Harkman, Rahdron, Merriwater

[Michael Hobbar]

Isabella took another sip of her tea as watched more people go by. Being on another stake out was a real pain, but it was much better then filling out paper work. The side walk was very crowded, currently sitting at a table outside a cafe, it was now lunch time which explained the crowd but no sign of her target at all. Being part of the Merriwater military also required them to double as a police function..which is what she did most of the time. She was in regular street clothes and wore a light aqua t shirt with khaki shorts and black street shoes...personally she hated to wear this kind of stuff but her superiors said she'd be harder to spot.


Her hair was up in a bun, it was jet black. She also had beautiful baby blue eyes, not her natural color brown. She had a very smooth looking face and had pink lip gloss. At age 31 she looked great. "Silva....check out the man across from you wearing a brown jacket with long black pants, he's wearing a viewer . Is that our guy?" her partner James Oliver asked her over the radio. She looked across from her vantage point towards the man he was describing. The man was sitting down eating his salad and was wearing special glasses known as viewers. Viewers were solid white glasses that allowed people to chat to one another using a virtual keyboard simply by thinking what keys they were touching, and it as also connected to the space net. All hands free of course. "Negative." she said over the piece.


"Dammit. When is this bastard gonna show?" he said. "Dunno." Isabella put the cup to her lips and said "Keep the chatter to a minimum, we don't wanna attract attention." she told him. She looked to her right and saw a person walking very fast down the side walk, towards her. "Got a potential suspect....eighty percent this is our guy." she said. "Alright, move in." another voice on the radio said. "Copy Liam." Isabella said as she got up and started to walk towards the man. The man was wearing a grey sweat shirt and had long sweat pants. He was carrying a silver suit case in his left hand and was nervous looking behind him constantly.


As she walked towards him another woman moved towards him as he passed one of the tables outside, she was wearing similar clothes to what Isabella had on. The man suddenly started to run as he realized that he was being watched. He pushed people out of his way people began to scream. Isabella ran after him as he passed her, she felt alive whenever these bastards made a break for it. He knocked over a chair and Isabella jumped up to miss it. He made it to the end of the side walk when a dark blue car suddenly pulled up and another person got out. The man was taken down by the man from the car, his face in the street. "Aw come on man..I didn't do nothing!" the man shouted. "Good work James." Cathrine said as her and Isabella ran up to the undercover car. "Get in the car." James said as he opened the door. "I didn't do nothing! That suitcase is for a friend." the man shouted. Cathrine had on a black tank top and a jacket with leather skin tight pants and stylish boots. She also had tattoos across her neck that no one except her could make out since it was in Mandarin. Her green hair was all the way down to her waistline, she had pink nails and had quite the body for a 30 year old



James grabbed the suitcase which was on the sidewalk, and he opened it up. Inside the suit case were small viles of blue liquid, the entire suitcase was full of them and syringes. "I'll never understand why people take Xal." Isabella said looking at the suitcase. Xal was a liquid drug that when injected sent people on psychedelic trips..and also had a death rate of 55 percent...just taking it once was enough to kill someone. But people still did it. "Because it's a high content low cost drug." Cathrine said. Cathrine had green hair that was shoulder length and had tattoos all over her neck. "I'm just saying...you can get synthetics and it's legal. It won't kill you." Isabella said. "Oh sure but it's expensive." James said and put the suitcase in the back trunk of the car.

"I'll drive and take this bastard in..you two should have some lunch. " James said as he got into the car. "Yeah but we don't have lunch till another hour." Isabella said. "I'll come up with something, besides what are they gonna do? Fire you?" James said and laughed as he pulled up the window. He then turned on the car which was powered by hydrogen and drove off leaving Cathrine and Isabella alone.


"Where do you wanna get lunch." Cathrine said as her and Isabella walked away from the cafe outside. "Well we could go out to eat...but I like to eat at your place." Isabella said. Cathrine smiled. "What?" she asked. "Oh nothing, come on Isabella when are you going to invite me to your place... we've been friends for five months now and we always eat at my place." she said. "You really want to see my place?" Isabella said. "Honey, we've become friends it's about time I know where you live." Isabella looked at her friend, "Well alright. But only because you told me so." she said and stopped for the cross walk.


Fifteen minutes later they were outside Isabella's apartment door. "Your not going to like it." she said as she opened the door with her card key. The door slid open and Isabella walked inside her apartment going to turn on the holotelevision. The apartment was actually quite nice, the main area was a couch that was pure white with a small dining area behind it, it had two chairs and they were also white. The kitchen was to the immediate left of Cathrine, it was modest it had a fridge, instant wave and oven, plus a stove top. Clothes were scattered throughout the place. Isabella started to go through her cabinets trying to find something to eat but most of them turned out to be empty.


Cathrine walked towards the holotelevision which had the ISN special about the alien ruins on Mars. It'd been running into the next day. Cathrine sat down, the viewing room had a small table to place things and a grey carpet. She saw clothes scattered throughout the place and started to pick those up. Isabella turned around with two tomato sandwiches in her hands and laughed. "Are you picking my clothes up?" and smiled. "Yes..yes I am." she told Isabella. Isabella walked over to the table and put the sandwiches down. "Come on lunch is served." she told Cathrine.


Cathrine had a lot of clothes in her arms and Isabella laughed as she looked up. "Those go in my room, to your far right. Open the door and just throw them in there." she said. Cathrine went down the short hallway and opened the door to Isabella's room. The room was modest with a grey bed and one window to the outside..it was once again a mess, Cathrine just put the clothes in the hamper...which was also full. As Isabella watched Cathrine come back she took another bite. "Is that why you didn't want me to see your apartment? It's actually better then most other ones that I've seen. Debra's was much worse." she said.


"Umm. Ok." Isabella said in a strange voice. What was going on. "So why did you really want to eat lunch in my place." Isabella asked. "Well...I just wanted to see where you lived. You've been over to my place how many times now?" she said. "Hey what do you think of those Mars ruins?" she asked Isabella. Cathrine bit into her sand which, but Isabella motioned for her to speak first "I think it's really cool. Knowing that something was here before ourselves. I bet the military will get some good advances with whatever they find in there." Cathrine said. "Well how about you? You don't think it's amazing do you?" Cathrine said and took another bite. "Eh it's cool but...I mean whoever built it is dead. Think about it why haven't we met any space faring species? Sure we've met native animals but those don't count in my book. Once we discover a space faring star nation then I'll be impressed." she said. Cathrine said "So we've met other aliens what about this?" she said "Yeah but still that was a space faring race. Whoever built it had to come across to our star system...there aren't any native species except Terran's in Sol. Someone else from outside came in." Cathrine said. "Like I said I'll believe it when we meet someone else, right now I'm not so impressed." "Who knows maybe they were friends once. I'd be happy to meet them, I've always believe in the ancient astronaut theory myself. " Cathrine parted her green hair as it got into her face. "What?" Isabella said.

Cathrine said. "To be honest I believe that aliens came down and some how helped humans, gave us tools, mathematics, written language. The Sumerians were a good example. It...it's just there." Cathrine said. Isabella said and bit into her sand which and listened for the next hour about this theory

The two women finished their sandwiches and as they got ready to leave, Isabella was putting a new shirt in her room and the door was closed. As she pulled the shirt over her eyes she saw Cathrine writing something down on a piece of paper. Walking out, Cathrine put the paper in her pocket as the two walked outside Isabella's apartment. The two friends began to say their goodbyes as Cathrine decided to take a taxi back to the station. As Isabella said good bye, Cathrine went to Isabella's ear and whispered "Meet me at Garden Asteroid if you want to know more." in a sexy voice. Isabella blushed and Cathrine gave her a piece of paper that had the address of the place, which was a club downtown. It also had Cathrine's personal not work communicator, spacenet information, and a heart. The taxi drove away and Isabella smiled knowing what had just happened: Cathrine was a lesbian and was asking her out, Isabella accepted and couldn't stop thinking of her for the rest of the day.

[Michael Hobbar]

6/13/3358
2256 hours

"I'm telling you. I don't know nothing!" he said to the cop. "Then tell us why we found at least twenty five viles of Xal in that briefcase. Who is Armeno Kushre? We tapped into the log of your net phone Phil. We know that you know who this guy is. You wouldn't of had the Xal on you if you didn't receive a call from Kushre!" James slammed his fist on the metallic table. "Who is Kushre?!" he asked him again. James, Cathrine and Phil were in one of the narcotic interrogation rooms in the police department. The two had worked it down to a science to get the information that they would need. "Your facing multiple charges Phil." Cathrine said to him. He was sitting down in a metal chair, the room was actually quite large for at least ten people to sit inside. The table had at least six chairs around it for people to sit in.


"Armed Robbery, trafficking narcotics, false identification band, carrying a handgun. And that is just from this one arrest, you still have another case pending against you. Your looking to spending your time in jail for at least ten years. Unless we work out a deal." Cathrine told him, she walked slowly around the table. "Then tell us something and we can get the city attorney to do something. Who is he Phil? It's not worth anything to go to prison while this bastard is sitting nice and pretty at home eating a excellent meal while you have slop in prison." James said as he took a seat across from him. "You don't really want to get involved." Phil told him. Phil had short red hair and green eyes. He still had on the same clothes that he was arrested in.


"Oh why not? Afraid of someone coming to keep your mouth shut?" James asked. "No, man it's not just me who'll pay but the entire group of people. You really want to know who this Kushre is. Guess I'll tell you on a condition." he said. "Shoot." Cathrine said she walked behind him. "I want my sentence reduced to half. Other then that I won't say a damn thing." he told them. "Ok, we'll talk to the city attorney about your reduced sentence." Cathrine said. "Armeno Kushre is the head of the major drug operations in Harkman. He's connected to some very powerful politicians not just here on Rahdron but also on Earth. Why do you think Speaker Patel has cut the budget for police across the Republic. Here's how it goes down: Armeno get's a call from someone, I don't know who but he get's a call from that person who then tells him that a new shipment of illegal drugs are on it's way. The illegal shipment lands at Rommel spaceport where the handlers are paid to pass the inspection. Armeno then calls me and others to pick up this contraband."


He smirked as he went on. "Then we go at a place to drop off the drugs. Always a different place to, he never meets us face to face. No one is there to receive it." he said. "What if someone else get's it?" Cathrine asked. "It's rarely happened but let's just say it's taken care of. Then fifteen minutes later he'll call me telling the pick up was a success. A day later someone knocks on my apartment door and hands me a bag full of credits. Then the cycle repeats. As far as the politicians go here is what I do know."






Isabella was waiting on the other side of the room and watched the suspect Phil being taken away by uniformed police. James walked in first followed by Cathrine. "Well it seems like we're going to have out hands full." she said to the both of them. "I just wonder what the captain is going to say about this. Come on let's go and tell him." James said as the three of them continued to walk outside of the room. The trio passed by multiple desks full of people sitting who were either calling someone, suspects around the room were sitting in chairs handcuffed or being led by someone to another part of the police station.


Joshuah Calvin was writing something down when James knocked on the door. "Enter!" he said loudly. Entering his office, James noticed that the office was probably under going a change since many things were in boxes. Pictures, paper, files were in boxes around him. The three decided to stand since he had no chair. "We just got done interrogating Phill, he's told us some very good information." James started to say but Joshuah put his hand up.


Joshuah had short brown hair and had a great big black mustache. His nose was very large and his eyes were a dark brown. "I recorded and played the interrogation. I know what was said. Let's check police records for any hint of this Armeno character. I want to arrest him and see where it could lead us. Besides arresting him would put a strain on the volume of drugs coming to the city. James, check our records for any hit of Armeno get me something by the end of the week. Cat and Isabella you file your report on what was said. I want those reports by tomorrow morning at eleven. The three of you can have the rest of the night off." he told them and went back to his mundane work.


Isabella walked out into the parking lot. She was hoping to get at least a few hours sleep before she had to turn in her report. Luckily she got it done before Cathrine did. Isabella was carrying paperwork in her hands because she had gotten behind a little and decided it'd be best she did it in her free time. Her right hand was carrying a briefcase while her left hand was trying to balance paper that was beginning to become unstable. As she neared her car she felt a brief gust of wind and it sent her papers going everywhere across the ground. She opened her car door and threw her briefcase and papers into her passenger seat and slammed the driver side door. She started to pick up the pieces of paper. Reaching for them she put them into her hand and was about to grab another when someone else reached for them.

"Your always dropping something aren't you?" the voice said as Isabella looked up. It was Cathrine who looked like she was beginning to head home as well. "I'm the clumsy one in my family, Jorge on the other hand is probably worse then me." she said and laughed as Cathrine handed her the papers. "Your going home as well huh?" she asked Isabella. "Oh yeah, hopefully I'll get a few hours sleep. So what are you gonna do? Go home as well?" she asked. "Yeah, hey Isabella. Look what James found." she said and pulled out a file. "Armeno was a cop three years ago. That's all that has been on record so far as James can tell right now. Strange huh?" Isabella said. "Yeah really strange. But why would a cop do this? Unless he's getting paid underneath the table while he was in the force." she said. "I don't know. Don't forget, Saturday we have those practice drills to do." Cathrine said. "Oh I wasn't going to forget that." Cathrine said. Being a policeman also meant she was in the Rahdron military.


"This is for you." Cathrine said and pulled out a piece of fancy paper. Isabella took it and opened up the folded letter. It was an invitation for a three day trip to the Hushkale mountain spa. It was a spa for relaxation.....but also a romantic get away. "Are you asking me out?" Isabella asked. Cathrine stepped closer. "Yes." and suddenly and without warning locked lips with Isabella. Isabella dropped the paper and kissed her back. "Well that was quite the surprise now wasn't it? Sure I'll go out with you." Isabella said happily. She began to laugh. "You waited this long? Sorry if I couldn't meet you at that club, I'll see you tomorrow morning Cathrine. Night."


As Isabella drove home she smiled again, she couldn't believe that Cathrine had asked her out!

[Michael Hobbar]

6/13/3358
0743


Cathrine knocked on the door hard and waited for a response. "Oh great, now you made them pissed, great work Cat." James said next to her. "You know, it won't matter, this is a first lead to finding where Armeno is." she said. Isabella didn't say anything. If there was a rule among the three, it was to never get into a fight between Cathrine and James. Because both of them would kick your ass. "Just saying, you gotta be careful in the Birdle district." he said and looked around. They were in a bad part of Harkman, and this one was one of the worst. Not the number one worst but in the top ten. Drug dealers, prostitutes, both robotic and synthetic were frequent here. The area was known to have gangs but whenever a shoot out would occur no one talked. It was as if people in the Birdle area had a code all their own.


The first lead that they got was that Armeno had last been employed in this small eatery. The shops around were run down and there were not that many people. Birdle was more active at night during the day. "Ah I hope I'm not in trouble. " someone said behind them and the three of them turned around to see a middle aged man with dark brown hair coming up. "I don't allow drugs into the shop at all. If any of them does I make sure they don't come back at all, I call the police." He said as he went between them and slid his card to open up the door. "After you." he said and gestured for everyone to come inside. "Lights" Cathrine said as she walked into the shop and the lights went on. The eating joint wasn't much it only had a few booths and the counter was cleaned. "Sorry about getting in front of you earlier. I'm Joe, how can I help you all. " Joe said as he closed the door behind them. "Nice eatery you have here. I'm detective Isabella Silva, these are my fellow detectives, James Oliver and Cathrine Turner; A few years ago you employed a Armeno Kushe. We're looking for him. What can you tell us about him." Isaella asked as she approached him. "Armeno...ah Armeno he was a good assistant manager. Left about um, last year. Said he was going to go to take his pilot's license. When he was here he was a good guy. Stayed after hours to help clean up the diner." Bob walked over towards the bar. Isabella followed him.

He sat down on one of the stools next to the bar. Isabella sat down next to him. James was looking around the diner while Cathrine stood next to Isabella. "There was...there was only one incident. Three weeks before he left, a punk came in here saying Armeno owned him some money. Armeno was taking orders because the place was so packed. The Punk got into an argument, I can't remember what was said, because I was in the back in the kitchen. Armeno punched the punk in the face. That's when I came out and I told the punk to get out of my diner. Armeno was very upset and left for the rest of the day. I can't remember much but your free to ask." he said. "What did this gentleman look like? Are there any video cameras?" Isabella asked. "Yeah I have the video, kept it for insurance in case he came back and broke anything in the store so I had proof." Isabella nodded and that's when James said "Sir, did Armeno ever come back at all? It sounds like you two were pretty close." he said


"As a matter of fact, he didn't come here but I did speak to him a week ago when I was in the line to see a music concert. He looked different, sort of...I dunno scary looking? He has a beard now, it's got some strange style, to it I'd never could describe it. He also shaved all his hair off from his head. He also went to the concert and I asked him how his job was as a pilot. He told me that things were looking good. Never told me what that meant...that's all that I saw. But..." he said and walked behind the counter, "I do have an address from when he filled out his application to work here. I can't say he lives there anymore but it's all the stuff I have on him." Bob said. Bob gave the card to Isabella it was his work application file. "Thank you Mr?" "Travis, Bob Travis. If I can be anymore help please let me know." he said.

As Cathrine turned on the car, she noticed that the tank was almost empty. "Shit. Ok we gotta go to the water station." she told everyone. "Ok, in the mean time, I'll give this contact information back to the station." James said from the back seat. They drove four blocks before coming to the water station. During Earth's waning of oil many substitutes were tested for cars. And water was the preferred choice. Every planet vehicle whether military or civilian owned used water. Starships and ships that came down to the surface used Zhoullian a type of fuel found on asteroids and there was a over abundance of it.


As they drove up to the water station, there were only a few cars at the pumps. There was a large red roof over head with a large halographic sign advertizing the station. The little mini mart was very small and manned by a bored looking guy. As Cathrine was filling up the car, Isabella joined her. "Hey, when are we gonna go to that club." she asked. "Don't ask me now I don't wanna talk about it." she said in a soft voice. "Oh, well I'm sorry." Isabella said. "No honey it's just I don't want anyone else to know...except maybe ok, we can tell James. But I don't want anyone else at work to know. And to answer you, later tonight if we ever get some free time."

As Isabella sat back down, James said "Ok we're good to go right?" he said "Yeah..yeah. Hey um I gotta tell you something. But you can't tell anyone else...ok?" James leaned forward in his seat with curiosity. "What is it." "I'm seeing Cathrine, but don't tell a freaking soul.Especially the captain." she said. "Oh....that's news?" he said and laughed. "No it's cool." and patted her on the shoulder. "Alright let's get going." Cathrine said as she turned on the car.


Finding the apartment complex wasn't as easy as they'd hoped. They spend an hour trying to find it. When they finally found it, they were pulling up and parked. Getting out they started to go into the building. The hallway was dimly lit as they walked towards the apartment. James heard something to his left, the hallway split into a four way corridor and saw a suspicious looking person. He was holding some sort of bag with a brown substance inside. Isabella and Cathrine continued on down the hall towards the apartment. James however turned and started to walk towards the person. He had something and was hiding it. Walking up James approached cautiously and as he got closer he said "Sir,I'm a police officer can I ask you a few questions?" he said and when the man looked at him started to bolt. James ran after him follwing him throughout the hallway. Another person who had some groceries was knocked over by the suspect, James continued to run after the man.


He ran down a stairwell and James followed as best he could. This guy was good! Reaching for the door to the next level but still not off the last stair the man tripped and fell. James got on him . "Come here, come here! Your under arrest for posession of a suspicious substance and running from the police. Get your ass up! Get up come on! Your coming to the station with me..........

[Michael Hobbar]

6/29/3358
1947 hours

Cathrine always hated wearing earrings. But she wanted to look beautiful for her date with Isabella. She took one last look at herself, a simple black and white loose shirt with leather pants. And she dyed her hair purple yesterday since she got tired of the green. Cathrine's original color of her hair was a beautiful dark red. But most people saw a different color, usually every month. She heard a loud knock on her door and turned around from the mirror in the bathroom. She walked out of the bathroom and into the small hall that lead to her main room. Like Isabella she lived in a apartment a one bed room with a kitchen and bathroom. To her left was the kitchen that lead into the entertainment room. She only had a couch and a small holographic television. Across from her bathroom was the bedroom, which only had a small bed, dresser, lamp and a closet. Along the walls of the apartment were numerous pictures of her family, herself and the day she joined the Rahdron military.


As she neared the door her heart raced. Hopefully she looked pretty. Opening the door she saw Isabella standing there in a simple red shirt with grey pants. Nothing too flashy. "Well don't you look all dressed up?" Isabella said and had a smirk. Cathrine only laughed a little at what she said. “You look good yourself. “Isabella nodded and said “Come on.” She said. Together they walked out of the small apartment complex where Isabella had her car. Getting in the car was turned on and Isabella made a left onto the street. “Ok I’ll bite, where are you taking me?” Cathrine said. “Oh trust me Cathrine…you’ll have fun, oh you’ll have fun.” She said and looked at Cathrine before smiling. After going through some streets not really talking to one another, both of them were equally nervous. Isabella’s car pulled into a parking lot. Getting out of the car, Cathrine was then surprised. They were going to eat on the bay of Hudson. The restaurant that she had taken Cathrine too was an out doors restaurant . It looked like a large tiki hut. In the middle was bar with a fish tank in the middle. Around the resturaunt was a wrap around porch with multiple tables. “Isabella…you…you shouldn’t have.” She said and smiled. “Come on Cat.” Isabella replied and the two of them walked together. Finding a table was easy enough and shortly afterwards ordered their food. “So we’ve known each other for five months now. Why did you suddenly decide to ask me out on a date?” Isabella said and she brushed her hair with her right hand. “Oh…well it’s…kind of interesting.” She said and duck her head down before sipping on her tea. “Interesting? This will be good.” Isabella said. “When I first met you…I felt. Something inside me. I can’t explain it at all but something inside me lit up and a voice said ‘get her’ I know it’s crazy and most likely stupid but that’s all I can really say. And why did you decide to say yes?” Cathrine said trying to change the subject a little bit.

“Well I’ve always had boyfriends. But they were always cheating on me, that or they broke up with me. I’ve only had five. And I’ve never gone out with a woman before so this is all new to me. You could say I’m trying to come out of my comfort zone.” Isabella said. “Jorge always told me to try and get out of my comfort zone. So I’m taking it for once. Never thought in a million years I’d do this.” She said. “You never told me you had a brother.” Cathrine said.

“Oh I didn’t? Well I have a younger brother. Jorge is his name. He’s a trooper in the Special Drop Corps. Hell he’s probably on that big invasion in the Glaucus system. I hope it goes well.” She said. Communications had never been instant as they show in movies. And the first reports that the public was getting from ISN were the beach heads were secure, other than that nothing was known. To the public in general it was not that much of a concern. To the Inner colonists it was a small planetary war that wouldn’t effect them what so ever. But to the Outer colonists this was a large operation being carried out by the military. If the ARM could finally be destroyed or crippled in this campaign then it’d be worth it. Unlike Sol, communications reached Merriwater within four months. Sol would learn of the news in another two or four months it depended if the communication drones needed to be repaired or not. “He’s a great little brother….I lost our yearly bet on the races.” She said. “Races?” Cathrine asked. “Oh yeah every year we watch the race that they have in Sol and bet each other who will win. He won this year. I was sure that I’d win but it seems that wasn’t the case this year. My parents are on Hadamard and are both retired. Dad used to work as a representative for Human Corporation…mom worked for the city’s power plant….” Isabella said, she didn’t feel comfortable yet telling Cathrine about the death of her sister Olivia. Olivia had died a four years ago when a plague struck the planet. Strangely it had left the planet within two months. No vaccine had ever been found for the disease, Isabella didn’t even feel like thinking of the name of the disease. It had been too painful, just too painful to think about. …

“And what about you Cathrine? Surely the smart ass in you also has a family.” She said and smiled as she spoke. Cathrine was about to say something when the waiter came with their food. Both of them ordered sea food. The waiter waked away and as Cathrine ate she said. “Are you sure you really want to know about my family?” she said. “Well..yeah.” Isabella said as she put a large shrimp in her mouth. “Alright. “ she said and let out a long sigh, she sounded hesitant. “I grew up as an only child on Thallus in the Justin star system. Both of my parents were miners, we had a small apartment. Every evening I’d come home from school and brought my parents home another school report on my behavior. I guess it was around when I was twelve when this started. I can’t remember exactly which age it was. Anyways, I’d get into trouble with the teachers because I’d tell them that the math or reading was too easy and bitch at them. I was mean about it, nothing like I am now. Eventually when I was fifteen, mom had had enough and decided to send me to a specialist to see why I was acting out. I was eventually sent to a special mental institute. Don’t worry I’m not crazy or anything. Did you ever read about Project Dawn?” she asked.

“Project Dawn? Wasn’t that the experiment by the S.S. to try and unlock people who had specific physic abilities.” She said. “Almost, Isabella. Project Dawn was an operation by the S.S. to train kids to become physic soldiers. I was hooked up to many machines reading my brain waves every day. Every day they made me sit in a room with a doll in the center and try to make me pick it up. I couldn’t do it…they beat me.” Cathrine said and her voice became very low. “ After half a year of being in there…they released me. I had been sent home with a forged note from some made up specialist saying that I had a psychotic break down due to the poisonous gases in the atmosphere but that I was better all of the sudden. That was not true. I wasn’t qualified to be in that program, as a matter of face none of the kids knew about the project at the time. But at the time the program had been shut down by the Republican ministry of Health. This was because of a few deaths within the facility. I don’t know where it was but…it was located somewhere on the planet. Every day when I was there the routine became the same. We got up around four in the morning followed by a short breakfast.”

“Then at six we had to watch a series of films until ten. Each film was some how specifically connected to the brain, they told us that it would help our mental state accept our newly founds powers. Then after that came the drug shots, every day they would inject us with some sort of liquid drug. I don’t know what they were but some how it enhanced our capabilities. Then for the rest of the afternoon we’d then go and run trials to see if any of us had improved the following day. Trying to pick up objects, or read someone’s mind. Seven o clock we were sent to bed, lights out. Guarded by S.S. goons. I went through that hell for half a year Isabella, half a year.” She said and then looked down at the table. “I’d rather not talk anymore about it…perhaps some other time.” She said and slowly looked at Isabella. Isabella still shaken by what was said to her slowly nodded her head “Yeah, sure.” She said and looked up as she took another bite of her sautéed stuffed crab with cheese, cream spinach and a native fish Yukul. “I’m sorry for asking Cathrine…” she said in a low voice and looked down.


An hour later after they had finished eating the duo decided it would be nice to go and see the rest of the bay. Eventually they ended up on a board walk with many shops that were open selling items. They were walking past a store that only had a few customers inside it when Isabella saw something that caught her eye. She went into the store with Cathrine close behind her. Walking inside Cathrine saw that she was inside a sports store. There were many items on various shelves. Surfboards, fishing gear were first seen. Cathrine then was led by Isabella to an asile that had special suits. Each suit was a different color. Isabella quickly found a grey suit. It was almost like very tight leather but not quite. She held it over herself. “Well what do you think?” she asked Cathrine who had no idea what it was..except it was a suit. “Um….it’s nice?” she said not knowing what it was. “Really? This suit is nice. It’s for running in, the person wears it and as they run this suit cools you off with fluid inside it, some sort of gel. You can run faster in it. What you didn’t know what it was?” she said. “What? No sorry I’ve never seen a suit like that before. Besides I haven’t gone for a jog in a long time so I’m sort of out of date when it comes to buying things.” She said. “Oh…ok.” Isabella said. “I’ll be up front at the counter.” She said as Cathrine decided to stay behind and look at the other items.

A few minutes they were back on the board walk and the two spotted a small electronic holographic game of skeet ball. Isabella decided to take a shot., the game station was all on a projector and not that large. She grabbed one ball, she noticed that she only had three chances. The first time she got only 100 points. A little frown and she decided to try and go for the 5000 points. She only got 3000 points. Realizing that she only had one shot left, she threw the ball as far as she could and got the 5,000 shot. That added up to 8,300 points total. An extra round was called and she hit the 3000 mark which then added her total to 1,400 points. The game then asked what to make for a prize. Isabella thought hard and decided to have it make a holographic animated butterfly, that had the name of Cathrine on either wing. The prize came out of the slot and she picked up the small pebble. She then turned it on and it was a hologram of a Rusty tipped butterfly. She then realized that Cathrine had left. Looking around she saw that Cathrine was coming back with two vanilla ice cream cones. “What have you got there?” Cathrine said as Isabella held the animated butterfly. “It’s a prize, for you.” She said smiling. Cathrine inhaled happily and smiled as well. She loved it at how detailed it showed the wings, with the bright orange tips. “Thank you..thank you.” She said over and over again. The two ate their ice cream cones for the rest of the board walk.


Driving home it was raining heavily and nearly midnight . Isabella drove into the parking lot and got the umbrella out as Cathrine unbuckled herself. The car door opened and she saw Isabella who stood there smiling. Cathrine stood up and the two of them started to walk to the apartment complex. When they were outside Cathrine’s door she turned around. “Thank you I had an amazing time. Sorry if I couldn’t get into what happened when I was little…It’s just painful.” She said. “Oh I understand and-“ Isabella started to say before Cathrine started to kiss her. Isabella was shocked but went with it, she then heard the door open behind her. Isabella quickly opened her eyes to see that she was now inside Cathrine’s apartment. Cathrine continued to kiss her all the way to the bed room……………

[Creator]

7/12/3358
1018 Hours
Rommel Space Port, Harkman, Rahdron, Merriwater

James sipped his Hadamaraden coffee. Waiting in the terminal for three hours for Armeno Kushre to show up was becoming more and more unlikely. Two months ago he, Isabella and Cathrine had come across Armeno’s drug dealers. When they went to go to Armeno’s apartment they arrested one of his lieutenants who was the fifth in command of Armeno’s gang..or as he would call it “Business”. Today was the day when Armeno would be visiting Harkman, Rahdron’s planetary capital to discuss with some potential clients about expanding his trade here in the city. According to the lieutenant, Armeno had fourteen business’s running , four of them were based on Rahdron. The remaining were in the inner colonies. This was his only outer colonial business, police had tighter regulations here than on the inner colonies. And his shuttle was supposed to of landed three hours ago but according to the terminal’s enormous electronic sign it stated that it would land within an hour.

The terminal had many undercover narcotics officers here today. The terminal was enormous with twenty gates facing the crowd of people and numerous seats near the gats with boarding attendants. Beyond that were multiple small shops for people to buy over priced trinkets , food or other items. The local police department was outside the space port watching for any suspicious people who came and went. So far only one had proven to be part of the drug trade. James looked over his shoulder to his left and saw Isabella sitting dressed in one of the most tacky outfit’s he’d ever seen her wear. She was holding a tray of what looked like food and eating it, trying to look like another traveler waiting for their flight to arrive. He had no idea where Cathrine was, knowing her she was somewhere close bye. Originally the plan was to have all of the undercover cops have electronic communications. However the higher ups decided it’d be too risky as technology sometimes failed and the operation might be discovered.

So instead, every cop had to be within sight of each other in one way or another. James was about to take another sip of his coffee when he got a beep from his left hand on his communicator. The police had set up the terminal’s scanner to alert them when the suspect had entered the airport. Armeno had exited the terminal from where James was sitting from. Armeno was six feet tall, had blonde hair and had a pale complex, and a scar down his right eye. He could of gotten it healed, but he decided to keep it for some strange reason. Armeno walked past James as if he was just another traveler , he kept a look out for any potential body guards but couldn’t find anyone. After watching him get past the chairs and head into the crowd, Isabella got up and slowly followed him. James got up as well and noticed other cops were beginning to spot Armeno. They had to do this slowly and carefully otherwise he might go up and flee. Armeno then spotted something in one of the stores’ and paused to look at it. Then a woman in front of him walking past him with purple hair dropped her baggage spilling her clothes and other belongings onto the floor. Armeno got down on his knees and helped the woman pick up her things. “Thank you.” She said, “Oh your welcome mam.” He said smiling, “Thank you for making this easy.” She said again as under cover police officers surrounded them, hand guns drawn. Armeno then realized it was a trap and he couldn’t go anywhere. Slowly he put his hands up and looked at the numerous officers. “Aright, come here.” One of the officers said as he got behind him and placed handcuffs on the man, then with his hands behind him he was led away .

As Cathrine got up a hand on her shoulder was seen. “Well I guess we all know who loves the attention.” Cathrine smiled and saw Isabella standing there. “Oh stop it, I hate attention and you should know that better than anyone. If anything I bet James likes it.” She said as James walked up. James just smiled and said, “The local space port security will check out this guy for the next three days. Then he’s transferred over to us, geez you’d think it’d be backwards.” He said and with that Isabella nodded “It isn’t that bad…just means that we have lots of paperwork to write in the mean time and knowing our own luck it’ll take forever to complete.” She said. “It was too easy to me. I was expecting something to happen.” James said “Oh your never happy. What you need is a good drink…or women.” Cathrine said and laughed. “Eh…maybe. No I’m going to go back to the station and get started on that paperwork, it’ll be a few days before they give him to us any how and I don’t want to be behind. Ladies.” He said and turned to walk away, leaving Isabella and Cathrine there together.

Cathrine started to walk and Isabella followed. “So when did you tell your family?” she asked Isabella. “Tell them what. Oh that I’m dating you? Well that might be a problem, you see my family are devout Catholics, and I really don’t want to tell them.” She said and continued walking, around them there were travelers who had multiple bags, crying kids holding onto parents arms for dear life. “Come on Isabella you have to tell them sometime…besides they’ll find out eventually. And I’m sure they won’t mind it I mean you’re their only daughter now, and didn’t you say Jorge looked up to you?” she said. “Hmmm maybe I have nothing to be afraid of and if I send it now, Jorge might be able to get it around early August and then I’ll get a reply sometime in September from him. And my parents should get it around the same time. Hon, do you think I should make it with you?” Isabella said as the terminal doors opened to the outside. They then walked to their car. “I think if I was in it, it’d be too much, it’d be better for this to just be personal. What were you going to do it right now?” she said. “Yes it’d be better to do it right now and get it over with. Look I just want to tell my family, and if they accept me for who I am then all the better right?”


Three hours later, Isabella turned on her recording device. She dropped Cathrine off at a mall who was going to buy new clothes or something. She didn’t pay any attention to what Cathrine said , Isabella had to much to loose at the moment. She was sitting at a desk in her bedroom and had on a simple black and white blouse. Isabella for a few seconds was speechless but she had written down what she would say. And read it over and over before she finally memorized it. Would her family accept her for who she was? She’d know in September. “Hey Mom, Dad and Jorge. Just sending you guys a special letter , don’t worry I’m not sick or hurt. I’m fine and today we had a major break in a long running case. But I can’t say anything about it nor will I but let’s just say it’ll help decrease crime. No I’m sending this as a special message to you all because I’ve found someone. I’m going out with my partner who happens to be a woman. She is the sweest girl in the world, knows how to make me laugh and is there when I need her. She’s always suggesting new ideas for dates, and is accepting of who I am as a person. And I love her. I really do love her, she’s a great person and has become someone very close to me and I to her. Please, accept me for who I am. I’m still the same Isabella who likes to Tango in the early hours of the morning. I still love spicy food and even though Jorge hates me for it I still like the racer Schultz. I’m the same person as I was at the beginning of this message…but I’ve found out that I’m attracted to the same sex. It’s probably one of the reasons why I never dated a boy before even after College. I love you all so much you have no idea. I’ll see you later guys, love you!”

The recorder turned off and she quickly made two copies of each. Within three days they were off world with one heading towards Hadamarad while the other was sent to the Dauntless Fury, and even though she didn’t know it yet she would be getting a great reaction………

[Creator]

09/29/3358
2247 hours

Cathrine sat down on her couch to watch something on the television, or as people were it now as halographic vision. She preferred the latter term. Her apartment was actually large. It was a two bedroom, two bath with a kitchen and a living room. She was in the living room, which had her television, couch, love seat and one rocking chair. The coffee table in the middle was covered with fashion magazines. Cathrine had decided that this month she would not dye her hair and kept it red. It was a bright deep red, not orange. It was in a pony tail tonight, she had on a night gown and a robe. She was happy that she had some time to herself, for the past week she’d had a mountain of work on the Meader case. She wasn’t close at all to finding out who killed the laywer, but they had gotten a tip earlier today of who to speak to regarding the case. A loud knock came from her door that led to the apartment hallway.

“Who the hell is up at this hour.” She said and turned off the television. Cathrine then got up, passing her small kitchen which for the moment had a few dishes out. It had a fridge, a instant wave and oven. It also came with a stove top. There also was a picture of Cathrine and Isabella posing as they were both about to orbit dive, hanging on the wall. Looking out at the video feed, she saw it was Isabella who was damp, soaking wet, Her hair was a mess and there were a few wet places on the carpet. Cathrine barely opened up the door halfway when Isabella hugged her tightly crying loudly. Closing the door shortly afterwards, and still embraced by a very frantic Isabella she remained silent. Isabella kept repeating herself “I have no family anymore, I don’t exist! “ She said this for a few moments before Cathrine led her to the couch. Isabella sat down still crying hard. “Shhhh. Shhhh . It’s ok. Shhh.” Cathrine repeated over and over again. Finally there seemed to be silence between both of them. Cathrine then looked at Isabella, she was soaking wet still. “Stay right there hon.” Quickly getting up and going into one of her rooms , Isabella closed her eyes tightly. Still silently sobbing to herself. What happened!

“Here” Isabella opened her eyes and saw that Cathrine had gotten her fresh dry clothes and a towel. “The bathroom’s down the hall to your right.” Isabella slowly got up and went to the bathroom. Cathrine wondered why she kept exclaiming why she had no family. When Isabella came out, Cathrine had a cup of coffee for her to drink. After Isabella had a few sips, Cathrine finally asked. “Hey….what’s got you so upset?” Cathrine asked. Isabella put down the cup. “Ok…you know how I’m christain and how my family is catholic. I’m not catholic anymore I don’t claim to be any denomination at all, just a christain. Well after I told my parents and brother that I’m…..I’m…a lesbian, they didn’t take it well. I got their responses today. My brother denounced me and won’t even acknowledge that I even exist . He says I’m a harlot and that I am no longer his sister. Both of my parents have told me that I have been taken out of their wills, and that I won’t get a single credit from them. Father has told me that I should go to burn in hell and mother….mother just wouldn’t say anything. They both denounced me as a daughter and are probably telling the rest of the family, I just-“ she tried to say but could not say anything else. “Oh my gods, Isabella I am so sorry. No matter what I love you. I truly do. I am sad to hear your family reject you for who you want to love. I wish I could offer more than just words right now. No Isabella, you do have a family.”

Isabella looked at her with a questionable look. “You have me…and James. Let’s face it the three of us practically are family. James is a brother that neither of us ever had. And you and me well we’re something special. And no one can take that away from us.” She then got up and kissed the top of Isabella’s still damp head. As she did she sat behind Isabella and began to kiss her neck a little. “I love you no matter that.” Isabella closed her eyes and again tears were coming down her face again this time in happiness. “But what….what about my real family I mean, they are my family.” She said. Cathrine stopped kissing her neck. “I think we’ll live with or without their support. If they accept you for who you are then that is real love. Accepting anyone for who they really are is true love. Not accepting you for who you are…it’s just immoral and wicked. I accept you for who you really are hon. And I always will.” She said and turned Isabella’s head around to her and hugged her tight. “I’m so sorry this had to happen.” Cathrine said again. Isabella still felt horrible about it. “I’ve known Jorge and never expected this from him, it came out of no where. He supported me all the time throughout the years, he even supported me becoming a detective. I know that he still loves me or at least I hope he does. He shocked me Cat, he shocked me. I never expected father to react this way. He was a kind, gentleman even if he works for the worst company in existence.” But then Isabella slowly pulled away from Cathrine.

“I’ve never felt like this…not even when Olivia passed away, I would like to think she’d accept me but she probably would follow the rest. What did I do wrong? I’m a person too! I love, I am angry, I am joyful, go though rough spots in my life I am just like everyone else in the universe! I just love you. I’m so glad that you came into my life you’re a shining beacon Cathrine….you really are! The government realizes we exist and we have legal rights! But they won’t accept me just because I love you? No…no. I won’t be like them. I’ll continue sending letters about us I don’t care what they think. The bible says to love one another when someone has done you wrong? I’m gonna do just that!” Isabella got up and looked down at Cathrine who was sitting down. “I am going to send them more letters and I’d like you to be in my next one. I don’t know when it’ll be but I’ll send it to them. They think they can just ignore me? No I am going to show them that I continue to exist.” Isabella suddenly felt light headed she’d had quite an emotional day. She put her hand over her head. “Are you ok?” Cathrine asked her. “Yes..I just feel a little light headed is all.” Isabella then sat down. “Alright Isabella you can stay for the night. I’ll prepare you a room.” She said but Isabella grabbed Cathrine’s arm. “Just stay here, please.” Isabella said . “Ok.” Cathrine sat back down and turned on the television and Isabella put her head in Cathrine’s lap. Cathrine ran her fingers through the wet hair and hummed music to Isabella as she slowly drifted off to sleep.