station.
“Have to get to HQ!”
The Estes Park public MAT pod station had a wait — a long wait. “Tourists!” Dana grumbled. She used her voice-badge to call in to the Medical Center East controller. “Computer? Doctor Cartwright here, can you MAT me back to Patriarchs? The public system is bogged down.” Being a doctor had its perks. The computer system quickly complied with the request.
The pub overflowed with bodies. She took the only vacant stool at the bar and ordered another of Taylor’s specialties.
He gave her a grin. “Welcome back.”
Dana nodded. Over the din, she asked, “What’s with the crowds?”
“Oh, the Meeting of the Masters. They’ll clear out shortly, since we’re not showing it on the big-screen. Opening ceremonies just ended and now the matches are starting.”
“I never realized it was such a big deal.” Dana gladly sipped the drink Taylor set before her. It went down gently and soothed away much of the agitation she was feeling.
Taylor brought her up to speed on the event. “Only happens every ten years. Kind of like the Galactic Olympics for Martial Arts. First time Earth is hosting at Capitol City and not at the San Diego academy. Tons of dignitaries here. Hundreds of ambassadors and…”
As Taylor predicted, the pub emptied as the chronograph clicked closer to the top of the hour.
“No wonder the public MAT stations are on overload.”
Without warning, a man materialized at Dana’s elbow. She let out a startled gasp. “Colonel Sierra! You scared me.”
“Doctor! Good!”
Dana groaned. “Good?”
“There’s been a security breach,” the Galaxean told her.
“Another one?”
It was his turn to frown — well, as close to a frown as Galaxeans come to frowning.
“Apparently. There were five hits on your personnel file.”
“Why am I not surprised? Let’s see: Admiral Cartwright, Doctor Garcia, Inspector Regis, you and…Who else? Kieran?”
He shook his head. “We’re working on it.”
“So, you’re here to warn me?” She needed another drink.
“No, Ma’am. I’m here because Colonel Jai believes you are in danger.”
Dana looked around at the few remaining patrons, looked to Taylor behind the bar and then back at Colonel Sierra, squinting with her brown eye. “Care to explain?”
“Your apartment has been ransacked. I went there first.”
She downed the last of her drink. “Thanks, Taylor. Put it on my tab,” she called, backing Colonel Sierra away a step after stepping on his toes. “Let’s go.”
He did the honors, requesting a transfer, using his voice-badge and clout.
Dana inspected everything as she righted wall paintings and stacked a few mementos. “What were they looking for?” She wondered surveying the mess, while using a cleaning cloth to mop up spilled coffee and salt all over the kitchen counter tops. Then she ventured up to the loft bedroom, quickly moving to hang up a few civilian clothing pieces in the closet, which had been strewn about the floor. “What a mess! Nothing appears to be missing, however.”
“Perhaps it was just a warning,” Sierra remained at her side, after verifying no one remained within.
“Lots of fingerprints,” Dana pointed to the padlet beside her bed. “I’m always careful to wipe the screen down after I use it. These are fresh.”
“Mind if I take this?” Sierra carefully lifted the tablet computer for inspection then offered, “May I suggest you spend a few days elsewhere -- somewhere secure but unfamiliar.”
She scoffed, “And just where would that be?”
He declined to say, but touched his voice-badge. “Two to Base.”
They materialized on an open platform.
“Welcome to SSID-HQ, Doctor Cartwright.” Sierra pointed to the railing.
She took it all in from the reception level — or, more accurately, the observation deck two stories above an expansive hub — the command and control center for all of Earth’s intelligence agencies.
“Do I have clearance for
“Have to get to HQ!”
The Estes Park public MAT pod station had a wait — a long wait. “Tourists!” Dana grumbled. She used her voice-badge to call in to the Medical Center East controller. “Computer? Doctor Cartwright here, can you MAT me back to Patriarchs? The public system is bogged down.” Being a doctor had its perks. The computer system quickly complied with the request.
The pub overflowed with bodies. She took the only vacant stool at the bar and ordered another of Taylor’s specialties.
He gave her a grin. “Welcome back.”
Dana nodded. Over the din, she asked, “What’s with the crowds?”
“Oh, the Meeting of the Masters. They’ll clear out shortly, since we’re not showing it on the big-screen. Opening ceremonies just ended and now the matches are starting.”
“I never realized it was such a big deal.” Dana gladly sipped the drink Taylor set before her. It went down gently and soothed away much of the agitation she was feeling.
Taylor brought her up to speed on the event. “Only happens every ten years. Kind of like the Galactic Olympics for Martial Arts. First time Earth is hosting at Capitol City and not at the San Diego academy. Tons of dignitaries here. Hundreds of ambassadors and…”
As Taylor predicted, the pub emptied as the chronograph clicked closer to the top of the hour.
“No wonder the public MAT stations are on overload.”
Without warning, a man materialized at Dana’s elbow. She let out a startled gasp. “Colonel Sierra! You scared me.”
“Doctor! Good!”
Dana groaned. “Good?”
“There’s been a security breach,” the Galaxean told her.
“Another one?”
It was his turn to frown — well, as close to a frown as Galaxeans come to frowning.
“Apparently. There were five hits on your personnel file.”
“Why am I not surprised? Let’s see: Admiral Cartwright, Doctor Garcia, Inspector Regis, you and…Who else? Kieran?”
He shook his head. “We’re working on it.”
“So, you’re here to warn me?” She needed another drink.
“No, Ma’am. I’m here because Colonel Jai believes you are in danger.”
Dana looked around at the few remaining patrons, looked to Taylor behind the bar and then back at Colonel Sierra, squinting with her brown eye. “Care to explain?”
“Your apartment has been ransacked. I went there first.”
She downed the last of her drink. “Thanks, Taylor. Put it on my tab,” she called, backing Colonel Sierra away a step after stepping on his toes. “Let’s go.”
He did the honors, requesting a transfer, using his voice-badge and clout.
Dana inspected everything as she righted wall paintings and stacked a few mementos. “What were they looking for?” She wondered surveying the mess, while using a cleaning cloth to mop up spilled coffee and salt all over the kitchen counter tops. Then she ventured up to the loft bedroom, quickly moving to hang up a few civilian clothing pieces in the closet, which had been strewn about the floor. “What a mess! Nothing appears to be missing, however.”
“Perhaps it was just a warning,” Sierra remained at her side, after verifying no one remained within.
“Lots of fingerprints,” Dana pointed to the padlet beside her bed. “I’m always careful to wipe the screen down after I use it. These are fresh.”
“Mind if I take this?” Sierra carefully lifted the tablet computer for inspection then offered, “May I suggest you spend a few days elsewhere -- somewhere secure but unfamiliar.”
She scoffed, “And just where would that be?”
He declined to say, but touched his voice-badge. “Two to Base.”
They materialized on an open platform.
“Welcome to SSID-HQ, Doctor Cartwright.” Sierra pointed to the railing.
She took it all in from the reception level — or, more accurately, the observation deck two stories above an expansive hub — the command and control center for all of Earth’s intelligence agencies.
“Do I have clearance for
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