The Starlight Lancer

Chapter Twenty-Four: An Uncaring Welcome

"Don't take it personal. You can't expect people who don't even know you to care about your bralshit."

—Ariso Adla, famous traveling songster

The commander's eyebrow rose. "Do you have documentation proving your identity?"

Zaina gulped. In all the confusion of leaving her home forever, she'd forgotten her Synatorium Citizen Identification Card. "I—uh—"

The commander sighed. "Are you the owner of this vehicle?"

"Um, no. That would be—"

"I do hope it's not stolen," he said.

"No, it's not stolen. I can explain—"

"I'd like that," he replied. His hand shifted over to a pair of handcuffs hooked to his belt, and he pulled them off. "But first, I'd like to ask you to wear these."

Her voice cracked from shock as she said, "Am I under arrest?"

"Well," Commander Royce said, "you're flying in a registered vehicle. You have no ID. You have no way to prove who you are or why you're in possession of that ship. So, for the time being, I'm going to make sure this thing isn't stolen. I don't want anything funny happening while I'm waiting."

Zaina stepped back. "Do I have a choice?"

"Sure," the commander said, patting the scrapshot at his side.

She gulped, then put her hands out. The segmented handcuffs were cold and shrank to fit her wrists; it wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't unbearable, either.

But it is bralshit.

The commander spoke into the vis-screen around his wrist. "Captain Lasko, run a check on VID 7XD-4854-5J7. Also run a check on the name 'Zaina Quin' in every database we can access. Homeworld: Demelia." Then he turned to Zaina and said, "So, Zaina Quin. What are the circumstances of you acquiring this ship?"

"It's a long story," she said.

"I assure you, I'm very interested in hearing it."

Zaina sighed. "Well, I'm from Demelia, so you probably know about all that."

The commander's expression didn't change. "No, I don't. What, is your world known for racing or something?"

"What? No!" she said. "It's gone! The Eldritch destroyed it!"

His eyes narrowed. "You must really think I'm a fool."

"Huh?"

"The Eldritch? Really? Come on."

"No, it's not—I'm not making anything up! I'm telling you the truth!"

"Right," he said, his eyes rolling. "The Eldritch destroyed your planet. You know, there are lies that are much harder to sniff out than—" his vis-screen beeped, and he checked it. "WHAT? No!"

Zaina recoiled. "Wha—what is it?"

Commander Royce winced. "Artan got Gredalba. There's no way we make the playoffs now."

"What—what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Sorry, big trade for my goreball team's rival. Right. Anyway, what were you saying—oh right, something about the Eldritch. Any other mythical happenings I should be aware of? A Mostiter Soon sighting? The Vash Dragon? Tarbolus IX?"

For five seconds, she seethed with rage. How she held it in was beyond her. Then, in a low voice, she said, "You're going to feel awfully stupid when captain whatever-his-name comes back with his report."