As I listen to Officer Lopez, I'm glad I sent Cassidy to her room. This is a blow that will have to be delivered softly because no matter how brave my daughter is, I don't know how she will survive without Caroline in her life.

For a small moment, the words he is telling me fade into the background as I examine his outfit. It's practical, as is befitting for his profession, but not for the first time I wonder why everything has to look so 'utilitarian'. Why can't uniforms be beautiful as well as practical?

"We'll see ourselves out," the man in question states as he rises to his feet, his colleague matching his movements.

My eyes flick up to their impassive faces. "So that's it? You're giving up?"

"It's Agency policy, Ma'am. We are no longer authorised to enter The Void. It's far too dangerous."

I am well aware of Interstellar Enforcement's decision to pull out of that particular sector, but their answer still infuriates me. "How do you think my daughter feels? She is out there, all alone!"

He offers me an apologetic smile, but his eyes are hard and my stomach drops with his next words. "If I was you, I would start praying that she's dead because it's far better than the alternative. You might find a private contractor willing to go in, but I wouldn't bet on it."

The younger man nods in my direction and then they both turn in unison towards the door, walking out quietly and taking the last vestiges of my hope with them. The 'click' of the door closing sounds like the final nail in Caroline's coffin, and now I have failed them both. How am I meant to tell Cassidy that her sister is never coming home?

My personal assistant, Helena, clears her throat nervously. "I do have an alternative we can look into."

"Well, spit it out, then," I demand.

"Like he said, we need a private contractor. I did some research before they came today, and unfortunately it seems no one is willing to go into The Void these days. It's far too unstable."

"Stop wasting my time then." I rise, to go in search of my youngest daughter, but Helena stops me with a hand on my arm. The shock of her touching me is enough to halt me in my tracks.

"There is one private contractor, but they have a reputation. According to the Agency, they are completely above board, however, rumour has it they take on less than savoury jobs for the right price."

The pieces fit together, and I understand what she is saying. "Are you out of your mind, Helena? You think it is wise to hire pirates? You want to send mercenaries to go and collect my daughter?"

"They are a well respected crew. Commander Sachs is ex-Agency. She was Fleet Commander by her early twenties and she's never failed a mission. If anyone can get Caroline back, it's her."

A tiny spark of hope ignites in the darkness, and I latch onto it with all I am. "Set up a meeting. Offer them thirty million credits, so they know we are serious, and have them come here. I want to meet them in person."

"Consider it done," Helena replies, getting up and walking out the room. When I retired, I made her an offer she couldn't refuse and now she runs my household, amongst other things. She's still my personal assistant, but if I am honest, she is so much more than that. She might actually be one of my only true friends.

I follow her out of the room, but turn into the small hallway where Cassidy is waiting out of sight in her bedroom. I know she is waiting for good news, but I have nothing to tell her yet and it breaks my heart. I promised both my girls a long time ago that I would always be honest with them though, so I steel myself and knock on the door.

"Come in, Mom," Cassidy calls out, her voice still hoarse from crying. It's been a long and emotional six days since Caroline was kidnapped.

The moment I sit on the bed, she throws herself into my arms, and I hold on, hugging her to me tightly. I might not fully understand the loss of a twin, but losing my sister was one of the hardest things I have ever faced. It physically hurts to imagine Cassidy living with that kind of loss at such an early age. My resolve hardens as my arms tighten around her. I will do anything it takes to bring Caroline home.

"Hush now, Cassidy. Everything will be ok."

"They found her?" she asks hopefully, with the first glimpse of a smile I have seen for days.

"They know where she is being taken," I hedge. "We are setting up a meeting with a private crew to go and retrieve her."

"The Agency won't help us?" she guesses correctly. I nod, and she asks the inevitable question. "Why not?"

"They have intelligence that Caroline is on a ship that's heading into The Void. Even if they leave now, they will never catch up with them before they enter. The Agency won't allow their officers to enter that sector."

Her eyes widen, and it would be comical if not for the implications that I know have sprung to her young mind. "They taught us about The Void at the academy, Mom. What if-"

"Stop." I cut her off, unable to hear her speculations, or add them to my own never-ending fears. "I have Helena arranging a meeting with an elite crew of specialists, Cassidy, and I have no doubt that they will be successful. Commander Sachs has never failed a mission, or so I'm told."

Her shoulders relax slightly, and she pulls away from me, no longer needing comfort that she would not normally accept from me. "When will Caroline be home?"

I dampen down my frustration. It's not my daughter's fault that we have no information yet. "I don't know, Bobbsey, but I am going to insist that I go with them so that Caroline will not be alone when they find her."

"But… then I'll be alone."

"You'll have Cara with you, the same as any other trip that I am on. Helena will be working from the home office while I am away too. You'll be fine."

She launches herself at me, and her arms grip me to the point of being painful, but when I try to ease her away, she resolutely tightens her hold. "Please don't leave me, Mom. What if you never come back? What if I never see you or Caroline again?"

"Darling, it will be perfectly safe, I assure you."

Now she does let go, eyes studying mine in a calculated manner that I recognise immediately. Cassidy is channelling her inner Miranda Priestly. She juts out her chin. "If it's as safe as you say, then it's safe enough for me to come with you."

She has me there and she knows it.

I don't want to leave her alone, not knowing how long it will take to retrieve Caroline or how long we will be gone. I see the sense in us all staying together, especially in today's political climate and her eyes light up the moment she recognises my defeat.

"I will talk to Commander Sachs, Cassidy. It is up to her whether or not we will be welcome on her ship."

"But if she says yes, you'll let me come?"

"Yes, Cassidy. If she says it's okay, then I will take you with me."

Commander Sachs is nothing like I expect. I am aware of her professional career, courtesy of Helena, as well as some information that in hindsight, I think I would rather not have known. The woman is ruthless. She will let nothing and no one stand in her way of a mission, and while that is exactly what we need, she radiates an air of danger that leaves me unsettled. Still, it gives me more hope than I have felt in days that my daughter might be returned to us.

"So, Miranda. What is it you are hoping that we can help you with?" Commander Sachs asks, leaning forwards in her chair and fixing me with a cool stare.

"My daughter was kidnapped six days ago and I'm hoping you are able to locate her for me."

She leans back, making a steeple in front of her with her fingers. "And the Agency won't help?"

"No."

She's silent for a moment, and scrutinises me until the urge to fidget almost gets the better of me, but then she shakes her head.

"There is only one reason why the Agency wouldn't help you, and that would be if the mission was too dangerous, even for them. So that leads me to deduce that you have some knowledge of her whereabouts. Let me guess, your daughter has been taken to, or is about to enter The Void?"

She's good. I hadn't expected her to figure this out without an explanation. "Yes, that is correct, Commander."

"Then I'm also guessing that you did your research on private contractors, which brought up information stating that we have been known to enter The Void from time to time. Am I right?"

"Yes, Commander. Your record is exemplary."

She grimaces, an apology forming on her face before she even speaks the words that send a lump of cold steel to my stomach, twisting wretchedly. "I'm sorry, Miranda, but your information is out of date. My crew and I will no longer enter that sector either."

She places her hands on her knees, and I can see she 's about to leave. I'm about to throw myself at her mercy. I am about to plead for her to help, get down on my knees and beg if I have to, but I don't need to do any of that. Cassidy comes bursting into the room, tears streaming down her cheeks and I see it the moment it happens; the Commander's face softens, just for a moment. It's barely there, but it's undeniable, and for a moment I am triumphant.

Cassidy fiercely dries her face with the backs of her hands. "Please, Commander. My sister is out there all alone. We've never even spent a night apart before and she's scared. Caroline is the clever one, it's me who is brave. Please don't leave her out there alone."

"I'm sorry about your sister, I really am," she replies gently. "If it was down to me, then I wouldn't hesitate, but I have to consider my crew and their safety, too."

Cassidy looks thoughtful for a moment. "Are you saying it's impossible? Or are you saying that there are reasons why you can't?"

The Commander snorts, and I watch the scene unfold with quiet satisfaction. "Well… sorry, what is your name?"

"Cassidy."

"Well, Cassidy, The Void is really dangerous now and last time we went in, we took a lot of damage. We were seriously out-gunned, and we barely got out." She frowns, and I can see her genuine remorse as she explains this to Cassidy, talking to her respectfully.

Cassidy looks at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "So what you're saying, Commander, is that we need to upgrade your weapons?"

"Would that help change your mind?" I interrupt. "I am willing to pay for all upgrades your ship requires. I am also willing to double the reward, as well as pay for any additional costs along the way."

The Commander looks to the two crew members she brought with her, who are standing next to the window, observing but silent as of yet. They both shrug, and she rolls her eyes. "Seriously, nothing?" she asks, exasperatedly.

The man, Doug, I think he was called, shrugs again. "We trust your judgement, you know that."

She smirks, and then turns to the young woman. "Lily? Any thoughts?"

"It's probably doable, but I think Doom Baby might benefit from shield upgrades, too."

The Commander turns back to me and I know the ball is in my court. "Of course, whatever you need. Doom Baby?"

For the first time since they arrive, the Commander grins. "Star Chaser II, but yeah, she's known affectionately as Doom Baby."

"What happened to Star Chaser I?" Cassidy asks innocently, and I smother a laugh when the woman opposite me looks sheepish.

"I crashed her," she admits, scowling at her crew when they laugh. "It wasn't my fault!"

"Of course," I reply, demurely.

She rolls her eyes, something that she is fond of doing, apparently. "Weapons and shields, ongoing costs, and sixty million creds. I want thirty mill up front just for attempting the rescue, and then the other half on completion when your daughter is safely back home with you here. Do we have a deal?"

I shake my head, ignoring her look of confusion. "Almost. I have one stipulation, Commander. My daughter and I come with you."

I know I've shocked her, but I almost want to laugh at the way her jaw drops open.

"You want to come on a mission to the most dangerous place in the universe?"

I nod seriously. "We don't want Caroline to be alone for any longer than is necessary. Life here on Earth One is volatile at the moment, and we are at the brink of war with Xylem. One might argue we are safer on your ship."

She seems to consider this for a moment and I am primed with several arguments to convince her, but in the end they are not needed. My guess is that the prospect of bringing home an unknown, ten-year-old girl is daunting, if you're unused to being around children.

"I don't take dead weight on my ship. If you come with us, then you pull your weight. You listen to the crew, and you listen to me. Got it? You disrespect me, or ignore a single one of my orders, I will drop you off at the nearest interstellar port without a moment's hesitation."

"I understand, Commander. You have my word."

"Good." She turns to my daughter, eyebrow raised. "Cassidy?"

Bouncing on the toes of her feet, the excitement from my daughter is palpable. "Does this mean I can be an enzyme like Lily and Doug?"

I don't expect the full bodied laugh that erupts from the woman in front of me, but it takes my breath away. She is incredibly beautiful when she is not scowling, or frowning.

"Ensign," she corrects her, when she can speak again. "And no, Cassidy. My Ensigns train for a long time to be given that rank. However, if you are on board my ship and you're willing to learn, then technically you are a Cadet. How does that sound?"

I've not seen her smile like this since before the day her sister was taken, but as I watch she steps forwards and offers a wonky salute to the Commander.

"Cadet Priestly, reporting for duty, Ma'am!"

The crew of Star Chaser II are incredibly efficient. By the time we have packed up our travel cases and arrived at the space port, the ship is a hive of activity. Commander Sachs had comm'd ahead whilst still in our presence, rattling off a list of demands that even my assistant would have had a hard time keeping up with. When we arrive, it is evident that the upgrades are already in full swing, and it truly is a sight to behold; twenty or so ground crew and aerospace engineers milling around like a well oiled machine.

A young woman with long blonde hair and delicate features walks across the concourse towards us. "Miranda? Cassidy?"

I hold out my hand to shake hers. "Yes, that's correct."

She smiles warmly, in complete contrast to the Commander. "I'm Serena, Andy's Lieutenant."

"Andy?" Cassidy asks, also holding out her hand, which Serena solemnly shakes, holding back a smile.

"Andrea, our Commander. No one calls her that, though."

Andrea. The name trickles through my mind, and I have to admit it suits her. I have a feeling that underneath her brusque and sometimes cold persona, there is a much warmer woman. At least, I hope there is.

"It's nice to meet you, Serena, or should I call you Lieutenant?" I check, unsure of the protocol.

She beckons for us to follow her, leading us to a ramp leading up into the ship. "Serena is fine. We're pretty informal on board. Andy doesn't really like titles unless they come in handy in a negotiation. Sometimes it helps to be taken more seriously."

"I can understand that."

The ramp is short and steep, and I reach to help Cassidy wheel her case but she shakes her head, puffing slightly as she drags it behind. She always was the more independent one of the girls and the thought crosses my mind that she would be more equipped to deal with the situation that Caroline is in, but I feel guilty for even considering it. The thought that either of my girls is enduring this is enough to make me nauseous. The Interstellar Enforcement Officer's final words are playing on my mind; 'If I was you, I would start praying that she is dead, it's far better than the alternative'.

What is Caroline going through? What are they doing to her? What will become of her if we don't succeed in bringing her home? Even if we find her, what are her chances of ever really recovering from this ordeal?

"Mom?" Cassidy tugs on my arm, dragging me from my internal hell.

"Yes?" I look around to see Serena staring at me with concern in her eyes, my thoughts more transparent than I had realised.

"I was asking if you would like a tour of the ship," Serena repeats patiently. "We can drop your luggage in your pods, and then I can show you around and introduce you to the rest of the crew."

"That sounds acceptable."

We follow her into the back of the ship where she points to a few different doors. "So, underneath we have the cargo holds. Up here we have the brig, laundry, workout room, bathrooms and medical bay."

"What's a brig?" Cassidy asks before I can raise the question myself.

"A containment cell. It's not often needed but it's a safe space to restrain someone," Serena answers with a grimace, pushing forwards into a small corridor with doors on either side. "These are our sleep pods. They're small, but each pod has a bed and room for your clothes. Everything else on board is communal."

The distaste must show on my face because Serena leans in conspiratorially. "Don't worry. The showers and toilets are in individual cubicles, even if they are all in the same space. We keep them together because it's easier and more efficient to control the humidity, when they are all in one area."

She lifts her arm to show us a wide band that circles her wrist; a small display screen and buttons inset into the carbon. "This is your access to everything, and I'll hook you both up with one in a moment. It's also our comms unit, so you'll need to be familiar with how it all works, but we'll get to that."

Serena swipes it in front of a control panel on the door closest to her, which slides open with a hiss. "This is where you will sleep, Cassidy." She gestures for my daughter to enter, pointing to the small units on the side opposite the bed. "Put your luggage in here and you can unpack it later. Then, we'll take the cases and store them in the hold, out of the way."

Cassidy does as requested, looking around the brightly lit room with wide eyes. She moves her case into the room and steps back, eager to explore the rest of the ship.

"Miranda, you're next door," Serena informs me, scanning her wrist over the second door and waiting for me to deposit my case. "Okay, let's go and meet the crew."

We pass several more doors on either side, and then there is a large expanse of wall before we reach one final door marked 'Commanders' Quarters'. Serena notices my interest straight away. "Andy has her own suite. One of the perks of owning the ship, I guess."

Judging by how much of the corridor we have just walked through without a door, her quarters must be fairly substantial. A perk indeed, I think wryly.

We head out into a large room with a kitchen on one side, seating areas with large sofas on the other and even a small dining room table, all bolted securely to the floor. Up ahead there is a large curved glass window made up of panels, and I can see out of the front of the ship. The console in front of it has a row of seats that appear to swivel, and there are additional seats with safety straps against each side wall. This ship has room for a large crew, I note, wondering how many people we are about to meet.

Serena taps a button on her comms unit. "All crew to the cave, we have arrivals."

"The cave?" I ask, but my question is pointless, I can see why this space has been named as such. It's a large, open space with a curved ceiling that seamlessly blends with the side walls.

"It was two individual spaces once," Serena confides, gesturing to the control panels at the front. "Command, up front, and then behind us were the living quarters. Andy changed it though, preferring the open plan design."

Something about that concept seems at odds with the Commander I have met so far. With her sometimes sullen countenance, and quiet nature, I would have expected her to prefer space from the crew. I catch Serena's eye and she smirks, instantly cottoning on to my assumptions.

"Don't judge her too soon. Andy has tough defences but once you get through those, she's the kindest and warmest person you could ever wish to meet. She'll take good care of you both while you're on her ship and knowing her, she won't stop until we have Caroline safely on board."

"You have a lot of confidence in her, Lieutenant."

"She's earned it," Serena answers, looking to the doorway where a number of personnel are walking in. "Okay, time for introductions. Everyone, this is Miranda, and her daughter Cassidy. You both already know Ensigns Doug and Lily, but I'll let the others introduce themselves."

A bald headed man with a wicked smile steps forwards, shaking both of our hands. "I'm Nigel. Weapons expert and gunner."

A woman with long red hair introduces herself next, though she just offers a wave of her fingers rather than reaching to shake hands. "Jocelyn, but you can call me Joss. I'm the Communications Officer."

I try to hide a grimace when the next woman introduces herself, her bright green eye make-up dominating her face. She doesn't smile, or offer her hand and introduces herself curtly. "Emily. Onboard botanist."

The remaining woman steps forwards, grinning widely; her blonde hair closely trimmed at the sides, and the top shaped into a short multi-coloured mohawk. "Destra. Medic and Welfare Officer. Welcome aboard."

"Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you all," I politely acknowledge, though I find them slightly intimidating, for all their smiles. In the short time I had before we left, I spent time researching Star Chaser II and they have certainly earned their reputation. They are ruthless in every way, no matter how friendly they might appear. There is a reason why they have never failed a mission and that knowledge simultaneously leaves me cold whilst giving me hope.

"I love your hair," Cassidy gushes, staring up at Destra in awe. She has always gone her own way, avoiding mainstream fashion and rejecting anything that Caroline and myself might deem appropriate. I wonder how long it will be before she asks if she can cut her hair like this.

"Thanks, Cassidy," Destra replies warmly. "Now, I will need to meet with both of you once we've cleared Earth One. Each of the crew has a specialised welfare plan that includes nutrition and exercise. No exceptions."

"Of course," I reply, though the thought of heavy exercise does not excite me at all.

"When do we leave?" Cassidy asks, looking around at the command centre where Commander Sachs is now sitting. How she snuck past us, I don't know, but she's studying star charts on the main display at a speed that makes no sense. How can she possibly process the information she is seeing?

Nigel leans closer towards us. "Andy has a number of implants from her time in the Agency. You'll find she has quite a few advanced skills that make the rest of us look like animated mannequins."

"Implants?" Cassidy wonders. "What are they?"

Nigel smiles patiently, and I warm to him as he treats my daughter with respect. "Knowledge implants. Andy has knowledge implants for languages, engineering, flying and hand to hand combat, to name a few."

A throat clears behind me and I spin around, startled. Commander Sachs looks amused for a moment, before jerking a thumb over her shoulder. "Ground crew just signed off, so we're ready for launch. Strap in, people, it's gonna be a bumpy ride."

"Bad weather?" Serena asks, glancing forwards through the curved glass at the front of the ship.

"Dust storm coming in with high winds, but if we leave now, we should be okay." The Commander turns to both of us, a small smirk curling up her lips. "Any chance you're about to change your mind?"

"I'm ten, Commander. Not a child," Cassidy chides her indignantly, to the Commander's evident glee. "I know what I've signed up for."

"You do, huh? Well, let's start with the basics. Knock it off with the Commander nonsense and call me Andy." She gestures a jerk of her thumb. "Follow me, Cadet, and I'll get you strapped in. Serena, can you get Miranda situated?"

She doesn't wait for an answer, walking off with my daughter eagerly in tow. I can hear Cassidy excitedly asking if she can learn to fly, staring up at her new idol with wide eyes and an excited smile.

"Come with me," Serena instructs, and I follow her to the front of the cave, where she guides me into a seat against the wall, about a metre away from Cassidy. I let her strap me in, all the while watching the Commander as she crouches down next to Cassidy's chair and I listen to their conversation.

"Have you ever been in space before?"

My daughter shakes her head, but her eyes are sparkling. "I always wanted to, though."

"It's exciting, but sometimes it's a little scary, okay? When we take off, it's going to be bumpy for a while, and when we go through the atmosphere you might see sparks flying past the window, but that's perfectly normal."

"Okay, Andy."

"This is a comms unit, just like the crew wear," the Commander informs her seriously, clicking the device around her wrist and adjusting it to fit. I barely notice Serena doing the same to me, entranced as I am in watching how gently the Commander is treating my daughter.

"If you get scared, just hit this button, and I'll talk to you through it and explain what's happening."

"Thanks, Andy," Cassidy replies in a small voice and I know that despite her bravado, nerves are setting in. "I won't be scared, I promise."

The woman chuckles, and reaches out to squeeze Cassidy's shoulder. "You know, even the best of us get scared sometimes. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Even you?" Cassidy replies, staring at the Commander with astonishment.

"Yes, honey. Even me."

I watch as she stands up, turning to me and running her eyes over my straps with a practised eye before turning and walking to the command chair at the console. She taps a few buttons, seemingly at random but I know that can't be true. One final button and the ship starts to vibrate slightly, though there is only a quiet hum and not the loud roar I was expecting.

"Ok, crew. Lift off in… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1."

I barely feel the ship move, even as I see the ground underneath us disappearing. We shoot straight up for a while, before seamlessly changing to a forwards motion in a steep incline. The ground disappears from beneath us and we are heading up towards the atmosphere in a matter of seconds. I wonder for a moment if the planet will still be here to come home to. The war with Xylem has been threatened for years, but there is rumour they have acquired a planet destroyer; a ship with a weapon so large, it could blow Earth One out of existence.

The commander turns in her seat with a questioning glance towards Cassidy, who grins widely and gives her a thumbs up. It seems my daughter is far braver than I am; watching as the ship heats up in the atmosphere, with fascination not fear. The Commander grins back at her, giving her a thumbs up in return before turning her attention back to the controls in front of her.

XxX - XxX

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