Golden Eyes

Chapter 7 - Ships and Memories

"How long will it take you to get your things?" Ben asked.

"Not long, five minutes top."

The holding bay where the slave ship was being held was only a short walk through the building's accessible hallways.

"Alright, I'll-" His comm device beeped and Ben flipped it open.

"Hello?... Alright... Okay, will do." He closed it and stuck it in his pocket. "Jaspor wants me to talk to a guy about something. It's right next door to the holding bay, so I'll sign you in."

They arrived at a door, at which Ben typed in a code on the keypad. And then there it was – the old ship. Tess' breath hitched as a wave of memories flooded her mind.

"You okay?" Ben's face appeared in her vision. She realised she was still standing in the same place.

"Yeah." She nodded and slowly started forward.

A guard approached them. "Sir, I'm just going to need to see some I.D. please." Ben handed it to him. "I'm just signing her in so she can get her things. I have to do something, but I'll be back in a minute."

The guard nodded, handing back Ben's I.D. "Very good Mr. Lodnor. Ma'am, if I can get you to sign your name here."

Tess wrote her name on the visitor's slip he handed her.

"You'll need to keep that one, so you can get passed the inside guards."

Ben squeezed her arm and gave her an encouraging smile. "I'll be back in a minute alright."

"Okay, see you in a minute." Ben exited through the door and the guard said, "I'll let you get on with your business."

"Thank you." She mentally poked herself and started up the ship's big ramp.

"Visitor's slip?" The door guards asked her. She showed them and they waved her inside.

Tess had been up and down these halls so many times she was sure she could do it in her sleep. Being back in here, she realised how scared and unhappy she was. The feelings threatened to spill over the barriers, but she kept them in check. She was just going to get her few things and then be gone. She would never have to see it again. Making up the elevator trip up to the top floor, she remembered the trip she had made with Ben and Jaspor to Zor'Aster's quarters.

'Breathe' she thought to herself.

Opening the door to her former room, she looked around at her meagre belongings. She found a small bag under the bed and quickly stuffed it. A few items of clothing, two books, a comm device, a trading schedule, and a few pieces of paper with notes and reminders on them.

She gave the room one last look and closed the door. As the elevator once again made its way down, she mentally closed off that chapter of her life. She had a new life now and she would be happy.

She opened her eyes as the elevator stopped suddenly. Why did it stop? She could tell by the display screen that it wasn't the right floor. The doors opened and a man was standing there.

"Miss Astowin?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

He looked at the piece of paper he was holding. "I believe you were the personal assistant of Zor'Aster?"

"That's right." She affirmed.

"I need you to come look through this paperwork we found."

"Alright." She stepped out and he escorted her to the office. She sat down at the desk and examined the files in front of her. "These are receipts for supplies. These are receipts for payments." She picked up a piece of paper of that was partly hidden. "And this..." She trailed off as she read it.