Marcus burst on to the bridge in a rage, seeking the captain, demanding answers. He wasn't the only one. The girl and her mother were both there, fighting over something inconsequential, no doubt.
"Captain!" He said, firmly, as he stepped on to the command dias. "Captain Yannis."
Yannis looked him up and down. "At ease, Staff Sergeant."
The tone of that command reminded Marcus that he had forgotten to salute. He snapped one out, then stood at ease.
"My apologies, Captain, but I need answers."
"We all need answers, Staff Sergeant. What, precisely, do you think my crew is doing right now?"
"Sir, this happened when the first colonists arrived on board. It can't be a coincidence."
"I appreciate your suspicion, but there is no possibility any of the colonists could have been involved."
"But sir, the timing."
"The timing is unfortunate, yes. We are investigating everything from the moment the first transport returned, but any physical connection to your fire and the colonists is extremely unlikely."
Grace, backing away from her daughter who seemed to be in her own furious state, stepped forward before Marcus could continue."
"Captain, as I was saying, the sooner you can release any information about the data retrieved from those asteroids, the sooner we can start looking at it."
"Grace, that data will be released for your eyes after it has been evaluated by our own analysts. OpSec takes priority here."
"But you can't think that my daughter is a security risk."
"What I think doesn't matter, we follow the protocols. If that data can be released to you, you are welcome to look for information about your husband."
"I thought we had an understanding, Captain," said Grace.
Marcus watched the fire in her eyes burn brighter, and glanced past her where Tila had the same intransigent expression on her face. Like mother, like daughter. But they only wanted data? He had more important things to do.
"Sir," Marcus interrupted. "With respect, an incident like this, at a time like this, cannot be overlooked. There is too much at stake here. We are still light years from home and unsupported."
Yannis, spun his chair from Grace to Marcus. "I am well aware of our tactical sitution, than you.
Tila was tired of waiting, and she stepped up to the dias too.
"You have no right to keep that data from us," Tila yelled.
"This will really calm things down," Marcus muttered to himself.
"Excuse me, Staff Sergeant Wu?" said Grace.
"Grace, stand down. I remind you that you do not need to be on the bridge. Your presence here is a courtesy which can be rescinded at any time."
"You can't do that," said Tila. "You wouldn't be commanding this mission if it wasn't for her."
"Investigation into the Cabal were already well advanced," said Marcus. He was sure if these two women could leave, he could get some answers from the bridge crew.
"Staff Sergeant, that's enough," said Yannis.
"And everything else in this system is only possible because of my father. We need to find him, that's why we're here!" Tila shouted.
"Tila, you can't speak to the Captain like that!" said Grace.
"Your place is not to defend the Captain of this ship, ma;'am," said Marcus.
"Grace," snapped Yannis, "This is not the time."
"You can't talk to her like that!" said Tila, she stepped forward. Marcus stepped forward to intercept Tila. Grace stepped forward to keep them apart.
"Enough!" cried the captain. Security, get these people off my bridge now. I have work to do.
"Captain!" Grace pleaded.
"Tempers are high, Grace. We can discuss this later," said Yannis.
"Thank you Captain," said Marcus, as bridge security officers arrived to escort the unwanted guests from the bridge. Grace went willingly, scowling. Tila didn't moved until she was taken by the arm and pulled from the dias. "Now, if I can have access to the security logs from my barracks—"
Yannis spun his chair away from Marcus and directed his attention back to the bridge.
"I meant you too, Staff Sergeant. Consider that an order."
Marcus frowned and his features tensed and as he controlled his impatience.
"Sir," he said, saluted, and made to leave.
"Hold," said Yannis. Marcus stopped.
"I don't have any casualty information yet. Do you have anything to report?"
"Minor casualties. One fatality, sir."
Yannis bowed his head for a moment, then addressed the bridge. "Please elevate Staff Sergeant Wu's authority for the security logs he has requested, and place him in charge of the investigation. Good enough, Staff Sergeant?"
"Yes sir," said Marcus. "Thank you."
"It's one less thing on my plate. Now go and get some rest."
Marcus left the bridge, but rest was the farthest thing from his mind.
In the corridor outside, Grace and Tila were still arguing, and they were in his way.
"You can't embarrass me like that, Tila. This is still a military operation. Remember I'm here as a consultant. I don't have any command authority on this ship."
"But why are you letting them keep that data? If they know anything about him, we need to see it."
"I want to see those records just as much as you do, but be reasonable. They have to clear the data for access, and the chances of his name being in those computers is still small. There were thousands of colonists on the Far Horizon. We've only found five hundred so far."
"That's not what you said to the Captain."
"This is the first news we have had of your father in over twelve years. I lost my temper. I shouldn't have done that."
"Exactly! We've waited long enough. We need answers now. I didn't come on this mission to sit and wait."
"Mrs Vasquez, Miss Vasquez," said Marcus. He gestured his need for space to walk past them.
"Tila, we're in the way."
"Fine, I'll leave," said Tila, and marched away.
Grace took a long, slow breath, and let it out again.
"I'm sorry you had to see that. She's impatient for answers. We all are."
"Yes, we all are," said Marcus. He nodded his understanding and walked on, looking thoughtful.
The elevator doors were almost closed when Marcus reached them. He swiped his hand though the shrinking gap, and stepped in as they opened again. Tila was inside, and glared at him. She was still looking for a fight.
"If you hadn't interrupted us..." she began.
"Nothing would be different," said Marcus. "We both want answers."
"You only had a fire," said Tila.
"That fire was sabotage. And one of my men is dead because of it."
"Oh," said Tila quietly. "I didn't know."
"Do you ever take the time to learn? Or do you always assume you are the most important person in the room?"
Tila said nothing for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry. I hope you find your answers."
They rode in silence after that. Marcus regretting his outburst, and Tila regretting that she had caused it. Marcus ground his jaw as he half planned his investigation, and half planned what he would do to the person behind the fire. He didn't believe it was a coincidence. The timing was too perfect. If it was merely chance, the data would show him. If it wasn't...
The elevator pinged softly, and the doors opened. Tila stepped past him and when she was outside, turned around.
"I really am sorry," she said. "I know what it's like to lose someone."
She turned to leave. Marcus slapped his hand on the doors to stop them closing.
"That data you want, you know it could be twenty four hours or more before they release the redacted copy for you."
"Oh," said Tila. She turned to leave again.
"There's a secondary team heading to that asteroid in thirty minutes." She gave him a quizzical look. "It's mission protocol to leave the original data untouched. Did you know that?"
Her eyes sparked. "What are you saying?"
"Goodnight, Tila," said Marcus. The doors closed.