The sergeant shifts uncomfortably, “Outer Rim,” he says, “One of those pleasure yachts that went missing years ago,” the officer is clearly shaken, “There were some bodies as well. The ship… The ship wasn’t made for deep space…” he drew up to attention, “Looks like it decompressed with most of the… crew… alive…”

“I see.”

Another peer stood up behind the other man, “Did you watch the tape, Sergeant?”

The officer straightened tighter, “Yes, sir,” he says, “It’s all in the report.”

The two men exchange a look. The taller of the two stood up from his desk, “Thank you, Sergeant,” he salutes the officer before him, “Dismissed.”

“We’re here on the six month anniversary of the end of the War,” the reporter begins, “Out here on the edge of space, we have the privilege of being present on the IAV Akodo,” the camera panned out to what looked like a crew’s mess, “The newly formed Alliance is investigating rumors that there still might be Independent holdouts here in the far reaches…”

“The Akodo?” the darker of the two men asks as the tape continues to view in front of them, “Well, this is going to be interesting. Have we ever found any evidence of her yet?”

The other man scratches his beard, “This’ll be the first.”

After a series of lackluster, but patriotic interviews, the reporter signs off. He’s a balding Caucasian male with a ready smile, a slight paunch and a deep voice. His attire is civilian, a little informal, but neat. His name is Howell Yin. There are several more interviews with some of the senior officers of the Akodo regarding several engagements that the ship has had on the way to deep space. It’s clear that the officers are being less than forthright, but the reporter hides it with patriotic innuendo and various other comments about military life. The recording goes on for hours with crew interviews, asides about deep space navy living and amiable subjects. Howell Yin has a way of putting both his subjects and the audience at eas