Chapter 3: Investigating Olivia Laroche’s Death

The Mandoleer’s Folly cut through the blackness of space, its destination set for Ottawa Prime. Captain Spacedawg PaulyBirth Name: PaulyCurrent Alias: Spacedawg PaulySpecies: Human-Canine HybridDate of Birth: February 22, 1973Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., United States, Earth, Sol SystemOccupations: Former Chef, Brewer, Distiller, Garden Worker, Apprentice Cobbler; Current First Mate on the Mandoleer's Folly, Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry (RCSC) Overview Spacedawg Pauly is a unique entity whose life story spans both Earth and the... stood on the bridge, his mind preoccupied with the murder of Olivia LarocheBorn: 2255, Ottawa Prime, Ontario Sector Occupation: Journalist, Author Years Active: 2280-present Employer: Canadian Expanse News Network (CENN) Notable Works: Coverage of interstellar trade, cultural events, political affairs, and technological advancements within the Canadian Expanse. Awards: Canadian Expanse Press Award for Excellence in Journalism (2282, 2284) Early Life and Education Olivia Laroche was born in 2255 in Ottawa Prime, located.... The journalist’s death had sent shockwaves through the Canadian Expanse, and it was their mission to uncover the truth.

“We’re approaching Ottawa Prime, Captain,” reported Ed AlvisBiographical Information Also Known As: Captain Ed Alvis, Dr. Ed AlvisProfessions: Scientist, Musician, AdventurerAlma Mater: University of MarylandNotable Achievements: Ph.D. in Physics, Expertise in Structural Engineering Overview Ed Alvis is a renowned figure in both the scientific and musical communities, celebrated for his dual expertise as a physicist and a musician. His remarkable journey spans academic achievements, a profound musical... from the helm.

“Prepare to dock at the orbital station,” Spacedawg ordered. “Once we’re secured, assemble the away team. We have work to do.”

The Mandoleer’s Folly docked smoothly, and a shuttle was prepped to descend to the planet’s surface. The away team comprised Captain Spacedawg PaulyBirth Name: PaulyCurrent Alias: Spacedawg PaulySpecies: Human-Canine HybridDate of Birth: February 22, 1973Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., United States, Earth, Sol SystemOccupations: Former Chef, Brewer, Distiller, Garden Worker, Apprentice Cobbler; Current First Mate on the Mandoleer's Folly, Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry (RCSC) Overview Spacedawg Pauly is a unique entity whose life story spans both Earth and the..., Ezra MinerName: Ezra MinerAlias: "The Gentleman Pirate"Birthplace: Ontario SectorAge: Mid-50sOccupation: Former train robber, now a cunning space pirate and master thiefAffiliations: Independent; known to work with various criminal syndicates when it suits his interests Early Life Ezra Miner was born in the Ontario Sector into a modest family. From a young age, Miner exhibited a keen mind and a rebellious spirit,..., J.J. SmithJohn Jacob Smith is a seasoned police officer from Georgetown, known for his bravery and unique involvement in managing time anomalies. He has become a pivotal figure in handling temporal disturbances, working undercover as Agent 93 for a secretive organization tasked with protecting the temporal integrity of his environment. Early Career and Experiences John Jacob Smith has been a fixture..., the Alchemist, and Renée LachapelleInspector Renée Lachapelle is a distinguished officer who currently heads the joint anti-crime task force between the local Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry (RCSC) on Montreal Prime. Renowned for her sharp investigative skills and unwavering commitment, Lachapelle plays a pivotal role in maintaining law and order in the Quebec Sector of the Canadian Expanse.  Early Life and Background.... They boarded the shuttle in silence, each member mentally preparing for the task ahead.

As the shuttle landed, they were greeted by the local Constabulary. After a brief check-in, the team made their way to Olivia Laroche’s apartment.

The scene inside was chaotic. Furniture was overturned, drawers emptied, and personal belongings scattered everywhere. Blood splattered the walls, telling a story of violence and struggle.

“Stay sharp, everyone,” Spacedawg said, his eyes scanning the room. “Alchemist, see what you can find.”

The Alchemist activated his scanning device, sweeping it over the wreckage. “There’s a lot of residual energy here,” he murmured. “Wait… I’ve got something.” He carefully extracted a small recording device from beneath a pile of clothes. “It’s encrypted, but we might be able to crack it back on the ship.”

“Good find,” Spacedawg replied. “Let’s see what else we can uncover.”

The team moved through the apartment, examining every detail. They collected Olivia’s personal belongings, notes, and the bloody chef knife left behind. Each piece of evidence was carefully bagged and tagged.

“We should head to the morgue next,” Renée suggested. “We need to see the body.”

Spacedawg nodded. “Agreed. Let’s move.”

The morgue was cold and clinical, a stark contrast to the chaos of the apartment. The team was met by the medical examiner, who led them to Olivia’s body. The sight was somber, her once vibrant presence now reduced to a lifeless form.

“She fought back,” the examiner noted, pointing to defensive wounds on her arms. “But the fatal wound was a deep stab to the abdomen.”

Spacedawg leaned closer, examining the wounds. “Any signs of who might have done this?”

The examiner shook his head. “No identifiable DNA, I’m afraid. Whoever did this knew how to cover their tracks.”

Ezra MinerName: Ezra MinerAlias: "The Gentleman Pirate"Birthplace: Ontario SectorAge: Mid-50sOccupation: Former train robber, now a cunning space pirate and master thiefAffiliations: Independent; known to work with various criminal syndicates when it suits his interests Early Life Ezra Miner was born in the Ontario Sector into a modest family. From a young age, Miner exhibited a keen mind and a rebellious spirit,... looked thoughtful. “We need to get that recording decrypted. It might have captured something.”

“Agreed,” Spacedawg said. “Let’s get back to the ship and see what we can find.”

As they returned to the Mandoleer’s Folly, the team was more determined than ever to solve the mystery of Olivia Laroche’s death. The recording device held potential clues, and they were ready to uncover the truth.