Silence's Kiss (Excerpt)
By J. L. Young Oreif and the Pocket Chicken ported into Pordaat and waited. It wasn’t long until the controller hailed them. Once they received clearance, they settled on the inner ring to be inspected. From there, Emmi and Amphitrite stepped from the ships to rendezvous at the dockmaster’s station. There was a line at the dockmaster’s station. They cued and waited. Amphitrite said, “I have been here before, but this is different.” “I know how you feel,” Emmi replied as they approached the being with a pad resembling a clipboard. The dockmaster looked up from the pad. “Oreif, it’s been a while since she has been here. She’s quieter than usual.” Emmi replied openly. “Oreif has had an update. We will be seeking provisions directly for both vessels.” “Will the fees be directed to the Ichaal Recovery Agency?” “Yes. We need to speak with your security department while we’re on station. Is that possible?” “I will place the request.” The being tapped the pad. After a hovering cart ride, Emmi and Amphitrite stood before a vacuum-tight door marked ‘Pordaat Station Security.’ They approached and the door rotated open. Inside, a half-sphere with hundreds of monitors built into a stark white bulkhead at the back of the chamber. Several officers manned stations. The lights between the monitors looked like Christmas decorations to Emmi. A small being, no taller than Emmi’s knee, disappeared behind a desk and reappeared to the side of it as it approached. “I’m Sergeant Dunthol Refenjar of the Pordaat Security Force. How may I assist you?” Emmi replied, “Hello, I’m Doctor Emmi Cochrane.” “I am Amphitrite,” she added. Excited to give her new name. Emmi continued. “We have come in search of a friend of ours. She came through this port aboard a ship called the Irenic Relict. We’re hoping to determine the port destination.” “That’s privileged information. We don’t give that out to civilians. You’ll need proper authorization from a Spiral Policing Agency or an authorized recovery agency.” “We are with the Ichaal Recovery Agency. The one we seek is one of our associates and is a dear friend.” Amphitrite spoke. “She’s been missing for quite some time. We desire for her safe return.” “Ichaal Recovery Agency, one moment.” The Sergeant returned to their desk and inputted a query. She reviewed the received data regarding the Ichaal Recovery Agency and looked up at Emmi. “Who is the missing party?” “Syrane Avvel,” Emmi replied. “That name is not listed in the dossier, and neither is yours.” Amphitrite said, “Tholml Hereneghar, that name should be listed as the owner of the agency. The ship I arrived in, the Oreif, should also be listed.” “The owner’s name checks out and the ship, however, since neither of you are listed as agents with this agency, I cannot release the information to you.” “Can you give the information to Tholml Hereneghar?” Emmi asked. “If he were here, yes. He has the appropriate credentials with the New Consortium.” “Can we use your terminal?” Emmi and Amphitrite waited patiently at a restaurant aboard the station. The professor was nibbling on something resembling a french fry when Tholml appeared. He said, “I got your call, something about credentials.” “Yeah, we aren’t listed as employees.” Emmi began to explain. “Or agents,” Amphitrite interjected. “I neglected to do that before you left. My apologies.” “When you get back, you might want to rectify that. Sorry, I don’t mean to be testy. While you’re here, a wee little sergeant needs your handsome face to let us know where Syrane went from here.” They returned to the Security office. Sergeant Dunthol looked up. “You have returned. You must be Tholml Hereneghar of the Ichaal Recovery Agency.” “I am. You have met my employees. I neglected to submit their employment to the authorities.” Dunthol appeared indifferent. “Your clerical oversight doesn’t concern me. Our aperture tag for the Irenic Relict shows a departure to the Darcnayl System.” “Darcnayl, I’m not familiar with that system.” The sergeant queried their computer, “I understand why. It’s not a normal destination. Darcnayl is in a prohibited region of the spiral. How your Syrane Avvel was given clearance to depart there vexes me.” The being continued reading the Irenic Relict departure log. It read, ‘Authorization override.’ The sergeant’s face presented further disdain. They hopped down from their post and ran to the other side of a glass partition to speak to another being. Presumably, someone higher in the hierarchy. “We done pissed them off,” Emmi said. Tholml nodded. “The partition does not block all the audio coming from that room,” Amphitrite said. “What are they saying?” Emmi asked. “An old bootlegger code was implemented.” The higher-ranking officer stood up and barked out an order. “I think it’s time we make a discreet exit.” Emmi didn’t wait for confirmation and bolted toward the door. They quickly boarded a cart and ordered the onboard computer, “Take us to pads 2-40 and 2-42, most expeditiously, please.” As they were gaining distance from the Security office, they looked back. The door opened and several officers flooded out and threw expanding boards under their feet. Their board engines pushed against the air particles. The distance they gained was shrinking. Amphitrite took it upon herself to climb forward and began accessing the driving computer. “I’m attempting to increase our velocity.” Emmi looked back at the closing officers. One of them removed some things from a belt and assembled them. It splayed outward and began rotating. “They have some kind of device, make this thing go faster!” The officer fired the device and the shot landed short. As the cart negotiated a curve, the officer fired again, depleting their ammunition. Amphitrite expressed elation. “I gained access.” “Great! Go faster!” They gained enough velocity that the officers tailing them could not continue their pursuit. The cart lurched to a stop at the Oreif. Emmi, Amphitrite, and Tholml climbed out and realized they were surrounded by officers with their weapons drawn.
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