When did Earth shrink? When did it become so small?
Once upon a time, humankind believed the edges of the world were the seas themselves, and then they invented boats. Then, the world was measured in months of travel by boat, shrinking as boats improved.
Then came airplanes. The world suddenly became measured in hours.
But, a person could still only encounter a finite number of people, yes?
Then came the internet. Even thousands of miles away, humans could speak to each other and share the world as if in the same room.
When humanity set out for the stars, the solar system holding their meager little star was measured in months. And when alien invaders arrived, they stole technology making the whole Milky Way measurable in a comparable time.
And, in that shrinkage of the galaxy, they discovered they were not alone in the universe.
Many of those other beings, like the different races of humans on Earth, do not get along on first encounter. The only advantage for the human fleet is the fact that they are a tiny fish in a very big pond, and they’ve formed an informal treaty of non-interference with one of the largest fish.
Tireless work has gone into all of it, from stealing and reverse-engineering technology from the adversaries, to developing new from scratch. And, at the vanguard of much of that has been a rookie marine turned navy officer, Ensign Rex Hancock.
He’s currently wearing a suit of amplified armor. It’s not true “power armor” from the traditional science fiction sense. The suit protects and amplifies his joints, and internal systems control his body conditions more than the traditional marine EVA armor that they’ve been wearing. Yes, like power armor, it allows the wearer to lift much heavier objects and make super-human movements that would be impossible without, but it’s far from the armor of a superhero or futuristic soldier-scouts.
With that said, it does have an assortment of electronics onboard that can help the young officer identify the atmosphere of the worlds he’s on, robust communications systems, and a rudimentary medical unit developed from the Grodrrn regenerator technology. Hancock is certainly far from surviving entire magazines of rifle ammo, but it can keep him alive if something happens in a hostile environment.
It also has more intentional controls for the jetpack, making it a little easier to fly. Though the thrust capacity of the jetpack is impressive, the full burst proved very risky -even though it probably saved Hancock’s and Lopez’s lives during the Supernova Blitz-.
“Okay, Rex. Um… We’ll be drawing vacuum and then pressurizing to two atmospheres. Ready?”
“Marshmallow man test, aye.” He glances at Lopez, who is operating the chamber he’s in. She smirks, adjusting her glasses. She replies dryly, “If my job was done right, you shouldn’t marshmallow this time.”
“Aww… That was my favorite part.” She smirks, and he can hear the air start pumping down. Soon, he can feel the pressure relaxing from the suit, and his ears start to pop. It’s not painfully uncomfortable yet, but he can tell. He rocks his jaw from side to side to alleviate the difference in pressure. His regulator also switches over. He asks through the radio, “Any improvements on the rebreather times?”
“You do realize I’m not the only scientist, right?”
“WHAAAAAT!?”
“I can tell you the status of the ultraluminal cannon.”
The marine chuckles, “Did you name that yourself?”
Lopez pouts. “Yes. Why? You think it’s stupid?”
“No. Actually, it’s kinda awesome.”
“I asked myself what nonsensical thing a marine would call it.”
This causes him to laugh. “I approve, Doc. I approve.”
Someone jogs up to Lopez, which startles her, and she recoils behind her laptop, holding it between herself and the newcomer. The newcomer tries to talk to her, but she stares at him with her deer-in-the-headlights look. He gestures at the radio, and then steps up. “Ensign Hancock?”
The rookie officer replies dryly, “Uh, no, this is… Craig. Sometimes known as ‘the Moustache’.”
“Sir, you and Doctor Lopez have a call from the Polonia.”
Hancock chuckles, “Alright. Did they say what?”
“Afraid not, sir.”
“Yeah, I guess it is a day that ends in ‘y’.” He states more seriously, “Alright Doc. Sorry to abort, but do you mind repressurizing?”
Lopez nods, stepping up when the enlisted marine steps back. “Pressurizing. Mind your ears, Rex.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
He rocks his jaw to keep his ears equalized. He can feel the pressure much more quickly. It’s important testing, since they need to know different scenarios the soldiers of the TEAU forces may face and how it’ll affect them.
Hancock decides to just keep his armor on, walking with Lopez. He jokes as they walk to the shuttle, “How come they never just say, ‘Hancock, call us so we can discuss this thing.’?”
Lopez replies, holding her laptop to her chest, “Um… Th-That’s my fault, I think…”
“How so?”
“A-as much as I hate meetings… It’s easier… to get information in person.”
“I’m with you there, honestly. But, I swear, if this is another ‘Vivi ate a cookie today’ meeting, I’m going to…”
“You take that back.”
Hancock looks in surprise at the scientist, and she blushes. She murmurs, “Vivi and Melody are amazing. Those are the best meetings.”
He chuckles. “I think Mina can hook you up if you want one.”
“They’re not pets, Rex. They’re babies. Super smart, super cute babies. And, I don’t think I could…”
“Smartest woman in the fleet thinks she can’t be a mom. We’re screwed.”
She bumps him forcefully with her elbow, grumbling, “You know what I mean… I don’t… I live in my own little world.”
“We’ll fix that.” He winks at her, and her cheeks fill with color, forcing her gaze ahead.
The two are flown via shuttle to the Polonia, and they’re met in the hangar by Chief Grey and Senior Chief Tachibana.
Tachibana salutes, stating, “Welcome aboard, Sir.”
Hancock salutes nervously. He’s mostly used to it, but he does miss the simplicity of being the junior-most soldier in a squad. He asks, “Senior Chief. What’s going on?”
Grey is the one that answers. “We need an untainted investigator.”
“Investigator?” asks Hancock, confused. “I’m… not an investigator.”
“Fun fact, Rookie. Not very many police made it onboard any of the ships. The Sheriff doesn’t deal enough with the Bugs or the Crocs, so she’s not as useful as we want. You, on the other hand, have a sharp mind, a healthy skepticism AND a healthy trust to you.”
“I know nothing about forensics, Chief. Or even anything else.”
Tachibana replies, “You don’t have to be an expert, Sir. We just need an objective look at what happened.”
“What happened?”
“We can’t tell you yet. Will you accompany us?”
Hancock nods. “Lead the way, Senior Chief.”
Lopez starts to follow them, but Tachibana states, “Sorry, Doctor. This one’s a no-go. We’ll explain after.”
The scientist looks at Hancock nervously. Grey states, “Relax, Doc. I ain’t no fancy genius, but I am a genius.” He nods behind her, and she turns. Kenzie is jogging up wearing her server’s uniform. “Sorry I’m late!” She catches her breath as she arrives. “Hey Levi! Rex! Nice armor.” She snickers a little, and Hancock retorts, “Like it? Makes me feel like a real space marine.”
“I think the God-Emperor would be unimpressed.”
Fisher says from nearby, “Oh, oh girl. Those are fighting words.”
“There is only the Imperium! All else is heresy!”
“Change and chaos are the will of the true gods!”
Chief Grey interrupts, “Enough. Didn’t peg you as a nerd, Kenzie.”
She puts her hands on her hips, saying proudly, “I had quite the awesome collection back home, I’ll have you know.”
“Great. Collect the Doc and keep her company while we borrow Rookie.”
Hancock states, “Sorry about this. I’m apparently supposed to go in blind.”
“Ah. Good luck, Rex.” She whispers deviously, “Courage and Honor.”
Fisher chuckles, possibly the only other one at the moment getting what they’re talking about.
Tachibana and Grey lead Hancock to the holding area for prisoners. There, he finds LCDR Kane questioning the Zarakyssn Void Queen, but she doesn’t seem to be cooperating.
Tachibana explains, “What we can tell you is this; Void Queen Zeeannssii managed to escape containment -how we’re not sure-. She worked her way over to the outer airlock at the eighty-fifth frame.”
Surprised, Hancock states, “Aren’t there at least 3 or four more pairs of airlocks closer than that?”
Tachibana nods, and the Ensign follows up with, “I assume I’m not the first to think of this, but did hull patrols search for a ship there?”
Grey nods, “Yep. Didn’t find anything. And, yes, they checked for invisible ships, thanks to the shuttle we captured.”
“Strange. Anything else you can tell me, or do I just start guessing?”
“Take a look here first. There are major disagreements about how Zeeannssii escaped.”
Hancock walks towards the containment, aware that the insectoid assassin is watching him. He nods at Kane, knowing he shouldn’t give away hierarchy in the presence of the Void Queen.
“Is this the containment she escaped from?”
Grey replies, “Yep.” He pulls out a snack to munch on as Hancock studies the containment, which has a clear panel so the Void Queen is visible, unlike the shipping containers used when the Grodrrns were prisoners.
Hancock remarks, “You’re sure, Chief? There’s no damage.”
“You noticed that too?”
“Inside job?”
“Point of contention.”
“I see.” The rookie officer looks back at the container. The Void Queen stalks towards him within, and Kane states, “Ensign. She can’t do anything right now, so don’t panic.”
Hancock nods calmly. He’s not particularly concerned. She was captured again already, so she’s unlikely to attempt another escape with a full squad of marines AND Kane present.
He does state rather jokingly, “Your Majesty.”
The insectoid queen studies him curiously, possibly with amusement, as he tries to figure out how she was let out of her containment.
The rookie officer observes, “So, I suspect no race has been eliminated, including the guards?”
“That’s right Rookie.”
Hancock looks at the Queen’s pincher-like hands. Their blade-like structure makes them ideal for possibly improvising locks, hinges, or opening panels. But, it’s difficult to tell whether the wear on them that appears to be recent was from her escape or from resisting capture.
And, there are no immediate signs anywhere that she worked her way out from the inside.
He looks around, scanning the whole area. “Who was present when she escaped? Do we know?”
“Outside of those executed during, no. If it was one of the guards, she executed them as well.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Hancock does a full lap around the containment, looking for signs of exit. He murmurs softly, “How many did we lose?”
Tachibana cuts in, “Chief Grey shouldn’t have mentioned that. Focus on the investigation please, sir.”
Hancock nods. He’s keeping an open mind. He can see how quickly the water is getting muddy, though he’s unsure why it matters. “Alright, so it LOOKS like she was let out. Question is, who would have done so and why?” He inspects the door, and Kane states, “The Grodrrns want to accuse Syretia, because her scent is fairly fresh in the room. She has-...”
“Sir,” urges Tachibana. “We requested Ensign Hancock for a new perspective.”
“What’s the goal of my investigation? What am I looking for?” asks the young officer.
There’s a pause.
“The protestors…” murmurs Hancock.
Tachibana says sternly, “We can’t rule out-...”
Grey interrupts her, “Tachi, relax. He’s connecting his own dots. Keep going, Hancock.”
Hancock adds to his thought, “So, protestors ARE involved somehow, but some believe there’s nothing tying them to this room. Interesting…”
Kane states, “This room is the most important, obviously. It all started when she escaped.”
The white Queen states in her own language. Kane sighs, “She finds you amusing.”
“Tell her ‘thanks’, please, Sir. I’ve always dreamed of meeting alien Queens and Princesses.” He chuckles, “Princesses especially.”
Kane scoffs, “Noted, Ensign.”
Hancock strokes his fingers on a fogginess on the control console’s button pad. He asks, “The Zarakyssns have a waxy coating, and the Grodrrns have oily sweat, right?”
Kane answers, “Correct. That’s been addressed, but awaiting forensics we don’t have available at the moment.”
“Definitely waxy, though. The Grodrrn sweat dries crusty like ours. Thicker, but crustier. Has Queen Syretia been allowed into the containment?”
“Of course not,” states Kane. “She’s spoken to Queen Zeeannssii via this area here, but she hasn’t been unsupervised outside of rushing to the aid of the children a while ago.”
Hancock nods, recalling the report of the protestor attack on the class containing Melody, Vivi, Syretia’s Egg, and Little Bird at the time. Apparently, Syretia was the first to feel the danger through her egg, though it was Melody’s and Vivi’s screams that crossed the bond.
Hancock states, “This is pretty apparently from a Zarakyssn.”
There’s another awkward pause, but it’s clear Kane is less pleased, and Tachibana is hopeful.
“You all trust me?” asks Hancock as he looks at each of them.
Kane nods, “I think your heart’s in the right place.”
“Respectfully, that’s not what I asked, Sir.” Hancock draws his sidearm, and Kane recoils a little in surprise. “I asked if you trust me.”
Kane nods, confused and surprised. Grey nods as well. Tachibana starts to ask, “What are you…?”
Hancock replies, “Exactly what you hoped I would; thinking outside of the box to find the truth.”
He aims the pistol at Zeeannssii. He’s not a body language expert on anyone; humans or otherwise. But, he’s pretty sure she flinched.
More importantly, motion catches his eye in the overhead, and he instantly aims, opening fire. The guards start shouting, “SHOTS FIRED!” “CONTACT!” “DROP YOUR WEAPON!”
Kane, Grey, and Tachibana are on full alert now, and Hancock calls out, “CONTACT OVERHEAD! DON’T LET IT ESCAPE!”
The guards look in the direction he fired, and Tachibana draws her pistol as she runs across the observation deck converted into “The Garden”. She shouts, “It’s out of sight!”
“It’s still up there, Senior Chief! It’s tucked into the piping and cabling!”
Kane shouts, “Mind your shots, Marines!”
Hancock shouts, “Reloading!”
“Got it!”
He reloads, explaining his logic to Kane, “This whole space is non-vital, sir. Those are likely CHT lines and pool fill lines, as well as back up lighting.”
He then says to Kane, “Tell her to bring the soldier down, Sir.”
Tachibana calls out, “How is she controlling a soldier? She’s shielded in gold.”
“So was Syretia when she felt her egg in danger. It may be ineffective at close range, and explains how she knew where to go.”
Kane buzzes at the Queen. She deflects, and Tachibana calls out, “I have eyes! Sure as space is dark, it’s a bug!” She points it out to the guards, who confirm they can see it as well.
Kane states, “She’s not cooperating.”
“What kind of lack of cooperation, Sir? Calm and smug, or panicking?”
“Calm.”
“So, she has contingencies.”
Grey tosses Hancock an object, stating, “Rookie!”
Hancock nods, pulling the pin. It’s a grenade. He calls out, “GRENADE OUT!”
Others call out, “GRENADE!”
He thanks the heavens often that he knows Chief Grey. He throws the grenade as hard as he can at the soldier, and it scrambles out of its hiding spot, meeting several bursts of gunfire from guards and Tachibana.
The grenade bounces off of the wall, falling at about the same time as the soldier as it topples from the overhead, flailing.
Tachibana shouts, “Non-lethal rounds! Restrain it!”
“Moving Senior Chief!”
Grey approaches Hancock, saying with amusement, “Good call, Rookie. Seems you were the right man for the job.”
“Did no one else think of that, seriously?”
“Seems that way. Because, now we have a bunch of new questions.”
“How did it get in?”
“Among others.”
“Any reason to believe there isn’t more?”
“Nope. We’ll have to double the guard and try to sweep the ship again.”
Kane adds, also impressed, “I’ll be the first to admit that I missed that notion. It never really clicked that Syretia is never isolated from her egg.”
“Are we sure the gold is working at all?” asks Grey dryly.
Kane nods. “Void Queen Zeeannssii’s armor was also gold. And, given what I’ve gathered, the Void Queens are black ops agents. Stands to good reason they don’t always want the Horde at large watching over their every move. Hancock is most likely right. The bond is likely much stronger or works differently for local individuals.”
Hancock asks curiously, “Did Yarjen Jor report different scents during the confrontation with Zeeannssii originally?”
Grey nods, “Yes Sir. We weren’t sure what to make of it at the time.”
Hancock looks at Zeeannssii, who, in spite of her soldier being discovered, seems unperturbed. He adds, “And, what we know so far suggests the Void Queen is sterile?”
Kane confirms. “Syretia’s independent observation, as well as ours, all conclude that her abdomen isn’t large enough, among other factors.”
“Syretia’s soldiers died after she was injured, right? They need a connection? What if soldiers aren’t that specific about WHOSE connection it is?”
Kane strokes his chin in thought, the rings on the strange device on his arm floating lazily as they turn. “Hmm… So, Zarakyssns can pool soldiers if need be…”
Tachibana responds, “Hang on, Sirs. Respectfully, the soldiers that belonged to Syretia prior to her defeat lost all sense upon destruction of her ship; presumably when she was injured. Why weren’t they snatched up by the new Queens when they arrived?”
The group ponders a moment. Hancock adds, “Still, though, the Void Queens can’t lay their own, but they have to be able to defend themselves, right? What if, I dunno, like a blind person learning to hear extra well, maybe…”
Grey finishes, “The Void Queens can learn to control the soldiers of other Queens… Interesting. Explains why Zeeannssii seems to think she’s superior to Zarakyssns like Syretia as well.”
Kane nods, “Agreed. Makes the most sense. So, the question remains; how many and where are the soldiers around her?”
Tachibana asks, “Lieutenant Kane, do you think you can ask Syretia what materials the Zarakyssns favor for ships? Maybe we can find any ships of hers somehow.”
Kane nods, “I’ll do so as soon as possible. For now, I think it best that I remain here to guard her and prevent any repeats.”
Grey nods, “Sounds good, Sir. Rookie, we’ll head to the next stage then. Since that should answer how she got out, we have a new consideration to make.”
“Lead the way, Chief.”
Hancock follows Grey and Tachibana as they show him to where the first of two main skirmishes took place after Zeeannssii escaped. She took down six people in a flash, according to Vivi, and spared the tiny cave princess.
There isn’t much to see, now, with the area cleaned up. Hancock isn’t a forensic investigator, and there aren’t very many on any of the ships experienced at it. Additionally, there isn’t much to learn from the bodies other than the fact that, according to what Vivi overheard, they were anti-alien protestors.
Grey gives the rookie officer time to look around, but there isn’t anything creative to find.
However, the next location they head to is not the airlock, but to medical.
Grey explains, “Commander Hitch is in room three. He was being held captive by Zeeannssii when she was first encountered by response teams.”
Tachibana adds, “He’s been unconscious since, but we just got a report that he woke up a little while ago. We need to find out how and when he ran into Zeeannssii. Let’s-...”
Grey stops her with a forearm gently, “Those rooms get awfully crowded, Tachi. Let’s let Rookie have the room first.” Grey gives Hancock a look that the young ensign nearly misses. He served with Grey for quite a few months prior to the flight from Earth, and he knows as well as most that Grey is a man of subterfuge. Everything has a purpose, many things have multiple layers, and he manipulates the truth out of a situation.
Grey wants Hancock to help him confirm a truth, and he doesn’t want Tachibana getting in the way with her military bearing. Chief Grey isn’t trying to be insubordinate or nefarious; he just knows that the truth is extraordinarily shy. Especially when the truth isn’t a pleasant one.
Hancock nods, stating, “How he got nabbed, and if Zeeannssii said anything in Grodurn he can repeat. Should be a good place to start, right?”
The two senior enlisted nod, and Hancock makes his way into Medical. He can hear the young, high pitched voice of either Melody or Vivi squeaking playfully in one of the other rooms; likely where Admiral Long is still recovering. His destination, however, is another room.
Commander Hitch, departmental directing officer for the Tactical Exploration and Assault Unit, has been Hancock’s boss in one form or another for most of the young officer’s marine career. And, while Hancock is now under the science team’s chain of command, he still would answer to Hitch’s final word on matters of planetary surveying, exploration, colonization, and even boarding operations, depending on the matters at hand. Given the current structure of the fleet, Admiral Long has final word on everything, but the combat teams -specifically the footsoldiers- fall more directly under Hitch.
But then, Hancock’s no fool. He was young and naive once upon a time, but he’s always had a brain that runs down his imagination virtually all day every day. If he had the training and level of knowledge of Dr. Lopez, he might actually be on par with her for sheer imaginative ability to explore possibilities.
So, the very fact that he was chosen means that, either the two he was just talking to are far more naive than he expected, or they want him to get the truth out of Hitch.
Commander Hitch, the same man who helped bring the Cave Queen aboard. He even helped bathe her during her initial boarding for safety’s sake. He provided meal rations to the Grodrrns when they were prisoner.
Hitch is awake, sitting in his bed as he studies his heart rate on the monitor. He notices Hancock entering, and the ensign salutes politely, “Commander Hitch. Glad to see you’re okay.”
Hitch salutes back, and his hand is bandaged, while his other forearm is in a brace. The two chiefs didn’t mention anything about Hitch’s injuries or how he got them, so Hancock will have to figure out the best way to ask about them.
Hancock explains politely, “Polonia’s crew asked me to lay fresh eyes on what happened, and I just found out you were awake, Sir.”
Hitch chuckles, “You? Moving up in the world quickly, eh, Hancock?”
The rookie officer laughs warmly, “I’ll say. I don’t know the first thing about investigating. They’re showing blood stains and the white bug -sorry, Void Queen-, and that’s what I’m seeing. They seem to think she was going somewhere specific, but everything I can see, she was just a dumb bug stirring up trouble.”
Hitch follows along politely, and Hancock adds, “Apologies, Sir. That was unprofessional of me. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”
Hitch smiles warmly, “Not at all, Hancock. I understand, you’re still adjusting to the O-ranks. I remember those days.”
“You were prior enlisted, Sir?”
“Sure was. Pained me a lot personally what had to happen on Earth. We got fortunate to bring the soldiers we could, obviously. Present company included.”
“You flatter me, Sir.”
“It’s true, though. Your squad especially took ground FROM the Grodurns. That’s a treasure to us all.”
“Thank you, Sir. But of course, now we’re all split down the middle of who's guilty, even today. I think some spacers think protestors let the bug out, and others think the other bug did it. Heck, probably the crocs have something to do with it.”
“And, what do you think, Ensign?”
Hancock looks surprised. “Me? I think Zeenskee or whatever her name is picked the wrong race to mess with. If she was going somewhere, we would have found a ship and blown it out of the sky.”
Hitch offers thoughtfully, “Perhaps that’s why the protestors would be suspect? Releasing her and letting her damage the reputation of the bugs so that others see their side of the argument?”
“That’s on my mind, Sir, but… I don’t know. It doesn’t really fit with the M.O. of the protestors. Even if a few of them infiltrated the guard, they had no way to communicate with her. They had to have known what would happen.”
“A fair point. It seems perhaps you WERE the right man for the job, then.”
“I don’t know about all that, Sir. Seems pretty basic to me.” Hancock looks at the door, and he steps quietly over, closing it. Once it’s closed, he adds quietly, “Truth be told, I was ecstatic when I was transferred to the Providence. It’s the only ship without… them.”
Hitch’s expression chills some. Hancock adds apologetically, “I know I’m not supposed to think that way, but it’s so…”
“Unfair?” asks Hitch quietly.
Hancock nods, surprised at Hitch’s response. Hancock steps closer, whispering, “I don’t, you know, I’m not saying the protestors are right, Sir, but…”
Hitch flashes the smallest of smiles, whispering, “But they make a good case at times.”
Hancock sighs dramatically, saying more normal volume, “Yes! It’s stressful, to say the least.”
Hitch nods in acknowledgment, stating, “We just need to get to the bottom of the Vee Cue’s plan, and we can find out who’s responsible.”
“Agreed, Sir.”
“So, did you have questions for me, Ensign? What can I help with?”
“Frankly, I appreciate you talking with me, Sir. I’m glad to know I’m not entirely alone. Can you tell me what happened? How and when did she attack you? Do you remember?”
Hitch nods. “I was walking down the corridor. One hundredth frame or so. Heard a commotion around the corner, and I ran to investigate. The Vee Cue had killed several people within seconds. I didn’t even have time to draw. She incapacitated me with a strike to the spine, and I blacked out shortly after.” He rubs his forehead, murmuring, “I don’t remember her saying anything. Nothing I could pronounce anyways.” He and Hancock share a chuckle.
“So, she must have broken your arm after you were unconscious then.”
Hitch locks eyes with Hancock with a sudden, “Huh? Oh! Yes, must have.”
Hancock shakes his head, scoffing. “Damn bugs.”
“I have to say, Ensign. You seem to have soured a bit since your days as a rookie, huh?”
“Understatement of the year, Sir. Have to grin at the crocs, and now bugs? Let’s just give some of our own to the crocs for their nonsense. Oh right, we did.”
“Unbelievable, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, Sir. And those tiny squid things?”
“Nnn… You’ve heard about Mina, right?”
Hancock nods, and Hitch murmurs quietly, “Disgusting waste.”
The young officer shakes his head. “Yep. But, back on topic, you were unconscious, the Vee Cue broke your arm… that about ends it then, if you didn’t see anything useful.”
Hitch replies apologetically, “I truly wish I could tell you more, Ensign.”
Hancock nods, “I understand completely, Sir. If it’s alright with you, I’ll check with the medics and see if they found any evidence on you.”
“What kind of evidence?” Hitch’s response is quick and sharp; defensive, even.
Hancock replies innocently, “Hm? Oh, whatever, I guess. I’m not an expert. If I’m lucky, maybe some blood from other victims so we can ensure we identify everyone. According to the limited information we have so far, you spent the most time in the bug’s possession.”
“Ah. I see. Very well, then Ensign. If it will help, I believe they have my clothes somewhere else.”
“I’ll check with the inventory staff, then. Thank you for the help, Sir.”
Just as Hancock is reaching for the door, Hitch whispers, “Hancock.” The rookie officer halts, looking at Hitch curiously. “You’re a good marine, Hancock. You don’t have to serve… the way that’s expected currently.”
Surprised, Hancock whispers, “What do you mean, Sir?”
Hitch gives him a look signifying, ‘What do you think I mean?’
Hancock puts it together, nodding. “I get you, Sir.” He nods affirmatively.
Hitch smiles, replying warmly, “We’ll be in touch, Ensign Hancock. Good luck in your investigation.”
Hancock salutes, stating, “Thank you, Sir. Rest well.”
Hitch returns the salute, and Hancock makes his way out into the hall.
***