Mar 28, 2026 4:01 pm
96–Hour Surveillance Analysis
Over the next ninety-six hours the team settles into a disciplined cycle of observation, correlation, and analysis. Sensor feeds from the ISS satellite drones, the Harrier’s recovered records, and the Azure Voyager’s own observation platforms are continuously cross-referenced. In addition, the team maintains a passive tap into the Cutter’s internal computer and communications systems. While the connection is limited to local pickup through the Cutter’s sensors and external microphones, it allows the team to capture fragments of conversations between Harlan Voss and the Alejia who periodically visit the landing pad.
Combined with orbital observation, the growing dataset begins to reveal patterns that were previously hidden inside the noise of daily activity around the Balac Pontli starport.
Activity Around the Cutter
The most consistent activity remains centered on the Cutter itself. The group identified as the Xá'kai continues to provide food and basic supplies to Voss at regular intervals, typically arriving in small groups during a morning and evening cycle. These visitors approach calmly and without visible hostility. They do not attempt to board the Cutter aggressively, confiscate equipment, or restrict Voss’s movements within the vessel.
Through the Cutter’s external audio pickups the team captures several short conversations between Voss and the visiting Alejia. Their exchanges are brief and somewhat awkward due to the language barrier, but the tone is unmistakably cooperative.
Voss repeatedly inquires about the status of "Imperial Scout Dominicus" and the rest of his crew. The responses he receives consistently reassure him that they remain safe.
One phrase appears repeatedly in the translated fragments — a concept the software tentatively renders as:
"honor still carried"
"promise not broken"
Nothing in these exchanges suggests that the Xá'kai currently hold Dominicus or her team. Instead, the language implies that the Xá'kai feel a continuing responsibility for their well-being even though custody may no longer be theirs.
Movement Within Balac Pontli
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the Cutter, the broader movement patterns of the Alejia around the starport grow increasingly clear as the observation period continues.
What initially appeared chaotic resolves into a layered structure of movement and influence. The settlement surrounding Balac Pontli is divided into overlapping zones of tribal authority. Members of the Xá'kai move freely within certain sectors of the old airfield and surrounding structures, but their presence drops sharply in several nearby compounds and building clusters. In those locations other Alejia groups dominate the movement patterns, displaying subtle differences in clothing, escort behavior, and posture that mark them as belonging to different tribal authorities.
These territorial divisions, however, are not absolute.
Large flows of people move between districts along several well-traveled corridors leading toward large open plazas and gathering areas that appear to function as central markets. These markets operate as neutral ground where individuals from many tribes mingle freely to trade food, tools, and materials.
Movement density in these areas is significantly higher than anywhere else in the settlement. Individuals observed operating strictly within tribal zones frequently reappear within these shared market spaces. The result is a layered pattern: within their own districts the tribes maintain visible spheres of influence, but the markets function as communal hubs where those divisions soften.
Attention Toward the Cutter
The Cutter itself occasionally attracts attention from Alejia who are not part of the regular Xá'kai supply group. Several individuals approach the landing pad simply to observe the vessel from a distance before returning toward the market districts or the compounds controlled by other tribes.
These visits are brief and non-confrontational, suggesting curiosity rather than authority.
During several observation periods the team also identifies human traders moving through the same areas. These individuals interact with small groups of Alejia before returning toward the landing pads used by visiting starships. The pattern reinforces the conclusion that the starport functions as a shared intersection point between multiple Alejia tribes and the off-world traders who operate there.
Intercepted Communications
Meanwhile the translation software continues its gradual progress in interpreting intercepted Alejia communications gathered from radio chatter around the starport.
Several recurring fragments begin appearing across different conversations. The translation software identifies phrases loosely corresponding to ideas such as:
None of the fragments contain a direct reference to Dominicus or the Cutter, but the surrounding context suggests a structured transfer of responsibility rather than seizure or imprisonment.
When compared with the conversations captured through the Cutter’s microphones, the emerging picture becomes more consistent.
The Xá'kai appear to have been the first tribe to secure Dominicus and her crew following their arrival. Responsibility for their situation may have since passed to another authority within the Alejia system.
Starport Intermediaries
Another pattern slowly emerges within the traffic around the landing pads themselves.
A small number of individuals appear capable of moving freely between tribal districts and the off-world starship areas. These figures (Human accompanied with Alejian) interact comfortably with Alejia groups and visiting human traders before continuing on toward other parts of the settlement.
Unlike most Alejia movement — which tends to remain within tribal districts except when traveling to the markets — these individuals move across multiple boundaries without visible challenge.
Their routes frequently connect:
The behavior suggests the presence of intermediaries who operate between the tribes of Balac Pontli and the off-world traders who maintain landing rights at the starport.
Analytical Summary
By the end of the ninety-six-hour observation cycle the team’s models produce a clearer overall picture, even if the precise location of Dominicus remains unresolved.
If Dominicus now lies within the sphere of another tribe, the path to understanding her situation may not come solely from watching Balac Pontli more closely.
It may instead lie with those who already move freely between its many boundaries.
Over the next ninety-six hours the team settles into a disciplined cycle of observation, correlation, and analysis. Sensor feeds from the ISS satellite drones, the Harrier’s recovered records, and the Azure Voyager’s own observation platforms are continuously cross-referenced. In addition, the team maintains a passive tap into the Cutter’s internal computer and communications systems. While the connection is limited to local pickup through the Cutter’s sensors and external microphones, it allows the team to capture fragments of conversations between Harlan Voss and the Alejia who periodically visit the landing pad.
Combined with orbital observation, the growing dataset begins to reveal patterns that were previously hidden inside the noise of daily activity around the Balac Pontli starport.
Activity Around the Cutter
The most consistent activity remains centered on the Cutter itself. The group identified as the Xá'kai continues to provide food and basic supplies to Voss at regular intervals, typically arriving in small groups during a morning and evening cycle. These visitors approach calmly and without visible hostility. They do not attempt to board the Cutter aggressively, confiscate equipment, or restrict Voss’s movements within the vessel.
Through the Cutter’s external audio pickups the team captures several short conversations between Voss and the visiting Alejia. Their exchanges are brief and somewhat awkward due to the language barrier, but the tone is unmistakably cooperative.
Voss repeatedly inquires about the status of "Imperial Scout Dominicus" and the rest of his crew. The responses he receives consistently reassure him that they remain safe.
One phrase appears repeatedly in the translated fragments — a concept the software tentatively renders as:
"honor still carried"
"promise not broken"
Nothing in these exchanges suggests that the Xá'kai currently hold Dominicus or her team. Instead, the language implies that the Xá'kai feel a continuing responsibility for their well-being even though custody may no longer be theirs.
Movement Within Balac Pontli
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the Cutter, the broader movement patterns of the Alejia around the starport grow increasingly clear as the observation period continues.
What initially appeared chaotic resolves into a layered structure of movement and influence. The settlement surrounding Balac Pontli is divided into overlapping zones of tribal authority. Members of the Xá'kai move freely within certain sectors of the old airfield and surrounding structures, but their presence drops sharply in several nearby compounds and building clusters. In those locations other Alejia groups dominate the movement patterns, displaying subtle differences in clothing, escort behavior, and posture that mark them as belonging to different tribal authorities.
These territorial divisions, however, are not absolute.
Large flows of people move between districts along several well-traveled corridors leading toward large open plazas and gathering areas that appear to function as central markets. These markets operate as neutral ground where individuals from many tribes mingle freely to trade food, tools, and materials.
Movement density in these areas is significantly higher than anywhere else in the settlement. Individuals observed operating strictly within tribal zones frequently reappear within these shared market spaces. The result is a layered pattern: within their own districts the tribes maintain visible spheres of influence, but the markets function as communal hubs where those divisions soften.
Attention Toward the Cutter
The Cutter itself occasionally attracts attention from Alejia who are not part of the regular Xá'kai supply group. Several individuals approach the landing pad simply to observe the vessel from a distance before returning toward the market districts or the compounds controlled by other tribes.
These visits are brief and non-confrontational, suggesting curiosity rather than authority.
During several observation periods the team also identifies human traders moving through the same areas. These individuals interact with small groups of Alejia before returning toward the landing pads used by visiting starships. The pattern reinforces the conclusion that the starport functions as a shared intersection point between multiple Alejia tribes and the off-world traders who operate there.
Intercepted Communications
Meanwhile the translation software continues its gradual progress in interpreting intercepted Alejia communications gathered from radio chatter around the starport.
Several recurring fragments begin appearing across different conversations. The translation software identifies phrases loosely corresponding to ideas such as:
- "first guardianship"
- "placed in stronger hands"
- "path of speakers"
None of the fragments contain a direct reference to Dominicus or the Cutter, but the surrounding context suggests a structured transfer of responsibility rather than seizure or imprisonment.
When compared with the conversations captured through the Cutter’s microphones, the emerging picture becomes more consistent.
The Xá'kai appear to have been the first tribe to secure Dominicus and her crew following their arrival. Responsibility for their situation may have since passed to another authority within the Alejia system.
Starport Intermediaries
Another pattern slowly emerges within the traffic around the landing pads themselves.
A small number of individuals appear capable of moving freely between tribal districts and the off-world starship areas. These figures (Human accompanied with Alejian) interact comfortably with Alejia groups and visiting human traders before continuing on toward other parts of the settlement.
Unlike most Alejia movement — which tends to remain within tribal districts except when traveling to the markets — these individuals move across multiple boundaries without visible challenge.
Their routes frequently connect:
- tribal compounds
- central markets
- Free Trader landing areas
The behavior suggests the presence of intermediaries who operate between the tribes of Balac Pontli and the off-world traders who maintain landing rights at the starport.
Analytical Summary
By the end of the ninety-six-hour observation cycle the team’s models produce a clearer overall picture, even if the precise location of Dominicus remains unresolved.
- The Xá'kai continue to demonstrate concern for the welfare of Dominicus and her people through their ongoing support of Voss.
- Nothing in their behavior suggests they currently control her location.
- Balac Pontli is divided among several tribal authorities whose influence overlaps most strongly in the central market districts and starport trading areas.
- Intercepted communications suggest Dominicus and her team may have been formally transferred from the Xá'kai to another tribal authority.
- A small number of intermediaries appear capable of moving between tribal districts, markets, and off-world traders.
If Dominicus now lies within the sphere of another tribe, the path to understanding her situation may not come solely from watching Balac Pontli more closely.
It may instead lie with those who already move freely between its many boundaries.
