"Was there anything strange about that last communication?"
She shrugs her narrow shoulders. "It's just that usually ships when they dock, they come aboard for supplies and allow their crew to enjoy the station. But this captain kept his crew on the ship. He was the only one that visited security."
"Security?" My heart skips a beat.
"I guess he wanted to talk to our security team. Strange, but I didn't really think anything about it then. But now it's obvious they knew they had some sort of security issue." She frowns. "I think he was looking for help."
"Do you know who the captain met with? On the security team?" I try not to sound overly interested.
She pauses, tilting her head to the side as she thinks. She's very pretty, and it makes me wonder why she's trying to be friends with someone like me. "I think Dad was out on an emergency call near the asteroid belt that day. So it must've been the sergeant."
My stomach twists. I saw the two of them in the vids, but now I know for sure the captain met with Scott for a reason. So did the captain know Scott before he came to Delta, or was he just trying to find someone he could trust to protect him during his business transaction for the prototype? And ended up finding a traitor.
"Anyway, I'm sorry to be such a downer." Annie leans forward. "What about you? Do you like your apprenticeship? How do you cope with all the death that you see?" Her face turns pink. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be that forward. You don't have to answer that."
I smile at her. "It's okay. Actually, it's kind of nice to have someone to talk to about it. Other than my dad, of course."
She visibly relaxes and smiles back.
"I actually like what I do. I get to help people, give them the respect they deserve even after death." I shrug. "It's not a glamorous job, and it's definitely not for everyone, but I find it always interesting. It's satisfying being able to help family members find closure, or identify remains of bodies discovered in wrecks or abandoned ships. I think the investigation part is intriguing."
Annie looks away.
"I'm sorry if that disturbs you. I tried not to give too many details." I silently berate myself as I watch her pretty face looking quite serious.
She looks back at me. "No, it's not you. I'm not disturbed at all by what you said. It's just," she looks up at the ceiling, "that's the problem. I find all that very interesting. Is that wrong of me?"
I blink a few times. "What? What do you mean?"
Pinkness creeps back into her cheeks. "I mean I've listened to our dads talk before. And with what you just said, it sounds like you guys really enjoy what you do. And that intrigues me. Is it wrong for me to be interested in that? I mean I couldn't handle the autopsy stuff myself, but all the other stuff you do sounds very interesting." She frowns, not meeting my gaze.
I laugh a nervous laugh. "Are you saying you would like to see what it is I do?"
Annie looks at me, eyes wide. "Is there something wrong with me?"
I shake my head. "No, there's nothing wrong with you. We're proud of what we do. Just because there are others out there that look down on us, it doesn't make what we do any less respectable, or creepy. People all have their own opinions and beliefs about death and what comes after. Even way out here on the edge of the galaxy." I smile at her.
She relaxes back into her chair again. I've noticed that she wears her emotions on the surface. It's easy to see by her body and facial language what she's feeling. I think this is the first time since I left Mars that I've had anything close to a friend, other than Derek. I hope it doesn't go downhill like it did with him.
Our attention is drawn back outside the cafe as dozens of security personnel jog down the main walkway, causing people to jump out of their way. Annie and I look at each other with wide eyes. We stand up and hurry out of the cafe.
19
Attack
Annie and I stand outside the cafe and watch as security personnel stream by us, heading toward the main public dock. I didn't know we had so many security guards on Delta.
Annie spots her father and runs toward him. I follow, hiking my pack up onto my shoulder.
"Dad, what’s going on?" She yells over the thunder of boots on the walkway. We have to dodge bystanders and practically run alongside him to keep up. Somewhere ahead of there are loud noises coming from outside the station.
My heart races and I stay as close to Annie as I can, straining to hear her dad.
I only hear bits of his answer. "…ship...launching...destroyed...get back to...communications room." Then he pulls ahead leaving us breathing hard beside the blur of security personnel that stream past us.
We hop off the walkway and Annie turns to me, her aqua eyes wide. "I think we need to head to our workstations. A ship is sitting just outside our station's defense system, firing shots at Delta. Some of the farthest security dock has been destroyed." She puts her hand on my shoulder, a gesture that makes me smile despite our situation. "Hopefully, we won't need your expertise, but it sounds bad."
"We had a feeling the ship that attacked the Tempest would return. Dad will respond anyway since we help with medical responses as well."
She pulls away. "Stay safe, Bren."
I smile. "You too, Annie. Let me know if you hear anything. You should be one of the first to hear if this is the same ship."
She nods, sending her curls bouncing. "It kind of sounds like it might be. I'll message you when I find out something."
The business district is turning chaotic as she turns and heads toward the communication section. I duck between two of the shops and run down a connecting corridor to the other side. I turn to head toward the morgue and run smack into another line of security personnel. I stumble and fall backwards.
"Watch where you're going," says a gruff voice.
I look up to find Scott scowling down at me. My heart skips a beat, and I freeze in place.
He bends over, and reaches toward me. I scoot backward but run into the wall. His hand finds mine anyway and pulls me up to my feet.
His expression is hardened, and he narrows his eyes at me before he lets me go. My body feels limp as he joins the other security guys.
I mumble a curse under my breath and turn around toward the morgue again. This time I’m face to face with Derek. Could this day get any worse?
"Sorry." I twist away, but he grabs my shoulders and pushes me out of the way of the jogging security staff. Pinned against the wall by his body, I watch as they pass by, intent on whatever they're about to encounter.
Derek doesn't let me go, just meets my gaze. His expression is unreadable. I listen to the boots pounding past us as my heart beats so hard it feels like it will come out of my chest.
Soon we're alone in the corridor and he lets go of me. Neither one of us move.
"Derek, I—"
He puts up a hand. "No, don't say anything, Bren. I know I've been a jerk when you've only been kind to me."
Not what I expected. I close my gaping mouth.
He hangs his chin to his chest. "I just don't know what I'm doing anymore." He looks back up. "I thought I was doing something important working in security, striving to be top in my class, having the friends I have. But then I got to know you, and after what we went through together on that ship, it changed me somehow. But I'm not sure what to do with it all." He folds his arms over his chest.
Before I can say anything, someone down the corridor calls for Derek. He yells back and looks quickly at me. "Stay safe, Bren. I've got to go."
I put my hand on his arm. He freezes but doesn't move away from my touch. "Derek, you need to be careful around the sergeant. I don’t have time to tell you all the details, but Scott is involved in all this. I have the proof, but—"
Suddenly, the station rocks below our feet. Derek reaches for me and steadies both of us. His eyes are wide, his expression scared. "Stay hidden, Bren. I'll find you when this is over." He turns and races down the hall.
I'm shaking as I make my way to the m
orgue. I'm worried that Derek is heading right toward the center of the danger. I find Dad in the autopsy room, cleaning utensils off the floor. I grab an apron and gloves and help him. "What was that, Dad?"
He shakes his head. "I heard a ship was in range and attacking the docks. They must've gotten through our line of security ships."
"I think it's the same ship that killed the crew of the Tempest." I point to the body on the table.
"Why do you think that?" He puts the utensils into the sanitizer. The station takes another hit, and we brace ourselves until it stills again.
"I was talking to Annie Clarke. Her dad and brother are in security."
He smiles. "Yes, I know Mr. Clarke very well. Good guy. Wait,–” he holds up a hand, “you were talking to Annie?"
I roll my eyes. "Yes, it seems she isn't afraid of me like the others. Her brother was on the Valiant with me." I wave my hand. "Anyway, we found her father and from what he said, it sounds like it's the same ship that attacked the Tempest. Annie works in communications, so she'll let me know if she finds out anything else."
A shiver runs through the station.
"Help me secure the bodies, Bren." Dad wraps back up the body on the table. We get her put back in the refrigerator and make sure all the others are stable. Then we check all the rooms to make sure everything is put away in case there's more shaking. I stash my pack in my room.
With silent agreement, Dad grabs his medical bag, and we both head toward the docks to see if there's anything we can do.
"Do we have defensive capabilities here, Dad?" I hurry to keep up with his long strides.
"Yes, although it was meant more for wayward meteors or out of control ships. I'm not sure what we can do against an aggressive ship coming at us like this." His face is pinched with worry.
"What about the security ships? Surely they're equipped for this kind of emergency?"
We take a quick right into the connecting corridor. We're flat out running when the station takes another hit. We're both thrown against the wall as pieces of ceiling tile fall all around us.
I stand up rubbing my shoulder and help Dad up. "You're hurt." I lift his hand where blood is dripping from a cut.
He sits back down on the floor and I dig through his med bag. I clean and wrap his hand. "That should help for now. It wasn't too deep." I put the supplies back in his bag.
He grins up at me.
"What?"
"You're very good at this, Bren.” He pats the bandage with his good hand. “You've got your mom's natural instincts to take care of people. As well as her intelligence and beauty." A gentle smile lights his eyes.
I blush. I hadn't really thought about Mom lately. I've tried pushing my pain away so I could deal with life in a new place. Hot tears betray my emotions and I turn away. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot to me."
I feel another tremor through the floor, and Dad hoists himself up. We jog down the corridor and enter the business district that is now in total chaos. People are running in all directions, chairs and fixtures in front of the restaurants are thrown everywhere. The walkway isn't moving.
Dad hands me a small med kit and gloves. "You head toward the communications room. Make sure your friend is all right and vid me if you find out anything further." He points in the other direction. "I'm going to see how things are at the docks." He pulls me into a strong hug. "And be careful, Bren. I love you."
"Love you too, Dad." I smile and turn toward the communications wing. My heart aches. The last time I departed from a parent in the middle of an emergency like this, she never came back. I glance over my shoulder at my dad's retreating form. I'm not sure I could go through that again, so I tell myself that Dad will just have to be all right.
20
Radios
Since the walkway is at a standstill, I run the length of the corrugated metal toward the corner of the station where all the communication rooms are located. The hits from the ship must've taken out some of the station-wide systems. Not only is the walkway dead, the emergency lights have just turned on. I take a right after the greenhouse door. The communication center is located at one of the tips of the triangle, opposite the security space dock. Security personnel run up and down the corridor, and several are standing at attention outside several of the doorways.
As I pass each person, I automatically study them for signs of wounds or injuries. So far, it looks like this side of the station has escaped most of the damage.
I don't see Scott. That bugs me because I know that he's probably at the other end, somehow helping the attackers. My hands tighten on the med bag.
One of the two guards in front of the comm door is Annie's brother, Adam. I smile at him, relieved to see a familiar face.
He smiles back. "Hi, Brenna. What are you doing here?"
I lift my med bag to show him. "I came to see if there were any injuries on this side." I look down the corridor. "It looks like most of you are all right."
His gaze falls to the floor. "Seems all the action is at the docks."
"Sounds like it. They have you guarding the comm room instead of responding down there?"
He frowns. "My dad told me to stay here. He couldn't find my direct supervisor, so I have to follow his orders."
"Your supervisor is Sergeant Scott, right?" An alarm starts pinging in the back of my brain.
He nods.
"Can I see Annie for a second?" My hands start sweating and I’m sure my voice just went up an octave.
"Why?" His eyebrows just about reach his hairline.
I bite my lip before I answer. "I need to make sure she's all right and give her a message from your dad." I hold my breath as I wait to see what he’ll do.
He opens the door for me. I step in quickly and look around the room. Every seat is filled, and everyone is wearing a headset. It's noisy in here from so many people talking at once. I spot Annie and head across the room toward her.
I stand beside her chair and wait for her to finish her conversation. I try to piece together some of the conversations around me, but there's too many of them. They must be talking to half of Earth's fleet.
Annie clicks her comm off and turns to me. "Bren! What are you doing here?" Her pretty face grows serious. "Is my dad all right?"
"Yes, as far as I know, he's fine. My dad went to the docks to assess casualties. I'm on my way there to join him. I wanted to make sure you were all right." I look around the room. "Are we getting help anytime soon?"
She bobs her head. "Yes, several of Earth's main galactic fleet vessels were nearby and are on their way here. They should be here within the hour."
I frown as another tremor rolls through the station. "Will our defenses hold that long?"
Tears fill Annie's eyes and I feel awful scaring her more than she already must be. I quickly say, "I'm sure we'll be fine. This side of the station is unhurt. And it's only one ship." I point to the data cube plugged into her comm and change the subject. "Is there any more information about the ship attacking us?"
She wipes away a tear and smiles up at me. "Yes, I downloaded all the data we could find about the ship. Do you think you could get it to my dad? The local comm system is down and I can't reach him on the internal comms." Her smile dissipates into a tight line.
"Of course. Like I said, I'm heading there right now." I take the cube from her. "Is there another way for him to communicate with you once I get there?"
"Yes, they already have a backup. He'll need one of these." She digs underneath her comm station and hands me two black metal boxes.
I turn them over in my hands. "These are radios?"
She nods. "You just turn this nob," she points to a round dial, "to turn them on. They only work on the station in short distances. Please get one to Dad so I can talk to him." She looks around. "So we all can know what's going on over there. And the other one is for you. I'll let you know if I find anything else about our attackers."
I tuck the bulky things into the pockets of the med bag. "Th
ank you. I'm sure you'll be hearing from him soon." I smile and head back toward the door.
I wave to Annie's brother as I leave and head the opposite way I came. This way is longer, but will allow me to pass by the hospital, so I can see what we're dealing with medically. And to see if my dad is there.
I jog along the broken walkway past the residential sections. People are running back and forth with travel bags and I can hear a baby crying. They're probably trying to pack up to leave the station, thinking that would be safer. I'm not sure it will. That ship is still out there shooting at us. What if it decides to turn its attention on the public ships leaving?
I jog past the public docks, crowded with people pushing and shoving. The security guards are clearly overwhelmed. Over the sea of heads, I recognize a face bobbing up and down in the crowd, shoving people out of the way. Scott. Anger boils up inside me as I wonder where he's going. Would he risk taking a ship from here to join the attacker?
The crowd is too thick, and I soon lose sight of him. I stop to catch my breath as I scan the sea of faces. Even as tall as I am, I can't see where he's gone.
21
Collision
I angle back away from the docks and head down the third leg of Delta. All I can see as I look down the long corridor are bodies lying on stretchers and medical personnel tending to them. My instinct is to go help them, but I need to find Annie's dad first.
Another explosion rocks the station, and I lose my footing, falling backward against the glass wall of the greenhouse. I steady myself and bend to pick up the med bag. As I stand, movement in the greenhouse catches my eye. One of the greenhouse staff is securing one of the many water pipes that run throughout the greenhouse. It looks like he's having trouble turning the valves off. I gaze up toward the glass roof. I wonder how much of this quaking the greenhouse can take before it cracks open to the coldness of space.
Delta Fringe Series Boxset: Books 1-3 Page 10