STF

[Attack at City Center] The Beginning of the End

Posted Nov. 11, 2022, 9:23 p.m. by General Calvin Harris (Command General- Colonial Customs and Defence Authority) (Jerome Davis)

Posted by Civilian Molly Holloway (CEO - Holloway Industries) in [Attack at City Center] The Beginning of the End
Molly knew that her uncle’s request for her to grab him the newspaper was not an innocent one. Ever since he had woken up, Lucas had made no secret of the fact that he thought she should go outside, instead of spending her days inside the hospital’s walls. She had argued, but this had been the first morning she had had no excuse. It was just the newspaper. At the kiosk across the street from Sacred Heart. One of the few places that sold both breakfast items and paper based newspapers and magazines.

Who buys the newspaper anyway? Paper snobs like her uncle, her mind completed. Molly scoffed in annoyance, ignoring the fact that book reading was something she frequently did and that she enjoyed much more than doing so on a PaDD.

Molly walked at a fast pace. Her face half buried under the collar of the long tweed coat the Mannings had gifted her, hoping she wouldn’t get recognized on the street — something that had become much harder after the protests that had swept the center of the city the week before.

“Oh uh… M… Miss Holloway…! What can I do for you?” The young man working the small establishment stuttered, and his face blushed bright pink when he recognized her amongst the people waiting around for their morning coffee, his words prompting many of them to look in her direction. Molly sighed inaudibly and her face opened in the most polite smile she could muster. “Just a coffee to go and today’s issue of The OED Times.” She said as she patted her pockets in search for credits. “Yes Ma’am.” Came his prompt reply as he took a copy of the colony’s newspaper and handed it to her, before waving his open palms. “Don’t worry about it, it’s on the house!”

“No, please.” Molly said, trying not to sound visibly frustrated. “I’m a customer just like anyone else on this line.” With a swift movement she placed the credits on the small counter filled with numerous magazines and took the newspaper. “Keep the change.” The young man opened his mouth to protest, but the glare Molly gave him made him take a step back. “Yes Ma’am. Th- Thank you.” He said shakily before pointing to the left side of the kiosk. “You can grab your coffee on that side. It will be right out.”

With the same polite smile as before, Molly nodded, placing the newspaper under her arm. “Thank you. Have a good day!” And she moved to the small group of people waiting.

A few of them glanced at her curiously, and a woman stepped closer to her making Molly take half a step back. “Miss Holloway. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about what happened to your uncle. I hope he gets better soon. Send him my regards.”

Molly smiled at the woman, glancing nervously at the coffee counter, hoping that hers was coming out soon. “Thank you.” She glanced back at the woman, clutching tightly the newspaper under her arm. “I’ll let him know.”

“Mine too.” Another customer stepped closer. “We’ve seen it on the news. The shuttle… and then all those protesters. Rest assured, Miss Holloway, we never doubted you or your uncle!”

The smile on Molly’s face became more nervous as the interactions progressed, as she became visibly more uncomfortable. “Miss Holloway!” This time it was a teenager stepping away from his mother. “I’m sorry to bother you. Can I get an autograph?” Autograph!? Molly’s mind was starting to be overwhelmed, and anyone that knew her would know that that was not good. She smiled at the teenager that was now holding out a pen and a piece of paper for her to sign, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

“Sign the kid’s autograph Red, then we can go for a walk… we have things to discuss” The soft, familiar voice came from just above and behind Molly’s right shoulder. Looking behind her, Molly would find Ryan York… in a suit, long coat, and fedora smiling down on her. He looked as though he’d fallen out of an old earth detective novella. Reaching over to the kid, Ryan smiled kindly as he took the pen and handed it to Molly. “Come on hun… no reason to disappoint your adoring public.” He smirked then gave a playful wink.

Colonel Ryan York, SFI


Posts on Oed V

In topic

Posted since


© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service

Version 1.15.9