The search for Matthias Caren began with fragments. Thirty-six years of absence left minimal trail. No property records after retirement. No financial transactions. No documented presence anywhere in the continental territories. He'd disappeared as completely as someone with deliberate intention to remain hidden could manage.
But complete disappearance required resources. Funding for research. Materials for consciousness communication equipment. Access to rift manifestations for experimental validation. Thirty-eight years of advanced study couldn't be conducted in total isolation. Matthias had to be getting supplies somewhere. Had to be maintaining infrastructure. Had to be leaving traces even if those traces were deliberately obscured.
