by Charles Nall
Jacob took in the sights of the hangar. “And what is that ship behind Rapture?”
"The Demeter. It’s a small transport ship. We just use it for collecting salvage. Of course, once Rapture is ready we won’t need it anymore. We haven’t been in the salvage business for a while, what with the Exodus preparations. Rapture will be ready soon! Sharon and Arnold have been working hard on it! Oh, oh, here they come!”
A man and woman walked down a ramp from the opened cargo bay of the fourteen meter tall corvette. They were both covered in black patches of oil. Jacob guessed they were both in their early 20s.
The woman had a small figure. Her wavy red hair went to her shoulders and a single blonde streak went down the right side. Her face had slightly chubby cheeks. Her skin that wasn't covered with oil was tanned a light brown. She hugged Jerry, transferring some of the oil from her. “Dad, you know we can't hear you yelling from the engine room, right? Luckily we were on our way out!”
The dark-skinned man clearly handled a lot of heavy lifting in the shop, as he was quite muscular. The muscular man had short dark hair. “Boss, it's all good. We did some tests and we think she's ready to fly again. Sharon still wants to add a hyper-drive to the ship but I'm still trying to dissuade her. Talk to your daughter! Oh, who are your friends?”
Jerry continued embracing his adopted daughter. “As I've said before, Sharon Rose, just a normal ion engine system alone is just fine for the ship. Arnold, Sharon, this is Trevor. I have done some business with him. If you remember my tales of the esteemed alien hunter! Hasn't found any yet, but he's hot on their trail! And this is his friend, uh, Jacob, it was Jacob, right?”
Jacob outstretched his hand. “Jacob Carpenter. Pleasure to meet you both. Mr. Turner is going to take care of me on the Exodus.”
Arnold Lawrence grabbed and shook Jacob's hand strongly. “You will be in good hands, my friend. I will not be departing with you, I'm staying behind to help run this place, but I do envy your pioneering spirit.”
Arnold released the handshake and Jacob peered down at his hand, now covered in grime. He fruitlessly wiped his hand on his coat.
“So, Sharon, are you going along with your dad on the Exodus?” Trevor asked.
Sharon Rose Turner shrugged. “Well. I'm not sure. I kind of want to stay here and keep working on my girl, Rapture. She can handle a small hyper-drive and she'll actually be able to jump into hyperspace on her own! I just gotta find someone who is selling one! Still, traveling with my dad to another galaxy does sound tempting. I really don't know yet. I'll have to decide soon, I know.”
Jacob looked up from his oil-stained hands and looked at Sharon. He hadn't been one for chasing girls, but this girl was extremely cute. Even if she was wearing a coating of oil instead of make-up.
Sharon Rose continued, “Maybe I will meet someone that could convince me one way or the other.” Her eyes glanced over at Jacob, who was still staring at her. Their eyes met and Jacob shyly looked away. He looked back at her and Sharon cracked a smile. “I suppose there is still time to make up my mind, though.”
Jerry put his hand on Sharon's shoulder. “Oh, my dear, not very long! We launch on February 8th! And then there's the packing and the mental preparedness. You need to decide quickly! I'd love you to be with me in the new galaxy, but I understand wanting to stick with what you've grown to love. That's why it will be hard to leave if you stay. No matter your choice, though, I know what I have to do.”
“Unfortunately, sir,” said Jacob. “I do bring some bad news. Teresa Day was en route here as well to say goodbye to you. She was captured by the Union. You know her better than I, she was probably in some questionable dealings.”
Jerry's face turned from delight to sadness. “Oh. That's – well, that's nothing new for her. I hope she's alright.”
Jacob continued, “Yes, I'm sure she's fine. She can take care of herself. But it is sad that she couldn't see you one last time.”
“Please. Speak for yourself,” a voice called out from behind them from the open door.
Teresa Day stepped into the hangar. “Hello, Jerry.”
January 30, 0270 AC - 15:00
Turner's Salvage
Argolis, Artemis, Galactic Union Space
The group of Jacob, Teresa, Trevor, Sharon and Arnold were sitting around a table in a small area positioned to the side of the hangar as a makeshift lounge. The group was getting to know each other. They were sharing their various stories.
Sharon could not help but notice the gashes and bruises that still marked Teresa's face. “We need to get you some medical attention, Teresa,” suggested Sharon.
Teresa shook her head, “I was cleared already. My boys fixed me up. I'm okay. I don't feel particularly well but I had to come see Jerry.”
Jerry Turner approached carrying a tray of drinks.
“I hope you aren't bringing anything alcoholic–you know I don't drink,” Arnold said.
Jerry arrived at the table and began passing out the drinks. “No, no, I'm saving the harder stuff for later! This is Argosian orange juice, freshly squeezed!”
Jacob took a gulp of the drink. He hadn't drank orange juice in a long time. “That is so good. Not everything here is dreary and dark.”
Sharon smirked. “Oh, I guess that means I'm dreary and dark?”
Jacob stammered, “Well–no–of course not. You are quite out of place too! I mean–Artemis is pretty damn ugly. You, on the contrary...”
Sharon blushed.
Jerry smiled. “Yes, Artemis, unlike my daughter, is very ugly. Luckily there are a few decent hydroponic gardens. Pretty high dollar juice here, but I'm about to go somewhere where my current financial status doesn't even matter. Might as well splurge a little bit.”
Trevor turned to Teresa. “So, did they let you go? I'm surprised to see you here.”
“In all actuality, it was a bit more exciting than that,” Teresa said. “The Mad Cats knew something was up and found me and busted me out. Unfortunately for the Union, they don't even know I'm missing yet. That sadly means that I can't stay too long but I can trust all of you not to squeal my location.”
Sharon looked away from Teresa. “Dad? Your nose?”
“Hmm?” Jerry felt under his nose. He was bleeding from the nose. “Oh, dear. Must be my allergies. I'll be right back, sorry.”
Teresa stared at Jerry. “Hang on, Jerry. Actually, I just realized I need to go now. But, it was nice seeing all of you. Thanks for your hospitality and best of luck on your exodus.”
“Oh, you just got here,” Jerry said as he clutched his nose.
“Allergies? I didn't know you had allergies, dad,” Sharon said with concern.
Teresa stood up and stared right into Jerry's eyes. “Thanks again. Keep care, everyone. Jerry, let me know if you need anything.”
Jerry had a puzzled look on his face. “What?”
“I mean it.”
A larger stream of blood began trickling out of Jerry's nose. He put his hand under his nose like a cup and stammered, “No, no. Just–leave. I need to go. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I can't–can't stop the bleeding here, be right back. Good to see you again, Teresa.”
“You too. Take care, kids.” Teresa quickly exited.
Arnold looked toward the door. “Eff was that about?”
Sharon sipped on her juice. “Well, we don't want to put her in danger. And we don't want to be in danger either. Maybe it is for the best.”
The group sat in awkward silence with nothing else to say, calmly drinking.
4
January 31, 0270 AC – 13:00 Local Time
Argolis Assortments Junk Yard
Argolis, Artemis, Galactic Union Space
“I'm glad you two decided to stay with us. With the extra help we can get Rapture flying again before dad leaves.”
“Yeah, we're glad to help. But do you really need all this stuff?” Jacob asked as he was precariously carrying several boxes on top of each other. “And could you at least c
arry one box?”
“Well, I could, but what if I find even more nice pieces? I may find something that isn't even for Rapture, you know. What if I want to work on a fighter or a frigate next? Hell, maybe some parts for a future cruiser.”
“That hangar does not have enough room for a cruiser.”
“Small steps. One day I'll have an orbiting platform.”
Jacob laughed. “Sure, okay. Orbiting a planet somewhere in Andromeda? Actually, you can't carry all this junk to Andromeda anyways.”
“I suppose. Well, I need to have this stuff in case I stay. And, actually, my dad is the captain! I'm sure he'll let me sneak some stuff on board.”
“It's sweet how much you two care for each other.”
“He took me in. I can never pay him back for that.”
“Oh, I'm sure you have ten-fold. He lights up around you. Are you really considering staying behind?”
Sharon examined a metal strut on the ground of the junk yard. “Well, I don't know. It's hard to decide. It would very difficult to say goodbye to him. But I do love my current life and Artemis. Even if it is, as you say, dark and dreary. I mean, there are so many wonderful junk yards to rummage through!”
“I wouldn't consider junk yards wonderful.”
Sharon picked up the metal strut and began waving it in the air. “It's okay, I forgive you.”
“What's in these boxes anyways?” Jacob asked.
“Q-nuts, bolts, and resistor plating from an Arizona. You could say it was the predecessor to the California corvette. Some of the pieces match up perfectly. You never know, we may need more of them. Especially if we have another reactor accident. But I assure you this Sakharov purrs like a kitten. They were just gonna melt them down for scrap. Can you believe it?”
Jacob laughed. “Oh. No, I can't. What scoundrels.”
“I know, right? So what's your story? What brings you to Artemis and potentially another galaxy?”
“Well,” Jacob put the boxes on the ground and rubbed his shoulder. “It's pretty boring. I'm not that special.”
Sharon threw the strut away. “No. Everyone is special.”
Jacob laughed. “If everyone is special, then no one is.”
Sharon picked up one of the boxes that Jacob was carrying. “It doesn't work like that. Please, tell me about yourself. Even the boring details.”
“Well, I was unemployed and going nowhere so I decided to try Andromeda.”
“Okay, you are pretty boring.”
Jacob chuckled. “As I said, boring. Well, Jerry took you in. Did you know your parents?”
“No. I was abandoned. That's okay, though. Jerry has been amazing. I'm glad the universe worked out that way. The universe seems to weave a certain way.”
“Well, I'm the same way. I was adopted by a family as well. It was nothing special, it’s hard to recall anything worth mentioning. I do love my foster parents, but I had to get away. You seem happy but I wonder why my real parents abandoned me. Where they are, who they are. I struggle with that. I just don't understand. You said the universe weaves a certain way. I just don't think any higher power or the universe itself had anything to do with it. It’s just terrible. An unfortunate circumstance that I just had to live with and adapt to. Luckily I ended up turning out alright, I guess, and you did extremely well with the cards you were dealt. I just... Eh, I'm babbling.”
“It's fine, I understand. Do you believe that things always work out in the end? Do you think there is an overarching plan?”
Jacob picked up the other boxes off the ground. “It's something mankind has always struggled with. I see no evidence for fate or some creator. Doesn't mean it is not there, but it does mean I should not worry about it. No one is certain of anything when it comes to that stuff.”
The two continued walking through the corridors of dirt surrounded by piles of junk.
Sharon nodded. “I suppose you’re right. Nothing to really worry about. But when it comes to extremely important decisions I wish there was some plan. I wish I could know the path to take. I have no idea what to do about Exodus. I have two choices and I cannot do both. But you’re right, no one really knows. I, well, laugh at me if you want. I know someone who lives on the other side.”
Jacob remembered the warning not to travel to the other side of the moon and stopped moving. “Wait, where you can see the planet? I heard that was very dangerous.”
“Yes. But some people–they can see farther than us. Something about the chemicals.”
“Oh, I really don't believe this.”
“Think I'm crazy now?” Sharon said with a mischievous smile.
“I dunno. I sort of like certain kinds of crazy.”
Sharon giggled. “Well, it was a dare in high school to go hiking over there with some actual crazy kids. A wasteland. It was a little scary. Sheer cliffs and chasms. We got out of there, but not after spending time with her.”
“Her?”
“Her name is Vis. She knows things. She says a visitor named Michael tells her these things. It's all kind of silly. But... some things she says just seem to resonate. She said, last time, 'Sharon, you will meet a hunter and a lost one. They both search for something that is hard to find. One will find you. He will be your guide.'”
“Sounds like nonsense and that means you still visit her?” Jacob looked into Sharon's green eyes, “You should stay away from the other side, it's very dangerous!”
Sharon shyly looked away. “I know. Just one of my quirks. Sorry. It's not a big deal, though. People make too much of a fuss about the other side. Have you ever seen a planet rise? It's quite beautiful. Well, it doesn't really rise so much, it kinda stays in the same place, but when you first get a good glimpse of it... oh, my, it's amazing. We should go some time! Maybe visit Vis! She may have something to tell you! ”
“As I said, I think it’s nonsense. And no one can see the future.”
“I don't know if she can, but she has a general sense of things. For example, what she told me recently. I would meet a hunter and a lost one. Well, I met Trevor who is on the hunt for aliens and I met you. You are the lost one, abandoned like me by your parents when you were born. Both of you are searching for something. Be it aliens or a fresh start to your life elsewhere. But one will find me...” She locked eyes with Jacob. “...and be my guide...”
Jacob shyly whimpered, “Well, what does that mean?”
“Do some guiding and I'll let you know.”
“I don't know my way around this place.”
“Yeah. The universe is confusing.”
She leaned against Jacob as they both walked by a worker. The man waved at them and called out, “Thanks for stopping by! Hope you found something worthwhile.”
Sharon smiled broadly. “Yes, sir. I think I did find what I was looking for.”
January 30, 0270 AC - 14:32
The Wormhole, Silver Cove
Neutral Space
“Thanks for your hospitality, Captain Hawk.”
“You can stop thanking me, Mr. Kurosawa. Your team will help us get to the bottom of the bombing tragedy. Starting tomorrow we will start the full investigation of the tragedy.”
Oshiro, Hawk, and Kurosawa were enjoying drinks in one of the restaurants on Silver Cove. Pulsating music made the ground shake. Neon lights covered the rather spacious surroundings. A large amount of people were dancing in the middle of a dance floor in the center of the establishment. Behind the dancing and the lights, the steel frame of the Silver Cove enveloped the area.
Oshiro finished his drink and put it to the side. “Sid, any ideas as to why this terrible thing happened? Why they blamed us? I have my hunches that it’s Galactic Union meddling, but do you have any evidence of this?”
“No, not really,” Sid Hawk said, “there are some odd things here and there. Jun Souran, the bomber, was using a credit chip charged here on the station. The weird thing is that this credit chip was recently used by an individual who is currently in the brig for questioning. He
's not talking. Well, that's not entirely correct, he's talking but just babbling nonsense. We figure he's a friend of Jun's, but there appears to be nothing linking them together. Maybe the credit chip was stolen or something. Still, we have no idea how Jun Souran and the explosives he used got here. Maybe the Confederation had nothing to do with his agenda, but he was from New Nippon, so that does raise eyebrows.”
Kurosawa looked toward the dancers. “These people are having fun but at any moment tragedy could strike. It's a terrible feeling I can't shake. I feel that some conspiracy is operating at a very high level. If more things happen that put the Orion Confederation in a negative light, I fear a war will break out.”
“And both Galactic Union and Confederation mercenary contracts will be sent to the Cove,” replied Sid Hawk. “That is unless one faction gives us some incentive to just side with them. And that is also assuming that we're just not destroyed to get us out of the way. During a war there's no reason to respect neutral zone treaties.”
“I'm sure we can come to some agreement,” Kurosawa said, “if we can prove that the Union itself had something to do with the bombing here, I don't see why any of your mercenaries would side with the Union.”
Hawk smiled. “Keep in mind that money is the real motivator here for accepting contracts.”
Oshiro looked around for their server. “I could use more to drink, where's our waitress? I agree with you to a point, sir, but you know as well as I do the mercs here treat each other like brothers. I think there would be an outcry if people were accepting contracts from someone who bombed their home.”
Hawk nodded. “Yeah, fair point. That is how we operate here. We’re still accepting contracts from Orion right now, and Jun Souran is from New Nippon and told everyone to fear the Confederation. None of us believe that you guys had anything to do with it. And I doubt anyone would really believe the Union did it, either. We're all just confused right now. But life must go on for now. It's a mystery. The best theory is that Jun just went mad and struck out on his own. But how he did get here without support? Why did he snap to begin with? Everything is just so confusing.”
