The door slides open and she steps inside, stopping only a few paces in. Executor Voss stands across the room with his back to her, facing the observation deck.
“Grayson,” he greets her, his synthesized voice extending the first vowel. Though characteristically perfunctory, his greeting is detectably curt.
“Executor,” she returns staunchly, willfully ignoring the implied warning. There is no doubt in her mind that he knows what this is about, and that this visit was entirely expected. What is confusing – considering his typical disinterest in conversation – is why he let it happen. She takes a deep breath, fighting to maintain her composure. “With all due respect, I think you’re making a mistake.” She straightens and levels a hard stare at his back.
“Yes.”
Stunned, Grayson blinks. “Yes?” She echoes, struggling to process the unexpected response. She moistens her lips and turns her attention to the peculiarly-sparse star field beyond, a frown creasing her brow. “What? Why, then? Why—”
“I maintain that you are uniquely short-sighted,” Voss says flatly, cutting her off mid-sentence, “but in this instance I cannot hold you entirely at fault for the crudeness of your assessment.” After waiting a bit for Grayson to have a moment of personality (which she curiously does not take advantage of), he continues. “Consider the likelihood that there are additional factors outside of your knowledge.”
Grayson shakes her head. “Be that as it may,” she starts, allowing the slight, “I hope you understand that this is it. Our gateway into Sector 10? All the progress we’ve been making with the Oban Moors? Those things are gone – forever – if you’re part of the launch tomorrow.”
Voss turns his head to the side. “Do not insult me with the obvious.” He replies. “Our concerns with Sector 10—”
“Are things we already agreed to help your people with!” Grayson snaps, instantly dropping the cool demeanor and taking an aggressive step forward. “Almost a year ago, when you determined the data was suspect, we agreed to send reinforcements to Sector 10. We agreed to share supply line coordinates. We acknowledged that the nebula needed to be surveyed. We told you we would back you up no matter what happened!” She gestures sharply. “None of that has changed! None of it!”
“Grayson,” Voss tries, turning to face her at last. “Vinaed-2 cannot—”
“Listen to me, Voss,” Grayson growls as she crosses the room determinedly and comes to a halt before the towering Executor. She frantically searches the dark surface of the elongated environmental mask concealing his face. “I”, she repeats, stabbing the fingers of one hand to her chest for emphasis and then stabbing them into his, “promised you.” She pauses, staring at him, then retracts her hand and nods once. “Do you understand me?”
Executor Voss remains still as always. “Yes,” he replies, “and you have my deepest gratitude.” At this, Grayson relaxes visibly and steps away from him, then turns to make her way back towards the exit. “However, my decision remains the same.” Grayson stops; her fingers curl into fists at her side. “It is an unacceptable price for the forces of Vinaed-2 to pay.” Voss states with finality.
Grayson turns, enraged. “I—” She starts, but the Executor cuts her off at once.
“Regardless of promises made.” Voss adds.
Grayson attempts one final time to bore through the inscrutable and fails. Before she can convince herself that she is in any state to continue dialogue, she turns back to the door and forcefully presses the key panel to let herself out.
“Grayson,” the Executor calls just as the door slides open.
Grayson stops and stares into the empty hallway beyond.
“Trust me.”
Grayson continues to stare forward, trying but ultimately unable to settle on a single response. During this period of deliberation, the door closes with a soft hiss. After calling it a wash, Grayson waits five seconds, curious to see if Voss will add anything more.
Of course, he doesn’t; he’s already said everything that needs to be said, and Grayson knows that. She knew that when she started the count to five. She raises her hand to the door panel once again and presses the button.
As soon as the door slides open again, she is gone.
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