Secrets

A Brief Interlude

"Finally, some rest. No I shouldn't say that, that's what I always say. Then it never happens." I mutter to myself.

My apartment door slides open and I step inside. I take off the armor and unstrap my weapons. It's beginning to look like another shower is in order. I decide against it, I didn't sweat that much. I sit down at my computer and push the power button, it comes on with a flash and the Pheonix emblem on the monitor.

You have mail!
You have mail!
You have mail!

It blinks at me. I open up the network mailing system. Our whole system is contained on the network, none of our files are on the internet and we use a network sharing program to comunicate digitally. Work machines don't even connect to the internet, that's what personal machines are for. Personal machines can submit files to the network, but not extract them. That way it's nearly impossible for the system to contract a virus or for a hacker to gain access.

Welcome, Cpt. Wallace.
You have 2 messages

Cmdr. Thornton,
Good work out there in the arena. Thinking on your feet lad, that's where it counts. Though, you don't usually show off like that. Maybe next time you'll take a gun, don't get too cocky. Keep up the good work.

Lt. --------
Message scrambled. Attempt to clean?

I select yes. I'm worried though, a scrambled message is rarely a good sign. I can't even see who it's from.

Done. Message clean.
Lt. Parker, emergency transmission
We're retreating. Request backup. SOS. ---------
--------- poor condition. Crew is at minimal health. Percey is missing --------------- SOS

"What? Missing? You call that clean! That's not clean, it's a mess! Bring it back!" I scream at the computer. Settling down I call Thornton.

"Sir, have you seen the SOS from my ship?" I ask, barely keeping it together.

"Yes I have. I forwarded it to you." He replies calmly.

"Then let's do something about it! Get me a ship, I'm going after them!" I'm incredulous.

"No you're not. You will stay and wait for Kara's trial. You have already gotten the girl, Kendra, off the hook. You will stay and have Kara put away." Thornton says firmly.

"Of course I won't! Im going after my team!" I reply, solid.

"There's no need Captain. They've already been retrieved. I recieved the message yesterday during Kendra's trial. I sent out a team and they have already reported in. They'll arrive just after the trial is ended." He silences my fears.

"I see. Very well. I'll see you in an hour for the trial." I hang up.

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I'm wearing a nice grey suit, black sweater, and a pair of grey slacks. Just visible on my chest is the top of a bright red tie. The trial starts and I sit watching. Not really absorbing much. I take notes on occasion. My mind is focused on the team. Where are they, what were they doing, how are they now.

I kept imagining what was going on. I told myself that none of it happened but I couldn't control my imagination. I went up to the stand and spoke. A daring and glorious speech about how Kara had killed innocent people and should be locked away. I answered the questions and sat down.

Finally it was over. Kara was locked up indefinitely. As I stepped out of the court a stretcher went by, on it was Percey, unconscious. Another followed, Geoffrey. And another, Dilan. Carlee, Dustin, and Sara ran up. Sara didn't stop but tried to catch up to Geoffrey. Dustin caught a glimpse of Percey's blood and made a break for the bathroom. Carlee was the only one left.

"What happened?!" I demand.

"Not here." Carlee says and I follow her off. Eventually we make it to my room.

"This is my room." I state, too confused to respond.

"Yes it is. Now go inside, we'll talk there.