Edge of the Stars

Chapter 6

"I want everything downloaded; I'm labeling this as crucial evidence." 

"Sir, there's already something in the port." Both Piers and Daniel craned their necks to get a better look.

"Pull it out and insert your own. It won't hurt to have a back-up copy of this video." Piers did as he was told. He handed Daniel the chip and got to work. Daniel slipped it in his  breast pocket. 

"Emily, alert Claire and the other teams."

"Yes, sir!"

"What should we do with the body?" Miranda's was the question Daniel dreaded. He took a deep breath and steeled his nerves.

"Call for a clean-up crew." He answered simply. "Keith, I want all of this in our report."

"Yes, sir." 

Piers worked on the download. Keith began writing the report. Emily and Miranda paged the Legacy. Daniel, now standing in the middle of the hallway, did the only thing he could think to do: call his sister. Using his comm, he opened their private channel. She answered immediately.

"Daniel, I received a message about what you guys found. Are you okay?" Claire asked, concern clear in her voice. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine."

"Daniel, please, I know you're not. If you want to talk about it-"

"I said I'm fine. I need to be fine. Not just for my sake, but for theirs." Daniel released a shaky breath. "I've ordered my team to collect all of the evidence we've found. How's it going on your end?"

"So far, we've found more distress calls that were sent out, and a couple of ID badges that granted us access to a couple laboratories on this floor. Each lab was the same: files were missing on the terminals, equipment ripped off of shelves and desks, samples and other materials were taken as well." 

"They researching stranteium here, weren't they?"

"Yeah, they were. Every sample is gone." Claire winced. Daniel cursed under his breath. 

"We need to figure out why Apollo is obsessed with stranteium. The sooner the better."

"That's why we're here, isn't it? I'll see you back at the rendezvous point."

I.

The trip back to the Legacy was a somber one. For many, it was their first experience dealing with the brutality Apollo was capable of. Hearing stories and reading news reports were one thing; seeing it firsthand was a league of its own. Daniel sat strapped down into his seat, clutching the support straps with tight fists. The image of Myra's lifeless body would haunt him for the rest of his life.

"Captain?" Emily's voice brought him out of his own head.

"Yes?"

"There are plenty of therapists aboard the Legacy, in case you need to talk about what happened." Her gentle reassurance, Daniel had to admit, was nice to hear.

"I appreciate your concern, I really do. But I'm doing this mission on borrowed time; I can't afford to spare a single second."

"I understand. In that case, then, remember that you aren't alone. We're here for you, Captain."

"Thank you, Emily." The quiet settled once more. Daniel noticed his grip had loosened. 

II.

"Captain on deck!" Elias shouted. Everyone jumped from their seats and saluted Daniel as he entered.

"At ease." Daniel rummaged through his pocket and pulled out the data chip Piers had found. He approached Elizabeth, swallowing thickly.