Farstep Station

I have completed the line edits on Farstep Station and now I'm typing them in. It's going far, far better than I expected. I should have everything done by May 1, which would be really wonderful. And all of this with Vision coming up as well, but for once I feel that I'm just about on top of things.

While doing the edits today I came across a few lines that sort of summed up the story and amused me. I thought I would share them. Desmond is the new station commander. Deak is a smartass woman and his head of security. Firin is the head of the civilian sector, and Desmond's father is a Fleet Admiral. That should be enough to get you through the scene:


Desmond sat back in his chair and frowned. "This could be a serious problem."

"As far as I'm concerned, any time there is unaccounted moving mass on a station, it's a serious problem," Deak said. "But yes, I know what you mean. If this is some sort of elite team from your father's work --"

"We really don't need a third player in this game." Desmond looked at her. "Or is it fourth? How is Firin these days?"

"Becoming reconciled to the fact that I keep her more in the know than she's ever been in the past. She's getting a far better attitude. You know she thought that the military just intended to kill all the civilians when we stopped being useful."

"I can't say she isn't right, but it's not on my agenda."

"Are you going to run to us if your father shows up and tries to kill you?"

"Does that sound like a particularly wise thing to do?" Desmond asked. "How many people do you think he'd take out to try and kill me?"

"Then we're not safe either way."

"Were you ever under the impression you were safe here?"

Deak shook her head and sighed. "No, of course not. I just keep hoping for reassurance that I'm more paranoid than I need to be."

"We have unaccounted mass in the station. We have a man who thinks he's God probably on his way right now. We have half of the military stationed here ready to move against us. What part am I supposed to reassure you about?"

She stood, straightening her jacket. "Well, at least it should be interesting. Shall we go?"

"Go? Go Where?" Desmond asked, feeling a bit like he'd lost track of things.

She picked up her pocketcomp and smiled. "I think we have a little exploring to do. You didn't plan to sleep, did you?"

He laughed and grabbed his pistol, putting it into the holster under his jacket.

"We need to move quickly," Deak said. "Just in case someone does catch on. Either move quickly, or not at all. You strike me as someone who would rather know what's out there rather than waiting for it to come to us."

"Yes," he said and opened the door. They hurried down the hall toward the lifts. "Should we take others?"

"That would draw attention."

"Good point."

"So, does your father really think he's a God?"