ArmstrongStation: Sol Control, #3

By L. A. McGarvey

Attention: Detective Kelvin Moby, we have a serious situation.

Sydney Van Citra was attacked as he returned to Armstrong Station. Your mission is to find out who is behind the attack on the Van Citra Earth compound and Sydney Van Citra's shuttle. Mr. Van Citra blames the notorious space pirate Visi Crubs, leader of the Apollo Nation. You are to investigate this further and bring the perpetrator to justice.

You have our full support and we will do everything we can to help you in your investigation.

Matt Grimmer, Head of Solar Enforcement will contact you for more information.

Kelvin Moby stared at the message from Solar Enforcement HQ. He was being recalled from his vacation. As he re-read the assignment, he wasn't so sure that the Apollo Nation was the culprit behind the Van Citra attacks.

***

Armstrong Station is the city on Earth's moon, home to many businesses and organizations, including the Van Citra Corporation.

Recently, the Van Citra Conglomerate has been the victim of several crimes, including the attack on the Van Citra Earth compound, a break-in at Sydney's residence, and an attack on Sydney's shuttle as he fled earth for the moon along with the sudden reappearance of a dangerous serial killer.

Sydney Van Citra, the head of the Van Citra Corporation, has been the target of these crimes, and he blames the notorious space pirate Visi Crubs, leader of the Apollo Nation. Detective Kelvin Moby is assigned to investigate the crimes, but he isn't so sure Crubs is responsible.

Crubs escaped after getting the smuggled flamingos off Mireside but it soon becomes clear there is a traitor within the Apollo Nation.

Rosemary Deathly takes a job with a delivery service at Armstrong Station and Max Imus is there looking for work as a freelance programmer when Rosemary becomes the target of the Armstrong Station serial killer.

Who is behind these crimes? And what is their ultimate goal?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trouble Twins Publishing
• Release date: Mar 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215157114

L. A. McGarvey

L. A. McGarvey is a goat wrestling, loader driving, horseback riding author with a unique sense of humour. Find her on Facebook @LAmcgarveyauthor  Email: [e-mail] 

Book preview

Armstrong Station

Sol Control #3

L. A. McGarvey

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Trouble Twins Publishing

Copyright © 2022 by L. A. McGarvey

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Cover: https://selfpubbookcovers.com/RLSather

Contents

1. Rosemary

2. Max

3. Kelvin and Baskin

4. Sydney Van Citra

5. Visi Crubs

6. Control

7. Control

8. Rosemary and Max

9. Sydney

10. Stella

11. Sydney

12. Control

13. Rosemary and Max

14. Kelvin

15. Rosemary and Max

16. Bentley

17. Sydney Van Citra

18. Control

19. Visi Crubs

20. The Maze

21. Control

22. Max

23. Sydney

24. Rosemary and Kelvin

25. Control

26. Sydney

27. Kelvin

28. Matt Grimmer

29. Rosemary, Max and Baskin

30. Kelvin

31. Rosemary

32. Chancellor

33. Kelvin

34. Max

35. Baskin

36. Sydney

37. Baskin

38. Kelvin

39. Crubs

40. Sydney

41. Max

42. Chancellor

43. Sydney

44. Max

45. Sydney

46. Max

47. Rosemary

48. Isaac

49. Visi Crubs

50. Rosemary

51. Kelvin

52. Sydney

53. Max

54. Kelvin

55. Max

56. Sydney

57. Kelvin

58. Chancellor

59. Visi Crubs

60. Rosemary

61. Baskin

62. Crubs

63. Baskin

64. Stella

65. Crubs

66. Sydney

67. Crubs

68. Baskin

69. Chancellor

70. Sydney

71. Baskin

72. Chancellor

73. Rosemary

74. Baskin

75. Chancellor 

76. Baskin

77. Rosemary

78. Baskin

79. Stella

80. Crubs

81. Baskin

82. Stella

83. Rosemary

84. Crubs

85. Baskin

86. Max and Moby

87. Chancellor 

88. Rosemary

89. Crubs

90. Baskin

91. Crubs

92. Baskin

93. Crubs

94. Stella

95. Baskin

96. Chancellor

97. Stella

98. Crubs

99. Stella

100. Max

101. Crubs

102. Blaze of Glory

103. Kelvin

104. Max

105. Sydney’s

106. Rosemary

107. Crubs

108. Mitch Match

109. Chancellor

110. Opal

111. Crubs

112. Max

113. Baskin

114. Crubs

115. Stella 

116. Crubs

117. Kelvin

118. Max

119. Crubs

120. Baskin

121. Stella

122. Chancellor

123. Stella

124. Chancellor

125. Max

126. Sydney

127. Kelvin

128. Baskin

129. Kelvin

130. Max

131. Control

132. Baskin

133. Mitch Match

134. Stella

135. Mitch

136. Max

137. Control

138. Visi Crubs

139. Rosemary

140. Delivery Boy

141. Truper and Frisky

142. Max and Kelvin

143. Baskin

144. Rosemary

145. Truper and Frisky

146. Rosemary

147. Stella

148. Baskin

149. Crubs

150. Truper and Frisky

151. Rosemary

152. Crubs

153. Rosemary

154. Stella

155. Rosemary

156. Max

157. Control  

158. Crubs

159. Stella

160. Rosemary

161. Chancellor

162. Sydney

163. Moby

164. Max

165. Rosemary

166. Control

167. Crubs

168. Max

169. Crubs

170. Sydney

171. Moby

172. Solar Enforcement

173. Max

174. Control

175. Rosemary

176. Max

177. Matt Grimmer

178. Max

179. Rosemary 

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one

Rosemary

Rosemary woke to sunlight streaming through the window into her face. Stretching, she looked to the window. She was positive she’d closed the drapes the night before.

Max was standing at the window, drapes wide with the window open, breathing in the earth’s breeze, listening to the sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the beach.

Do you know how long it’s been since I was on earth? He asked her, sipping a steaming cup of coffee while he looked out the window.

No, but I’m guessing not since before the attack from the Apollo Nation.

Yeah. Too long.

Rosemary shoved the blankets aside and climbed out of bed. She padded across the carpeted room. Wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, she kissed his shoulder.

Maybe after we stop Sydney, you could stay on earth, and take over the Van Citra Conglomerate.

He covered both her hands with his free one, still staring out the window. They were housed in a compound owned by Control, overlooking the ocean. When we take Sydney down, there will be nothing left of the Van Citra Conglomerate. I don’t want it, anyway. Once everything comes out, the Van Citra name will be worthless. He set the coffee cup on the windowsill and pulled her around so she was facing him. I would very much like to stay on earth, though. Would you stay with me?

Rosemary picked up the cup and took a sip of Max’s coffee. It’s possible that I could be persuaded.

Max took the cup from her and set it on the windowsill, then kissed her. Then I will have to persuade you.

two

Max

Max got out of bed and made coffee. Rosemary shifted in her sleep but didn’t wake up. He took his coffee to the window, opening the drapes to watch the sunrise. It had been years since he’d seen the sunrise on Earth.

He sipped his coffee and wondered what would happen now. He had been through a lot. Disowned by his family for crimes he didn’t commit. Captured by pirates, the captain his brother’s sworn enemy. Forced to blow up facilities housing thousands, if not millions of people, killing a lot of them. He’d done what he could after the first one to ensure as many people as possible could escape, but it didn’t bring back the dead, the ones who couldn’t leave.

He sipped his coffee. The sun was just over the horizon, and he could see the ocean waves lapping at the beach. It was peaceful.

He had helped save the smuggled flamingos, and delivered them to the rescue, here on Earth, but that didn’t help mitigate his guilt for his part in the complete destruction of Mireside. That hadn’t really been his fault, he knew, but he still felt guilty, and he knew it would haunt him.

He heard the sheets rustle on the bed. Rosemary came to join him at the window and wrapped her arms around his waist. He set his cup down as he pulled her around to face him, shaking off morose thoughts of the past, the terror of the future and trying to focus on the present.

three

Kelvin and Baskin

The ocean breeze whipped the curtains on the beachfront patio, bringing the salt and fish smell with it. The morning breeze was warm already, promising a hot sultry day.

So, what do you think Control will make of Max’s evidence? Moby asked Baskin then took a bite of the crabmeat biscuit.

Baskin picked up a biscuit from the basket, dipped it in the bowl of melted butter and took a bite before answering matter-of-factly. Control will cross-reference everything, do checks and track down any historical patterns. Then decide whether to go the official legal route or the Control route.

What if Control does nothing? Kelvin asked.

That is unlikely, Baskin licked butter off their fingers. If the evidence is strong enough, Control will take action either way.

four

Sydney Van Citra

Isaac knocked, then entered Sydney’s office in the Columbian Home compound.

Yes Isaac, you want something? Sydney asked, not looking up from where he was signing documents on his datapad. He was still trying to figure out just how big of an impact the destruction of Mireside was going to have on his financial status. Officially, it was huge. Unofficially, it might possibly be the end of him.

Isaac settled into the chair across from Sydney.

Sydney looked up, pausing his work.

I looked into Miss Deathly, as you requested.

Oh?

Yeah.

What did you discover? Sydney asked, setting his stylus down, and staring at Isaac.

Well as you said, she was married to your business associate. Also, as you said, after his death, she lost everything because of the arrangement in her prenuptial. She went to Armstrong Station.

And?

And, Isaac said, setting a sheet of paper on the desk.

Sydney slid the sheet of paper across the desk. He picked it up, looking at it. Seriously? She went from here to Outpost 23?

Yes, and there she got involved with a man named Oscar Trey.

Interesting. So she’s the one who was his unwitting accomplice? And Sable and Twodee fired her.

Correct, Isaac said.

I wonder why they didn’t put her actual identity in those records.

I have no idea, Isaac said.

There must be a reason.

Perhaps they felt sorry for her or something, Isaac said.

Maybe. I shall have to pay them another visit. Where did she go from there? Sydney asked.

She ended up on Mainland, where she took the shuttle after a few days to Mireside. She was able to secure a job working in janitorial.

Interesting. She went from being a dockworker,

Not exactly. She took a job assessment and training course on Armstrong. She was a janitor on Outpost 23 for a while until she got a promotion when there was a job opening in shipping.

How long was she there?

Around a year and a half near as I can discover, Isaac said.

So she went back to being a janitor on Mireside, Sydney said. How did she wind up being involved with the whole flamingo rescue?

According to the official account filed by Detective Kelvin Moby, when he discovered the illegal birds being smuggled on Mireside and needing rescue after pirates shot the space station, he grabbed three civilians and pressed them into service. Isaac opened the news report on the wall screen.

But how did she get a ship? Sydney asked, zooming in on the news document where there were two ships parked in front of the flamingo sanctuary.

That’s a good question, Isaac said.

Who are the other people that are with her?

That one, Isaac said, pointing to the man standing beside Rosemary, is someone that goes by the name of Max Imus.

What? Sydney asked. You’ve got to be kidding me,

Nope. That’s what the records say.

Max Imus is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, Sydney said.

Isaac shrugged. That’s his legal name, according to everything I could track down.

The ship belongs to him, then.

I’m not sure, Isaac said, frowning.

Sydney looked at him sharply, What do you mean, you’re not sure?

Isaac shrugged. It’s all very murky. And here’s something even stranger,

What?

Well, seems like rather a coincidence, don’t you think, that the last two men Miss Deathly has become involved with are dead?

That is a good point. How long will this Max Imus guy last?

I’m not sure they are involved. Isaac looked troubled. I could find nothing about that.

Sydney asked, Nothing?

As you know, with Mireside being blown up, any records that I might’ve been able to access there have been destroyed. But they left Mainland on the same shuttle to Mireside. It’s likely they met on the shuttle. It’s not that big of a ship. Isaac threw the passenger manifest up on the vid wall, scrolling until he found what he was looking for. Here we are. They certainly could have become involved, or it could be a simple coincidence.

True, Sydney said. And do you know where they’ve gone?

No, the four of them have disappeared.

That is interesting, Sydney said.

Where did she come from originally? Isaac asked.

She was the daughter of,

Isaac shook his head. No. I couldn’t find anything about her before she caught the eye of your friend. It’s like she didn’t exist before that. There’s no birth record, no school records, nothing.

Strange, but not unheard of if her father wanted to keep her hidden from his enemies. Private health care for her mother, and private tutors for her. Deathly had a huge, super secure compound and once staff was hired, they never left. Sydney leaned back in his chair, one finger tapping his desk. He stared at the picture of Rosemary, looming on the vid screen. It wouldn’t be the first time a secret or illegitimate child showed up when they were needed as a bargaining chip.

No, sir, it would not. However, I have found no evidence supporting that theory either.

Keep searching, Sydney said. Somebody, somewhere, knows something about her.

Yes, sir.

Is that everything? Sydney asked.

Isaac nodded.

Well then, I have matters to attend to. You are dismissed.

Yes, sir, Isaac said, pushing himself up from the seat and leaving Sydney to stare at the picture of Rosemary.

five

Visi Crubs

Crubs was in the converted crew quarters where the baby flamingos were contained. Yet another chick had died. Crubs was furious. More profit loss from this debacle.

I don’t think we have the right food for them, Chancellor said.

What do birds eat besides bird food? Crubs asked, glaring at the crewmembers cleaning the pens. They wisely kept their heads down, focusing on their tasks.

Bugs maybe? Fish? Aren’t they an ocean bird?

I don’t know. I’m not a bird expert.

And it’s not like we had much time to get the right stuff after Mireside exploded. We had to recall the shuttle back before it even made landfall on Mars.

Crubs huffed. True. They are cute though. I wish we had enough stasis pods to put them all in. Regen isn’t going to help any, since they will need even more food when they come out.

The ship’s engineer, a man named Wyres, was with them, observing the remaining chicks. I wish we had birds all the time. The methane they create is excellent fuel for the gas drives. Maybe a type of bird that’s less finicky to look after? Chickens or turkeys, maybe. We could have fresh meat and a good supply of fuel too.

Chancellor and Crubs looked at him.

Hmm. You ever plucked chickens before? Chancellor asked him.

No, why? It can’t be that hard. It’s not rocket science, not like taking care of the ship.

It’s not as easy as you think it is, Chancellor said, looking back at the chicks.

How would you know? Wyres asked.

I worked on a farm ship for a few years before I came here, Chancellor said.

I saved him from that life, Visi said, clapping him on the back.

Chancellor said nothing in reply and simply watched the chicks.

six

Control

Control had assimilated all the data and files Max and Rosemary retrieved from Mireside before its untimely explosion. Control was sifting through everything. There was a lot to go over. For an AI of Control’s magnitude, it should only take milliseconds to collate and determine a course of action.

Control had been going over everything for four days. Somehow, Max had links to things Control had no data for at all. Nebulous leaps of faith. Intuition. There was far more going on with Sydney Van Citra than Control had bargained for.

The evidence Control had been expecting was there, of course. The embezzling, the zipper torture porn, the statements from some of Sydney’s victims. All the stuff Max claimed he had, plus more.

There were links to organized crime as well. If Control had been capable of feeling surprise, it would not have felt any. The baby flamingo shipment had originated from Sydney Van Citra. Control had followed one of Max’s intuitive leads and discovered that tidbit.

Control followed the evidence and confirmed. Chasing leads for another AI equivalent of eternity and making plans.

Finally, Control called a meeting.

seven

Control

Rosemary, Max, Kelvin and Baskin sat in one of the Control compound boardrooms. Control had ordered them all here a few minutes ago for a meeting.

A hologram appeared at the head of the table. Thank you all for being so prompt.

As if there was anything else I was doing, Baskin said, rolling their eyes.

Speak for yourself. I was busy. Rosemary said.

Baskin smirked, looking from her to Max. Yes. I bet you were.

Rosemary rolled her eyes and said, Tech-free training in the Maze.

Really? Tech-free? Baskin whistled. Impressive.

With a dead suit, Rosemary replied.

Baskin whistled again.

Anyway, if you could all pay attention, please? The hologram of Control said.

The four of them turned to face the hologram.

Right. Control clapped his hands. He had taken on the avatar of Sherlock Holmes for this meeting. Let’s get on with it. Max, your evidence went even deeper than I’d believed. Good work.

What took you so long? Baskin asked.

I wanted to confirm everything. To be absolutely sure.

What’s the mission? I assume there is one. Kelvin said.

You’re willing to tag along? Control asked.

I’m still on vacation. What else am I going to do?

Good. Control turned and waved a hand in the air. A hologram of a map lit up. This is the Van Citra compound in Columbia. Sydney is there now. You are going to fetch him for me.

eight

Rosemary and Max

Stella and Bentley were both in stealth mode. Max was with Rosemary on Stella, suited in Nanoflage, waiting for the hatch to open. He was nervous. He hadn’t been to his family’s home compound in years. The last time he’d been there his mother had found Sydney’s stash of toes, and he didn’t want to think about it. Shaking his head, he tried to clear his thoughts. He was finally going to put an end to Sydney and his evil ways.

You okay? Rosemary asked him.

Yeah. Why? He asked, looking up at her.

Your heart rate just spiked and you’re sweating. She replied. Your metrics are indicating extreme anxiety.

He shrugged, then took a deep breath calming himself. Better? I’m not sure how I should feel about being here. I haven’t been home in ages, and now I’m here on a raid.

Rosemary was about to answer when Stella said, It’s go time.

Rosemary exchanged a look with Max. He nodded and activated the Nanoflage. The hatch opened and they jumped out of the ship’s hatch.

Baskin commed Rosemary. We are away. What’s your status?

Also away. We’ll see you down there.

Rosemary pulled her arms close to her body, angling for the compound. Max followed her.

She tracked Kelvin and Baskin on her HUD. They’d been slightly closer to the compound when they launched and would have boots on the ground first.

The air rushed by her. They were nearly there. She changed her angle slightly. Max copied her, and they deployed their parachutes at the same time.

Max was jerked in his harness when the sheet caught the air, and his heart hammered. He was nervous, he wouldn’t deny it.

They landed, discarding the chutes. Rosemary did something and they self-destructed as they ran away from them.

Which way? Rosemary asked.

Follow me. Max ran for the compound.

Nanoflage making them nearly invisible, they raced to the entrance of the compound. Bullets strafed the air. One caught Rosemary’s shoulder knocking her back.

You okay? Max asked.

Fine. Whatever happens, don’t abandon the mission. How could they know we’re here?

We tripped some kind of alarm, Baskin said over the comms.

We just took out a monitoring station, Kelvin said. I thought you said he didn’t have this kind of security?

When I left there wasn’t. Max was fiddling with the circuit panel of the entrance. I haven’t been here in years. The door slid open finally. Got it!

Rosemary threw a gas grenade inside as bullets sprayed out.

How are they spotting us? Max asked, ducking as bullets hit the surrounding walls.

I don’t think they are. I think they’re just guessing and randomly shooting, hoping to hit something. Rosemary took another hit, this time in the knee. Even with the Nanoflage activated it stung through the armour and she grunted from pain. Where’s your brother?

Max was patched into the house’s security system now. There used to be a safe room. I bet he’s there. This way. Max ran through the house.

Rosemary threw another grenade at a squad of security personnel and followed him.

nine

Sydney

Sydney was in his special chamber, selecting some of his favourite tools and packing them for the trip to Armstrong Station. He had business to take care of on the moon and some face-to-face meetings there. Not all of his business could be taken care of remotely.

He was alone in his chamber, the remains of his latest subject had been removed and disposed of and the room had been scrubbed and sterilized. Not a trace remained visible. Sydney smiled, glancing down at the floor where he kept the vault containing his treasures hidden.

He selected another tool, polishing it needlessly then wrapped it in a protective cloth before placing it gently in the case. He went to his rack of custom zippers. Running his fingers through them, he limited himself to three. Picking them carefully, he laid them in the case as well.

He was snapping the latches shut when the emergency door slammed and alarms blared.

Isaac, what’s going on? Sydney called his assistant on the comms.

We’re under attack. I called the shuttle. The pilot is prepping it as we speak. I’m on my way to you now.

Sydney wasted no time. He closed and locked anything he had open and headed for the exit to the shuttle bay. Isaac met him partway and updated him.

Sir, the shuttle is ready to launch the moment we set foot on it. The front entrance and foyer have been destroyed and there is an active firefight on every part of the grounds.

Do we know who is attacking us yet? Sydney asked as he hustled along the hidden passage to the underground shuttle bay.

No. There has been no visual with the intruders.

Where the hell did they come from? And why wasn’t Security on it before they bombed my foyer? Sydney asked, holding his case full of special tools in a death grip. He would not leave that behind no matter what. He wouldn’t even entrust it to Isaac.

Security responded the instant the silent alarm was tripped. Isaac opened the hidden door that led to the shuttle bay. Scanning for enemies and not seeing anyone who shouldn’t be there, Isaac led Sydney across the polished floor to the shuttle.

The pilot had the passenger ramp down and the engine was running. Sydney ordered the pilot to take off even before the ramp was fully raised.

Take evasive maneuvers. I imagine there must be ships waiting to blast us to smithereens. With the way they are bombing my house, it seems likely.

Unless they mean to capture you? Isaac replied.

Evasive maneuvers, either way. I’m not interested in being taken captive by anyone.

ten

Stella

T he shuttle has launched from the compound, Stella announced over the comms. Do you want me to engage?

Yes, Control ordered. Bentley will assist.

Stella and Bentley, still cloaked, streaked after the escaping shuttle. Stella fired an ion beam to disable it. The ship jinked, dodging the blast.

Bentley fired. The ship avoided that too.

Control said, I can’t access the systems. It has a human pilot.

Good to know, Stella said, firing a scatter bomb. The escaping ship plowed straight on through.

eleven

Sydney

The ship jinked and g-forces shifted at sickening speed. The ship shuddered and Sydney could feel and hear several impacts all over his shuttle. What’s going on?

We are taking damage. Whoever is after us just blasted us with a scatter bomb. The pilot announced. To his credit, he didn’t sound ruffled at all.

Shit, Isaac swore. That means whoever is attacking us means to take us alive,

Sydney punched in a code from his seat.

Solar Enforcement. What’s your emergency?

This is Sydney Van Citra of the Van Citra Conglomerate. My ship and compound are under attack by unknown assailants.

Coordinates please.

The pilot sent the coordinates to Solar Enforcement.

We have ships and personnel on the way, Sir,

twelve

Control

S tella, Bentley, go back to the rendezvous points. Sydney has just called Solar Enforcement and they are en route. We have lost our chance. I repeat, we have lost our chance. Retreat to the rendezvous points,

Yes, sir, on my way, Bentley replied, veering back to the Van Citra Compound.

On it, Stella replied, also giving up the chase and heading back to pick up Rosemary.

thirteen

Rosemary and Max

Rosemary and Max were deep in the house now. Baskin and Kelvin and other agents were distracting security forces, drawing them away. The cramped corridor was empty. Max fiddled with the keypad. The door slid open.

My brother is so predictable. You think he would change his password once in a while. He said.

Lucky for us he’s lazy, Rosemary slid past him and into the chamber. It was white, sterile, and smelled strongly of disinfectant.

Over here, Max called her.

Rosemary joined him at a display case. That’s quite a zipper collection.

Looks like there are a few missing. Max pointed to the empty slots.

Rosemary quickly opened a few drawers. Looks like other tools are missing too. She said taking a video of the room with her HUD. It’s a good thing he is so neat and organized it’s easy to tell what’s missing.

They searched the room quickly only giving it a cursory once over.

Max found a data port and plugged in the special datapad Control had given him. Fiddling with the controls, he swore.

What’s wrong?

Everything is encrypted.

Can you download it?

Yeah, I just need some time.

A grenade sailed through the door.

Out of time! Rosemary said, firing back.

I’ve got what I can, Max said, pulling his datapad out.

There’s an exit over here, Rosemary said going ahead of Max into a hallway.

They followed it to a blank wall.

Must be a hidden door here somewhere, Rosemary said.

Yep. Stand back, I’ll take care of this. Max squeezed past Rosemary and felt along the wall. A section popped open and they went through to the shuttle bay.

fourteen

Kelvin

Kelvin subdued a security guard. He lost track of how many he’d taken down. Baskin was a machine, easily incapacitating at least four times as many as he had. It was impressive. And none were killed. A couple had been injured but only with minor injuries. All were unconscious.

We have incoming Solar Enforcement. We need to get out of here. Baskin said, Copy that, Rosemary?

There was no response from either her or Max.

fifteen

Rosemary and Max

F reeze! The Solar Enforcement officer yelled as a door hidden in the wall sprung open into the shuttle bay.

There’s no one there, you idiot. His partner said, going over to the door. The latch just popped. Hmm. We should go check it out, though.

Rosemary and Max slid along the wall, making as little noise as possible. The officer who had checked the door almost ran into Rosemary as she slipped out of the corridor.

She heard Baskin calling her to tell her about the Solar Enforcement forces landing at the compound but didn’t dare respond. Nanoflage was good, but this close, the Solar Enforcement officers would hear her and notice any sudden moves.

Max shifted slightly beside her. The suit camouflage flickered.

What was that? The jumpy Solar Enforcement officer asked, staring in their direction at their position beside the door, weapon ready.

Nothing. God, you’re paranoid. This must be your first assignment. Let’s check out the secret passage.

I’m sure there’s something there, he replied, moving towards Max’s position, waving his weapon in front of him.

Rosemary tensed, preparing to neutralize them both when the other officer grabbed his partner and pulled him into the hidden passage.

I said, we need to check this out, rookie. And if there was something there, do you really think poking it with a stick so it can grab you is a good idea? Never get that close to a threat. I’m recommending you for retraining.

They screamed as the grenade blew up in the lab the Sol Control agents had just vacated.

Rosemary called Baskin as soon as they were clear. We copy. On our way to the extraction point.

"Good.