The sterile glow of the detainment cell cast an unflattering light over Orion's face as he leaned back against the cold metal wall.
He opened his eyes just as the heavy door creaked open, stopping his musings.
Commander Alara Veyrn stepped inside, exuding an aura of authority that demanded attention.
Her striking blue eyes radiated intelligence, and her blonde hair, neatly tied back, framed her face elegantly.
Behind her was Captain Riha Swift, Alara's loyal aide, who mirrored her beauty with her exotic Asian features, which was accentuated by her confident stance.
Two armed guards flanked the entrance, vigilance etched into their expressions as they observed the unfamiliar prisoner.
Orion studied them, noting the tension in Alara's posture that contrasted sharply with the calmness of her features. Something wasn't right about the situation; he could feel it in the air.
He was about to find out. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before she addressed him, her voice steady but laced with urgency.
"You're Orion Kord, correct?"
"Depends on who's asking," he replied, a teasing lilt to his tone. Alara's lips twitched at the corners, but the seriousness of the moment pulled her façade back into place.
"We have questions. I need you..." Riha stepped forward, holding a small polymer box and a gadget reminiscent of an old mobile phone.
The sleek surface of the device gleamed under the harsh light, and Orion eyed it with curiosity.
"What's that supposed to do?" he asked, interrupting the solemnity of the moment as he immediately raised his guard.
If they were going to kill him he didn't mind revealing the X-Core and making his escape.
Riha didn't respond, focusing instead on him as she stepped closer.
She positioned the blinking device in front of him. The screen lit up, casting a faint blue hue as she triggered it.
A sudden flash illuminated the room, and a faint whirring noise emanated from the gadget.
[No weapons found.]
[No implants found.]
[Physical enhancement detected.]
[Subject is High Class Beta.]
Riha stepped closer and dropped the box beside Orion, "Your hands please."
Orion felt a flutter of anxiety wash over him, but he maintained his poise and placed his hand in the box.
The box blinked a few times before a green light flashed.
Riha nodded at Alarm before stepping back.
"Very nice," he mused, playfully seeing it was just a scanner. "Do I pass?"
"Calm down. This is just the beginning," Alara said, her voice regaining its steadiness.
The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, as if she appreciated his audacity, but there was urgency in her gaze.
She took a step closer, a glint in her eyes. "Now, let's move on to the meaningful questions."
Orion flashed her a charming smile, enjoying the interplay. "Hello, Miss. You look very beautiful," he remarked, allowing a slight reverie to drag out the moment.
Alara's demeanour warmed for a brief moment, her lips curving into a smile.
"I must return the compliment," she replied, her sincerity shining through, "your eyes are quite remarkable. When you clean up a bit, I'm sure you'll look splendid."
"Thank you. I'm flattered," he retorted, a light-hearted banter marking their initial engagement, before he turned his attention to Riha, who stood silently observing.
"And you, miss," he interjected. "I can't leave you out... you're quite the sight yourself."
Riha nodded, her expression unreadable, yet the corner of her lips twitched, betraying her amusement at his quips.
Alara cleared her throat, bringing the moment back to the matter at hand. "Now, Mr. Kord, what is your full name?"
"Orion Kord," he replied smoothly, suppressing a grin as Riha's scanning box responded with a confirming green light.
"Who are you?" Alara pressed, her face serious once again.
"I have amnesia," he joked, eyes twinkling. The box flashed red, and Riha's brow furrowed slightly.
Orion couldn't help but chuckle.
"Please be serious, Mr. Kord." Alara's voice was flat.
"I am serious," he insisted as the box flashed red once more.
"Fine. I will ask the question again," Alara threatened, her cool demeanour barely concealing her frustration.
"And if your replies are not satisfactory, I will have you thrown into space."
Orion nodded, forcing himself to pretend to enjoy the game trying to buy time.
"May I know the name of the lady interrogating me?" he asked innocently.
"Alara Veyrn," she replied tersely, eager to get this farce into productive waters.
Just as he was about to ask about Riha's name, the notification he had been anticipating flashed before his eyes:
{Truth box fully scanned}
{Countermeasures created.}
Letting out a soft sigh, Orion stole a glance at Alara before he became a little more serious.
"I'm a mercenary and an engineer." The box flashed green.
Alara regarded him carefully, unsure of the wisdom in what he just did.
"Where are you from?"
Orion allowed a shadow of hesitancy to pass over his face, a flicker of sincerity.
"That's kind of sensitive information… I'd love to keep it to myself if you don't mind."
Green light flashed again.
Alara paused.
It was apparent this wouldn't reveal critical intel. She appeared to rethink her tactic, weighing whether to press further.
"Okay, as long as you keep answering me truthfully, I don't mind," she conceded.
"Thank you," he replied with a smile, avoiding his better judgment.
"Who sent you here?" she continued, shifting to a more direct approach.
"Nobody," he answered, and the box responded with a green flash.
"Then, why are you here?" The seriousness returned to her voice, with a hint of impatience.
"I was being chased," Orion replied, opting for honesty where it served him. "Managed to escape… didn't know where I was going, but I ended up on this planet. Unfortunately, my ship was pulverized by the still-active defences of the ruins. Thankfully, I jumped out in time." Another green flash.
"Did you lead the Chrysaliths here?" she interjected, narrowing her gaze slightly.
"No," he replied firmly. Green.
"Are you a spy?"
"No," he repeated, smile widening even as the answer proved easy. Green lit again.
"How long have you been here?" Alara's tone shifted again, softer perhaps, as she went through the information... or lack thereof... he had provided.
"A little over six months," he replied casually, leaning back against the wall, trying to appear nonchalant.
Another green flashed.
Alara's expression grew pensive, confusion evident as she registered the volatility of their circumstances.
The Chrysalith swarm's appearance had been a planned ambush, not a coincidence of fate and so far her request for reinforcement had all either been ignored or intercepted.
"So you're a deep-space fugitive, then," she surmised, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to be wandering around in abandoned regions like this?"
Orion shrugged, "Not really; it's a big universe, and I'm just one guy." He tilted his head,
"Besides, this place seems to be out of any guidebook of trouble." Alara narrowed her gaze further, weighing his words.
In the end, since what he said was true he wasn't who she was looking for.
"Tell me, then, if you're not a threat, why shouldn't I have my guards throw you out into the void?"
"Because could be of help to you."
Alara searched his eyes for a few seconds before she replied.
"Perhaps it's because you realised saving your skin means aligning with someone who might be your ticket off this rock, huh?"
"You could say that too," he said with a playful wink, and even Riha stifled a smile.
"Let's see if you can keep up this charm," Alara murmured, not quite ready to abandon the interrogation.
"What do you think would happen if you crossed me?"
"The same thing that happens when you throw someone out of a spaceship in space," Orion quipped, enjoying the game, but aware that the tension was still palpable.
Alara chuckled lightly despite herself, but no longer wanting to feed into his distraction.