by REM
Upon walking into the small room, Commander Clint was seated at a thick table and eyed Josh’s every move with contempt. Josh almost thought it felt as if he was being looked at as a traitor, who had sold classified information to the enemy. The moment reminded him of the Mercen incident that took place on the north wing. He feared he might now be on the secretive commander’s dark side.
At least he’s meeting with me here and not the private section on the bottom floor, thought Josh. He took a seat directly across from Commander Clint, and was surprised to see Rolly sit down too, to the side of them both.
Clint maintained his silence for a few seconds longer, during which time Josh felt the commander’s eyes beaming on him like rays from a desert sun.
Slowly and directly, Commander Clint asked, “Where have you been?”
Rolly was also staring at Josh with great interest.
“I was on patrol with Hoss a few days ago, when two shadow fighters attacked us along the edge of the Cosmolis. I got split up from Hoss during the conflict and later shot down by a marked-wing fighter.”
Rolly and Clint exchanged a brief look. Josh could only wonder if his story matched up with anything Hoss had told them.
“If you were shot down, how is it you’re alive… and uninjured at that?” asked Clint.
“My shield absorbed the brunt of the blow, but my systems were damaged. I ended up crash landing in a jungle on some small planet.”
Commander Clint squinted with a hand at his chin. His expression was ever so curious. “And you fixed the striker yourself—in the middle of a jungle?”
“No, I met some inhabitants who towed my ship to their facility and repaired it at their factory.”
Rolly and Clint’s eyes met again. Josh could tell neither were buying a word of what he had to say, and after thinking about, he couldn’t blame them. Hell, I’m screwed, he thought.
“So, these beings you met had all of the parts required, as well as the knowledge to service a Creston attack fighter?” asked Clint.
Josh swallowed hard and nodded. “I know it sounds crazy, sir, but that’s what happened, I swear!”
Commander Clint made somewhat of a scowl, his stare ever more rigid, which Josh didn’t even think was possible. He breathed in, and then out. “I’m going to give you one last chance to come clean. Tell us what really happened—where you really were.”
Josh felt his heart collapse. He knew it was hopeless to explain. There’s no way they’re going to believe me. His eyes lowered before saying, “I’m being completely honest with you. I would never lie about something like this, sir. When Ace and Kyle found me I had just gotten my striker operational, and had downed a shadow fighter that had engaged me right upon entering outer space.”
“That’s not going to sit well either,” said Rolly. “Tensions were already at a boil in the Cosmolis, but now Kyle and Ace had to blow up two additional Mercen craft in order to save your ass.”
Josh shook his head regrettably. “There was nothing I could do about that. I followed procedure throughout this entire ordeal. The shadow fighters were the first to attack when I was with Hoss, and then again when I was alone. They’re the ones initiating these conflicts, sir.”
Officer Rolly’s face tightened. He glanced at the Commander.
Clint rubbed at his chin, ruminating over the matter. Josh thought him to look like some old chessmaster. “Which planet was it you crashed on?”
“Skurier, sir. An old guy named Pax, along with his associate Skirm, found me in the jungle right after I’d killed a green monster with my blaster.” Josh was certain to have seen a glimmer in Clint’s eyes at mention of the names.
There was a moment of silence, where Commander Clint sat back in his chair and pulled open a drawer on his desk. He withdrew a thick cigar and clipped an end before sticking it in his mouth and lighting up. He took a few strong puffs and blew out the final one into a dense stream.
Rolly’s eyes went back and forth between Josh and the commander while waiting to see what Clint was going to do.
Commander Clint looked Josh over once last time. “Take him to the 3rd squadron unit—he’s telling the truth. There will be no repercussions handed down by Creston for any actions that have transpired with this pilot over the last few days.”
Rolly’s mouth had dropped as if he’d just lost everything he owned.
“That will be all,” said Clint, dipping his head at the officer.
Rolly stood. “Let’s go,” he said, leading Josh out the quarters and back to the north wing. “Trouble just always seems to find its way to you, doesn’t it?” he said, opening the door to the unit house.
Josh shook his head. “I guess, but I’m trying to improve, Rolly—I honestly am.”
Rolly scrunched his lips, in what Josh took as a possible show of empathy. “I’ll be back to get you for a workout.”
Josh nodded. Rolly turned and walked away.
When he entered the unit, Hoss was sitting on the couch with headphones over his head and a small movie player in his lap.
The big man yanked out the ear buds and stood at seeing Josh. “Holy hell! I thought you were a goner. We all did.” He stared for a second. “What happened to you?”
“I chased that marked wing into an asteroid field and got shot down on the way out of it. I ended up crashing on a planet called Skurier in the Cosmolis.”
“I know which one that is. Damn, you’re lucky to be alive. Those marked fighters are no joke.”
“I could have taken him in open space—I know it.”
Hoss smirked at Josh’s unfailing confidence. “How the heck did you make it back to the Rampage?”
“My striker wasn’t damaged all that bad, and I met some people there with a lot of experience in fixing craft.”
“Heh, talk about landing in the right place,” Hoss replied.
“You got that right.”
“I covered for you—told Rolly and Clint that we were attacked and forced to fight.”
“I figured that was the only reason I left Clint’s quarters just now without being in trouble. Thanks, man. I definitely owe you one.”
“Yes, you do. Free drinks for a month ought to do it.”
Josh smirked. “Is Maya here?”
“Nope, she’s out on patrol. Just Nate and Reena, and they’re in her room if you know what I mean.”
“Gotcha. Well, I’m just going to head to my room. Don’t let me stop you from watching your movie.”
Hoss shook his head, then smiled. “Can’t believe your ass is alive. You’re one crazy son of a gun.” He slid the ear plugs back into his ears and sat back down.
Josh went to his room. Right upon opening his door, Reena and Nate came out into the hall to see who it was, and couldn’t believe it was Josh.
All three spoke for a while before Nate and Reena returned to her room, and Josh got settled into his.
Not even an hour had passed when Hoss came knocking on Josh’s door to let him know Rolly was waiting for him out front of the unit. It was then off to the gym.
Once the workout had ended, Officer Rolly instructed Josh to the sim room for training.
Josh had been practicing for hours when he heard Maya’s voice come from his rear.
“Josh,” she said, fainter than he was accustomed to.
He turned and was surprised at seeing her—more at her speaking to him.
“Can we talk?” she asked.
Josh listened to his sim ship explode from laser fire and nodded. “Sure.”
Maya waited a moment before saying, “I’m sorry for shutting myself off from you. I really am. A part of me blamed you for Shawn and Stewart’s deaths, and I realize now that we were all at fault. I hope you can forgive me.”
Josh got up to give her a hug. “Of course I forgive you. I understand why you felt the way you did… I even blamed myself for what happened. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t wished I could go back in time and lead us away from the Cosmolis.”
Josh felt his eyes start to water as well, but fought back his emotions. “It was that damned marked wing! I know they could’ve held their own if he wasn’t there. I wish it would’ve been me who fought him,” he said, shaking his head.
Maya pulled back to look at him. “I thought you were dead. Hoss told us you were attacked by the elite fighter.”
“I was. He lured me into an asteroid field and shot me down when I was trying to get out of it. I crashed on planet Skurier in the Cosmolis and had to wait there for repairs before flying home. But I can take that bastard, Maya, I’m telling you. I’m going to get him if I ever see him again! That son a bitch is going to pay!”
Maya couldn’t keep herself from smiling faintly at Josh’s endless confidence, but her expression changed quickly into a more serious one. “You’re the last good friend I have out here from Space League. I don’t want to lose you too.”
“You won’t. But if you do, know that it was for a good cause. We’ve all got to go sometime, and this is what we signed up for. Defend Creston at all costs, remember?”
She looked deep into his eyes and acknowledged his words with a nod.
“These Mercen truly are evil, vile creatures, Maya. I’ve run into two of them face to face. I hate them, and I’m going to take down as many as I can.”
“And I’ll be by your side when you do,” she replied.
Josh smirked as if holding back a burst of joy at hearing her last words.
She smiled and jabbed his mid-section. “Mind if I join you for sims?”
“Not at all.” He stopped her just when she had made it to an adjacent simulator and said, “It’s so nice having you back, Maya.”
Later, after Josh and Maya had returned to the unit, they were hanging out with the entire 3rd squadron when Officer Rolly showed up to escort everyone to an emergency briefing.
Josh was surprised to see the 2nd squadron seated as their group walked into the hall. Commander Clint was at the head of room, with one other officer close by.
Once everyone was in place, the commander moved to the podium at center stage to give his address: “Good evening. As many of you already know, tensions in the Void Zone are at a critical level with the Mercen scum. This past week there’ve been numerous altercations which have led to casualties on both sides. Most of these incidents were involving the 3rd squadron, but do not exclude the 2nd squadron, who have endured multiple confrontations too.”
Whoa, I didn’t know about the 2nd squadron conflicts, thought Josh. He heard a faint snicker, then Hoss whisper, “Dazzler,” to Ace. It didn’t take long for him to follow their eyes over to an individual smirking from the 2nd squadron. Another hotshot—just what Creston needs, thought Josh humorously, before tuning back in to Commander Clint.
“None of these encounters have been at fault of Creston pilots,” he said, making a point to stare at Josh, and then Dazzler. “Mercens have been the aggressors—we will be the punishers!”
“Yeah!”
“Hell yeah!” said a few rowdy pilots.
Commander Clint continued: “We have received a transmission from my Mercen counterpart, who refuses to learn the language of his food. This message was interpreted by our on-board translators.”
On-board translators? thought Josh. Who speaks Mercen? It took him a moment before: Prisoners…
“They have warned us of an all-out-war, and have threatened retaliatory strikes for the three craft lost yesterday. They have even gone so far as to accuse us of keeping Mercen hostages on this vessel. That being said, I am ordering all of you to be extra passive when flying patrols for the next few days, so that hopefully this situation will simmer down. But make no mistake, we will not cower in the face of our enemies. If those snake-faced weasels show hostility—you blow those lizard-tongued tyrants into astro-bits. Is that clear?!”
Josh glanced around at the merry faces of both squadrons, who were enjoying their commander’s hard stance. He couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride, and listened carefully to Clint saying more.
“Our intel has discovered a buildup of enemy forces on the Mercen side of the southern Void Zone. Their massing is many miles out from the trade zone, but must be taken as a serious threat. For this reason, a Creston cruiser will be traveling to within an equal distance of the space stations, on our side of the border, counter to the Mercens’ deployment. Fifteen strikers will be launch-ready on that ship.”
Pilots nodded.
“If conditions change at any point in the coming days, you will be notified.” Commander Clint waited a second and then said, “That is all.” He left the podium and was joined by the officer standing to his side, who accompanied Commander Clint out of the room.
Josh got up with Maya. She leaned in close as they walked, and had a wry smile on her face. “Good going, Josh. You’ve single-handedly started a war in less than a month since graduating from Space League. I knew you would be great.”
He smirked. “I dunno—that Dazzler seems like quite the guy.”
“Mhmm,” said Maya, slanting her lips.
Despite news of the Void Zone being placed on high alert, Josh slept the best he had in a long time. He felt a great deal of relief in knowing Maya had forgiven him, and that he was back on the M.N. Rampage.
When Josh left his room early the next morning, Maya, Reena, and Hoss were sipping coffee while leaning against the parallel counters.
“Morning, sunshine,” said Hoss, as Josh made it over to where they were.
The women turned.
“3rd squadron’s off today. Have some coffee with us,” said Reena.
“Sure.” Josh strolled over to the coffee machine and poured a cup. When finished, he turned and said, “Anyone signing up for patrols?”
“Ace and Kyle. They’re already out,” Reena replied. “The rest of us are going to hang around the Rampage.”
“What about you?” asked Maya.
Hoss spoke before Josh could respond. “Heavens no. We’re already on the brink of war. We let him go out there and all hell might break loose.”
The ladies laughed.
Josh cracked his lips in amusement. “I wasn’t planning on it—but now that you mention it…”
Maya kicked his shoe. “We’ve been told to lay off the alcohol for the next few days, until we get a clearer picture of Mercen intentions.”
“That’s a real bummer. Nate and I were planning to go out drinking in the northern Void,” said Reena.
Josh took a sip and thought, Hmm, what am I going to do today?
An orange light flashed from the wide screen in front of the couches. It was accompanied by loud beeps. The monitor turned on, with a news flash displayed in red: “Creston trade ship blown up in Void Zone.” Beneath that was a feed running across the bottom of the screen: “Details still emerging. Officials are almost certain it was Mercen behind the attack.”
Oh hell, thought Josh, almost spilling his mug.
Hoss had already walked toward the screen. “Well, it’s on now. Damn.”
Josh saw the worried looks on Reena and Maya’s faces and felt a surge of adrenaline. The reality of the situation sunk deep into his skin. This won’t be like a one-off conflict that gets overlooked in the Cosmolis. A large-scale fight will mean lots of casualties. I don’t want to lose Maya, or anyone else that I’ve come to know on this ship.
Chapter 10
Two days had passed since the downing of the Creston trade ship. Josh considered them more or less standard days, in which the 3rd squadron practiced maneuvers and patrolled the Void Zone ahead of returning to the M.N. Rampage for gym.
There had been no proof discovered linking Mercen to the attack, even though most on board the Rampage reckoned for
certain it was them. Rolly informed the 3rd squadron that Commander Clint was livid about what happened, but was unable to do anything about it without proper evidence. The pilots were surprised to hear there were no reports of enemy aggression from the trade ship’s crew prior to it being destroyed.
Lights had been out in the third unit for only a few hours when Josh felt a hand pushing at his shoulder. He gasped, snapping his neck around to see who it was. Smokey?
The old pilot was hunched down close with his eyes widened. “Get up, young buck,” he whispered.
“What’s happening?”
Smokey held his index finger to his lips. “Ssh. Get dressed and go on up to Commander Clint’s quarters. Don’t tell anyone what you’re doing.”
Josh stared as if the old pilot had lost his mind. “Why am I going there?”
“You’ll find out when you get there. Just go, and keep quiet.”
Smokey turned and left.
Josh sat up. I trust Smokey for the most part, but why would he tell me to go up to Commander Clint’s quarters in the middle of the night? He pondered for a moment longer. Guess I’m going to find out. Can’t believe I’m doing this.
Josh slid on clothes and snuck out of the third unit. Then he made his way to Clint’s room. The commander’s door was closed upon arrival, but there was dim light coming from the crack at the bottom of it.
Should I knock… or just say “screw it,” and head back to the unit? Before Josh was entirely sure of his decision—he knocked impulsively.
“Enter,” said Clint.
Josh pushed open the door and was surprised at seeing a gentleman sitting across from the commander with his back facing the door.
Commander Clint extended a hand to the seat next to the unknown person. Josh walked over and sat down. “You wanted to see me, sir?” he asked.
“That’s right,” Clint responded. “I have a very important mission for you—one that needs to be kept top secret, same as you did for the Mercen lockdown a few days back.”
Josh sensed the commander’s strong will just by looking into his firm eyes. “Yes, sir,” he replied. “But may I ask why you chose me, sir?”
