"So there are probably two points to get at the security system?" Meg said and the Xeno nodded. Security system penetration was one of his specialties and he could be a real benefit at times like this. With the schematic of the facility stretched out across Getter's heavy desk, Meg imagined that the two of them looked more like kids working a puzzle than operatives tracking a killer. Somewhere in the background, the other civie had checked out and was snoring lightly.
"Yeppers," he said. The 711 had been excessively thirsty and had been pushing Getter's executive espresso machine to the limit. The side effect was that the normally bouncy Stormer was now pinging off the ceiling.
"The first one is in the reactor's control area and the second is probably a feed from this conduit here. My bet is on him hiding somewhere near it, probably this maintenance shed on the station's undercarriage. I think that- "
"Excuse me," she said as she stood up. Meg had felt Getter's eyes on her and had put up with it as long as she was willing. As she walked over, he gave her a "what is it" type of look and grinned. She jabbed him in the nose hard enough to slap his head against the wall and then came back to the stormer. The man was whimpering as he tried to find something to staunch the bleeding, but he wasn't her concern as long as he wasn't annoying. "You were saying?"
The Xeno's expression was unreadable and he picked up where he had left off without a hitch. "I think that it wouldn't be hard to do, especially if he were planning this for a while. I imagine that he's making his around way entirely within the facility."
"Why is that?"
"He's weak and he doesn't have any certification with enviro-suits, so going outside is suicide. He'll probably move around within the locked down area through the service shafts. It's the best a human could do."
"The best a human could do, huh?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Yeppers," he grinned back innocently.
"Okay, next question -how did he manage to kill those two men?" she asked. Tightness formed in her throat, forcing her to choke out the next part. "And why did he do it in THAT way?"
"Dunno. Probably just a sicko who's watched too much TV as a child. Maybe caught them by surprise? It doesn't matter though."
She gave him a quizzical look, not sure where he was going and he continued. The Xeno's bottom jaw was still quivering from the caffeine buzz and he shifted nervously from foot to foot.
"You're probably just going to kill him anyway."
"Yeah, probably," she said nonchalantly and checked her pistol. "So, let's go find him and finish this."
"Cool," the Xeno said with a wide quivering grin. "Love that finishing part."
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