Deccan (Brinton)
Once again, the spaceport was bustling with activity, as the Grenadiers prepared for departure. Merchants brought everything they needed, while the Technicians checked all systems again and again for the next long travel in space.
It was also the time to say goodbye to everyone one had met and maybe made friends with. There had been parties with the other Mercenary Companies, knowing that somday one may find oneself on different sides of the battlefield. But here and now one had fought together. Then there were the officials. Martin and Kate had visited Sobolewa and some other members of the local government one had contact with during the recent months. Maybe it was not a hearty, but nevertheless respectful au revoir.
Koch stood at the ramp of the "Fortune" and monitored the situation with all the people around. Eventually Emily approached him.
"Look over there.", she said and pointed toward two people at the edge of the dock. He had to take a closer look before he recognized them.
"Arthur and Miss de Groot.", he said. They seemed to talk to each other. And they were not happy, as it seemed from the distance.
"You have to do something for them.", Emily said.
"Me? Why?"
"I overheard that she got fired at ComStar. And that you know why that is so."
Koch bit on his lip. He did not know about the former. But the latter was most probably true then. He did not like it, but he really had to do something.
*****
A few minutes later Arthur and Melanie stood hand in hand in Koch`s room. Arthur looked worried and a bit angry. She rather shocked and desperate. Obviously she had cried a lot.
"Arthur. Would you leave me alone with Miss de Groot for a while."
Art looked her in the eye and smiled toward her, as to say that she should not worry. Then he walked out of the room. Koch offered her a seat and gave her a glass of water.
"I am sorry that ComStar has no further use for your talents.", Koch meant. "May I ask what happened?"
"You know that all too well.", she answered with a suddenly angry tone. "You told Art to make me search the communication logs."
"You did not find anything, right?"
"NO! AS IF THAT IS IMPORTANT! But my superiors found out and immediately fired me.", she said and began to cry.
Koch gave her a tissue. Yes, it had been his idea. He had hoped, that this young woman would maybe find something in the communication logs of ComStar, that would help him to find the mole. Unfortunately that was not the case. Of course it had been manipulative to make Arthur and her do that. Art must have been convincing. Or maybe she just loved him too much. Anyway, these results were his fault. He wanted to help her.
But there was a slight problem. She was alive. Maybe he was paranoid when it came to ComStar. But such a secretive organization has probably more harsh measures to deal with people who play false with them. What if she did not get fired under the condition, that she serves as freelance informant? Was that even possible? Anyway. He had his debts toward her.
"Miss de Groot. I`d like to make you an offer."
Once again, the spaceport was bustling with activity, as the Grenadiers prepared for departure. Merchants brought everything they needed, while the Technicians checked all systems again and again for the next long travel in space.
It was also the time to say goodbye to everyone one had met and maybe made friends with. There had been parties with the other Mercenary Companies, knowing that somday one may find oneself on different sides of the battlefield. But here and now one had fought together. Then there were the officials. Martin and Kate had visited Sobolewa and some other members of the local government one had contact with during the recent months. Maybe it was not a hearty, but nevertheless respectful au revoir.
Koch stood at the ramp of the "Fortune" and monitored the situation with all the people around. Eventually Emily approached him.
"Look over there.", she said and pointed toward two people at the edge of the dock. He had to take a closer look before he recognized them.
"Arthur and Miss de Groot.", he said. They seemed to talk to each other. And they were not happy, as it seemed from the distance.
"You have to do something for them.", Emily said.
"Me? Why?"
"I overheard that she got fired at ComStar. And that you know why that is so."
Koch bit on his lip. He did not know about the former. But the latter was most probably true then. He did not like it, but he really had to do something.
*****
A few minutes later Arthur and Melanie stood hand in hand in Koch`s room. Arthur looked worried and a bit angry. She rather shocked and desperate. Obviously she had cried a lot.
"Arthur. Would you leave me alone with Miss de Groot for a while."
Art looked her in the eye and smiled toward her, as to say that she should not worry. Then he walked out of the room. Koch offered her a seat and gave her a glass of water.
"I am sorry that ComStar has no further use for your talents.", Koch meant. "May I ask what happened?"
"You know that all too well.", she answered with a suddenly angry tone. "You told Art to make me search the communication logs."
"You did not find anything, right?"
"NO! AS IF THAT IS IMPORTANT! But my superiors found out and immediately fired me.", she said and began to cry.
Koch gave her a tissue. Yes, it had been his idea. He had hoped, that this young woman would maybe find something in the communication logs of ComStar, that would help him to find the mole. Unfortunately that was not the case. Of course it had been manipulative to make Arthur and her do that. Art must have been convincing. Or maybe she just loved him too much. Anyway, these results were his fault. He wanted to help her.
But there was a slight problem. She was alive. Maybe he was paranoid when it came to ComStar. But such a secretive organization has probably more harsh measures to deal with people who play false with them. What if she did not get fired under the condition, that she serves as freelance informant? Was that even possible? Anyway. He had his debts toward her.
"Miss de Groot. I`d like to make you an offer."
