Page 35 of Alien's Love Child

"Three weeks. You've torn apart my ship twelve times. My crew's eating protein paste while you lot play detective." I cross my arms. "What exactly are you hoping to find on search thirteen?"

"We have probable cause-"

"Had. Past tense. Your probable cause went up in smoke with that warehouse." My voice catches on the last word. "Along with..."

Marrow's organic eye softens. "I understand this has been difficult-"

"No, you don't understand. You're bleeding us dry. My accounts are frozen, my reputation's shot, and you've found exactly nothing because there is nothing to find."

"The data-"

"If this doctor or scientist or whatever uploaded anything to my systems, your tech team would have found it by now. Instead, you're standing here, fishing for something that doesn't exist."

Marrow sighs, lowering his datapad. "You're right."

"I'm- what?"

"We've exhausted all reasonable avenues of investigation. Without concrete evidence, we can't justify holding you here any longer." He taps his screen. "I'm officially closing the case. Your accounts will be unfrozen within twenty hours."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. You're free to go, Captain. But I suggest you don't come back." He pauses at the cargo bay door.

The words hit like a physical blow, but I keep my face neutral until he's gone.

Taluk's red scales catch the dim cargo bay light as he approaches, datapad clutched in his hands. "Captain, I might have something."

"Not now, Taluk." My fingers press against my temples.

"It's a good one. Contact I found here wants specialized cargo moved to Gur. Far from here, far from..." He trails off, his dark eyes darting to where Officer Marrow just stood.

"Gur?" The word catches in my throat. That's halfway across the Athenaverse. "How much?"

"Enough to refuel three times over and still have plenty left." His scales ripple with excitement. "I can handle the details. You won't have to-"

"Fine." The word comes out sharper than intended. "Just... make it happen."

His mouth opens, closes, opens again. "Really?"

"You've earned it." My hand lands on his shoulder. "Don't make me regret this."

He practically bounces as he heads to the comm room, already tapping at his datapad. I drag myself up to the cockpit where Rena sits, her boots propped on the console as she stares out at the starport.

"Heard Marrow finally gave up," she says without turning.

I sink into the co-pilot's seat. "Yeah."

"Good riddance."

"Is it?" The words tumble out before I can stop them. "At least while they were searching, there was a chance they'd find something. Some clue about what happened to-"

"Jesse." Rena's voice is gentle but firm. "He's gone."

"I know." The tears I've been holding back all day threaten to spill. "I know that. I just... I can't..."

Rena's arms wrap around me, and I finally let go. The sobs wrack my body as she holds me, not saying anything, just being there like she has been since this whole nightmare started.

"Taluk found us a job," I manage between breaths. "Transporting cargo to Gur."

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