[color=#FFFFFF]Matt on his bunk, thinking to himself. A comm message comes through, it's from Angelina's father. Matt had sent an urgent communique an hour previous, now he had to tell Angel's dad the news. Matt can hardly find the words, but he eventually manages to explain what happened.
"I'm so sorry, I'll do everything I can to get 'er back. I promise!"
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[font=Courier New]Newark Station, Manhattan Orbit
[color=#FFFFFF]David Smith is in a deep discussion with the chairman of the Interspace board. David had dreaded this moment for the last few weeks.
"Look, I know we're behind schedule and have had an increase in the number of pirate raids over the last few weeks but what business *isn't* suffering? What with the recent embargo's - It's only logical that fewer transports means fewer targets for the pirates and an increase in raids! If the board would increase my defence budget this wouldn't be happening!" "David, the board have been more than favourable over this project. Your defense budget has increased in line with all the other cost increases that you have put forward. This project is like a run away train, these specialised parts are expensive to import from Bretonia." "We stand at a crossroads in humanity. Imagine the potential that hypergate travel will bring us!" "The board are well aware of the benefits David, but we have to turn a profit at some point. 5 years worth of research and development and there is nothing to show for it. There are members of the board which have a counter proposal, and one which has been accepted by all the parties concerned." "What.... counter proposal?" "Interspace will partner Ageria in their own research. By combining our knowledge and research, we aim to get the project done faster. Not only that, but with substantial cost savings. The parts we need can be assembled on Denver instead of Cambridge." "No, no you can't do that! This is our project! My project!" "David, you will either liaise with the Head of the Forward Jump project or you will tender your resignation. You have the rest of the day to consider your options. Get out."
David walked back to his office and then slumped back in his chair. At least the project wasn't dead he guessed. He might be though, if Ageria found out that the R&D that Interspace was doing was purely around knowledge already stolen from them - This... partnership... would be dead before it started. There would be legal action, appeals, challenges to the high courts. The project would die for another 400 years. David took out the bottle of whisky and filled a glass. His laptop pinged, and a hooded figure stood in front of David on the screen..
"We have your target, now release those funds." "Blowing up my transports were NOT part of the deal!" "What transports? My group were stealing this Navy girl, I have no knowledge of this." "YOU LIE!" The hooded figure smirks, she is enjoying this communication. "Why don't you prove it instead of banding about ridiculous accusations. Now we are going to finish what you started. You will pay us and then ensure that the Navy meets our ransom demands, use your web of contacts do whatever is necessary - but we want that money. I don't know the complexities of why you are doing this David, but if you want a life after this is over - You will ensure we are paid, IN FULL" The transmission terminated
[color=#FFFFFF]Luis Hernandez is in the cage next to Angelina. He's bouncing around.
"Jeffrey, Maria, Jeffrey, Maria! I want out out out.. I'll be calmer please please.. Just give me some Cardimine.. Please please." Angelina looks in a bad way, she seems more out of it than she did in Luis's cargo bag. "Mmmhhmmmffgghh. You.. mmfg.. will pay for this.." Luis laughs insanely, to the extent that saliva dribbles down his chin. "Haha! Someone needs more tranquilizers! AND ITS NOT MEEEEEE!" Luis charges at the cage opposite and rattles it around and laughs insanely.
![[Image: iwrM7.png]](http://i.imgur.com/ZmDUJ.png)