Valorie fidgeted in her chair. She had already double checked the start time for the job interview, and she was definitely early. Her sisters told her this was a good thing, but she couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in her gut. Had she double checked the location? Maybe… A few clicks on her wristband, and her PD’s holo-screen floated over her wrist. The messages were still open from the last time she had checked. Third floor reading room of the Luxe System Station. She sighed. She was in the right place, at the right time. She rested her hands on her lap under the table, and forced herself to look out the little round port window.

In an otherwise very small, very bland room, the porthole window stood out as a luxury. Beyond thick glass polymer, she saw the stars. Dread tinged with excitement left a fluttery feeling in her chest, taking her breath away. She desperately wanted a taste of the freedom such a vast view promised. That was why she was here. The affirmation settled her stomach enough for her to breath again.

The door to the meeting room banged open, jolting her to attention. Two men entered. The first was stocky with a square jaw and short hair. The other was leaner with his platinum hair pulled back in a short ponytail. She was careful to avoid their eyes as she rushed to stand up. She focused on the table for safety.

“You’re early!” The first said, “That’s good.” His voice was friendly as he took one of the chairs across the table from her. His partner sat next to him. She followed suit, and sat back down. The partner was quiet, but she could feel his stare boring holes into her head. She wondered what their expressions might be saying.

“Yes, sir.” Her voice was clear. She was patient as they settled in, laying a tablet out on the table. She knew better than to speak unless spoken to.

“I’m glad we could meet in person. I’m Captain Gareth Hughes and the gentleman with me is my first mate, Leon Gomez.” He explained. She watched his fingers move along the tablet’s surface, pulling up his Captain’s ID. She nodded. “We will be interviewing you for the position of Communications aboard my ship. Would you like to introduce yourself officially?”

“My name is Valorie Davis. I was part of the specialized communications team of the Imperial Armada.” She kept her voice even as she squeezed her hands together in her lap. When she finished speaking, she held out her wristband, her own ID on the screen. He looked it over and nodded.

“I am familiar with the program. What are your personal parameters?” The captain asked. She withdrew her hand as she opened her mouth to speak but he interrupted. “And eye contact is permissible.”

She looked up, her mouth still hanging open. He smiled when she met his eyes, and she smiled back without thinking. Leon was staring at Gareth like he had grown a second head. She couldn’t fathom why.

“Yes, sir. I can detect life clearly up to one light year away, and up to two with less certainty. I am trained in accessing various communication networks. That includes access to the private Imperial network.” She explained and felt a small spike of pride as the Captain nodded. His eyes were as friendly as his tone, crinkling at the edges. Leon leaned forward.

“The SCT is a crazy confidential program, and they just let you go?” He said, catching her flinch at his question. She nodded, her eyes falling back to the table when she turned to him. “What, really? You know, you can look at me, too.” He said. She blushed, looking up to meet his request, flustered by his annoyance.

“Yes, sorry, Mr. Gomez.” This appeared to annoy him even more, and Valorie almost looked away by instinct. “Uhm, do either of you remember the MRH Anderson Disaster from about a year and a half ago?”

“Yeah, it was all over the news – Imperials were desperate to find out what could go so wrong with one of their best ships.” Leon said.

“I heard that the entire crew was lost… Well, over a thousand people died.”

“Yes… that. I am the only survivor. When my escape pod was found by a passing delivery ship, I did not report back to the fleet. PR damage control was the Imperials main priority. I just… stayed out of the way.” She said.

“And you’re coming out of hiding now? What for?”

“I’ve been stuck on this station for a year.” She said. They waited for more. “The restrictions under the Imperials were severe. I’ve never been outside one of their ships. I want to see more.”

“That might be something you want, but it isn’t why you are here. No one would become a freelancer without a reason. The job is unforgiving without something to drive you. Go take one of the transports if you’re so bored. Station life is preferable in every way.” Leon said. She had never honestly thought about how hard it might be. She frowned, she had not even considered how much worse she could have it. Her sisters always made it sound good.

“I’m asking you to be honest with me. I need to be able to trust my crew. Our lives depend on each other out there.” The captain said.

“Honesty isn’t the issue. You are looking to hire me for your own illicit reasons, correct? Could we please agree to keep our own secrets?” She asked. She couldn’t get the edge of pleading out of her voice. Leon leaned back in his chair.

“Guess this one is a lost cause, Cap.” He said.

“What? But you called me here. You need my help.”

“We don’t need your help. Your presence might be a convenience, but it don’t matter. We’ll get by either way.” He said with a shrug. His eyes were honest, and she looked down at the tablet to avoid them. The conversation seemed to be slipping through her fingers. Why? She had gone over it so many times in her head.

“Valorie.” The captain got her attention, “I wish to captain my ship on deep space missions. I want to explore unknown parts of the galaxy. Only the Database runs such missions, and they only pick the best. I must prove myself, my ship, and my crew before I will even be considered.” Gareth explained. He waited until she looked up. “My goal is to gain the recognition necessary for my wish. I want your help with this. I will always give you the recognition you deserve.” He said. She felt the honesty in his words. He understood her place, and was offering her more than she could ask. When she remained quiet, Leon stood up to leave. Her head snapped up.

“Please, wait. I will tell you.” She said. Leon paused but didn’t sit down. Her heart was racing. “I must warn you first, and you must take the warning seriously.” Her voice was more urgent now. “If the Empire finds out you know, there will be a bounty on your lives. They can find out and they have killed others to keep this secret. They will kill you, too.”

The table was silent. Valorie shivered, her heart still racing. Had she said too much? Would they listen? The captain leaned over the tablet and turned it off. As he looked around the room for other devices, Leon caught his arm.

“Wait, Cap. You should leave.” Leon said, standing up straight. There was no trace of the attitude he had with Valorie earlier. Gareth looked to him for an explanation. “If she’s right, and they find out, I can just leave on my own.” He said.

“Oh, it’s just that easy, is it?” Gareth asked. They stared each other down, and Valorie was on the edge of her seat. Were they telepathic? Finally, the captain relented by standing up and Leon bowed his head.

“I can handle it.”

“I know.” Gareth said as he closed the door behind him. Leon waited a moment, taking a slow breath before sliding back into his chair. He turned back to her with a look like he had bitten into something bitter.

“Alright, go on, already.”

“People from the SCT are cloned for a specific ability that allows us to interface with a network. It allows for quick and protected connections even at great distances. We are not allowed many freedoms, to keep access to this network restricted.” She said. People often got uncomfortable at this topic, but Leon’s expression never changed. He just listened.

“Nothing new there.”

“No, I guess not. They use a lot of tactics to keep us in line, but one is more effective than any other. That same ability that allows us to interface with the network, also keeps my sisters and I connected. We… share feelings, I guess. There is a prison station, deep in the core Imperial star systems, where many of us are held hostage. We are not treated kindly, and if we step out of line, one of us dies. That feeling…” She stopped as despair welled inside her.

Leon waited as she worked through it.

“I want it to stop.”

“Why do you need the Captain?”

“Someone who knows my abilities well enough to risk using me is rare. Captain Hughes has worked with the SCT before, yet he no longer works for the Empire.” She said. He looked her over for a minute. She wasn’t sure what he was evaluating, she only hoped she was passing.

“Last one. Your first priority. What is it?”

“The captain’s orders.” She made sure to look him in the eye as she answered. He smiled. It wasn’t warm like the captain, but it changed his demeanor completely. He stood up, picking up the tablet, and left the room.

Valorie watched the door close, her shoulders aching from the tense atmosphere. She couldn’t hear them physically, but she could still eavesdrop. Resisting the urge took every fiber of her willpower. She closed her eyes and focused. They will come back. Do not be a creeper. The interview went well. Be happy.

What do people do at times like this? She went over the previous conversation in her head. She could have done better, but she lost power so quick her head spun. When she had mentioned the Anderson, she felt the ache in her chest that threw her off balance. The physical reaction she had to even just the name was suffocating.

She stared down the door, but it didn’t move. How much longer could they be talking?