< Unofficial sources in Starfleet report that the destruction of the starship Tripoli at Asuka III was a carefully planned attack by Nyuchiban rebels who have taken control of most of the planet’s surface. Starfleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral Quinzeros denied any rumors that a fleet of Federation ships close to the Nyuchiban border has been assembled as a precursor to a military invasion of Asuka III. A spokesperson for the administration has reaffirmed that President Kentii’la will continue to pursue all diplomatic avenues available in order to bring a peaceful end to the rising sectarian violence on the Nyuchiban colony.
A recent poll conducted by FNS shows that 53 percent of Federation citizens support a diplomatic solution while 39 percent believe that a military response is required. This number is up five percent from last week and before the destruction of the Tripoli. The strongest support for military action is coming from Earth’s Asian continent where many see the nikkeijin “ as the citizens of Nyuchiba are known “ as close relatives.
Members of the UE General Assembly have also spoken out for a swift resolution of the crisis and have not ruled out their support for military intervention if -- >
Gavin looked at the woman occupying the passenger seat of the hover. “What do you think of what is happening on Nyuchiba? As a former resident I mean.”
“I try not to,” Mech replied.
“It’s rare to find somebody without an opinion these days.”
“I suppose.”
If Gavin had tried to strike up a conversation with his new team leader he had been utterly unsuccessful. Mech simply pushed a few strains of black hair out of her face and looked out of the window again.
“Say, you don’t talk much, do you?”
Unbeknownst to the young agent, Mech was concentrating on an entirely different conversation. < I had a look at the data you send me from the memory chip and I gotta say your people were surprisingly apt at extracting information from it. Wouldn’t have expected that from your little backwater law enforcement outfit. >
Mech’s lips curled up into a small smile. “What would you like to talk about?”
“Well if you put it that way, I don’t know. I just thought something along the lines of breaking the ice.”
“Small talk?”
< Can I assume from your self-satisfied tone, Trigger, that you found something we’ve overlooked?” >
He nodded. “Sure.”
“I don’t do small talk.”
“Right.”
< Well they wouldn’t call me the second greatest hacker in the history of FedNet if I hadn’t, > he replied. < It was pretty tough to find as it was in the damaged parts of the chip but I managed to locate the company that created the hardware. After crosschecking FedNet I’m pretty sure it’s a bogus firm but I found a well hidden link to a warehouse location right in San Francisco. >
Gavin was not yet ready to give up. He didn’t let the presumed silence settle for too long. “You think we’ll be able to find something?”
She reached into her jacket to retrieve the greenish data chip.
“Bobbie and Travin managed to extract enough information to give us a number of potential locations our suspect might have visited within the last 72 hours,” said Gavin when he noticed the memory unit. “But here we are, following an entirely different lead.”
< Location? >
< Well ahead of you, my dear. I’ve accessed your vehicle’s computer and entered the new destination. >
The hover made a sudden sharp turn, catching Gavin by complete surprise. “What the hell.”
“Relax,” Mech said.
“This is your doing?”
Mech closed her fist around the chip. “I want to know who is behind this piece of hardware. It is pretty impressive.”
“Alright, so where are you taking us?”
< Trigger? >
< An old shipyard in a place called Hunters Point. I’m uploading everything I found to you now. I’m afraid I can’t stay and chat. I do have other clients, you know. >
< Without doubt. Just stay away from those who are trying to retire you permanently. >
< You should worry about your own artificial skin. Much bigger fish are after you, > he said and signed off.
“Hunters Point?” asked Gavin when he noticed the direction they had taken.
Mech nodded. “The old shipyards.”
A few minutes later the hover slowed down as it was approaching its preprogrammed destination. It was the late evening and the beginning dusk gave the entire area a gloomy appearance. The vehicles powerful headlights revealed nothing but rows of old cranes and warehouses.
“And what makes you think we’ll find the supplier here?” asked Gavin as he strained his eyes to find anything that could rouse suspicion.
“I have a reliable source.”
He shot her a quick look. “Not something you would want to share, I take it.”
The hover stopped and Mech deactivated the lights, drowning them into darkness.
“A girl’s gotta have secrets,” she said with a wink and stepped out of the hover.
He got out after her and then followed his new boss as she quickly made her way down the narrow alleyways between the tall storage buildings.
Without any lights to speak off, it was almost pitch dark but Mech “ the LT “ moved with determined purpose.
Cybernetic eyes, Gavin thought. He had to rely on his real pair but managed to stick close to the young woman. When she reached for her Glock he followed suit and drew his Seburo Super Seven. He’d had training with it but the projectile weapon still felt odd in his hand. It was heavier than the weapon he had been used to and required two hands in order to take a steady aim.
Mech stopped so suddenly he nearly ran right into her back.
She pointed at a tiny computer panel next to a well disguised door.
Gavin nodded. He hated doing this but he was not the type to complain to somebody he hardly even knew. He withdrew two dataports, fixed one to the side of his neck and the other right onto the computer terminal.
He was surprised at what he found. < That’s a level five firewall. What do they keep in here, the crown jewels? >
< Can you get passed it? >
< I guess but It’ll take a while, > he replied and went to work.
A bright green light flashed in front of his virtual vision and for a moment he lost sight of the firewall he was attempting to hack. He wasn’t exactly sure but he thought he could make out the feint outline of a purple haired woman.
He logged out and found that the door had opened already.
He threw Mech a surprised glance. She smiled and removed a dataport from her own neck.
“Damn your good. No wonder the old man wanted you on our side.”
Mech smartly slid back the barrel of her Glock to ensure a duranium bullet sat in the chamber and then stepped into the open door.
Gavin dove in after her.