The Obsidian Precepts Chapter 2

For paid members that are waiting on story updates for everything else, check the community chat for updates. Direct message me if you're having issues accessing it!

…

The sleek interior of the AI-driven flying car enveloped Kane and Ellie in a cocoon of luxury, the soft ambient lighting shifting gently between hues of blue and green as they hovered effortlessly through the sky. 

The dashboard boasted a multitude of intuitive features, each element designed to enhance comfort and convenience. From the personally designed music settings that changed on a dime to match their emotional levels to the vibrant LED windows that flashed warmingly with pop-ups the AI believed relevant to their backgrounds in space travel.

As the travellers settled in, the dashboard seamlessly integrated with their neural-linked chips that latched onto their temples, allowing for real-time adaptation to their mood and stress levels. The AI's algorithm could detect subtle changes in heart rate and body temperature, adjusting the ambient lighting and temperature of the cabin with an effortless grace. A gentle blue hue would cascade over the surfaces during moments of calm, while a soft orange glow would energise the space during excitement or anticipation.

With a simple voice command, the travellers could summon the AI concierge, who was programmed not just to understand language but to predict needs. If a traveller expressed a craving for comfort food, holographic recipes could materialise in front of them, complete with nutritional information tailored to their unique biochemistry. The onboard system would then rifle through all nearby restaurants in their upcoming route to have the meal tailor, ensuring that both the flavours and nutritional values met their desires. 

The dashboard also featured an interactive projection that displayed a 3D map of the cosmos, given their professions, highlighting their upcoming trajectory while displaying points of interest along the way. Travellers could tap on celestial bodies, activating immersive educational modules that included augmented reality scenarios where they could witness upcoming changes that might occur during their travel through their solar system. That particular system was one the Hover Brand's owner had fought tooth and nail for to get a variant of it from their last ship's modifications.

A calm, welcoming voice from the AI system guided them through their journey, mapping a safe route through the airspace.

“Can you believe how advanced this tech is?” Kane leaned forward, excitement bubbling within him as he marvelled at the glimmering interface. “Just think about it- this car practically flies itself! If only the rest of the world could experience it.”

Ellie chuckled lightly, her fingers gliding across the touch-sensitive panel. “Yeah, but that’s the kicker, isn’t it? Unless they get rid of ninety per cent of the bloat in Air Laws. Regular folks won't be allowed to fly them anytime soon.” She raised an eyebrow, casting a playful but questioning glance at him. “And the healthcare tech they say isn't ready for the mass market? A convenient excuse to keep the airspace to themselves.”

Kane sighed, looking out at the sprawling city below, the horizon dotted with flickering lights and the whir of distant vehicles. “You’re right. It’s frustrating. I mean, the potential is right there! Air traffic laws prohibit anyone from piloting these cars, and they hide behind licensing costs that are sky-high, designed to keep the average person out. It’s a mess.”

“Exactly!” Ellie nodded, her tone laced with exasperation. “The need for specialised licenses and the overwhelming costs of knowledge is by far the worst gate-keeping I've ever seen! They just don’t want to share the skies with the rest of us- hell they only gave this hunk of flying metal to us just because we're piloting their little ships." Kane watched the woman shake her head with more exasperation. "It’s like they’ve decided that flying is only for the elite.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she emphasized ‘elite.’

“You’d think they’d want to make it accessible,” Kane responded. “Imagine how much easier commuting would be if everyone could take to the skies instead of being stuck in traffic! But no, can't risk that bottom line.” 

“Right? You'd think we'd have grown outta this by now,” she replied, leaning back in her seat. “Can you imagine the chaos if it were available to everyone? There'd be a whole new industry-focused around mass training and safety. Instead, we’re left with these stupid barriers.” 

“Totally,” Kane smirked, playfully allowing his mind to run wild. “Think about all the adverts were missing out on with in-flight therapy sessions next? ‘Feeling anxious about flying? We’ve got just the bot for you!’” He mimed a cheesy commercial, eliciting a laugh from Ellie.

“Or a special hotline for air rage complaints- Cloud rage just three dials away!” She joined in on the joke, her laughter ringing brightly in the cabin. “No, but seriously, it’s ridiculous. The bureaucracy around it is insane. They could help everyone if they really wanted to, but that's not the kinda agenda they're looking for.”

As they soared through the heavily restricted air lane, thanks to their special license, surrounded by the bustling skyline and the hum of air traffic below, Kane couldn't shake off the frustrating thought. “Maybe one day, a real shift will happen,” he pondered aloud.

Ellie nodded, her expression contemplative. “For now, I’ll take my regular old ground car over any flying fiasco that requires a fortune and a Ph.D. to operate.” She shrugged, but the glimmer in her eyes reflected something Kane couldn't really decipher.

“You say that like you don't have both.” Kane snorted back, the conversation lingering in the air between them as they continued their journey, enjoying the comfort of the car while contemplating the limitless potential that remained just out of reach.

...

As they soared through the sky, Kane and Ellie gazed out the panoramic windows of the flying car, the vibrant cityscape sprawling beneath them. Towering skyscrapers dotted with giant electronic advertisements flickered in the sunlight, their colours dancing in mesmerizing patterns. Suddenly, the car’s AI responded to their gaze, zooming in on the nearest ad, highlighting the bold slogan plastered across the building: “Fly High- Join the Elite in Sky Travel!”

“Wow, look at that,” Kane remarked with a hint of amusement in his voice. “The car has it's favourites, doesn’t it? It practically spotlighted it for us.” He chuckled, shaking his head as he watched the flashy visuals pulsate on the screen.

Ellie rolled her eyes, exhaling a dramatic sigh that matched the theatrics of the ads. “Right? As if we needed a reminder that flying is just another luxury for the wealthy. I swear, every time we ride one of these things, it’s like staying inside a walking billboard.” She glanced over at Kane, a smirk tugging at her lips. “You’d think it was programmed by the marketers themselves.”

Kane laughed, leaning back in his seat. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Advertising has taken over everything these days, including our rides. But the least they could do is advertise something worthwhile!”

With a glint of determination in her eyes, Ellie reached into her bag and produced a sleek pair of high-end VR specs. “Well, I came prepared,” she declared, deftly slipping them on. “These babies filter out all the ads and noise. It’s like having my own personal paradise up here.” 

Kane raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Seriously? You’re going to shut out the world while we’re floating above it?” 

“I've shut out the Earth while I am above it,” she replied in deadpan, before adjusting the specs with a satisfied grin. “Besides I’d rather have my own immersive experience than be bombarded by the same stupid ads.”

“Okay, fair,” Kane conceded, watching as the lenses flickered to life, creating a digital barrier between her and the glaring world outside.  He idly noted the way her eyes calmed down as the city began to fade into the background, and Ellie’s expression shifted from annoyance to calm contentment as she slipped into a virtual realm of her own design. 

“Enjoy your ‘paradise,’” he teased, chuckling as he peered back out at the skyline, where the shimmering advertisements continued to pulse in a dazzling array of colours. “I’ll be here watching the city unfold in all its chaotic glory.”

...

As Kane leaned into his seat, he admired the sprawling city below, the twinkling lights and bustling streets painting a vibrant picture of life. Beside him, Ellie adjusted her sleek VR specs, and a very familiar hue crossed her glasses, the tiniest sign that the woman had devled into.the self-contained workstation she'd designed.

“Alright, let’s see how everything’s looking for our next mission,” she murmured, completely absorbed in the digital landscape that enveloped her.

Kane glanced over at those words, curiosity piqued. “You’re diving into the ship’s specifications already? We haven’t even touched down yet!” He chuckled, watching as the AI in the car swiftly processed her commands, and pulled up detailed information about the vessel they were set to captain. Not that the car's ai was any help to the woman given she barely even noted it.

Ellie smirked without looking up, her focus unwavering. “What can I say? I like to be prepared. Besides, I have to triple-check everything. You know how things tend to go sideways.” The holographic charts pulsed with intricate details of the ship’s systems, from navigation to safety protocols, and she swiped through the layers of data with practised ease.

“Yes, I remember,” Kane replied, his tone playful yet tinged with an understanding of the challenges they faced. “But are we really in such a rush? I mean, we’re flying in style here!” He gestured lightly to their luxurious surroundings, grinning at the irony of the situation, though it seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Ellie let out a sigh, finally lifting her gaze to meet his, a glint of determination in her eyes. “We’ll be racing against the clock. I want to ensure that when we get on board, we’re ready to take command without any hiccups. The last thing we want is for the ship’s AI to throw a tantrum mid-mission.”

Kane laughed, leaning back into the plush seat and allowing her to work. “Fair point. Just don’t get too lost in there, I’d like to still have a co-pilot when we land."

Judging by the lack of response to that, Kane figured the woman really was lost in her own world.

“All systems appear green, the engines have been updated, and we’ll need to run a diagnostic as soon as we board.” Her brow furrowed in concentration as she scrolled through the parameters. “Looks like we’ll be handling a lot of high-priority cargo. We can’t afford any mistakes.”

“Glad to see you’re taking this seriously,” Kane said, his tone light but supportive though a small part of him felt confused about the high-priority cargo. As far as he'd known, it was just the two of them and their 'necessary' passengers.  Everything else was expendable if it came to it. Though he also supposed the woman likely thought differently. “What do you plan to do if something goes wrong out there?”

“Trust me, I’ve prepped for contingencies.” She paused, focusing intently on what she was seeing. “I’ve embedded protocols to handle various scenarios.”

Kane nodded, more relieved than he'd like to admit. “You really went all out with that workstation of yours. How long did it take to develop?”

“Longer than I’d like to admit,” Ellie replied, smirking as she adjusted the interface with another wave of her hand. “Let’s just say it was a labour of love- and necessity. But it’ll be worth it if we can keep our heads in the game.”

“Next time, you should give me a crash course in how to set one of those up,” Kane said, watching her work intently. “But for now, I guess I’ll just sit back and enjoy the view.”

“Still technically married Kane,” she shot back, her attention returning to the swirling graphics of their mission. 

He let out a cough at that. "You know what I meant!"

The teasing smirk on her face told him she did in fact know what he meant- she just didn't care.

“Hey, if you’re lucky, maybe I’ll let you play co-pilot. That being said, I'll have also decided it was time to cash in on my life insurance policy.”

He didn't dignify that with a response- mostly on account of the fact he wouldn't trust himself as a co-pilot, for himself.

...

As Ellie continued to navigate the mission parameters, her expression suddenly shifted. A frown creased her forehead, drawing Kane's attention away from the skyline outside. “What’s up?” he inquired, sensing her change in demeanour.

She let out a heavy sigh, her fingers halting mid-motion. “One of the assholes on our manifest just started a call with me,” she said, her voice tinged with mounting irritation. “I swear I just want to focus on this without interruptions!”

“Can’t blame you for that,” Kane replied, trying to suppress a grin. “Do you want to take it or decline?”

Before he could say more, Ellie pulled a second pair of sleek VR specs from her bag and tossed them at him with surprising speed. “Here. Put these on!”

Kane fumbled slightly to catch them, a look of confusion crossing his face. “Uh, okay? What are these for?”

“They’re another pair of the workstation specs I developed- totally worth it. I actually meant to give them to you for your birthday last month, but I completely forgot,” she clarified, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her expression.

Kane chuckled, amused by the sudden turn of events. “Wow, thanks! Nothing says ‘happy birthday’ like a surprise call from an idiot.” He slipped the specs on, the interface springing to life in front of him. 

As he adjusted to the virtual work environment, Kane noticed immediately that a call was incoming from a name he recognized. It was that particular asshole “Oh, I see what you mean,” he remarked, catching a glimpse of the flashing notification. “Wanna pretend we’re not here?”

Ellie snorted, rolling her eyes in agreement. “Honestly, it might not be the worst idea. But I can’t just leave them hanging either. It’s part of the job. Just give me a minute to figure out how to deal with this without strangling someone.”

Kane grinned mischievously, glancing at the illuminated call interface. “Well, if they were really in a hurry, they could’ve called us a bit earlier, right? Besides, we’re prepping for a high-stakes mission. Surely they can wait a moment. Or a day. Or until we see them face-to-face.” 

Ellie waved her hand dismissively. “You're not helping.” She said, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips, softening the annoyance. “Alright, let’s see what this asshole wants.” 

As the call connected, Ellie composed herself, her virtual workspace pushing the incoming video feed to the forefront. The face that appeared was that of Alex Sentour, a Frontier Ceo's son. A man well-known for shady dealings and spoiled privilege. Kane couldn’t help but feel the irritation tighten in his stomach. The fact that he was part of their mission was something he was still coming to terms with.

“Ellie! Kane! What time do you call this?” Alex’s voice dripped with condescension, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as if he had every right to rush them.

Ellie's expression hardened instantly, her annoyance clear. Kane could feel the tension radiating from her as she steeled herself to respond. “We're right on schedule Sentour,” she replied, keeping her tone even but barely containing the irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.

The smirk faltered for just a moment, but Alex quickly recovered, leaning back in his chair with an air of entitlement. “Sure, sure. But maybe you could’ve prioritized your timing a little better? I mean, we’re supposed to be on a crucial mission, right?”

Kane exchanged a glance with Ellie, sharing a silent understanding of their mutual frustration. “Just so we’re clear,” Kane cut in, his voice steady but firm, “we’re flying a highly advanced AI-driven vehicle that had a set arrival and destination time. There are protocols to follow, and we don’t exactly get to set any of them. So if you’ll excuse us, please send your complaint to the right department.”

“Oh, come on, Kane! Don’t take it so seriously. You know how this works,” Alex interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. “You’re the ones bringing the excitement. Just make sure to keep it on track, okay? My father expects nothing less than perfect from the likes of you.” His tone was condescending, treating them more like employees than the command team for the mission.

Ellie's expression tightened further, the annoyance creeping through despite her best efforts to maintain professionalism. “We get it, Sentour. But let’s focus on the task at hand,” she reminded him, gritting her teeth.

Alex folded his arms, still leaning back in his seat, a picture of arrogant confidence. “Right. I just hope you’ll make it worth my time then. I wouldn’t want the other passengers to think it was a waste of their investment, either. It’s a tight-knit group- loyalty and efficiency matter. So don’t let the others down.” 

Kane felt a mix of irritation and disbelief. “No pressure, then,” he quipped sarcastically, shaking his head. “We appreciate your unwavering faith in our abilities.” 

Ellie shot him a quick look, an almost imperceptible smile threatening to break through her annoyance. They both understood the inherent absurdity of the situation: here they were, professionals fully equipped to handle a critical mission, being judged by someone who had effectively bought his way onto the team. 

“Look, we’ll be there shortly,” Ellie stated firmly, levelling her gaze at the holographic call. 

“Good. I’ll be waiting for updates,” he responded, the smirk returning, before the call disconnected. 

As the screen faded to black, Ellie let out a long sigh, visibly deflating. “This is going to be a long mission,” she muttered, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

Kane nodded sympathetically. “Welcome to the world of collaborative missions with rich kids.” He leaned back in his seat. 

"Kids I can handle, I got two of 'em." Ellie bit back. "Assholes on the other hand, belong in a dumpster." A beat passed. “Kane, do you think there’s any legal recourse for accidentally ejecting someone mid-space travel?” 

Kane laughed at the joke. “Well, I’m no lawyer, but pretty sure that would land us in some serious trouble. Can’t imagine that would fly with the authorities, especially with someone like Alex Sentour.”

Ellie’s expression remained serious, and she narrowed her eyes at him. “Yeah, but if it were a necessity-”

“...I have the distinct feeling you're being serious right now,” he replied, still chuckling, oblivious to the gravity in her gaze. “On that note, we don’t need that kind of drama. We’ve got enough on our plate as it is, so let's avoid ejecting the rich asshole into outer space.”

"I was joking, idiot." She remarked and frankly, it was a little hard to believe for him as he watched her brow furrow slightly. “Speaking of Sentour, have you seen what his dad's been up to recently? Heard the whispers about his attempts to effectively monopolize the Fresh Start in Mars package?” 

Kane’s laughter faded as he paused, thoughtful. “I’ve seen some headlines, but it’s mostly hot air. That package is effectively a human right, Ellie. There’s no way he can actually tamper with it that easily.”

Ellie’s expression hardened, her frustration surfacing. “That’s just. Sentour's corporation isn’t actually trying to break that part of it- he wants to put a massive price on returns from Mars instead. He’s trying to turn it into a situation where only the wealthy can come back, essentially making Mars a prison for everyone else.”

Kane leaned forward, disbelief creasing his features. “What? That’s outrageous! People are going to Mars for a fresh start, not to be trapped there due to someone’s greed. It’s not just exploration- it’s about giving people a second chance at life.”

“Exactly!” Ellie nodded, her voice rising with passion. “He’s exploiting their desperation. By making the return journey unaffordable, he’s ensuring that only those with money can leave. It’s not just a business model, it’s a scheme that denies freedom to those who need it most.”

“That’s insane,” Kane said, his tone shifting to anger. “Who does he think he is, locking people out of their own opportunities? If he gets his way, it’ll create a massive divide! That's so many levels of immoral!” Kane shook his head. "And even if- and that's a big if- he managed it, until PCB is confirmed to be a viable third home, the government won't let anyone alter any aspects of that law."

Ellie’s gaze turned intense for a moment, her resolve unyielding. “Which means it'll be the son to worry about considering how long it'll supposedly take us to reach PCB.”

Kane nodded, his determination matching hers. “Regardless of how PCB turns out, Mars is not a gilded cage for the poor. Whatever it takes, we won’t let him turn it into a profit-driven prison.”

Yet for all that, a part of him felt oddly uncomfortable with the look in her eyes. The woman was prone to making risky plays and he hoped whatever she had in mind played out as well as the past for the both of them. 

There was a reason the two of them were a roaring success- had they failed in any of their ventures, they would've never made it out alive.

...

As they settled back into their preparations, Ellie hesitated, her thoughts visibly swirling. “Kane,” she began cautiously, “what do you think of the surging revolts on Mars? Of people not getting everything they were promised on landing?”

Kane furrowed his brow, considering her question. “Honestly, most of the promises are being honoured. The infrastructure is improving, and living conditions have drastically changed for the better, but I think people are just... not being completely upfront about their issues and practices. There’s bound to be some adjustment pain in such a massive transition.” 

Ellie frowned, her unease growing. “I’m not so sure about that. There’s more to the story than what’s being reported. There’s something off about how the whole situation is being handled.”

Kane raised an eyebrow, curious. “And where are you getting your information from?” 

She fell silent for a moment, the weight of his question hanging in the air. “It’s just a hunch,” she finally replied, although a hint of uncertainty laced her voice. 

“A hunch?” Kane repeated, eyeing her sceptically. “You’ve got to have something more concrete than that.”

Ellie shifted uncomfortably, the tension in her shoulders apparent. “My hunches tend to be pretty on point. And just because people aren’t speaking out openly, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling frustrated.”

Kane leaned back, considering her words. “I appreciate your gut feeling, but we can't exactly just go in cloud-headed you know?"

“True,” she acknowledged, her expression thoughtful. "But I just can't help but feel like we're going down the wrong route- Hell I've felt like this for months at this point and I don't have anyone to turn to."

Kane hesitantly made to say something to that, to the point that she did in fact have people she could talk to about them before he distinctly recalled how little of help he'd been in the past regarding it. Ellie had a lot of hunches that she rarely could ever push forward without enough proof and while most of them tended to be fueled by distrust and paranoia towards the systems in place, he also knew the few times she'd been on the money, had been the few times he'd failed to back her on it.

He wondered if that had anything to do with her not opening up as much to him anymore. He hadn't even known her husband had left and taken the kids to Mars until yesterday for one thing.

In an attempt to bring said thoughts out, the car's ai system promptly sounded through the interior.

“Detecting signs of increased stress levels. Preparing a medicated drink tailored to promote relaxation and mental health stability.”

Kane raised an eyebrow, watching the seamless functionality of the vehicle with a mixture of admiration and concern, with a small part of him somewhat relieved at the change in subject. They had enough time later on to talk things out and he was hopeful he'd be able to put it into the right words by then. “You know, it’s a shame these cars aren’t readily available to everyone else. Just imagine the difference it could make in people’s lives if they could access support like this.”

Ellie laughed lightly, though the sound was tinged with a hint of weariness. “Yeah, it would be helpful if everyone had a little AI assistant to read the room and help out.” She watched as the holographic display slid open, revealing a beautifully crafted glass filled with a calming, herbal concoction, steam curling gently from the surface.

“Seriously, though,” Kane continued, eyeing the drink as it settled into a holder beside her. “It’s groundbreaking tech… access to mental health support like this should be standard, not a luxury.”

“Right?” Ellie said, her smile fading a bit as she took the drink, observing its vibrant colour. “If people had proper tools to manage their mental health, we’d likely see fewer issues cropping up everywhere- on Mars or here.”

She took a tentative sip, the soothing blend warming her from the inside out. The taste was pleasant and herbal, a gentle antidote to the anxiety beginning to swirl in her mind. “It might be a pipe dream but I really hope this tech finds itself in everyone's hand down the line.”

Kane nodded, his expression serious. His mind filled with a hint of clarity and relief to find both of them on the same page once again. “Exactly. Everyone deserves access to care- especially in high-stress environments like space travel. If PCB comes out to be a success, we need to start really advocating for pushing this to everyone.” 

In response, Ellie regarded Kane with a strange kind of appreciation. “Thanks for being supportive.”

“Always,” Kane replied with a blink surprised at the words, offering her a warm smile. 

As their destination came into view, Kane could see the advanced security systems surrounding the landing zone. They appeared more heavily manned than usual, a stark contrast to the usual calmness he’d grown accustomed to. Just as he prepared to remove the VR specs, a breaking news segment suddenly flashed across the interface.

“-incredible reports emerging as fifteen hundred people, primarily members of the Resurgence of Mars, have vanished without a trace! Authorities are baffled-”

Kane's eyes widened in shock, his heart racing. “Wait, what? How could fifteen hundred people just disappear?” He turned to Ellie, his brow furrowing with concern.

Ellie’s expression shifted, her gaze narrowing thoughtfully. “The Goliath Corporator ship could hold that many people,” she remarked cryptically, almost as an afterthought.

Kane’s confusion deepened as he tried to connect the dots. “But that’s a one-of-a-kind ship, right? What’s your point?”

“Just an idle comment,” she replied, a sigh escaping her lips as she turned her attention back to the screens. “It’s just… every time something like this breaks, it’s always right when the government has something to keep the public distracted with- like our venture to PCB.”

Kane frowned, piecing together her line of thought. “Are you suggesting they’re doing this on purpose? To divert attention?”

Ellie's eyes narrowed again, and she nodded. “Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. They want everyone focused on the shiny new project rather than dealing with the real issues at hand. It's just standard protocol at this point.”

Kane’s brow knitted together in confusion. “Wait, so you actually knew about this disappearance? Like, beforehand?”

At that, Ellie snorted, the corner of her mouth curling in sardonic amusement. “Yeah, I’ve known about it for three months now.” 

Kane blinked, owlishly. “Three months? How... how do you even know that?”

A part of him wanted to ask why she hadn't told him, but the rest of him already knew.

He doubted he would've believed her.

With a casual shrug, she replied, “I have a backdoor to our government's database.” 

Kane’s jaw dropped, a mix of amusement and horror etched across his face. “You what? Ellie, that’s-”

“-deliciously illegal?” she finished with a playful grin. “I know, I know. But it has its perks. I kept tabs on trends and movements that pointed toward something big happening. And now it looks like I was right.”

“You’ve been sitting on this knowledge for that long?” Kane said incredulously, shaking his head in disbelief. “What if they catch you? This could turn into a major legal issue.”

“Relax, Kane. I haven’t done anything reckless with it,” she assured him, though the glint in her eyes suggested the complete opposite.

Hell her history suggested the complete opposite!

Kane sucked in a breath, still trying to process the magnitude of what she was saying. “You’re playing with fire, Ellie."

“I know,” she replied, her tone turning serious as they exchanged a knowing glance. "When aren't I playing with fire?" A beat passed as she rolled her eyes at him. "Kane, I haven't done anything with the information, I've just been disappointed about it, like always." She finished with a sigh. "Short of a revolution, there's not really much else I can do, you know?"

"Ellie-"

"It's fine." She cut him off just as the AI system beeped in with another medical alert. "I've made my peace with my choices already." She gave him a slight smile. "I am just sorry you keep getting caught up in them." 

"It's... it is fine, I am just concerned about you." He admitted. Part of him was fearful of the possible consequences of people finding that out while the other was genuinely just... astounded as to how Ellie such a thing was- Of course the most distrustful woman he'd ever met, had a backdoor to a government database, hell she might even have one to their own department with her trust issues.

He genuinely wasn't surprised at that truth as much as he was in her trusting him with that information.

"I'll take the backdoor down when we board. If anything I don't want to give those idiots a chance to realise it exists- and bad as they are at their job, thirty years is a hell of an advantage for 'em to have." She finished saying just as the car started landing.

…