by Amelia Wonderland

Created on: June 10, 2009   Last Updated: June 12, 2009

Leo did not have much time to reflect on what Alex had told him. The ship had collided with an unknown mass and ricocheted violently backwards. Both Alex and Leo lost their footing and slid along the floor. After two consecutive thuds they came to a bruising stop against the nearest wall and looked at each other.

"What was that?" Leo uttered getting up.

"We might've hit an asteroid or something."

"Do you think everyone else would expect this?"

Leo did not reply. There was a small cabinet next to the door with emergency supplies. With hesitation, Leo tore the door open and retrieved two small orange bags, handing one to Alex.

"Protective masks and suits..." he murmured. "Most interesting. Perhaps we have traveled into space." Then, looking up at Alex, he answered her question. "The passengers would definitely expect this. Not as strong though. You take this." He pointed at the orange pack. "In fact, take a few more...just in case. They're practically weightless. Easy to carry around. And I better send a message to the Establishment's Council and make sure everyone's okay."

Alex studied the orange bag Leo had given her and took out two more. She doubted Leo genuinely cared for the passengers. Not that he was necessarily incapable of such emotion. Yet, for the Establishment losing a ship that was never intended to leave the vicinity of its home planet was unthinkable. Alex still was not sure of Leo's position within the Establishment, but seeing how quickly he resorted to consulting the members of the Council indicated that he had to be close to those who were higher up in the "food chain." She would first consult her counselor, or his superior at worst, before attempting to contact "the source."

Alex was amused by the incident for the moment. She imagined what sort of spin Leo would put on it. After all, he was one of the organizers of the event, and who knows, he could be responsible for the blunder.

Blunder? Alex wondered. She had her doubts: things like this didn't just happen. But then who would be so bold as to hijack a decommissioned ship full of people and bring it out to this peculiar part of the Universe? Surely this was not a novel way of getting rid of unwanted individuals? It seemed too costly and cumbersome.

Or was it?

Alex considered this for a moment. Something had begun to stir in her heart-something sinister and unexpected, a premonition of more to come. It'd been a long time since her intuition flickered like this, and it worried her,

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