Premonition

Chapter #23: A Temporary Home

As Sarah strapped herself into the front seat of the van, Duke spoke up.

“What sort of supplies are we talking about?” Duke asked.

“Lots of things. Toiletries, food enough for five people, things like that,” Sarah said with a smile.

“Ok, where to first,” Duke said as he started the engine.

“Let’s head to the grocery store in the south eastern quadrant of the station,” Sarah said. “It’s the closest one. They’ll have everything there.” Duke nodded and began driving.

It was worth noting that food on Mecha Station did not come fresh. Instead, to increase food storage of the station, everything came as freeze-dried food. However, the natural amount of saltiness of freeze-dried foods was replaced with nutrients people needed. This was bio-engineered on earth before the launching of Mecha Station and its other sibling stations. Many people didn’t like the taste still, because it had an artificial tang to it. But to consistently feed 15000 people on a space station, there was no room for fresh food storage. Not to mention the amount of power that it would take from the station to keep those foods refrigerated. It was the best option by far.

Typical foods on a space station would usually be in liquid form, however because of the artificial gravity on Mecha Station, this allowed for carrying at least some weighted foods. As Duke drove and took Sarah’s directions, he made a face at the thought of eating more freeze- dried foods.

“Isn’t there anything else on the station that we can eat besides freeze-dried foods?” Duke said.

“Don’t worry, just find your favorites. I have a way of making the foods taste authentic,” Sarah said.

“Ok,” Duke said as they arrived at the grocery store. Barely anyone was out around this time, as it was near curfew. Duke accompanied Sarah into the store and they quickly got what they needed. Freeze-dried noodles, rice and beef. Before checking out, Sarah made a detour to an isle with sauces. She picked one of each flavor.

“I find that the freeze-dried foods taste better with these sauces. The sauces themselves are taken straight from earth and don’t have an expiry date. They were engineered like that. Most people don’t get them; because they want to keep their trash very minimalistic. It’s advised on the station to keep your trash to a minimum. However, I thought it might be best to just go for it because were already housing five people in our room, which is more than allowed. Might as well dine well,” Sarah reasoned.

“Sure Sarah, let’s do it,” Duke said as he carried the grocery bag.

“We should be done, let’s check out and head back…” Sarah said.

***Hotel room, 6:30pm***

As Keiji, Ricky and Hella waited for Sarah and Duke to get back with the supplies, they prepared their room for the eventual living of five people. There were only two beds, however it could fit two people each. Ricky voted that he would sleep on the couch for now and rotate sleeping on the bed every couple of days or so. Hella and Ricky prepared the couch, while Keiji decided he would boil some water for the food that was to come. Keiji also prepared a makeshift dinner table from two coffee tables in the room, so they could all sit together. After they were finished preparing the room, Ricky and Hella sat on the couch and turned on the t.v while Keiji took a shower. It was worth noting as well, that for entertaining workers in the station besides the casino, the station broadcasted a multitude of channels of live drama skits – all filmed on the station itself. After Keiji was finished showering, he joined them.

“I usually never watched these,” Keiji admitted to Ricky and Hella.

“Really?” Ricky said. “There quite good…”

“There’re Ricky’s favorite…..although he doesn’t like to admit it,” laughed Hella.

“Hey! You like them too!” Ricky said. “The actors and actresses that do them are spot on as well….grade A acting in my book.”

“Maybe I’ll give it a try,” Keiji said as he brought a chair next to the couch. “I usually took my work home as a light levels analyzer…my work was my life back then.”

“You need your break time too Keiji,” Hella said. “Everyone does.”

“Otherwise, you never know how the stress of your job is going to come out..” Ricky said.

“Very true,” Hella said. “Duke is the exception though, as he is kind of a lone wolf in that respect.”

“I noticed….he’s somewhat introverted isn’t he?” Keiji said.

“He is,” Hella said. “So, he likes time to himself, even when being with us.”

As Hella finished saying this the door to the room unlocked and they all turned to see who it was. Sarah and Duke entered with packs of food from the grocery store. As well, Sarah was carrying toiletries for everyone.

“Wow!” Hella said. “You guys really made sure we’re prepared.”

“And I can see from the room, you all made sure things were tidy as well for the five of us,” Duke said with a smile. “Here Sarah, I’ll take that for you.”

“Thanks Duke,” Sarah said.

“Nice toiletries,” Ricky said. “Anybody going to use the bathroom? As it’s my turn.”

“Nope, go for it Ricky,” Duke said.

As Keiji continued to watch the show with Hella, she smiled and nudged Keiji.

“Looks like someone is taking a liking to your sister,” Hella said.

“You think?” Keiji said. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Sarah was always the more likeable and talkative one. Maybe she likes Duke too.”

“You’re not protective of your sister?” Hella said.

“I am, but she is older. She knows what she’s doing,” Keiji said. “Let’s see how it plays out.”

“Ok….” Hella said playfully. To Duke and Sarah she said, “We should eat as soon as possible, I’m getting hungry.”

“Just as soon as Ricky’s done,” Duke said who had begun setting up the table with Sarah.

A couple of minutes later Ricky exited the bathroom and the entire group sat with chairs at the two coffee tables. One freeze-dried meal was given to each person, with a bowl of hot water distributed to each as well. As they all waited for their meal to saturate in the hot water, Sarah gave everyone a sauce of choice and said that it would taste better. They obliged and selected their sauces. After a couple of minutes, the food was ready.

“Dig in everyone!” Sarah said with a smile.

No one talked for the duration of the meal, as it looked like everyone was starved. Keiji finished first and waited for everyone to finish their meal before speaking up.

“Now that everyone is finished their meal, we can talk about our plans ahead,” Keiji said. “I feel like the first thing on our agenda should be to find out how the Mecha Warriors killed Jin Woo.”

“I agree,” Duke said. “From what I know, the scene of the crime is our old brewery. They interrogated and killed him there.”

“We need to find proof of their crimes to exonerate me. It will be the piece of evidence that we present to the police,” Keiji speculated.

“Any ideas?” Duke said.

“The murder weapon,” Hella said.

“What about it?” Duke asked.

“We should start with finding out what the murder weapon was….as that’s the main connective tissue to the warriors…” Hella explained. “I know the most about weapons on the station, so I’ll go to the scene tomorrow and investigate.”

“I’ll come with you,” Keiji said.

“It’s settled then,” Duke said. “Hella take the van with Keiji tomorrow. Myself, Sarah and Ricky will stay behind at the hotel.”

“Good luck you two,” Sarah said.

“Be safe,” Ricky said.