Inside the Glass

The lobby was bright and spacious, illuminated exclusively by projector lights. Running so many of them for an hour would cost Ray more than a year's wages, maybe even two. And that only accounted for this single room. A gentle, sweet aroma drifted through the space, relaxing the visitors into dawdling around for longer.

Various machines and cyborg parts were displayed, lined against the walls. They hummed and buzzed, rolling side to side, or rotating in several joints, or pumping the water in and out. Busy, trapped in a pointless, repeating motion.

"Welcome to Vulcan HydroTech," a woman at the counter smiled impassively, a web of fine, multicolored wires crisscrossed her face, disappearing into a metal port on her left temple. "How can we be of service?"

"Hi, my friend here," Ray gestured at Koi, whose attention was captivated by a spherical drone. "Wants to replace her prosthetic arm."

"A wonderful idea. Please, wait a moment while I send for a clerk. Sir," her lips puckered. "Ray Cetus."

His jaw tensed. "I don't remember giving my name."

"All customers get their chips scanned automatically at the entrance," the receptionist struggled to retain her serene smile.

"Sucked into the abyss!" Ray shut his eyes and swore, forcing Koi's attention away from the displayed products. "That's what happens when we don't follow the plan."

"Is there-"

Whack! Ray and Koi stumbled down on the floor. Thick, chain-like coils with tiny barbs lashed around the two of them, sinking sharp hooks into their flesh and restraining them.

"Apprehended! Move in."

A dozen guards in red uniforms surrounded their fallen bodies, alert to the slightest movements, guns built-in their mechanical arms carefully aimed at the captives' heads.

"Release me! I don't know what this is about, but it has nothing to do with me," Koi struggled against the bounds, drawing more blood.

Next to her, Ray remained motionless, all his energy redirected towards arranging his crumbling thoughts, looking for a pattern that will explain everything, that will keep them both, or at least Koi alive. His sole comfort was knowing that Marlin could still get away.

***

The cell was compact and rounded, forcing its occupant to crouch or stoop when standing and curl their legs in when lying down. There was one metal wall with a door in the middle, its frame barely standing out, creating a smooth, monotonous canvas that didn't let the eye rest anywhere. Opposite was a curved, transparent glass, a flattened, hemispherical aquarium.

In a trance, Ray stared at the dark water below his feet. It was all around him, vast and infinite, making the space available to him feel suffocatingly small by comparison. The ocean pressed on from every side, only a thin, uncaring layer between its cold and deadly grasp and his useless human body.

He wondered where they took Koi. Was she trapped in a fishbowl similar to his, or were they already questioning her in a more functional room? Hopefully, they'll start with him. Anything that will increase the chances of them letting her go. It was a possibility, right?

Peering out into the liquid void, Ray sorted out his thoughts. The Neptune, most likely, had put a bounty on him and the ship. Especially, after their brief encounter at Anchor’s Reach. Would Vulcan simply give him away to their rival? Or would he grow old in this prison, a betting chip in the corporate power struggle? And what about Neptune, would they want for his theft to go public? Would Coral never learn what became of him?

The ocean stared back, blind and unmoved. Ray was used to being surrounded by endless water. He even enjoyed its serenity and reliability when curious marine animals surrounded him during his job. The ocean was the home he never had. But now, inside the cell, the murky deepness unnerved him.

A shrill beep pierced the silence. The door slid open without as much as a whisper. Just beyond the room, a stern looking man in a tight suit adjusted a pair of glasses, whose lenses shined with hazy overlays. Wide shoulders of several guards were peeking out behind him.

Ray tried to stand up, but when his neck craned and his head rubbed against the ceiling, he huffed and dropped back on the floor, resolving to make himself look at least marginally comfortable.

The smart looking newcomer lingered at the threshold, tapping his jaw, seemingly preoccupied with a feed on his glasses. Ray gritted his teeth and willed his mouth to remain shut, summoning his last reserves of patience by reminiscing on Angie's cutest poses.

After a torturous eternity, the man cleared his throat. "Are you ready to confess yet? We don't have time to waste on you."

Ray bolted up, a shudder went down his spine as his head collided with the top of the cell. "You're not the only busy guy here," a few raised guns forced him to take a step back. "If you don't have any specific accusations, let that girl and me out."

Not bothering to disguise the profound boredom on his face, the man sighed. "Stop playing dumb. You aren't a clever mastermind you consider yourself to be. There was evidence scattered across both the anemone sight and the station."

"The anemones?" Ray frowned. "I haven't tried to hide. Pretty sure the cameras at the dock caught everything."

"You are clearly underestimating the severity of your crimes and of the punishments awaiting you. We gave you a chance to reveal the truth with a clear conscience and minimal... discomfort."

A heavy silence stretched between them. Pushing his rage down, Ray stumbled over his thoughts. Something wasn't right. He should make the tight-lipped bastard spill more information.

"Have you already told the Neptune about me?"

The man snorted. "A drowned hope. They won't save you. Wouldn't want to be implicated in your petty little schemes. Though," he took off his glasses and started polishing them. "If you agree to publicly throw them into the belly of the whale and expose their directors as the true coordinators behind the sabotage, we can show leniency. Especially, if you provide us proof."

"How kind of you. But I refuse."

Ray's nose exploded with pain as bright spots sparkled behind his eyelids. A dark boot towered over his face. An overwhelming metallic smell left Ray nauseated.

The man's features twisted in disgust. "Let's see how your lady friend fares under our thorough questioning."

"Wait! She has nothing to do with this. Or with anything!" Ray hurriedly scrambled up on his knees. "I'll tell you everything. I confess! It was me and me alone who took the submarine. Free her, and I'll admit to any other crime you name. Please! Just... let her go."

He was frantically screaming at the long closed door.

As all the strength left his body, Ray slumped down, covering his eyes with his hand. He should have opened up about Koi from the very beginning and negotiated her release. They would have used her against him anyway. How pointless it was, hiding his vulnerability.

One thing was becoming increasingly clear. This went far beyond a simple ship theft. Ray thought back to the words of the one-eyed informer. Coral had crossed the Vulcan big time, so they were searching for her. Did they suspect him of harboring his sister?

That smug looking guy had also mentioned evidence. A simple bluff or a real clue they traced to Coral? Ray shook his head. That was not a bet he was willing to take. The safest option was to take the fall: shield his sister, vindicate Koi.

What bothered him the most now was why that shady guy in Driftmoor Exchange sent him to Atlanopolis in the first place. Was it a coincidence? Otherwise, it would be a risky game, hiding so close to Vulcan headquarters. Or had they known that the corporation was targeting him and used him as a distraction?

The door unlocked again with a faint click and slowly slid inside the wall.

Ray exhaled and sank to his knees, his gaze downcast. This time he would do it right. Koi would go free.