Jin tapped the screen. The image changed, the station’s map and directory appearing.
"Let's concentrate on getting what we need," he said in a quiet voice.
Kira nodded, feeling numb, the earlier argument forgotten as she reached out and began scrolling through the directory.
She hesitated over the name of one vendor. In the description line, it said ship parts.
"Not that one," he said, seeing where she'd stopped. "Their parts have a reputation of breaking as soon as the warranty ends."
She grimaced and continued her search.
"And you can eat and walk," he offered, returning to the former topic. "No reason to stop."
Her sigh was heavy and tired. It was easier to give in. "Fine. One thing."
He let out a happy cheer.
A small smile lifted Kira's lips as she continued to swipe. A familiar name flashed by.
Vander's.
She knew that place. It had been in business when she was a soldier. Back then, they'd offered tech the military didn't provide. They were expensive as hell, but their stuff had been some of the best.
She read the description and smiled. Seemed they hadn't changed much in the years since.
"That might work." Jin leaned over her shoulder. "I wonder if Roxy still works there."
An explosion rocked their terrace from above before Kira could respond. She dropped into a crouch, her heart in her throat as she reached for a weapon she didn't have. Station policy prohibited carrying any type of projectile weapon while in dock.
Screams tore through the air around her as bits of a gondola fluttered down.
She ran to the edge of the terrace, craning her head up as she looked for the source of the explosion.
The bright lick of flame drew her eye as the sail of a small five-seater caught fire two terraces above. The rear third of it looked like a mangled mess as the boat struggled valiantly to stay afloat. Even as she watched, the forward mast snapped. Its engines gave a high-pitched whine as it slowly began to list.
"We don't have to get involved," Jin warned. "Station personnel should respond momentarily."
Kira remained motionless for an interminable moment, her focus glued to the small craft as it tilted further, the engines sputtering.
The craft's engine gave another choking roar. The boat broke loose from its mooring and began to sink. Seeing that, those around her panicked, pushing and shoving, as they fought to get out of the way in case it crashed into their terrace.
"Jin."
"I've already contacted station security. They'll be here in ten minutes."
Kira could see how it would play out.
In five minutes, probably less, the engines would cease function entirely. What was left of the sail would hold for a short time before the weight became too much and it snapped. After that, the craft would either complete its plummet, be torn apart by the winds on the interior of the honeycomb or explode when the fire reached the battery cells.
Station personnel would arrive minutes too late.
The craft rotated, giving Kira a glimpse of those inside. Two children pressed against the windows of the cabin, their mouths open in silent screams, their faces filled with terror.
"Kira."
Kira was moving before he could say more, running parallel to the craft as it began drifting, sinking as smoke billowed out of it.
"Wait for me," he called after her.
