Fatal Containment

Fatal Containment - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

The Dominion arrived at the abandoned mining colony, its sleek form casting a long shadow over the derelict station. The miners had not taken any artistic view of their mission, the sprawling mining base pultruding from the largest asteroid like a metal tumor. Cheryl watched as Captain Cantrell, flanked by two marines, prepared to board a shuttle. The marines also had Tyrell Sanders and Candice Picoult in tow, also preparing to accompany him.

Cheryl walked to the nearest wall communicator and punched up the bridge.

"The captain is preparing to leave for the mining colony, sir."

"I'm aware lieutenant. I tried to convince him to send me instead, but the old man was firm and insisted he should take the risk this time."

"Then why would the captain take Tyrell and Candice with him?" Cheryl asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Repeat that lieutenant," Connor said in shock.

The mining colony, once a bustling hub of activity, now stood silent and desolate, its structures and machinery a testament to another abandoned mission once the primary veins were mined. As was often the case, the mining corporation simply abandoned much of their supply stores as shipping the redundant parts and supplies was often as expensive as sending new ones ahead to the next asteroid field.

On the bridge, Connor had been left in charge of the Dominion while Captain Cantrell handled the simple parts retrieval mission. Per regulations, the captain had taken two marines as an escort.

The captain's decision to bring Tyrell and Candice along was puzzling. They were civilians who had no knowledge at all concerning power transceivers. It wasn't even conceivable that the captain was taking them to keep them safe. His recent actions were raising questions, and suspicions were beginning to form for both Cheryl and Connor.

"This isn't right," Cheryl said, her gaze fixed on the viewscreen. "Why would the captain bring Tyrell and Candice with him?"

Connor, sitting in the conning chair, crossed his arms over his chest. "It's almost as if he's...protecting them."

Cheryl turned to look at him, her eyes wide. "You don't think...the captain could be involved in the murders?"

"At this point, I can't rule anything out," Connor shrugged, his expression grim.

Connor was lost in his own confusion. If the captain was indeed involved, it would mean a betrayal of the highest order.

"We need to find out what's going on," Cheryl said finally. "We need to be down on that base."

Connor nodded. "I agree. But regulations—"

"Would you follow your gut just this once, sir? If our attacker wants to buy this technology, the captain may be handing it directly over to them. That makes this treason of the highest order," she said, leaning in close to keep her conversation between them. She was staring Connor in the eyes making it impossible for him to ignore the facts.

"But we can't take marines with us. Beauchêne reports directly to the captain."

"It doesn't matter. Send me if you're afraid to go. Information is what we need, and our window to get it is quickly fading."

"I agree," Connor said nodding. "But, if we're wrong..."

Cheryl turned to go, but Connor stood from the captain's chair. "We'll both go, lieutenant," he said firmly.

Connor surrendered the conn to a deck officer as Cheryl prepared a second shuttle for flight to the mining base.