24 March 2930

Earth, North Americas

Sol System

 

In an Earth university, a young woman sat inside a sterile white classroom as everyone was nervously tending to their exam. They were in uniform, students pushing to make it out into the space frontier as part of the military and expeditions. White, and gray were colors permitted to the females, while black and gray to the men. The room was quiet. The long lines of lights were patterned around the ceiling, the professor’s desk, vacant for the time, was but a giant white block as far as the students could see from their angle. The windows, electronically tinted, were thick enough as to not hear the flying vehicles zooming by, and possibly roaring their horns.

 

And there, in the center of it all was Miss Skylar Connor, daughter of two doctors who lent their expertise in the military and civilian sector, and the sole reason why she was in this classroom to begin with. Skylar’s dark brown hair fell to the middle of her back, pristine and recently cut. She stared at her exam presented on a thin glass data pad. Most of the answers were blank. She rested her face, elegantly covered in natural cosmetics, on her palm as she looked down with a blank expression. She knew no answers… or rather she did and second guessed herself. One thing she was sure of was that she was going to fail. Her palms were beginning to sweat as she gripped her data pad tighter. She crossed her legs, covered by a white pencil skirt.

 

The pressure was tangible. Skylar Connor, daughter of two renowned medical professionals would not live up to her parent’s glory… something she never wanted to begin with.  Skylar had already been picked on for her failures, shown up by other relatives, and teased by other women in her class that were jealous of her beauty. She never wanted this, but out respect and love for her family… she would at least make the effort. But time was running out. Skylar’s grades were mediocre at best. Even with the aid of tutors and the professor, who was a family friend, Skylar couldn’t bring herself to do nearly as good as the average student.

 

Suddenly, a pop-up appeared on her datapad: 1 Minute Left.

 

The clock minimized to the far right corner of the screen, ticking down every second which only appeared to get faster. Skylar was hardly done with her test, trying her best rush through what she had already started on. Then she began to question her answers. Her breathing quickened, her heart raced.

 

I’m going to fail… I’m going to totally bomb this test…

 

She was near on the verge of tears; the clock in the corner enlarged just a bit before counting down from 10. She had no time to do anything. She went over the answers she put down just to ensure they were correct before the screen turned gray. The exam was locked. The program window minimized and flew into the icon of the university. With a gasp, she watched as her exam disappeared. She was overcome with dread, removing her fingers from beneath her data pad and letting it fall shortly to her desk.

 

The professor walked in, a well-manicured gentleman with a box-beard, and short grayed hair. He clapped his hands with a smile on his face as he looked around the room. “Well, well, well! How was the exam everyone? Did you have fun?!” He asked sarcastically. He only received a groan from the students. “That’s what I like to hear. Enthusiasm! Now…” He took up his own data pad and began clicking a few things on his screen. “Since you’ve all been great little boys and girls, I’m assigning no homework tonight, but I will ask you to watch the video I’ve placed in your data pads. I promise it won’t be as gross as last time! Now, get out of my classroom. I’ll see you runts next time.” The class quickly emptied. Skylar was taking her time, her head lowered, and her hair shadowing much of her face. She took deep breaths and put everything in her satchel.

 

“Skylar?” The professor said, approaching her from behind, “You alright?” There was no response.  The professor placed his hand on her shoulder, “How was the exam?” Skylar immediately turned and hurried out of the classroom with a sniffle.

 

2: A Final Lesson

4 May 2930

Earth, North Americas

Sol System

 

There, in an empty martial arts dojo, Skylar, dressed in sweatpants and a tank top, was practicing her combat training against a reflex dummy. The dummy had several lights on its body which would light up requiring Skylar to hit them with a certain speed and force. She remained focused, her hair tied in a ponytail swayed back and forth as the test became faster. Soon enough, her instructor, Master Shinji passed through the door watching her from the doorway.  The man, dressed in a gi, was middle-aged, but clearly more fit than men half his age. She had been his star pupil, showing a noticeably degree of focus and perseverance. He smirked, stroking his goatee. The reflex test would normally grade the user based on their reaction time and power, and end the test when their successful hits would not qualify for the next round of strikes. But Skylar showed prowess. She lasted longer than most students, setting new records every so often. What struck him most was that she kept going, far longer than usual. He kept quiet so as to not break her focus.

 

Skylar had a fire in her eyes, sweat dripping down her face as she pounded away at the reflex dummy. She clenched her teeth, glaring forward as she began to growl with each strike. It was then she surpassed Master Shinji’s record.  Still, she kept going but seemed to become angrier the longer she resumed. Finally, she pulled a punch, putting much power behind it but delaying her strike significantly enough to fail the round. Still she struck the head of the dummy with a shout. Skylar was breathless, her fist still pressed against the dummy. She wore no gloves, her hands evidently red from the rapid punches. Master Shinji clapped his hands from the back of the room, startling Skylar. Her master approached, continuing his slow applause. Skylar quickly turned and bowed low to her instructor.

 

Shinji addressed Skylar in Japanese, one of the many languages that she was fluent in, “Connor-san.”

 

“Shinji-sensei.” Skylar replied in respect. The two conversed in Japanese.

 

“You know, ever since you signed up for this class, you’ve had that same look in your eyes.” Shinji paused, “The look of a troubled, distressed girl who pushed herself through a fire she clearly knew was burning her alive.” He began to pace around her, his hands folded behind his back. “I have kids of my own… and I know that look on your face. You’re living a lie.” He looked Skylar in the eyes. “A wise man once said, ‘If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.’ You limit yourself, Connor-san. Your martial arts show it. You’re certainly a formidable opponent. You’ve beaten many of your colleagues… but you’re not expressing yourself.” Master Shinji stood into a fighting stance. Skylar assumed her own. “‘Martial arts, like any art, are an unrestricted athletic expression of an individual soul’. And I see a beautiful flower in you, Connor-san. Yet you place it in a glass case. You’re angry. And what you cloud your mind with will eventually become you!” Shinji began his attack, starting with basic movements. The two were well-matched as Skylar paid very close attention to his lessons, but no matter what she did, Shinji always found an opening.

 

The fight was a mix of Aikido, Karate, and Wing Chun. Punches were fast, kicks were strong. Skylar found herself barely able to defend, let alone counter. “Let the spirit out. Discard all thoughts of reward, all hopes of praise and fears of blame, all awareness of one's bodily self. And, finally closing the avenues of sense perception let the spirit out, as it will.” Shinji continued. He grabbed one of Skylar’s arms and threw her further down the training floor. Skylar rebounded to her feet, charging her master with a shout. She quickly let loose a kick to his head, then spun around to deal another in the same motion. Shinji’s eyes widened at her speed, nearly being struck by her powerful attack.

 

“I don’t know how to let my spirit out!” Skylar said, finding herself in a deadlock with her master. “I don’t know… anything about me. I don’t know who I am, what I’m meant to do…”

 

Shinji threw a flurry of strikes, his student tried her best to deflect them, “You have not figured out your destiny because you, Connor-san, are trying to live a destiny others have subconsciously forced on you. You’ve convinced yourself that the life you are living is what you were meant to live, but your spirit is telling you different.” Shinji attacked with another flurry, and then sent Skylar to the floor with a kick to the stomach. She grunted as she collided with the ground, giving a pause to the fight. “It is a critical decision, Connor-san. What do you expect out of life?”

 

“I don’t know.” Skylar muttered.

 

“You must! I suggest you think about what you want from your life… and why. There are reasons why each of us is born… and it is up to us to find out those reasons. Otherwise we become a gray, bland creature in this vast universe with nothing to show for our individuality. Empty your mind, Connor-san! You’ll never live your life when you fill it with troubles!”

 

Skylar stood off the ground and charged her master with a growl, striking with finesse and speed. “I don’t want to be me!” The two resumed a constant battle of strikes and counters. “I don’t want this life! I don’t want this career! I’ve spent my entire life looking up to my parents’ success. I never gave myself options. I only strived to follow in their footsteps. I only listened to them, followed their instructions, went to the best schools and became the perfect daughter to take up their legacy! And now I don’t even know who I am anymore! I’m just a splitting image of my parents, with no individuality or sense of purpose. I want to be me, myself, Skylar Connor! A girl who, for once, could decide for herself what she wanted to become! Instead here I am failing everything my parents hoped for me to be.” Skylar found herself on the floor once more, thrown by her teacher. Her voice began to crack, “I don’t want to fail my parents… I really don’t. But I’m tired of this life. I’m tired of trying to live something I’m not. I’m tired of not having fun… and doing what I want to do.”

 

Shinji looked at his student with sympathy. “To invent your own life’s meaning when one was pre-written for you is not easy. Remember, there only two choices in life. One is to accept the conditions as they exist. The other is to accept the responsibility for changing them. Your parents are good people… but do not let them govern who you are. Your parents had their time, and it is not for them to invade your own life as an extension of their own. Otherwise, what’s the point?” Shinji offered a hand to his student, helping to her feet. “You know what the other students say about you?” Skylar shook her head, wiping her eyes dry. “They say you’re vicious.” Shinji chuckled. “They’re honestly scared of you. Perhaps it’s your temper, or your tenacity. But I believe, if you channel that same energy you put into training, you’ll be unstoppable in life. I know you, Connor-san. No one can dictate your life if you don’t want them to. You just have to realize that you are in control.”

 

Skylar bowed to her master, “Thank you, Shinji-sensei.”

 

“Glad I could help.” Shinji smiled, bowing in return. Skylar took her bag, left the dojo, and made her way back home.

 

3: The Last Straw

28 June 2930

Earth, North Americas

Sol System

 

Skylar was laying on a daybed in her living room, staring out a large window at the bustling city below. The room was simple, mostly made of glossy white marble walls, with black furniture. Abstract paintings were hung around to accent the room. The only out of place object was the ashtray sitting on a glass coffee table. It was filled with cigarettes. The sun was setting, hiding below the jagged horizon of tall buildings. She was huddled to her pillow, pensive and silent. She heard voices from outside her door, raised and angry. It was her parents. The voices became louder until her door swung open. It was her father and mother.

“So, guess who called me today, Skylar?”  her father, James said. “Your professors, nearly all of them. They tell me your performance in their classes has been progressively sinking into irreparable stages!” He approached her bed, too flustered to stand in one spot. “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” Skylar took a moment until she sat up on her bed and turn to face her father, though her head was bowed. “We’ve been working endlessly to put you through the finest school in the hemisphere and you’re just throwing our money away carelessly!”

 

“Honey…” Skylar’s mother, Helena put a hand on James’ shoulder. It was quickly shoved off.

 

“No. She has been deliberately making us work in vain!”

 

“Stop yelling, daddy.” Skylar said, softly. “I’m doing the best I can.”

 

“Obviously not! This is absolutely unacceptable!” James scolded. Skylar’s fists tightened in her lap. “All we wanted for you was a successful career and when you get this marvelous opportunity, you waste it!”

 

I can’t take all this pressure… you’ve given me too much responsibility.

 

James continued, “Skylar Connor, I am… inexplicably disappointed in you. Everything the Connor family has ever done, throughout our bloodline was to make a name for ourselves through perseverance, diligence and perfection.”

 

I’ll try harder next time.

 

Skylar glanced up at her mother for a moment. James continued, taking out his datapad, “That’s it. I’m setting you up with a tutor, every day. I’m cancelling your sports and martial arts classes.” Skylar looked up, her eyes welling up.

 

“What?!” Skylar choked,  looking at her father with widened eyes.

 

“They’re obviously meaningless distractions. Probably the reason why you’re failing!”

 

“You can’t do that!” Skylar stood up.

 

James spent only a moment on his datapad before showing it to Skylar. “Consider it done.” Skylar lowered her head, trembling in anger. James began to leave.

 

“I hate you.” Skylar said under her breath.

 

“What was that?” James stopped and turned to her daughter.

 

“I fucking hate you!” Skylar shouted. “I can’t stand you! Nothing I do is right. I’m doing the best I can! All I ever wanted to do was please you, and I can’t even do that right. It’s like the only feelings you have for me are disappointment and you treat me like I deserve it!”

 

“Skylar…” Her mother tried to calm her.

 

“I’m not perfect!” Skylar continued. “No one is. Oh, except you guys. You’ve informed me plenty of times of your perfection and how you acted at my age.” Skylar glared at her parents. “I’ve had enough of being looked down on. Try living my life for once. One point off a test is a fail. Passing courses isn’t a success unless it’s an A. Studying and doing assignments means nothing unless I make it my sole reason to live. I’ve got no friends and no life!” Skylar took a breath, “I can’t pass anything. I have to exceed. Being naturally pretty isn’t beautiful. I have to wear makeup and dress up every fucking day! Being clean isn’t enough unless its goddamned spotless.”

 

Skylar’s voice began to break, “Try being the daughter of parents where you’re nothing they wanted you to be. You’ve ignored my pleas for help before. You’re never around. Never here when I need you, and you call yourself parents. Absent all the time, and the one day where our schedules have a break, you want to waste it on scolding me and taking away everything I have in this city!? But I guess showing pain by crying isn’t worth anything. It has to be blood to mean something, right!?”

 

There was a brief pause between the three of them.

 

“I’m not you.” Skylar said quietly as she moved passed her parents. She walked up the stairs toward her room, turning to her head to her parents once more, “I’ve tried very hard, very long to be you… to be everything you wanted me to be. I’ve ignored my own desires, because then maybe. Just maybe you’d love me.” Skylar left to her room. The slam of her door echoed in the stone halls. Her parents sighed, her father taking a very deep breath.

 

“Give her some time. She didn’t mean it.” Helena said to James. And so he did, a few hours, in fact.

Around midnight James and Helena returned to Skylar’s room and knocked on the door. The simple touch of the door revealed that it was never closed properly. James tilted his head and furrowed his brow. He opened the door and looked upon an empty room. Clothes were scattered about along with a bag and many of Skylar’s belongings. She was gone.

4: Her Decision

29 June 2930

Earth, North Americas

Sol System

 

Her feet pounded in a steady rhythm. Her breath was quick and shallow. Her heart pounded in her chest, begging to get out. Buildings and civilians whipped by her in a constant blur. She was really doing this. Skylar was running away from home, from a life of riches, pain, and loneliness. She had nothing but a duffle bag strapped around her shoulder, packed with clothes she thought essential. She tried swallowing the lump in her throat, the one keeping her on the verge of tears.

 

She ran, unknowing of her destination as emotions did battle within the confines of her mind with amazing clarity. Soon, her limits of running caught up to her, but she was happy enough to get clear of the house. The city was crowded, and even with the aid of the police, it would be difficult to find her.

The night was cold, but luckily she dressed appropriately, a warm fashionable hooded black trench coat. That didn’t stop her from shivering. Skylar had tried to buy food hours later only to find out her bank accounts were frozen. She clenched her teeth, looking at her data pad displaying her bank information.

“Why am I not surprised?” She said to herself.

 

I’m not going back.

 

Skylar continued down the street. She worked hard to push her way through the swarms of people.

Where am I going?  I don’t know.

 

She progressed through the crowds, distracting herself about the life she wanted so badly to escape. The situation with her parents was too much to stand. She had to get out. The tears, anger and burning rage was choking her. No one cared how she felt. Now, she was stuck in the city with no money, and no food. She glanced at the faces around her. Some were frustrated, some happy, some empty. The blank faces terrified her.

 

How can you feel nothing?

 

She looked into shop windows, doing anything to take her mind off her spoiled life. Suddenly, she felt a light touch on her ankle. Skylar turned and saw a homeless woman sitting on the curb. She was swathed in dirty rags. Her brown hair was matted. She looked up at Skylar with dull brown eyes. The woman held a cup out. Skylar shrugged. She had no money. As Skylar was about to move on, she stopped at the sound of the woman’s voice.

 

“Please.” The woman said in a quiet voice. “I know you’ve no money, but will you sit and talk with me? It’s been so long.” Skylar bit her lip, but then realized she knew what it felt like to not have anyone to talk to. Skylar turned around and sat by the woman. For a while, they simply sat and watched the people walk by. Before Skylar could begin to dwell on her problems again, the woman said, “You look miserable. Do you have a reason for it?” As strange as it was to tell a stranger her problems, Skylar did. Skylar told her everything that she felt. The woman patiently listened to her rant. When Skylar had finished, the woman gave her a moment to regain her composure.

 

“As the world rotates…” the woman began. “…our lives proceed… small matters that seem so significant to us, meaning nothing to the enormity of the universe. Mother Nature, she controls everything, and the problems that she deals with, would probably kill us. But she handles it, and so, we must handle our problems. We must accept that they are insignificant in the big picture. Instead of blowing our problems out of proportion, we have to shrink them back to size. If Mother Nature blew her problems out of proportion, they'd kill her, and we'd all be lost. So take your problems one step at a time, and take the steps to solve them. It seems to me in your case, it's mostly emotional. I'm not going to tell you to talk to your parents. Hell, I never did. But, think about it. You’re old enough to be on your own… and certainly old enough to make your own decisions. Be brave. Take risks.”

 

Skylar looked down, contemplating her words. When she went to speak to the woman again, she was gone. It was like one of the movies Skylar had seen. A mysterious guardian angel in the form of a humble human being. Skylar looked around. No, she spotted the woman walking down the street with a slight limp.  Skylar sighed and stood up, feeling exhausted already as she soaked in the woman’s words. Her problems, in the grand scheme of things, were insignificant, and dwelling on them wasn’t worth her time. Skylar had to move on.

 

Skylar moved into one of the side alleys. It was cold, and smelled of garbage. She was near a restaurant that was for sure. She sat on the floor with her bag, crossing her arms over her chest and crossing her legs. It was near impossible to sleep with her thoughts racing. She shut her eyes tight… and tighter. The other homeless folks looked at her from further down the alley. She was a stranger… a well-dressed stranger. They kept their distance. Another hour passed. She still couldn’t sleep. The cold was starting to get to her, as was her growling stomach. Another hour passed. The other homeless folk were asleep. Skylar was left sobbing quietly to herself, holding back tears. She couldn’t afford to have water on her face in this temperature.

 

Her wrist mounted data pad began to chime. She was getting a call. It was from her father. Without hesitation she canceled the transmission and turned off her data pad.

 

Her face was tucked into her knees. The crowded streets were beginning to quiet down. Footsteps were less frequent. Then, a back door opened from one of the buildings. A man, a chef, walked outside to Skylar, and presented her with a black foam box-tray. Inside was packed with warm food, presumably left over from the restaurant’s day. The man said nothing, but only smiled as Skylar looked up with watery eyes. He left back into his restaurant as Skylar quickly dug into her presented meal. She was able to sleep easy that night.

The next day Skylar continued walking through the city. She realized where she was going, but it would’ve taken her a half a day’s walk to get there. She had one friend, albeit an old one, but a friend nonetheless. Until then, Skylar endured the brisk air, heavy traffic, both civilian and vehicular. She hated the city for all its noise and congestion. She looked up, watching a star ship fly out of the atmosphere. That’s where she wanted to be, in the stars and exploring the vast universe that she had never seen.

 

With all her wishful thinking, she passed the time, her legs carrying her in heeled boots. She turned into an apartment building, looking at the classical lobby, decorative with elegant moldings, chandeliers and red carpeting. It was a historical setting, to be sure, but Skylar supposed that was the charm of the place.  She took an elevator up 30 floors before turning left down a hallway and to the door 3021. She knocked on the door and waited. For a while there was no response. Just as Skylar was about to turn around the door opened.

 

There stood a young woman, Emilie, about Skylar’s age, blonde, brown eyes. She was in casual sleepwear, staring at Skylar trying to familiarize herself. It was an old friend indeed, and Skylar’s pretty get-up made it difficult to recognize her quickly. But before long, Emilie smiled.

 

“Skylar? What are you doing here?” Emilie asked.

 

Skylar looked behind her, “Is it okay if I come inside.”

 

Emilie looked over Skylar’s shoulder, trying to see what her friend was looking for. She tilted her head and nodded, gesturing for Skylar to move in. “Yeah yeah, absolutely.”

 

“Thanks.” Skylar said, moving in. She walked into a large open-floor styled foyer. To the left was a set of sofas, a chandelier above. The two walls were complete windows overlooking the city. The home was just as classical as the lobby below, and frankly Skylar was surprised to see such antiques still around.

Emilie walked behind Skylar, gently pushing her back toward a sofa before sitting down herself. “So, how’s med school going for ya?”

 

Skylar lowered her head, “Just great Emilie… though I guess that’s why I wanted to talk to you.”

 

“Talk? I haven’t seen you for what, two years? What’s up?”

 

Skylar sat down, “Sorry… but you’re really the only friend I have right now.”

 

Emilie laughed, “Yeah right.” Emilie looked at her solemn friend, “You aren’t kidding. What’s going on? You okay? Someone after you? Did you break the law? Are you on drugs? Are you pregnant?”

 

“Emilie!”

 

“’Cause it’s okay! I know a guy th—“

 

“Emilie… it’s not that. It’s just things at home are… not going so well.”

 

Emilie let a sigh of relief, “Aw, no way, your parents are totally cool.”

 

“Public appearance isn’t everything, Emilie.”

 

“Well…” Emilie crossed her legs, “What’s going on? I haven’t seen you in forever.”

 

“That’s just the problem.” Skylar began, “My parents won’t give me a break. Every day I wake up stressed the hell out that I’m going to fail them. At the same time, I’ve got practically no free-time to myself, and you’re the only friend I have. My parents don’t listen to me.”

 

“Aw… you just need to have a little talk with them is all. Trust me, everytime I fought with my parents, it was settled within a few days.”

 

“I did. Last night. Why do you think I’m here?”

 

Emilie leaned forward, “You had a fight didn’t you?”

 

“Was more than a fight… more like a disownment?”

 

“You ran away!”

 

“Yes, I ran away! Now you better not tell anyone! Okay? I don’t want to deal with them right now.”

 

“Okay, okay…” Emilie huffed a breath, “…but I really think you should talk to them.”

 

Skylar frowned and stood up, “Is it okay if I use your shower?”

 

“Yeah, it’s right upstairs. Second door on the left.”

 

Skylar did just that. The night out on the streets made her feel unclean. All of her walking made her sweat. She walked into the bathroom, once again adorned in 19th century décor and furnishings. Skylar undressed, folding her clothes gently in a corner before stepping into the shower. The hot water felt good against her skin, allowing her to relax for once since she left her home. She took nearly an hour and a half in the bathroom, showering, styling her hair and putting her make-up on. Her habits were hard to kill, and being forced to ‘pretty up’ after every shower was something her mother embedded into her mind. She packed her things and headed out, getting a strange feeling in her stomach. She walked downstairs and to the foyer where she saw Emilie standing by the door and a few police officers standing, and waiting with arms crossed.

 

 Skylar couldn’t believe it. She was at a loss for words, “Emilie!”

 

“What? I had to. This isn’t right Skylar, and you know it. You need to give your parents another chance.” Skylar regretfully moved down the stairs toward the officers. There was no running from them.

 

“Come on, Miss Connor.” The officer said. He gently put a hand on Skylar’s shoulder.

 

“Don’t touch me.” Skylar said, quickly pulling his hand off of her. She glared at Emilie, “I trusted you!”

 

“It’s for the best.” Emilie said with a frown. Skylar was too angry to respond, though she became very aggressive in her stance.

 

“Alright, let’s go.” The police escorted Skylar out of the apartment, down the elevator surrounded by three officers. As they made their way out of the building lobby, Skylar’s fist tightened. All of this walking… running… for nothing. Just so she can go back home, be in further trouble with her parents and go back to living the life that she never wanted.

 

No. Not again. My life… my choices.

 

Skylar took advantage of her being, or at least appearing to be, a dainty young woman. As the car door was opened for her, she shoved an officer away and leapt over the vehicle’s backend directly into traffic. Most of it was automated. The officers saw cars zip by, dreading to see if she would get hit or not. It was far too dangerous to chase after her without the traffic slowing down. Skylar felt the breeze of the speeding cars. She knew what she was doing, though it was extremely dangerous. One misstep could have been her last. In the end, however, she made it to the other side and continued running down an alley. The cops gave chase, but Skylar had already gained too much distance on her. Still, she never stopped running. Not until the sirens were gone.

 

5: The Heist

13 July 2930

Earth, North Americas

Sol System

 

It wasn’t her fault, Skylar told herself. She chose to run away. She chose to be paranoid of every police officer, and to hide from every siren. She chose to drink water out of the fountains in the park, and sleep on bus stop benches at night. But now, the world seemed so open. Every night she could look up and see the stars, a place she so desired to go to. All she had and needed were the clothes on her back and her bag. Occasionally she met with a stray dog that kept her company; though he was as free as her, primarily using her as a source of warmth, or seeking out a friend in the cold lonely nights. She didn’t have classes to attend, schedules or deadlines to meet. She didn’t have to stress about her failing her parents. She adapted well, though she did not make much money, begging outside of the little coffee shop on the corner. A pretty face did get her a long way.

It was humbling; certainly, watching so many businessmen stalk passed her in gray and black pinstriped suits and shiny leather shoes. But as they ignored her and keep their phones to their ears and stared blankly into a routine, robotic future, Skylar pitied them. They go to work in executive offices, where the windowpanes are tinted to block out the sun and Skylar was free to sit outside all day and enjoy it. They stop by the bar on their way home to their wives and have a drink or two, and then go home and crawl into bed without even taking their socks off –but Skylar was free to watch the sun, as it set, painted the sky. They stare at their ceilings at night, watching their fans spin in lazy circles as their wives sleep beside them. They worry that their pretty little secretary is pregnant and wants to keep it—and Skylar only chuckled counting the stars as they emerge when the moon rose. Most of all, Skylar pitied them because they did not have a place they could call home. They have a house and an office and a hotel room they rent occasionally during their lunch break. They do not have a place where they can relax and be themselves. But for Skylar, the world was that place.

Skylar chose this life. She may not have had the luxuries of before, but now, the park was her lounge, and her roof was made out of clouds and stars. Many would call her homeless, but the only thing she did not have was a building. Day by day, she moved locations, mostly because she could. Closer and closer she moved herself toward the space port, a large bay for space and water ships alike to dock in. The sun would come over the ocean horizon, and she could watch the magnificent vessels depart into the skies. It never got old. She enjoyed the space port, and not just for the sights, but there was more civilian traffic and thus more donations.

One day she woke up on a bench, surrounded by young men, younger and older than her. They were miscreants, street urchins by the way they dressed, but Skylar supposed that meant she was just like them. Were they awful folk they would have robbed her clean by now, or worse. The homeless were either docile or nasty, and Skylar was still trying to figure out which best described them.

“She’s waking up.” said one of them. Skylar’s eyes were still trying to focus from her long night of sleep. It was morning. Had they waited for her to wake up? One of them, presumably the leader had short ruffled brown hair. He had a toothpick in his mouth, his tan skin dirtied from being out on the street.

Skylar looked at the others. One was short, stocky, with a helping layer of fat to keep him warm in the cold. The most noticeable feature was the pair of goggles sitting atop his black curly hair. The other man, Skylar assumed the youngest, was no taller than her, but lanky. She wasn’t sure if his thin body was from a lack of food or it was simply built that way.

The leader crossed his arms and smirked at Skylar, “’Sup? Name’s Mouse.” He gestured to his short then lanky companions. “This is Tank and Tap.”

Skylar reluctantly waved a hand, “Uh, hi.”

“Seen you around here a lot.” Mouse put his hands on his hips, “You new?”

“I guess… I used to live in the inner city.” Skylar answered.

Mouse laughed, “Oh… I can see why you left. There’s jack shit in the city.  No money, no grub. Port’s where it’s at. Got people flying from all over. Not to mention, more opportunities.”

Skylar sat up straight, “Uh huh…”

“You got a name?”   

“Skylar.” She said as she stretched.

“Skylar. Got it. Listen Skylar, can I call you Sky?”

“That’s fine.” She nodded.

“Alright, well… we got word of a ship restocking its supplies… supplies which include food.”

That got Skylar’s attention, “Yeah, and?”

“We could use you. You get your share of the spread, we all go home happy.”

“I don’t know… it sounds dangerous. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

“Nothing could go wrong. Tank and Tap already came up with the plan. We just need one more person.”

Skylar looked to the others. “Well, what is the plan?”

Mouse looked to Tank. “Tank?” Tank smirked.

        Night fell. Now it was prime time to move. Mouse, Tank, and Tap had taken their positions near the cargo bay doors of the ship that was awaiting its shipment. A single guard stood watch at the side entrance, bored out of his mind, and finding only amusement in watching ships take off from the bay. Skylar looked her newfound friends and nodded in their direction. They all made her move, walking toward the far end of the ship, before walking back toward the guard. She tidied herself up as best she could with what she had available, cleaning her face and styling her hair. She walked closer to the ramp connecting the ship to the dock. With the sway of her hips she tried her best to garner the guard’s attention. The guard gave her a few passing glances before fixating her eyes on her. He did his best to stay guard, but Skylar tried even harder. With a yelp, she fell forward to the ground.  A sprained ankle, to the guard’s best judgment. He ran down the ramp and lowered himself to a sobbing Skylar.

         “Are you alright ma’am?” the guard said.

         Skylar hissed at the pseudo-pain. She got a glimpse of Mouse and the others running up the ramp, “I think I twisted something.”

         “Can you walk?” The guard asked.

         Skylar attempted to push herself up. As soon as she put her weight on one leg she fell down again, “Ow… no I can’t. It hurts too much.”

         The guard looked back to his post and then glanced around. He took her arm over his shoulder and used himself as a crutch, “Come on. I’ll take you to our med-bay. We don’t have much, but maybe we can stop the swelling at least.”

         Skylar limped along with his help, “Thank you, sir. I hate to take you away from your job.”

         “Eh, we’re just restocking. It’s nothing major.”

         The two continued to walk; they were right by the ramp, and also by the water’s edge. She looked at the guard, the edge, and the ramp and paused to think. She had no trust in her new friends. Subtlety she moved the guard closer to the dock edge. It was a clear 40ft drop into the water, with no easy way back out. Confliction plagued her mind. She hated that the only man she trusted to do what he said was the guard holding her up… and she was about to betray him. Skylar stumbled to the left, pushing the guard away, doing his best to make it look like an accident. The guard fell over the edge, Skylar did her best to try and catch him, holding her hand out. It was a moment before she heard the splash and another before he arose to the surface.

         Skylar shouted down, “Oh my God! I am so sorry!”

         “That’s alright, miss. Just contact one of my crew, they’ll get me out. In the mean time I’ll figure something out.” The guard replied.

         Skylar huffed a breath. It hurt to do such a thing to the man. It hurt more to think others did the same to her without the same initial remorse. She ran up the ramp and into the ship, unknowing of where she was going. But she wanted to make sure that Mouse and the others weren’t just using her as a distraction. The ship was mostly shut down. There were probably a few crewmen awake for the restocking procedure, and hopefully no more than that. She navigated through the metal and bare hallways. This was no commercial vessel. There was no aesthetic to the interior.

         “Mouse?” Skylar whispered. “Tank? Tap? You there?” She tried heading in the direction of the cargo hold but the hallways turned her into more confusing labyrinths. 10 minutes had passed. Her friends were nowhere to be found. Suddenly she heard a loud hum. Her eyes widened. “Wait…”

         A voice came on the intercoms, “All doors sealed. Strap down for departure.”

         “No…” Skylar said quietly before yelling, “No no no! Hey! Wait! Don’t launch!” She cried running down the empty hallways. The ship began to tilt. Skylar lost her footing, falling back down. Her shoulder collided into one of the doorways. She could feel the g-forces pushing against her as she was pressed against a wall. Skylar crawled against the wall, turning into another hall. Immediately, her body fell into the hallway as the ship tilted more. She tumbled along the floor and hit her head on a door. Her vision blurred as she tried to stand again, but she only blacked out shortly after. The cargo ship left the Earth’s atmosphere with Skylar in it. Mouse, Tank and Tap only watched from the harbor after looking for Skylar. Now they realized what happened.

Mouse dropped the extra bag he had collected for Skylar, “Shit.”

 

6: Off The Grid

14 July 2930

Earth Space

Sol System

 

Aboard the cargo ship, the captain maintained a normal speed exiting the atmosphere. It would be some time before they reached the main ship to drop off the supplies. The captain, Gat Wilkes, was dressed in nothing but a grease-stained t-shirt, a rugged leather crewman jacket, denim jeans, and boots. He sat at his control panels, the room rusty and worn like the rest of the ship. It was reflective of the crew, who resembled the ship in more ways than they realized. Aside from his dingy appearance, Captain Wilkes was young with boyish good looks. The Caucasian captain wore a pair of large headphones over his messy brown hair.  He only stared out the window, his feet crossed on top of the control panel.

“Captain Wilkes. Come in, Wilkes. Over” A man said over the radio.

The captain sat upright quickly as if a superior had walked into the room. He pushed a button on the panel, leaning forward into the poseable microphone.

The captain spoke as clear as possible, “This is Captain Gat Wilkes, over.”

“We’re going to need you to expedite that shipment, Wilkes. We’re all prepped here for Sigma 5. Over” The man said.

Wilkes smirked, “ETA 2 hours. Don’t push the old girl. Let her ride the last run. You know she’s getting decommissioned after this. Over.”

The man chuckled, “Yeah, yeah. Give her a kiss for me. Over and out.”

Wilkes was about to return to his lazing posture before a red light started blinking to his right.  He brought up a screen, a schematic of the ship. There was a light blinking in one of the hallways. Wilkes raised a brow before taking his pistol and moving down the hallways to the indicated spot on the map. He kept his gun aimed forward before pressing the door’s button. The door slid open, revealing Skylar, distraught and scared. She cowered back upon seeing the gun, her hands raised in front of her face.

“Don’t shoot. Don’t shoot…” Skylar begged. Wilkes slowly lowered his gun. To him, Skylar was very beautiful, leaving him almost surprised with his mouth agape. Skylar looked up cautiously. “Aren’t you going to arrest me… or something?”

“I uh…” Wilkes muttered. With a slow blink, he turned around and hurried back to the command deck.

“H-hey!” Skylar walked after him.

“Just… sit down.” Wilkes said, pointing to an empty chair.

“Are all cargo ships like this?” Skylar asked.

"This is an old vessel. Sorry that you couldn’t have stowed away on a more recent model.” Wilkes answered.

“I didn’t m---“

“What are you doing on this ship, anyway? Don’t you know the rules of Gray Hunter’s stowaway policy?”

“Gray Hunter?”

Wilkes palmed his face, slowly sliding it down to his chin, “My God… did someone kidnap you and throw you on here?”

“N-not exactly… it was an accident though. I didn’t mean to stay here!” Skylar said.

“I mean, geez! Your parents. You got parents right? Don’t they know where you are?!”

“I haven’t seen them in a while. I…” Skylar cowered into herself,  folding her hands tightly in her lap, “I don’t want to either.”

“You’re a runaway. Fantastic. What’s your parents name?”

“I’m not going back!” Skylar snapped.

A voice called over the intercom, a woman this time, “This is the Halldora. We recognize your direct approach. Please identify yourself.”

Wilkes swung his seat around to talk into the mic, “This is Captain Gat Wilkes of the Drifa. Identification 34G11-S”

Skylar whispered, “Are you going to tell them to take me away.”

A gruff male voice came over the intercom, “Captain Wilkes, glad to see you made it back. Any problems?”

“We have a stowaway.” Wilkes answered. Skylar looked at him with shock.

“Unusual.” The man said. “You discovered him in time so there should be no appreciable danger and I presume you've informed Ship's Records so his nearest relatives can be notified. You know the policy.  You must remain on schedule. Follow protocol. I’ll have you connected with the ship’s records.”

Skylar looked at him, dismayed, “What did he mean follow protocol?” Wilkes looked at her with a sigh, “Jettison me? Not the way it sounded… he couldn’t have…”

“It’s exactly what it sounded like.” Wilkes said, flatly. Skylar backed away against the wall. “That is protocol.” Wilkes turned to the control panel. “Computer. Connect me to the network. User T837.”

“Connecting.” The computer replied. “You are requesting a gray card, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Execution order. Time?”

Wilkes looked back to the trembling Skylar, “I’ll tell you later.”

“Error. The time of subject’s death is required before—”

“Screw the system. You’ll hear the reading first. Subject is a young woman, and she’s listening to this as we speak. Understand?”

“Continue.”

Wilkes pressed a button on his wrist communicator. Skylar’s began to illuminate. “Syncing data.” Information began to display on his display. “Name, Skylar Connor. Sex, Female. Born 21 March 2910. Height 5’9”. Weight 130lb. Hair, brown. Eyes, brown. Complexion, Light. Blood Type, O+. Irrelevant data, Stowaway. Destination, Sigma 5 2nd Quadrant.” Wilkes voice began to slow. “Pause entry.”

“Entry paused.” The computer replied.

Wilkes looked back at Skylar, “Look… I’m following orders. They do a headcount of everyone on the ship, if they find out we have an extra man onboard… well shit hits the fan. And you do not want to tick off Gray Hunter.”

Skylar looked up at Wilkes with wide eyes, “You don’t have an extra man.”

“Yes, I do.” Wilkes turned around and pressed a button the console, speaking into the microphone, “This is your Captain speaking. As part of a new protocol, please sound off on your communicators.” He then turned to other holo-screen and watched as a roster of the ship’s crew began to highlight with green for everyone that activated their beacon. There was all… but one. “Wait… what?”

“One of your crew…” Skylar began timidly, “He fell into the harbor before you took off.” Her eyes shifted as she began to lie, “I ran onboard looking for someone to help him out of the water… and then you kinda took off.”

Wilkes leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling with a heavy sigh, “This can’t be happening.” With a loud groan he pressed a button on the control panel, “Prepare for room 18 airlock.” He pressed another button. “Jettison complete.”

Skylar looked at him, confused. “What?”

“There has to be record of an airlock opening.” Wilkes rested his head on the control panel.

“You’re not going to jettison me?”

“I can’t quite do that, can I? One of my crew is stranded… and I can’t return short a man. It’s worse than if I returned with an extra one.”

“But the report.”

“Still going out.”

“But that’s a public record. My parents will---“

“Think you’re dead.”

“So I’m…” Skylar quivered.

Wilkes stared at Skylar, “There’s nothing I can do for you. You’re going to arrive at the Gray Hunter station in Sigma 5… and from there… well you’re going to have to improvise. If they realized I helped you, it’s not going to end well for either of us.” Skylar covered her mouth and pressed back against the wall. Wilkes lowered his shoulder, “Fuck me…” He approached her.

“I’m dead.” Skylar said softly.

“Listen… I know a guy who owes me a favor. I’ll forward his data to your communicator. Talk to him… he can help you. Just make sure that when we dock, you leave the ship as casually and unseen as possible. Once we’re in the station, you should be good. You’re looking for a man named Lukas Finley. Got it?” Skylar hadn’t seemed to hear much, only sinking slowly into a sob. Wilkes sighed, giving her a hug. Every regret, and thought about returning home was gone now. She was angry with her parents… but she never intended to hurt them this way. “You’ll be okay, Skylar.”

 

7: A Fresh Start

15 July 2930

Gray Hunter Alpha Station

Uncharted Space

 

 

 Far in uncharted space, a large unmarked space station floated by a small moon. The Drifa, Wilkes’ ship, had arrived out of hyperspace and made its approach to dock.

Wilkes sat in his pilots chair, speaking over his earpiece. “This is the Drifa. Requesting direct approach to base.”

          

    “We see you Drifa. You’re cleared to come in at 24 and 18. Make vector to bay 2. Weapons cold.” Responded the tower command.

         

      “Hard copy. Weapons disengaged. Pushing 3 for auto-approach. She’s all yours.”  Wilkes said.

         

      “Welcome home, Drifa.”

        

      Wilkes sighed. He removed his ear piece, sat back in his chair, and slouched as he leaned his head back. “You ready for this Skylar? You can’t turn back from this.”

      

        “Yeah.” Skylar said, from the back wall.

              

                The Drifa made a slow venture into one of the large cargo bays of the space station. It took a moment for the systems of the ship to shut down and the cargo door to open. Soon enough the crew exited the ship. Skylar followed Wilkes off the ship, keeping a close lead trying to appear as she belonged. The two passed by several security officers, but none gave Skylar a second glance seeing as she was with Wilkes. The station was vast, and in far better condition than the ship was, though not a terribly improvement. Skylar looked at the very barebones and industrial appearance of the station. There was no pipe coursing throughout the place that wasn’t exposed. The floors were plain metal panels. The windows were small, but thankfully were cleaned as Skylar spotted a janitor wiping them.

      

         What Skylar noticed was the lack of females in the station, particularly ones of her age. She was the only one. The women she spotted were at least 10-20 years passed her age. Above all this, there was an unmistakable hum coursing throughout the station. Engines, Skylar thought. The place needed power after all. She continued looking about, occasionally coming to places with mezzanine levels above, or stairways to lower floors.  It was far bigger than it looked from the outside.

        

       Wilkes nudged Skylar with his elbow, “Hey.” Skylar looked at him, not saying a word. Wilkes pointed to the left leading to a long narrow hallway. “This is you. 4th door on the right.” Wilkes patted Skylar on the shoulder, “Good luck kid.” Skylar stopped, but Wilkes kept on walking.

      

         She followed his direction, walking down the long and fairly dark hallway. Many of the lights seemed as if they were dimmed or simply not getting enough power. She counted the doors she walked passed before coming to an open room, the light was brighter, but there was nothing but an elevated desk. No chairs. Skylar saw a pair of hands holding up a magazine.

        

       “M-Mr. Finley?” Skylar said.

        

       “Aye, that’s me.” The voice said. It was nasally, and more high-pitched than Skylar anticipated. The magazine, featuring a few scantily clad ladies on the cover lowered down, revealing a bald-headed man. His eyes peaked over the pages and stared at Skylar.

      

         “I was told to come see you.”

      

        The magazine fell. The man was gone. Skylar gasped at what was like magic to her. Around the back end of the desk walked Lukas Finley, a dwarf of a man, but confident of his image.  He was bald, with a brown box-beard. He wore a small black sweater and matching pants and boots.

    

           “Ah, ye must be the lassie Gat mentioned. Hm, he wasn’t lying.” Finley said, looked Skylar over.

Skylar raised a brow, “About what?”

 

Finley shook his head, “Nothin’, nothin’. Ah hear you’re in need o' some credentials eh?”

 

“I need an ID. Captain Wilkes ki--”

 

“Ah know what happened. That’s what ye git fer hoppin’ on board Gray Hunter’s ships.”

 

“I’m sorry… but what is Gray Hunter?”

 

“Probably one o' the biggest underground military contractors in the sector. They’re alright… shady… bit a'right. Ta be honest, ah don’t trust ‘em, bit ah realize if ye play yer cards right n' ye do what you’re told, ye come out okay.”

 

“I just want to go home!”

 

“Ah don’t think ye can… this is lawless space. Good luck finding a ship off this station. Th' coordinates to this place are a secret to many… 'n they don’t make casual trips if it's nae fer business. Sorry, but you’re stuck 'ere. Only thing ah kin suggest. Get to work, save some credit, buy a ship 'n fly as far away from this place as ye can.”

 

“How long would that take?”

 

“Would’ve done it maself a while ago… but ah got na place else to go...”

 

Skylar sighed, “If I don’t have a choice… I’ll have to, right?”

 

Finley nodded, “Yeap, now… let’s get ye in th' system, aye?”

 

 “Okay.”

 

“Yer name?”

 

“Skylar Connor.”

 

“Skylar Connor… a'right. Gives a minute. I’ll get this out o' th' way.” Finley typed on his keyboard for a bit before clapping his hands, “A’riiiight… Skylar Connor. ID# M1ZE137-952d. Let me remind ye, that ID is invalid outdoors o' Gray Hunter. If th' day comes when ye make it out o' this doo dally, ye come back to me.  I’ll set ye up wi' a civilian ID#. Got it?"

 

“Thanks…” Skylar looked down at her datapad. Finley had downloaded her ID to it.

 

“A’right kid, don’t look so glum. Wilkes could’ve jettisoned ye. Shoulda, anyway. Yer jammy to be alive. Make th' most o' it. Foremost thing ye wanna do is see Bard. Just Bard. You’ll find a lot o' folk ‘ere got a callsign. He runs a wee contracting group fer a mining operation. I’m only suggesting this to ye fer it's like like th' safest job ye can pick up. Bard holds tryouts fer his unit. So long as you’re fit enough, 'n ye look it, ye should be okay. He might be a little… aggressive, but all ye gotta do is impress him 'n you’re in. Make some cash, 'n get th' hell outta Gray Hunter.”

 

“Why are you doing this? Why are you and Wilkes helping me? By the sound of it, Gray Hunter seems like a bunch of tough-skin, apathetic, brutish mercenaries.”

 

"Not all o’ us, lassie. Some o us came seekin’ opportunity… not all o’ us got what we expected. Ah ain’t got folk or friend t’ go home ter. Ah make decent money ‘ere, so I stayed. As fer Wilkes… well… Ah know he’s got kin somewhere. We do what we can. Some o’ us still got a conscience. Ah ain’t gonna let some pup be fed to th’ wolves. Now, get outta ‘ere before Bard leaves! I’ll upload directions to yer datapad.”

             

Skylar made haste, only giving a small thanks to him before she left. She followed Finley’s directions to the letter. It was a longer walk than expected, proceeding down stairs and elevators before she came to a gymnasium. It was the only familiar thing she had seen since she arrived. Back on Earth, the gym was Skylar’s best friend aside from the dojo. It was the only place she could relax by exercising. But now it seemed like a place of trial. There was a long line of men, many of them disheveled, sickly, and dirty. Some seemed at least somewhat put together wearing worn space suits or armor.

 

                Skylar crept into the room, listening to the echoing authoritative voice that was barking at the men. She stood at the end of the line, shorter than many of the men, though taller than a few. Many of the men in line turned to look at her. She was the only female there. As more heads turned, they began to whisper. Skylar looked at the man yelling at them or least raising his voice. He was a tall, brutish looking fellow with bulging muscles and face that saw its share of scars. Once he noticed the men were distracted, he followed their eyes and looked at Skylar. He marched over and bent down to her eye level. This was Bard, if Finley was right.

 

“What do you think you’re doing here, cup-cake?! You know where you are!?” Bard shouted.

 

“U-um… are you Bard?” Skylar squeaked.

 

“Yes… and who are you, girly?”

 

“S-S-Skylar Connor, sir.”

 

Bard smirked behind his stubbly face, “Skylar Connor eh? You crazy?”

 

“No?”

 

“No!? I don’t think you understand how this operation works. You are what I say you are, girly! And I say, you ain’t fit to be here.  Girls don’t belong here. You’re pathetic! Not one girl has made it through my program in the past 4 years!”

 

“Is there a problem, Bard?” said a smooth masculine voice. It spoke from the shadows. The echoes made it hard to tell its origin.

 

Bard froze, seeming fearful for once. “Sir, this girl came out of nowhere. Clearly she’s here for working in culinary or maintenance.”

 

“Gender is not an issue here. We’re here to get work done.” Said the man. Footsteps could be heard patrolling about.

 

“Yes, but—!”

 

The man’s voice became a bit agitated “She stays. After all… she’s just a girl right? She fails, she leaves.”

 

“But!”

 

“That’s an order, Bard.”

 

Bard nodded, “Yes sir.”

 

“Good… if there’s any problem, send her my way. Otherwise, treat her like any other.”

 

“Yes sir.”

 

“Oh, and Miss Connor.” The man said. Skylar looked to where she thought he was, “Enjoy your stay.” Soon the man left, doors closed far down the gym.

 

Bard got into Skylar’s face again. “You best enjoy it, for your sake.” He began pacing around. “Now, I ain’t briefin’ you on what we do before I know you’re capable.  I ain’t wasting my breath on you scum. You’re galaxy trash and that’s all you will be. Now, our first order of business will be eliminating the weak. You will all jog in place. At the sound of the buzzer you will drop and do push-ups. At the sound of two buzzers you will flip and do sit ups. Three buzzers you will jog again. Understood? The first 10 people in this group to stop will be kicked out of here. Go!”

Everyone began to jog in place. Skylar dropped her bag and followed as well. It was an easy enough exercise that everyone could do. Of course, it went on for about 5 minutes.

         

      BZZ!

             

  Skylar dropped to the floor and did her push-ups.

 

I can do this.

 

This was still nothing for Skylar. Despite being far from home, she spent years playing sports and martial arts. She won awards for her physical prowess. She could already hear some men beginning to cough. Just who were these men? They were not soldiers, that was certain.

 

BZBZZ!

 

Skylar flipped onto her back.

 

I can do this...

 

The breathing and groaning around her began to fade out. Skylar was in the zone. All of the competitions she participated in were not about the others. It was not about beating others. It was about doing the best she could until she couldn’t anymore.

 

BZBZBZZ!

 

I need to get back home.

 

Skylar leapt to her feet and began jogging. Her many layers were beginning to encumber her. She began to take off her jacket, sweaters. Soon she was down to nothing but a tank top.

 

BZZ!

 

Why did you do this to me, God?

 

BZBZZ!

 

Did I deserve this? Are you trying to teach me something?

 

BZZ!

 

I’m going to get out of this, no matter what anyone tells me…  no matter what happens…

 

BZBZBZZ!

 

“Give me that goddamned buzzer!” said the smooth voice again. The mysterious man, dressed in clean cut business attire. His hair was beginning to gray but he looked young still. The man took the buzzer from Bard’s hand and stared at Skylar along with Bard. Everyone was.

 

Bard begged, “B-but sir!”

 

“Miss Connor!” the man said.

 

Skylar gasped, and stopped immediately. Her breathing was controlled but fast. She was sweating profusely, her clothes clinging to her skin. She looked at the mysterious man, then Bard, then to the dozens of men who were either on the floor, or hunched over from exhaustion. Some were by the trash can, taking turns to vomit. They had all looked like they had been done for some time. Bard had simply been seeing how far Skylar would go.

 

The suited man looked at Bard, “Still, got a problem with women, Bard?”

 

8: Victim

24 November 2930

Gray Hunter Alpha Station

Uncharted Space       

 

Skylar had only been there a few months but she had already impressed the upper command, notably Bard and the mysterious man in a suit whom she had yet to identify. Everyone else had simply refused to tell her, or they didn’t know themselves. She was a star employee for Gray Hunter, and an exemplary person under Bard’s command.

               But there was one problem. Skylar was one of the very few women there, in fact, for a long time it seemed like she was the only one. And despite all her combat training, nothing prepared her for being surrounded by the galaxy’s worst scum.    One night, Skylar had drunk something she was not prepared for, something spiked by Evo, a man she had recently defeated and humiliated in a training spar. It had knocked him from his rank, and promoted Skylar.

               Skylar stumbled into the hall with her hand over her mouth. She had tried making it back to her dorm, leaning on the walls but the path ahead was too out of focus. She was sick, that was certain. Her hand instantly flew to her forehead with such force that she stumbled backwards and hit her head on a wall. A trickle of blood trickled down her neck as she slumped down the wall to a squatting position, her head hanging between her knees. Footsteps echoed in the halls. Then it stopped. She opened her eyes and found a pair of boots looking up at her.

               “Leaving so soon? But the party’s just started!” said a deep male voice. It was cold, apathetic, but she knew who it was. Evo.  All the energy was sapped from her. She couldn’t talk and could barely raise her head to look at him. Evo stood with a trademark smirk and scar across his eye. Brown eyes glared down beneath his black hair. His leg flew into her side just below the ribcage sending her sideways to the ground. Her cheek smacked the floor. “What’s up Skylar? Where’s that tough woman who’s been skyrocketing to the top?” Skylar couldn’t reply, she was busy grimacing in pain while gripping her side. Suddenly she vomited onto the floor, partially on Evo’s boots. “Dumb bitch…” He watched her lie helpless on the ground as she coughed up blood. Evo only laughed.

               He continued talking but Skylar couldn’t hear him, his voice was beginning to drown out.  “You’re going to pay for new boots, you hear? Yeah…. You’re going to pay alright. You won’t put up much of a struggle.” Evo bent down and heaved her up, dragging her  along the hall, “No… you won’t.”

               Skylar woke up with her body covered in goosebumps. It was the middle of the night she assumed, She could feel a light breeze coming from the ventilation. She curled up on her bed and hugged her knees to her chest. She could definitely feel a stabbing pain in her stomach but tried to shrug it off. That was a vicious dream, she thought. The fragments kept playing over and over in her mind. It was a nightmare and the thoughts made her head pound. She shuddered and tried pushing it to the back of her mind. For a moment there, she almost believed it really happened. She turned to her side and kept repeating to herself that it was only a dream. But upon gazing at the layout of the room, she realized the horrible reality that it was not hers… and the dream was real.

               She nearly screamed.  She tried. But all that came was a tiny squeak. Her heart was racing, and her body went numb. She sat up, trying to control her breathing. There across the room on a chair was Evo, sleeping with his arms crossed. She slowly slid out of bed and moved as quietly as she could toward where she thought the door was. She planned it all. Open the door, or break it open… then run as far as she could.

               Evo was awake, however, listening to her muffled footsteps. His eyes followed her beneath his closed eyelids, tracing every step she made. Once the door was rattled he grinned.

               “Where are you going?” Evo said.  Skylar gasped, and spun around. Evo hadn’t moved. His grin had given him away. The door wouldn’t have opened, she realized. Her brain spun, thinking too much as it was filled with fear.  She backed away to the furthest wall from him. “Have fun last night?” Skylar froze. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

               Oh no… tell me he didn’t… he couldn’t have…

               Evo laughed, “Don’t worry… you’ve got nothing to worry about. Your imagination is too wild. It’s not what you think.” He looked up at her, “Yet.”

               Skylar remained silent. She stood as still as a statue. Her eyes darted around for any means of escape but she could barely see anything as is. There were too many questions coursing through her mind. Finally, she snapped.

               “What do you want?!” Her voice shouted, though cracking under fear.

               Evo paused for a good moment before pushing off of his chair and walked toward her, “You.”

               Skylar gasped as he suddenly pinned her against the wall by the shoulders. She struggled against him, her fear turning into adrenaline. Evo pressed his body firmly against hers and reached for her leg. Her stomach tightened as his finger traced along a bare patch of skin by her knee. His hand slid higher and higher and…

               Evo laughed and backed away from Skylar. She slid down the wall, breathless. “That’s a warning… of what I could do if you decide to cause me anymore trouble.” Evo smiled deviously, “Don’t. Piss. Me. Off.” Evo turned and grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to sit down in a chair. He took some rope and tied her arms and legs to it. Evo looked up every so often, gazing at her emotionless face. “This is to make sure you don’t try some stupid shit. ‘Cause I need sleep… and so do you.”

               She could hardly hear him humming as she was bound to the chair. Her emotions were spiraling as she gripped the arms of the chair. Evo had already gone to bed before she came out of her stupor. Her mind was somewhere else, and despite trying to stay awake she fell asleep as well.

               The next morning, Evo was gone… the door left open and her ropes untied.

 

9: A Breaking Point

12 March 2931

Gray Hunter Alpha Station

Uncharted Space

 

                Skylar was still pursuing her training, slowly getting used to her environment more. And luckily enough she encountered more women. But she couldn’t help but feel sorry that they might suffer as she did. She still was… men had terrorized her on a regular basis. And they were all driving her to the edge. These thoughts crossed her mind as she was walking through the Gray Hunter market tier. It was neither cleanest nor safest place to be. Apart from food, and gear, drugs were sold as well. Most people couldn’t wait to get home and use them as there was no absolute rule against drug use, so long as it did not impede on one’s duties. Skylar kept to herself, wary of the men around her. The lamps around were flickering, and she spotted several insects crawling about, avoiding Skylar’s boots.

 

                But more disgusting than the roaches that scurried about, Skylar found something worse as she turned the corner. A drug addict stood blocking her path down the hallway, and collided with her. Skylar backed up a step.

 

                “Excuse me.” She said, already agitated. She wasn’t going to put up with the trash today. She tried walking passed him, only to be pushed back.

 

                “Hey hey… wait just a second missy.” His words drawled out, his breath was worse than much of the garbage shoots Skylar had cleaned several times. How the man was still on the ship was a feat in its own. He was in no condition to perform any tasks at all.  His eyes looked Skylar over, “Nice a** you got there.” Skylar furrowed her brows at the blatant comment. She glared daggers at him, feeling exposed under his gaze. He was undressing her with his eyes, and she knew it. Her fist tightened as she tried to calm her rising temper.

 

                “Get out of my way.” She said, sliding a hand into her coat pocket.

 

                “No way, sweetcheeks.” Slurred the man. He encroached on her with a knife, closing the gap between them. In a stumbling embrace, he began fondling his way down her back. Skylar tried pulling away, shuddering at his touch but he wouldn’t let go. Her teeth clenched as she shut her eyes tight.

 

                I’m going to need to wash my hands after this…

 

               Her hand slid up the inside of his dirty denim thigh.

 

                “Oh yeah… see? What’s the problem, baby?” he said. She nearly gagged at his rank breath. Unable to control her expressions, she spreads a grin the man mistook for pleasure.

 

                It was simple. A flick of the wrist. The druggie didn’t know what was going on. He continued to feel up Skylar until he felt something warm… and wet on his inner thigh.

 

                “W-what the f…f…uck.” The druggie stuttered, pushing Skylar away. He looked down to his leg. There was a clean slash to his jeans and a red stain rapidly growing. He stuck his leg out further to get a better view, still unbelievably confused. With the slight twitch of his muscle, blood spurted out with his pulse. “This b-b-itch? What… did she do?!”

 

               Skylar tucked her switchblade into her pocket. “Before I came here I was a medical student. I cut your femoral artery. It runs the length of your thigh… I’d give you five minutes tops.” Blood spurt out intermittently now.

 

                The druggie was still in shock. His legs began to buckle, his vision began to cloud. The scene was beginning to blur. He was too scared to move, but fell to his knees, then to his stomach. Bugs peaked out of their hiding places at the new body on the ground.

              

Skylar wanted to say something scornful but was too angry to bother. She only stepped over his body and avoided the spreading pool of blood, making a quick escape with no witnesses.

 

10: Confrontation

16 March 2931

Gray Hunter Alpha Station

Uncharted Space

 

It was another night in Skylar’s dorm. Skylar lied on the ground. Another woman named Cheri was straddling her. She was older, more fit, weathered, and intense... someone who fit in on Gray Hunter’s roster. Her shiv was pressed against Skylar’s neck. Both of Skylar’s hands were caught in a vice grip between the Cheri’s thighs and Skylar’s hips. They stared as their faces were inches from each other.

In a quiet and menacing tone Cheri asked, “How do you plan to get free?” Skylar scowled in defiance, and refused to speak. “How do you plan to get free, Skylar?” In response, Skylar bucked her hips to throw Cheri off balance—it didn’t work. She laughed in mockery of Sky’s futile attempt to escape her grasp.

Skylar’s breathing was labored as she grew weary from the struggle. Skylar relaxed her body, letting Cheri think she submitted. The moment she felt her grip loosen and her body relax, Skylar made her move.

Again, Skylar bucked her hips, this time succeeding in shifting the balance. As Cheri leaned forward, Skylar brought up both knees, kicking Cheri with enough force to flip her over and onto her back. Skylar unsheathed the dagger in her boot holster, sprung to her feet, spun around, and landed on top of Cheri. Their positions were reversed from moments ago. Skylar’s knife pressed to Cheri’s neck. Her shiv, still in her grip, held immobile by the position of Skylar’s body straddling hers.

With a look of mild curiosity Cheri calmly uttered the words, "Interesting moves.” Then she smiled at Skylar with pride and admiration… training was now complete. “You learn fast, kid.” Skylar stood up, helping Cheri to her feet.

“Thanks…” Skylar said, rubbing the side of her arm. “Had some training back home… but I have you here to thank for teaching me.”

“Hey, we girls have to stick together in this den of wolves they call men.” Cheri leaned back against the wall, sticking a small lollipop in her mouth, “On that note, we need to talk.” The candy clicked against her teeth.

“About?” Skylar sheathed her knife.

“It’s about Evo.”

Skylar nearly shuddered at the name, “Yeah…”

“I know you two have a history, but someone ghosted his brother.”

“Did what?”

“Someone killed him, leaving no trace and no witnesses.”

Skylar laughed nervously,  “I can’t exactly say I’m sorry.”

Cheri laughed as well, “Haha, well, it is Evo. And his brother wasn’t much better.  If anything, he deserved it.”

Skylar scoffed, “Too bad it wasn’t Evo.”

“Yeah, well…” Cheri stretched with a sigh, “…whoever did it was pretty slick. Doctors said the assailant knew what they were doing and killed with surgical precision.  He bled out in just a few minutes.”

“That’s uh… pretty crazy.”

Cheri stared at Skylar, “Yeah… crazy.”

“What?”

Cheri took out her lollipop and pointed it at Skylar, “You don’t need to pretend with me, Sky. I was following you that day… I saw what you did. Bloody good job you did too.”

“B-but…”

“I’m not going to say anything. We’re the only women in this division. I taught you to defend yourself… and to not let these pigs push you around. We ladies gotta stick together, you know?”

Skylar sighed, “Thanks Cher.”

Cher smiled, “It’s nothing… but Evo is demanding they find out who did it. He’s paying out of his pocket for security footage and anything he can get for evidence. And when he finds out… he’s going to kill you. You’re going to get deployed soon, but I don’t think it’s soon enough.”

“So what should I do?”

Cher stared in silence, “I’ll tell you what you do… we’re going to ghost Evo.”

 

11: Justice

 

16 March 2931

Gray Hunter Alpha Station

Uncharted Space

 

 

“Ghost him?” Skylar asked. “How do you plan to do that?”

“Me?” Cheri chuckled, “You’re going to do it. He’s your problem, not mine.”

“Gee… thanks, Cheri.” Skylar sighed.

“Anytime… doesn’t mean I won’t help you. I’ve got something out for that bastard too.”

Skylar sat on her bed and looked at the floor in thought, “You really think he’ll come after me?”

“Without a doubt. It’s only a matter of time before the security footage gets put together. You may have been off the camera, but they’ll know who went down which hallways and who didn’t come out of them.” Cheri bit down on her lollipop, “Evo will tear your ass  to pieces.”

Skylar leaned back against her bed, “Cheriiii… ugh why didn’t I just ignore that guy when I had the chance?”

“Beeecause you were pushed to your limit with the scummiest of the scum on this station? I mean, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Murder happens all the time. Most of the people on this station were criminals, or well on their way to becoming them. This is lawless space. People take the law into their own hands here.  The only one you have to worry about is Evo. No one else cares that a no-name druggie got shanked in the lower sector.”

Skylar covered her face with her hands, “Then I have to think of something. Walking up and stabbing him isn’t going to cut it.”

“I don’t know, Skylar. You’re smarter than most of the people on this station. Use your wits. You went to school, I didn’t.”

Skylar sat up, “All I did was go to medical school, and…” She paused, her eyes widening.

“You almost became a doctor right? Don’t they say, those who cureth can maketh ill? Or some shit like that? Bible right? Book of Matt.” Skylar furrowed her brows, shaking her head, forgetting that Cheri wasn’t the most intelligent of friends she’s had.

“You’re right though…”  Skylar said, pacing the floor in front of her. “I could… work something out. Yeah…” She twirled some hair with her finger, “I need to go to the lower sector. There are some things I need to buy.”

“Like?”

“You’ll see.”

Cheri crossed her arms, “Well, how can I help?”

“You still work in catering?”

Cheri raised a brow, “…Yes, why? OH! You’re going to poison him!”

Skylar shook her head, “Not quite. Too obvious… and not personal enough. But I will need you to get something into his food.”

Cheri scoffed, “Do it all the time.” Her eyes looked at the concerned Skylar, “Not yours, of course. Sometimes I like to slip in laxatives and shit… some guys just ask for it, seriously.”

Skylar nodded, “Well, I need to do some quick research, but I’ll give you a heads up when I’m ready. Okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. No problem.” Cheri said, walking out of Skylar’s room. “Just give me a call.”

--

Later on that night, Skylar had ventured into the underbelly of the Sigma 5  Alpha Station. This was far below corporate and residential levels, deep below the market and engineering sectors. It was equivalent to a sewer, a place people shouldn’t have been. All one could hear is the soft humming of the stations power generators, gaze upon exposed heat and electrical pipes.  The only lights were brought on by lanterns that others had brought themselves, which hadn’t done much. Here, the dirty and destitute vagrants of the Alpha Station lived out their lives on a drug-ridden crash course, avoiding the rabble of Gray Hunter’s corporate operations. They were people of regret, first coming to Gray Hunter in search of opportunity… but found something else instead. Now they were left with no place to go, but to throttle the market and try to make a living feeding off the addictions of those who kept their dark dealings with drugs a secret.

There was no law on the Alpha Station. No security. Even if the executives wanted the dealers out of their station, they wouldn’t have the guts to go down to do it themselves… it would probably mean a stain on their new suit. Skylar hadn’t been down here before… but she certainly knew what went on their. Her recent murder victim had crawled from the underbelly induced in more drugs than a human was probably able to withstand.

She looked around, gazing at the many make-shift drug stands that the men and women had set up. There were no signs to tell her what was sold, only the raspy and rotten voices of the merchants to announce it. Ecstacy? No. Hydrocodone? No. She was looking for something else. Her brain was still fresh with the constant drillings of scientific drug names from college. She kept an ear open, while her gaze was focused at the floor, trying to mind her step.

“Stims, get your stims here.” Said one of the merchants, a younger man, twitching and unable to keep from shaking.

Skylar stopped and turned her head. “What kind of stimulants?” Skylar asked, crouching down to his level.

“You know, stims! Stims to keep you going, keep you up… keep you ticking and going… going…”

Skylar frowned, “What is in these drugs? The chemical compound.”

The man rolled his eyes, “D’uhhhh…. I don’t know! S’on the bottle.” He said, showing Skylar the bottle. She gently took it, reading the information. “Got more if you wanna see. I can’t read it… eyes moving too much. Haha!”

Skylar looked over the labels in the dim light, “Epinephrine… caffeine, hey, what’s this?” Skylar pointed to one of the words: Trixanthaklanine.

“Oh that… dunno. Something new! New blend of some shit. Same as the other stuff. Gives you that kick you need.”

“I’ll take one of each.” Skylar said, reaching into her pocket for her money.

“20 even.” The man said.

Skylar frowned, seeing as she had nothing to offer, but instead pulled out her prized switch blade. “How’s this? Was worth 35… only used it a few times.”

The man took the knife and handed Skylar the drugs in a bag, “You got a deal my friend. Tired of these bastards stealing from me. YOU’LL NEVER GET ME NOW!” The man continued to go on a tangent as Skylar slipped away and returned to the residential sector and to her apartment.

 Once returning to her apartment, she immediately took the shower she felt she needed.  The underground sector was a disgusting, and rank place to be.  She took a moment to look at herself gazing over her naked body as water trickled down. She wasn’t the girl she was a year ago. Already the Station had turned her into a fighter, more so than before. On Earth, it was about self-defense and staying fit. But now, she was far more than that. The musculature was beginning to show clearly.  She couldn’t help think that her body was beginning to change along with her mind the longer she stayed here. With a heavy sigh she left the shower, drying herself first before walking into her bedroom and slipping into shorts and a tank top.  There on her desk was the bag of drugs.  She took a seat and  looked at them for a moment before she went to work. She started to crush them into a fine powder, mixing it all together before sliding it back into the bag that was given to her. She leaned back into her seat and nodded.

“It has to be done.”

--

Cheri’s door buzzed. She slid off her bed, tossing a cigarette aside before  opening the  door and gazing about Skylar, now donned in a leather vest and denim pants.

“Sky, what’s up?” Cheri asked.

Skylar let herself in and led Cheri along. “Cheri, here’s what I need you to do.”  She took out the bag of whitish powder. “You probably know what Evo eats mostly.”

“Same thing everyday.” Cheri snorted. "Every goddamn day."

Skylar handed the bag over, “Get this into his food… mix it around.  Put it in his drink too.”

Cheri leaned forward, opening the bag to take a whiff, “What’s in it?”

Skylar snatched the bag from Cheri, giving her a stern look, “Please don’t. You’re the only friend I have here.”

Cheri blinked and nodded, “Alright, alright…” Skylar handed the bag over again, “You still haven’t told me of what this is going to do. You said you weren’t going to poison him.”

“I’m not.” Skylar said, turning around. “Get that that into his lunch. Specifically lunch… the effects won’t be as great after breakfast.”

“Yes ma’am, captain ma’am.” Cheri tucked the  bag into her pocket, “Lunch it is.” Skylar continued to walk out. “You still haven’t told me anything!”

“Come to the training center in the upper sector if you want to see what I’m going to do.”

With that, Skylar left, shutting the door behind her. Cheri sighed, “Has to leave me in mystery.” She rolled her eyes and went back to relaxing.

--

The following day, Evo made his usual routine. Getting ready for the final days of training before they would be off to Gray Hunter’s operations… whatever it called for. He was sluggish that morning, as he had been for the passed few days. He was left with a hangover everyday, an alcohol-induced ailment that he was beginning to ignore for the sake of his late brother. Many would not have expected Evo to have anything of a soft heart, especially for a drug addict like his brother. Most people never saw them together… or saw Evo trying to help his brother  at all. Still, down in his soul, something called to him.  Something made him tip the bottle every night. But for now, he was going to put up with it. He made his way to the food court, a place nearly everyone in the station had ventured to get their fill on meals.  Everyone had moved out of the way for the 6’2” behemoth. If it wasn’t his height, it was his mass. Evo certainly had more muscles than most, at least enough to do some damage. As Cheri knew, he ate at the same place every day… at her station where the meal was little-short of acceptable. It was better than most of the things on the station, at least for lunch time anyway.

Cheri offered him a crooked smile in her white apron and cap. “What it’ll be today, Evo? Chili?”

“The usual.” Evo replied, rubbing his temples to subside the pain. Cheri worked behind the counter, hidden by the shelving… pouring the substance into his food and drink. Within a few moments, his meal was ready. He took his tray without a word and went to sit down. Skylar watched as he walked by unaware. Skylar looked at Cheri who nodded back at her.  Skylar nodded and returned to eating her station-food.

Evo sat down, slowly eating his food. His disposition was less than cheerful. Skylar watched from afar, nearly feeling some remorse for what she had planned to do, but she was quick to remind herself what kind of man Evo was and what he’d done to her. Was his crimes worth murder? She thought. No… but she valued her life. Evo was no man to forgive, she learned this first hand. She stared at him for minutes, watching as he slothfully ate his food. The stimulants would take some time to affect him, but by then she would have already left to gather her things for training. She had to hope that the dosage was enough.

Nearly an hour later, Skylar was found in line being scolded by Bard as she had all the time. She was adorned in a tank top, baggy cargo pants, boots and elbow and knee pads. Everyone in line had been standing at attention. Much to Bard’s surprise, Evo had been late. Skylar observed Evo’s unsettled expression. He was certainly not himself, his widened twitching eyes were proof of that. He tried very hard to  keep his composure, but the high-concentration stimulants had begun their work. His breathing was shortening, his posture uneven. His eyes couldn’t seem to stay focused. While Bard took notice, he continued to berate the rest of the group in front of him. The exercises continued, the group performed the usual tasks at hand. Even Skylar admitted that the training regimens were never easy, despite the many months that they endured. She counted on this. Skylar had less mass to move… leaving Evo far more exhausted by the end of it.

When the training session had ended, Bard was ready to dismiss the group, but Skylar spoke up.

“Sir!” she shouted, something she never did.

Bard raised a brow, and marched right over. “What is it, Connor?! You think any of us want to be here any longer than we have to?!”

Skylar looked over at Evo, his face was a clear telling of something awful to come. “I challenge Evo for his rank.”

Bard stood straight up, “A challenge for rank?! Evo’s a clear 5 ranks higher than you, Connor. FOR A REASON!”

“I know, sir. My challenge still stands, sir.” Skylar nodded.

Bard nearly smirked before scowling at Evo, “Evo, Skylar’s got a proposition for you. Do you accept?”

Evo snapped to attention, “Y-you don’t expect me to t-take it seriously? D-do you?”

Bard leaned in, “What’s with the stutter, Evo? You scared of the girl? Make it quick… she’ll shut up.”

Evo wiped his sweaty face and took a deep breath, “Yeah… yeah…”

Bard stood back, and crossed his arms. “Alright then… rings yours you two.” He looked at his two underlings. There was but a single light in the training area. As the others scattered around, they were concealed in the darkness. Skylar approached the center ring as Evo did. Bard stood back into the shadows. A light illuminated a room to the far right. There stood the silhouette of a suited individual, watching the match through a window.

Skylar stood straight, looking up to her opponent. There was no fear in her eyes, only the hope that her plan would work, otherwise she would get beaten until she willingly surrendered.

“Heard about your brother, Evo.” Skylar said. “That’s too bad.”

Evo snarled, “Don’t talk about my brother!” Evo snapped forward and swung a fist. Skylar shut her eyes for just a moment to regain her focus. She glared at Evo’s movements.

Step. One foot forward. Watch… slight weight change in his leading foot… ready…

Evo’s fist drew closer to her face.

Ready…

She could smell the sweat from his hand.

Now.

Skylar ducked, lunging forward with a fist of her own. She struck Evo in the gut, his relaxed muscles braced for nothing. He staggered back, but it only made him more angry. Skylar would dodge and feint constantly, trying to wear Evo out and drive his heart faster and faster. But even Skylar couldn’t keep up with everything. Evo’s brutal swings had caught Skylar a few times. 

Not enough… more… more… come on…

Evo punched Skylar, then picked her up and slammed her into the ground. There she remained motionless for a time. It was quiet; all one could hear was Evo’s excessively heavy breathing. He was beginning to panic. He realized something was wrong with him. Just before he was going to walk around, Skylar struggled to her feet.  She chuckled, staggering to her feet and putting her fists up.

“Your brother was a real piece of work, you know that?” Skylar said. Evo turned around, his face contorted in anger. “Nice family you got, Evo… must be nice parents to have let you guys end up here.”

Evo growled and charged for Skylar whose cheek had already swelled. “What did you just say?!”

Skylar spit blood to the ground, “You heard me, Evo. Your family’s a waste.” Even Bard was surprised. Angering Evo on any occasion was a bad idea, everyone knew that. Even then, Skylar had gladly taken the beatings. Her eye would swell, her body bruised. A tooth lost. Again she was sent to the ground… and again she stood up. “What’s the matter, Evo? You don’t look so good.” Skylar taunted.  Evo was reminded of the state he was in. He had even staggered while approaching Skylar, gaining everyone’s attention. Bard narrowed his eyes and watched Evo’s strange behavior.

Evo rushed for Skylar, swinging a fist for a vicious hook. Skylar ducked, pulling Evo forward and exposing his underarm. Skylar struck with knuckles forward and hit sensitive nerves causing him to lose his footing for just a moment. She pushed him forward onto his back, his nerves still trying to regain control. With a loud thud, he crashed onto the mat. Skylar jumped to him, dropping an elbow directly over his heart. In that single moment, Evo gasped. Skylar looked at him, smirking with her beaten face before being angrily tossed aside by Evo. He stood up, stumbling to his feet before making his way to the girl.  Skylar stood still, arms down as Evo slowed down panicking more and unsure of what was happening to him.  He continued moving forward, falling to a knee… reaching a begging arm to Skylar with the first genuinely scared face she had ever seen upon him. He fell over and rolled onto his back.

Bard’s eyes widened, “Hey! We need a medic here!”

Skylar stood back, catching her breath before falling onto her butt and sighing. The shadowed figure to the edge of the room was gone. Cheri rushed into the training room and took Skylar into her arms, moving them away from the medics that ran in.

“What did you do to him?” Cheri asked.

Skylar sat with a swollen face, solemnly staring forward at Evo for the last time. Moment later Bard approached the two women.

“Well, Connor… looks like you’ve moved up to  Esker-4.” Bard said, giving a slow clap. “Better get some rest girl… we’ll be sending you out into the field faster than you think.”

Cheri took Skylar from the training center, acting as a crutch for her friend as the two glanced at the blood splatter on the training mat.

--

Skylar rested on a bed in the medical sector, Alpha Station’s finest  hospital of sorts. There in the hallway stood the suited man, only recognizable to most people by his smooth voice.  He stood straight, looking into the room windows as  patients undergone their  procedures. He stood with Bard looking at Skylar, and then to Evo who already had his head covered.

“Fucking crazy day...” Bard said softly. “What do you make of it Chairman?”

“Evo’s mourning over the loss of his brother sent him to suffer the same ill fate of drug abuse. That’s all that happened, Bard.” said the Chairman.

“But Evo? I mean… not once has he had a trace of drugs in his system on every single test for the past 4 years now.” Bard turned to the Chairman. “And then Skylar decides to fight him, knowing full well she couldn’t… and Evo ends up dead? Come on, doesn’t this all look fishy to you?”

The Chairman smirked, “Evo’s heart was racing fast enough that a well-placed strike to the chest would stop the heart completely. Just so happens the day that Evo overdosed, is the same day Skylar picks a fight with him. Of course it sounds odd to me, Bard. But if that is the case, then…” The Chairman looked at Skylar who was being treated for her fractured ribs, cuts and bruises.  “...we’re dealing with someone far more valuable than Evo was. The only question is why.”

“Why what?”

“Why’d she do it?”

“Fucked if I know… she’s crazy. Young girl like that showing up on Alpha Station, unscheduled and unchecked. Who is this girl?”

“I don’t know… but she intrigues me.” The Chairman straightened out and patted Bard on the shoulder. “Keep your eye on her… I think Skylar’s got more to surprise us with. Until then… we’re sending her to the asteroid field.”

 

12: In the Field

28 September 2931

EX-390 Asteroid Field

Sigma 5 Space

 

It had been nearly six months since the murder of Evo. Skylar had seen no further obstacle in front of her. There was no overbearing fear that lurked over her… no man to terrorize her in her dreams.  The man who tormented her from time to time was dead, along with his brother. And with Bard and the Chairman’s suspicions aside, no one ever found out what happened to Evo and his brother. No investigations were made. No one cared. That’s what Skylar hoped for. Since then, Skylar had been the new face of fear amongst the trainees. She had beaten Evo, regardless of her crafty hand in the matter. Who would stand up to such a foe? No one challenged her for rank. No one stood up to her. Even Bard, as reluctant as he was, respected Skylar for she quickly became a star pupil. She was fit, respectful, and most importantly obedient. Physical training continued, as did training with simulators. She was being prepared to leave the station for days at a time, returning once in a while if needed.

Now, Skylar with her new high rank, was sent to the EX-390 asteroid field. It was in Sigma 5 space, largely uncharted and known only to Gray Hunter and some small mining companies. Many of the larger corporations were too skittish to send ships out into lawless territory. Their assets were too valuable to put at risk, but then again that’s exactly what Gray Hunter was about. They provided security for other companies that desired to mine the rich floating rocks. On the same note, they also mined for themselves. The field had plenty enough to go around and then some. It would take years, decades even to mine everything there. It was the reason Gray Hunter made the Alpha Station in the first place. They knew they’d be there for years… and they needed home to be close by.

Skylar was operating a main console, taking a more administrative position when she could. Often she wasn’t the one mining. The men who met on the smaller station in the field had played a game of cards. The winner of the game could opt out of mining, a dangerous task in itself, and just work as overhead. Skylar learned how to cheat at this game, her success rate was almost flawless. She didn’t want to be out there… a place where anything could go wrong… a place pirates had been known to lurk.

**

“What a mess…” Skylar said. She was in her normal attire, a tank top, cargo pants, and boots. Lights had lit up all over her console. There were hundreds, which she was surprisingly familiar with. She was on overwatch, keeping track of all the mining drones, many of which were out of sight in the grand size of the field. The quotas for the month had the newer drones drilling closer to the edges of the asteroid field, scouting for precious gems mostly. They were faster at their job, but unfortunately due to production costs, were a bit more fragile despite their shields. On the same note, should any unsightly opposition appear, they were known to get out of the thick of trouble quickly. The older drones, however, were clunky, heavily, and slow. They had no shields, but their plating was thick and almost impenetrable to even some of the highest caliber weapons. They were the very epitome of industry, even if they were outdated. It was the programming that made everything a nightmare. The console Skylar had used on the station was new, as were most of the drones, but the old drones did not want to cooperate as well with the newer programming. This called for some frustrating occurrences.

Red lights flashed on the console. Skylar sighed. She knew it was probably nothing, but due to protocol, she had to ask.

“Watchtower to D-452, I’ve got a hazard light on your vessel. Code 5-0. What is your report?”

“D-452 to Watchtower,” replied an older man. “Reactor core is freaking out, but I’m okay. It’s this goddamned programming they put in here.” D-452 was an older drone, probably piloted by the same person for the past few years, as was the case usually. “Don’t worry, Watchtower. I’m suited in case of a meltdown. I drive with a hand on the eject lever anyway. In case it does blow, you can watch the fireworks from the observation tower window. Over.”

Skylar shook her head. The miners always had a sense of humor, particularly the older ones who were used to their clunky machines and were well prepared with a list of tricks to survive all the peculiarities inherent with their individual drone. They all had a trick to them. It was because of this the miners liked to say their way of life was fatalistic.

Suddenly, a small spark on the console and her screen went dark. The lights shut down, as well as the ventilation. Everything had fallen to dead silence. Skylar kicked the console with her boot and growled.

“Brand new tech my ass!” she shouted. Smoke rose from the console causing her to sneeze and wave her hands about to clear her vision. Of course the computers were prone to power spikes given the budget of its production. The surge safe-guards were weak, even in the important places. Well… anything that wasn’t corporate or military was weak.

“Watchtower.” Called a woman over the com. Skylar knew the voice. Her name was Valereta, or Val. Skylar stumbled about her console trying to remember which button initiated the comms. The controls still worked mostly, despite the shortage.

“This is Watchtower.” Skylar said.

“This is D-Triple 5. Approaching designated mining sector. Marking with beacon now.”

“Uh… D-Triple 5 you are cleared to proceed.” Skylar turned on her wrist-com and  brought up a holographic display, a log popped up. “You have a four day interval on the outer rim. Currently we’re having technical difficulties. Comms will be inconsistent… contact with the others might be a little off… if it works at all. Good luck D-Triple 5.”

Climate control began to work again. Skylar’s console unfortunately hadn’t fixed itself, to no surprise. She had tried her best to route all of her tasks to her wristcom but it was far too much work to import the system. She could get partial readings such as heat signatures, but no actual beacons from any of the mining workers.

“God damnit.” She said under her breath. A large shadow overcast on the asteroids as a fairly large ship slowly moved in. A supply ship probably. There wasn’t much of a protocol or uniform ship for such things. They were usually contractors. The only supply ship she knew of was the Drifa, the ship she had smuggled on, and it was to no surprise that others had tried to stowaway on these ships as well. As such, security was a bit tighter.  But this wasn’t Skylar’s business. There were other comm operators to handle these things. She looked to her wrist com again, swiping a few screens about before pressing on the portrait of a man. “Nathan this is Skylar.”

“Go ahead.” Replied the man.

“I’m heading over to you in storage. I need a new holo-projector for my console. Systems gone to shit, and I have hundreds of people out there and I can’t see a damned thing. What’s up with maintenance, I mean really?”

“No problem Skylar. Head on over.”

Skylar leapt out of her seat, a bit too quickly. She had forgotten the severe lack of gravity on the main station. It was nearly half that of Earth. With a loud thud she knocked her head on the ceiling. She hissed at the pain before activating the magnetizers on her boots allowing her to walk comfortably. There was no need for conversation with Nathan, the quartermaster. The man’s work spoke for himself. She headed to the storage room, and looked around. All of the boxes and equipment were on shelves, each marked by a red light. Such was Nathan’s way of keeping tabs of what was taken. It made things extremely difficult to steal anything from him. Anyone caught trying to take anything without prior permission was usually jettisoned into space. That was protocol. However, given Nathan’s permission, Skylar looked around and saw a single green light. It was a box with her holomonitor.

Just then, the lights of the station went dim. Red lights flashed as a buzzing alarm sounded.

“What the…” Skylar questioned. Over the comms, orders were given to the fight pilots to depart. A loud hum followed by a gust of wind tugged Skylar down the corridor. She flew down the halls, colliding with the sides of the hall several times before she grabbed onto a pipe. She managed to get her feet anchored to the ground, cranking her magnetizers to full-lock. She wouldn’t be able to move, but it took the strain from her arms. She still couldn’t let go, in fear of snapping her ankles to pieces. It only took a short while for doors to slam shut and the air rush to stop.

“Defense Positions!” cried a man over the comms. “This is code 01!” Skylar had no idea what that was. She ran back to storage. Nathan was gone. All that she found was a space suit by his desk. She quickly took the liberty of equipping the armored suit, a standard uniform for most of the engineers and miners who were out working in space. With her holomonitor in hand, she ran back down the corridor then took a right to the observation deck, a place she seldom visited. As the door locked behind her she continued forward walking along a catwalk that led from the main station and into space. Toward the end of it, there was a dome-like structure. Were she seen, it would have been a simple matter of pulling a trigger, but she hoped her small stature in the grand scheme of the asteroid field would go unnoticed. She had to hide some place. She clipped the holomonitor to a cable attached to her suit and continued forward, startled from the sudden explosions of fighters blasting each other to pieces. A piece of debris crashed into the catwalk, causing her to stumble and grab onto the railing. She looked to her left, one of the stations fighters had been tumbling by, its wings completely blown off. The pilot was still inside, punching at the cockpits canopy. For a single moment, they locked eyes. The pilot was horrified.  The fighter continued to tumble, and flew from Skylar’s view.

She scurried to the dome, entered the passcodes and staggered in as the airlock kicked in. She kept the lights off, trying not to draw any attention to the structure. Several computer systems were within reach. Skylar hurried to the mining bank computer with the nav systems close by. To her left was access to military equipment should she need it. Once she plugged in her holomonitor to the system she had total freedom. She tuned into the comms. There was a lot of chatter and chaos across the hundreds of miners panicking.

The system had everything she needed. Data, frequencies, general information about every miner currently in the quadrant. Lights glowed red and blue, just like before.  Bright glows signified working and live machines. The dim lights meant that the drones were down. It could have meant anything from a simple power malfunction, to a full ejection. But in the current chaos, it probably meant the entire drone was destroyed. D-Triple 5 was still active, as was D-452… which was amazing to Skylar who had frequently broke down shortly after departing the station, needing to be pulled back for repair or to get out of the way of a supply ship on its docking approach.

“This is Watchtower to D-Triple 5 and D-452.”

“Skylar?” questioned the old man.

“You guys need to hide yourselves. We’re being overrun here.” Skylar said.

“You’re alive?” Val questioned. “I thought everyone on board…”

“Ha, takes more than this to kill me.”

“Resilient punk.” Snorted the old man. “We’ve got a few drones here. The metals here will reflect their radars enough. This goes for all of you… don’t be specific on locations or anything. We don’t know who is listening.”

“Roger, D-452.” Skylar nodded, “I’ll see what I can do from here.”

“Don’t do anything stupid.” Val said.

Skylar sighed and sat on the floor of the observational structure. She had already put out a distress signal, hoping it would reach to those that could actually help. She was stuck there in the dark, only to wait for back-up that could potentially never arrive.

 

13: Doing Something Stupid

28 September 2931

EX-390 Asteroid Field

Sigma 5 Space

 

Skylar’s tech-suit had kept her warm, but the heating systems in the observation deck were down. She didn’t turn on the lights on to not risk being seen. But now as invaders were attacking the EX-390 mining station, Skylar wasn’t sure what to do. This wasn’t her job. She opted to work as overhead and leave the dangerous mining to the others, something she felt she had doomed them to since she cheated at the card games that determined who would go out. The station had fighters, but much to her dismay she witnessed one torn to pieces and tumbling into the asteroid field. She could only assume that the small defenses the station had suffered the same fate.

The identity of the intruders was unknown. The battles still waged outside. Explosions could be heard here and there. Some were probably mining drones being blown apart. She cringed at the thought but could only sit on the floor and wait… and wait. Where was Gray Hunter?

The observation deck shook again from another explosion. Skylar stood up and looked out one of the windows. It was quiet. Nothing but the sight of asteroids casting shadows upon asteroids and the dust trails of space fighters could be seen.

“What the hell, Gray Hunter…” Skylar whispered to herself. She checked the holomonitor again to see the status of the distress signal. It had never sent. The signal was being jammed. Even still, Skylar knew that a disconnected signal would stir some suspicion but whoever was jamming her distress signal had replicated the original and sent it back to Gray Hunter. This was beyond Skylar’s tech expertise. Whoever wanted this station had certainly done this before.  With a few more moments Skylar realized the source of her signal was being tracked. “Oh no…” She brought up the schematics of the ship and found every measure of security feed she could. The mysterious star fighters were heading toward the station’s hangar bay.

Skylar shut everything down and headed to exit the observation deck. It was a dead end and there was no means of defense. As quickly as she came she left, taking the catwalk outside and back into the main station. The armory, that’s where she needed to be. When she arrived in the station it was quiet. Either workers were out in the field, or locked in their rooms waiting for the inevitable. Skylar continued down the halls, running as fast as she could, taking the maintenance ways as to not run into unsightly opposition.

“This is some serious shit, Skylar!” She whispered to herself before crawling through ventilation shafts. She had  worked in them before due to her naturally small stature compared to the rest of the crew. She heard the footsteps in the halls. They were big… heavy. Skylar had heard stories of… well it couldn’t have possibly been true. She shook her head, not wanting to go down the road of paranoia. They couldn’t be here… why would they be here? She checked her wrist-com and brought up a schematic of the station. She was getting closer to the hangar. Bio-signatures were heading closer to the refinery. She checked the status of the miners. Most of them were still alive, at least their drones were still functional. Now that Skylar thought about it, whoever had been battling the stations fighters hadn’t bothered to fully destroy them. They disabled the ships, leaving the pilots useless in their cockpits. These raiders weren’t here for blood. They weren’t here to kill. They were here for resources, and resources alone. Skylar thought to herself for some time as she ventured closer to the hangar. She considered just laying low, in hopes that these raiders would take the station’s goods and then leave. Skylar shook her head.

She unhinged a vent cover and proceeded quietly into the hangar bay. There, a few fighters sat, their engines still warm. They were no ordinary fighters, not from what she had experienced. Two large front cannons. Two thrusters… and one wing? The ship almost looked like a bird that had lost one of its wings for whatever reason. She attempted to get closer but spotted a guard. Her suspicions came true. The figure stood a good three heads taller than most of the men she had met. And it held a broad hulking stature that even Bard would have trouble competing against. It was certainly alien, and its armor was so sleekly designed that she had trouble discerning it from the creature’s body. In its hand it held a staff, a weapon Skylar was sure it was proficient in using. They already proved to be masterful pilots… they knew what they were doing. They had done this before.

Skylar snuck around crates and containers trying to get around the guard, but his ever-watchful eye was cautious. She didn’t have a plan just yet, but one of them was getting aboard a fighter at least. Moving around the guard proved more difficult with his patrol patterns. Skylar calmed herself, her heart racing. She convinced herself these aliens weren’t here for blood but she wasn’t willing to take that chance. She took a small can of penetrating oil and tossed it as far as she could away from the ships and toward the maintenance area of the hangar. Immediately the alien growled and grasped his staff before moving away to investigate. Skylar nimbly scurried into the shadowy section, hiding behind the fighters before climbing into one. The ship was never properly turned off. The aliens wanted to make a quick getaway she assumed. The HUD wasn’t in English, or any language she knew. Of course, she expected no less.

“D’ah… crap. How does this work?” she muttered. With a few moments to fiddle with the controls, she fired a shot from the cannon straight into the hangar. The guard immediately emerged from the maintenance area with a growl. “Uh oh…” Skylar panicked. “Uh… uh! Damn it!” She pulled up her wrist-com and cycled through menus with as much haste as she could.

Security access.

Technical controls.

Hangar bay.

Hangar door control.

Force hangar airlock.

Enter user keycode.

**********

Denied.

“Oh, fuck you! That’s my code!”

**********

Denied.

The alien drew closer, running for the fighter.

**********

Denied.

“God damnit!”

The alien leapt onto the wing of the fighter. Skylar let out a small scream.

**********

Denied.

The alien walked toward the cockpit and made its way to try and grab Skylar from the ship.

**********

Granted.

The hangar airlock kicked on. The alien looked to the door as his hand was just at Skylar’s neck. Immediately he was ripped from the spacecraft and sent into space. Skylar turned on her suits helmet. A few metal plates and a visor came to cover her entire face before her entire vision was blocked. A HUD turned on with a camera view of outside. She was now completely sealed. She shut the ships cockpit canopy eventually. A few moments later activated the rear thrusters, but not before boosting into the ship and colliding with the other fighters in the station.

“Oh man…” Skylar shook her head. “This is wild.” She piloted the ship carefully before getting the hang of it. It was nothing like the simulations for the fighters she was trained for. She was hailed, a face popped up on her screen. It wasn’t friendly. And quickly it wasn’t happy either. Soon enough Skylar found herself in a chase. She did her best to avoid cannon fire. She even led them through the asteroid field, something she was so well knowledgeable of, she had often had dreams of its complexities.

“Catch me in here losers!” Skylar taunted.

There was nothing but angry chatter over the comms, but Skylar couldn’t help but smile… laughing at the thrill and excitement. She was on the brink of death, but all she could manage was a pounding heart, a wide grin and a tear in her eye. She had almost forgotten what she came to do.

“The comm tower!” Skylar said, turning around, losing the fighters for a moment before heading back to the station. There was some odd device latched onto the tower, right at the base. “That must be it…” She said to herself. It took her a few passes and a few missed shots at the station, but a single cannon blast disabled the device without incurring too much damage to the antenna. Immediately all the radio chatter came to her helmet from the miners and other workers from the station. She looked to her wristcom again and swiped through the menus to initiate another distress signal. There was no jam. The signals were clear. “This better work.” Fighters were on her tail again. She took a few hits but bolted away back into the asteroid field where she knew she was safe.

However one of the aliens cut her off, and with little time to react flew straight for Skylar. She had tried to avoid the collision but the alien banked its fighter to meet hers. The alien fighter’s wing sliced through and cut her single ‘wing’ off leaving it to tumble in space.

“Those aren’t wings!” Skylar cried out. She maneuvered the fighter again, flying out of the asteroid field. Once again, another fighter was headed straight for her.  These creatures  knew how to use their ships blade with surgical precision. But before the fighter could make any distance on her, dozens of ships arrived from hyper space. Human ships. Gray Hunter ships.  “YES!” Skylar cried out. Immediately Gray Hunter opened fire on the alien spacecraft. Skylar watched with glee as they were destroyed or forced to evade.

 Cannons fired at Skylar, one from a larger cruiser ship. The blast rendered her ship entirely useless. Thrusters were gone. Weapons were offline. Hydraulics and electrical systems were all but lost.  Skylar panicked and unfastened herself from the seat. She panted.  Sparks flew.  Eyes danced  around… then focused on another shot headed straight for her. Her ship was destroyed, and Skylar’s body was left tumbling into the depths of the asteroid field. The blast left her unconscious and her  suit was minimally functional, the life-support already half-drained.  Her body was left to fly, spinning in the endless void of space.

 

14: Alone

29 September 2931

Current Location Unknown

Sigma 5 Space

 

Skylar floated in space, unconscious and into a nameless void. Space… what a terrible place to get stranded… lost. Her eyes slowly opened, and as she floated into the unbound darkness her heart began to beat with a rushed tempo that she’d never felt before. She realized where she was… what kind of situation she was in. She screamed for anyone… something to save her as her eyes watered in fear.

Nothing would take her from this awful fate. She knew now that her air would soon be gone. She would die… missing… alone.

Alone.

She began to conserve her air, breathing as minimally as possible as she was trained to prolong her life as long as she could. The power to her suit was beginning to dwindle. She only had the camera feed which stared into the emptiness before her.

This… is it? It’s over? This is the end? Is that it?

She brought up her hands to view… her small dainty hands, tested and weathered from a simple decision she made on Earth. Again, she looked into space, the galaxies and stars abound.

I feel so… small…

Skylar felt frail… weak. The strong and bold façade wore off in the grand scheme of the universe. She was insignificant. She began to tremble. Her lips began to quiver. And she would cry out.

Did I deserve this?

Was everything a mistake?

What comes after this? God? Or… is this really it? Why do I feel so…

She had no way of telling how much air she had left… only that she’d slowly suffocate when the time came. Time was beginning to slow. Every second was worth counting… not a moment wasted. She wondered if she would she’d drift forever. No one would know where she was… or how she died. She wondered what would happen if her body was ever discovered and how people would react, and wonder the untold story of Skylar Connor.  Then again, they’d never know her name. What a terrible fate.

Skylar, in all her distress, became light-headed. The stars were beginning to dim.

Why this? Why such a slow death? Why do I have to wait?

The camera feed cut off. It was black in her helmet. No lights. Nothing. Still, she felt she could see the stars. And now, she felt like the comets she made wishes upon as a child… flying across the celestial beauty that seemed much less scary from the ground.

I wish…

 

15: Snow

28 September 2931

Sigma 5 Outer Rim

Uncharted Space

 

Skylar awoke to a blizzard. She was blind to the flurry of wind and snow. After disabling the helmet on her suit, the HUD only displayed that the energy level was at 0% but the suit still managed to notify her of that. She pressed on walking, forgetting her previous dilemma… forgetting how she ended up there. The cells in her body felt like they were freezing one by one. Ice coursed through her veins, chilling her down to the very bone like a freezing venom approaching her heart. Yet she continued forward walking through what she felt would be the last moments of her life. Death’s grip was slowly crushing her spirit, but still she pressed on, her face bitten with frost and the roaring winds blowing passed her ears.

---

A Gray Hunter frigate, the Thebes, shifted to the right. Its engines flared, flame tinted blue roared out of the thrusters. Drag fins folded down into the short wings as the wings themselves shifted to rest at a 45 degree angle. Double-barreled assault platforms began crawling into the innards of the streamlined ship. Three platforms sat in forward positions while the other two sat aft. The Thebes was armed with pods of missiles, and significant power to the cannons. The weapon systems were hardly used, but the crew kept them raised when the Thebes was gliding through space. It made a much easier time of confronting pirates.

The bridge was at the very center of the ship, it featured a raised view port and sunken computer terminals. The commander, Ondrej Vostal, issued orders left and right keeping everything in order.

“Full ahead. Please prep the jump drives immediately.” said Ondrej. He rose from his chair and moved up a small flight of curved stairs located at each side of the bridge. He stopped and saluted the Captain as she entered the bridge. “Attention on deck.” Ondrej shouted. All the crewmen stood to their feet in salute. Those standing had straightened their backs. The Captain, Carlina Snow, was a thin but tall woman. Her jet black pixie cut hair was swayed to the side with a long fringe to cover her left eye. She saluted in return.

“As you were.” said the Captain. Her face was starting to show its age if her voice did not. The crewmen resumed their duties, something Carlina had wished they never stopped. She was a former UEE soldier and despised that the same formality regulations were enforced in an organization as shady as Gray Hunter. She simply wished that people would continue to be productive rather than stop for just a moment. Captain Snow looked to Ondrej, “What’s the situation Commander Vostal?” Snow took her seat on the upper bridge. The Commander leaned over and brought up the holo-monitor. The crystal blue display appeared in front of them, as well as a projected keyboard. Ondrej typed a few commands before a report had come on screen. The Captain leaned forward.

“This is a distress call from EX-390.” The captain said aloud. “Requesting immediate assistance. Code 01.” The captain raised a brow, a knuckle gently pressed to her lower lip. “01? Refresh my memory, Commander.”

Ondrej  looked troubled, “Code 01, ma’am. Immediate military assistance of all in-range personnel. Usually issued when a station’s defenses are overrun.”

“Well that’s new. All the stations are usually fully equipped to handle most opposition. What’s a few scraggly pirates to an entire station? Do we know the situation?”

“No ma’am. Overwatch agent Skylar Connor sent the signal only a minute ago.” Ondrej added.

“EX-390… that rickety old station.” Captain Snow muttered.

The Commander straightened his posture, “The call came over standard Gray Hunter frequency.”

“Well, then we don’t want to be late to the party.” Captain Snow leaned back. She brought up her wrist to speak onto a microphone over the ship’s loud speaker, “Navigation Officer Minskey. Plot course to EX-390 Station. Be wary of your calculation. I don’t want to warp into another ship.”

The Thebes continued to move at the highest speeds possible for its size. During said time, the warp accelerator drive gathered obscene amounts of energy from the power plant nestled inside the spacecraft. The Thebes was not a new ship, and the more the accelerator charged, the more the crew could feel the bass hum from the power plant.

One of the engineers spoke over the comms, “Captain Snow, the accelerator’s reached maximum capacity and the hydrogen p—“

“Spare me the science, Randazzo.” Snow cut in. “Minskey?”

“Coordinates set, captain!” Minskey announced.

“All crew,” Snow said, “Prepare to jump. All hands assume seated positions. All battle stations prepped. We may be jumping into a hostile situation. Get those guns loaded now. Commander Ondrej.”

“Yes ma’am.” Ondrej nodded before bringing up  his wrist-com. “Navigations?”

“Check!” replied a few voices.

“Comms.” Ondrej added.

“Aye, sir!”

“Engineering!”

“Good to go!”

“Armory?”

“Locked down.”

Ondrej turned to his captain, “Captain Snow, we are cleared to jump for EX-390 on your command.”

Captain Snow narrowed her eyes. “Do it.”

The key was turned in engineering. The world began to shift, stretch, and fluctuate. Everything seemed large than usual. The Thebes appeared to be stretching out over several thousand miles before the bow completely dissipated into a tiny pinpoint of light. The aft remained where it was but continued to stretch out with white-hot plasma energy pouring from the engines and the accelerator. As suddenly as the ship began to stretch out, it came together again. They arrived at the asteroid field, and the station was only a distance away. A siren blared in alarm as lights across the decks spiraled in red light. All the crewmen unstrapped themselves from their seats and rushed about. Captain Snow viewed the space in front of her. Amongst the floating asteroids were dozens of ships, fighters and cruisers alike.

“Vanduul…” Captain Snow whispered. “All hands to battle stations!”

Immediately to the starboard side the Thebes fired their largest cannons into the fray of Vanduul opposition. Several Gray Hunter fighters jumped into the scene and joined the fray, along with another battlecruiser.

A face appeared on Snow’s console screen. It was the Captain of the other frigate, the Praetorian. “Captain Snow.” said the hailing Captain Cheng, a younger gentlemen, but very competent for the position.

“Captain Cheng, nice of you to join us.”

“Couldn’t let you steal the fun again, Snow.” Cheng remarked. “Deploying bay fighters into the field to pick out any stragglers. We’ll cover the asteroid field, take care of the station.”

“Got it.”

One of the turret operators narrowed his eyes and began firing at one of the fighters, but stopped upon seeing its wing had already been severed, and not by cannon fire. He thought it odd, but another gunner had blasted it anyway. He blinked and hesitantly continued fighting.

“Commander.” Captain Snow ordered. “Bring up security feed aboard the station… I want to know the situation inside. And where’s Overwatch?”

Ondrej nodded and typed away at his keyboard before bringing up the screen to a larger display for the captain. The view of security footage showed the station mostly bare. The Vanduul were scurrying back to their ships in the hangar bay, but were unable to proceed since the airlock had been opened. They were all bunched up at the door. Snow saw the vast amount of fighters locked in the hangar bay which could have easily made the battle far more difficult.

“That’s odd…” Captain Snow raised a brow. “Who would do that? Can you rewind the footage? I want to see every room, and every door. Where is the crew?” The footage was pushed back and then split across dozens of screens. They showed barracks, engineering and all the rooms where crewmen could be. Many of them were hiding, some locked away into a room and unable to get out. One of the communication officers informed Snow that many of the miners were still out in the field and hiding among the asteroids. “Bring up structural reports. When was this attack issued?” The information showed that the distress signal was delayed by nearly 30 minutes after the initial attack. Snow furrowed her brows. “Bring up Overwatch.” The footage pressed back to Skylar in her command deck. Snow watched as Skylar dealt with her broken equipment, moved to the quartermaster and received a replacement. The airlock kicked on. Skylar held on for dear life.

Snow watched as Skylar ran about the ship, took the technicians suit and moved to the observation tower. Captain Snow snorted at Skyar’s actions, and then had her crew decipher all system logs at the current time.

“Distress signal was sent here, Captain Snow.” said a comms officer. Snow looked at her log, and then at the initial signal time. They didn’t match up. Snow continued to watch Skylar sit there in fear before moving back into the ship. Footage was lost as Skylar went into the vents but Snow watched carefully as Skylar arrived in the hangar, snuck passed the Vanduul guard and hijacked a ship. Snow’s eyes widened. Further security footage showed a rogue Vanduul ship being chased by identical ones before disabling a device on the stations comm tower. It wasn’t until moments after that the Thebes appeared. The battle ensued.

“Oh no…” Snow gasped. “Check your fire! We have a crewman aboard a Vanduul fighter, check for suit signatures!” Captain Snow looked nervous, checking all recent feeds from the turrets and all confirmed kills. It would have been impossible to tell from mere footage, but one clue had given Snow the hint she needed. The Vanduul fighter missing its blade... Snow watched as one of the turrets blasted the fighter, once… then again. Snow zoomed in on the camera. A pilot was cast away from the explosion, intact but flying fast. “God damnit! Commander, replay that footage. I want exact calculations on the speed and trajectory of that pilot. “Turn this ship around!”

“But Captain!” called one of the crewmen.

“Captain Cheng.” Snow said as the ship began to shift position. “We’re backing out. Most of the Vanduul are still in the station.”

“Roger, Captain Snow. We have the situation contained. ”

“Do we have a trajectory path?!” Snow barked.

“Setting course, Captain!” called out a crewman.

The Captain pressed herself against the back of the chair, gripping the armrests as sweat  glistened over her skin. “Hang on kid.” The trip felt like hours despite minute that had pressed on. “You’re sure those calculations were correct?”

“Yes ma’am. We’ve applied the same data-solutions used to track asteroids in the field, only on a smaller scale. The blast from the ship sent the pilot at high speed, we’re adjusting the engines to catch up.”

“Well get those scanners on. I want all available power to radar.” Snow said, rising from her seat and unable to sit tight.

---

Skylar’s suit wasn’t doing much but providing little warmth against the frigid blasts of cold wind. Her feet were numb, and her sense of direction gone. She couldn’t remember seeing trees… nor tracked how long she walked. She convinced herself to press on until she’d collapse out of exhaustion. With the final bits of energy zapped from her body, she fell to one knee… then to the other. She turned and fell onto her back. Snow quickly covered her body as a blanket with no warmth. Death approached… the reaper was near. She felt she could reach out and touch him. A dark hooded figure stood above her… formless and menacing.

Skylar!

   ---

“We’ve got something!” said one of the crewmen. “Pinging her suit to your radar, Captain.”

The Captain was already in the hangar, suited and geared. The hangar bay was airlocked as Snow stood while the bay doors opened. Snow’s helmet flashlights beamed ahead as she propelled herself with the suits thrusters and headed straight for Skylar’s body as she closer to the Captain. There was no movement from Skylar. The signal was weak. With the aid of the ships tractor beam the body was brought closer to Snow. The Captain embraced Skylar, immediately pulling a braided cord from her suit and plugging it into Skylar’s. Both oxygen and power were fed to Skylar’s suit as Snow propelled themselves back to the ship.

“I want that med team as soon as the airlock is sealed.” Snow said. She looked back down to the limp Skylar as she landed back into the hangar. The doors shut, the airlock sealed. The medical crew flooded the room putting Skylar on a stretcher and removing her helmet as soon as the suit’s power gave enough charge.

“She’s so young…” Snow shook her head.

“Engaging integrated suit defibrillator.” A medic called out as a cord was plugged to Skylar’s chest piece. The suit’s running lights kicked on. “Clear.” With a quick hum, power drove into Skylar’s suit and her body convulsed on the stretcher. There was no signal. Again, and again they tried. “We’re not getting anything Captain!”

“Step aside!” Snow pushed the medic away and cranked the defibrillator power higher. “Skylar!”

---

Thunder roared in the endless blizzard. The dark figure looked toward the Skylar and quickly vanished. All Skylar could hear was the sound of her name being called by a thousand voices. She found the energy to stand again.  Lightning pierced the clouds. The ground shook, and the world began to crumble. The storm only became more violent as the earth beneath her fell into an endless abyss.

“Mom?!” Skylar cried out. Her tears froze immediately on her cheeks. Her voice began to crack as she reached out in front of her. “Dad?!” She was unable to formulate words. Armaggedon was happening and she was at the center of it. Through fear of death, she cowered and fell to her knees again.  She cried harder than she could remember.

“I’M SORRY!”

---

Skylar’s eyes opened. Her finger twitched. The voices were still muffled, and the light too bright to gaze at.

“We’ve got a pulse.” a medic stated. “I… I think she’s back, Captain.” Snow peered over Skylar, crossing her arms with a sigh of relief. Skylar looked to the Captain, her eyes barely open.

Captain Snow smirked, “You’re one tough son of a bitch.”

 

 

16: The Diagnosis

Subject name: Skylar Connor

Age: 21

Sex: Female

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 123 lb.

Next of Kin: N/A

Contact No: N/A

Family: N/A

Date of Admittance: 30 September 2931

Previous Ward: N/A

Reason for Admittance:  Subject in critical condition suffering multiple severe injuries due to blast trauma. 

•Exterior injuries: Multiple bruises, and lacerations.

•Internal Injuries: Multiple bone fractures including leg and rib cage, pulmonary contusions,  subdural hematoma, and minor spinal injury. Subject was deemed clinically dead by medical technicians on site. 

Under further study by Doctor Salil Jain and Doctor David Lewis, Skylar Connor will require 6 months  (minimum) of closely observed rehabilitation.

Prognosis: Due to effects of neurotrauma, asphyxiation,  as well as a result of initial injuries and psychological trauma, subject is likely to suffer  mild to extreme amnesia. Weight loss, hormonal imbalance, chronic fatigue, and frequent episodes of cephalgia may result from injuries sustained until subject makes a full recovery.

--

 

 

Subject name: Skylar Connor

Age: 21, Female

Date of Admittance: 30 September 2931

Current Date: 14 December 2931

(UPDATE): Subject has shown steady physical recovery, but continues to sustain neurological effects from initial injuries. Speech pathologist Dr. Heidi Kelley will continue to monitor and train Skylar Connor to treat cases of aphasia, and dysarthria.  Episodes of cephalgia continue to persist, while  further study on subject’s loss of balance has inhibited normal functions.

Note: Subject has demonstrated clear case of anisocoria. Treatment is unnecessary and will remain non-priority unless at behest of subject.

 

 

29 March 2932

Citadel Military Academy Station

Sector 4, Sigma 5 Space

Skylar opened her eyes, waking up in her white dormitory. The walls, the furniture… everything was a sterile white. The entire ceiling glowed with a natural lighting appropriate for the time of day. There were no windows. The only time she saw the outside was in the recreation room  in the rehabilitation center. It was a big dome like room, meant to simulate  real-life areas of Earth, such as forests, brooks, jungles, even city life. It came equipped with aroma dispensers, climate and humidity control, along with wind simulators. Anyone dumb enough not to know could be easily fooled. But Skylar, after a while, had figured it out.

There was nothing in her room but a desk with a holoprojector, and a bed. Clothes and food were brought to her daily, and bathing was taken  in large locker rooms. Most days she was out of her mind, zoning out into a blank stare thinking about nothing in particular. Sometimes it took nurses a minute to get her to come to. She still had a bit of trouble walking , resorting to a walker at times if she couldn’t help it. Even then she was known to fall to her knees.

It took months after that. Multiple therapy sessions with her psychologist had helped her ease with the fear of space. Upon arrival, simply leaving her in a dark room would send her spiralling into panic attacks. She couldn’t sleep with the lights off and often kept herself occupied by training in the facility gym. It was the only way to keep her mind off of things. She knew how to use the equipment. She still knew how to hit a punching bag.

Outside of the exercise room stood a group of  individuals. Two of which were Bard and the Chairman. Captain Snow stood with them, along with a few doctors. They watched as Skylar fought against the punching bag using all of her training. There was a fire in her eyes… as if she were trying to regain everything back, and focusing on a single thing.

“My my…” said the Chairman, “This girl certainly has garnered some attention.”

“You said she’d surprise us…” Bard started, “But shit… the girl’s got more balls than most of the men I’ve trained. What did you say about her, Doc?”

One of the doctors adjusted his glasses and  looked down to his datapad. “Uh… erm… well… Miss Connor is showing a steady recovery in most aspects. Only a few drawbacks, nothing serious. What surprised us was the recovery itself.  We’re still making some psychological evaluations, but physically… she’s very resilient, if I may.”

“Tough kid.” Captain Snow said, her arms crossed over her formal uniform.

“Uh, yes… tough is a good word I’d use.” the Doctor nodded.

“Have you finished filing your report, Captain?” asked the Chairman.

“Yes sir. All footage, logs, and everything on Skylar’s activity on the EX-390 incident has been uploaded.” Snow replied.

“Good.” the Chairman nodded.

“If I may, sir…” Snow paused. “I’d like to give Miss Connor my own personal commendation  and recommendation. Should Skylar’s recovery be complete… I think she should be enrolled.”

“That’s quite a thought,” said the Chairman, “The girl has virtually no credible history. She’s still a low-end grunt worker. She shouldn’t even be on record.”

“I understand, sir. But after completing my report, I would like to have Skylar signed under my own command. Experience or not, she’s demonstrated courage, strength and dedication to her job and colleagues. That’s something I want under my command.”

Chairman gave a faint smile with the slightest tilt of his head, “As you wish, Captain Snow. I’ll make arrangements with the Academy officials and see if we can’t squeeze Skylar into a future program. If you’ll excuse me…” the Chairman bowed, straightened his tie and walked away with Bard at his side. The doctor stood behind Snow and pointed toward the exercise room.

“Would you like to see her?” the doctor asked.

“Yes please.” Snow answered. The doctor nodded and pressed his thumb to the door, allowing the door to open. Snow proceeded inside and approached Skylar as she continued to fight. Skylar was oblivious to the Captain’s presence. With a few more moments passed, Snow smirked. “Got a mean swing, kid.”

Skylar let one more punch to the bag, “Captain Snow.” She said, turning to the Captain, “I wasn’t expecting you here.”

“Just came to check on you.” Snow replied. “Kind of feel like you’re my responsibility, you know?”

“I’m fine, Captain. Don’t worry about me.”

“Well… news is, you’re recovery is going fine. I’ve asked that you be enlisted into the academy.”

“Academy?”

“It’s where Gray Hunter likes to recruit a lot of their special staff. People like Bard and I went to the academy. It’s not exclusive to Gray Hunter. It’s just owned by them. Students there often end up going to various private military groups. It’s quite a reputable institution. Food sucks, but hey, you learn something.”

“I don’t know…”

“You want go back to working the asteroid fields  with a bunch of dead-end low-lifes?” Snow crossed her arms. “Or do you want to work with someone like me and get paid more than your living expenses?”

“Work with you?”

“I’ve asked for you to specifically be moved under my command.”

“On a ship?”

“Yes…” Snow raised a brow.

Skylar backed away into the punching bag. Her breathing started to quicken, “Ship… in space.” Images floated before her eyes. She saw stars, and blackness. The sudden feeling of weightlessness began to take hold.

“Skylar?” Snow furrowed her brow, “You okay?”

Skylar shook her head suddenly could see nothing but space. She was in the space suit again, floating in an endless black. She cringed, and began to tense. She could feel an overpowering feeling take hold of her… something she could do nothing about. She tried to draw air into her lungs but oxygen seemed to have no effect. Fear took its icy grip around her as her heart began to race, beats missing rhythm… the sudden sense of death enclosed around her.  The view of space and the exercise room switched back and forth as snow appeared to fall from the ceiling.

“Doc!” Snow cried out. A pulsating light came from Skylar’s white bracelet. Skylar slid down the punching bag and then wrapped her arms around herself. With one quick inhale, she let out a piercing scream that even Captain Snow had to cover her ears for. Doctors rushed into the room, taken back from the sudden scream that was suppressed from the sound proof  walls and windows. And just like that, Skylar passed out. Captain Snow barely caught Skylar before she could fall on anything dangerous. “What the hell, Doc?!” Snow yelled.

“She’s had a panic attack. The events of her incident are still fresh to her… this is one of the drawbacks we mentioned.”

“Shit… isn’t there anything that can be done?”

“Therapy… that’s all, Captain Snow. This is something Skylar has to fight on her own. We can’t simply make things go away.”

A few nurses took Skylar onto a stretcher and  moved her out of the room. Captain Snow grabbed a doctor by the coat and pulled him close, “Listen Doc! You’re going to do whatever it takes to get that girl back to normal. She gave her life to save hundreds of people she didn’t even know and now you’re telling me she’s being punished for it?”

“I-I’m sorry, Captain! There’s nothing we can do right now! This will all take a considerable amount of time.”

Snow growled but was unable to say anything, releasing the doctor’s coat. The nurses and doctors left the room leaving Snow to sigh and  compose herself.

“Sorry kid.”

 

17: The Citadel Academy

29 May 2932

Citadel Military Academy Station

Sector 4, Sigma 5 Space

 

Skylar stood inside a white dormitory. The artificial sunlight beamed through her window emulating the morning sunrise. Everything was white, simple, and clean. The Citadel Station, unlike the Alpha Station, was all about presentation. The modern and simplistic furniture didn’t bother her much. She had a bed, and a desk. The showers were shared. The women’s wash and restrooms were small due to the lack of females in the academy. But Skylar had taken care of bathing the night before, avoiding any confrontation with other females as best she could. She didn’t like showering with others around. It was a sacred ritual to her, one that would never leave her.

She reached into her closet, a long line of identical gray uniforms were hung perfectly spaced apart. They had to be in order to pass inspection. A pencil skirt, heels, button-up blazer, and a cadet hat was her uniform and the only clothes she would see for some time.  Two years ago she wouldn’t have minded and rather would’ve enjoyed the uniform. But that was before her life changed. Now, Skylar was far less feminine and dainty than she used to be, and the uniform looked fairly odd. But she had some place to be. Class would start soon.

She walked from her dorm into the hallway. The halls were white too. The Academy did well to keep the view of nature in sight at all times, whether it was live gardens behind glass that was seamlessly integrated in the walls, or the artificial monitors giving staff and students a view of a meadow. If anything, Skylar was impressed with how real it was since she had lived in such a place before. Her thoughts began clouding her mind as she took a drink from the water fountain. Before she could lose herself in nostalgia she was pushed from behind as a large man no older than her. 

“Move it.” said the man. His name was Jared Proctor, an apparent star pupil in the academy, and apparent king of the hallways.

Skylar’s eyes cut to Jared, her brows furrowed as she paused the water flow, “I’m not done, wait your turn.”

“I said move it, Earther.” Jared, stood his full if not gargantuan height. His gray uniform seemed a bit tight for his musculature. All Skylar could see was Evo, a man who tormented her before… and could fall just as easily. She almost wanted to laugh at his attempt to intimidate her. If only he knew where she’d been… and what she’d done.

Skylar stood upright and faced Jared, “Don’t talk to me like I’m some damn alien freakshow. Why don’t you just go use another one or wait your goddamned turn?”

“Because I don’t have to. Shouldn’t even be drinking our water. Whoever thought a chick would even make it passed preliminary  is an idiot. From what I hear you got shoed in by administration. How many dicks did you have to suck to do that?”

Skylar’s fist balled up.

Another more adult voice called out from behind. “Jared.”

Jared turned on his heel and faced a well-dressed and well decorated black-bearded man. Immediately Jared saluted him. “Lieutenant Cabral.”

“Harassing the new students again?” Cabral narrowed his brown eyes.

“N-no sir.”

“Don’t fucking lie to me, boy.” Cabral said flatly, “You got a problem with students, you’ll have a problem with me. No one gets in this academy without good reason. Don’t you know who this is?”

Jared looked at Skylar, “Just some lucky Earth kid.”

“This ‘kid’ saved an entire A-Class contract mining operation from a full squadron Vanduul warriors. She’s a goddamned hero, and you owe her your respect. She might be a cadet here, but she’s earned her ranks elsewhere.” Cabral noted.

Jared scowled at Skylar before walking away, “So what…”

Cabral waited for Jared to turn the corner before looking at Skylar. “Sorry about that, Miss Connor. Jared Proctor, meathead, thinks he owns the place. Truth is he got here based on physical prowess alone. Top of his team in sports… scholarships. Rich family. Spoiled kid, you know how it is.”

“He doesn’t bother me.” Skylar replied.

Cabral laughed, “The way you almost knocked him out tells me otherwise. Jared’s not the first guy to get to you, I bet.”

Skylar scoffed, “You have no idea.”

“I would… I know where you’ve been. Alpha Station is rough… especially for a woman. I heard all about your achievements, Skylar. Quite impressive.”

Skylar rubbed her arm, “Thanks, Lieutenant.”

“Now,” Cabral cleared his throat, “Since you didn’t know who I was before I got here, I’ll let the lack of salute slide this once.”

Skylar blushed and stood at attention, “Sorry sir.”

Cabral laughed, “Don’t worry, kid. I could care less if we’re not around other students or staff.  But the other higher-ups, some will chew you out for it.”

Skylar relaxed, “Thank you, sir.”

Cabral gestured to the hallway, “Better get to class. You’ll see me soon enough. I’m your flight teacher after all.” Skylar nodded and saluted again before walking down the hall. “And watch the cafeteria food. The cheese and potato will haunt you later.”

 

18: White Shard Squadron

12 August 2932

Citadel Military Academy Station

Sector 4, Sigma 5 Space

 

                 Skylar sat in the cockpit of an Avenger spacecraft, flying above a vast red planet. She was taking deep breaths through her helmet. Space… she was there again. It was why she spent hours at the fitness center every night, exhausting herself so she would pass out the moment she laid on her bed, just so she wouldn’t have to bear laying down in a dark room. The sooner she was dreaming, the better. But being in the cockpit of a ship is how she nearly died the first time, at least now she had some back up. She looked to her left and right. Two other Avengers flew aside her.

                A voice called on her communicator, “White Shard Squadron. This is Command. Contacts sighted at vector 045 from your position. Heading 230 from your position. Intercept and engage.” It wouldn’t take long for the Avengers to catch up to their targeted enemies, especially at the speed they flew.

                “Shard One, wilco. White Shard, winter formation.” Skylar said.

                “Shard Two, roger. Taking position 2.” Said another pilot, a young man.

                Another man chimed in, “Shard Three, roger. Taking position 3.” The two other Avengers backed away from Skylar’s ship, and formed a distant V-formation. Skylar flipped down her visor, bringing up a more detailed HUD than the ship’s instruments provided. With Skylar in lead, a few minutes passed with nothing on radar. Then came six planes, both in tight V-formations. The HUD downloaded information to display, showing they were a squadron of well-armed Hornets.

                “This is Shard One.” Skylar said over her comm, “Unidentified spacecraft. You are entering restricted airspace. Turn back or you will be shot down.” There was nothing but silence. “I repeat, this is Shard One. You are entering restricted airspace. Turn back or you will be shot down.” Skylar snorted a breath as there was no reply.

                Command called to her communicator, “Clear to engage, White Shard Squadron. Keep them away from the station.”

               Skylar nodded, taking full grip of her controls, “Shard One, engaging.”

               “We got this! Two for each of us.” said Shard Two.

                “Shard Three.” Skylar called. “Bank left and take the far ones. Break them apart. Shard Two, Cobra the lead formation. Weapons hot.”

               Both Shard pilot answered, “Copy. Engaging.”

               Skylar flipped the master arms switch and pushed her throttle. She pushed herself back into her seat and turned a hard right… then to the left.  She positioned herself behind the front squadron as the two Shard pilots broke up the others. Unfortunately, the Hornets pushed their thrusters, pushing forward and turning back around for combat. Skylar banked again, trying to keep one of them in her sights. Her targeting system made a lock, signaling with a long beeping noise.

                “Fox 2.” Skylar said, firing a short-ranged missile from her wing.  She then took another target and fired another. “Fox 2.” Her targets tried to escape but suffered severe damage and pulled away from the battle.

                “Splash 1.” Said Shard Two.

                “Confirmed. Bandits down.” Command said.

                Skylar’s HUD flashed a red warning sign as an enemy had a lock on her ship.  Skylar pulled back hard on the joystick, jerking the spacecraft into a climb. She deployed flares before the G-force nearly made her black out.

                “Fox 2!” Shard Two said.

                “Fox 2!” Shard Three said.

                Skylar only felt the rumble of two explosions before the lock on her ship vanished.

                “Splash 1!” Shard Two said.

                Another Hornet made its way for Skylar, unleashing a barrage of cannon fire. 

                “Shit.” The rounds tore up her shields and into her hull.

                Shard Two swooped around and hunted for Skylar’s enemy. “Fox 1. Fox 2!” Shard Two cried out. The hornet banked out, deploying flares and evading Shard Two’s fire. “Goddamnit!” He shouted. “Guns. Guns. Guns!”  Shard Two used the massive frontal cannon on the Avenger and attacked the Hornet. Despite deterring the enemy, Shard Two took fire from behind. His engines were disabled and was left only to stabilize himself with his thrusters.  “Fuck!”

               “Fox 3.” Shard Three said. A missile came and finished off another Hornet in a glorious explosion. “Splash 1!” 

                Skylar looked at her radar, spotting Shard Three and several approaching enemies. “Shard Three, watch your six!”

               “Huh?” Shard Three questioned before shouting, “Oh come o---“ The radio went silent.

                Skylar pushed her ship as fast as it could. There were still too many enemies to take on herself.  Instead she turned tail and tried to fly through a small asteroid field.  The Hornets gave chase to the damaged Avenger, firing when they thought they had the chance. Skylar’s ship suffered more damages as bullets and lasers grazed her ship, whittling its defenses down further. There was another lock-on. Skylar deployed flares after turning around another floating rock. She avoided the attack but not before being locked on again.

“Fuck off!” A hornet flanked her and fired a missile from close range, taking out her engines and leaving her to fly forward with what momentum she had. Closer and closer she drew to an asteroid. Her instruments showed the Hornets back off as her ship plummeted toward the rock.  Out of reflex, Skylar put her hands before her face as the ship collided with the asteroid.  But there was no explosion. Her cockpit remained intact. But all was black. All that Skylar could see were three red words.

YOU ARE DEAD.

The cockpit opened up. Skylar sighed as she looked around and found herself in the simulation chamber, a large open area with mock cockpits specifically for dogfighting purposes. Outside of her cockpit stood her instructor, Cabral. He had an amused grin on his face.

“Not bad, Skylar. ‘Cept for the dying part.” Cabral said, crossing his arms. Skylar sighed and rested her head back. He extended his hand to help Skylar from her seat, “Third time’s a charm… maybe we’ll set you up with less… incompetent squad members.” He said, peering at the other pilots who accompanied her. One was Jared, the bully that harassed her before, and another young cadet who she had never met before. “You know what you’re doing. That’s what’s important.”

“How much longer ‘til we’re done with this?” Skylar asked.

Cabral turned on his heel and walked away, “Not until you leave without a scratch on your ship.”

              

 

               

                               

 

19: Bang Bang

30 November 2932

Citadel Military Academy Station

Sector 4, Sigma 5 Space

 

Back in the Citadel Academy, the Chairman arrived in Lieutenant Cabral’s office. The room was just as simplistic and plane as most of the student dormitories. White walls, glossy furniture, and a desk with little more than a holo-display. Cabra had been busy typing away a report until the Chairman entered, wearing his usual suit.

“Lieutenant.” The Chairman called, folding his hands behind his back.

Cabral looked up, his brows raising in curiosity. “What can I do for you?”

“Just routine check up on Skylar.  How is she holding up?”

Cabral’s chair squeaked as he leaned back. “It’s been months, Chairman. You don’t normally hold interest in someone this long.”

The Chair relaxed his hands as he approached the desk a little closer. “I’ll tell you a little something, Lieutenant. Skylar Connor showed up on Alpha Station with no history, no records, and a falsified ID.”

Cabral’s brows furrowed. “You mean…”

The Chairman continued. “We don’t know where she came from. Who she works for… if she is working for someone. Now, her behavior and work ethic has demonstrated well enough that she’s no insurgent trying to dismantle Gray Hunter. One of our own, Lukas Finley created an ID for her. She’s followed all rules, obeyed every command and has done an exemplary job for us, as you’ve heard.” Cabral nodded in agreement. “Right now, I’m not concerned as to her origins, more so her journey. How is she doing in school?”

Cabral typed a few things into his computer, bringing up a list of charts before he turned the screen to the Chairman. “A flawless record for the most part. Struggles a bit in math, but her fitness stats match some of our top males. And her engineering skills are surprisingly fine-tuned. She knows her way around a ship, might make a good mechanic or a salvage technician one day. If anything, the kid’s got spunk.”

“Spunk?” The Chairman questioned.

“You know...confidence, audacity…”

“Ah…” The Chairman nodded. “...well, I don’t know about any of those professions. The council has other plans.”

Cabral leaned forward in his chair, his elbows resting on his desk. “The council is involved in this? Why?”

The Chairman shrugged, turning back to pace around the room. Eventually he found himself staring out the virtual window. “Hard to tell… even I’m kept out of the dark in things. But I can only assume it’s Skylar’s lack of records and her ability to get things done.”

Cabral stood up from his desk. “You’re acting like she might end up…” The Chairman met eyes with Cabral. “...she’s only a kid, Chairman!”

“It’s not my call.” The Chairman relaxed his shoulders.

“I thought she was going to work for Captain Snow.”

The Chairman returned to Cabral’s desk. “She will. But she may be called upon. Believe me when I say, I care for her safety as much as you.”

Cabral frowned. “Well… she still has a way to go before I can consider her a graduate.”

The Chairman smiled and nodded before heading to the door. “Keep me posted, Lieutenant. They are interested.” With that, the Chairman left.

 

    That night, Skylar was in the Academy’s gun range, alone with nothing but a gun at her side. She fired a pistol repeatedly at a target far down the lane. Her safety glasses could not mask the vicious focus in her eyes. She hadn’t even heard the door open as a young tan woman entered in student uniform. She watched Skylar with her slanted blue eyes. Her fine, wavy, chocolate-colored hair fell down to her mid-back. She was shorter than Skylar, but with an hourglass build. Though she was sure Skylar couldn’t hear her, she still approached quietly. She waited until Skylar paused for a shot before calling out to her.

“Hey Skylar.” The woman smiled.

Skylar looked to her right seeing the familiar face. She only nodded in acknowledgement, “Lacey.”

Lacey put in some ear plugs and hopped on the counter in Skylar’s box. “Thought you’d be in the simulation room or something. You okay? I don’t see you here often.”

Skylar sighed, masking her annoyance. “I don't tell people I come here. If I do, people either ask questions or decide to join me.  I prefer to be alone here. This is where I go when I need to clear my head.”

Bang. Cock. Bang. Cock. Bang.

Skylar  relaxed her posture and lowered the gun. She reached up with her left hand and adjusted her goggles and ear plugs. She then put both hands back on the pistol. She enjoyed the ease of the weapon. It was easy to load, and shoot… and as she cocked the gun she felt a certain calmness take over. She fired again, letting out a light sigh.

Lacey tilted her head. “Clear your mind? With this noise?”

Skylar shrugged. “The sound of the gun doesn't bother me. It drowns out thoughts in my head that I want to ignore. It makes room for reason... it's almost ...mechanical. You walk in. Say hello to the quartermaster. You tell him what you want to do today, what kind of gun you want to shoot and how much ammo you want. He gives it to you—no questions asked, no conversation. You go to the room next door. Pick a lane. Put on your safety gear. Put up your target and press the button on the wall to have the target move back in your lane. If you want the target 30 feet away, it will be 30 feet away. If you want it 50 feet away, it will be 50 feet away.” Skylar’s gaze turned to the lane again, Lacey’s eyes followed with her.

    Skylar continued. “If you load a gun,”  She proceeded to reload her pistol. “it will have ammo. If you cock a gun,” She pulled back the slide, “you can then pull the trigger. If you pull the trigger,” Skylar fired down range. “you will shoot the gun.” She lowered the pistol. “The metal is cold. After shooting, the metal will be hot, and if you touch it, it will hurt.” She placed her pistol down and stared down the lane. “Any problems in here can be fixed much more easily than problems outside. The world makes sense within this small little room. It's the best place to solve other problems once I've managed to de-stress.” Skylar smiled.

“It's simple.” Skylar said. “It's easy. Bang, bang; shoot, shoot. Problem solved.”

 

20: Secrets

12 May 2933

ZanCo. Mining Corporation

Sector 3, Sigma 5 Space

 

The board members of Citadel Academy have decided to do something a little different this year for your graduation exam. Normally we run the final classmen through several field tests and simulations. This year, we’re taking your skills out to the real world.

Several ships flew in with masked heat emissions and stealth field generators hiding their presence. They drifted slowly toward a large mining vessel that was already surrounded by a fleet of ships. As the cloaked fighters slowly flew closer, the pilots caught sight of the haphazardly painted pirate emblems on the hulls of the surrounding ships. Most of them seemed to be empty, which only meant the pilots were inside the mining vessel. The stealthed ships ceased their movements on the other side of an asteroid, hidden from sight and radar. Out of the three ships came six crewmen, weapons and equipment magnetized to their backs. They crawled over the small asteroid and viewed the mining vessel from afar.

There was a mining vessel that sent out a distress signal in sector eight. While this isn’t a Gray Hunter owned operation, they have contracted for our protection services. We had a patrol run by there every week, and two security officers on board. The signal was only online for a few minutes before it went dead. We don’t know who attacked… that’s where you come in.

Skylar looked to the other crewmen. She tapped the side of her helmet with two fingers twice, then touched her wrist and then raised one finger. The other crewmen nodded and all gave a thumbs up.

“EMCOMM 1 until we get the hostages.” Skylar said. “Are we ready?”

“Good to go.” said Jared, the largest of the crew.

“Lacey, deploy firefly.”  Skylar commanded. Lacey nodded and then quickly swiped through a few menus on her wrist mounted holocom. One of their ships deployed a rocket, small and virtually unseen. “Hold.” The six crewmen waited for nearly 5 minutes before they saw two ships that were hovering around the mining vessel fly off in the missiles direction. Once the ships were clear, Skylar waved for her unit to move forward. “Let’s go.” They all crawled to the far surface of the small asteroid before pushing off with their feet and then propelling themselves with their suits boosters. It took nearly two minutes to reach the vessel before reaching one of the maintenance doors on the side.

“Breaching.” Lacey said with a whisper. She was again, navigating the menus of her holocom. The others waited for her to update them. “Nothing on security near this port. Masking systems check. Activating airlock. And…” The maintenance door opened to the six crewmen who climbed inside before Lacey shut the door. “Pressurizing. Brace for grav.” They all oriented themselves to the floor. Once the chamber was pressurized, the artificial gravity kicked in and they were anchored down. The door to the vessel was now open.

“Good work, Lacey.” Skylar said, removing her helmet. The others followed suit and began to take up weapons. “Everyone, remain on EMCOMM 1, like I said. Weapons cold and stun rounds first. Keep it quiet. I want to hear a pin drop. Lacey, find the admin room. Jared go with her.” The two nodded and exited the airlock, crouching to keep a low profile. Skylar pointed at the remaining three. “Darius, Hans, Gerald. Take second level. I’ll be running recon here.” Before long, Skylar was alone. She took a deep breath and moved down the hallways, exploring every room, and checking every corner. Mission briefing said it was a vessel, but it felt far more like a station. It’s size became more and more apparent as Skylar snuck through the halls, crouching below any rooms with windows, and keeping to cover as long as possible.

“Camera feeds frozen.” said Lacey over the comms. “Stand by.” Skylar waited for a moment before Lacey spoke again. “Skylar. Team 3. Hostages and hostiles located. Marking your HUD’s now.” Just then Skylar’s iris-overlay HUD displayed a direct path to where hostiles and hostages were located. Unfortunately some were moving toward her. She hid behind a pillar as two men walked out from another hallway. Trailing behind them was a hostage, as Skylar judged by his workman-like attire. She poked her head out as soon as their line of sight was broken, but the hostage caught sight of Skylar. She quickly put an index finger to her lips and ducked behind the pillar just before the pirates had seen her.

“Alright, Captain. You’re gonna open up this door and get us into the database.” said one of the brutish pirates. Both of them were armed, and looked formidable to say the least.  Skylar closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Just give me a moment. It’s not so simple as a password.” the captive said.

“You got one minute!” said the pirate, pressing a rifle to his back.

Skylar stood up and pulled down on each wrist. The joints between the metal plates of her gloves began to glow a bright cyan color. A robotic voice announced in her headset: ZEUS Gauntlets online. Kinetic mode. Skylar turned from around the pillar and tossed a small metal ball along the floor. The two pirates heard the rolling sphere and looked down at it.

“What the f--” Before the pirate could finish, the ball emitting a flash of light and a high pitched shrill. They were both incapacitated for only a moment, but when they came to, Skylar had made her entrance. She swung an uppercut to the nearest pirate, the kinetic energy of her gloves sending him into the ceiling and crashing to the floor. The other was ready to fire his rifle, but Skylar backhanded it from his grip. ZEUS Mode. Skylar and the remaining pirate exchanged a quick series of blows but the pirate found himself shocked everytime he was struck. Finally Skylar broke his defense letting out a quick flurry of jabs to his chest before grabbing onto his head with both hands. The gloves surged with electricity before Skylar let his limp body fall.

“...who are you?” asked the captive.

“Just a student.” Skylar answered. “We need to get you somewhere safe.”

Lacey came over the comms. “Skylar. You’ve got hostiles heading your way. I think they have suit monitors.”

“Shit…” Skylar cursed, reaching for one of the weapons on the ground.

“Don’t!” cried the captive. It was too late, Skylar gripped the weapon’s handle, only the jerk her hand back from a sudden shock. She fell to one knee, shaken by the electricity. “Their weapons have bio-locks on them. Trust me, we found that out the hard way.” Skylar hissed at the pain before standing up and pulled the captive with her. She pushed him down the hall, and waited to the door where the pirates were coming. Magnetic. She held a hand ready at the door before it slid open. Two more pirates walked through, rifles first, as Skylar anticipated. She reached for the front end of the gun, the metal snapped to her gloves and out of the man’s grip. She tossed the rifle away and kicked the pirate in the chest, sending him into his comrade. She gripped the remaining rifle, her glove snapping to it as before, but now she wrestled with the pirate for control as the other stood up from the floor. Skylar fought the two of them, her hand stuck to the rifle as she parried blows from the other pirate. Finally she kicked the unarmed man to the ground and got a better hold on the rifle. She elbowed the pirate in the face, and wrapped her finger around his trigger finger, forcing him to shoot his ally. She then tipped the gun down, shooting the man in the foot. He released his grip of the gun, before Skylar struck him in the jaw, sending him to the floor unconscious.

Skylar took a deep breath before looking at the captive. “Captain. I need you to help me find your crew.”

“I’m… not the captain.” said the man. “My name’s Rufus. They asked for our captain to unlock the control and data room, but they had already killed him when they broke into the station. They said if the captain didn’t reveal himself, they’d start killing us one at a time.”

“You don’t know how to open the room, do you?” Skylar asked. Rufus looked down solemnly. “They would’ve killed you right there… well I’m glad I came in when I did. Where are you all being held?”

“They’ve gathered everyone in the cafeteria. And cuffed us to the tables.” Rufus said.

“Lacey, did you get that?” Skylar said.

“Uh… copy. Just let me… alright.” Lacey paused. “Skylar, Team 3, I’ve uploaded map locations to your HUD. Just be careful, I think they’re a bit stirred.”

“Hm… alright, Team 3.” Skylar said. “Weapons hot, shoot to kill. By my reports they’ve already started killing hostages. Elevating this to situation Code 3.” The rest of her team replied with acknowledgement.

“Skylar, just a head’s up.” Lacey began. “They’re already radioing ransoms with Grey Hunter. They’ll probably keep the negotiations going for a few more minutes. We have to move. Now.”

Skylar looked to her captive. “Everyone get into position around the cafeteria. Lacey, I need you to disable the gravity tethers. Can you do that from there?”

“Yes, of course.” Lacey replied.

“On my mark, then.” Skylar said. “Skylar out.” Skylar pointed down the hall while looking at Rufus. “Mr. Rufus, sir. I need you to get to a safe location, a utility closet, or any other room you can lock yourself in. My team and I will be rescuing the rest of the hostages shortly and then send in for our reinforcements later. They’ll come get you. Can you do that for me?”

Rufus nodded. “Thank you.” He then ran down the hall out of sight.

Skylar waited a few moments before rushing down the hall as quickly as she could, her soft-soled boots keeping her moments to nothing more than a whisper. She crawled through vents and avoided popular hallways, stairways, and elevators. It wasn’t long before she was in a vent that overlooked the large open area of the cafeteria. From what she could see through the vent, the cafeteria was the center of the vessel, a room that was at the center of all the floors. Looking down she was at least 20 feet in the air, and another 20 feet before the walls met the ceiling. Rufus wasn’t lying however. There was at least 50 hostages all kneeling on the floor, and nearly half as many pirates.

“Skylar in position.” Skylar whispered.

“Team 3 Actual. We’re in position.” Darius said.

“Jared, in position.” Added Jared.

“Lacey. Kill the tethers. Now.”

“On it.” Lacey said. Skylar crawled to the back of the vent, facing the opening. She stared intently waiting for the moment to happen. There was a loud hum that quickly died down. Suddenly the pirates felt themselves floating uncontrollably in the air. The hostages floated too, but only as far as their cuffs would allow.

“Breaching.” Skylar said. She activated the rocket thrusters in her boots and propelled herself through the vent and burst through the vent cover. She continued to fly forward, reeling back a fist. Kinetic. One distraught pirate tried to right himself, only to spin around and find Skylar’s fist hunting for him. As he was struck in the face, he was sent across the room and into a wall. Skylar continued to fly toward him, grabbing his motionless body and pushing off the wall. She took out her pistol, and began to fire at the pirates, using the man’s body as cover. The rest of her crew had burst in, adding chaos to the firefight. The pirates tried their best retaliate but were caught off guard and quickly gunned down. Skylar spun around, keeping her human shield close while shooting each pirate with pinpoint accuracy. It wasn’t long before the firefight was over. Skylar and her comrades righted themselves and floated down toward the floor, shifting the floating bodies away from the hostages and into a single corner.

“Lacey, you can enable the tethers now.” Skylar said. Moments later the gravity tethers activated and all was set to normal again. “Let’s head back to extraction and radio in command.”

“I’ll meet you guys there. I just have one thing to take care of.” Lacey said.

Skylar furrowed her brows. “Lacey, we’re in and out. We don’t have time to stick around.”

“It’ll only take a minute! Seriously, just go---h-hey!” Lacey cried. There was a few gunshots followed by Lacey’s scream before another set of louder gunshots sounded over the comms.Skylar looked at her squadmates and pointed toward the door.

“Go ahead, I’ll go after Lacey.” Skylar said, darting down the halls. She used the map on her HUD to guide her to Lacey’s beacon. She ran as fast as she could, using any hallway necessary to get there. She encountered a few straggler pirates who were rushing toward the cafeteria, but Skylar had done away with them with precise shots. A few more halls, and a few more pirates later, Skylar found herself at the control room where Lacey was hunched over typing into a computer. A dead pirate lay on the ground behind her, bleeding from his chest. “Lacey!” Skylar rushed over to her friend who was typing rigorously, despite blood coating some of the keys.

“I said… I’ll meet you guys there.” Lacey rasped. She stopped typing and pulled a small plastic datastick from the computer. Skylar ran over and turned Lacey’s chair to face her. She was in bad condition, bullet wounds in her shoulder and stomach. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

“I told you to leave immediately.” Skylar said sternly. “Why were you still here?”

Lacey held up the datastick. “Needed to get this to command.”

“What? No one told me about this… or anyone for that matter.”

Lacey tried to stand, only to fall forward. Skylar caught her and then used herself as a crutch. “Didn’t want you to know, I guess…” Lacey nearly lost all of her strength and fell completely limp.

“Shit…” Skylar took the datastick from Lacey and then picked her body up, cradling her in both arms. “Everyone get to extraction. Lacey’s down. Radio medical immediately!”

“Wilco.” said Jared.

Moments later Skylar was in the vessel’s ship bay where dozen of mining drones were docked. One of Gray Hunter’s ships was already docked and its bay doors open.  Skylar continued to walk toward the ship as a medical crew rushed out to take Lacey from her hands. They quickly put her on a stretcher and pushed her to the ship. The rest of her squad was conversing with other Gray Hunter members while Captain Snow walked to approach Skylar who’s spacesuit was coated in Lacey’s blood.

“She’s in bad shape.” Snow said. “But I think she’ll make it. What happened?”

“That’s what I want to know.” Skylar said, clenching a fist, nearly crushing the datastick in her hand. She stormed onto the ship, hardly giving Captain Snow so much as a glance. “Let’s get out of here.”

 

21: Down the Rabbit Hole

13 May 2933

Frigate-class Star Cruiser “Thebes”

Sector 3, Sigma 5 Space

 

Skylar had fallen asleep in the medbay of the Thebes vessel, quietly awaiting the awakening of her colleague and friend Lacey.  It had been almost a day since they were extracted from the ZanCo. Mining station, and Skylar refused sleep, a bath, and food until Lacey would wake up. Despite protests of the doctors, she wouldn’t listen, and Captain Snow could only sympathize with her. Unfortunately the soft hum of the ship and the beeping machines around Lacey had lulled Skylar to sleep. She sat slouched, her bottom near the edge of the seat. An elbow rested on the arm of the chair while she propped her head up with a hand. In her other hand she still firmly gripped the blood-stained data stick that Lacey had nearly died for.

“Skylar.” A voice called out to her in her sleep. It only took a moment for her anxiety to kick in. Skylar nearly shot up from her chair, a smile on her face as she looked at Lacey who was still asleep. It wasn’t her. A hand touched Skylar on the shoulder. She gasped in surprise but quickly calmed to see Captain Snow. Skylar furrowed her brows and plopped back into her seat, crossing her arms.

“What do you want?” Skylar huffed, looking away and focusing on Lacey.

“Skylar…” Snow began. “You should sleep in your bunk. Lacey probably won’t wake up before we get back to Citadel.”

“Then I’ll wait in Citadel too.”

Snow sighed. “Skylar I don’t want to have to do this.” She stood straight and spoke with a hushed but commanding tone. “As your commanding officer, I order you to return to your quarters.”

Skylar’s eye twitched as she gripped the datastick harder. She stood up from her seat and stood face to face with Snow. “Or what, Captain? You’ll demote me? There isn’t a single punishment you could lay down that I wouldn’t be ready for. You know me, Captain. I. Have. Nothing. That’s why I’m willing to do whatever it takes for the only family I have here, you included.” She raised the datastick to eye-level, her hand crusted with Lacey’s blood. “She almost died for this? What data could possibly be on this that was worth that? She was given anonymous orders from HQ to get this as, I can only assume, class 1 priority objective. Lacey wouldn’t stick her neck out for something stupid. She’s a smart girl.” Skylar’s demeanor calmed. “Tell me, Captain… that you don’t think something off is going on. Why her? Why keep us all in the black, even you.” The two looked at each other for a few seconds before Skylar took her leave.

“Skylar.” Captain Snow called. Skylar stopped in the doorway. “I might not know anything about this data. But… I urge you to be careful. I think it’s time you decide what answers are worth digging for. I’ve been with Gray Hunter long enough to know that they don’t have their nose clean in everything.”

Skylar paused and then nodded. “Good night, Captain.”

 

 

14 May 2933

Citadel Military Academy Station

Sector 4, Sigma 5 Space

Skylar retreated to her bunk and caught up on her much needed rest. She remain asleep the entire trip until they reached Citadel station where she even napped through the bustling of the crewmen. It wasn’t until Jared had shaken her awake, waiting for her to open her eyes before gesturing behind him. Everyone was leaving the ship. It was time to go. Skylar shot up and hadn’t even bothered to get properly dressed. She rushed passed Jared and the chatting crewmen, up the staircases, her bare feet pounding on the metal floors. She made her way to the medbay, and into Lacey’s section. It was empty. The bed had gone cold, the machines were off. There was nothing.

“They’ve already taken her to Citadel’s hospital.” said Captain Snow from behind.

Skylar lowered her shoulders with a sigh. “Did she---”

“No.” Snow answered abruptly. “Hasn’t woken up, but she’s stable.” Skylar turned to leave, side-stepping Snow. “Where are you going?”

“To get answers.” Skylar replied. She hadn’t even bothered to get properly dressed. She took a duffle bag and walked back through the space dock with her shorts and tank-top. The cold metal beneath her feet hadn’t bothered her, nor the stares many of the crewmen gave her. She marched through to the academy and back to her dorm where took a brief shower and dressed in the usual student attire. It was then she marched down the halls, took an elevator, eventually reaching Lieutenant Cabral’s office. Skylar knocked before Cabral opened the door from his desk. He returned to typing on his computer before Skylar entered.

Cabral gave one glance to the student in front of him. “Officer Connor.”

Skylar briefly saluted. “Lieutenant Commander.”

Cabral finished a few more words before dismissing his holo-screen with the wave of his hand, clearing his view of Skylar. “You did well on the mission I hear. I’ll be getting a full report soon. You’ve proven a lot of people wrong.” Cabral leaned back in his leather chair and sighed. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“It’s about the mission, sir.” Skylar said, approaching his desk.

“What about it?”

Skylar took the datastick from her pocket and held it in front of her. “This, sir. While Officer Lacey Corter did an amazing job in our mission, she failed to obey direct orders resulting in unwanted consequences.”

“I’m guessing you’re not here to roast another officer.” Cabral said, looking at the stick.

“No, sir. Lacey is a good friend. What concerns me is that she disobeyed an evacuation order and got herself injured in the process.”

“Injured?”

“She’s suffering some gunshot wounds and other minor injuries. She said that this particular stick was priority information. Lacey’s not crazy. She got orders to extract this information from somewhere… and I really hope you can shed some light on why my friend almost died.”

Cabral raised his eyebrows. “I’m really sorry, Skylar. But I don’t know anything about this. I was informed that this would be primarily a hostage situation, and upholding a protection contract.”

“You don’t know anything?” Skylar said, her shoulders rising in tension.

“I’m afraid not… I think your best bet is to ask Lacey yourself.” Cabral answered. The office

door slid open. In walked the Chairman, looking no different than he always had. Same hairstyle, suit, and tie.

“I believe I can be of some help.” said the Chairman. Skylar and Cabral looked at the man. He offered a light smile. “Sorry for intruding. I was standing outside the door and didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Chairman.” Cabral said with a nod.

“Lieutenant Commander.” The Chairman nodded. He looked to Skylar. “Officer Connor, I believe congratulations are in order. Our people at ZanCo. have offered nothing but high regards and wondrous reports of your… extravagant and if not cinematic hostage rescue. They regarded it as clever, ingenuitive, and as some others remarked ‘the coolest thing ever.’ It’s a shame to hear about Officer Corter. Rest assured she will be in the best medical hands possible. Regarding that datastick, those orders came from above. Not myself… but a higher council.”

“There’s people above you?” Skylar remarked. “Here I thought you were the spooky g-man character that owned the place.”

The Chairman chuckled. “Not quite, Miss Connor. I run many things… you can consider me an… overseer, a counselor… maybe even a better title would be an advisor. You see, that datastick has some classified information that Officer Corter was to retrieve and return in order to progress in a separate division of Gray Hunter. Believe it or not, she’s far more resourceful than you might think. Her technology scores are through the proverbial roof. They chose her for a certain purpose, and for all intents and purposes succeeded with repercussions. But repercussions are not something the Council has time for. They need results and they need them in rapid succession. Officer Corter will be recovering for some time now, lost time… time that could be spent doing other things. Now, as an advisor, I informed the Council that while Officer Corter was an exceptional choice for their many covert operations… that she wasn’t the prime candidate.”

“Who was?” Skylar asked.

“You.” The Chairman said sternly. “I put your name forward several times, but they claimed that… you weren’t ready. You weren’t qualified. You suffered too much trauma… whatever excuse they could find. But with each passing test, exam, simulation… you have been exceeding everyone’s expectations of you. “

“And this datastick?” Skylar raised a brow.

The Chairman extended a hand. “Informations that belongs to the Council. I’m afraid I can not divulge that.”

“My friend almost died for it.” Skylar said, holding the stick firmly.

The Chairman smiled. “How far are you willing to go for this information?”

Skylar looked at the Chairman, staring into his gentle eyes for a moment. “You want me to take Lacey’s place.”

“We can’t make you, Skylar. The Council elects, and then selects… but they never force. Since Lacey is out of the candidacy, you are the next in line. So again… how far are you willing to go?”

“Me, for that information.”

“You, for whatever you want to know, no veils, no secrets.” The Chairman kept his hand out.

Cabral chimed in from behind. “Be sure of yourself, Skylar. Some doors aren’t meant to be opened.” It was a long moment for Skylar, though only a few seconds passed. She stared at the ground for a moment, then the datastick, then the Chairman. Then, the decision was made. She placed the datastick in his hand, and proceeded to shake in agreement.

“I won’t let you down.” Skylar said.

The Chairman smiled and placed the datastick in his pocket. “Excellent, Officer Connor. We’ll be in touch. Continue on with your business and answer to your current higher-ups. Your duties will be entirely separate from here.” The Chairman turned and walked out of the office. “And congratulations once again.” It was just Skylar and Cabral then. The Lieutenant looked at Skylar with a grim expression.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Skylar.” Cabral said.

“I know exactly what I’m doing.” Skylar replied.

I’m going to go home.

 

 

22: The Gray Hunter

1 October 2933

Truax Supply Depot 14

Planet Redreon V

 

A gunshot rang out inside the supply compound. It was nothing but a giant warehouse full of large metal crates and containers. All the workers knew this would be a day to haunt them forever, the fate of them or their coworkers were now in the air as they were in the midst of being robbed by a band of no-named pirates. The warehouse men thought this would be a quiet, monotonous and methodical job free of the stresses of busy cities and space stations, but the remote location of depot proved to be a tempting target.

A dark nova of gore now decorated the concrete wall just to the left of the door to the manager’s office. The hostages that were huddled against the wall opposite had been able to see the old manager crawling from his office where he had been hiding since the suited and masked pirates had arrived. They watched, as silent as he could, pick up a fire extinguisher and hoist it above his head, ready to bring it down upon one of the masked unassuming pirates.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t quiet enough. The, once thought oblivious, pirate only known as Skrull, spun round and shot him with a scattergun.

At such a small distance the damage was horrific. The manager was torn in two. There was now a gap of several meters between his chest and his legs. Several people, one of which was a pirate named Oddjob, had vomited. The fire extinguisher clanged loudly to the floor as the echoes of the buckshot faded.

Skrull stood frozen for a few seconds, blinking at what he had just done. He then, after collecting himself, span back to those on the floor. Several people ducked, several more whimpered.

"Any one of you shits tries anything like that again and I will kill the whole fucking lot of you! YOU UNDERSTAND?!" the Skrull screamed.

"Come on, we gotta get a move on.” beckoned another raider, Lobo. “We’re about loaded up, someone will have called the pigs by now." He turned to one of the pirates who as still vomiting on the floor. "Steve, will you stop throwing up all over the fucking place and lock up?"

"No names for Christ’s sake!" another pirate hissed. Lobo glanced over at Steve and saw that he was still violently retching with his partially lifted helmet.

"Oddjob!" Skrull shouted. No response. "STEVE!" Oddjob looked up, "Jaws is right, we got to.”

Lobo rested his gun on his shoulder. “We cut off their comms. Ain’t no police-merc squad showing up here. We’re in the clear, you dinks.”

Lobo was cut off by a blinding flash and deafening boom from a flashbang that had been thrown in from seemingly nowhere. It made no sense. The doors were sealed. There was no communications. They even had radar watch for incoming ships.

When they regained their senses, the lights of the warehouse were out. They looked around with their rifles. They cast the beams of their flashlights all around but could find nothing.

“I’m switching to thermal.” said Skrull. Just as he made the adjustments, he saw a lone figure that was definitely out of place standing in front of him. His helmet’s HUD then flickered and cut out leaving him in the dark. “Fuck! My optics!” He said, removing his helmet and tossing it to the floor. His flashlight was out as well.

“Mine too!” Steve muttered.

“The fuck is goin’ on?” Lobo growled. They heard a distant scream from a few aisles away. One of their other members was still finishing up with the supplies. A few gunshots followed. “I can’t see anything!”

“Shhh!” Skrull hissed.

Footsteps clacked along the metal floor. The three of them took their guns and fired in the general direction of the sounds, unloading all of their ammunition at once. Once their clips were empty and guns overheated they could only pause and listen for sound. There was nothing. They proceeded to reload as carefully as they could in the dark.

“What the shit man…” Steve stammered.

“Someone’s trying to fu—“ Lobo began, his voice cutting to a gargle followed by the sound of splashing fluid and the thud of a suited body hitting the floor. The warehouse lights came back on. There stood a young womanly figure in a thin gray space suit and helmet with nothing but a pistol in hand. Before the pirates could open fire on her, she double-tapped Steve and then shot Skrull in his knees, then his shoulder forcing him onto his back. The woman approached with slow footsteps as Skrull grunted at the pain. He tried reaching for his gun, but a small-heeled boot stepped on his hand, then proceeded to crush his fingers. Skrull screamed, the newfound pain seemingly greater than the old ones. The woman leaned forward, resting a forearm on her knee as she stared at Skrull through her helmet.

“Life is cheap.” said the woman through her helmets microphone.

“W-who the fuck are you?” Skrull asked. The woman removed her helmet. As dark brown hair flowed first, there was the face of Skylar Connor, her stare as stern as ever.

She brushed her hair behind her ear. “You know this is depot is Gray Hunter’s supply chain right?”

“Gray Hu—d’ah shit…”

“Yeah. That Gray Hunter.”

“So what then?” Skrull asked.

“That depends. Is this it for your little pirate party or are there more of you?” Skylar asked.

“Nah… just us.” Skrull grunted, motion his head to his fingers. Skylar kindly obliged and stepped off of them, first kicking the gun away.

“And your cargo… got anymore of it?”

“Fuck no.” Skrull answered. “We take and we sell right away. Too risky to hold onto it for too long or to store it some place else same thing might happen to us.”

“So all you guys have is locked up in your ships?”

“Didn’t you hear what I just s---“ Skylar fired a round in Skrull’s head before he could finish.

“Loud and clear.” Skylar holstered her weapon and sighed. She held a hand to her collarbone. “Ops. This is one-nine. Area secured, ready for clean up.”

“Roger that one-nine. Clean up inbound.” A man said over her radio. Skylar then placed her helmet over her head and began walking toward the exit, passing the hostages by. They were still huddled together, and even scared of Skylar who stopped and looked at them. As she began to leave to another hallway, one of the men repeated ‘thank you’ over and over. Skylar stopped and nodded softly before continuing on.

 

 

23: Restless

15 October 2933

Gray Hunter Station 74

Rushars Prime Orbit

 

 

Skylar rested in her luxurious apartment situated in one of Gray Hunter’s orbital stations above Rushars Prime, a green giant which gave a most spectacular view from her window. But tonight Skylar kept her lights off, and the windows shut. She laid on her bed, half naked and most of her sheets thrown to the floor. Her eyes were shut tight as her head shifted left and right. She gasped her eyes shooting open as she awoke. For a moment she didn’t know where she was before she stared up into darkness, and listened to the very dull hum of the stations generators. With deep breaths she relaxed herself with repetitious calming techniques to calm her ragged breath.

It’s just work. Cold cash. Good money. If I don’t do it, someone else will. No one is going to be spared if I say no… right?

Her mind reflected on all the work she had done over the previous months for Gray Hunter. Most of which involved a certain degree of violence against individuals she was assured deserved their untimely demise. For the most part, that was true. And other times she was unsure. Most times her eyes were cold, and the screams didn’t bother her. But there were times when she dreamed of screams.

She often woke up after bouts of restlessness and gazed at her hands that appeared covered in blood. Her hands felt warm and wet. Skylar became all too familiar with the scent of burnt flesh, the sound of a knife slicing through skin. She knew the terrified and scared stare of her victims, guilty or innocent, as they watched their friends or family die. Those eyes were what floated in her mind. She was no believer of the afterlife… but the terror her memories began to make her think otherwise.

On the other hand, she remembers the look of her victims who seem to expect her, their face stern, unaffected. They accepted their fate. They know what they did… and they were broken from in the inside. Was there a hell they know they were destined for?  Was she destined for it?

She shut her eyes again trying to rest but it was always the same memories that replayed in her dreams. The sight of a daughter crying for her father as Skylar put a bullet through his chest. The man deserved it, for sure… but did his daughter? She remembered the exact moment blood splattered on her face. Her blue eyes trembled in shock. The father had shut his eyes in acceptance just before the trigger was pulled. It was supposed to be a one-shot kill… but Skylar thought to give the child one last moment with her father. She cried until she ran out of tears as her father’s eyes turned lifeless. Skylar walked away. The girl did nothing but etch herself on Skylar’s eyelids.

Skylar wondered what it was like to die. What did a knife in the chest feel like… or a bullet? Would she be afraid? Would she feel the warmth of her blood distracting herself from imminent death? Death was common for Skylar, the once innocent medical student on Earth. Even then, she was taught initially to become used to it. People died every day. This was truer in her case… she delivered it. It didn’t matter. It was just a job, she constantly reminded herself.

She knocked the side of her head hard, forcing all of them from her mind. The people… the wounds… the trembling scared gazes.

Think of the bed… think of your pillow. Don’t think of the way they cry. Sweet dreams. Sweet thoughts. They’re gone, forever. Sleep Skylar. They are nothing.

 

24: Calamity

23 October 2933

East Cove Hotel

Terra III

After a long night of booze, ladies, and gambling, Mr. Corvet thought it a good idea to return back to his hotel suite and sleep late into the next morning. He fumbled with his room card before pressing it to the door sensor. The lock clicked and the light on the panel turned green before sliding open. He kicked off his shoes and then stumbled over through the kitchen and to the living room.

“Light’s on.” Corvet said aloud. The room slowly lit up with a dim ambience revealing another figure in the suite. It was a young blue-eyed asian woman known only as Calamity Tsukino. She had short black haircut in angular bob, her bare legs complemented by the long cocktail dress she wore. Calamity stared at Corvet, her red lips curved in a smirk while she held a glass of wine in hand.

“Hello, Mr. Corvet.” She greeted.

“W-who are you?!” Corvet jumped. “How did you get in here?!”

“Now that is a good question! How did I break into one of the most secure hotels in the sector?” Calamity finished her wine. She stood up and smoothed out her tight black dress before walking over to the kitchen and setting down her glass. “Would you be surprised if I told you it wasn’t difficult?” She gave a small chuckle after seeing Corvet’s still surprised face. Calamity popped open the wine bottle left on the kitchen counter and began pouring herself another glass. “Did you know your suite was bugged?” Corvet didn’t know how to respond aside from a furrowed brow. “Don’t worry, I took care of it for you. I know who did it too. Silly Gray Hunter infiltrators still have a lot to learn. Still, they know you’re here. Won’t be long before they show up.”

“What do you want from me?” Corvet asked, still frozen from fear.

“Oh, I’m sure you know exactly why I’m here.” Calamity sipped her wine. “Those investors at Corel IV? How about the Geddon system?” Finally it clicked. Corvet’s eyes widened now more frightened than ever.  “Ah, you remember. They were simply wondering where their money is, Mr. Corvet. But…” Calamity looked around the frivolous suite. “…I can see I already have my answer. You can imagine they aren’t very happy.”

“Please! It was simple business! Whatever they’re paying you, I’ll double it.” Corvet pleaded.

Calamity went to take another sip, the glass resting at her lips. She lowered the glass and stared at Corvet. “I don’t like bribes, Mr. Corvet. It’s an insult to my job.”

“I’ll pay them back!” Corvet started to lose the strength in his legs. “P-please!”

Calamity looked embarrassed as the situation became awkward. Corvet was trembling and crying from fear. “This is hard to watch, Mr. Corvet. For God’s sake, have some dignity man!” She reached to her inner thigh and pulled out a small pistol. Calamity spun the gun on her dainty finger before pointing it at Corvet. “No hard feelings, Mr. Corvet. It’s just business.” With two quick and silenced shots to the head, Corvet fell to the ground. Calamity finished her wine before holstering her pistol and leaning back on the counter. She filled another glass, and glanced at the clock before sipping her drink again.  It was only a few minutes before the side windows overlooking the city shattered. Through the broken glass came Skylar, suited in black minimal armor and a helmet visor that she often took to missions. She tucked and rolled into the hotel room with a rifle in hand, aiming around to find her target.

At Skylar’s feet rested Mr. Corvet. First she thought that she may have killed him on entry, but found the bullet hole in his head.  She took off her helmet and stared down at the corpse, confused.

“Quite the entrance.” Calamity remarked from the kitchen. Skylar whipped her rifle toward the woman. “Gray Hunter was always known for their…theatricality, if not for their sloppy work.”

“Who are you?” Skylar asked. Calamity put down her wine and approached the young hunter.

“Calamity Tsukino, at your service.”  She answered. “Now this is an interesting situation. Seems I’ve stolen your kill… and I’ve done so with far less gear.” Calamity looked over Skylar’s body. “So strong… perhaps a dress wouldn’t suit you after all.”

Skylar narrowed her eyes, clearly insulted. “I wasn’t aware someone else was after Corvet.”

“Ha, you think we’re the only two?” Calamity chuckled. “You’re cute. So young… so naïve. You have a lot to learn, kid.”

“Well I guess it doesn’t matter if he’s dead. I need his files more than anything.”

Calamity frowned. “Well that is unfortunate. I need them too… and I don’t get paid otherwise. Would you be a dear and honor a killer’s good work. I did get here first after all.”

“What am I supposed to tell my employer?” Skylar asked.

“Exactly what happened. I beat you to it, that’s all. They can’t fault you for that.” Calamity said before turning away to the door. “Don’t worry kid, you’ll learn this happens more often than you know the higher up the chain you are. You’ve got to be on Gray Hunter’s list of favorites to be assigned hits like this. Men like Corvet are some of the worst.”

“What do you mean?” Skylar relaxed her shoulders.

“Oh you don’t know? Best you don’t get yourself involved. In the words of my employer… ‘this is some deep shit.’ Just do what you’re told… don’t ask questions. That’s what we do as assassins. Once we start asking questions… that’s when we get in trouble.” Calamity opened the door before starting to head out. “I’d say you have two minutes before authorities and hotel security arrive… I’d make your escape were I you. Bye bye now.”

“Hey.” Skylar stopped her. Calamity raised an eyebrow. “I look great in a dress, thank you very much.”  Calamity laughed and headed out the door. There Skylar was left alone in the hotel room, wind tossing the curtains around. Nothing was left for her to do. She turned around and left the way she came, up the rope outside the window.

 

24 October 2933

Gray Hunter Station 74

Rushars Prime Orbit

Skylar hopped out of her shower before dressing in her sleepwear and sitting on her bed, accessing her tablet. She typed up a few things before a face popped up on screen. There, the Chairman stared at Skylar, looking at her with the same ever-present faint smile on his lips, and his demeanor as courteous as always.

“Good to hear from you, Skylar. I trust everything went well.” He asked.

Skylar scratched the back of her head nervously. “Not quite, sir.”

“Oh? You’ve been good about your missions… what made this so different?” The Chairman didn’t seem the least disappointed.

“Well, sir… someone kinda beat me to it.” Skylar said, looking away. “When I infiltrated Corvet’s hotel room I found the body already dead and any information on him was gone.”

“That’s a real shame, Skylar. I’m sorry to hear that. On a brighter note, that’s not your fault. In fact, this isn’t unusual in the case of Mr. Corvet. His dealings warranted many contracts against him I’m sure. Luckily this won’t reflect badly on Gray Hunter. We simply won’t get paid, and that’s something we always take into account in our financial department. We’ll just have to do better next time.”

“I will sir.” Skylar nodded.

“We’ll keep you posted on your next assignment, Skylar.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll be asleep until 0800. Leave a message if it’s urgent.”

The Chairman nodded. “As always. Good night, Skylar.” The transmission ended.

Skylar sighed, wrapping herself in blankets before staring off into nothing. She hummed a thought before accessing her tablet again. She stared at the bright screen for a moment before typing a few keywords: Calamity Tsukino. She expected nothing. Why on earth would a contract assassin like her have any information publicly accessible? But there had to be something… a news article or something of the sort. To Skylar’s surprise there was more than just an article. Her entire career profile was just… out in the open, publicly accessible by anyone. She even had social media profiles with frequent updates, just like the picture she posted a few minutes ago posing with her dog.

“Does she just not care?” Skylar asked herself. Then she had to wonder if an assassin really did have something to fear. People were scared of her. After all, what would anyone have against an assassin? They were doing their jobs. No one destroys the gun for a murder. Still, Skylar thought, it seemed a bit overconfident. In Calamity’s case, Skylar believed it. Skylar had been on Corvet’s case for weeks now, and the only way she could think to get the job done was brute force. Calamity had done so without so much as showing a bit of leg and clever acts of subterfuge.

Skylar continued snooping on Calamity’s profile. “Earth-born like me…” Skylar muttered to herself as she continued to read the profile aloud.  “Japanese descent... Age 35... Eyes, blue. Height 5’6”. Huh… thought she was taller. Must’ve been the heels. Hair, black. Hips 33”. Waist 24”. Bust size B35?” Skylar narrowed her eyes before looking down her own shirt with a frown. “Well ok…” After a few more minutes of needless browsing, Skylar shut off her tablet and laid back into bed before falling asleep.

Skylar woke up to a few unread messages on her tablet. Still sleepy with eyes half open she read her messages. Most were routine updates from Gray Hunter, but another was a target, her next mission. From there, it was business as usual. Suit up and fly out.

 

25 October 2933

Amari Metropolitan Area

Terra III

Your target is a man by the name of John-Marc Calvillo. Age 39. Caucasian. Blonde. Minor scar on left cheek. He’s a long time investor in several businesses both public and private. We’ve recently been informed by our cyber-division of several transactions involving Mr. Calvillo and the purchase of several illegal assets. Under investigation we’ve identified these assets as highly illegal and dangerous chemical substances. Your previous target, Mr. Corvet, was a former associate of Calvillo and worked alongside him to divert any unwarranted attention from repeated purchase transactions. Please refer to the dossier for his home address, place of business, and vehicle identification.

A side-note, Calvillo has two bodyguards. One remains at his side at all times, the other keeps a distance and operates incognito. Approach with caution. This will not be as simple as Corvet. Calvillo’s guards have prevented two assassinations with lethal results. Objectives are as follows: Assassinate Mr. Calvillo by any means necessary. Bug his network. Return to base.

Skylar spent the next week spying on Calvillo, following his patterns and studying the mannerisms of his bodyguards. It took a longer time to figure out who the covert guard was. He impressively blended into the background and remained inconspicuous as far as anyone else was concerned. It was only after careful observance did Skylar notice a familiar face around Calvillo’s presence that was far too frequent to be just coincidence. The next part would be figuring out how to get to Calvillo without drawing attention. Skylar thought to learn from a more skilled assassin and reach the target with a more delicate approach.

She spent a few hours at the nearest shopping center picking out a selection of professional yet flattering clothes. The rest of the day was spent pampering herself with manicures and pedicures, and getting the most expensive haircut possible. All this in the hopes that she could look the part of a young secretary looking for work. With her ensemble of expensive clothes, cosmetics, and a new purse, Skylar was ready to get her job done. She applied for a position at Calvillo’s business headquarters, and with a falsified resume and records, she was hired in an instant. They had her perform menial duties at her desk which was carried out remotely by Gray Hunter’s cyber division. Her work appeared flawless and efficient and she quickly moved up, making sure to keep an eye on her target.

Three months passed. She had already bugged their servers after gaining access to their server room. Now Skylar, after careful planning, decided it was time. She was already carrying documents and the like to Calvillo, it was just a matter of when. Day after day she snuck pieces of a pistol in her purse in order to pass security without trouble. With each piece she brought, she could finally assemble the entire weapon at her desk. When she was asked to bring something to Calvillo, she decided it was time. Skylar walked through the halls and up the elevator before reaching the long hallway to Calvillo’s office. Skylar kept her gaze down as she walked passed a secretary heading the other way and approached the office door with a sigh. Her pistol was hidden in her purse and she was ready to draw it at a second’s notice.

Skylar opened the door to the office and faced… nothing. She looked to the left. There sat Calvillo’s bodyguard, unconscious. Calvillo was at his desk, his body limp over the table. Skylar approached him slowly, keeping an eye on the bodyguard before lifting Calvillo’s body. There, right between the eyes as a bullet wound, just like---Skylar’s eyes widened. Her previous target was killed in the same fashion.

“Calamity.” She said to herself, gasping as she recalled passing a secretary on the way in. “No way…” The alarms sounded causing Skylar to panic. She headed out the door and further down, but the double doors at the end of the hallway burst open as Calvillo’s covert guard and several security guards burst through with weapons drawn. Skylar played the dumb role and screamed while pretending to be scared of the weapons and cowered to her knees.

The covert guard rushed into the room finding the scene of the crime. The other guard was still unconscious and couldn’t be bothered to wake. After a few moments the covert guard ordered for Skylar’s arrest.

 

 

2 January 2934

Amari Metropolitan Area, Sector Detention Facility

Terra III

It had been 2 weeks since Calvillo’s death and Skylar had been detained and imprisoned. She was on trial for the murder of Jean-Marc, but as hard as the investigators tried, there was no real hard evidence against her. Her appointed lawyer entered her cell with a smile.

“Hello Miss Connor.” the lawyer greeted. Skylar only nodded, her face as somber as ever. “Given the last trial, and the investigations ongoing, it doesn’t seem like you’ll be in here much longer. Though the company is still trying very hard against you. Evidence shows that the bullets extracted from Mr. Calvillo’s head did not match the caliber of your pistol. Further investigation shows your gun was fully loaded with no evidence of it ever being fired. So that’s a good thing.” Skylar nodded in agreement. “However… the guard in Calvillo’s office recalls a secretary wearing the exact same dress as you, same hairstyle. What was left of the camera footage was the back of the suspect's body which… well it looks like you. The camera feed cut out shortly after the suspect entered. The evidence is inconclusive but they aren’t ruling it out. Another issue is the fact that you were armed in a weapons free zone. While you had a permit on record, it was still unlawful to be carrying in the facility. The company may very well have you charged for those crimes alone.”

Skylar sighed, still remaining silent.

The lawyer stood up and headed to the cell door. “Don’t worry, Miss Connor. I’ll do my best.”

Skylar hadn’t heard from him for a month. It was later reported that he had passed away. Now there was no one to defend her. She assumed Calvillo’s company had something to do with his death in order to hasten Skylar’s judgement. She understood that Gray Hunter couldn’t get involved, which was a risk she took for this job. With all hope lost, Skylar let out a deep sigh and began pondering what was to come.

Her cell door slid open and there stood a police officer. He looked at Skylar with an annoyed look and gestured behind him. “You’re free to go.” He said flatly.

“What?” Skylar questioned.

“...you’re welcome to stay in here, missy. Get your shit… and get out. Your ride is waiting out front.”

“My ride?” Skylar tilted her head.

The officer crossed his arms and pointed a thumb behind him. “Cars outside.”

Skylar gathered her spare clothes into a messy ball before heading out the door. She walked down the white halls of the station, keeping her head down to avoid eye contact with the officers. Before long she was out of the facility she was locked in for three months. She had forgotten what it was like outside in the city.  She looked around the busy pedestrian traffic, only to be startled by the beep of a car horn. At the base of the stairs in front of the station was a very sleek and sporty red car with heavily tinted windows. She approached the vehicle as the passenger door slowly opened on its own. She couldn’t make out the driver, from a distance but once she was close enough she found her chauffeur. Calamity Tsukino.

“Hey there!” She said with a smile. Calamity was dressed as fashionably as ever with big bug-eyed sunglasses and precisely done cosmetics. She might as well have labeled herself a diva. How could she so casually just greet Skylar like this? What nerve did she have? It was her fault Skylar was imprisoned to begin with. Skylar was unsure whether she should get in. But it seemed Calamity was the only reason she was freed to begin with. “Don’t be shy.”

Skylar’s nostrils flared as she got into the car with a huff. “I’m hungry.”  She said.

“Got you covered.” Calamity said, reaching to the back seat and pulling out a bag of fast food. “It’s your favorite.” To Skylar surprise, it was, even the soft drink. “I kinda did some research on your purchase transactions. Sorry.”  Skylar immediately began munching on her food as Calamity continued to talk. “Now, you might be a little upset. Truth be told, I didn’t mean for you to get imprisoned that long.”

“Everything in my body tells me to punch you right now.” Skylar growled.

“Here me out, girl.” Calamity calmed, keeping her eye on the road. “First thing’s first. This was nothing personal. We both had the same target, and naturally there was competition. Except you didn’t know I was in on it. After our little meet up I kept an eye on you. I’m actually proud of you for trying so hard. I mean, three months of set up? Seems like you learned something from me. Even dolled up. You looked fabulous, by the way. I pitted you for the super tomboy merc that I’ve seen again and again but you girlified it up all right.”

“I used to be a med student.” Skylar chimed in.

“Huh, pretty university girl. All right, I can see that.” Calamity nodded. “Anyway… you see I was already on this guy, like, two months before you. I couldn’t have you wrecking all my hard work so… I kinda… well…”

“Used me?”

“Well, when you put it like that.”

“I saw the footage.” Skylar added. “Same dress, same shoes, hairstyle. You were copying me.”

“I had to… two suspects would’ve made some trouble. Besides, I got you that lawyer. Shame what happened to him though.”

“Wait… my lawyer was paid off by you to get me out?” Skylar asked, finishing her sandwich.

“Oh yeah, yeah. Like I said, it was nothing personal. I didn’t want you in jail too long. I paid off a good lawyer to get you out. Apparently Calvillo’s firm reaaaally wanted you in jail and had him killed off. I had to get some old cyber buddies to pull some strings so I could get you out today. When I say I couldn’t come sooner, I mean it.”

“Whatever… I’m just glad to be out of there. Food was shit. Bed was shit. Showers? Shit.” Skylar complained.

“I see that. I’m taking you back to my hotel room. You can take a proper shower and get out of those jail rags of yours. I bought you some clothes to wear so you don’t look like a total loser.” Calamity said, gesturing to the back seat. Skylar reached for a bag filled with clothes and a two pairs of shoes. It all looked very expensive, and strangely, all to Skylar’s measurements.

“This is all my size…” Skylar said, checking every clothing tag. “How did you---”

“Oh, I took your measurements while you were asleep a few months ago.” Calamity said casually.

“You what?!”

Calamity shrugged. “What? I had to check up on the competition, see if they had any insight on my target. Once I knew what you were up to, I had to plan ahead. You need to work on your squats, girl.”

Skylar looked defeated. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I am pretty awesome, aren’t I?” Calamity smiled before making a few more turns. Soon enough they arrived at the hotel. There was no expense spared at this luxurious place. Calamity had expensive tastes, or simply had the money to spend. They took the elevator to the near top of the building before making their way to Calamity’s suite.

It was far better than anything Skylar had lived in, especially in comparison to her minimalistic dormitory on the space station. Everything about the suite screamed frivolity, all of it made of rare woods and clothes. It wasn’t exactly an assassin’s hideaway, Skylar thought.

“Make yourself at home.” Calamity said, dropping off her purse on the kitchen table before reaching into the refrigerator. “Shower’s in the bedroom, toward the back right wall.”

Skylar nervously the pathway to what would turn out to be a more pleasant bathing experience she had expected. The bathroom had a vaulted dome-like ceiling; not only was their a standing shower, but also a deep garden bathtub. Nearly all of it was a combination of glass and white marble. It was a bit bright for Skylar who was used to her dimly lit quarters, and lack of any real sunlight.

It didn’t matter now. Skylar quickly disrobed and took a hot steaming shower, using all of the shampoos and soaps available. Then, she stepped into the hot tub, which conveniently had started filling up when she stepped into the shower. Once slowly making her way down into the tub, the lights began to dim, and ambient sounds of a rainforest began to play. Skylar sank into the tub dozing off almost instantly. She was stirred awake minutes later by the sound of moving water, and upon opening her eyes she saw Calamity’s face staring right in front of her. Skylar nearly jumped out of the tub, unaware that anyone had even entered the bathroom, let alone stepped into the tub.

“Wow.” Calamity laughed. “At first I thought you just had a rough day when I snuck into your apartment, but man you are just one heavy sleeper.”

“How did yo---” Skylar was cut off.

“What? Get in here? You think you can lock the doors in my own suite?” Calamity smirked.

Skylar realized that there was another naked woman inside the bathtub and immediately turned red and looked away. “W-what are you doing in here?”

“Oh… aren’t we shy? We’re both girls, aren’t we?” Calamity shrugged. Skylar took one glance at the assassin’s chest. Her public profile was true after all. Skylar crossed her arms and kept her gaze down. “Besides… in my culture public baths are still just as popular as they have been for centuries.” Skylar remembered this fact… perhaps this was nothing out of the ordinary for Calamity.

Again, Skylar glanced at Calamity’s chest. “Are those real?”

The assassin looked down and chuckled. “Augmented. Best weapon in my arsenal. Still work like a charm. Why? You want some?”

“N-no!”

“‘Cause I know a guy.”

“I’m fine.” Skylar pouted.

Calamity leaned back, sinking into the water and resting on the other side of the tub. “You’re an interesting girl, Skylar. You aren’t like the others I’ve met.” Finally Skylar was able to look at Calamity. “I bet you’ve got quite the story.” Skylar looked down in thought. Her story… yes she had one. She lived day to day not really thinking back on how everything led her to where she is now. “Been a while since you’ve been home, huh?”

Skylar looked up. “What?”

“I know that look. Part of you wants to go back.” Calamity said softly. “It’s a lot of bullshit is what it is.” Skylar looked up in question. “You people are so dramatic with your angsty dark pasts and hearts filled with regret. This isn’t some fucking movie. This is life. Make the most of it.”

“Is that why--”

“Why what? I do what I do? Why I stay in expensive suites and drive nice cars, wear nice clothes? Socialize on the net? Fuck yeah it is. Our line of work is so goddamned dangerous, Skylar.” Calamity brushed some water onto her dry arms. “You could be gone tomorrow for all you know. Count how many instances you should have died and tell me that everytime that happened you didn’t wish you could have done something you never got a chance to. Go on. Tell me.” Calamity only waited a moment before continuing. “We do jobs no one else will, not just because it pays well… or because people don’t want to get their hands dirty. No. It’s because it's risky. And everyday you don’t enjoy life before going out on a possibly suicide-mission, you’re only cheating yourself. I’m not saying party like a rock-star and be stupid. I’m saying… treat yourself. Whether or not you think so, you deserve it. Try a new bar, eat a new food. Take dancing lessons. Go to a ship race. Anything.”

“That’s why you’re so nice to me.” Skylar remarked.

“I’m nice because that’s who I am. I have nothing against you… and given our line of work, we don’t have time for friends, or even a hug. God, I can’t even remember the last time I had an actual chat with someone. You’re not a bad person, and I enjoy your company so I’ll take it when I can.”

“Ha… yeah…” Skylar laughed nervously.

“When’s the last time you had some recreation time?” Calamity asked.

“I go to the gy--”

“No working out. That’s training. Recreation, bitch. You know… having fun.” Calamity furrowed her brows when Skylar took more than a moment to answer. “Oh you’re lame. You’re just lame…” Calamity shook her head and walked out of the bath. “Come on now. Can’t stay in there forever. I’ll fix you a drink and get you a connection to your boss.” Upon walking out, a body dryer let out a gust of warm air, drying Calamity instantly. Skylar followed suit and did the same, but just as she was through the door, Calamity spun around, planting a hand on the door frame, and  bumped into Skylar’s body. “Hey, you wanna have sex?”

Skylar instantly blushed, and wasn’t sure if she should be upset, or shocked at the question. “WHAT?!”

Calamity rolled her eyes. “Fuck, I was just asking! Weren’t you listening to what I was saying? Carpe diem, Skylar. Ever fucked a girl before?”

“No.” Skylar said flatly.

“Ever want to?” Calamity asked, waving her hand toward the wall. An invisible wardrobe slid from the wall. She began to get dressed in her fashionable casual wear.

“I don’t think so.” Skylar said.

“Ah… keeping it classic then. Alright.”

“Well…”

“Got any bad sex stories?” Skylar looked away, holding her arm. Calamity stopped picking out her clothes. “Hold the fuck on. Don’t tell me!” She turned around, half dressed. “You’re not a virgin are you?” Skylar’s eyes couldn’t deny the truth. “Holy shit! I knew you had a lot of quirks but… man! I’ll just go get you that drink now. Your clothes are on the bed.” She headed out the kitchen after finishing her ensemble. “Awkward level intensifies.”

Skylar rummaged through the shopping bag of clothes and donned on a short black pencil skirt and simple white button-up blouse.  Oddly enough there was a pair of heels, something Skylar hadn’t worn in ages. She at first stumbled to walk for the first few steps but the heel-wearing college student awoke in her and she was just fine. She looked at herself in the mirror. Calamity knew how to pick an outfit for sure, but Skylar’s face needed attention in order to match. She tended to her cosmetics, using Calamity’s pricey wares. Before long she was in ‘I’m a corporate front-desk secretary’ condition.

Skylar walked into the kitchen where Calamity was preparing a smoothie of some kind. The assassin merely gestured to a bar-stool by the marble kitchen island while continuing to blend. Skylar took her seat and sat in front of a holocom. Communication was already being set up with Gray Hunter, to her surprise. It was an encrypted network, but Calamity was always full of surprises. She waited until the blender was done grinding whatever ingredients Calamity was mixing before making contact. There on the screen was the Chairman.

“Skylar!” He stated, surprised. “It’s been a while. Thought we’d lost you. You look great, by the way.”

“Uh… thanks.” Skylar said, rubbing the back of her neck.

“I heard what happened. Sorry we couldn’t help, you know the protocol.”

“Yeah I know…”

“Doesn’t mean we haven’t been keeping tabs. How on earth did you manage to get out? I heard your lawyer was murdered.”

Calamity jumped in behind Skylar and waved toward the camera. “Hi Mr. Chairman sir!”

The Chairman narrowed his eyes. “Is that? Yes… it is. Tsukino Chikasa. Now everything makes sense.” For once, the Chairman’s calm disposition turned to displeasure. “Miss Tsukino, once again you’ve proven a resourceful asset in aiding Gray Hunter. But I can’t help but assume that you were the root of this problem to begin with.”

Calamity chuckled. “Oh Chairman, whatever do you mean?”

“Miss Tsukino…”

“Yes?”

The Chairman paused for a moment with a stare. “Never mind. Miss Tsukino, if you would be so kind as to take care of Miss Connor. We will compensate you on expenses. She is a valuable asset to Gray Hunter. Skylar, please turn in your report when you have the chance to.”

“Will do, sir.” Skylar nodded.

“Actually…” The Chairman raised a finger. “I might have something for you. I’ll send you information into your inbox. Miss Tsukino, in order to prevent any more… mishaps with your involvement in my agent’s missions, I’m posting up a contract for you. Should you accept, I want you to work together with Skylar. If not… stay out of her way.”

“Ooh! A partner mission?!” Calamity slapped Skylar’s shoulder repeatedly in excitement. “We’re gonna be partners!”

“Indeed…” The Chairman said sternly. “Check your inbox. This mission is time sensitive, so please reply if you’re going to accept. Goodbye.” The communication ended.   

“God, the Chairman hasn’t change at all!” Calamity laughed. “Still a fucking suit. Handsome though. He’s aged well.”

“You know the Chairman?” Skylar asked.

Calamity placed the smoothie in front of Skylar. “I used to work for Gray Hunter few years back. Things don’t seem to have changed much. Still don’t know the Chairman’s real name, and believe me I tried.”

“What happened?” Skylar said, taking a sip from her glass.

“Bunch of things.” Calamity lowered her tone. “They say it was due to my erratic behavior and inability to obey mission protocols. I got the fucking job done. What does it matter how I do it?” She scoffed and went on to clean the blender. “Anyway, I left before they could officially fire me. I had a feeling that being fired meant being killed. So I left on the status I had which I guess was enough for them to not follow me or bug every place I lived. Not like I was gonna rat them out to anyone. Just forget it. What did the boss man send you?”

Skylar shrugged and logged into her inbox to find the message. It was a mission to eliminate a target, who apparently had connections with Calvillo and Corvet. There was also the need to retrieve information from a few servers, and also the investigation of a supply warehouse. All of this was located inside a casino not far from Calamity’s suite.

“Interesting…” Calamity said, reading over Skylar’s shoulder. “A casino huh? You know what that means.”

“I don’t, actually.” Skylar replied.

“It means we gotta be classy! None of your soldier bullshit. That right there is the Biggs Hotel and Casino. Big place. Lots of tourism. Foods not bad.”

“I’m guessing you’ve been there.” Skylar asked.

“Well, duh! Problem is, this place has some pretty tight security. If we’re gonna do this, we have to do it my way.”

“What’s your way?”

 

10 January 2934

Amari Commercial District, Biggs Hotel and Casino.

Terra III

On a warm evening, Calamity and Skylar both arrived in front of the Biggs Hotel and Casino in her sporty luxury vehicle. Just their appearance alone was enough to turn the heads of those waiting on the curb. But for two lovely ladies to exit the car was enough to drop jaws. Skylar and Calamity alike had both been wearing tasteful yet alluring dresses, black and red respectively. Their hair was flawless and their make-up incomparable. The valet was awe-struck for a moment before Calamity pressed the keys to his chest and waking him from his stupor.

“Not a scratch, darling.” Calamity smirked walking away with Skylar in tow. The two lovely ladies entered the massive casino floor, immediately greeted by the guards and then two women that were supposed to help guide newcomers to their desired locations. The two assassins walked right by them with a polite nod before heading to the chips booth. The ladies bought enough chips to last them the night and resumed their exaggerated struts to the gambling tables where they spent the next 2 hours doing nothing that no ordinary patron wouldn’t have. The night was prosperous in their bets, thanks to Calamity’s intuition and Skylar’s knack for logic.  Before long they were no longer being monitored by security who had kept a sharp eye on the two women, eventually suspecting nothing from them.

“Seems we’re off the hook.” Calamity mentioned to Skylar.

“They really watch you here, huh?” Skylar replied.

Calamity nodded, and then smiled at the dealer. “I think we’re gonna cash in for now, and move to the slots.” And they did just that. With the money earned, they proceeded to the slot machines where Calamity pulled out a small holophone and began entering lines of code as fast as her fingers would allow her.

“This will work?” Skylar asked.

“Like I said, their network is restricted to this building. Our car should be underground in the garage, closest to their server room. The computer in the trunk should be already connected. And one of the bugged chips we cashed in should tap their computer from inside. All that’s left to do is break in…”

“That’s clever… setting up multiple proxies?”

“Yeah, with every god damn computer and communicator in this building. Even if they pin the signal to the car, no one will know unless they check every single vehicle in the garage… and I already have a plan for that too.”

Suddenly a waiter showed up at the two conspicuously secretive women, holding a tray of cocktails. “Ladies?”

“Oh, thank you.” Calamity took both of them, handing one to Skylar and watching the waiter walk away. “The network stuff would be easy… it’s the target that’s going to be the problem.”

“We don’t know where he is.” Skylar said.

“Exactly… so we’re going to have to rely on Gray Hunter’s software. Once we get all the information we can off the servers we can start using their security to ping any instance of his face on the cameras, or if he uses a security access point like a safe door, or his suite.”

“So what do we do until then?”

“Play slots. See a show. Gotta kill an hour.”

The two women killed time as best they could with a musical performance show, a few drinks and smooth talking a few idiot men. Calamity was impressed with Skylar’s ability to coerce a few people, man or woman. She watched from afar with amusement as she finished a drink and headed over to Skylar.  She pulled her from the conversations Skylar was having and sat her down at another table. “Whatcha doin’?”

“Just blending in, I guess… creating an alibi.” Skylar answered.

“Never seen you talk this much.”

Skylar frowned. “If it’s part of the job, I’ll do what I have to.”

Just then, Calamity’s phone started to beep. “It’s done. We’re in.” she said.

“Good… because I think I know where our target is.”

“Oh?”

“Mr. Biggs is in a meeting right now, upstairs in the hotel but should be arriving on the main floor soon for some casino fun time. From what I hear, he’s got guards all over the goddamn place.”

“Mr. Biggs is a very rich man. What else do you expect?” Calamity retorted. A few guards seemed bothered, chatting over their coms before hustling to the elevator. “Looks like our little hack sent off some bad signals. They think someone’s actually in the server room. It’ll only be a matter of time before they start looking elsewhere. We don’t have a lot of time, Skylar.”

“Then get on that camera feed, we’re still on a proxy.” Skylar said, standing up. “I’m gonna go chat some more. Maybe I can find something out with the VIP’s.”

Calamity nodded and headed the other way. “I’ll be in the restroom.”

Another hour passed before Mr. Biggs arrived on the main floor with his entourage of beautiful women and armed guards distant around him. Of course Skylar was well warned thanks to Calamity’s notice. Skylar waited for a bit, waiting for Biggs to start playing poker before Calamity came out of the bathroom. The two of them joined on the table, Skylar sitting down with Calamity uninvitedly sitting in her lap.

“Don’t mind if we play, do you?” Calamity asked. Mr. Biggs leaned back, a grin growing on his grey-bearded chubby face. If it weren’t for the deep vertical scar across his right eye Skylar would have made him out to be a candidate for Santa Claus, but even then his gaze was nothing but bad news.

Mr. Biggs took a sip of his whiskey, handing it off to one of the women. “Miss Tsukino. How nice to see you again. Please, by all means.” He gestured to the dealer who complied. “It’s been quite a while. The last I saw you, you brought me the hand of that bastard Scipio.” Everyone around him gave worried looks. Biggs only laughed. “It was prosthetic…” Then everyone seemed more relieved. “You’ll have to introduce me to your new friend. A lover, perhaps?”

Calamity raised her brows and then grinned. “Oh yes… we’ve only recently met but…” She looked alluringly into Skylar’s eyes. “I think things are going well.” Skylar uncomfortably played along and smiled at Mr. Biggs.

“That’s good to hear.” Biggs took another swig of whiskey. “A woman of your age should take the time to settle down with one she cares about. Though… she looks a bit young for you.”

“Age is just a number.” Calamity smirked. The cards began being dealt and a few rounds passed with bets carefully placed and won. So far, however, Calamity was in the lead with Skylar. “So… business has been well, I assume.”

“Bah, same old… same old. Nothing bad, however. I’ve been looking into a new deal. Prospects should show up very soon.” Biggs said, folding on his cards. The game continued on. More and more players left the game. A few guards came to Biggs and kept their talk to a lull.  “What! I thought you all had this settled! I hire the best techs in the sector and you can’t even trace the intruder?! What do you mean it's coming from the parking lot? Find the car! Every car’s alarm is going off?! Grr… I want this resolved now!”

“Something wrong?” Calamity asked, trying to keep a straight face.

“It seems someone has broken into my database. But that’s impossible. It should only be accessible from inside this building.” Biggs grunted. “Though… I find it strange that in the midst of all these problems, you show up, Miss Tsukino. It’s almost as if you were involved.”

“Me?” Calamity chuckled. “I’ve been doing nothing but enjoying my night at your lovely casino.”

“Indeed… so you know nothing of why Calvillo is dead… and Corvet.” Biggs narrowed his eyes.

Calamity shrugged. “I might know something…”

Biggs leaned forward. “I want to know who contracted you to kill them. And who contracted you to kill me. That is why you’re here… is it not? Don’t worry, I won’t kill you if you tell me.”

Calamity pursed her lips. “You know I can’t do that, Mr. Biggs. I have rules to follow just like everyone else.” Skylar looked around at the guards, growing increasingly uncomfortable. Biggs waved to his guards who drew on their pistols, keeping them hidden under their jackets. The threat was real enough.

“Oh… rules are made to be broken every once in awhile. It’s the only way we survive, is it not?” Biggs smirked.

Calamity weakly smiled. They were clearly outnumbered. “Ah… heh… um...well you’ve made your point, Mr. Biggs. But you know as soon as I tell you, I’m going to be hunted down like a dog.”

“Well, you either die now for sure… or possibly die later. You’re in no position to negotiate.” Biggs suggested.

Skylar’s eyes shifted back and forth as the guards grew increasingly impatient. With a nervous sigh she reached into Calamity’s dress to her inner thigh and slipped the pistol that was concealed at her garter.

“All right, fine. God…” Calamity sighed, lowering her head. She then whispered low enough for only Skylar to hear. “Go right.”

“What’s that?” Biggs asked. Skylar reached to her earring and squeezed the hidden button in the gem. Within seconds the lights turned off, leaving the entire floor pitch black. Before anyone could react, there was a gunshot. The muzzle flash was fast and only revealed Skylar behind for a moment. There was a struggle to the left. Calamity subdued and disarmed a man, before firing at another guard. Bystanders screamed and fell to the floor as the strobe of muzzle flashes were the only indication of where anyone was standing. Some of the guards fired automatic weapons for prolonged light but were quickly taken out. When Skylar ran out of ammunition, she punished the guards with her melee take-downs before taking their guns and resuming the firefight. It only lasted almost 30 seconds before the lights had come on again. There were only a few more guards left and the two assassins dealt with them appropriately.

Biggs was last seen running toward a hallway door.The two women chased as fast as they could in their stilettos, Skylar took lead, running fast and was able to bust through doors with her shoulder.

“He’s pretty quick for an old man.” Skylar joked. The two of them turned and saw Biggs entering an elevator. They were so close but the door was already closing. Skylar grunted, stumbling forward to remove one of her heels and throwing it forward. In her precision, the shoe was caught in between the two sliding doors and prevented it from closing. The doors opened again, as did Biggs’ eyes when he saw Skylar draw on her pistol. The old man screamed before a bullet was put through his head. The elevator then proceeded to close, leaving the corpse of the man to be sent to his destination.

“Wow…” Calamity said. “Didn’t know you could run in heels.”

Skylar lowered her shoulders. “Really? That’s what you comment on?” Calamity chuckled before wincing in pain and falling forward to one knee. “Shit… Calamity!” She cried running over to her partner. Once holding her, Skylar noticed her dress was wet in the back and blood had been running down her leg.

“How does it look, Doc? Am I gonna make it?” Calamity asked. The guards were still in hot pursuit down the hallway.  As they turned around they saw nothing but an empty hallway. Curiously there was a blood trail leading to a door. One of the men followed the trail to a utility closet and found Calamity looking for the worse but still alive. She only smiled at the man and winked. “H-hey big boy.”

The guard tilted his head before taking aim at her head. He then heard the grunting of his men behind. Skylar ambushed them from another door, first impaling one of the men in the throat with her stiletto, and firing a round into his chest. She grabbed the next guard from behind, using him has a shield and running forward before pushing him into his comrades. She fired her last round into her recent hostage and then threw her gun at the next guard taking aim at her. Hit in the face, the guard took too long to refocus and found himself on the ground with a dislocated arm. Skylar took his weapon and fired it into his back and then to the remaining guards. Skylar caught her breath as the reverb of the gunfire died down in the empty hallway, and the ringing in her ear had stopped. She went to the closet and lifted Calamity out of the janitorial equipment.

“You okay?” Skylar asked.

Calamity looked at all the guards. “That was pretty sexy, Skylar.”

“Yeah uh… thanks. I… train a lot. And---” Skylar was interrupted as Calamity pulled herself up and gave Skylar a deep kiss. Skylar seemed more frightened than ever. “Wh-wha---”

“Thanks for saving me.” Calamity smiled. “No one’s ever risked their life for me before.”

“Y-yeah… erm… no problem.”

Calamity stared at Skylar again. “Don’t tell me that was your first kiss.” Skylar’s blushing face was enough. “Oh my God!” Before she could laugh she hissed in pain, holding her side.

“Just shut up… we should get out of here.” Skylar carried Calamity in her arms and went to another elevator to the lobby floor. The police were already on scene, along with emergency medical services. Skylar waved down one of the EMT’s. “She’s been shot, please take care of her.” The EMT looked at Skylar who had cuts and bruises all around. “Don’t worry about me. Just go…”

 

11 January 2934

Amari Metropolitan District, Grand Oak Medical Center

Terra III

Calamity awoke in her medical cot, bandaged with an IV drip and the usual treatment she expected. To her left she found Skylar, sleeping on a chair at her bedside. She was also in a hospital gown, with her wounds taken care of. Shortly after the door quietly opened and there stood the Chairman in his usual suit.

“Chikasa… how are you doing?” He asked.

“I’m fine, thanks to your little underling here.” Calamity answered. The two didn’t seem to wake Skylar.

“Well, you did less of a good job of taking care of her like I asked. But she’s alive… so that’s good enough.” The Chairman folded his hands in front of him. “I came to check up on Skylar. And to relay a message.”

“A message? What? An e-mail wouldn’t suffice?” Calamity raised a brow.

“No. This mission I sent you both on. You were never meant to succeed. Orders were to extract information from Biggs’ server and upload it to Gray Hunter. The assassination was a goal added much later to the contract. When it was added, Biggs’ had more guards hired around the casino.”

“You’re saying…”

The Chairman nodded. “Someone tipped Biggs off… someone in Gray Hunter command. The information was the only thing important to them. They already downloaded the information from your vehicle. I tapped into some of the datastreams… all of these past contracts involving Corvet, and Calvillo… they’re all connected.”

“And what’s the link?”

The Chairman became more stern than ever. “A mass trade of Bad Ice.”

Calamity sighed. “Well then… I guess this is bigger than I thought.”

The Chairman shook her head. “Gray Hunter thinks you’re both dead. I’ve done what I can to make sure no one can trace you back to this hospital. As soon as you can, you need to leave Terra III… I’ll keep in contact.” The Chairman gave a slight bow before backing out of the room. Calamity became worried, looking over to the peaceful Skylar as she slept.

Calamity frowned. “You’ve got yourself into some trouble, girl.”

 

 

25: Confliction

4 March 2934

Amari Metropolitan District

Terra III

It had been over a month since the incident at the Biggs Casino. Calamity and Skylar had kept a low profile, remaining on Terra III despite the Chairman’s suggestion. Instead the two took their time being ‘dead’ and did whatever they so pleased. Calamity brightened Skylar’s life, opening her up to society by taking her shopping, clubbing, and just having fun. They had even visited Bigg’s casino again now that it was cleaned up and under new management as Biggs’ company was investigated for numerous crimes. Gray Hunter was no doubt responsible for the company’s closure. They were the only ones with the files extracted from his servers. Sure enough, Gray Hunter put someone else in charge, an oblivious but prospecting entrepreneur who had no idea his casino was being run by such a shady organization. So long as Gray Hunter received their revenue, there was no cause for alarm. With the proper disguises, Calamity and Skylar were undetectable, and Gray Hunter would never know they were still alive.

But all of that didn’t matter now. For once Skylar felt alive and less like a drone mindlessly working. After an exciting night she could hardly remember, she woke up on Calamity’s leather couch, the daylight piercing through the windows. The television was left on, playing some celebrity reality show that neither of them cared for. She had been wearing an oversized t-shirt and panties while resting her head on the arm of the couch, staring at the ceiling. The coffee table in front of them was covered in a pizza box, a few cans of alcohol, a tipped over ash tray, and Calamity’s dog who was sleeping deeply on its back. Calamity had been resting comfortably on Skylar’s chest, while wearing nothing but panties while her limp arm hung to the floor, still grasping a near empty bottle of booze.

Skylar had no recollection of the previous night, but at this point didn’t care. Whatever happened, happened. What she was more concerned about was the sudden hangover driving a spike through her skull. She didn’t want to wake Calamity but tried to push her off so she could find something to drown out her migraine.  Calamity was still deeply sleeping and limply rested on her back as Skylar stumbled around the house, her vision dizzy before she came to the bathroom medicine cabinet. She looked to the right toward the hot tub. There was empty beer cans, chip bags, and poker chips and cards everywhere on the floor.After swallowing two fast-acting pain killers she moved back to the living room, the blinding light from the windows still agitating her eyes. She stared at Calamity who still hadn’t let go of her booze and sat down at the otherside of the couch. Skylar stared for moments more before she hesitantly crawled over and laid down on Calamity’s bare chest. For that moment, she was able to relax again. Something about her warmth comforted her… or just having someone there. Even if their time together was mostly fueled by alcohol and adrenaline, Skylar was glad to have met Calamity, as unusual as their meeting was.

But then, Skylar heard something unusual. She pressed her ear closer to Calamity’s chest and listened. She quietly gasped as she didn’t hear a heartbeat. At first she thought she was dead, but she was clearly breathing. Instead what she heard was almost like a purr, a mechanical whirring that never stopped.

“It’s bionic.” Calamity suddenly said.

Skylar sat up looking at Calamity whose eyes were half open. “I’m sorry, I didn’t---“

Calamity weakly smiled and pulled Skylar back onto her body. “It’s okay. When I was born, my heart was doomed to fail in little under a month. So the doctors thought it would be a good idea to try and make a bionic heart for an infant. Sure they had them for adults but an infant, it was almost unheard of. Birth defects like that were almost non-existant in this day and age. So they managed to make me a new one. Problem is, my lungs started to fail too.”

"Your lungs are—”

“Yep… bionic.” Calamity sighed.

“But if that happened so long ago, then that means you…” Skylar trailed off.

“Had to get upgrades. Yeah.” Calamity said. “Every few years… or depending on my growth progression, they’d have to cut me open and implant a new bigger one.

“But your scars.”

“Oh I know.” Calamity sat up, pushing Skylar up as well. “They did a pretty good job on that. But if you look really closely.” Calamity began tracing her finger along her chest. Skylar looked closely to see that instead of scars there were almost like seams in her skin, paper thin and practically invisible.

“How does it feel?” Skylar asked.

“Meh, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. I’ve had them all my life. I don’t know what having natural organs feels like.” Calamity smirked.

“Right… sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Besides, I’m done with implants. I stopped growing, and these bionics will probably outlast me.” Calamity stretched her arms up and yawned. “Anyway… sorry about last night.”

“To be honest, I don’t remember anything. What happened?” Skylar raised a brow.

“Oh you don’t remember?” Calamity smirked and stood up to go to the kitchen.

“No I don’t.”

“You don’t remember the strippers?” Calamity said from the kitchen.

“The what?!”

“Or the poker game? Movie marathon?” Calamity continued.

“You’re just fucking with me now.” Skylar crossed her arms.

“No, that was after everyone left.” Calamity said, followed by the sound of a coffee grinder.

“Excuse me?!” Skylar stood up and marched to the kitchen. Calamity burst into laughter after seeing Skylar’s dismayed expression. “You’re lying.”

“I could be. You’ll never know.” Calamity said as she began brewing her coffee. “Why don’t you look around and tell me.”

“Wait…” Skylar looked back. “The bathroom. The cards.”

“Mhm…” Calamity nodded, resting an arm on the kitchen island. Skylar walked back to the living room and looked around. It was an utter mess with pillows, trash, blankets, and other things strewn about. She saw a red thong amidst the chaos.

“How do I not remember any of this?” Skylar pressed her hands on the sides of her head. Her eyes widened as she walked back to the kitchen. Calamity was pouring two cups of coffee. “Wait… does that mean… you and I…”

“Why are you freaking out about this? It’s not a big deal.” Calamity smiled, mixing in sugars and cream.  “You seemed to enjoy yourself. Don’t be so old fashioned. There’s a first time for everything.”

“But I thought… you know…”

“What? Your first time might be with that special someone? Oh please. That’s some cinema shit. Only in the old romance novels no sensible person reads anymore.”

“But—“

Calamity put the mug of coffee in Skylar’s hands. “Don’t worry about it, Skylar. I had fun. You had fun… and weren’t so bad for a drunken med student.” Calamity took a good sip of her coffee. “Besides, if you don’t remember much, it doesn’t count right? Does that make you feel better?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Skylar looked down into her mug.

“I’ve had plenty of one-nighter’s. You aren’t going to hurt my feelings.” Calamity smirked.

“Sorry.” Skylar said meekly. “It’s not you it’s just---“

“Not what you expected, I know.” Calamity took another sip. “If you want, maybe we can give it another go, so you remember it this time.” Skylar immediately blushed red. Calamity walked out of the kitchen laughing. “You’re cute, Skylar. Really. Oh man, we really trashed this place! Shit! Fuck that, I’m calling a maid service. Come on Skylar, we’re gonna go out for a bit.”

“What? Where?” Skylar asked.

“Coffee shop. This instant shit isn’t gonna stop this hangover.”

Calamity and Skylar both got dressed in their casualwear and headed outside a few blocks down to get a decent cup of coffee. The shop was old-fashioned with the interior mostly made of polished dark wood. Even the booths were wooden, with old-fashioned lightbulbs over each table. The place was at least charming and homely. After ordering from the robotic barista, they both went to sit down in the hardwood booths. They remained silent for some time, taking in the delicious drinks and pastries they had before Calamity broke the silence.

“You look extra pensive, Skylar.” Calamity said to the downcast Skylar.

Skylar hadn’t bothered to make eye-contact. “I’m just… thinking.”

Calamity rolled her eyes. “Obviously. About what?”

“Home.” Skylar said, looking at her empty cup. “Every day since I joined Gray Hunter, I was always trying to find some way to make it back home. But I needed money, and I needed a ship. Then I got mixed up in things. Gray Hunter was watching me everywhere I went. There was no escaping it.”

“Well, you’re dead to Gray Hunter now. So why don’t you just go? Just buy passage off world, and you’re all set.”

“I… I can’t. I don’t know how to go back. After everything I’ve seen… done. Especially the way I left home. It’s been four years. Things won’t be the same. I’ve had so many made-up conversations in my head about seeing my parents again that I just don’t know to approach it.”

“You don’t have to go back, you know.” Calamity said causing Skylar to look at her. “Your parents could assume you’re dead. Or they could be dead for all you know. I don’t mean to sound pessimistic but it’s true. The better question you should ask yourself is… what’s the worst that can happen if you continue this life. And more importantly, can you live with that choice. I mean look at yourself. You’re a fit, beautiful young woman with skills in multiple categories. You could go into literally any profession, or continue living as a mercenary, making way more money than you would have as a doctor or nurse or whatever you were pursuing back home. Plus, you’re free to do what you want. No parents looking over you… telling you what to do. Shit, Skylar, you’re a grown-ass woman. You can do what you want. Besides, what you told me of your parents, they didn’t seem all that there for you to begin with.”

“Yeah… I guess.” Skylar looked down.

“You just feel guilty.” Calamity added. “Truth is, they were probably worried sick after you left. The police have probably stopped looking for you. But your parents won’t. They’ll still hope. So whether or not you decide to go back is your choice. They’ll take you in. That doesn’t mean things will change for the better. Hell, they might even be more watchful of you.” Calamity sighed. “If it really will bug you… I think the best thing you can do is at least send them a message, or a phone call letting them know you’re okay. You’ve got a job, living on your own making good money. You know what, we can even send them a picture of us together looking happy so you can say you found a special someone. That way they don’t think you’re totally alone.”

“You’d do that?” Skylar looked up to Calamity.

“Do it? We did. Look.” Calamity did a few subtle hand gestures as she messed around with her Mobiglas. Skylar soon received a message on hers, and opened up an attachment. On it was a picture of Skylar and Calamity. It was during a day at the casino. The two of them did look happy and enjoying themselves. It was a convincing photo for sure. Now that she thought about it, she had never been happier until now. Even when she was young her parents had left her with a nanny who could entertain a child certainly, but as she grew older her parents were never there for family events or trips. School was just a perpetual motion of work, and the university was so stressful that it was one of the catalysts for running away to begin with. Even coming to space, as much an experience as it was, was also grueling and hard work, filled with intense, exciting, but not joyous moments. Skylar never saw Calamity as a potential lover, but she was thankful for meeting her, and for all she had done in the short span she had known her.

“All right…” Skylar said.

“All right, what?” Calamity countered.

“I’ll send them a message.” Skylar said, closing her MobiGlas.

“Right now.”

“Wait… now?”

“Yes now!” Calamity encouraged, gesturing to Skylar’s wrist. “Wait.” Calamity brought up her MobiGlas. “Scratch that. Suite is done being cleaned. Let’s head back and freshen up. Maybe we can take a new picture for your family after we’ve prettied up.” Skylar nodded and followed Calamity back to the car, and from there the apartment. The two took their time, showering and relaxing in the hot tub for a bit. They did their nails, brows, hair, and make-up until they were corporate ready. Another few minutes were spent picking outfits and then debating on how the picture should be taken. They stood in front of the wall-mounted camera over Calamity’s television. Skylar and Calamity hugged each other, pressing their faces together with big smiles while Calamity put up a peace sign with her fingers.

“You had to be a stereotype.” Skylar said, looking at the picture on the television.

“Oh come on, we look cute together. Here I’ll send it to your inbox.” Calamity smiled. “Hey, you wanna go out, now that we’re all dolled up?”

“To where?”

There was a knock at the door. The two of them hushed before looking at each other. Skylar had reached for a pistol under the sofa, and Calamity took hers from the garter holster she normally wore. Calamity approached the door slowly as Skylar kept careful aim at the opening. With one swift motion, Calamity swung open the door and aimed at the man who stood in front of it. There stood the Chairman, clearly unamused.

“Do you mind?” the Chairman said, lowering the gun with his hand.

“For fuck’s sake, man.” Calamity holstered her gun. “Call next time.”

“Looks like I’m early. Good.” The Chairman said flatly.

“Early for what?” Calamity asked, opening the door for him to enter.

The Chairman shook his head and gestured for the girls to follow him. “I’ll explain later.  Come with me.”

“Where to?” Skylar asked.

“Answers later. We don’t have a lot of time.” The Chairman said. The two girls and Calamity’s dog followed them outside where they took an elevator to the parking garage. The Chairman’s sleek and black sedan pulled up in front of them, it’s doors opening up. Everyone hopped in, the Chairman taking the wheel. Much to Skylar’s surprise he drove surprisingly fast. “I thought I told you both to leave Terra III.”

Calamity gently pet her dog. “I mean we were going to but…”

“Never got around to it?” the Chairman finished. “You both are in danger because of it.”

“Danger from what?” Skylar asked.

“Gray Hunter. They know you’re alive. I found out shortly after a clean-up crew raided your dormitory on the space station over Rushars Prime. I’m surprised it’s taken them this long to find you. Although with Calamity’s expertise I shouldn’t be.”

“Where are we going?” Skylar asked.

“Special space port. We’re getting you two out of here.”  The Chairman said, focusing on the road.

“Won’t you get in trouble for helping us?” Skylar questioned.

“A bit…” The Chairman answered.  Suddenly there was gunfire toward the back window. Thankfully none of it shattered. “Worry not, it’s bullet proof.”

“Fuck this, old man. Let me drive.” Calamity tried climbing into the front seat.

“I’m 51. Fif-ty-one.” The Chairman accentuated, pushing Calamity back.

“Old-per-son.” Calamity retorted. There was more gunfire toward the back.

“Trust me, Miss Tsukino. I’ve been doing this far longer than you have.” With the Chairman’s words he floored the pedal sending the car flying down the road. It wasn’t long before the pursuers came trailing after with more gunfire.  The chase moved onto the highway where they were met with two more black SUV vehicles that had also opened fire and then proceeded to ram into the Chairman’s car. He wouldn’t waiver though. He kept the car straight and weaved through traffic skillfully.

“Hey, you got any---“ Before Calamity could finish, the Chairman pressed a button on his steering wheel. The rear-seat armrest folded down and from the trunk of the car came a small arsenal of weapons. “You just keep this shit on hand?”

“Can never be too safe working with Gray Hunter.  Someone, somewhere is trying to kill you. Now, if you please, do… whatever it is you do.” The Chairman said.

Calamity and Skylar armed themselves with rifles and nodded. Skylar opened the side door and leaned outwards, keeping a shield to herself from the side as she fired on the rear vehicle. The energy based rifle did little against the cars  exterior, so she took her pistol and leaned further out and took shots at the front wheels. The chasing car suddenly lost control and flipped over.

“Skylar!” Calamity called out, pulling her back into the car before the SUV from the side had slammed into the car. “All right. They wanna play dirty. Chairman, get in front of them.” He did so, pushing the car faster as they had a clearer road. She removed her heels, took a grenade from the arsenal, and crawled to the sun roof.  The assailants fired on her but Skylar fired back and kept them suppressed. Calamity took the opportunity to pull out of the car and run along its top before jumping back toward the rear SUV. She fired at the man peeking out of its sunroof, and then fired at the other SUV, killing its top gunner. She landed on the roof of the SUV ran along its top before dropping a grenade inside of the open sunroof before leaping off the back and onto the Chairman’s car. The SUV in front of them exploded, leaving the Chairman to weave out of the way. Calamity held on tight before she crawled along the car roof and back inside. “You read my mind.” Calamity said, out of breath.

The Chairman smirked. “Your recklessness got you fired, remember?”

“We still have one more to deal with.” Skylar noted, pointing to their left.

“Quite.” The Chairman said. “Miss Connor. The wheel if you please.” Skylar took hold of the wheel as the Chairman reached to the passenger seat floor and pulled out another short-rifle. “I was hoping I’d get to use this someday.” He proceeded slowly roll down his window and rested the gun outwardly before taking aim at the SUV. Men continued to open fire before they noticed the Chairman’s weapon. “Looks familiar, does it?” He fired the short-rifle, discharging a great amount of force,  which collided with the SUV like a wrecking ball and caused to not only flip upside down but also collide with the freeway wall.

“Whoa…. Cool! Can I have one of those?” Calamity asked.

The Chairman shook his head. “You’re the last person that should have one.”

“You’re no fun at all! At all!” Calamity pouted and put her heels back on as Skylar kept the dog in her lap.

From then on, it seemed clear. The police shortly arrived on the accident scenes, but the Chairman’s car was long gone. It was at least two hours longer before they would reach their destination. During that time Skylar and Calamity spent the ride annoying the Chairman with their idle banter and occasional radio sing-a-longs. The two girls fell asleep for half of the ride, waking up when night had already fallen. The Chairman pulled into the space port and exited the vehicle, straightening out his suit and tie before opening the passenger door and stared at the two women who were fast asleep. 

The Chairman cleared his throat and called out to the women. “Miss Connor, Miss Tsukino.”  The two women shot up in surprise and looked around frantically. They saw the Chairman staring at them, and a spaceship behind him. “We’ve arrived.” He extended a hand, helping each woman out of his car and escorting them to the cargo hold of the space ship. “The pilot will get you off planet. Keep an eye out on your inbox, I’ll message you anonymously about the bad-ice.” The Chairman said before turning to leave.

“Bad-ice?” Skylar questioned, tilting her head.

The Chairman looked at Calamity. “You didn’t tell her?”

“Oh… oops.” Calamity smiled innocently.

“What is it?” Skylar asked.

“The reason why Gray Hunter tried to kill you. It’s a highly illegal substance used for poison. Nearly undetectable. Bad stuff.” The Chairman summarized. “Now, I’ve done some questionable work for Gray Hunter, but the only use for bad-ice I can see is for biological terrorism, which I do not condone. My goal is to obtain this mysterious shipment of bad-ice before Gray Hunter does. And then find out who in the Council has been orchestrated these orders. This couldn’t have been voted on by the entire council. Gray Hunter is shady, at best, but we have standards. It is a business after all.”

“Look at you Mr. Pro-active.”  Calamity mocked. “You were always Mr. Chair-man.”

“I do more than sit at a desk, Miss Tsukino.” The Chairman walked away and out of the ship. “Do try to stay out of trouble.”

The bay door closed and soon the ship was away off into space. The pilot confirmed with them that it would take some time before they reached their destination. Calamity took that time to sleep while Skylar idled on her MobiGlas. It was hours as she dawdled. She had been  typing a message.

Hi Mom and Dad,

I really don’t know where to begin. I know this must be a surprise. It’s been four years. It’s just as big of a surprise to me. Time flies I guess. I bet you’re wondering where I am. How I’m doing. I’m fine… right now I’m on a transport to my next job. I was just on Terra III. I’ve been doing well for myself. I’ve gotten extensive training in a lot of fields of work and have been busy ever since. I might even be making as much as you guys. So don’t worry. I even found a lovely person… she’s great really. She makes me happy. She’s a little eccentric but fun. I’ve put a picture on the message of us both. I just wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened. Looking back on it, I know you guys just wanted the best for me... anyway. Don’t bother replying to this message, it’s being sent from a temporary source. I just wanted to let you guys know, I’m very much alive and doing just fine. Maybe one day if I find the courage, I’ll come back to you.

Love,

Skylar

 

Skylar hovered her finger over the send button and sighed.