Chapter 1 - "Sins of the Fathers" Part 2

Across the city, Kalin greeted the new day with her usual disdain, every day as she woke in her assigned unit was a reminder of what she had lost. Meeting Charles last night had not helped. Oh it had been good to meet an old friend but to accept his fate so readily! No, that was not Kalin. She ran her hands through her hair as she walked to the bathroom, the light flickering into life as she entered. Looking at the red-rimmed eyes staring back at her, she turned in disgust as she had yet again succumbed to drink. The dull throb in her head a constant reminder of the previous nights excess. Uttering an undignified grunt, Kalin returned to the bedroom to change into her work clothes and set out for the Central Archives.

Stepping out of her building, the cold wind caught her unexpectedly and she pulled her overcoat tighter around her neck. The trolleybus station was only around the corner but she had to run as she was late, as usual arriving at the station just as the driver began to pull away.
“You’re always late lady!” chuckled the driver.
“Keeps you on your toes Franz” replied Kalin forcing a smile as she climbed the steps onto the trolleybus. Finding an unoccupied seat she took it, keeping her head down to hide the look of disgust that must be on her face. A trolleybus for God’s sake! Until ‘They’ arrived she had never ridden in one. Whilst Kalin was sure she was not a snob she had used more pleasant means of transport. Her house on the northern side of the city was one of the few overlooking the bay and afforded her the luxury of walk or jog to work. Jogging, Kalin snorted at the memory. She used to take more pride in her appearance but had ceased to do so when she lost the trappings associated with her former life. Adapting to the changes had come easily to some, but for Kalin she could not escape the reminders which she saw all around her.

Some thirty minutes later the trolleybus arrived at the station outside the Central Archives; a grand building and a reminder of more affluent times. Kalin stood for a moment looking up at the building when a figure pacing near the top of the steps caught her eye. A slow smile spread across her lips and she walked up the steps toward him pulling her collar up against the cold.
“What have you got for me?” asked Kalin.
“Managed a score, but it’ll cost you,” replied the youth “not so easy to come by these days.” The scruffy young lad shifted on his feet constantly, eyes sweeping the area, looking for patrols.
“You know, I don’t think you could act any shiftier if you tried.” stated Kalin.
“How much?”
“75 credits”
“75! Are you having a laugh?” barked Kalin outraged.
“Look if you don’t want it, I have others who will” he growled as he started to walk away. As he descended the top few stairs Kalin hissed “Wait. OK, OK, I need it. But this is day light robbery. Plenty of others who will supply me.”
“Your lookout…Dr.” Kalin snatched the package from his hands and through the credits at him and turned to enter the main door.
“Fucking bitch” she could hear him growling behind her. Angry with herself she stormed into the huge foyer, footsteps ringing out and took the third exit and walked down the corridor to her office. Once in her sanctuary, she closed the door behind her and carefully placed the package on her desk. Removing her coat, she hung it on the stand and sat down behind her desk. Reduced to this; buying on the black-market. Almost reverently, Kalin began to open the package and savoured the smell. Ah, coffee! Quickly closing and sealing the coffee, Kalin opened her desk and placed it inside, removing a smaller almost empty package. Thankfully she was able to replenish her supply; Kalin moved from her office to the adjacent kitchen and began to make her morning cuppa before checking her inbox. Once made, she returned to her office, cup in hand and sat behind her desk. Tapping her monitor, she called up her inbox. Raising her cup to her lips she paused as her eyes caught a message:

To: Central Archives
From: Cmdr Jerryn Helkovaara
Subject: Visitation and Access

I shall require access to the biomedical journal section. Make all materials available to me. Expect my arrival at 2pm.

Cmdr Jerryn Helkovaara
Chief Biomedical Scientist
Bioengineering Institute
Galen Province

“Oh Shit” whispered Kalin.