Quinns couldn’t resist glancing over his shoulder as he moved forward. Each time he did, the image of him falling flat on his face popped into his head. That was enough to keep him focused on the path ahead. When Valorie warned him of two incoming signatures, it lit a fire under his heels. But lacking a complete picture made him hesitate.

Quinten

Direction?

Evie

I don’t have a POV or map. I’m sorry.

Quinten

Come on,

Guess?

Evie

If you are moving forward, they are at 8 o’clock.

Maybe around a corner?

They are gaining.

With that knowledge, Quinns increased his pace. The thump of his feet against the floor made him feel like the loudest thing on the entire ship. He needed to focus.

The hall opened up into a small room. He paused to look around. Below the counter along the wall, his eye caught on the telltale orange of the maintenance hatch. He kneeled and gripped the handle with his right hand. It was the same as the hatches he had used so far. He could pop the pressure lock with his modded prosthetic. With his left hand, he dialed back the safety on his right.

A sound caught his ear. He glanced over his shoulder. It was definitely steps this time. Were they close? He held his breath as he listened – then snapped back to work. No matter what he heard, he still needed to get out of sight. He needed to square away the fear even as it ate away his attention.

He braced his shoulder and gripped the pressure lock. The first time it had popped open. This time, he squeezed it slow, resting his free hand on the handle. The lock gave under his fingers, and the handle pushed against his fingers. It opened with only the soft rush of air. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him in the same motion.

Evie

Did you hide? Are you okay?

The message popped up as Quinns leaned against the wall. He waited as his heartbeat finally dropped to something acceptable. Valorie’s concern seemed real enough. It struck a chord with him. He found it much easier to converse in text. He dialed the safety on his arm to a normal level and whispered into the interface.

Quinten

I’m good. Let me know when it’s safe.

Evie

One moment.

They stopped nearby, can you hear them?

Quinns lay on his stomach, visor resting against the floor and listened. The minutes dragged out. The white noise of a steady ship could put him to sleep if he listened long enough. He caught his eyelids drooping, and lifted his head. He couldn’t tell if anything he heard in the white noise was real or imagined.

Quinten

Nothing.

Evie

They aren’t moving. Can you modify your route?

Quinten

Yeah... could do that.

This tunnel cuts across a few halls.

It takes me away from the server, tho.

Evie

No good?

Quinten

No.

Wait.

Ok, the second hall doubles back quick enough.

Evie

Warn me before you reenter the hall.

Quinten

You got it.

Valorie pulled back to her physical form. When she reached out too far, the emotional connection could bleed into her physical form. She felt sweat across her brow, and her palms were slick. She had been holding still for far too long, arms pinned at her sides. She was sure any movement now would be obvious. She tried to breathe, but even that felt irregular. Had she raised their suspicion?

Captain Dupont had moved on to the conditions of the inspection. A speech that protected the Empire from legal complications. The attention was still on him. She blinked and no one noticed. She pinched her fingers and no one said anything. Her breathing eased.

She had not forgotten the fight against her protocol, she had not dared to look at the floor. She kept her eyes locked on the wall behind the Hayes crew. Her eyes were locked, but her mind was open. She needed to trace the movements of the Hayes crew. She needed to understand their trajectory so she could warn Quinns. She squeezed her thumb against her fingertips. The pressure centered her in the here and now. She needed to leave her senses open, but she could no longer discern what was happening around her body. Trying to keep track of all that was happening was a balancing act, and she was struggling to stay upright.

“Our meeting is being recorded. As such, on the record: Your submission to the inspection of the FL Helianthus, by the MRH Hayes, is voluntary. Do you agree?” Captain Dupont asked. She looked at Dupont’s face as he finished his speech. No one said a thing to her – no one noticed. The lack of scrutiny was liberating. Dupont had bushy eyebrows that raised with his question. Valorie thought if they were to go any higher, they might climb right off his forehead.

“I agree. I have the ship manifest ready for your perusal over the local network.” Gareth said. His tone was calm, confident – Valorie found she could draw strength from it. The sound anchored her.

“Absolutely perfect. Communications will handle it. Now, Jovic, you will proceed with the scans.”

“Yes, sir.” Jovic said and pressed two buttons on the contraption along his left arm. Three holo-displays opened from his elbow to his fingertips. Running his fingers along the surface manipulated the data on screen. Matching his movement, there was the distant sound of metal churning. Most likely the plate protecting the Scout’s deep sensor array splitting open. Data began to move across the screens, but Valorie could not make sense of it from her position. The design of the displays distorted the view for everyone but the user. The only thing she could make out was progress bars. Jovic glanced at Seda.

“Don’t be slow about it.” He said. She did not lift her head or make any response. He rolled his eyes, but when he looked at his screen he appeared satisfied. Dupont ignored them as he stepped forward, a smile on his face. His hands clasped together across his chest. When he spoke, he spread them in an encompassing gesture.

“So, Hughes, we have a moment to speak. While I awaited your arrival, I read deeper into the situation. I find myself curious. What could bring such a prestigious soul, such as yourself, to this point.” His smile faded to a thoughtful look as he looked down his nose at Gareth. “Once earmarked as a promising candidate for an heir to the Hughes legacy. Now betraying the emperor by aiding his enemies as they scheme around him. What changes a man this way?”

“You accuse me without proof?” Gareth said. Dupont’s lip twitched before he laughed and waved his arms.

"No, no. I would never. I am speaking in pure hypotheticals.” He said crossing one arm across his chest while the other rested on his chin.

“I think a man does not always end up where he wishes. He does what he must.” Gareth said. It was the first time Valorie saw the glint of a real smile in Dupont’s eyes. She glanced at Gareth, but his expression remained stoic.

“Certainly. Well said. So, what is there to do but rebel, then?” Dupont lowered his voice. When her senses were wide open, Valorie could not reach out to Dupont’s feelings directly. The feeling she got, at the surface, raised the hairs on the back of her neck. A stalker laying out traps for its prey. She wondered if Dupont was acting as an ally to get Gareth to open up. She had heard of this tactic from her sisters. Valorie’s senses spoke to Dupont’s true intentions, but Gareth had no such power.

“One’s character becomes clear when given a bad hand. Yes, rebelling is one option. Persevering is another. From your clean work, I can see the choice you made.” Gareth said, without breaking eye contact. His matter-of-fact tone made it easy for anyone to believe his words. Dupont chuckled lightly, but his back straightened.

“Yes, well. All jobs are necessary. Even the bad ones.” Dupont said. His smile was back but somehow seemed like less of a threat. He turned, facing away for a moment as he paced a few steps. Gareth knew, Valorie realized. Somehow he knew what Dupont was planning. She looked over Dupont again. He seemed friendly – hands clasped where she could see them, a smile on his face. His eyes were eager, bushy eyebrows alive with each new expression. She was at a loss. She had no idea what she would do without her life sense.