Elena

The person Kita came to meet was Elena. She was a Hacker and a cyber security specialist that Kita knew and trusted.

In this day and age of Stars, where humanity lived among many different planets and systems, Most of the communications happened through the galactic net. So much information traveled through the Galactic net every second that it was astonishing.

Hackers like Elena were generally employed by the state. But there were many freelance cyber security specialists like Elena.

"You know why I'm here. I sent you a message remember?"

"Ah, you're talking about that unencrypted text that you sent me letting everyone on the galactic net know that someone's out to get you? Yea, I saw that. Do me a favor the next time you want to say something. Use the program I gave you. It's not safe to talk over the galactic net both for you and me."

"I don't understand how to send a message through that. It's too complicated."

"Then LEARN! You're a smart kid."

"I'm not a kid."

"Oh, you'll always be a little Kid to me. Little brother."

Elena wasn't related to him by blood, They knew each other since childhood, for some reason, she treated him like a little brother. Kita didn't knew why. But she insisted on it. Kita gave up after trying for a bit.

"By the way, I heard about Helen." Elena said suddenly. The atmosphere suddenly turned gloomy.

"I hope she is in a better place than this galaxy. This place is rotten.", Elena said with a laugh. Trying to lighten up the mood.

"I've already accepted it. Let's not talk about it anymore.", Kita quickly cut her off. He didn't want to talk about that right now.

"So, do you have any information about Black cardinals?"

"Yes, Here's the information you were looking for." she transmitted a Datafile over to him.

"They're basically a private espionage organization that works for their clients. I wasn't able to find out where they were based or who they had as their backer. But in the industry, they are among the most elite spies that money can buy. I don't know how you were able to fend of 3 of them. Maybe they were just rookies. But even then, what you managed to do was nothing short of a miracle."

"Do you know anything about who hired them?"

"Kita you need to know something." She said before she transmitted another file.

This one detailed about different posts from different places on the net where agencies, news companies and private organizations that were looking for any kind of information about Kita Thiels.

"For some reason, you've become hot stuff in these circles. I'm sure plenty of media outlets have tried to reach out to you for an interview of your recent mission right?"

"Yes, but I don't know why they bother. I signed an NDA the moment I was chosen for the mission. There's no way I can leak anything about it any way. What do they think they'll get from interviewing me?"

"Who knows? Rumors are that you did something extraordinary while on the mission. But no one has a clue about what exactly happened. But once news got out that you were kicked out of the military, they quickly put two and two together."

"I see. But even if I was kicked out, I can't say anything anyway!"

"Well, they seem to think otherwise."

"So, many different people are out to get information on me?"

"Yes."

"Shit."

"You can say that again!" Elena gave out a laugh. As she sipped her latte.

"Any suggestions on what I should do now?"

"No, the best thing you can do now is the get on that ship you just bought and get moving. Moving from station to station as you've been doing leaves your exposed."

"How do you know about that?", Kita said as his gaze grew sharper.

"I keep tabs on my family." Elena played it off as if it was nothing.

This made Kita a bit uncomfortable. He didn't like when someone peered into his life. He wanted to be left alone. But it seemed that some nosy people with lots of time on their hand will do it anyway.

"By that way, I heard you're looking for some help aboard your ship? Want me to come?", Elena said with sparkly eyes, trying to act cute.

"No thanks, I can't afford you anyway." Kita said in a off handed tone.

If one ignored the looks, the women sitting in front of him was really scary. She could empty one's bank account with a few clicks of the button. She could hack into highly secured data vaults and get information that no one even dream of. She was just that capable.

"Oh don't worry about that. Let me handle the Cyber security and espionage division aboard your ship."

"This isn't a military ship, There is no Cyber Security and Espionage Division!", Kita retorted.

"That's too bad, Just give me a corner then! I promise I'll earn my keep!" She said again with a smile.

Why does she want to come work with me? She can earn a lot more on her own. What's in it for her? Kita began to think about her possible motives.

"You know, With the amount of people out to get information about you, it would be great to have someone who could defend you against such threats! You're basically an Illiterate in this field."

That was true. It wouldn't be bad to have someone like Elena with him.

"You really want to come along? I do have to emphasis that we may go into unknown space and face unknown dangers. Are you really sure you want to come along?"

"Oh, what's a little danger! I'll handle that!" She brushed off his cautious tone.

"Okay then, if you want to, then come along. Mind you, I won't be paying you much."

"Oh, you silly brother, It's never about the money." Elena said with a brilliant smile!