John tried to play the reconciler, hoping to curry some favor with the group while also trying stave off a closer investigation of Neal’s house, something that could only have truly disastrous consequences, “Clearly we need to investigate this further, we can all see that Agent Lana has more than ample reason for suspicion. But at the same time I think it is clear to the Council that we do not have enough information to warrant an attack on the more prominent of the two parties at this time. So may I suggest that we start by confirming the location of this Madeline Cavanagh? Lana, Shahim, would it be possible for either of you go to her location in Florida and confirm her whereabouts?”

Lana looked at him. Was she being dispatched on some errand now? She was about to nominate Shahim for the job, as John had hoped she would, when Mikhail spoke up. He was still justifiably annoyed at being called a fool and he decided to exact a little revenge, “I propose we vote on sending Agent Lana Wilson to investigate this Madeline Cavanagh’s last confirmed location in Florida.”

Shit, thought John, that leaves Shahim in Washington. John had hoped to get him out of there at least until he could get a message to Neal to cleanse the site.

“Seconded.” said Shahim. Lana was shocked. This was the first time she had been ordered to do something in her life. But the orders of the Treaty that her father had signed were abundantly clear. If she refused a direct order of the Council, it would appreciably affect the Empire’s holdings on the soon-to-be conquered Earth. The consequences of such an action on her part were too grave to think of. Even a princess would find herself in dire circumstances if she cost her empire such an exaction.

The ensuing vote went as she feared, with only two dissenters, and the moment the last vote was cast, she felt the AI download the address of the nursing home into her memory along with the personal details of one Madeline Cavanagh.

But Agent Lana Wilson was not done yet and John listened resignedly as she directed her indignation at the one thing he had hoped against hope to avoid. Despite several further objections on his part, she quickly cajoled the group into a vote for Shahim take further steps to find out what Neal was up to. It was a somewhat diminished version of the action she had originally suggested, but while the Agent would not actually abduct the suspect, he was still ordered to enter Neal’s house as soon as possible and investigate what activities were consuming so much of the human’s time. As the conversation continued, John’s mind raced. He must react, and he must do so immediately. In the end, it was decided that Shahim would enter the house the next morning after Neal had left for work.