by Charles Nall
The man stopped and slowly turned around. “Yes, sir?”
“Who are you? I don't know your name! You were our server on Silver Cove! Why the hell are you on my ship?”
“My name is Mr. Slade. Sir, I do have clearance to be here. I'm here on a very important mission.”
“What? What sort of mission?”
“A mission you wouldn't accept.”
“What are you talking about?”
Mr. Slade smiled. “It's best if I show you. You'll understand.”
“Don't you dare open that. Security! Computer, get security here!”
Thirty seconds later, security forces rushed to the hallway just outside the captain's quarters. Captain Oshiro was standing calmly next to the man with the container. “Sir! Are you okay?”
Oshiro turned to the guards, wiping something from his lip. “Oh, sorry, I thought this gentleman had a bomb or something. Can't be too careful. But, I was quite mistaken.”
“You! What do you have?! Drop it!”
Mr. Slade calmly placed the container onto the steel floor. He then straightened his red tie.
“Relax, men.” Oshiro opened a side pocket of the container and grabbed some seed out of it. “These are seeds for the ship hydroponic garden. We're getting a new variety of plant. I wasn't aware, but we did receive this shipment recently. It's harmless.”
“Oh. Sorry, sir.”
“It was my fault. Say, do you know when we'll jump to hyperspace?”
“Within the hour, sir.”
“Good. I want to leave this dreadful place.”
Oshiro entered his quarters. The door to his room slid closed. Oshiro called out to the computer, “Computer, link me with sickbay.”
“Yes? This is Dr. Nakamura. If you are wondering about the autopsy, we're still working on that.”
“Orders from Admiral Kitakami: Before we leave for Confederate space, we're going to have a ceremony for Kurosawa and send him into the nearest star. He will be laid to rest before we enter hyperspace.”
Dr. Nakamura raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me? Sir, I realize that's tradition but shouldn't we finish the autopsy first?”
“There is no time. Sorry. I tried to plead with the admiral but he believes the Cove. There's no evidence as to what happened and we're wasting our time here. We have been ordered to put him to rest now.”
“I don't understand.”
“It's an order.”
“Yes, sir.”
The transmission ended. The captain collapsed onto the cold floor. “I'm sorry everyone. I'm–so sorry.” A small amount of blood trickled from his nose down the smirk on his face.
January 31, 0270 AC - 16:12
Turner's Salvage
Argolis, Artemis, Galactic Union Space
“We appreciate letting us stay here while we figure out what we're doing, Jerry.”
Jacob and Jerry sat around a table sipping on drinks. Rapture loomed behind them, standing tall in the midst of scrap metal and supplies.
“It's no issue, we did have some spare rooms for you and Trevor. I considered opening my doors to the urchins on the streets but I never did. I'm not sure if that makes me a bad person. I mean, I considered it. Some people wouldn't even consider it. Maybe I'm bad.”
“Definitely not. And, basically, you did open your doors to some urchins. Well, not quite, but at least two guys who have lost their way. You seem like a great guy, and a great dad.”
Jerry chuckled. “You don't know me that well! I do thank you for your words. You have a good head on your shoulders. Please stay here with my daughter when I'm gone. Look after her. I really want her to stay, and for you to stay as well.”
“I'm not sure she wants to stay. She seems conflicted,” Jacob said.
“Please. Convince her to stay. Andromeda could be a very scary place.”
“Why do you say that?” asked Jacob. “With all the rumors of war right now, don't you think the Milky Way may be very scary pretty soon?”
Jerry placed his hand on Jacob's shoulder. “Oh, Jacob, I know. I could be wrong. I just have a gut feeling that Sharon should stay away from Exodus. And, honestly, look at her over there, going through those parts. She loves that ship. I don't think anything can get her away from it. She has put too much of her heart and soul into Rapture.”
“But you put your heart and soul into her.”
“Yes, yes. I know.”
“Can't you take Rapture with you? Take both of your daughters to Andromeda!”
Jerry looked around the hangar. “I sold this shop to Arnold's dad. I also sold Rapture and Demeter to him. I won't need them anymore. He is allowing Sharon Rose to continue working on Rapture. I know, I should have worked something out to bring it with me. Oh well.”
“What made you decide to lead the expedition into Andromeda?”
“An opportunity like this doesn't come around all the time. And it hurts me that I will leave my daughter behind. The light of my life. But I will be one of the first humans in an entirely new world. Think of the possibilities. Unfortunately, there could be dark discoveries, but I am hopeful they will be beautiful findings instead. Regardless, I think Sharon's place is here. I'm getting old. I won't be here forever. I want to go somewhere no one has been before. There is still plenty of things for my girl to discover in this galaxy.”
Jacob nodded. “I suppose so. Well, none of us have really decided where we want to go. But I think I'll probably go where she goes.”
A huge grin appeared on Jerry's face. “Yes. She has taking quite the liking to you.”
Jacob chuckled.
Jerry leaned over to Jacob. “And I think you have taking a liking to her. I don't mind.”
Jacob sheepishly smiled and looked across the hangar. Sharon was digging through parts. She pulled out a tube from the pile. She intently stared at the tube then sighed and tossed it behind her. She happened to look back toward the table and noticed Jacob and Jerry looking at her. She smiled and continued looking through the pieces.
“Guys, have you seen this news?” asked Trevor Reynolds, startling Jacob Carpenter and Jerry Turner who didn't know Trevor had arrived.
Trevor placed a computer on the table with the latest headlines displaying. “Oh, oops, sorry for scaring you guys. The Confederation is mobilizing their fleet. Confederate planets and space stations near the borders of Blood Dynasty and Galactic Union are being reinforced. A lot more patrols as well. They’re preparing for war. Artemis is only a journey of a few days from Orion, do you guys think we're gonna see some sort of aggression? Because I don't know if you've paid attention, but there is only one destroyer protecting Exodus. You'd think there be more.”
Jacob skimmed the article. “I don't know. I'm sure the Union has pretty good intelligence. There is still time for more ships to reinforce Exodus as well. I don't think anybody is stupid enough to attack Exodus, right, Jerry?”
Jerry smiled. “Oh, you don't have to worry about the Confederation!”
February 1, 0270 AC - 21:34
Deck Four, CFS Iriguchi
Edge of Confederate Space
Lieutenant Riko Maeda lifted off her shirt, revealing a black bra on her lithe body. She threw the shirt into the center of the table. She grinned. “I'm done putting credits on the line.”
Lieutenant Yamato Koizumi laughed. “This isn't that kind of game. I don't think your shirt is worth very much.”
“Sure it is. The fumer who gets my shirt gets a date with me,” Riko said.
“Fumer? I'll have you know I only sniff reactor fumes socially,” Yamato said.
An ensign named Nik Miyamoto chuckled. “A date with Riko? I wish I had a better hand.”
The fourth person playing poker in the crew lounge of deck four was another lieutenant of the hypership, Lieutenant Iris Carina. She laughed and said, “How did you know I swung that way?”
Riko winked. “Oh. I had my suspicions.”
“Do you swing that way?” Yamato asked.
Riko l
ooked over her hand of cards. “Who doesn't appreciate a female body?”
The group continued playing poker in the crowded lounge. Many crew members were having a good time unwinding. The group sat at a special poker table that was equipped with credit chip slots. When betting, the player slid their credit chip into a slot near their position and input how many credits they were betting into a panel near the slot. A poker chip exited a nearby slot with the amount electronically stored inside it. The chips could be scanned after the game to add the winnings to the winner's account.
Gambling was generally restricted aboard military warships. The poker table had a hard cap on how many credits the crew members could bet.
Yamato inserted his credit chip. “Raise ten stars.”
Nik groaned, “I need to get out of this. I fold.” Nik Miyamoto threw his cards onto the table in frustration. “I really wanted that date, too, Riko.”
Riko smiled. “Noted.”
Iris Carina folded as well and grumbled, “I'm done too. It looks like the date is going to between Riko and Yamato!”
Riko laughed. “If I win, though, I don't have to go on a date with this handsome gentleman. As much as I want to, I'd spend the time alone and get some rest. The captain really has been working us hard.”
“You could always get some rest with me,” Yamato said.
“Maybe once work dies down a little, my friend,” said Riko. “Or if you actually win.”
“Oh, I won.”
“Oh, really?” Iris asked.
“You sure of that?” Riko said.
“Yep.”
“Well, let's see it.”
Yamato revealed his hand. “Full Boat. So I was thinking of a quiet evening on Tau Ceti the next time the ship is there...”
Riko smirked. “Keep dreaming.” She revealed her hand. “Royal Flush.”
“Oh, eff you, Riko,” Yamato said with disappointment as he threw his cards onto the table.
“You wish.” Riko smiled as she gathered her winnings. She then grabbed her shirt and put it back on. “Looks like it's a date with myself.”
“Like usual,” Yamato said.
“Well, it's probably a better time than spending time with you, Yamato,” Riko said with a wink.
Yamato shook his head and chuckled.
Iris laughed. “You two are a handful.”
“What can I say, Yamato, you can't beat me at this game. I'm the master of deception.”
Yamato stood up and bowed before her. “I bow before the master. Peace. It looks like it's about time for the night shift, I got it this week. Ugh! Have a good night everyone.”
“Good night,” Nik said. “The experience is a good thing. You’re going to be an executive officer soon, Yamato.”
Yamato laughed. “I highly doubt that.”
February 1, 0270 AC - 09:10
USS Freedom
Above Artemis, Galactic Union Space
“Sera, I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine!”
“I'm sorry, Captain,” replied Commander Serafina Freeman, “but lately you haven't really been yourself. Something is off about you.”
Commander Freeman was visiting Captain Devereaux in his quarters. Her blonde hair was tied in a pony tail behind her. She had a concerned look on her face.
Freeman and Devereaux were sitting around an oaken desk. Papers and other clutter were scattered atop the rare wood. To the left of the desk was a table which had a model of an ancient sea-faring pirate ship from the days of Earth resting on it. Behind the desk, a large window showed Artemis and Diana hanging in the darkness of space.
Sera Freeman pointed at the old desk. “For example: this clutter on your desk! You've always been organized since I've known you. Look at this mess.”
She shook her head then stared at Devereaux.
Devereaux avoided Freeman’s gaze. “It has been more stressful than usual. A cluttered desk is not the end of the world.”
“No, but it is indicative of an underlying issue. Is it Akeldamas? I don't trust him at all.”
“Well, the presence of the admiral doesn't help.”
“Tell me, please. My main job is to make sure you’re able to perform the task put in front of you. If there is, god forbid, some sort of attack on Artemis, I need you to be all there. We all need you. You are the best captain I have served under and will always trust your decisions, but I want you to trust mine as well.”
“Oh? You have a decision for me?”
“Why, yes. You should take leave. File a request for some time off, sir. You deserve it. I'd love to one day be a captain for this ship or another, but first and foremost I want to make sure my captain is being taken care of.”
Devereaux laughed and began trying to clean up the clutter on his desk. “I don't need to take a break. I’m perfectly fine. I'm no stranger to a little bit of stress. It’s true though that you'd make a great captain. Although I don't think you should captain the Freedom. I think Captain Freeman of the Freedom would sound ridiculous. I don't think anybody would take you seriously!”
Freeman smiled and leaned back into the chair. “Well, people don't take me seriously anyways. Commander Freeman of the Freedom is just as bad. Please consider taking a break.”
“Well. Perhaps you are right. But, I wonder if there would be a way for both of us to take leave together. Since I've been captain, I don't think I've seen you take leave. We both could use some R&R. Lieutenant Commander Ember Skyrift is on the cusp of promotion. We could give her a chance to actually take command of the ship for a little while without doing the night watch. I doubt they would allow both of us to take leave, but I think I would... enjoy it with you.”
Freeman blushed her prominent cheek bones. “Yes, I doubt that would work. Oh, Captain. I thought we were past this.”
“What?”
“Come on, I see what you are doing.”
The captain laughed. “What?
Freeman shook her head. “Sir, we're co-workers. Beyond that, you are my superior.”
“Oh you think–”
“There was a time where we came to that line. We didn't cross it. I'm glad we didn't. I was about to, but you have a great head on your shoulders. You ended it before things got weird. I appreciate that. I'm engaged now! I thought those things were behind us.”
“They are. I can't believe you just jumped to those conclusions.”
The commander sighed. “I'm sorry. I just–I know that look in your eyes. Maybe I was wrong. Sorry, sir. I'm probably not helping reduce your stress levels. I apologize, sir. But to keep those things in the past, for the good of everyone, I don't think we both should take leave together.”
“I understand. I'm sorry, it was my fault.”
“Well, the Exodus mission is almost over. We'll figure out where we go from here after this is all done. Thanks for your time, and sorry for being obnoxious.”
“No, no, Commander. You did nothing wrong. Have a great day, Number Two.”
“You never call me that and I'm not sure if I like it! You are going insane. I knew it!” Freeman laughed.
Commander Freeman arose from the chair and went toward the door. She looked back toward the captain. “But please go visit the sickbay and get your head looked at by Lieutenant Cinderflake. You seem to be under more stress than usual. We all care about you.” She smiled and saluted and then exited the captain's quarters.
Captain Devereaux stopped straightening his desk. A scowl appeared on his face. He then growled in frustration and knocked all of the papers off the old oaken desk.
5
February 1, 0270 AC – 13:18 Local Time
Turner's Salvage
Argolis, Artemis, Galactic Union Space
“I haven't actually given you a formal tour of Rapture. Would you like one?” Sharon Rose Turner asked.
Jacob Carpenter grinned. “Sure. I'd like that.”
“Well, let's go!” Sharon grabbed Jacob's arm and dragged him toward the corvette.
She poi
nted toward the dull brown ship and outlined it with her finger. “This is a California-class. It's about five stories tall. Two short wings toward the aft of the ship that house the main ion engines. The ship does need to be aerodynamic because it does tend to travel in atmospheres. The front of the ship is a bit rounded, see? Rapture does use several smaller ion thrusters that are placed around the hull for maneuvering. The main thrusters on the wings can rotate freely as well, so we do not need to take off down a runway or anything. If you look under the ship you can see our 'landing gears' that look more like large metal chicken feet. And up there you can see a small window, that's where the bridge is.”
“Heh, slow down a bit.”
“I'm sorry, she excites me. Let's go in. The loading bay is open so the loading ramp is down.”
“What are those spherical things on the ship?”
“Oh, those are shield generators. There’s four on the corvette. The generators create a field around the corvette to protect the ship from light weapon fire and knock space debris out of the way. Warships have them too, they are much bigger, though.”
They walked up the ramp of the thirty-one meter wide ship and into a spacious cargo hold. Chains with hooks dangled from the ceiling. Pipes, ventilation shafts, and wires darted around the bay. Catwalks surrounded the bay with sporadic ladders going up to the second level of the cargo bay. A set of stairs on the port side went up to the catwalk. Miscellaneous ship parts and boxes filled the bay. Dull brown walls slightly curved around the cargo hold.
Sharon started going up the stairs. “There's plenty of ladders if you'd rather climb. These stairs aren't the sturdiest, be careful.”
They arrived at the top of the stairs along the catwalk. She approached a panel with a computer screen. “There are many little screens around Rapture like this that show the status of the ship. You can also hit these buttons to call other locations on the ship. We're not fancy, on the big cruisers they have a computer that can route transmissions. This works just fine for a small corvette. We don't get all the neat amenities. For example, when we're in deep space, we don't have anti-gravity. I hope you've been in zero gravity before or you'll get sick.”
