The Mandoleer’s Folly glided through the star-speckled expanse of space, its engines humming a steady note as it set course for the Saint-Louis-de-Blandford Quebec Trade Depot Station. Upon arrival, the ship descended smoothly, docking with a gentle hiss as its landing gears locked into place on the bustling station platform.
Captain Spacedawg led his crew down the ramp where they were promptly greeted by Inspector Renée Lachapelle
Inspector 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... More, her expression a mix of relief and urgency. “Thank you for coming so quickly,” she said, extending a firm handshake to Spacedawg. “Follow me, please. There’s much to discuss.”
They walked through the sprawling complex of the trade depot, weaving through the corridors until they reached a large, secured cargo storage area. The Inspector keyed in a code, and the massive doors slid open with a low groan.
Inside the storage area, Inspector Lachapelle led them to a lone barrel placed conspicuously in the center of the room. “This is what started it all,” she explained, prying the lid off with a crowbar. The crew peered inside to find the barrel filled with what looked like water, not the rich, golden syrup expected. “As you can see, the maple syrup was siphoned off and replaced with water.”
Spacedawg frowned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Who is in charge of inventory control?” he asked, suspecting an inside job.
“The inventory manager was,” Lachapelle responded, her tone turning somber. “However, he resigned just a few days before we began our investigation. And shortly afterward, he took a transport heading toward the Ramhar Remnant jurisdictional boundary.”
Spacedawg’s eyes narrowed at the mention of the Ramhar Remnant, a group known for their pride and territorial nature. “Crossing into Ramhar territory without permission could spark tensions, especially given their recent history with Dr. DeSnaijler
Born: March 9, 1903Birthplace: Rotterdam, NetherlandsOccupation: Physician/Geneticist Early Life and Education Joost DeSnaijler was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He graduated top of his class in medical school but faced ostracism due to his far-right political leanings, aligning with Nazi and fascist ideologies. Career and Wartime Activities DeSnaijler was arrested during a National Socialist Movement (NSB) rally but moved to Germany... More.”
“Do we know if he had any close associates?” Spacedawg inquired, thinking about potential leads.
“Yes, two men who worked under him—Douglas and Robert Fraser. They might know something about his actions or his character,” Lachapelle suggested.
She added, “They frequent a pub called Le Coq et le Castor in the Montreal System
The Montreal System is a prominent star system located within the Quebec Sector of the Canadian Expanse. The system comprises five diverse planets, each exhibiting unique characteristics and contributing to the Montreal System's reputation as a significant hub of activity within the Expanse. Overview • Star: The Montreal System orbits a G-type main-sequence star, providing the necessary conditions for a... More. You might find them there.”
Armed with this new information, Spacedawg thanked the inspector and signaled his crew. “Looks like we’re heading to the Montreal SystemThe Montreal System is a prominent star system located within the Quebec Sector of the Canadian Expanse. The system comprises five diverse planets, each exhibiting unique characteristics and contributing to the Montreal System's reputation as a significant hub of activity within the Expanse. Overview • Star: The Montreal System orbits a G-type main-sequence star, providing the necessary conditions for a... More,” he declared as they walked back to their ship. “Time to have a chat with the Fraser brothers and see what they know about this syrup switcheroo.”
As the Mandoleer’s Folly lifted off from the Quebec Trade Depot, its course was set for Montreal. The mystery of the watered-down syrup deepened, but Spacedawg and his crew were determined to unravel it, one lead at a time. Their journey into the dens of potential suspects promised more revelations and, perhaps, an inevitable confrontation with the elusive inventory manager who seemed to be at the center of it all.
