by Petra Landon
Novi filled her water bottle from the sink before climbing back into the access passage to drag her bundle of bedclothes to where she’d hidden her camping gear. A half hour of investigation helped her discover a few nooks to tuck herself in, should someone come into the maintenance duct to service any of the systems. And a further ten minutes had her locate the Cruiser’s large Recreation Chamber — part dining hall, part kitchen, part common room, and part recreation space, this was where the crew socialized on a ship. The access hatch in the Recreation Chamber was located high on the wall. It allowed Novi a great vantage point to observe the goings on. The flame-haired InnerWorlder moved around the kitchen like a whirlwind, much to Novi’s admiration. Wy, handy in the kitchen, had made multiple attempts to teach her a few tricks, but Novi would admit that she was no cook. She watched as the girl chopped, mixed and stirred multiple pots without missing a beat, all the while humming to herself in a slightly off-key but pleasant voice.
The Rec Chamber buzzed and a voice that Novi recognized as the RimWorlder pilot filled it.
“Approaching the Badlands, Kidani. Come for the fantastic views. And admire amazing feats of gliding through asteroid space.”
The girl laughed into her Hailer. “I’ll be there, Kali, you no-good braggart.”
The pilot’s amused chuckle filled the chamber and the girl seemed to whirl around even faster.
Novi hurried to the walkway to make her way back to Cruiser Control. She’d never been to the Badlands. The day was turning out to be one of many firsts for her — Renegade vessel, Ryfkin Soren, portal jump and now, the Asteroid Ring. Though the SPL had been experienced while blacked out, she reminded herself disappointedly.
In Cruiser Control, the Captain had not moved from the Command Seat. But now, he sprawled no longer. He sat tall, his posture more alert.
“Coming to a stop, Cap’n” the pilot called out in his lilting voice.
In the chamber below, everyone turned as one to stare at the Vista Screen — the display to the front of the Cruiser that doubled as console and viewer.
The InnerWorlder, Novi had followed onto the Cruiser, strode into view, his eyes on the screen.
“Beautiful” he breathed.
The awe in his voice had Novi wishing she could see the Ring too.
“But treacherous as the Gorath” the RimWorlder woman warned. “One false step and you’re done for.”
The Captain chuckled. “Don’t scare our InvunWelder friends, Zin.”
He reassured the InnerWorlder. “You’re in safe hands with Kali, Jerik. RenWelder pilots train in the Ring.”
“We go into the Badlands, Cap’n?”
Novi could hear the astonishment in Jerik’s voice. She surmised that the Cruiser had not sailed the Ring before. Or at least, not while the InnerWorlder had been a member of its crew. During the war, one of the Renegades’ favorite tactics had been to swoop down on Guild ships to inflict heavy damage before fleeing into the Badlands, safe from pursuit. Accustomed to patrolling the Inner Worlds where their heavily-armed fleet and the Coalition’s far-reaching influence made them the unchallenged top dogs, the Guild Corps had been no match for the Renegades’ guerilla-style tactics. The Corps had also been reluctant to play hide and seek in the treacherous Asteroid Ring where tech was known to malfunction and give false readings. The skilled RimWorlder pilots had helped the Renegades compensate for the Guild’s higher numbers and better-armed vessels by strategically using the Badlands in their campaign.
“The only way to make contact, Jerik” the Captain reminded him, his tone casual.
The RimWorlders and their Captain appeared unconcerned by the prospect of dodging asteroids in the Ring. Novi couldn’t tell whether their confidence was a result of their exploits in the Five Year War, or their familiarity with the Ring before the Guild invasion.
“How’s it look, Kali?” the Captain asked the pilot.
The RimWorlder responded promptly. “There’s an oasis, Cap’n, with a few obstacles in the way.”
“What’s an oasis?” the flame-haired girl’s voice asked.
Kali, who’d invited her to watch him sail the asteroids, answered the girl. “A swath of space clear of larger asteroids, Kidani. In the Ring, ships navigate from oasis to oasis. It gives the crew a respite since we sail mostly blind.”
“Sensors are malfunctioning this close to the Ring, Ryf” the RimWorlder woman interjected. “But if we believe the readings, there are vessels in the Badlands.”
“Many, Zin?” inquired the Captain.
“Can’t be sure. But more than two, at least.”
“How far to the oasis, Kali?” he asked.
“Forty-five minutes on the slow approach, give or take, Cap’n.”
“Alright” Soren said decisively. “We follow RenWelder Ring protocol. Kali navigates the front, Zin takes the aft and Yukon the port. I’ll watch our back. Vizir on weapons.”
“Burok.” He glanced at someone to the side. “Throw all available power to the weapons. And Vizir, make them sing like only you can.”
“You got it, Cap’n.”
There was a flurry of activity and Jerik took the seat beside the pilot. The Captain undid a console tucked into the Command Seat to set it an angle that allowed him access to it as well as unrestricted view of the Vista Screen to the front of the chamber. Novi guessed the screen currently displayed a visual of the front of the craft, as was usually the case.
“I have visual of port” announced a RimWorlder male voice.
“I have aft” confirmed the RimWorlder woman.
“I have visual of the back” said the Captain. “Vizir?”
“Weapons hot, Cap’n.”
“Stay sharp. Remember, the Ring is both enemy and friend” the Captain directed. “Take us in, Kali. And beron, let’s show the InvunWelders how it’s done, hmm.”
Kali answered, a smile in his voice. “Aye, Cap’n. Kidani’s expecting a show.”
“Promises, promises” the flame-haired InnerWorlder shot at him.
Novi smiled. The more she saw of the girl with the flame-colored hair, the more she liked her.
The InnerWorlder co-pilot intoned solemnly. “May YanTeo watch over us.”
Though he’d spoken with an attempt at lightness, Novi could discern the strain in his voice.
“Shower the Ren Welds with your bounty, TziGaros” echoed the RimWorlder pilot.
The RimWorlders believed in TziGaros, a deity that embodied nature and the rainforests on their planets. The health of the forests was crucial to the RimWorlders since its plentiful bounty nourished and sustained all life on the Rim Worlds. The RimWorlders worshiped her as the divine entity who’d given them life and continued to nurture them with her gifts and largess.
The fifty minutes that followed were heightened and intense, as the crew dodged asteroids in the Ring, sailing on nerves of pure steel. With their sensors blinded, all they had were their eyes, reflexes, and wits. The pilot navigated the Cruiser expertly through the asteroids, swerving to avoid the larger chunks. Novi, sensitive to ship vibrations, could appreciate how smoothly he maneuvered the big Star Cruiser. But every now and then, a voice would cut through the silence in Cruiser Control to warn of an asteroid too close for comfort. When that happened, the RimWorlder on the weapon system would blast and occasionally nudge the asteroid away from the Cruiser with a few skillful shots across its bow. The RimWorlder crew worked seamlessly together, needing no cues to perform their respective tasks; efficient, confident and experienced at this difficult endeavor. Perhaps, Novi mused as she watched them, the war had taught them how to steer through treacherous waters. She had a strong feeling that the RimWorlders on the crew had fought the Guild together, under Ryfkin Soren.
Once through to the oasis, the crew visibly relaxed. The Captain tucked his console back, to address the co-pilot.
“Broadcast a message, Jerik” he directed. “And keep it on a loop. Like sensors, Hailers too go on the fritz in the Badlands.”
/> “Sure, Boss.”
“Say that Ilar’s Justice solicits all vessels in the Ring to locate a missing friend.”
Kali relaxed in his seat, his attention on his console, while the InnerWorlder in the Co-Pilot Seat tapped out the Captain’s message.
“What next, Cap’n?” inquired the flame-haired girl.
“We wait, Kidani” he said. “For someone to answer our hail.”
It took almost an hour for anyone to respond. Meanwhile, most of the crew retired to the Rec Chamber to partake of the evening meal that the flame-haired InnerWorlder had prepared with such gusto. Only a skeletal crew remained in Cruiser Control.
Novi, her own stomach rumbling, made do with some bedraggled snacks leftover from a previous camping trip, discovered after a frantic search of her case. The plan had been to buy supplies at her destination before heading out to camp in the wilderness.
“A vessel’s pinging us, Boss” piped up Jerik from the Pilot Seat.
Kali, the pilot, had disappeared. Novi guessed that he’d decamped to the Rec Chamber for his meal, now that the rest of the crew was back to keep watch.
The RimWorlder woman flashed a look at Soren.
“Audio only, Jerik?” the Captain inquired.
“No, Boss. Video.”
Soren stood up to face the Vista Screen. “Put it up, Jerik.”
“Captain Ryfkin Soren” boomed an InnerWorlder voice. “I thought I recognized the name of your ship. It is an honor.”
The Captain inclined his head. “Thank you. Mister?”
“Heronis Kintano, Captain.”
“Thank you for answering our hail, Mr. Kintano.”
“What can I do for you, Captain?”
“I’m looking to get a message to someone in the Badlands.”
“His name, Captain Soren?”
“Serak Vedino.”
There was an instant of silence.
“I have heard the name” the InnerWorlder acknowledged cautiously. “May I ask what message you wish to send?”
“I’m interested in a meeting with him, Mr. Kintano. His choice of time and venue.”
There was another silence. Everyone within her view in Cruiser Control had their rapt attention on the Vista Screen. Novi wished she could catch a glimpse of the InnerWorlder who’d answered the Cruiser’s broadcast message.
“If I may inquire, Captain Soren” the man on the screen said. “Why are you interested in meeting him?”
“We share a mutual acquaintance that wishes us ill.” The Captain chose his words with care.
But the InnerWorlder seemed to understand Soren just fine.
“I’ll make sure the message reaches Vedino, Captain. But I cannot guarantee that he will agree to a meeting.”
“I understand, Mr. Kintano. Thank you for your assistance.”
“My pleasure, Captain. Ryfkin Soren is a name that inspires many in the Inner Worlds, and especially in the Badlands.”
The Captain inclined his head again, to acknowledge the compliment.
Jerik turned his head towards the Captain and Novi concluded that the InnerWorlder had signed off.
“That went well, Boss” he remarked.
“Better than I expected” the Captain admitted, exchanging a silent glance with the RimWorlder woman. “Stop the broadcast, Jerik. We have what we came for.”
“Done, Boss.”
A half hour later, as the crew engaged in the careful endeavor to navigate the Cruiser out of the Badlands, Novi slipped into the Rec Chamber to sneak a fruit and some snacks back to the walkway. Exhausted, weary and cold, she wrapped herself in her sleeping bag and the borrowed blanket in the access passage that led to the unoccupied chamber whose facilities she made use of. In the unlikely event anyone ventured into the maintenance duct while she slept, Novi hoped to remain undetected by steering clear of the main walkway and the larger, better lit, access passages.
Warmed by a thick blanket and lulled by the vibrations of the sailing Cruiser, Novi slept.
Exotic cargo
Novi came to during the night, alerted by a subtle change in the vibration of the Cruiser’s otherwise even keel. Something squeezed at her head and blinding pain seized her. Stars seemed to dance before her eyes, a madcap reel with flashes of piercing white light. Half asleep, and in unbearable agony, she screamed — her cry echoing in the passage. Fortunately, before she could cry out again, blessed darkness enveloped her once more.
When Novi awoke next, everything lay silent. A glance at her wristband indicated that she’d slept for ten hours straight. If this Cruiser adhered to the standard Inner Worlds time, like most starcraft traveling the space encircled by the Asteroid Ring, then it was day again. As Novi sat up, flashes of waking in the darkness with a piercing agony that made her cry out without restraint stabbed at her. Had it been a dream, she wondered? She’d experienced a similar puzzling interlude once before on this Cruiser. Was something on this ship responsible for inflicting the agony on her? It would be strange and ironic if that were so. Wy called her a star child and that’s what Novi was — always looking to the stars and hankering to travel them. Novi was never happier than in space, among the stars. On Idriko, they had a name for the ones like her — star struck. She had always been so. But, in all her travels, she’d never before experienced such unexplained and acute agony, stabbing pains strong enough to cause her to black out. As a sober Novi puzzled about the extraordinary episode, she reminded herself that she had never before ventured as far as the Asteroid Ring. A reaction to something on the outer edges of the Inner Worlds perhaps? It was very odd.
As Novi disentangled from the bedclothes, the absence of ship vibrations struck her. She’d always been sensitive to starcraft. Even more so than the spacers Novi had met on her sojourns.
The Cruiser is docked.
The realization had Novi scrambling for the walkway and racing to the passage that allowed access to Cruiser Control. For once, the large chamber sat empty. How to confirm whether the craft was docked, Novi wondered urgently. There had been a console in the Captain’s quarters, she remembered. Access to Cruiser systems would require authorization but Novi hoped that the feed from the Vista Screen would not be deemed sensitive data. Racing back to the access vent by Soren’s chamber, Novi listened in to make sure the coast was clear. If she didn’t take any risks, she would never get off this Cruiser. And the longer she remained here, the greater the chances of being discovered in the maintenance duct. In the Captain’s quarters, it took Novi only a few seconds to pull up the feed from the Cruiser’s Vista Screen on the console.
Her eyes widened as the image of a barren landscape winked into view. They were certainly docked but not on a Star Portico, by the looks of it. Like most Star Cruisers, this craft must be equipped to sail through a planet’s atmosphere, Novi realized. They were on land, probably at the Shuttle Vestibule of a world. Albeit a rustic one. She’d transited through her fair share of Vestibules but none like this one. There were no structures, facilities or personnel on the panoramic view from Cruiser Control. Only arid, rugged and sparse landscape, dotted with clumps of yellowed grass. They were parked in the middle of nowhere.
But to Novi, this was an opportunity. To escape the Cruiser and make her way back to Idriko. Any world with a Vestibule would offer shuttles to the neighboring Star Porticos. Abandoning her sleeping bag entangled with the blankets, Novi hurried to her case to unpack her tablet. Her sixth sense urged her to disembark the Cruiser quickly, before the opportunity was lost. Her tablet, with her Guild accreditation and credit data, was all she required for star travel. Everything else in her case could be abandoned behind. There was nothing in it to identify her. Eventually, the crew would discover the signs that pointed to a stowaway, but Novi hoped to be long gone by then.
She hurried to the passage that accessed the Space Bay. Light flooded in through the translucent cover panel of the hatch. But not artificial light. This was natural, with a warmth that seeped through the hatch panel. Novi
surmised that the gigantic space door of the Bay was open. Carefully, she pushed out the panel cover, her heart pounding. She could see no one, though a murmur of voices from the other end of the vast Bay had Novi scrambling out of the hatch. Closing the panel cover behind her, she crept towards the corridor that led into the Cruiser, making sure to stay behind the neatly stacked crates of cargo.
As the voices neared her, Novi peeped out from behind the crates. Across the width of the Bay, a man and a woman stood in conversation by the stairs to the console platform. It was the beautiful RimWorlder woman and Jerik, the InnerWorlder asking questions on Idriko. Sunlight flooded into the hangar, lighting up the vast area. Through the open space door, she caught a glimpse of an arid and barren world. Similar to the view from the Vista Screen. Novi glanced around her, to gauge her options. Before her lay a stretch of Bay with no crates to provide cover. She’d have to cross it to gain access to the corridor that led to the Cruiser’s entryway and the airlock. Therein lay the path to a Vestibule gate. There was nothing to do but wait out the duo, she realized. Cursing her misfortune, Novi waited.
She watched the two with seething impatience. Finally, it seemed that her patience was to be rewarded. As if responding to a silent signal, Jerik strode up the stairs to the narrow platform with the embedded console in the wall. A whirring sound echoed in the vast hangar and the woman turned to face the wide open space door. Novi sighed. She’d have to be patient some more. The woman would easily see her if she made a move into the Cruiser. But curiosity drove Novi to creep behind the line of crates until she found a vantage point that allowed her to observe the woman. The RimWorlder’s eyes were directed at the Bay door opening where a runway was sliding out from the floor.
A curious Novi followed the woman’s gaze. The rumble of a vehicle announced its presence before a sturdy, open-topped four-wheeler drove into the Bay to come to a stop by the woman. Four men rode the all-terrain vehicle. Ryfkin Soren in the driver’s seat, with two RimWorlders behind him. Beside the Captain, sat an older InnerWorlder male.
