Edge of the Stars

Chapter 2

It didn't take long for the LOA representative to arrive, but those minutes felt like an eternity. The elevator dinged, alerting the siblings. Both kept sharp eyes on the door as it slid open. A prudish looking woman stepped out, dressed in a navy blue blazer and skirt. Her grey hair was pulled back so tightly her face had slightly stretched. 

"Claire and Daniel Stringer, with me, please." Daniel noticed a clipboard secured in her tight grasp. The two grabbed their luggage and boarded the elevator. Once inside, the representative pushed the button for the 3rd loading hangar; the elevator began to descend. She turned to face the siblings, removed pieces of paper from her clipboard, and held them out. Claire took a piece, Daniel followed suit.

"Why paper, if I may ask?"

"We couldn't run the risk of eavesdroppers on a digital transmission." 

"What's so important that an obsolete method of communication had to be used?" Claire raised an eyebrow; the representative glared back.

"Read the briefing and save any questions you may have for the Board of Directors." The representative turned to face the door, effectively ignoring Daniel and Claire. They didn't mind. They turned their focus to the sheets of paper. It was exactly as Claire predicted: a new mission had been agreed upon, and the siblings had been assigned to it.   

"A dangerous criminal," Daniel read aloud. "It doesn't say why. I'll have to ask."

"They could have allowed us to know a little more detail." Claire folded the mission briefing and tucked it in her jacket pocket. 

"We're meeting with the Board; I'm sure they'll fill us in." 

Finally, the elevator came to a stop. The representative swiftly left the elevator, Claire and Daniel close behind. The loading bay was bustling, unloading cargo from smaller supply vessels. These vessels were SPS-19 models. SPS-19's didn't require pilots; their auto-navigation systems were preprogramed with specific routes. Daniel reminisced on a memory, one of when he would spend his afternoons reprogramming a decommissioned SPS-19 he had found in a scrap yard. He made carry his school supplies for him. While the memory was nice, it did nothing to ease his anxiety. Daniel readjusted his grip on his suitcase. His palms had begun to sweat. 

The LOA representative led them halfway across the bay to a transport ship. The LOA crest was emblazoned proudly on the door. The falcon spread his wings wide, clutching olive branches in his talons. The circle encompassing the bird of prey read, "LOGISTICS AND OFFICER ASSIGNMENT." Claire shuddered. The door hissed as it depressurized and opened. 

"Come aboard, please." The representative stood at attention, keeping her gaze level. Daniel boarded first, taking the furthest seat. Claire boarded next, sitting next to her brother. The representative was last, closing the door behind her. She took her seat in front of Daniel; swiping upwards, she opened her communicator.

"Claire and Daniel Stringer are on board. Ready for take-off."

"Copy," The engines rumbled as the pilot guided the ship towards the exit. "We are clear for take-off." Daniel clutched the arms of his seat. Their stomachs lurched as the pilot flew out of the loading bay at full speed. Out the tiny window, Daniel watched the Arcadia become smaller and smaller. He didn't want to leave his ship behind, but if the military required his presence elsewhere, he was willing to go where he was needed. 

"What do you think we'll be doing?" Claire leaned in close, making sure her whispering could be heard. 

"Well, based on our previous assignments, we'll be part of the captain's team." His sister hummed a response, deciding to lean on the other arm of her seat. She scooped Carla from her shoulder and set her down on her lap. Carla, unhappy by the move, growled softly before curling up and falling back asleep. The representative sneered.