by M. D. Cooper
Captain Raynes.
Kylie sucked her breath in at the revelation, watching as Raynes drew his weapon and aimed it at one of the men who had collapsed on the ground.
“No, please,” the man pleaded for his life as he raised his arms, “I’ll be good. I’ll get—”
Raynes fired his weapon, the shot piercing the man’s forehead. In the background the other workers kept their heads bent and performed their duties. The following silence was deafening. The vid cut out after that and Kylie fell into pensive silence.
Marge asked.
Marge replied.
How could she not?
“They risked a lot to make this video…to get it to us,” Ricket said.
Kylie nodded. “Let’s make sure this video is authentic before we do anything crazy. Marge, hack into the CSF’s records and pull their roster. Let’s see who these guys really are.”
“You think a group took out the CSF and somehow seized control of this operation?” Ricket asked.
“I think anything is possible at this point,” Kylie said. “Let’s be sure before…let’s just be sure.”
“Before what, Captain?” Rogers asked.
“Before we do something crazy…like help all these people.”
RE-SEARCH
STELLAR DATE: 11.04.8948 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Barbaric Queen, Platform 9, North Docks
REGION: Chimin-1, Hanoi System (independent)
While Marge and Laura scoured the station networks, Kylie took a quick rest on her bed to recharge her energy levels. She hadn’t slept in almost two days, and the last few weeks hadn’t exactly been restful.
She looked around at the lavish quarters, wondering if they had been like this when the ship was a luxury liner, or if her surroundings represented Kingfisher’s tastes.
Either way, she had to admit that the bed was a thousand times more comfortable than any she’d slept on in years. There was even a crystal chandelier hanging overhead. It was a bit gaudy for Kylie’s liking, but it fit what she knew of the previous captain and his eclectic tastes.
Sleep wouldn’t come, and so Kylie scrolled through old pictures on her HUD. Old memories of her marriage to Grayson were brought to the fore and they left her feeling heartbroken and alone. Kylie had tried not to think of him much, tried to pretend they hadn’t parted on such bittersweet terms. Even when looking at the pictures, Kylie tried to steel her heart against any deep emotion.
But when she looked back on family photos of her childhood, pictures with her father and her two brothers beside her, Kylie felt a rush of urgency to do the right thing. Find Paul, fix things. If they could even be fixed.
Kylie swung her legs over the edge of the mattress and sat up. She gazed at the floor, trying to galvanize herself into action.