Chapter Three (B): Eric & Alice

[Akirapryde]

After a few short moments, the Major returned. Erik noticed that his demeanor had changed. He seemed more agitated over something. There was clearly an attempt to hide this, but Erik could see right through it. "I spoke with the Sho Sho, and she is greatly relieved by your honesty," he said and Erik could tell was a truthful statement. "She has nothing for you at this time," he added as the man motioned for Erik and Alice to follow him. Once more Erik could tell it was a truthful statement but there was something else. Something going on that was more important than speaking with the party.

As they were led out of the conference room, Erik got a glimpse at the Bridge down the hall. A crewmen was walking through an open door. He could only see part of the bridge through the door. He saw a weapon's station. While he couldn't read the Japanese writing, he could tell that the ship's sensors were tracking something on a approach. It was large and enough to cause the senior officers reason for concern. He could see Sho Sho Tetsuhara standing near another officer, presumably the dropship's captain. The emotion on her face was frustration. However, most importantly Erik noticed that the weapons on his ship were in a non-active state. Then as quickly as the scene on the bridge was opened up to Erik, the large airtight door was closed.

Alice and Erik were led to a near by lift and sent back to their level with, "we will contact you if there is anything more we wish to talk to you about."