by Sarah Snyder
Wil looked at Sawyer curiously, his gaze trying to pinpoint his friend’s train of thought. “Why?”
“That’s not Beta Sect,” Sawyer repeated Wil’s earlier statement with a telling glance in his direction. “Beta doesn’t have weapons like that – weapons that could breach the sides of ships.”
Wil’s enlightenment came slowly, but with a force that silenced the man and spurred his feet to move back toward the pilot’s podium at speed. Sawyer moved more slowly as his thoughts crystalized. While their attackers wouldn’t hear much from their distance and over the ruckus their own weapons made, they would notice the light of a functional ship in the distance. While their focus seemed content with the ships overhead, it was only a matter of time until they looked in their direction and investigated.
“You locked the cargo doors, didn’t you?” Zander remarked from his continued observation out the window.
“I wouldn’t worry about the doors being locked.” Granted, it was the only functional entry point to the ship in its current, dry-docked position, as the other hatches were on the top and sides of her bulk and inaccessible, but with weapons capable of breaching the hull of an Administration ship, Sawyer deduced: “I don’t think a locked cargo door is going to be much protection. Get us out of here, Wil.” Sawyer strapped himself into the Captain’s chair.
A warning alarm sounded from every monitor surrounding them. “What in hellfire is that?” Sawyer demanded.
“I am picking up massive, underground activity.” ANA announced over the din. “It is expanding and will reach the surface in 11, 10, 9, 8…”
“Okay, we get it!” Wil demanded. “Turn off the alarm!”
“As you wish.” ANA complied, ending the alarm in time to hear the rumble of the ground beneath them rise to deafening levels. The ship shuddered. “…4, 3, 2...”
“Wil get us in the air!” Sawyer demanded.
“On it!”
The Anastasis lifted from her perch as the soil crumbled, shaking for a moment until she stabilized. Sawyer watched the mountain ahead of them crack and spew thick, black tar. After a moment, the tar shifted into something much brighter. The lava erupted with a spark of light, purging the mines. Orange and yellow flames, veined with green threads, wafted from the red liquid. Sawyer marveled at nature’s method of cleansing itself as the small figures which were so intent on destruction below fled in every direction. The ships flying too close to the mountain were caught in thickened smoke or struck by massive, hot rocks launched from the volcano.
“Let’s go.” Sawyer whispered after several moments of watching the event.
“Right.” Wil lifted the Anastasis through the thinner smoke from their distant watch.
“What about the Terran Space Station and the Administration?” Zander questioned. “Do you believe they will let us off-world?”
“I think they are going to have other things to worry about.” Wil answered Zander’s question as the Anastasis breached the atmosphere, pointing out the window toward where the station orbited Flamouria.
She was tilted on her axis, too close to the planet’s atmosphere to maintain altitude. “ANA, can you get a trajectory on the TSS? She’s not in her orbit.”
“The Terran Space Station is operating at ninety degrees off her axis. I estimate the Terran Space Station will breach Flamouria’s atmosphere in approximately five minutes.” ANA concluded.
As if hearing her estimate, several ships fled from the station, disappearing into the darkness of the verse without care of their direction. “What in hellfire happened?” Sawyer wondered with a furrowed brow.
“I think I have an idea.” Wil pointed back toward the planet and the fleet of unrecognizable ships rising from her atmosphere. “Those aren’t Administration vessels.”
“It looks like someone took pieces from dozens of different ships and jammed them together.” Maverick commented with a wince. “That is not safe. Some of those don’t even look sealed. They can’t survive out here.”
One of the ships shuddered and fell back to the planet, another collapsed in on herself and drifted off into space. A few hovered in orbit above Flamouria while others flew away without issue. “I don’t like this.” Sawyer remarked.
“You said Dr. Urim refused to leave to ensure Alien Disorder did not get off-world, right?” Zander reminded quietly.
“Yes.” Maverick nodded in response.
“I think it’s a bit too late for isolation.” Zander remarked darkly.
“I think you might be right.” Sawyer nodded as he watched the TSS slip into a collision course with his home world, breaking apart and disintegrating in the thick, heated atmosphere. He denied the slight pleasure it brought him to see the ship – which had caused so much death and devastation – fall to pieces. “At least she won’t be using that pulse cannon on any other world. Let’s get out of here, Wil.”
“Where to?” Wil maneuvered the ship away from Flamouria, so they weren’t forced to watch further devastation.
“Dr. Urim asked us to take the flash drive to Selene – a planet in the Tritons region – so they could find a cure.” Maverick reminded. “With the bacteria possibly escaping…”
“Definitely escaping.” Wil nodded.
“Okay, so how do we get to Selene?” Sawyer asked.
“ANA do you have star charts to Selene?” Maverick spoke to the computer. “Check the uploaded content from the mining databases.”
“Affirmative.”
Within moments, the central console of the bridge was lit with a hologram of the map Maverick requested. ANA launched into a report on their destination:
“Selene – first planet in the Tritons region’s habitable zone – measures approximately one-thousand-nine-hundred-fifty-seven miles at its equator and is estimated to be roughly nine-billion-years-old. Temperatures average between negative five at the northern and southern poles and positive fifty degrees Fahrenheit at its equator. While there is liquid water available in places and during certain rotational cycles, much of the planet’s liquid is in solid form. Large deposits of frozen precipitation have created land masses comprised entirely of ice and snow. Estimated time of arrival; one-hundred, eighty-four days, ten hours, seventeen minutes.”
“That’s specific.” Wil commented.
“That’s a long time in space.” Sawyer remarked. “Do we have enough supplies?”
“Yes, but we’ll need to resupply on Selene.” Maverick answered after a short, thoughtful pause.
“I guess we’ll worry about that on Selene.” Sawyer sighed.
“We don’t have many other options.” Wil muttered and turned back to his podium with a pout and furrowed brow. “I’ve never seen frozen precipitation before.”
“I do not believe any of us have.” Zander commented with the same interested expression. “I am anxious for the experience.”
Sawyer smiled at his crew, keeping his own excitement hidden from them while secretly wondering what snow felt like compared to rain. As Wil turned Anastasis into the black toward their destination, Sawyer couldn’t help but feel hopeful for their future. Whatever difficulties awaited them, whatever dangers were thrown at them, Sawyer knew he and his family would endure. They were stronger together. They were Flamourian rejects; they were survivors.
About The Author
SARAH SNYDER
Sarah haS a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and English through Southern New Hampshire University. Her goal is to help individuals develop their passions for creation and writing, reach their potential, and find a place in the writing industry.
The thoughts behind her stories stem from her desire to create a unique, eye-opening experience for her readers. Each plot maintains, in some way, her basic philosophy of finding your passion, following your dreams and creating your own destiny. Each novel holds the basic goodness of the human condition and in the ability to overcome obstacles.
Find out more at www.authorsarahsnyder.wordpress.com
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t https://www.facebook.com/authorsarahsnyder
Twitter @authorsarahsny1
Other Books By (Author)
Novellas
Revolution Rising: Rebirth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973202867/ref=snk_ddb_dp_13_mdpajx?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1&ie=UTF8
Novels
Outrun the Rain: https://www.amazon.com/Outrun-Rain-Through-Storm-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00TEMP7U8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1510368747&sr=8-9&keywords=sarah+snyder+books
Catch the Wind: https://www.amazon.com/Catch-Wind-Through-Storm-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00TEKR8AC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510368747&sr=8-3&keywords=sarah+snyder+books&dpID=61OnVLFkcoL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Once a Pirate: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Pirate-Mystical-Realm-Book-ebook/dp/B00V0R5868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510368747&sr=8-1&keywords=sarah+snyder+books&dpID=51YPHMmuWxL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Twice Bitten: https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Bitten-Mystical-Realm-Book-ebook/dp/B016ATAHNY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1510368747&sr=8-10&keywords=sarah+snyder+books
Counting Stars: https://www.amazon.com/Counting-Stars-Sarah-Snyder-ebook/dp/B01AU8SCTW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510368819&sr=8-1&keywords=counting+stars+sarah+snyder
Children’s Caps Lock Books Series
Caesar Gets Lost: https://www.amazon.com/Caesar-Gets-Lost-Caps-Books/dp/1519762941/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510368847&sr=8-1&keywords=caesar+gets+lost+sarah+snyder
Let’s Eat!: https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Eat-Caps-Lock-Books/dp/1537245600/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510368834&sr=8-1&keywords=let%27s+eat+sarah+snyder
Faye’s Christmas: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973542684/ref=snk_ddb_dp_12_mdpajx?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1&ie=UTF8
One Family: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973233932/ref=snk_ddb_dp_14_mdpajx?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1&ie=UTF8
A Note From the Author
Dear Reader,
I understand – more than most – how valuable your time is; in our hectic, fast-paced lives, it is a rare treat to find time to read fiction. I am so humbled and grateful that you chose my book to fill the rare moments of reading time you found. Thank you.
I hate to ask for any more of your time, but if my story has left an impression – in a positive way, a negative way, or as a coaster for your favorite beverage – I would love your feedback. As an artist, I am always looking to better my craft, so every bit of information I receive helps me grow.
Please, consider leaving a review for Revolution Rising: Re-Quip. And, if you enjoyed this story, keep your eyes open for the next in this series. You can submit your email for updates on my website at www.authorsarahsnyder.wordpress.com or through social media at https://www.facebook.com/authorsarahsnyder
Thank you for your support.
Creatively,
Sarah Snyder
