Flashback (Just some filler, while we're hanging out and waiting to go forward. 
)
"Acting Assistant Commissioner, are you sure that would be... prudent?" newly commissioned Circuit Counsel
Taavi asked. "After all, the commission denied our request to travel with police guards-- court bailiffs. Picking up a traveler who wants free transport could be a risk to government property. An antigrav truck, albeit a pretty decrepit one, is a valuable item. The kind of prize that could tempt even an honest person.
Ahem, even honest
persons." Pointedly mumbles under his breath, "Of which there are few."
The rather oily, recently made slightly-influential bureaucrat smiled broadly. "Counselor Taavi, that is a good point, but one that we have already considered. The risks of a crime against the state are outweighed by the benefits to the state. By offering free transport to spots around the hinterland, we project the state’s
soft power. He says the phrase like it’s a buzzword picked up at a recent training or management seminar.
Taazi considers and does the thinking for him. "So, offering free transport to rural towns on a Ministry of Justice vehicle-- to hitchhikers more or less-- and safely delivering these travelers, and the vehicle, and the Ministry's officials is to be a show of the state’s influence and power to govern. Parading the flag around the farms, if you will. Who's going to screen these
travelers.
"You and the judge, of course. Using your trained acumen and power of insight. That's what you get paid the big bucks for, no?” Smiles a broad smile, envy and irony seeping through it. “But if you fear…. No, if you have concerns for your personal security, other arrangements can of course be made."
Taavi returns the smile, stands, looks the government man in the eye while shifting the pistol belt around his waist to a more optimal position. The Acting Assistant Commissioner’s mouth slightly opens, and he studies the lawyer’s face.
Does he mean this by this by that? Or that? "No other arrangements need be made, Acting Assistant Commissioner. Good day then."
So, when Taavi and Judge
Lira set out from the government office, their first stop was the central bus depot. Taavi connects his ComPad to the truck's internal radio/CD system and sets it at speakers system to full volume. "Judge Lira, I think we should get out of the truck. Do you agree? This will be loud.”
"Travelers. The Ministry of Justice is offering free transportation to select rural destinations. This truck is bound for the township of Prudence, Greater Kumekhna. Return transportation to the city after a few days is possible, but not yet guaranteed. Please note that all passengers are responsible for their own safety, en route and upon arrival and while at the destination. For such reason, presentation of photo ID will not be required.” In a more conversational voice, “Let’s just say everybody is just hitching a ride and on their own.”
Most of the dozens of bus travelers listened, because there wasn’t much else to do while sweating away in a run-down bus depot for a bus that is late, or will probably be late, and may break down along the way. But who could possibly need to go to Prudence? When the little speech ended, most went back to eyeing their ComPads, snoring, or grooming the various forms of their human or mutant selves.
But a young priestess and a silent companion beside her approached Judge Lira. She said her name was
Sister Amalia, and said, “I’m going to Prudence. Thank you for the ride.” There was something enigmatic about both of them. But intuitively they seemed sincere to Taavi. He looked to Judge Lira and she nodded. That was the extent of the lawyer’s and judge’s screening.
An older human male who Taavi had seen wandering around came up started to climb onto the flatbed. He and the judge exchanged glances, and both said No. “Old Dad, where you going?” “Well onto this truck, o’ course.” “This truck is going to Prudence.” “What’s a Prudence?” Taavi looked at the nearby cart vendor, pointed his finger down at the old man, and called out, “A big sandwich, a baked potato, an apple, and a cold lemonade for grandpa.” A boy from the cart scurried over. “8 coppers and 3 irons.” Taavi gave the boy 8 coppers and 7 irons, offered the old man a silver. The old human smiled. “The Old protect you, maltech and demons away.”
And then a man fitted out for combat, who may or may not have been observing before, approached from out of nowhere. “I’ll take a ride to Prudence, if you’re offering. You didn’t require it but my name’s
Emile Khadaji. So you know I’m an honest man.” He and the judge both nodded Yes.
The truck lifted and started down the street, toward the highway, and then made the left turn on branching dirt roads to Prudence. It’s a hard thing to be a driver and passenger in a deca-thousands-chits truck, with just a flat window pane behind you, silhouetted to armed passengers in the bed. But for some reason Taavi never thought twice about it. Somehow he liked the sisters and the man meant for combat. He’d rather drive with them than without them. What they meant to do in backwater Prudence, of all places… that remained to be seen.
