ON:
Marcus came in high over Governors Station, the colony planet providing a breathtaking backdrop. There were time such as these that he wondered if he regretted trying to settle down.
“Marquis Interceptor Alfa 1 you are cleared for docking bay door 2. Do you copy?”
“This is marquis Alfa 1 copy that.”
“Please proceed to slip Charlie 2, you have security escort waiting.”
“Thank you Governors Station Control.” and Marcus gently brought in the borrowed interceptor thru the giant doors.
The dock master turned to Commander Coren. “He’s here Sir. I put him at Charlie 2.”
Coren nodded and started for the bay.
She arrived just as the winged ship latched to the clamps and the hatch opened.
Marcus stepped out rubbing his newly shaved chin. His clothes a style that was not his usual attire he was hoping to make himself just a little more difficult to spot.
“Mr. Dinn.” Coren came up to him.
“Commander.” Marcus nodded. “Shall we?” he motioned back toward the main corridor.
As they walked Coren put her hands behind her, her face betraying her emotion. “I’ll be frank Mr. Dinn. I really didn’t expect Branson to send up a civilian. I have a full team on the investigation.”
“Commander. I appreciate your candor. I’ll try not to step on any toes. But let me be frank with you as well. I’m here to go the places you can’t. To get the information we need using techniques that… well, you understand..”
She stopped in her tracks and turned to him. “You understand this Mr. Dinn. You break any laws and I catch you. It’ll be a long time before you leave my brig.”
“Love a challenge Commander. Can you take me to the cargo bay right away?”
She started off again. “Yea, I can do that.” she picked up her pace. “This way.”
**
They stepped of the turbo life on level 4 and Marcus could immediately smell the unmistakable odor of burnt flesh. A few yards down the corridor and the walls turned black and a barricade had been erected. Coren pulled aside the bar and the two came to two officers coming out of Cargo bay 6, its doors warped and buckled.
“What have you found?” Coren asked the lead officer.
“Not much I’m afraid. All but a couple of crates were destroyed. We’ve found what we think is point of origin of the blast. Looking at the energy signatures on the wall we think we’re looking at 8 to 10 oz. of Mastopar XII. Set off by a timer most likely.”
Marcus stepped past them into the bay and started looking at everything. In a moment Coren came up behind him.
“So…. What do you see my men don’t?”
Marcus took his time. “We’re not in completion commander.” He walked over and ran a hand down a bulkhead. “I think your team is correct on the Mastopar XII.” he turned to her. “Used the stuff myself on a few occasions. Easy to get on the black market. Won’t help us at all narrowing down the culprit.”
“Great news.”
‘I need to see the full manifest Commander, that and as much information you have on every ship that delivered cargo that went into the bay.”
Commander Coren pulled out a data padd and handed it to him. “I’ve done a few investigations Mr. Dinn.”
With that she started for the bay door leaving him behind. Over her shoulder she said. “See Ops Center about your quarters.” and then she disappeared around the corner.
The lead station investigator came up to him. “Don’t take offence Mr. Dinn. She doesn’t deal well with things like this.’
“If you mean things blowing up.. Not I would imagine not. I know of her past experience on at Corinthian Station Lieutenant. Now , can you take me to OPS?
Off:
Marcus Dinn
Owner of Ricks
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Commander Coren
Station Commanding Officer
Governors Station
