Star Law: A Marshal Cole Series

Chapter 31 (c)

As the countdown began, people began milling closer to the stern pressure doors of Central Plaza. Not too close mind you. Experience from the fire in this section made everyone aware how loud the doors were when moving. Not to mention the flashing lights and warning alarms. The smell of smoke was still in the air to remind people and the scrubbers continued to filter it out. It was probably going to take work back at Arcturus to do that. Many plants that grew in Central Plaza were burned up in the fire. Vegetation was a proven way to pull carbon dioxide in and produce oxygen out. It reduced humidity and created a scent that was natural. Help from the ship's scrubbers kept dust and other contaminants down to the point that the ship's atmosphere was generally pleasant.

Air was precious in space. As ship security, Volks' job was to ensure the safety of the crew and passengers and all that entailed. The terror among many over the fire was palpable. The explanation of what happened only partly assuaged people. Even crew called it The Phenomena. He knew better and was aware that it could happen again. With that in mind, he kept an eye on his suspect and discreetly had the heel of his hand rest on his gun hilt.

The warning signal from the klaxon sounded and the doors began to slowly rumble open while lights flashed. People began to stir readying themselves to depart and then with a loud thunk the doors were open. A computer voice told people they could proceed through the passage. People headed out of Central Plaza on the right and filed on the left. Volks eyed everyone carefully; crew members and passengers alike. A few people hung about after the initial flurry. Others passed through the passage in and out. This was the nature of this deck though. Day and night cycles were just a function of a primarily human ship. There were a number of sentient species aboard who were nocturnal and preferred to be out when night lighting settings were in place aboard ship. This is what he was seeing now; still many humans but other humanoid and non-humanoid species coming out.

The rendezvous time drew near and Volks looked over indirectly over at Diaz. He used the pillar as cover as he was certain he'd be recognized by face. Out of uniform, he blended in. It was why he was so good at undercover work. However, his prey was a pro and he kept a distance that he normally wouldn't have afforded other subjects. 

Volks  awaited the arrival of Goroshenko. He knew what the man was supposed to look like but knew that he must have had effective ways of avoiding surveillance and being recognized.When a Koranthan monk appeared, Volks was already looking beyond to the next person. He was completely taken aback when the monk clutched his chest and began to sink to his knees. He was even more shocked when the monk pulled off his head cloak. It was Goroshenko! And the man appeared to be having a heart attack.

The commotion in the entrance had everyone's attention. Volks quickly looked over to Diaz who was still partially obscured by the pillar. What he did notice was the man's hand opening and closing and following that line of sight, he could see Goroshenko twisting in agony at the movement and clutching his heart. Son of a bitch! Diaz is causing this!

Instinctively, Volks drew his gun but before he could even fire a shot, Diaz fired off two shots with bullets hitting the chair where he'd just been sitting. Either Diaz's own instincts came into play or the man knew he was being followed. It didn't matter. What did matter were bullets on a starship. It was insanity. Volks squeezed off three shots with his pulse Garva 9 Pulse pistol. Pieces of the pillar shattered and splintered where Diaz was taking cover raining down pieces on him.

The energy pulse pistol Volks used packed quite a punch and could stun, kill and cause burn and combustive damage but its energy was dispersed against pressure doors, outer walls and viewscreens. This was not true of Diaz's weapon. Armour piercing rounds had the possibility of penetrating the hull.

Volks heard two more shots being fired off and could see they were being aimed at Goroshenko who lay prone. Horn and Miguel were trying to pull the big man to safety. Bullets were striking near them. There was still no clear shot to take but he fired into the pillar instead sending shards towards Diaz which caused him to take cover.