Two days had passed, and Rana had not shown up anywhere. For someone who's business demanded they be easily found, this was not a good sign to Marcus.
The only course of action Marcus could see would be to investigate her last known location, Star Base 157.
It was near midnight when he pulled up the hanger at the Space Port. There was a flash of light in the distance and then the sound of rolling thunder across the vast field. It would be raining shortly, an ill omen to Marcus. He parked his car, set the security code and walked at a quick pace for his ship.
Not bothering to turn on the hanger lights he was nearly to the steps when a voice called from a dark corner.
"Slipping away in the dead of night Mr. Dinn?"
Chancellor Branson stepped from the shadows, catching Marcus completely off guard.
"Chancellor. I didn't know there was a curfew.
"For you...yes." she stepped closer, the aggravation clear on her face. "Look.. I don't know just what is going on between you and Captain Leo... seems you two have become entirely to chummy of late. But I know this.... Those deaths at the Hilton were somehow linked to you."
Marcus took a breath. "And how do you know that?"
"Woman's intuition."
"Really, well honestly, I put a lot of stock in a woman's intuition."
There was a long pause, Nicole waiting for Marcus to say something else. But he just stood there.
"Where are you going?" she finally asked
"Out for some air, is that a crime?"
"Marcus Dinn, you are not leaving this Colony unless I know where you are going. I will not have you generate anymore bad publicity for this planet."
"I'm following a lead on my little problem. I'd like to clear it up before it becomes you're problem. Is that ok with you?'
Nicole thought about it a moment. "No its not alright. I'll tell you what you're going to do. You're going to meet up with the Prometheus, there you will pick up Dr. Delilah Blue."
"And why am I going to do that?"
"So she can keep an eye on you. Besides, from the looks of you, you need a Doctor."
Marcus could not really argue that last point. His home remedies where not working as well as they had in the past.
"Why Chancellor, you really do care ...don't you."
Nicole smirked and tossed him a data chip. "There, your rendezvous co-ordinates with the Prometheus.
Marcus caught the chip with one hand and pocketed it, turned and took the steps up to his ship two at a time. He never looked back as the hatch closed.
As Nicole left the hanger the Marquis fighter shot out and headed for the night sky just the first drops of rain began.
T'Loridel stood waiting for her.
"So?" she asked.
Nicole motioned for her to get in the hover car. Once started down the road into Omega Prime she let out a breath. "He'll do as instructed."
T'Loridel nodded. "Say what you want about him, he wants to be part of this community. He has helped before."
"You trust him." it was a statement not a question.
"Trust?....Vulcan don't' trust. They act on facts."
"Well, I don't have enough facts yet."
"Give it time Nicole. He'll bring back the facts."
Marcus Dinn
Owner of RICKS and Oz
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Chancellor Nicole Branson
Commander T'Loridel
