Loaded Secrets (ONC 2023)

The next morning, Epson arrived at Aria's dorm shortly after sunrise. Aria, of course, didn't see the sun's first rays herself because her room didn't have a window, but Zephyr was obliging enough to inform her of the fact. Aria managed to grab another greyish pill as her breakfast before departing to speak with Ayden's ex-partner. Although Aria still felt agitated over Epson's unceremonious treatment of her the night before, nothing prepared her for what she saw when they approached Miranda's neighbourhood. Aria felt her rage surge anew. The area looked desolate, with cracked pavement, abandoned residences and vehicles, without a single living plant in sight. The place looked especially bleak when compared to Aria's own living quarters. Everything in her surroundings stated in no uncertain terms that humans were unwelcome in what used to be their own planet.

Finally, they reached a skewed little shack with peeling paint and a rusty metal door. Epson rapped on the door twice, his movements sharp and precise. "Enforcement!" he barked in a surprisingly authoritative voice, which sounded nothing like his regular monotone pitch. After some long moments, a young woman appeared at the door. The door creaked in protest as she tried to open it, and got stuck halfway through, making the woman apply additional effort, both of her skinny palms pushing against the metal.

The woman, Aria noted, looked very distraught. Her long black hair was disheveled, as if a strong gust of wind met it at an inopportune moment. Her dark brown eyes were puffy and red, and her nose equally swollen and raw. She had been crying. Her clothes were baggy and mismatched, as if she hastily threw them on without considering what they were. She was not wearing anything as fashionable as armour.

"You're here about Ayden, aren't you?" she squeezed the words between sniffles. Much like her body, her voice was very small.

"Correct," Epson confirmed. His speech returned to its former flat self. "You must be Miranda Andrews, the lawful tenant of this dwelling."

Miranda nodded wordlessly.

"May we come in?" Aria hoped that her voice conveyed that she was here to be kind and understanding, almost as if to atone for Epson's coldness.

Miranda gazed helplessly from Aria to Epson, her small features contorted in a miserable frown. "Sure", she finally managed and stepped aside. Aria suspected the young woman did not feel that she had much choice.

They followed the small-framed woman into her dingy apartment. Epson's steps sounded out a rhythm in annoyingly even intervals behind her. While it was obvious that Miranda was trying her best to keep the place cozy by filling it with bright tapestries and plants, the peeling paint on the walls, the threadbare furniture, and the faint smell of mildew gave away the need for much more thorough repairs.

Finally, Miranda stopped at a small kitchenette, and, without uttering a sound, motioned to a couple of flimsy-looking mismatched chairs, inviting her unwanted guests to take a seat. Without waiting for them to accept her invitation, Miranda plopped herself into a chair across from them, as if her limbs had suddenly given out.

Epson lowered himself into his seat, keeping his spine completely erect the entire time. Aria was significantly more clumsy, trying to make sure her chair did not collapse, as it creaked in protest as soon as she touched it.

"So," Miranda's voice had a hostile tone, "how can I help you?"

"Well, first of all, Ms. Andrews," Aria made every attempt to convey that she was not a threat, "I would like you to know that you are not a suspect in this investigation, and any statement you may give will be completely voluntary."

Miranda gave Aria a blank stare.

"But, as you know, we are investigating a murder, and you may have important information that could really assist –"