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Starliner Athos Nexus Main Chat

Chattykaffi: Good morning, cruisers! If you haven’t been to see the Omega Min nebula, or the Omega Min Star, which are both on display on Deck 39, there is no better time than today. Speaking of fabulous things, do not miss the spectacular show happening every night this week in the Galaxy Amphitheater. Only a few more opportunities remain to see Ayronina, Loessa’s most popular songstress, while she’s on board. Get your tickets now!

NeptuneCruiser: We saw her last night and it was beyond words. She is literally the best.

JupiterJenny: She was SO good. I’m going to see her every night I can. She makes me want to die, in the best way possible.

Etta_the_Explorer: I hear La Patisserie is doing a special tartlet in her honor. Ruby chocolate ganache and custard with a butter crust and grapefruit pearls. My mouth is already watering. What time do they open?

Nexus_Mod3: Etta_the_Explorer, La Patisserie opens at zero six hundred hours for breakfast.

I yawned as I got my coffee out of the Instachef. The Morning News Report was already on softly in the background, but I wasn’t paying close attention. Since I hadn’t taken the day off like Frank, I needed to be at the library in an hour to open it.

I could have done with a little more sleep. After taking my nebulite pendant to Frank last night, I’d stayed and watched him scan it for any kind of energy signature. He’d found one and had promised to clean it up and amplify it into something usable as quickly as he could.

I had high hopes. Frank was a tech genius. If anyone could do it, he was the man. When I’d left him about an hour and a half later, he had yet to turn up anything on his background search into Olan and Navun, but I had faith in that, too.

There had to be a connection between them and the premier. It all fit together so well. I debated telling Hazel my ideas about that but decided I’d at least run it past her. In part to get her opinion on it, and also so that she could be on the lookout for anything that fit into that theory.

I punched in my breakfast. A bagel sandwich with egg and cheese. While that processed, I went to get in the shower in the hopes it would wake me up a bit more.

Harry had yet to get off the bed. I was still amused by his suggestion last night. The very thought of him traipsing unchaperoned through the starliner. As if I’d agree to that. No doubt he’d find something. Probably trouble.

But I loved that he wanted to help, and maybe he had. His suggestion had sparked my idea about tracking the Star though its energy signature.

I cranked up the vapor shower’s temperature, shed my robe, and stepped in. The heat felt good. Like it was bringing me to life. I’d need more coffee, of course, but this was a good start.

When I got out, I could smell that breakfast was ready. My stomach rumbled in response. I wrapped my hair in a towel and my body in my robe, then put my slippers on and went out to eat.

I made another cup of coffee, then sat and watched the news while I ate. Out of habit, mostly. I didn’t expect any actual news. Mostly there was more talk of the nebula and the Omega Min Star. They showed some more clips from the interviews they’d done at the gala. A surprising number of people had nebulite jewelry. Primarily women, but one man had nebulite cufflinks, and another had a pin on his lapel.

Mainly, Claire and Kent spent their time gushing over Ayronina and her show.

She had a good voice (albeit possibly enhanced with technology), and she was a beautiful, captivating girl, but her sound wasn’t my thing. I got it, though. She was Elvis all over again, just on Loessa.

I didn’t think she’d end up with the same legacy as those performers. Not a chance. Unless she became famous for other things, like her affair with Yut.

I sipped my coffee and thought about Fathia. She was in a tough spot. Unhappy in her marriage but morally bound by the vows she’d made. If she left the marriage, she’d be put through the political and social ringer. If she stayed, she had very little chance of being truly happy, but at least she could use her power and position to do some good.

I felt for her. It was hard not to. I gave her a lot of credit for persevering. I didn’t know that I could have done it. After a while, I thought, my resentment would have built to the point that my desire to do something would outweigh my sense of duty to let things be.

I stared at the screen without really seeing or hearing the anchors. What if Fathia had already reached her breaking point? What if the disappearance of the Star had nothing to do with the premier and everything to do with her?

What better way to make your husband look like a fool than to undermine his big voyage, the very trip that was being covered moment by moment on your home planet? The Loessaian reporters were good at being discreet, but they were definitely on the starliner and paying close attention.

Also, what better way to play innocent than to befriend the woman who was looking into the Star’s disappearance?

A little chill went through me. Was Fathia playing me for a fool?

My jaw tightened. That did not sit well. The more I thought about it, the more bothered I became. If my hunch was correct, and the truth came out, Hazel would still be in hot water, but this time it would be directly because of me.

That could not happen.

I sent Frank a text. Are you around?

His answer came back immediately. Yes.

Can you come see me this morning at the library?

I’ll be there.

I exhaled as I looked up, still shaken by the idea that I was being used. I didn’t have time to dwell. I had to get ready for work. I threw myself into that, drying my hair and doing my makeup.

I paired my work uniform of the standard-issue gray jumpsuit with a butter-yellow cardigan, black belt, black flats, and a yellow, black, and gray scarf in my hair. I wore my diamond studs as my only jewelry.

The nebulite pendant stayed in the safe in my closet. As valuable as I knew it must be, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to wear it again.

Maybe I’d sell it. Or give it to Hazel, though she wasn’t much for jewelry.

I had a brief thought about taking some lunch with me, but I had no appetite and decided not to. If that changed, I’d get a protein shake from the Instachef in the breakroom. “Ready, Harry?”

“Ready, Mum.”

We headed for the library, which was thankfully close. As we approached, I saw a familiar figure leaning near the door. Frank was already there, waiting on me.

I smiled, grateful to have such an amazing man in my life. “Hi.”

“Morning, beautiful. And Harry.” His brow furrowed as he leaned in to kiss my cheek. He frowned as he pulled back. “You’re not all right. What’s going on?”

I shook my head, not trusting my voice because of how upset I was. I got the library unlocked, and we went in. I turned the lights on. I usually walked the stacks, made sure everything was in order, that sort of thing, but this morning, it could wait.

Harry zipped ahead to his bed that sat on the back of the round reception desk.

We stopped in front of the desk. I took a deep breath and found my nerve. “I think Fathia is using me. I think she’s deliberately gotten me on her side because she’s the one behind this and she’s trying to throw me off.”

“Fathia?”

I nodded. “What better way to humiliate the man who’s been humiliating her for years? Not only that but losing the Star will ruin the premier. I don’t know how Loessaians deal with this sort of thing, but it might even cost him his position.”

Frank rubbed his hand over his mouth. “Do you think she was just telling you stories then? To make you sympathetic toward her?”

“Not completely. Probably a lot of what she told me was true. Yut confirmed that by what he shared with you. But do I think she’s as blameless as she makes herself out to be? No. It’s very possible that she is involved with Dr. Saetang. He could be a part of this, too. Think about it. They destroy Yut, remove him from the picture, and then she and Saetang live happily ever after.”

“Okay. Let me do some research into the repercussions of all of this. What it would mean for her, for Yut, the politics behind it, the whole thing. I’ll let you know as soon as I figure it out. In the meantime, have you talked to your daughter?”

“Not yet. Why?”

Harry hopped down and headed off. Where he was going, I had no idea. He’d better not have decided to search the ship on his own.

“Ask her whose idea it was for us to have lunch with Fathia and Yut. Hers or his?”

“Good idea. I’ll let you know what she says.” Although I had a feeling I knew what the answer would be. “Did you find anything incriminating in Olan or Navun’s history?”

He frowned. “No. Doesn’t mean it’s not there. Could be a handshake deal or could be something that was done via their families, to hide it better. I still have some looking to do.”

“Okay.” My mood was not improving, and I couldn’t seem to shake it.

“Hey,” he said softly, pulling me into his arms. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

I let myself lean on him, just for a moment. “I know. I need to get out of this funk, but right now, I don’t see much light at the end of the tunnel.”

He squeezed me before letting me go. “We’ll get there. You have every right to be concerned about this. You and Hazel are smack in the middle of it. But you’ve got me.”

Harry put his front paws on my leg. “And me, Mum.”

“There you are. Thanks.” I looked at Frank. “To both of you.”

The door opened, and a few patrons came in. I greeted them with a smile I didn’t feel. “Good morning.”

Harry went back to his bed.

Frank touched my hand. “I’d better let you get to work. I’ll be in contact as soon as I have something to share.”

“Thanks. Me, too.”

He left, and I sent a quick note to Hazel. Whose idea was my lunch with the premier? His or hers?

The patrons were scanning one of the holographic book displays that showed off the latest reads. “If you need help with anything, just let me know.”

I did a quick circuit, making sure everything was in its place. The reading nook needed a little straightening, and the screen tables in one of the large study rooms had been left on, but everything else was in good order. I slipped into the breakroom and made myself a cup of coffee but opted for half-caf at the last moment.

Being awake wasn’t my problem, and I didn’t want to add to the edgy mood I was already in. I stood in the doorway while it brewed so I could keep an eye on the library. Another patron had come in. Today seemed like it was going to be busy.

Fine with me. It would make the day go by faster.

I had new books, recently translated from works by Loessaian authors, to catalog and match up with their covers, something that sometimes went wonky when left to the computer. I worked on that, using it as a way to distract myself from everything I couldn’t control.

An hour into the job, Hazel answered me. As best I can remember, it was Fathia’s idea. Why?

I sucked in air. That was the answer I’d been expecting but hoping against. Maybe nothing. Looking into a few things. I hope to have new info soon.

I didn’t want to get into it over text. It was really the kind of conversation best had in person.

But that confirmed my suspicions. I sent Frank the update, then went back to work. By the time Itzak came in, I was nearly done with the first batch. There were fifty more books still grinding through the translator.

“How’s it going, boss?” He greeted me with a big smile, then nodded at Harry. “Looking good today, buddy.”

“It’s going well.” I did my best to smile back and act like nothing was wrong. None of what was happening was something I could discuss, so it was the easiest option. “I just finished up the first batch of books from Loessa. The next batch probably won’t be done until tomorrow.”

“Want me to double-check the covers?”

“That would be great.” I stepped away from the screen so he could log on.

He tapped in his code. “I have Mr. Zimmer’s Social Sciences class coming in at noon, so if it’s all right with you, I’m going to get ready for them, then I’ll do the covers.”

“That’s fine.” A woman came to the counter, so as Itzak left, I helped her find the book she was looking for.

She left, and I was greeted by another patron. One I hadn’t expected to see.

Fathia Hanth.