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The elevator wall was as clear as air – only a few thin lines in it let her know it was there at all.
And she could see out over the entire area, all the statues, and the masses of people that snaked through various places.
“Half of this station is just sorting areas for the streams of people that move through it,” Brooks said.
“Over ten million per day,” Dr. Y noted. “We are seeing only a fraction of that here.” He looked at Brooks. “Though having a ‘foyer’ of this sort, even if not all come through here, is surprisingly inefficient, Captain. I imagine that this is for a symbolic reason?”
“Yes,” Brooks replied.
Apollonia had her nose against the glass, but then thought of how many people probably touched it on a daily basis. She moved back.
“Y,” she asked. “How squirming with life is that glass?”
He looked at it. “Compared to Earth? Pristine. Compared to my office? It is a veritable zoo.” He stepped over. “Now that you have brought up its make-up, I believe I will take a sample.”
While he did that, Apollonia gave a wry grin to Brooks. “So where is this hearing?”
“The Military Justice section is located three cylinders over. We have to get on a drone ship that will take us there.”
“How long will that take?”
“About ten minutes. I’ve signalled a pod and we’ll be picked up shortly after we get to the transit bay.”
The elevator dinged and opened. Dr. Y took a moment longer to finish his collection, talking about his excitement in meeting such an odd assortment of micro-fauna.
They found themselves at a berthing station, where pod-craft could dock. There were hundreds of others waiting, with three rows of nine docks.
They went up stairs and Apollonia saw that the dock next to theirs had been cleverly closed off, exposed to the vacuum that existed between the habitat cylinders. A work-crew in vacuum suits were replacing the lock.
Their pod was already pulling up, and Brooks threw the workmen a salute, which was returned by one.
“Do you know him?” Apollonia asked as they boarded the pod.
“No. But officers salute workmen,” he replied.
The pod closed behind them and took off. It just used small hydrogen thrusters, and she felt the acceleration as it moved down the length of the area.
They were still inside the superstructure of Korolev Station, there were only slight glimpses of space beyond through a few small slits – or, she wondered if they were actually kilometers away, but looked tiny at this distance.
There were thousands of other pods, she saw, all pilot-less but controlled in neat lines. Around the streams of them were hundreds of smaller but still quite large drones with flashing lights that she guessed were for emergencies.
Their trip took them down the length of three habitation cylinders before docking at another terminal. As they got off, Apollonia noticed that it began to decontaminate itself.
She heard some odd sounds, and Dr. Y was looking back at it even as he walked perfectly alongside them. “That is not very polite,” he said. “They are only samples.” Some rude noise came from the shuttle.
“Captain, that shuttle has the worst personality I’ve ever seen in a drone,” the Doctor said.
“It gives them character,” Brooks said. “I think it might be the Lunar influence.”
Dr. Y seemed oddly confused by that, but said nothing as they went into the station.
The look here was notably more utilitarian and sober, she thought. Aside from the SU logo and plaques dedicated to important historical events or figures, there was no decoration.
The Justice Bureau Reception Area, her tablet told her.
There was a receptionist, but they had no need to go to them, and filed down more hallways.
They took a tram and Apollonia was starting to feel strangely uncomfortable and at home all at once. This was much more like the stations she was used to, but the higher quality and seriousness of it reminded her of times she’d been in trouble with the law.
“Never trust a cop,” she muttered.
“What was that?” Brooks asked. She was surprised he had heard.
“Nothing,” she said.
Y looked at her, but did not share what he had also probably heard.
They got off, and the area only looked more serious to her. There were several officials in the waiting area. Both the walls and furniture were a very dark blue, giving everything a more grim countenance.
Oh, but there was a fish tank. Her eyes were immediately drawn to it.
Brooks went over to talk to the men, though only briefly.
“Everyone will be here soon, it starts as scheduled, at 1830,” he said.
“Captain, with your permission, Apollonia and I will observe what we can from the Viewing Gallery.”
“Yes,” Apollonia agreed quickly. “I want to watch this.” She felt as if she would be helping in some way if she did, though she could not say how.
“There’s some you can’t watch,” he said. “You especially, Apollonia, as you’ll be called as a witness.”
“I what?” she asked. She had entirely forgotten that she, too, had a role in the actual tribunal. “What are they going to ask me, I mean?”
“What happened, what you did – mostly relating to what I did. Volunteer nothing about yourself or your actions unless directly questioned, and don’t try to defend me – only tell them what happened.”
“Surely there’s more I can do,” she said, feeling panic rise up inside. “Or, could I just write it out or something . . .”
“You’ll be questioned,” Brooks said. “But don’t worry, you’re not in trouble.”
“Go over what you said again?” she mumbled.
“They’ll give you more instructions before you go on,” he said. “But I need to go- oh, Admiral.”
Someone came up from behind Apollonia, and she nearly jumped, as if the person was right there.
But he was only approaching, and she realized she was having a panic attack.
Dr. Y placed a hand on her shoulder, and she forced herself to take a breath.
“Good, you’re here,” the Admiral said.
Brooks saluted the man, who returned it. Their eyes went to her. “Admiral Vandoss, this is Apollonia Nor from Begonia, and Dr. Y, my Chief Medical Officer.”
“Ms. Nor,” Vandoss said, soberly offering her a hand. She took it, hating how weak her grip was as he shook it. “I am pleased to meet you,” he said.
She found herself feeling weird under his stare. She didn’t know if she was supposed to know who he was beyond his title.
As if reading her mind, Brooks spoke; “Admiral Vandoss is the one who sent me to find you,” he said to Apollonia.
“It’s the first time I’ve actually seen you,” the Admiral said to her. “Afraid I haven’t had time to review your data.”
She suddenly remembered where she had heard his name. “You command the Sol Fleet, right?”
“I am overall in charge,” the man said, smiling slightly. “Ah, well, look at you, though! I am pleased you could be found, and in good health.”
“Relatively speaking,” she said automatically. “I do have rabies.”
Confusion went over the Admiral’s face, and Apollonia instantly felt heat rise in hers. Deep dark, had she really just said that to an Admiral?!
Brooks let out a surprisingly loud laugh, and Dr. Y spoke. “She is making a jest, Admiral. It is a cultural norm for her colony, when in a tense situation.”
The Admiral let out a guffaw as well. “Well, I can understand humor in grim times,” he said, his belly still bouncing slightly. “I understand if you’re nervous, but I assure you that everything will be fine. If you don’t mind, however, I should speak to Brooks before this begins.”
“Of course,” Apollonia mumbled, stepping away with Dr. Y.
“It’s a wonder I’ve made it this far,” she said even more quietly to him.
“It rather is!” Dr. Y replied enthusiastically.
Other Terrestrial 