Paige rolled onto her back and let out a sigh. She had been turning in her bed all night and had barely slept. Her thoughts had kept her awake and she was finding it impossible not to think about the landing on Lutis in the morning.
Touching a small black cube on the stand beside her bed made it illuminate with numbers. It was still early but she was going to get up in two hours anyway. Tossing the sheets off she sat up on the edge of the double bed and stretched. The dark metal floor was heated and it warmed her feet as she made her way across the room to a medium sized cooler in the wall.
The Captains quarters were only slightly larger than what the rest of the crew had; about 12 x 10 feet and almost square. It was a simple set up, with a double bed against the left wall and a small table with 2 chairs in the corner. A counter with a sink and mirror above it rested along the right wall, joined with a double locker in the corner. The small cooler was located in the back wall with a 30" screen also built into the wall. They were very humble dwellings, designed with the idea no one would be spending much time in them anyway.
Yawning, the sleepy captain took a glass bottle and small frozen muffin from the fridge, closing the door with her elbow as she turned towards the small table.
"Lights...soft." Paige's voice was husky from sleep as she directed the lights in her room turn on but only softly, she wasn't ready for anything brighter yet.
Sitting at the table, she placed the bottle and muffin on a small grey panel located in the middle, within seconds both the muffin and liquid were steaming with heat.
Picking up the drink Paige felt the warmth settle in her belly.
"El, what's the progress on our travels?" The ship was scheduled to dock on Lutis in 4 hours. The Captain had no doubt her crew had things running smoothly but it was her morning ritual to check in with El.
"All progress satisfactory Captain, docking will commence in 3 hours and 39 minutes" The AI's low but loud monotone voice waking her up a little more.
"You have two pending messages received from Lt. General McCullers and Private Hastings" The screen on the wall lit up and filled with text.
Standing, she stepped over to the screen and selected the message from Lt. General McCullers.
'Captain McCullers, here is the additional task information'
"Hi to you too Dad." Paige said sarcastically as she read over the rest of the message.
Information had been obtained about a small group of raiders claiming to be selling government issued weapons, ship parts and other illegal items. Usually this sort of thing would have been taken care of by field officers but the trade of government property was a much more serious crime. Captain McCullers had been ordered to locate the thugs and verify this information. If it were true she was to also find out where the items were coming from.
Sipping the warm drink she tapped the next message.
'Captain, please come to the navigation room at your nearest convenience'
Looking at the time stamp she noticed it had been sent almost an hour ago, Paige frowned and wondered why Spencer had been up so early.
Discarding what was left in the cup into the sink she splashed some water on her face and pulled her hair into a loose pony tail at her neck.
Putting on her white shirt, black cargo pants and black buckled boots was like second nature to her and in no time was walking down the hall towards the Navigation Room.
The Navigation Room was located on the first floor and towards the front of the ship. She passed numerous open rooms, many filled with officers bent over panels or screens, each saluting the Captain as she walked by.
The door slid open as she approached it and quietly slid closed as she stepped into the room. Spencer was sitting at the centre console, gazing into a 3D map of Lutis.
The Navigation Room was almost rectangular in shape, its main feature being the round console in the centre. Behind that a long platform lead up to 3 large screens that were the entire size of the wall. It was lit with white square lights in the ceiling that were barely needed due to the amount of light all the screens in the room gave out.
Hearing the Captain's footsteps approach, Spencer turned and stood to attention.
"Good morning Captain." Her voice sounded strained, confirming she'd had just as much sleep as Paige.
"At ease Spencer, you know I don't expect that from you." She stood beside the brunette and looked to the map.
Spencer relaxed, "I know but it feels wrong if I don't." She gave a little smile and shrugged.
Paige nodded towards the map "Getting the lay of the land?"
Spencer's face become serious "That's what I wanted to talk about...you know what Lutis represents to me..."
Paige turned to face Spencer and noticed her expression, she remained silent, she knew Spencer was talking about the investigation involving Emily.
"It's been almost 2 years since we were there last and I can't go there without trying again." The navigator said almost all in one word.
Paige felt that heavy feeling again. Spencer was usually very good at guarding her emotions but this subject seemed to almost undo her.
Placing her hand on Spencer's arm, Paige gave it a light squeeze.
"You don't even have to ask permission, all resources are yours to use freely."
Spencer smiled sadly in thanks and they both turned back to the map, both lost in thought, both thinking of the same dark haired girl.
As The Mako steadily positioned itself into the main landing dock of Lutis everyone on board was unusually quite. In the past when a week of holiday was just outside the doors, various cheers and whistles would echo throughout the ship.
Standing beside the flight control console Paige watched over the information as it scrolled over the screen. Ships like this were made to dock themselves but it didn't hurt to be close by. As the screen confirmed docking had been successful El voiced the same confirmation and then proceeded to play a recorded message from Captain McCullers. It ordered all officers to be on their best behaviour and all incidents would be dealt with little lenience.
Slinging a canvas bag over her shoulder Paige made her way towards the bay doors. The crew members she worked closely with were already there and waiting for her.
She gave them a smile.
"Hey guys, you didn't have to wait for me."
Caleb put his arms around her shoulders, "There is no way I'm letting you spend this time off locked up in your room again. What do you even do with all that alone time? Wait, do I want to know the answer to that?"
Paige pushed his arm from around her and glared. "I'm Captain, I do a lot of...Captainy work, important work!"
They were walking down the large metal ramp with the rest of the ships crew.
"Oh yeah I bet its real important!"
The rest of the group gave a small laugh as they reached a line of taxis. They were double decked, with the ability to seat four passengers above and three below. It was determined the safest way to travel, as they presented a more difficult target in smaller groups instead of one large group. The taxi was controlled by an AI, another security bonus. They weren't liable to sell out or hold a grudge against the current occupants.
Sitting on the lower seats with Spencer and Toby, Paige took out a electronic tablet and opened the information files on the task her father had sent. The taxi lifted up and into the traffic flow above.
She was studying the bio of the illegal traders when a photo of the suspected leader filled the screen. He was definitely something else, with a shaved head covered in tattoos and a missing front tooth to match. Paige almost laughed at his cliché appearance.
Sitting next to the Captain and seeing the photo, Spencer leaned over.
"That's what he looks like now? Very different compared to the security footage... where did you get this? I wasn't aware his profile had even been updated."
Paige took a few seconds to try and figure out what the navigator was talking about, as far as she was concerned this guy was a new threat.
"You know of this creep?"
Spencer gave her a confused look "Uh yeah, he was..is the main point of my investigation, I'm almost 100% sure he was running the show when Emily's ship was taken"
Paige's eyes grew wide, "Spencer, are you sure it's the same guy?" She handed the tablet over.
Nodding as she looked over his photo and profile "Yeah, that's him alright, he's changed his hair and added a few tattoos but I'm positive"
She handed the tablet back and pulled out her own, bringing up a photo dated from six years ago. The male in the photo had shoulder length dark hair; greasy and ratty. A couple of tattoos running up his neck but the dead give-away was that missing tooth.
The name read as Daniel Jones while the files Paige had read Danial Jonas. He had also tried to change his name.
This was serious, it meant the stolen goods and the Emily investigations had intertwined. This guy was the last known person to have contact with her and he was here.
"Fuck!" Paige called out as she realised that once this guy heard the Peace Corps were in town, he would either leave or go into hiding.
"Taxi, take us back to the Mako! Emgergency status!" She stuffed the tablet back into her bag as blue lights flashed on the side of the taxi and a siren began sounding.
Spencer and Toby were looking at her wide-eyed as Caleb's voice came through the intercom.
"What the hell is going on?"
Pressing the button to the intercom, Paige spoke directly.
"A situation has unfolded and all cooperation is required without question, we are going back to ship to suit up."
The words 'suit up' made it clear to the passengers this was not a drill. Suiting up meant full field officer uniform, impact vests and weapons.
As they re-boarded The Mako, Paige instructed El to round up whoever was still remaining on ship and meet in the armoury.
The Armoury was the size of a stadium, large armoured vehicles lined one wall while the rest of the room was filled with cages containing various weaponry and armour.
Entering the room the Captain made a quick head count of 36 extra officers. With their exceptional skills she knew it was more than enough; the raiders were only supposed to have a set up of 15.
They all stood to attention, including the group who entered with her.
"Soldier's, I want full field suits, this is a high priority mission. El brief us on file 309 and 865".
"Captain, file 865 is categorised as confidential, continue?"
She was strapping an armoured vest to her chest "Continue!"
While everyone got ready El quickly relayed the file containing what had happened when Emily's ship was attacked. A few times security footage was played on the various screens in the room.
After the information regarding the suspected sale of government items was finished, Paige looked over the officers now standing in formation.
"This is the same criminal. He attacked one of our ships and was never bought to justice." Her voice grew louder "He attacked and killed fellow officers and got away with it. We are entering his last known residents, I want it clean, if you see a weapon, if you see any danger you have approval to use whatever force necessary." She walked along the front line.
"The six crewman closest to you are now your squad. We'll enter through the three known entries, details of the layout will be available during the travel, understood?"
Saluting they called in unison, "Yes, Captain!"
"Haul out!" With that the groups piled into the armoured vehicles and within seconds were rising up and out of the large panel that had opened in the ceiling.
On the way, details of the location were relayed on small screens within the trucks.
It was a large dormitory style building, originally made for students on holiday. Five stories high with forty rooms to a floor with lifts at each end. The raiders were reported to be occupying the top level.
The vehicles landed in a large field outside the building. Years ago, it would have been green and lush, filled with students and other young people playing sports and relaxing in the sun. Now it was brown, dead and mostly dirt.
The Peace Corps quickly and silently grouped together making their way to one of the entires they had been directed to.
Captain McCullers had taken her most trusted officers with her, in order, Spencer, Caleb, Hannah, Aria and Toby were following her in file formation.
As they entered the lift on the left side of the building Caleb pulled open a panel in the wall and connected a small circuit board to it. The lift began climbing upwards, the circuit board overriding any programs that may have stopped them from entering, or becoming trapped.
A small bell sounded as the doors opened and all officers pointed their weapons into the hall.
There was various debris scattered on the brown, stained carpet, paint was peeling and it smelt of smoke and piss. It was just on 8 feet wide with faded red doors lining the walls, twenty on each side. As they passed, each door was opened and the room cleared, all so far were empty.
As they approached the sixth door muffled footsteps could be heard behind it. Motioning her squad to hug the wall, they waited as the door opened.
A male in a black jacket and pants stepped out, the Captain's gun was instantly in his face.
"Don't move." Her voice was almost a whisper as he raised his hands slowly. She motioned for him to move to the side but he gave her a smug grin and yelled, "Corps code fuckers! They're here!"
Movement and voices sounded from within the room as she slammed her gun into his face, dropping him to the floor. "Tie him up!"
Toby restrained the unconscious goon as the Captain pushed open the door and rolled in a Stun Pulse; a small metal ball that released an immobilising pulse throughout the room. After a small flash and the sound of bodies falling to the floor, the group entered the room. It was larger than all the others as the wall between the opposite room had been removed and it was littered with mismatched furniture. Paige immediately located a large military case and other bags sitting in the middle.
After clearing all points in the room Paige ordered all the unconscious bodies be secured. She counted 12 as they were being tied up, and the weapons removed from their bodies numbered double that.
Speaking into the cuff on her wrist she checked in with the other squads. They all reported the other levels as clear and no one else found. She directed them to meet at her current location.
The pile of government equipment was larger than had been reported. There were three big lockers filled with small pistols and armour, electronics, knifes and even some uniforms. It was more than enough for someone to impersonate an officer, an act punishable by life in prison.
Toby and Aria were studying a map on the wall while Caleb and Hannah checked the rest of the storage placed throughout the room.
Spencer stood beside the Captain and was looking over some of the files found in the illegal stash as more footsteps approached the room. Turning to address the officers she assumed were entering, Paige was met with an unfamiliar face.
The sound of a pistol rang out and Spencer's scream filled the room, blood splattered across Paige's clothes as the navigator fell to the floor.
Reacting instantly all officers drew their weapons and fired, three of the raiders dropped to the floor, blood blossoming around the holes in their chests.
The last two remaining ducked back into the hall, Paige rose up from her knee and went after them. As her squad followed she motioned Toby to stay with Spencer.
Finding her wound he pressed down hard and tried to remain calm.
Voices could be heard coming from the hall.
"Drop your weapons and put your hands up!"
The other squads had been coming down the hall as the last two raiders tried to escape. Paige and the others approached them from behind and she noticed one of them had a shaved head covered in tattoos.
"Turn around, you pieces of shit!"
With Spencer's blood covering her shirt, Paige was fighting a building rage. The remaining two paused, they would be lucky to leave this place alive.
As they turned around the tattooed thug gave her a grin, minus a front tooth. The second turned more slowly and as she did Paige felt a cold chill run though her body. She heard a sharp gasp behind her as the girl stared dumbfounded at them. It was her, it was Emily.