*Log-in: Starnet Link #087-C19-004-O212—Dr. Daedalus Angelou*

*Live Call: Initiated*

*Visual Feed: Enabled*

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*Link #031-L94-309-P343*

Link number 031-L94-309-P343: Captain Solomon Nye-Tang. To initiate this link, please confirm now.

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Link connection initiated. Please stay on the line while your call is connected. Estimated hold time: eight minutes, thirty-six seconds. Thank you for choosing StarCom Intergalactic, your Voice Across the Stars.

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[Time Elapsed: Eight minutes, thirty-seven seconds.]

*Connection Established*

[Visual feed: Solomon Nye-Tang, captain in the CE Navy, age fifty-four. Slight build, dark eyes, silver-streaked black hair]

Sorenson: Captain Nye-Tang, thank you for taking my call.

Nye-Tang: I have to admit my curiosity was piqued as to how a man six months dead could be calling me from beyond the stars.

Sorenson: I’m sorry, I—

Nye-Tang: [nostrils flaring] Do you know how severe the penalties are for impersonation? The real Daedalus Angelou died months ago under classified circumstances. I don’t know how you managed to steal his identity codes, but I could have you up on charges in an instant for using false credentials! Who are you?

Sorenson: My name is Michael Sorenson, Team Leader from Military Base Sky Station Epsilon-065. I served under the late Dr. Angelou—in fact, I was with him at the end. He linked me his credentials himself, among other things, shortly before he . . . passed.

Nye-Tang: [eyes narrowing] So you’re operating on his behalf posthumously, is that what you’re saying?

Sorenson: [hesitates] Let’s just say he gave me a set of final orders but left it to me to decide how to carry them out.

Nye-Tang: [laughs and shakes his head] You’re a terrible liar, you know that? Does your CO know you’re making this call?

Sorenson: [hard stare] My CO is dead, along with everyone I lived and worked with for the past year. I’m currently on leave, pending reassignment.

Nye-Tang: [slight pause] My condolences.

Sorenson: I don’t need condolences; I need a way onto Iolanthe.

Nye-Tang: Iolanthe? That’s what this is about? [shakes head] Iolanthe fell to the enemy months ago. She’s under quarantine; nobody gets in, and nobody gets out. [face softens] Who is it?

Sorenson: My sister.

Nye-Tang: Then I’m sorry for your loss. I don’t wish to be blunt, but as a soldier you must know: If your sister is indeed on Iolanthe, she’s either infected or dead.

Sorenson: I have reason to believe she’s neither.

Nye-Tang: I understand you’d like to think—

Sorenson: I don’t think—I know! Don’t you see? I know my sister! [eyes narrowing] And I know what happened on Iolanthe. She wasn’t trapped. She was left behind!

Nye-Tang: [gaze flicks away]

Sorenson: [bitter sneer] But then, you already know that, don’t you? Tell me, Captain—how does a group of innocent kids come within seconds of rescue only to be abandoned at the last minute?

Nye-Tang: [face hardens] I don’t appreciate your implication, Team Leader. The details of what happened on Iolanthe are classified, as you no doubt already know. I am not at liberty to speak on this matter, and anyone who has spoken of it is in violation of their oath of service. Now, if you’ll excuse me . . . [moves to cut the com]

Sorenson: Then don’t speak of it; just get me onto Iolanthe!

Nye-Tang: [jaw drops] What?

Sorenson: My sister is alive, I know it! If you could just let me through the net—

Nye-Tang: No.

Sorenson: Please! A day, an hour—

Nye-Tang: Team Leader, you are completely out of line. What you are suggesting could very well be construed as treason! Now out of deference to your obvious grief, I will pretend this conversation never happened, but if I hear one more word about this, I will have you brought up on charges.

Sorenson: Wait, I—

Nye-Tang: Do not call again.

Sorenson: Sir—

*Connection Ended*

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