She was really late. The flight was in less than twenty minutes and she was still heading for the check-in Her boots thumped loudly on the marble floor as she dashed forward, a wheeled suitcase trailing behind her. Pushing an orange curl behind her RayBans, she hoisted the suitcase on the weighing platform and produced her identification documents. She maintained her usual air of confidence, completely at ease with her surroundings. The desk clerk stamped her passport and returned the documents. Tanya flashed a polite smile, and returned the documents to her backpack.

Ticket in hand, she set off in dash towards her gate, the minutes counting. She reached it just as the last few passengers headed into the tubular pathway that linked to the aircraft. Passing through the metal detector, she flashed her ticket to one of the clerks who proceeded to tear half of it off, with an almost pleasant tearing sound. Retrieving her half of the ticket, she walked into the connecting corridor and boarded the aircraft.

Glancing around as she made her way towards her seat, she realised that the colossal aircraft was only scarcely occupied. It seemed oddly strange to her that something of this size would be flown with so few passengers. The logistics of the endeavour must have simply been obscene. Eventually reaching her seat, she plopped down on the soft fabric, strapped on her seat-belt, and reclined her seat. Putting on her headphones, she leaned back and closed her eyes, oblivious now to the fact that she was in an aeroplane.

It was some time past her fifth song when she heard the scream. The reason for this was the fact that it was less than ten meters away from her. Eyes immediately darting open, she sat up and looked around for the source of scream. Her eyes widened when she saw a man in a white suit picking up a pistol from the floor.

Her mind immediately arrived at the most logical conclusion: the man was a hijacker. Pulling away her headphones and stopping the music, she silently rose to her feet and crept up to him while his back was turned. In one quick, fluid movement, she lunged at him with the intent of tackling him to the ground.

__________________

[ My Alter Egos ][ The Sixth Architect ][ Circumstancial Inspirations ]
[ Innocence proves nothing • Burn the heretic • Kill the mutant • Purge the unclean ]
[ Rest in peace, Duke]