Iain Nicholls
Chapter Two: Scratch My Back
For nearly 500 years the Red Line Army was a force created by every major galactic empire with two goals, keep people from trespassing in Forbidden Space for fearing it would cause the Titans to return and to prepare for the inevitable day the Titans return. Nine years ago they did return, this started the Great War for Forbidden Space, it was a long bloody, brutal war but in the end the Titans were pushed back forever leaving the Red Line Army with no purpose. Many of their members left the Line and started new lives else were in Known Space while the rest were given a chunk of Forbidden space to call their own and the Red Line Army became a military galactic empire unto themselves.
After a few days travelling through hyperspace, watching Mage dramas and napping, Krystal reaches the border of Red Line Space. She explains to the border patrol who she is, giving them her old Red Line security ID as proof. They ask what business she has in Red Line Space and she informs them that she wishes to go see the Grand Admiral. Knowing her by reputation they know what trouble she is capable of so they grant her permission to enter. She continues onto the Red Line Empire’s capital planet.
Krystal walks along the long path that leads to the capital building with giant coulombs framing the path, thinking to herself, this is not the army I joined. Once inside the building she marches her way strait through the interconnecting hallways as if she owns the place, most of the people inside ether know who she is by legends or knew her personally, all are just stunned that she is back. She reaches the Grand Admiral’s office and slams the intricate, decadent twin doors open, stomping her way into Grand Admiral Conner’s office, with a stern look on her face ready to tear the place apart if they don’t give her what she wants. The Admiral sits in his large red chair doing his best to act like he is the one in the power position here, while four of his guards follow Krystal into the room.
“I’m a busy man so I am going to cut right to the chase. What brings you back here?” Conner questions, not lifting his head from what he is doing.
“Show some respect and lift your head when you talk to me! The heart the Line made Kit is failing. I need you to make him a new one, with these specifications.” Krystal says forcefully throwing down a medical pad on his desk.
“That’s no small request but as luck would have it I have a request for you. You accept mine and I will accept yours.” Grand Admiral Conner offers looking her in the eyes.
“And what is it that you want from me?” Krystal asks suspiciously.
“Some time ago a piece of Titan tech was stolen from us and we would like it back. I have sent several teams in search of it but none have returned. Retrieve the device and a new heart will be waiting here for you, deal?” Grand Admiral Conner offers confidently.
“Deal!” Krystal says without a moment’s hesitation.
“Excellent, I will have everything we have on the case sent to your ship immediately. Now if you don’t mind I’m busy.” Grand Admiral Conner replies.
“You better! Test me and I will rip your head from your body and repaint this room with your blood so it matches that chair of yours.” Krystal threatens staring deep into his sole.
Krystal turns around sharply shoving the guards out of her way.
“This place used to be a symbol of strength, now it just looks ridicules and weak.” Krystal says as she leaves the room slamming the door behind her.
Once back on board her shuttle Krystal sets the autopilot to take her out of Red Line Space while she reads over the “intelligence” she was given, which is not much. They identified the thief as known Mage thief for hire Martin but their “intelligence” suggests he has long since given the item in question to his employer. They also included visual information on the stolen item which appears to be some sort of box but no information on what it actually is.
Krystal’s shuttle is just a mass produced long range shuttle. She knows that if she was to get into a fight she would not last long so decides to ask an old friend for a favour. She sends a message to her friend organising a meet at the nearby space station Haven with her request.