The transport ship "Pelican" was an old mining vessel, its interior filled with the smell of engine oil and synthetic protein bars. Ye Mi squeezed into a crowd of real miners, trying her best to appear like a genuine technician.
"Is this your first time on an external haul?" a bearded man next to her handed over half a protein bar.
She took it. "Is it that obvious?"
"Your sitting posture is too perfect," the man chuckled. "Real technicians would rather curl up into a ball to avoid being bumped by us roughnecks."
Ye Mi adjusted her posture.
"I'm A Tie," the man extended his hand. "I've been working on this line for twelve years. If you have questions, ask me."
"I'm Ye Mi," she shook his rough, strong hand. "Have you seen anything strange out here?"
A Tie's smile paused. "What do you mean by strange?"
"Like," she lowered her voice, "the main brain's issues."
A Tie's smile disappeared.
He looked at her, a flash of something crossing his eyes—wariness, or perhaps sympathy?
"Little girl," he lowered his voice, "some questions shouldn't be asked."
"Why?"
"Because," he stood up, lifting his tool kit, "many who asked have never come back to this line."
He walked away.
Ye Mi sat there, staring out the porthole at the passing stars. The spaceship was approaching Jupiter—the massive gas giant occupying half the sky. The Great Red Spot looked like an unclosing eye, gazing directly at her.
A Tie stopped at the end of the corridor without looking back. "We're reaching Zone E. Follow me. I know where you're going."
Ye Mi froze.
"You have the code for the research station," A Tie said. "That code expired three months ago. Only fools or—"
He hesitated.
"Or people who are already being watched."