Ghost of Our Past - Chapter 2: They Always Run Pt. 2
13 Feb 2016Veyder
They say patience is a virtue, I will add that when looking for those who run from justice it is an absolute necessity. Based on my instincts I have been quietly patrolling Kremainn.The techies from the Sovereign Justice Collective have given me a code injection protocol which enables me to monitor ship transponders when they arrive or depart, normally this level of access is only available to station security and must be properly acquired through official channels, the protocol goes one step further and makes use of a stations internal/external surveillance cameras to provide facial recognition which all in all makes my job easier, J.A.R.V.I.S can inject this protocol into a station's core computer during a docking request and keep me updated with real time sightings of the target as well as a map overlay of the area.
With the protocol installed across the Kremainn starport services network, I dock at Wohler Terminal and get a room. It's been four days since LordPsymon made his hasty departure in Eravate, I am hoping my hunch pays off, but if it doesn't, I will have to broaden my search to include multiple systems which could mean weeks of tracking.
After reviewing LordPsymon's profile and going over my strategy to apprehend him I decide to take a nap and just as I am drifting off.
The familiar sound of J.A.R.V.I.S's voice breaks the silence in the sparse room.
"Sir, a ship matching LordPsymon's has just entered the docking bay, facial and bio-metric recognition is indeterminate, I am tracking his movements at the moment."
"Can you get a positive ID on him J.A.R.V.I.S?
"Negative sir, it is likely he is wearing some sort of countermeasure that prevents his face from being recognized."
As I quickly put on my armor and helmet J.A.R.V.I.S sends the map overlay to my visor. Seems that LordPsymon has chosen to hide in plain sight in the heavily populated commercial area of the station. I cannot apprehend him there as it is crowed and exceeds the threshold for collateral damage.
"I really want to avoid waiting for him near his ship, I suspect that after his last encounter he will be paranoid and prepared when entering the docking bay. J.A.R.V.I.S any ideas on where to intercept him?"
"Sir he is currently moving towards an observation deck in sector 1, I can try to close doors to reroute some of the people away from the area, but this action will likely alert the station administration of a malfunction in this area."
"J.A.R.V.I.S go ahead and close the doors, E.V.E prepare the ship for departure we will be coming in hot and needing to leave quickly and quietly."
Both A.I. simultaneously acknowledged my commands.
"Sir, estimated time to intercept 2 minutes, live footage indicates that he may be armed with a weapon."
I sprint through the winding corridors for what seems like ages, I can feel the familiar sensation of adrenaline coursing through my bloodstream.
"Sir, you are approximately 10 seconds from intercept."
As I slow down, I follow the arc of the observation deck hallway and I see my target looking out into the cosmos.
He looks slightly different from his wanted poster, he is slightly weathered likely due to being on the run and perhaps the lack of sleep.
"Sir running tactical assessment he is very lightly armored and his pulse pistol bears no threat to your suit"
"Simon Datura aka LordPsymon you are wanted in connection with two murders in the Eravate System how you get back to Eravate is up to you, it can be in restraints or a medbay stretcher, either way you choose is of no consequence to me."
As Simon turns to face me he points his pulse pistol at me.
"I don't know who you are, but I am going to my ship and I'm leaving. Move!"
He motions with the gun for me to step aside. I look at his weapon then at his face and I take a step forward. LordPsymon fires a shot at my feet. Obviously shaken by this ordeal LordPsymon doesn't fit the bill of a stonecold killer.
"Look, I don't want to shoot you. I never meant to hurt anyone! I am not going back to that place! No fucking way. No one deserves the kind of shit people like me went through there. You don't understand!"
I dash towards LordPsymon who manages to get off a shot which hit my chest plate before I manage to grab him. Several calculated strikes to the median and ulner nerves of his right arm causes him to drop his pistol. A right hook to his abdomen cracks at least two ribs. I grab him by his throat and hoist him off the ground, my hand applying heavy pressure to his trachea.
"Medbay it is" I watch him as he winces in pain and as his eyes begin to glaze over.
Just as he is about to pass out, my peripheral vision catches some movement from his left arm and then I am blinded by a large burst of bright light.
The sensation is both painful and disorienting. With my vision blurred I can barely make out his silhouette and I know with cracked ribs he cannot move very fast.
I can hear him picking up his pulse pistol, I tackle him into the observation deck window, he is no match for my suits strength enhancements as I move to disarm him, the weapon discharges two three round bursts into the window and bulkheads.
Alarms sound.
"Structural integrity compromised, clear the deck." "Structural integrity compromised, clear the deck."
"Warning, decompression imminent in Sector 1."
There is a pull on my arm.
"We've got to get the fuck out of here." screamed LordPsymon
With LordPsymon guiding me, we head towards the adjoining corridor, I can hear the hum of the emergency force fields which have been activated to contain the decompression.
Just as we cross the threshold I hear the glass break and the contents of the observation deck get blown into space. Clearly at a disadvantage in my current state, I hear LordPsymon calling for medical and then locking the doors to the of the corridor as he made his escape.
The only way out for me is to cross back through the force field and evacuate through the breached hull. I've done crazier things.
"E.V.E depart the station lock on to my signal and retrieve me"
Acknowledged Sir...
Barely able to see, I make my way to the breach in the bulkhead and step off the mangled observation deck into the void... now I'm pissed.
Related Stories:
GHOST OF OUR PAST - PROLOGUE: CLOSURE
GHOSTS OF OUR PAST - CHAPTER 1: OPENING OLD WOUNDS
GHOST OF OUR PAST - CHAPTER 2: THEY ALWAYS RUN PT. 1
GHOST OF OUR PAST - CHAPTER 2: THEY ALWAYS RUN PT. 2
GHOST OF OUR PAST - CHAPTER 2.5: A CAPTAIN'S MUSING
GHOSTS OF OUR PAST - CHAPTER 3: ITS NEVER EASY PT. 1
GHOSTS OF OUR PAST - CHAPTER 4: NOTHING EVER GOES SMOOTHLY PT. 1
GHOSTS OF OUR PAST - CHAPTER 4: NOTHING EVER GOES SMOOTHLY PT. 2