After the End of Us by Melisa R. Hightower

Author:Melisa R. Hightower [Hightower, Melisa R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-07-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter eleven

Alesandrian plopped behind the small desk in his utilitarian quarters aboard the ITB cruiser. The crew had bought his story about being ambushed on the Yesendi and jettisoned before he got any information. A reprimand was coming for jumping aboard the Yesendi without backup, and not following procedure, but he’d do it again. A child’s life was on the line. And Erina’s.

Ignoring the tightness in his chest, he double tapped the file Windhouler sent before jettisoning him from the Yesendi in the escape capsule. The Federation’s golden seal, an infinity sign inside a circle with all nine member planets circling it, shown on the screen. Alesandrian sucked in a breath and closed the file. How did Windhouler get access to the Federation’s system? He couldn't open this. Shouldn't open it.

He glanced at the picture of the little girl and sighed. Was it wishful thinking that she had a pair of dimples like his or that those curls . . . No. He shook his head. If the child was his, Erina would have told him about her. She wouldn’t keep their daughter from him. Besides, she was too young to be his. Only four or so, judging by her height and frame. Though Erina and her mother were all small framed people.

He sighed. Whatever was in this file, Windhouler had deemed it important enough to hack into the Federation’s system and pass along to him. An ITB Agent. But if it would help him crack this case, it was his duty to open it. Well, that was what he’d claim as his defense.

Alesandrian blew out a breath. He was going to lose his job for this. Probably get thrown back into a Federation brig. But if it would help him figure out what was going on, he had to chance it. Alesandrian shoved his hand through his hair and double tapped the file. The insignia flashed again then a backdoor into the Federation’s communications archives opened.

“Shit, Windhouler.” Did Windhouler have any idea what the penalty was for hacking into the Federations system? He suspected Windhouler was well aware of the consequences but didn’t care. And why the communications archive? What was he supposed to . . . Then it hit him. Erina’s messages. The ones she’d claimed she sent him, but he never got. The holoscreen hovered above the desk, yellow cursor blinking, awaiting his command.

Well, they were his messages. Besides, he was in the system now and his curiosity was getting the better of him. Turning back was inconceivable. He had to know what Erina’s messages said.

“Search messages from Erina Asande-Katur.” A nine-month search span should be enough. “Standard Federation Dates Armith through Eltis 3226.”

The little green dots crawled across the screen. And crawled. Alesandrian drummed his fingers on the desk. Connection in this remote part of the universe was painfully slow. Finally, the first video message, recorded two weeks after he’d left, popped up. The video was dark, but he could make out swelling and bruising on Erina’s face.

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