The port district was a blur of steel and steam, but all that mattered was the looming silhouette of the Rhodes Island landship. My heart was hammering a rhythm against my ribs part exhaustion from the sprint, part pure frustration.
Then, I saw them.
Ahead, near a secured gangway, my companions Z23, Ruby, and Martha were cornered. Three operators in Rhodes Island's standard tactical gear had formed an unbreakable blockade.
"What in the blazes is happening here?" I demanded, skidding to a halt.
The lead operator, a towering figure whose visor obscured his face, didn't even flinch at my approach. His voice was flat, professional.
"Head back now. This area is under lockdown."
"Wait, hold on a second," I argued, stepping forward. "I know the Doctor. I know he's on that ship. You have to let us in."
My statement earned me a slow, dubious look from the operator. It was the kind of look that said, 'Yeah, and I'm the King of Ursus.'
"A likely story," he drawled, adjusting his grip on his rifle. "Got any proof?"
"Call him! Put the Doctor on the comms, he'll vouch for me!"
The operator actually chuckled, a dry, dismissive sound that scraped against my last nerve. "Yeah, right. Hah. Hah."
"Oh, yeah?" I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, my temper beginning to flare. Just as I was about to attempt something suitably dramatic and ill-advised, a quiet voice cut through the tension right behind the operator.
"This person is my guest. Best you move aside."
The three operators stiffened, startled by the sudden, low-key command. The lead operator practically jumped out of his boots before snapping into a rigid salute.
"S-sorry, sir!"
He instantly signaled his team to dissolve the blockade. As they rushed past us, I gave the now-flustered operator a look of supreme, triumphant smugness. It was incredibly satisfying.
"Sorry about that, Agnes," the Doctor said, his voice as emotionally neutral as ever.
I crossed my arms, tapping my foot dramatically. "'All good'? Absolutely not. You abandoned your most promising asset and her… highly valued experimental companions. I'd say you owe me a rather large debt of repayment, wouldn't you say?"
"Of course," he replied without hesitation.
As he said it, my eyes caught a glimpse of a certain long-eared Cautus girl Amiya, I think who was nearby, giving the Doctor a very knowing, slightly exasperated look. He totally got scolded for this.
"Well then," I declared, sweeping into a deep, theatrical bow, complete with a flourish of an imaginary cape. "Just show me my lab, and get my companions settled somewhere safe. For I, Agnes Tachyon, am at your service!"
The Doctor simply gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable.
"Understood."
He turned and walked toward the gangway without another word, or a shred of visible emotion.
What a strange, strange fellow, I thought, shaking my head.
After securing our entry, the first order of business was checking on my test subjects I mean, friends. I was led to a well-furnished, if slightly sterile, crew quarters. I flung the door open with all the grandeur the moment demanded.
"I AM BACK! MY TEST—I MEAN FRIENDS!" I announced, practically vibrating with energy.
I struck a pose, waiting for the expected ovation. "Yes, yes, I know, I am great."
Z23 was staring at me with a perfect expression of 'I-am-reconsidering-all-my-life-choices'. Which was fair, I suppose. It was hard to deny the inherent, glorious craziness of my existence.
Martha and Ruby, however, were just smiling. Ruby's tail gave a small, happy flick.
"That was good, Agnes," Ruby said, her voice bright and cute.
"That's right! Praise me more!" I crowed.
Ruby happily obliged, launching into a detailed account of how expertly I had handled the situation.
"Don't encourage her," Z23 muttered, turning away, but I knew she was secretly amused.
"Tun tun," I thought, ignoring the Tsundere moment and collapsing onto the bed to play-wrestle with Ruby.
We'd been settling in for maybe an hour when a knock came at the door. An Operator stood there, looking far more composed than the last one I'd encountered.
"Miss Tachyon? The Doctor is asking for you."
He gestured for me to follow. The way he delivered the message made it sound less like a request and more like a necessary formality before an impending disaster.
Following the Operator led me to a quiet, dimly lit conference room where the Doctor was waiting. The Operator gestured me forward, then promptly left, ensuring we were completely alone.
The Doctor was standing near a monitor, his shoulders looking slightly more slumped than usual.
"We are close to the Rhodes Island landship's main docking bay," he began, his voice low. He paused, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "After talking with… well, when we arrive, your first order of business is to meet with… Kal'tsit."
He hesitated over the name, his nervousness palpable. It was the most emotion I'd seen from him all day.
"Oh?" I asked, arching a brow. "Did you get scolded?"
He remained quiet, offering no defense or denial. The silence was awkward.
"Right then," I said, giving a single, sharp nod. I could already sense this 'Kal'tsit' was going to be an experience. "I'll meet with this Kal'tsit. Lead the way, Doctor."