"What is she doing here?" Denton said with a raised voice as he pointed at Commander Connor and took a step closer, his finger just inches away from her face. "She detained us for hours for no reason."

"Mr. Staxx, I do owe you an apology for earlier," Leah said. "My actions were necessary, I'm afraid, although unfortunate."

"She's right," the Admiral said as he stepped in between Denton and Leah. "Her actions are monitored by the governor. She was forced to act as she did to ensure her safety, as well as yours."

"I don't understand. What does her safety have to do with us?"

"Commander Connor is the source that I mentioned just moments ago."

Denton looked at Leah and then back at the admiral, his finger once again pointing at Leah. "She alerted you to our presence?"

"That is correct. She has been an embedded, undercover plant we have used to monitor the governor and his activities for several years. She's been our eyes and ears."

"Unfortunately," Leah said and glared momentarily at Denton, "Your arrival complicated my mission, a mission I am now forced to abandon in favor of avoiding political problems between Earth and Proxima b."

Denton walked over to a table in the room and sat down, shaking his head. He looked at the Admiral and Leah. "I'm even more confused. Why would you have to jeopardize your mission just because of our arrival? I mean, don't get me wrong, we both appreciate not being held as pawns in some political game but why would that put you in any danger?"

"The governor has spies everywhere. Like the admiral mentioned, everything I do is monitored, in one way or another. Although the governor prefers to stay on Mars itself, he knows everything that happens. This is why he specifically requested you be detained."

"The governor of Mars?"

"Yes."

"So you had us detained, as he requested and then alerted the Admiral here about what was going on?"

"Exactly. Unfortunately, it means that it won't be long before the governor knows you're no longer in custody. He'll send his goons to find me. I'll be imprisoned, at best. Worst case, sent to the mine on Phobos. Either way, I'm done."

The Admiral nodded. "It is indeed unfortunate, but at the same time, necessary. In light of this, Commander Connor will be joining us on our journey to Earth."

Denton looked at the Admiral and then Leah and nodded. "What about the Governor? Should we expect any trouble from him?"

Leah shook her head. "Unlikely. The Governor won't take action against the fleet or the admiral, but he won't hesitate to try to corner me if he can."

Tanner suddenly stepped up and tapped Denton on the shoulder. "My apologies, but there is an urgent matter I need to remind you about.

Denton looked at Tanner, eyebrows raised. "And what's that?"

"My power reserves. I am running dangerously low and require recharging as soon as possible.

Denton jumped to his feet. "Oh yes, I forgot." He looked at the Admiral. "How quickly can you get my colleague here to his power units?"

"I'll have one of the guards escort him."

"Perhaps the Commander can show me?" Tanner suggested and took a step towards Leah.

"Me?" Leah said, surprised at the invitation.

"Yes, of course. You appear to be very intrigued by AI and my abilities. Since we'll be spending the next part of the journey together, I'd love to start by showing you my cores."

Leah smiled, looked at Denton and shrugged. "Sure, why not," she said and turned to the admiral. "Unless that interferes with your plans, Admiral."

"Oh no, not at all."

"Alright, I will take you there. We're just minutes away," she said and motioned for Tanner to follow her. "This way."

Denton observed the whole exchange with curiosity. He was used to Tanner acting on his own in a variety of circumstances, but his proactive approach wit Leah had taken him off guard. What was he up to? It almost seemed like Tanner wanted to spend time with Leah. Romantic feelings from an AI, was that even possible? No, it couldn't be. As good as the AI's were, emotions were still outside of their realm. He knew that Tanner could emulate what he saw in humans, but it was always very calculated. Regardless, Denton was grateful for the interruption. It gave him an opportunity to discuss a matter with the Admiral, without Leah within earshot.

As Leah and Tanner exited the room, Denton grabbed the Admiral's arm just as he was about to follow. "Admiral, do you have a moment?"

The Admiral looked at him with a surprised look on his face. "Well, yes of course," he said. "What's on your mind?"

Denton gestured towards the doorway through which Leah and Tanner had disappeared. "I'm concerned about Le...Commander Connor," he said.

"Oh? How so?"

"This may seem silly, and I apologize in advance if this is totally inappropriate but how can you be so sure she's not, you know, a double agent?"

"Actually working for the governor of Mars, you mean?"

"Exactly," Denton said and nodded. "It seems very coincidental that she would notify you about us and then escape with us. How can we know there's not an ambush for the ship somewhere out there or that she'll sabotage the shuttle before we get to Earth?"

The Admiral put his hands on Denton's arms and laughed. "I wouldn't worry about it, son. Commander Connor has had an exemplary service career. She wouldn't have been chosen for this undercover unless we were absolutely certain that she was the right person for the job and completely loyal to our cause. The intelligence we have gained from her throughout the last few years has confirmed this. Somehow, the Governor of Mars trusted her and we've been able to avoid many unpleasant diplomatic incidents because of her."

"If you say so," Denton said, not entirely convinced and followed as the Admiral exited the room.

"I understand your concern, I really do, but there's nothing to worry about," the Admiral said as they walked down a brightly lit corridor that ended in a large, open hall. The hall was empty, but Denton could tell it usually wasn't. It was lined with desks and terminals on one end of the room while a section in the middle had a passageway with signs that indicated it was a security checkpoint.

"What is this place?" Denton asked as they walked towards the security checkpoint.

"It's the check-in terminal for all travel to other systems."

"But there's no-one here? Is that normal?"

"Not usually. The hall is empty except during departure times so that in itself is normal. In fact, we have Commander Connor to thank for the absence of passengers. Not long after your detention, she ordered all departures shut down due to a maintenance issue. It's a convenient excuse to empty the place and allow us to pass through."

"So we just walk right through, no check-in or anything?"

The admiral laughed. "We'll be departing on a navy vessel that's docked next to the ship you arrived on. There are no tickets to buy. We just walk on through. Oh, and all your belongings have already been transferred to the ship. As soon as we board, we'll depart."

Denton felt like he had a million other questions he wanted to ask but decided to keep his mouth shut. He felt uneasy about their situation yet he wasn't sure what to do with it. They really had no choice but to play along and see where they ended up.

They left the security area behind and walked past shops and restaurants, all deserted. Denton felt a rumble in his stomach that reminded him it had been a while since he ate.

The admiral turned and laughed. "Sounds like you could use a sandwich, Mr. Staxx."

Denton nodded. "It's that obvious, huh?"

"Not to worry. The ship is well stocked."

As they walked towards the gate where the ship was docked, he caught an occasional glimpse of the world outside the space station. Multiple vessels of various dimensions were docked at the gates that for the time being was abandoned. Some were small, apparently for travel between the space station and Mars itself, while others were intended for intergalactic travel or travel within the solar system itself. Mars with its swirling white clouds came into view now and then, teasing with its presence. Denton had a feeling he wouldn't be visiting Mars on this trip, if ever.

As they approached the gate, his earpiece suddenly came alive.

"Denton, I'm back with my cores. Just in time, I should add."

"OK good. So you're all set?"

"Yes. Commander Connor was kind enough to assist, which sped things up."

"Ah, I see," Denton said and let out a chuckle.

"What's so funny?"

"What makes you think anything is funny?"

"I heard the chuckle."

Denton smiled. "I'm sure you did."

"So?"

"Tanner, it's not a joke, alright? Don't worry about it."

"I hope not. I would hate to lose out on something that I can learn from. Jokes are difficult enough as it is, you know that."

"I was just observing your interactions with the Commander, that's all."

"What about it?"

"They were, well, unexpected and somewhat forward."

Tanner remained silent for a few moments before he responded. "As I said, my power reserves were depleting. Commander Connor seemed like a better option to provide the urgency required to resolve the situation in a satisfactory manner."

"If you say so," Denton said and laughed.

"There is nothing else to say. I'll be available if you need me," Tanner said and signed off abruptly.

The Admiral, walking next to Denton, had listened to the half of the conversation he could hear. "Is everything ok? Tanner is all settled in?" he asked as they walked through the gate and up the walkway that led to the navy vessel.

Denton nodded and flashed a smile at the admiral. "Yes, everything is fine, just fine. Tanner is all set, so we're ready for departure when you are."

"Very well. We'll depart as soon as the crew can close the door. I have already alerted the bridge. Next stop, Earth."

~~~

Denton and Tanner are finally back on track. Or are they? Is Leah who she says she is? What about the Admiral? Are they just getting in deeper?