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"Open the cell," Captain Naash ordered.
Warden Solse did not hesitate. He just turned and worked the lock. With a clunk, the magna-seal disengaged, and he rested a hand on the handle. Captain Naash nodded, prompting Solse to open the door.
In the corner of the small cell sat the fugitive. He was a malnourished Human no older than twenty-nine. His shaggy light hair was unkempt. His beady eyes were red. His fingernails were chewed to the point of bleeding. He didn't ask questions. He didn't beg. He didn't look like he had any fight left in him. He just watched.
"Kadim Yin," Captain Naash said once he reached the centre of the room. "I know a few other names you used, but that one seemed to be your favourite."
"It is my birthname," Kadim replied, sniffling after speaking.
"I trust you have heard the commotion."
He nodded and scooted himself further into his bed so his back was pressed against the wall. "At first I thought there had been some sort of mistake, but then I felt the impacts."
"Two ships, recently stolen. I received Vidcom from someone, who I assume is the leader of their operation. He had one request," Captain Naash raised his hand, extended his index finger and shot it like an imaginary pistol.
Kadim squinted as the imaginary bullet hit him. "A Beskin? With missing fur and a burn mark on his face?"
Captain Naash shook his head. "A Mulu, with one missing eye and heavy scars."
Kadim flashed the whites of his eyes. "That's even worse." He said as he started to bite at an already chewed fingernail. "Don't hand me over to him," he said. "Bring to Besk, let me answer for what I've done. At least I would stand some chance."
"Don't worry, I don't intend on handing you over. We have been assigned the task of getting you to Besk, and that's what we'll do." Captain Naash folded his arms. "I came here, not only to find out if you are personally familiar with your pursuer. I also wanted to ask what it is exactly that you have done? Most people we transport have files we can access, and it's rare to find anyone willing to blockade a jump ring for someone."
"I," Kadim stuttered. "I ripped off a lot of people," he finally got out. "I bounced around, different names for different places, different lives. I hacked banking systems; I was indiscriminate. Governments, criminals, civilians. I actually plunged a small world into a total economic collapse." He said his teeth began to show briefly until he looked up and made eye contact with the captain. "I'm not bragging. I'm not proud. It just amazed me how much damage I could do with a computer. It got to a point where I wasn't doing it for money anymore; for survival. No, I just kept going, for the thrill."
"Captain!" Tarena's voice echoed down the hall outside.
He spun around, left the cell and heard it close and lock behind him. "What is it?"
"One of our turrets has been destroyed."
They reached the turret station, and the Triskani was standing nearby being attended to by the ship's doctor, Dr. Ferrer.
"Status report," he stated when he arrived.
"We lost a turret. Direct hit from a missile. The flash knocked Min'canari out of commission. There weren't many fighters to go, and Yeel and I dealt with them." Harrit said.
"Good," he walked to Dr. Ferrer. "What about Min'canari, will he be okay?"
"He'll be fine, captain. His eyes will readjust in time. All that screen time, and a sudden change in lighting. It's only enough to mildly irritate a Human, but Triskani, well, their eyes work a bit differently."
"Min'canari, when you feel better, I want you to get to the barracks. We need all available hands armed and ready to fend off a boarding party."
"We're going to be boarded?" Yeel asked.
"I have reason to believe it will come to do that, and if so, I want everyone to be ready to fight."
