Calvin’s car swerved into the warehouse entrance, he’d arrived just in time. A standard cargo ship, complete with its usual crate-like design, was docked in the center. Though not fit for universal travel, the old thing could still take you into earth’s orbit. The ship’s haul was being loaded with various technological equipment by a burly man and a short scrawny woman. The woman looked busy, sorting the boxes in a way to make them all fit, so Calvin walked up to the man.

“This ship is going to the Universal Trade Station, correct?”

“Yeah, yeah. We’ll be taking off soon, so find a seat.”

Calvin boarded finding that there weren’t individual seats, but benches bolted to the sides of the ship’s interior, similar to the way an old-fashioned paratrooper plane was built. He sat down and buckled himself in loosely. The back door soon clicked shut and the workers hopped in, closing the side door behind them. The pilot’s voice came over the loud speaker.

“We’ve set a course for the UTS, prepare for takeoff.”

The roof rose and folded, opening for the ship. The ship flew, riding into the sky, the clouds already obstructing the ground’s view from the passengers.

Five minutes into the ride the woman broke the silence. “I know we’re not really s’possed to ask, but why are you goin’ to the UTS?” She had a thick American southern accent, her voice light and sweet. Calvin continued to stare at the floor.

“I can’t tell you that.” She nodded, a bit disheartened.

Calvin stared blankly out the window… Space. From earth it looked so crowded, millions of stars, spread like sand on the sky. But up here, looking out there, Calving could only see darkness.

What did it matter to him? To Calvin, space was just another distraction. Nothing would distract him from catching that bastard, the one that killed his father, the one that ruined his life, the one who’s escaped his grasp for so many years. 

They approached the massive space station, its shape like a tower of stacked cubes, forming a point on the top and bottom. A platform lowered, allowing them entrance. Once the ship was completely inside, the platform closed and a door to the lot opened. People dressed in uniform were yelling and waving their arms, guiding ships to docking spaces. Hundreds of ships were already there, all from different planets, all differently constructed. The ceiling in the area was high, making the room feel empty, despite the fast-paced crowd and echoing shouts.

Calvin stepped off the ship and onto the grated floor. He looked up and around, unsure of where to go.

“Mr. Sullivan!” a voice called out, “That’s you, isn’t it?”

A man shorter than Calvin, though Calvin was taller than the average person, ran up to him. Calvin could have sworn that the man only ran a few feet, yet he was still panting.

“Calvin Sullivan, yes.” Calvin stuck his hand out for a handshake, though it seemed to be returned reluctantly. The man replied with his own name, “Louis,” though Calvin only seemed to superficially care.

“I assume that since you know my name, you know where I’m supposed to go.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll bring you to the main office.”

Louis started walking and Calvin followed. Somehow, Louis’s gape was longer than Calvin’s, his stride unnatural, but seemingly conscious.

The two got into an elevator, taking it to a lower deck. And after a series of dully painted narrow halls, they’d made it to the office. Louis was about to knock, but Calvin just turned the knob and pushed the door open.

The office was large, though only housing one desk, cabinets upon cabinets were filled to the brim with files. Technology had progressed so far, but still, hard copies never left. A man sat in a swivel chair, his feet on the desk, yelling at his holo-cell. His hair was spiked and his buttoned-down shirt was open, not something you’d expect to see from a CEO.

He looked up at the intruders. “Hey! What’re you doing in my office?! Can’t you see I’m on the phone?!

…Yeah, I’m gonna hav’ta call you back.” He switched it off. “So, what do you want?”

Calvin cleared his throat before stepping through the doorway. “I’m sorry sir, but my name is Calvin Sullivan, and I believe you know why I’m here.”

“Huh.” The man looked a little bewildered. “Didn’t expect you to get here so fast.” Even when the man wasn’t yelling his voice sounded scratchy, like he had a constant cold. “I haven’t set up your lodging yet. But for now…hey! Little guy, get over here.”

“It’s Louis, sir.”

“Right, right. Anyway, Mr. Sullivan will room with you.”

Louis’s expression changed within the blink of an eye. What used to be professional composure had now fallen into panic. “What?! But sir—!”

“This isn’t a negotiation, now get back to work.”

The boss shooed them out and proceeded to start another holo-call. Louis looked up at Calvin, wide-eyed. Calvin sighed at the inconvenience, though only a minor annoyance in comparison to his reason for being there.

“Who are you?” Louis asked.

He shrugged. “Calvin, Mr. Sullivan, either is fine with me.”

“No, that’s not, I mean—why are you here?” Calvin paused and turned to Louis, neither his face nor his body revealing any hint of emotion.

“I don’t need to tell you that.”

Louis looked away and continued walking. “I’ll just lead you to my room. I still have work to do.”

The sleeping quarters had wide halls, the doors evenly spaced. Not many people were wandering about, most likely still at their stations. Louis stopped in front of his room and placed his hand on the wall-mounted scanner. A light blinked from red to green, unlocking the door.

The room was small, but the furniture was efficiently placed, it was all kept tidy, even the bed was made. Louis opened the corner closet and dragged out a mattress.

“There.” Louis stated. “I have to go, but if you get locked out, just wait for me to come back.” Calvin nodded.

Just as the door closed, Calvin flopped down onto the bed. He pulled out his phone and started to flip through the casefile again. “All these years you’ve hidden like a coward… But you’re finally here, and all of this will finally be over.”