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I reach for it, but she steps in front of me quickly, blocking my path.
“Just another piece of proprietary technology.”
Leaning back slightly, my gaze locks on her eyes. There’s something here—something she’s hiding. And I intend to find out what it is.
“You’re protective of your secrets.”
“And you’re persistent in uncovering them.” She crosses her arms and narrows her eyes but does not break eye contact even to blink.
I smile and step back. She’s a formidable opponent—and an intriguing riddle. The stakes are higher than ever now, and my determination only grows stronger.
We stand toe to toe in silence for a moment longer before she finally speaks again. “Are we done here?”
The pulsing sphere on her desk continues to call to me. Why?
“What are you hiding, Ms. Marin?” I demand, my voice edged with frustration. “This ship defies every law of physics and business I know.”
She straightens, meeting my gaze with defiance. “It’s called innovation, Mr. Jenks. Something you might not understand.”
My hands clench into fists at my sides. “Don’t patronize me. This goes beyond innovation. This—“ I point at the sphere— “this is something else.”
Her eyes flicker with a mix of anger and something else—fear? “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me!” I snap back.
She moves to block my view of the sphere again, but her movements are defensive, not just protective. This sphere, all of the oddities I’m encountering on this ship are than technology; there’s a huge secret she’s desperate to keep.
“There’s something about this ship, about you—“
Cordelia steps closer, her eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch. “You’re treading dangerous waters, Mr. Jenks.”
I lean in as well, closing the gap between us until our faces are inches apart. “And you’re hiding something monumental.”
In the heat of our confrontation, my hand brushes against the sphere on her desk. A jolt of energy courses through me, making my vision blur and pulse with light.
Images flood my mind—a swirling ocean under a moonlit sky, Cordelia diving into the depths and emerging transformed. The connection between us is unmistakable, breathtaking.
Cordelia’s voice cuts through the haze. “Basil!” Her tone is urgent now, frightened.
I blink hard, shaking off the lingering effects of the vision.
She looks rattled too, but she quickly masks it with anger.
“You had no right!” Her voice is fierce but shaky.
I meet her gaze head-on. “No right? You’re hiding something that affects this entire operation.”
Before she retorts, an alarm blares from the engine room below us.
She spins on her heel towards the door without another word.
“Wait!” I call after her, but she’s already gone.
Cordelia disappears down the corridor, but I know where she is headed and I follow, the blaring alarm driving us both. We burst into the engine room only a few steps apart. The space thrums with energy and urgency. The crew buzzes around us, their movements frantic yet precise. Smoke wafts from a control panel, its display flickering wildly.
Cordelia dives into action. “Davies, shut down auxiliary power! Rookie, grab the second fire extinguisher!” Her voice cuts through the chaos, commanding and calm.
I watch her for a moment, my irritation giving way to reluctant admiration. She’s a natural leader, completely in her element. But there’s no time for admiration now. I step forward. “I may be a businessman, Chief Engineer, but I’m not useless. I hold an engine mechanic rating.”
