Chapter 2

  As Nathan and James proceeded down the disembarking ramp, the sights filtered in one after another, crowds of people waiting to pass through final customs checkpoints, and get back to their business.

  As they made their way through the crowds, a simple flash of ONI credentials allowed them to bypass a majority of the queue, and make their way into the city at large.

  Nathan was quiet as they walked out of the space port, content to make his own way to the local branch office of ONI Headquarters. James however, had other plans.

  “I’m calling in a taxi, care to join me?” James said nonchalantly.

  Nathan thought for a moment before nodding his ascent. “Who am I to turn down a free ride?”

  Before long they were both in the back of a slender car that zipped down the road with the methodical efficiency of a local ‘Dumb’ ai who was in charge of this sector's assisted transit system.

  James sat tapping away at his datapad, when Nathan finally spoke up. “So, I take it you have access to my file?”

  “No more than the basic information most scrubs and private investigators could gain access to.” James said with a hint of mischievousness in his voice. “Well, maybe a bit more information.”

  Nathan cocked an eyebrow at his new ‘friend’ before James continued; “I know you’ve been assigned to a special investigation unit composed mostly of former and current ODST’s on loan from the 212th Shock Troop battalion.”

  Nathan was taken aback. Such information about his new unit was almost definitely classified, so either James had leaned on his father’s clearance… Or perhaps he snuck a peek himself if he was skilled enough to get said information. Either way, something wasn’t quite adding up.

  That’s when Nathan noticed the hit of a tattoo peeking out from under James short sleeve, and all the pieces started to click together in his mind. Nathan let out a sigh before attempting to confirm his theory. “And you just so happen to be one of those ODST’s on loan don’t you?” he said casually.

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  James let out a mock gasp of surprise before chuckling softly. “Alright yeah, you caught me. Not like I was exactly hiding it, but you catch on quick.” James tucked his datapad into his duffle bag, and gave a mock salute before adding; “What gave me away? If you don’t mind me asking, that is.”

  Nathan let out a chuckle of his own before answering “It was your ink. A Commander’s son would know better than to get the death’s head badge without earning it.”

  James nodded to himself before muttering; “Yeah, that’d do it.”

  As they finished speaking the car pulled into a tall triangular building's parking lot, with a sign that read ‘Office of Naval Intelligence’. They had finally arrived at ONI HQ.

  They disembarked from the taxi quickly, gathering their things and making their way to the building in front of them. Nathan was eager to make his way inside, James however seemed to tense more and more with each step which Nathan didn’t fail to catch. That said they passed through the automated glass doors with little fanfare into the lobby.

  A standard security checkpoint greeted them just beyond the entrance doors, a military guard there who gave them a nod. The guard then directed them to pass through an array of scanners, and drop their duffles in a receptacle.

  The generic computer generated voice of a ‘dumb’ A.I. greeted them on the other side of the short walk through the scanners. “Welcome, Lieutenant Albeck. Welcome, Staff Sergeant Carter. You have both been cleared for entrance with limited access to this facility.”

  Nathan looked back at James with a soft grin as he gestured for him to lead the way to a metallic sliding door framing the wall in front of him. James didn’t react, and simply stepped forward as the A.I. voice spoke up once more; “Staff Sergeant Carter, Commander Carter has requested your presence in his office. Please proceed at your earliest convenience.”

  “And there it is.” James said with a grimace.

  Nathan looked over James for a moment before responding. “Well, it looks like this where we part ways, James. I look forward to working with you.”

  “Same to you, Lieutenant. Welcome to life as a Spook.” James spoke casually, though his jaw clenched as he turned towards the door leading deeper into the complex.

  As James disappeared down the hallway, Nathan decided to backtrack to gather his datapad from his duffle bag, fishing it from its side pouch before proceeding down the hallway himself. He pulled up his orders and made his way down the corridor passing a number of numbered opaque doors, and a few men and women in ONI uniform before coming to an elevator.

  Nathan waited patiently for the doors to open, only to step aside sharply as a Chief Petty Officer stepped through the second the doors opened. Mendez was what his name tag read and boy did he seem pissed off. The Petty Officer stepped by like a freight train and Nathan let him by, a silent understanding forming between them.

  Nathan stepped into the elevator and selected the floor indicated on his datapad, and went on his way, thinking little more of the interaction he just had.

  His new life was an elevator ride, and a short walk away... And he was ready for it.