The Girl in the Tank: Galactic Consortium, Season 1

Episode Eight: Escape to Shin ch.9

Cheyenne felt trapped. It was midmorning and both courts were crowded. She found a side lift and went up a couple of floors. She wandered semi deserted passages in what appeared to be a residential area. She fumed about her lack of purpose, her helplessness and her anger at Lana. She wasn't even really mad at her, it was the whole having to depend on someone. She had learned early in her home life never to depend on others.

"System message," a voice said.

Already? Can't the woman give me two minutes peace? Cheyenne fumed. But it wasn't Lana.

"Jack Sheridan, Shoshone Station."

Cheyenne took a deep breath, fighting down her emotions. "Courtesy," she said. It was a code she discovered, to let the caller know you needed a couple minutes to make yourself presentable. "I'm here."

"Am I interrupting?" Jack asked as he appeared. He was sitting at his desk, which was now projected across the hallway, making a ludicrous scene.

"No," Cheyenne said. "I was just out for a walk. Is there news?"

"Yeah, good news," Jack said. "First hearing on the custody case was today, as you know."

Cheyenne nodded.

"He didn't show."

Cheyenne snorted. "Probably on a bender. I should be angry, but all I can feel for him now is pity. He's just lost, an aimless drifter." So am I.

Jack nodded. "His lawyer tried to ask for an extension. Judge said no dice, if he wants to have another hearing, he'll have to refile. Given the scandal, I doubt Abernathy will want to be his lawyer for another round. That puts him back to square one."

Cheyenne nodded.

"You look troubled," Jack commented.

"Just having trouble adjusting, I guess," she said, evading.

He nodded. "I know what you mean. And I've been up on their base ship several times. Living on a station though, it kind of smacks you in the face. There are so many details that you don't think about until you are somewhere 24-7. Anything I can do?"

Cheyenne shook her head no. "And the case. It's done then?"

"Pretty much."

"Anything else I need to do?"

"Need? No. But if you want to help the State Department, you could give an interview. You have some good press right now. I think it would help soothe the political fallout if you gave your side."

"I don't want to rat him out, or complain," Cheyenne said.

"You don't have to," Jack said. "After the interview, journalists have been digging. They know already, his drinking, your mom's mental health issues. But what they don't know, is you. They don't know how hard you've worked to be there for the kids, how you would do anything for them. I think it would help for people to see that side."

Cheyenne nodded. "I'll think about it. I can do it from here, right?"

Jack nodded.

After talking to Jack, Cheyenne continued her walk. She was still upset, but something felt different. Some of it was relief, knowing her children weren't going to be taken from her. A phrase kept working at the back of her mind, Jack saying "how hard you've worked for the kids."

Cheyenne found Lana on the couch, crying, when she came home. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"You're going to leave me," Lana replied.