The Birth of The Unity (sequel to Chronicle of Nautilus)

Chapter 6: The Evil That Lurks In The Shadows

Chuck knocked on a door and said, "Haas, let us in. We just want to talk."

"We? Whom did you bring to my sweet home?" the assistant snapped back with a bitter tone. "Haas wants privacy. Haas wants tobe alone. Leave me alone!"

"The cap is with me. Don't act like a tard."

"You're lying scumbag! Haas, go check on the second engine, it will take you only a while. It took me twenty-eight hours! And whileI was working you took the only thing that was precious from me! I liked the kitty. I hate you! I do my job. You leave me alone. Wasn't that the deal? Wasn't that the deal?" The voice was dim but powerful, probably spoke from the furthest point of the room.

"A cat?" Adam asked Chuck.

"I learned that he had stolen a cat from the gardens. So I thought I'd be nice to him and let him keep it for a while. A cat you know, not a big deal. Everyone had stolen one at least once in all of their lives. Then I learned that he brings the poor thing on his jobs. He uses Anti-rads when doing long maintenance. But the drug does not work on the poor animal. And then I felt pity for it and brought it back to the garden when he was working."

The door slammed open and a grizzled hairy, bearded nut stuck his head out. He shouted at Chuck, "She wanted to be here. She liked hanging out with me!" Then he noticed the captain and looked him in the eye. "Oh, sorry for that outburst Mr. Captain."

Haas tucked his dirty shirt into trousers and straightened his back. He stepped out of the room and shut the door behind before any of the two visiting men could focus on the mess behind it. There were sparks of craziness in his eyes and Adam felt that for the duration of conversation the man felt very stressed and truthful. The appearance of assistant was a total opposite from Chuck's. If not for the humped back, he would be a head taller than Adam and two head staller than Chuck. And either he did not eat much, or there was something wrong with his metabolism because his belly wasnon-existent and hands a bit thicker than sticks.

Haas added, "I and Chuck do not get along well. But I get my job done. That's all that matters. Isn't it?" He managed a wide, crazy smile.

Chuck said, "Captain is here to ask you a few questions. Please,be comprehensive and do not hide anything."

"Fine, you bast—" He started harshly and paused. Then spoke with a gentle tone, "Ok, I will. Please, Captain, ask whatever you wish for. I will try to help as much as I can."

Unsure what to make of all this drama, Adam shook his head and asked, "I found your fingerprints on the console of the electronic lock of an elevator. The same elevator where George, had lost his hand. They are fresh. Why did you use the console? Chuck mentioned that lately he didn't give you a task to go to the eighth floor."

The assistant frowned his brows and narrowed his eyes. "The fatty is right. I have never been there."

"You shouldn't lie. There is hard evidence against you." Adam took the small cube out of his pocket and projected a hologram of finger prints. "Those are your fingerprints take from the console a few minutes ago."

"But I say the truth. All I ever see are the engines and this room."

"Do you visit the canteen too?"

"Yes."

"You visit the park. That's where you stole the cat."

"Yes."

"Then the engines and your room are not the only places you go to."

"On rare occasions I socialize. But the place of incident. I have not been there for at least ten years."