What elese dies tjhis text need: With that, Security Chief White left to get started. 

A heavy silence fell in the room as McConnell contemplated what lay ahead. 

She knew the importance of the task at hand and the need for precision. It was also time to get going.

Freight Command buzzed with heightened activity that afternoon, the constant murmur and bustling of people going about their business. 

Whispers The interior structure itself seemed to breathe with life, its walls seamlessly blending into the lofty ceilings. 

The sound of wings flapping and feathers rustling filled the air as the Hyacinth McCaws squawked softly, their calls echoing through the atrium. 

The scent of jasmine wafted, fragrant and gentle, mingling with the cool air that brushed against McConnell’s skin. Soft blue lights accentuated the space, casting a serene glow.

McConnell made her way through the corridors, her footsteps blending with the hum of technology in the background. 

The captivating aesthetics of the facility had always drawn her in, reminding her of the beauty that technology could create. 

She ascended the black granite staircase deliberately, each step accompanied by a satisfying click against the polished surface. Finally, she arrived at the main security station.

‘Good afternoon, Fleet Captain McConnell. I am here for the meeting in Conference 1 with my credentials,’ pauses McConnell displayed her security lanyard to Sargent Averill Aims.

“Yes, good afternoon, fleet Captain McConnell; you’re expected; your clearance is straight through!” pauses 

‘No, Sargent, I’m not, and I could carry anything that could pose a threat, so use your hand scanner under Security Protocol 3 (b) subsection 39, as specified in Security Standing Order 12.3 (a).’ silence

“Sorry, Fleet Captain McConnell, yes, you’re correct.” pauses 

McConnell walked through the main concourse, her steps muffled by the soft carpeted floor. People hurried past, their footsteps creating a steady rhythm interspersed with occasional beeping sounds from nearby consoles. 

She approached the main desk after successfully passing through security. 

McConnell placed her security lanyard on the rectangular black scan surface, 'Interface Unlocked" pauses appeared as a vivid blue hologram. 

The holographic interface hummed softly, accompanied by a faint electronic whisper.

With a graceful wave of her hand, McConnell triggered the holographic interface to appear. 

Pauses. 

Navigating through the directory interface, she selected “Fleet Ships,” filtering the options by call sign. With precision, McConnell narrowed down her search to her own company, Stanner’tec Fright Lines, and specifically sought out CAG-118, the vessel of interest. 

pauses “Searching for Vessel,” announced the interface. 

pauses Moments later, it proclaimed, “Vessel Transponder Not Found: Further Information Restricted Level 1.”

Why would publicly available information, legally mandated to be accessible by all, now be restricted to only level 1 clearance? 

Pauses 

McConnell, with her Level 1 access, sensed something amiss. Her curiosity piqued, she decided to take matters into her own hands. silence

[User: McConnell
pauses 
Access Alpha/1 Black
pauses 
Request Level 1 Security Access
pauses 
Information:
pauses 
CAG-118]


Pauses

‘Searching’ silence 

A brief pause filled the room as the interface processed McConnell’s request, as if contemplating the request’s validity. Silence 

The interface finally responded with a reason for the rejection: “Request via the public terminal, or try a cleared level 3 or higher terminal.” 

McConnell weighed the information in her mind, her thoughts punctuated by a pause. Silence 

‘Interesting,’ McConnell whispered to herself, her voice barely audible amidst the surrounding silence. Her determination to uncover the truth surged, as did the anticipation that hung thick in the air.