The equipment room of the Hayes felt downright claustrophobic to Valorie. The low ceiling and packed walls already took up too much space. Throw in six people staring each other down, and it made the air hard to breathe. Gareth and Leon stood next to her, both of them focused on the foes across the room. Seda was a small note in the corner, while Jovic stood tall, rifle ready in his hands. The center of attention was the Captain of the Hayes, Lucas Dupont, who paced between the two groups as he spoke.

“Now I must remind you: the inspection is voluntary and we expect full cooperation. Following imperial protocol, you must give consent, or we can not, by law, inspect your ship.” Dupont was in a good mood as he trailed on regarding the electronic protocol for ship scans. Did he enjoy the sound of his own voice so much? From her time in the SCT, Valorie knew the protocol for such meetings. She could recite it back if needed. Instead, she took the chance to speak with Seda.

Valorie touched her sister’s consciousness, establishing a mental connection. At first, all Valorie received was the raw data. Seda was focused on her captain’s words. This was her first inspection. Her view of the floor was plain, but her imagination of the Helianthus crew was vivid. Seda liked children’s books, and Gareth appeared as a storybook prince in her mind. Valorie supplied her with an image of the reality.

“Oh. Not quite the same. Not exactly different.” Seda thought, the two images overlapping in her mind. The resulting image of Gareth dressed in ancient robes sparked joy. Valorie and Seda shared that moment, relishing the feeling together.

“Seda, are you ready? Do you remember what we discussed?”

“I have proper access. Altering my part in the scan is simple, and you will help with the physical data right, Evie?”

“Yes. All you need to focus on is your physical connection when the time comes.” Valorie said. She checked in with the physical world. Only a few minutes had passed, and Dupont was still going over the regulations. Seda brought her attention back.

“Evie, you disconnected yesterday after we spoke. We were concerned. Are you okay?”

“I was under lockdown, but the crew treated me with respect. I did not want to appear suspicious.” Valorie answered.

“I’m glad you are safe. It was as if you had gone into hiding again.” Seda’s tone was anxious. Valorie’s memories of the emergency meeting did not help matters. The bleak outlook cast a shadow over the conversation.

“I haven’t given up.” Valorie said.

“I know. I -” Seda paused, and Valorie immediately saw what distracted her. A light Seda did not recognize was moving near the scout ship.

“According to the schematic, it is on the outside. Near emergency hatch 2A.” She said. There was a panicked plea for help in her tone. Her visualization of the schematic was not clear enough for Valorie to follow.

“I know that light.” Valorie said. It was Quinns. What was he up to? He moved again, abruptly changing direction.

“It’s inside the ship. Evie, what should I do?” There would be questions from her superiors if Seda did not report the intruder.

“Nothing. I will collect more information first.” Valorie said, putting her own panic to work. There was no use in guessing now. Seda agreed and quieted. Her focus would be on Dupont, so Valorie could work undisturbed.

Using her wired implant, Valorie could reach out using Quinns’ net code. The implant was a simple device. It was capable of translating her thoughts to simple text and transmitting them to a preset PD. When activated, incoming messages tapped the auditory cortex. It created the sensation of hearing the messages out loud. In human users, the sudden disembodied voices caused everything from distraction to paranoia. The implant was ill-received, but the empire found a use for it in the SCT. Valorie’s plan was to use it when the initial scans were complete, but Quinns’ intrusion seemed like a good reason to speak up early.

Valorie focused on his location. His pace had slowed, and he was moving in straight lines. Most likely through the maintenance areas of the ship.

Evie

Quinns. This is Valorie.

What are you doing aboard the Hayes?

The messages popped up in the top left UI of Quinns’ helmet. He paused, pushing himself against the wall of the maintenance duct. He was already on edge from the open hatch. It was possible at least one other person was working in the maintenance tunnels. And now Valorie had noticed him, too? He should have turned back at the outer hatch. He glanced around and waited for an attack. When nothing came, he whispered a response. The helmet translated his words to text. He waited, scratching his metal thigh.

Quinten

You can tell where I am?

Evie

Not exactly. You did not answer my question.

That much was true, Valorie thought. Without the Hayes schematic to back up her senses, she could not see where on the ship he was located. She could only see his location in relation to herself and other living things.

Quinten

Just gonna make a couple changes to the records.

Nothing dangerous.

Evie

You can do that?

Quinten

I can’t do an interrogation right now.

Gotta watch what I'm doing.

Pressed up against the wall, Quinns tried to listen for anyone nearby. Even with the external mic pressed up against the wall, he could only hear the sound of the ship’s systems at work. He could move quicker in the hallways, but he was too worried about running into someone. The ducts were a long detour and not one of them led straight to the server room.

Evie

Do you know where you are?

Quinten

Not lost.

Just worried about people.

Valorie couldn’t see the pathways he was on, but she could sense where there were others on the ship. She compared their locations and movements to Quinns. There was a pattern to the hallways, but she had trouble picking it out.

Evie

There is no one near you right now.

Quinten

Anyone moving towards me?

Can you update me if anyone gets close?

Evie

No one appears to be going your way.

I will keep you updated.

Take it slow so I can keep up.

Quinten

Slower than this? Really?

Evie

No.

I mean

Just keep going.

Quinns moved down the duct using the magnetic boots for traction. No longer afraid of being noticed, his speed increased. When he reached the manual door out of the duct, he peeked into the hallway. Nothing, as Valorie had promised. Relief flooded his chest into his shoulders. Following the relief, soreness bloomed in his shoulders and left arm. Moving through the cramped ducts took its toll on his body. He rolled his shoulders, stretching the metal frame down his right side. Nowhere to go but forward, he thought, continuing down the hallway.

Quinten

What is the name Evie from?

Evie

It’s my old avatar. Never bothered to change it.

Quinten

Neat. I could change mine to something cooler.

Maybe Heli_Mech?

Evie

I’ve heard worse. Mr.FixIt?

Shouldn’t you be focusing?

Quinten

That can’t be the worst. I kinda like it.

I’m good. You just need to keep me updated.

Wait - do you need to focus?

You’re in that meeting, aren’t you?

Evie

I’m multitasking.

Quinten

That’s not good.

Evie

You’re one to

Two signatures moving towards you, thirty meters.

Quinns started searching for an entrance into the ducts. According to the map display in his helmet, there was one further down the hallway. He crept down the hall, his eyes searching along the walls. Unlike his movement, his heart raced, pounding so loud it was the only thing he could hear. He strained to hear anything else at all. Steps, so faint he could not tell which way they were coming from.