In Silent Dreams

CHAPTER 15 - Fine Wine

"Keep me in your heart, if you can't keep me in your sight."

- Last words of Jacqueline Krones, captain of the ISS Endurance, wreck found underwater on Gyras, 4000

The main auditorium was a huge chamber. The chamber had three levels overlooking the main hall grounds, and boasted magnificently crafted pillars engraved with gauld-laden depictions of several mythical creatures. The ceiling had majestic chandelier-looking lights, which glittered and reflected off the light.

There was a huge crowd. Men and women dressed in elegant dresses and exquisite suits gathered at the main hall. Waiters and waitresses in black suits went around, serving special drinks of exotic colours and concoctions.

Elizabeth released her hair-band, allowing her hair to flow back naturally. She proceeded into the crowd, slowly making her way to the main stage.

On the main stage an auction of sorts was going on. There were many items on sale, from ancient swords to illegal weapons and modifications. There was even a gun which could fire tracking acidic rounds, which boasted much more advanced tracking systems micro-implanted into each bullet.

Elizabeth: "Hey there."

A couple wearing masquerade masks turned towards her.

Woman: "Why, yes dear?"

Elizabeth: "What do you think will be the highlight of the auction?"

Man: "Mm, you don't know? Everyone here is sooooo excited for the reveal of the Black Boxes, but I think- Mmm, you know!"

Woman: "Pardon him, he gets all excited too easily. I am not sure how you still do not know but the main star of the bid is obviously going to be the Chi-Chi-Praganas!"

The woman rolled her eyes in glee.

Elizabeth: "Oh, okay. Thank you."

Man: "You're most welcome, dear!"

Elizabeth: [Okay, umm. That was weird. So either the couple really don't know about the Planetcracker, they are hiding it, or- Nah, too many options now. What the heck is a cheecheepregenasasaesefa-Nah.]

A man in a red suit walked up onto the main stage.

Speaker: "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. I do hope you have been enjoying yourselves this evening. As they say in Ecnarf, la vie es courte, so don't waste it. I am honoured to have all of you people here. From distinguished warlords to the high rolling pirate, we have come a long way. Here we are, aboard the Kygan, a monument to our achievements, a vessel which has eluded the eyes of the law and security forces for decades without fail. Our ship is impenetrable, and untraceable."

Elizabeth almost burst out into laughter.

Elizabeth: [Tall chamber. Centralised lights that work by reflecting the rays out through crystalline balls. Second floor balconies overlooking the main hall. Ten exit points. Four ventilation shafts. Lots and lots of gear I could use. And lots of armed guards too.]

Speaker: "Tonight has been a long night. Since hours ago, we have been auctioning a large array of items that you won't find anywhere else."

Elizabeth: [According to the schematics on the fire escape plans, the main auditorium chamber is connected to the casino galley and the small-ship's cargo bay. The second floor balconies on the map should not exist, though the room on the map used to be a vault. The vault has moved.]

Speaker: "And for those of you who..."

Elizabeth: [There's the weirdo by the side.]

Elizabeth discreetly held her watch transponder up. The transponder detected a sensor-dampened area just below the main stage.

Elizabeth: [Bingo. New vault. Stupid architects.]

Waiter: "Miss, would you like a glass of Ymarr-imported blue wine?"

Elizabeth: "Oh, thank you, but I am trying not to get drunk tonight."

W: "Yes, miss, but Ymarric alcohol is known for their inability to get people drunk. Plus there is no day or night on a ship in space, yes?"

E: "Of course. I'll have a glass then."

W: "One fine glass, coming up."

Speaker: "Remember, the main highlight of the auction happens later tonight in an hour's time. So be there, and au revoir!"

Elizabeth: [Au revoir indeed. Whatever that is. Okay, I got an hour's time. I could either locate the cloaking mainframe and get Eva in, search the area for a way to infiltrate the vault, or just stay and observe the weirdo.]

"Hey beautiful!"

Elizabeth: "Excuse me?"

Woman: "You've been blanked out there for quite a while, thinking of your last kill?"

E: "Well... I uhh..."

W: "No need to be shy. Everyone here is the same. There are no pigs here to arrest us. The last time a cop tried to board the Kygan I heard he got vacuumed! How was your last kill?"

E: "I... Think I shot someone with an arrow."

W: "Ooh, a primal warrior huh. I last stabbed a child in the guts and watched the father cry."

Elizabeth felt a storm brewing in her heart.

W: "Oh, all of us here are really efficient killers. Thousands of years of human evolution has taught us how to be the better predator, even amongst ourselves. The strong lives."

E: "The strong lives, indeed."

Elizabeth walked away, the fire burning stronger as she overheard more people lamenting on their cruel deeds.

The Kygan's fate was sealed.