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Pyromaniac · (This post was last modified: 03-15-2011, 01:38 AM by Pyromaniac.)

Episode 11

Emma exhaled another lungful of smoke and flicked away what was left of her cigarette. Everything seemed to be spiralling out of control and her entire life was crashing around her. Everything she thought she knew didn't make sense. Everything she thought was a constant wasn't. Nothing made sense anymore.

It all started the day she met Jeremy Hunter. They'd chatted and inevitably she'd told him her story. Told him about Alex. He'd planted the seed of doubt. He'd told her that in Alex's position he'd have done the same thing. He told her she was wrong.

Facts she'd chosen to ignore or forget were brought to the forefront of her mind. If Alex was guilty why had he come to see her? If he was guilty why did he continue to protest his innocence now that he'd escaped? And of course the evidence that had moved her to turn on Alex was portrayed in a different light. What if he had been framed?

She shook her head, dislodging the thoughts. He hadn't been framed. It was a convenient lie he spread around to make friends. And yet'¦ it was harder to believe every day. She didn't know anymore. Some days she wanted to blast Alex when she saw him, some days she wanted to beg him to come home, some days she just wished she wouldn't find him.

Then there was Dirius Taine. The mysterious man who had asked for information and given his two sense worth in return. She didn't ask for it but having heard it she couldn't deny the logic behind the words.

There'd been other factors of course, but those were the two biggest turning points. When she found Alex would she kill him? Or would he be the same old Alex in a different fighter? She didn't know anymore.

In the silence of the flight she lit another cigarette. Surely chain smoking wasn't good for her but she was past a point of caring.

Without warning her radar sprang to life displaying a hostile contact further down the trade lane. She sighed and brought the screen up. She never expected it to be him. She slammed a fist down on the button to drop out of the trade lane so hard she thought she'd broken it.

The Virage dropped out of the trade lane just past Alex and his stolen Eagle. She stared at his ship as it lazily turned towards her. She opened up a communication channel to the pilot. He answered instantly.

'Alex. I finally found you.' She said. Alex sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

'I guess you did.' He replied. Emma leaned back in her seat and looked over the man who was only a year older than she was. Neither said anything just sat there staring at the other.

'Why'd you run Alex? If you were innocent you could have'¦'

'Because Emma, I'd never be able to prove my innocence. They turned my best friend against me. If I stayed all I ever would have gotten was a firing squad.'

'And you continue to lie to me'¦' She muttered. 'There's no reason to keep lying Alex, no one out here is going to hear you confess your guilt!'

'I can't confess to something I didn't do Emma.'

'Really? Or is that just another convenient lie to tell me in hopes of preserving your own life?!'

'Emma'¦'

'No Alex. I don't want to hear anymore of your lies! You either surrender right now or I'll put you in the ground myself.'

Alex was silent for a long time. In the silence Emma was left alone with her thoughts and she couldn't help but wonder if she was making the right choice. If this was really the best course of action.

'Well?' She finally asked. Alex sighed.

'I can't turn myself in Emma. You know that.' Emma sighed and charged her weapons systems.

'Then die Alex. Weapons hot, engaging!' She cut the communication link before she could see Alex's reaction. The Virage shot forward and the guns roared to life. Actions had been chosen, friendships destroyed, paths taken. The stage was set, the actors were present, the music was ready, the lights were on and the audience assembled.

You must have an end when a beginning's been made.

PART ONE END

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