Fight for (SS) Unity

Chapter 1

I dashed around the corner, nearly slipping on the metal paneled floor. Damn Oriana, why did she have to force me into this stupid outfit? I was still panting as I barrelled towards my destination. Glancing at my watch, I realised I didn't even have time to catch my breath. I slid the last few paces, hand out to grab the door handle. I shoved the door open and careened through, shut it behind me, still not slowing. I bent down and nearly threw up. I was top of my Intergalactic Fitness Training class, but wearing a long party dress and sandals was far from ideal. I took a deep breath through my nose even as I pulled the device from inside my bra. At least this ridiculous dress was good for something. I pressed the tip of my ear, activating my ear comms.

"This is E. In position. Help. Now!" I managed.

"E, this is J. Good job. You have the drive? Over." was the reply.

"YES I HAVE THE DAMN THING. Over." I yelled. I was impatient, no time for pleasantries.

I walked towards the computer, not bothering to sit down.

"Ok, all you need to do is get the drive into the mainframe. You just need to get into the computer itself first. I'm sending you the string of code for the password. Over."

I pulled out my GravTab from my side pocket, opened my latest message and propped it next to the computer. As my fingers flew across the keyboard, I heard shouts over my earpiece.

"This is ..... ran into....... help. Help! .....faster!"

What just happened? I wondered. There was no time to stop and help the others. I had to do my part, they had to do theirs. I finally got into the computer and followed the rest of the instructions left by Jaz on the tablet. I inserted the hard drive into the computer. Mission accomplished.

"J this is E. Everything's in place. Over."

There was no answer.

"J. Hello? Everything's in place. How are the others? Over."

Still no reply. Shooooot. I grabbed my GravTab and ran out of the room. What was going on? I had to find out. I raced through the space vessel, through hallways, and up staircases till I finally reached Jaz's base - his dorm. I pounded impatiently on the door.

When there was no response, I yelled out "Open up!"

Not even a whisper. My heart was in my throat as I put a hand to the door. He could be in serious trouble. I gently tried the door. It slid right open. Oh crêpe..

"Jaz. It's Elke." I whispered.

Still nothing. I held out my GravTab and flicked on the torch application. A small, intense beam filtered from the smart device. I shone it around the humble room, revealing my hacker friend's neat habitation. The bed was neatly made. The computer was still running on his desk, making a slight whirring noise. I spun around in circles, hoping I wasn't missing anything. As I started heading back out of the room, feeling defeated, I spotted a small dark stain on the side of the doorframe. When I shone the light on it, I almost fell to the ground. It was shining red. Fresh blood. It was all I could do to keep running. I kept trying comms as I ran but eventually gave up. I sped down the hall to my dorm. The door was ajar. I didn't make a sound as I slipped into the room and stopped to try and make out my surroundings. Suddenly, a hand shot out and clamped my mouth shut before I could scream. I fought back, twisting and kicking. Then I heard a voice in my ear.

"It's me."

The hand dropped, and I whispered back.

"Oriana?"

I could make out a figure, and saw her nod her head.

"I'm so glad you're ok. I couldn't reach you. Something happened to Jaz." I said as I reached out and hugged her.

"They're onto us. Comms are shut down. I don't know where the others are." she replied.

The two of us stepped apart as an alarm blared out.

"Security breach. Security breach. All citizens report to your closest meeting point. Follow evacuation plan and emergency lights for assistance.

"What are we going to do?" I whispered.

Before she could reply, the announcement repeated itself. Then a new one sounded.

"Code red. Code red. SecTeams to Level 4."

Shoot. This level. Before I could think, there were shouts from the hallway. I looked on from behind the door. Oriana stood frozen to the spot. I saw guards knocking on doors, asking civilians to evacuate to the emergency meeting point. Taking any resistors. The rest of the people from this level were being led out to safety. Safety wasn't waiting for Oriana and I. And the guards were getting closer to us. Just as suddenly as the alarms had started, they stopped. And then two more Sec teams burst through the big metal doors that led to the staircases and elevators. I was confused. If Jaz was hurt or dead, what was going on now?

One security team headed straight to my room. I turned to warn Oriana, but I couldn't see anything in the dark.

"Oriana!" I hissed into the void. No answer.

I threw myself under my bed. I curled my long legs around me, hid in a ball. Heart in mouth. Didn't breathe. Didn't move. I just hoped that Oriana was safe. There were footsteps outside the door. Then a knock on the door.

"This is SS Unity, Security Team HA49MANA. Open up."

Silence. 

"We're coming in. We are armed and if you resist you will be met with violence."

I could see the light coming in from the hallway. They flicked on the lights and I heard them enter. Quiet as mice. Then there was a yell. Unable to stop myself, I glanced out from under the bed. 

They had found Oriana.