loves all women.  The poor guy just has a little trouble understanding why they don't all seem to love him back! 

[RainBeau]

Oh that screenshot of Ben with the upraised eyebrow was classic! I'm sure there's some significance to the gifts...I just can't work it out.

[Louise56]

I wonder about the old lady in the swimming suit, is she as innocent as they think.

[Rhapsody2312]

I wonder about the old lady in the swimming suit, is she as innocent as they think.

^ This.

[Schipperke]

To Catch a Saboteur, Part III

Diary Entry

I found Conrad Anderson in the room with the spirit capsules and introduced myself to him.



I found those stacks of spirit capsules creepy and made some comment to that effect.

He scowled at me and said, "The spirit capsules were my idea.  We need to have a way to preserve Sim consciousnesses if this project fails as it looks like it's going to."



He waved his arm and raised his eyes heavenward.  "Haven't you ever wondered what it might be like to be a disembodied spirit?  No, maybe not.  You're a very down-to-earth sort, aren't you?  Man of action and all that.  I don't suppose you action types are burdened with overactive imaginations."



Had he just insulted me?  I wasn't sure.  Not for the first time, I was wishing I had Carl with me.  If nothing else, having a genius like him standing by me should discourage these brilliant scientists from mocking me.  Still, I wasn't here to make friends, and it didn't matter what Conrad Anderson or any of them thought of me.  It occurred to me that it might even be to my advantage if the saboteur, whoever that might be, were to think me a bumbling idiot.

So I scratched my head and looked puzzled. 



Flattering his powers of observation and intelligence, I asked what he thought was going on at the Science Centre.

"Someone is envious of my research and is trying to keep me from publishing," he said.  "I was getting close to the truth so someone made sure my notes were left lying too close to the jar of acid which 'accidentally' spilled on them.  Making them totally unreadable," he said sadly.  "All that work gone.  The research report that would have sealed my reputation as one of the top Scientists - oh well, what does it matter, if we're all going to die.  At least I have my spirit capsule ready and waiting."



I asked him if he had any suspicions as to who the saboteur might be.  He leaned close and whispered in my ear.



"All I know is that Kaila Swift was off on her own somewhere when my notes were destroyed," he said.  "I'm not saying she did it, mind.  But she could have.  I definitely think you should investigate her further.  Don't be fooled by those big brown eyes of hers.  She's much more shrewd than she lets on."

So he suspected Kaila Swift?  Or did he have some other reason for wanting to cast suspicion on her?  Such as wanting to make me suspect anyone other than himself, for example.  These Scientists, with their publish-or-perish lives - maybe there was some professional rivalry I didn't know about.  I made a mental note to call May and see if she knew anything about that.

I reached into my backpack and pulled out a wrapped box which I presented to Dr Anderson.



"For me?  How delightful!" he exclaimed, and ripped it open.



"Oh, my!  How very, very nice to get one of these!  A friend of mine recently returned from France and told me they're all the rage over there!  I can't wait to use it!"

I asked him just how these items were used in France, and he explained.

Then he said, "You know, I am very knowledgeable about law enforcement procedures.  I watch all the cop shows.  When you're ready to arrest Kaila - or whoever - I want you to know you can call on me for help!  Oh, yes, this is so exciting!"



I got the impression he was ready to rush right over to Kaila Swift and slap the handcuffs on her, so I did my best to dissuade him and assured him that if I needed help, I'd let him know.



He beamed at me.  As I was thanking him for his help, I noticed Nadrena Avenel watching us and decided to interview her next.

[ladybug53]

This awesome lab is so perfect for this mission . It's starting to get close . I think I have to start biting my nails now . This was a great update . Anxiously waiting for tomorrows update . 

[Louise56]

I'm so curious about the presents! I can't wait for the next update.

[MarianT]

Can't help wondering what's "all the rage in France." Too bad the gift box is always the same size. It could be anything from a special seed to a motive mobile.

[cndneh]

Can't help wondering what's "all the rage in France." Too bad the gift box is always the same size. It could be anything from a special seed to a motive mobile.

Well I was thinking of things you could get in France... the scooter came to mind... also the nectar maker....  not sure how those fit in.   

[Easilyamusd123]

Or those rare grapes! Cause, uh, they're super useful and all.... Ok probably not   

[RaiaDraconis]

Nectar itself, or maybe that one incense burner thing? I'm sure by process of elimination one of us might figure it out.

Very intriguing so far with the interrogations. I like how you gave Gobias a leading role in the lab. It fits him.

[Schipperke]

To Catch a Saboteur, Part IV

Diary Entry

I walked over and introduced myself to Nadrena Avenel.



I asked her what she thought of the problems at the facility.

She sighed.  "It's hard to believe someone would deliberately sabotage work of this importance.  But there seems to be no other explanation.  The question, of course, is why?"

I asked if she had any ideas about the why of it.



"Well," she said, "most of us here are wanting to make a name for ourselves, you know.  I'm sure that's a large part of why we came, because a big important project like this can make a career.  So maybe it's someone who doesn't need the career boost that this job can bring - someone who is already established, at the top of his field."



An interesting idea.  I was thinking about that when she added, "Of course, it would have to be someone who had a way of ensuring his own survival when the water became unusable."

I thought of Gobias tending the Death Flowers, and of Conrad with his spirit capsule.  I asked if she had plans of her own to survive the crisis.



"Me?"  She laughed bitterly.  "I'm not important enough to be first in line for one of the spirit capsules.  And all the Death Flowers so far seem to be going into Gobias's pocket.  Draw your own conclusions."



I asked her the question about how the water was being made to burn.  She gave me the same answer as her colleagues - "some sort of volatile hydrocarbon.  We thought we were getting close to identifying it, and then the sabotage started.  My research notes were stolen.  All that work, for nothing!"



I thanked her for her help and pulled out one of my gift-wrapped boxes and handed it to her.



"For me?  How charming of you!" she exclaimed, as she unwrapped the box and opened it.



"Oh, how lovely!" she said.  "Just the sort of thing my little nieces will love to play with - they'll be so excited to see it.  Thank you!"

And that's when I found out that Scientist or not, women of all stripes are susceptible to the old Oliver charm.



A flirty Scientist!  Be still, my heart!  It occurred to me that I had been working hard, one interview after another, and maybe Nadrena and I could take a break together.  But sadly, that wasn't to happen.  I heard a commotion and spun round to see Zebulon Plett and Gobias standing by the window.  Dr Plett was pointing out the window and speaking urgently to Gobias.