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Ascension: At Large

“There’s no shortage of that skill here, Commander,” Ishikawa said. He paused and stared intently through Reckall’s faceplate. “But I must tell you that you didn’t improve my trust in you by having an eavesdropper on board during what I thought was a private meeting.”

Reckall sat erect. “I did no such thing.”

“Just now, I saw the in-use indicators for the inner and outer airlock doors light up on your security console. Someone has left the shuttle.”

Reckall opened the compartment door and strode to the rear of the shuttle. Iskikawa followed him into another compartment. Here, empty security restraints were draped about a seat. The straps had been raggedly cut by rubbing against some rough surface, and wired back together with springs from the torn seat cushion to prevent an alarm.

“Lott,” Reckall muttered. “Or Bates. He killed most of the people in this shuttle, and enjoyed doing it.”

“I know who you mean.”

The two officers sent an APB; but it takes a long time to search a dead city.

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