Voyage to Ayama

by K. A Knight

  “We are so sorry, good looking. I never thought he would go that far. We would have never have left you alone if-” Eldon cuts out, both of their eyes are filled with unshed tears and filled with shame.

  “Look, what's done is done. It was a crazy day, with them rebel freaks kidnapping me, and your father, then the explosion…” It’s my turn to trail of at their shocked looks.

  “Kidnapping?” They both say in unison.

  I quickly run them through everything that happened. By the end, they both look angry on my behalf and if we were still on board, I would be scared of what they would do.

  “I wonder what they did to bring the ship down?” I ponder; it’s been bugging me. They obviously knew the brothers' father wouldn't be caught, which means they either planned this or they planned to kill us? But surely they didn’t mean to bring the ship down? Did they? If so, why did they approach me about needing my help? Auden sighs before dropping his chin onto my thighs with his arms.

  “I guess we'll never know. I’m just glad we had you there.”

  “He's right, good looking. Without you, we would have all been screwed.”

  I look away, uncomfortable with their praise. It goes quiet as I think about everything that has happened, letting Effie go, almost dying… their father. His face distorted with anger and lust pops in my head, making me shiver. I see the brothers share a look before they both turn back to me.

  “For some reason, I was feeling a little off today. But when you came along, you definitely turned me on.” Auden wiggles his eyebrows as he talks.

  “I was wondering if you had an extra heart. Mine was just stolen,” Eldon adds, making all my fear and stress fade away. I know it isn’t healthy to bottle it all up, but right now I don't have the time to be weak. We need to survive and find others, and me curling into a ball and crying isn’t going to help. So, I laugh at their cheesy pick-up lines. Eldon smiles at me before kissing my shoulder. Auden drops a kiss on my hand and it’s like everything is okay again. With so much changing, it’s nice to see some things staying the same.

  “Come on, we better get back before Barrott freaks.” I slide back into the water and dunk under.

  We all spend the next hour or so splashing and swimming before Barrott announces it’s time to leave. He even sounds sad. We slip out of the water and get dressed. I catch them throwing me lingering looks, but I don’t mention it. Barrott smiles at me before he heads back into the trees.

  Looking back sadly at our spot, I turn and follow the others as we set off in our search once again. The water is a beautiful distraction, among such a deadly world. I watch as the trees swallow it up, like our little secret.

  We walk for another couple of hours, my cat stalker leaping from trees above us. The first time I saw him do it, I screamed but I have got used to it now, even if I do keep a close eye on him. The trees around us start to thin out and Barrott stops, sucking in a breath.

  “What?” I huff, exhaustion creeping in. I stop next to him when I see what he stopped for. There, in a crater, is half of the Dawnbreaker. Trees are broken beneath it, and fires are here and there, but the giant ship is laying in the forest in front of us. Although Auden and Eldon told me, seeing it is different. Hopelessness flutters in my chest, as does panic. How will we ever get back? Earth is years away, as is Ayama. We are stuck on an alien planet with no way off.

  “What are we going to do?” I ask quietly. I don't know what Barrott hears in my voice but he turns to me, cupping my cheek.

  “We survive, one day at a time. Right now we are going to go down there and see if there are any survivors or anything we can use. Then we will decide what to do. Whatever we do, we do together. All of us.”

  I nod, at least I have them. A head knocks into my side, making me fall into Barrott as the giant cat stalker nudges me, it's weirdly comforting. But I throw it a glare. Pulling myself back to together, I nod again and face the ship. Seeing the devastation brings home just how lucky we were, and how much the rebellion messed up.

  “I wonder why they did it?” I ask, staring at the carnage below.

  “Who knows,” Eldon says.

  I look over my shoulder and spot Cain looking at me, something in his eyes has me frowning, but he quickly clears it with a smile. I turn back to the ship and take a deep breath.

  “Okay boys, let's go.”

  Barrott smiles at me, pride shining in his eyes before twining his hand with mine. Grinning at him, I let him lead me down the hill.

  GROUND - DAY ONE

  When we get to the bottom of the hill, we all stop with the huge ship in front of us, unsure of where to start.

  “Okay, we go about this carefully,” Barrott orders. I nod and follow him as he starts to pick his way through the wreckage.

  We spend hours combing over the outside of the ship for anyone alive or anything we can use before we find a hole that allows us into the ship. Luckily, it’s the top half of the ship, which means we should be able to access the beacon or recording systems at least. If they are intact.

  We pick our way carefully through broken hallways, with wires and holes everywhere. Because the ship crashed on its side, we have to move slowly around everything that has fallen. I nearly fall once but Barrott has a tight grip on my arm and pulls me along after him.

  “We should check for anything we can use while we are here,” Barrott orders. I swallow as I look around at all the doors, knowing what I will find behind at least some.

  I hold onto Barrott’s hand as we approach a partially open door. The top right-hand side is missing, the edges rough and burnt black. He slips through and manages to unwedge it from the other side, so it slides open.

  I help him search the unit, trying to ignore all the personal possessions, knowing the people who lived here are probably dead. I feel horrible about taking their things, unclean almost, but if we are to survive down here we need them.

  We search the next three rooms with no issue but when I slip through the fourth door, I freeze. Laid on the floor, face down, is a man. His left arm is missing and blood covers his head but I can see his unseeing eyes from where his head is turned.

  Blowing out a breath, I grab a blanket and cover him, it’s the best I can offer at the moment. Hopefully, when there are more of us, or when we know what is going on we can come back and bury him and anyone else we find. Making my way up the mangled stairs, I start to search the first bedroom.

  The bed is messed like someone was still in it when the siren went off. Drawings cover one of the walls and there are girly decorations pinned here and there. Moving around the bed, I slide the drawer under the bed out and my heart speeds up at the teddy bear laying inside.

  Picking it up gently, I hold the stuffed animal. I wonder what happened to the person it belonged to. Sighing, knowing Barrott will be in any minute, I gently put it back and close the drawer. Still crouched, I move over to the storage unit next to the bed.

  A sob hiccups out of me when I see the body behind it. I cover my mouth in horror, as tears fill my eyes. There, laid on her side, like she is sleeping, is a little girl. She must be no older than six or seven, with a thick brown afro, dressed in a pink tutu and shimmery top.

  A metal fragment pierces her little chest, with blood around the area. God, she must have been so scared. All on her own as she died? My heart almost freezes in my chest at the thought. She must have been so scared, no one should face death alone never mind a child. The tears trickle down my face as I lean forward and close her eyes, unwilling to looking into their empty terrified depths any longer.

  “Indy?”

  “We have to bury her,” I choke out. It’s the least she deserves. I can't think clearly, but it seems important that she be buried. Not just left to rot in this tomb-like ship, her bear in the drawer. Barrott crouches next to me, his eyes stricken as he looks at her.

  “We will come back. I promise it, Indy. For now, we need to get to control and see if any tracking or beacons work, so we don't end up lik
e them.” His voice is strong, but I can see the sadness in his eyes, and he won’t look at her again.

  I don't bother hiding my tears as I stare at him, needing my strong shadow, needing his strength.

  “What happened, Barrott? How did it all go so wrong?”

  He sighs and sits on the floor, his back to the bed. His arms open and with a little sob, I land in his lap, burying my head on his shoulder, my eyes still on the little girl.

  “I don't know, baby. I have an idea, but it doesn't matter at the minute. All that matters is that we are alive, we are okay. We need to keep moving. I know it’s hard, but I need you to be the Indy I know you can be.”

  I nod and he cups my cheek, making me face him. His hands bracket my face, holding me there as if he knows my eyes want to draw back to the little girl.

  “I love that you care so deeply, I do. But I need you. I need that crazy woman who climbs into a flyer as a ship is exploding, who races for fun. I need you to help me save us. I can't do it without you Inds.” The desperation in his voice undoes me.

  I nod, his words drying my tears up. I can mourn our dead later, for now, I need to concentrate on the living. I just hope to whatever god exists out there, that the people who did this pay.

  “Okay,” I whisper.

  “Come on baby, we can do this.” He puts his forehead to mine, almost mirroring how we were the last time we were alone together, before that fight.

  “Barrott, were you really going to walk away from me?”

  I know it's stupid with everything going on, but I need to know. He takes a deep breath but doesn’t hesitate with his words. Some time between walking away from me and crashing on this alien planet, he seems to have given up on acting proper and keeping his distance.

  “No. I don't think I could even if I wanted to. I was jealous and stupid, Inds. I nearly died without telling you how I feel. It would have been my biggest regret, not having you, not loving you. You're my life, Indy Stewart, my family, my everything and I was a fool. I just hope I am not too late. I love you. Always have and always will. Until the stars don't shine anymore, and the sun doesn’t rise, my heart beats for you.”

  My heart races, happiness like never before bursting to life in my chest. The world might be falling apart around us, but if that's what it takes for him to finally admit how he feels... I hate it all a little less.

  “You’re okay, I guess,” I say and bite my lip to hold in my smile.

  He groans, closing his eyes as if in pain, and I giggle.

  “Pikachu, I choose you?” I try again, uncomfortable with trying to articulate how I feel. He glares at me, and I let the giggle go and try to be serious.

  “I love you too, you big idiot. I don't know what I would do without you, I was so scared you were going to leave me,” I whisper.

  “I know, I regretted those words as soon as I had said them.” His eyes search mine, trying to make me feel the truth in his words.

  I close my eyes in pain, already wishing I could change how I feel.

  “Baby?”

  “I love you, I do. But it doesn't change how I feel about the others. I can't help it, I need them. It’s crazy and even I can't wrap my mind around it but…”

  “Indy.”

  I stop talking at his growl and look back into his eyes, hoping he won’t crush my heart. I wouldn't blame him if he did, what I’m saying is crazy.

  “If it takes accepting those idiots to have you, then I will. Maybe if I had made my move earlier, I wouldn’t have to, but I can't moan. I understand how easy it is to fall for you.” His left hand strokes my cheek gently as he holds me.

  My guilt is still riding me, as is the fear of losing him after only just getting him back. I wish I could say I will just walk away from the others, but my heart rebels at the idea.

  “What are you saying?” I demand, wanting to be very clear.

  “I’m saying we don't have the luxury of second guesses or petty jealousies. Not now. We need to work together to survive. I’m not promising you it will be easy. I will probably get jealous and punch someone, or flip out. But I will try. We are going to need each other to survive this planet,” he growls out most of it. like it pains him, but I know Barrott’s word is his law.

  I don’t hesitate now, I lean forward and press my lips to his. He grips the back of my hair, pulling enough to cause me to groan as he plunders my mouth. All the waiting, all the wondering has led to this moment. Being in his arms, admitting everything. It couldn't be any more perfect. He pulls away, and I try to chase him.

  “We should get back before they start to look for us,” he whispers. I’m happy to see his breathing heavy and his eyes slightly unfocused. Nodding sadly, I plant a quick kiss on his lips and stand up. As he leads me out of the bedroom, I look back at the little girl with a silent promise to not forget her, to come back and put her to rest. I promise her she won't be alone anymore.

  We search the other units, my heart breaking at each body until anger starts to burn in me for their pointless deaths. I vow to find out the truth of what happened.

  We have to make a few trips outside with our supplies until we have quite the little pile. Filled with sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, food, clothes and more. When we finish our search, we set our sights on getting to Control.

  It takes us ages to get to the door of flight control. Having to pass through burnt out hallways, gaps in the floor and closed barriers. The door stands shut, the only thing in the hallway that does. Of course, this wouldn't be easy.

  “How do we get in?” I ask, there's no power to the door scanner so I can't hack it, and it's not like we have permission to enter control.

  “Move, Inds,” Barrott grunts, turning, I blink as he and Cain have fashioned a battering ram. Cain grins as I slip back next to the brothers.

  It takes them over twenty tries, with the brothers switching out to help before the door smashes inwards. Barrott slips past the mangled mess then holds his hand out for me. I grab it, and he hauls me safely through, I offer him a smile before turning back to the room.

  I'm betting when it was functional it was amazing, it's every pilot's dream to be in here. I just never thought it would be like this. Where screens covered the whole curved front point, they now lay smashed on the floor. Lights hang down, with parts of the ceiling caved in. The comms and audio scanner desk is sparking, with the chairs lying broken on the sides. The captain's chair is burnt and the spinning level it sits on is broken and damaged. The two lower pilot’s seats are intact but the computers and screens look damaged.

  Tracking, weapons, and security to the right is a mess. The glass table and holo screen have a body laid over it. The cage where weapons used to sit is empty and the gate is hanging down. Overall, it looks like a nightmare, not the fresh new shiny control centre I saw on the introduction to pilots training. I lower my eyes when I see the dead crew members, the blood and gore making me freeze for a moment. The chances of me knowing anyone up here is higher than the level we searched, it makes me hesitant once again. Something I am not used to being.

  “You okay?” Cain asks, rubbing my back.

  Nodding, I hurry to the control panel on the left, where the second pilot would have sat. I flick on the system and almost cry when it doesn't work, surely it's got to. The flight centre is the most protected place in the whole ship with power being rerouted here in the case of an emergency. Frowning, I shimmy down under the control panel and check the wires, fusing a couple that have snapped. I pick my way through, meticulously checking for any issues. When I find no more, I crawl back out and try again.

  The screen flashes before going dark. Damn it. Sticking my hand back under I find one of the wires broken again. Using my hand to hold it together, I press the screen. It lights up this time, some of the pixels broken but still useable.

  I quickly turn on tracking and beacon mode, so that other ships in the area can find us and navigate back onto the home page. Frowning at the flashing icon, I press it. I can hear
the others murmuring as they work around the room but I focus on my task. I scroll through the communication with Earth log, trying to hold in my shock and horror at the scale of the rebels’ attacks. How could they keep this from us? One was sent as we crashed, and there is a half finished one waiting on the screen.

  TRANSMISSION LOG 00310

  DATE: 2032

  MISSION: 43, COLONY

  SHIP: DAWNBREAKER

  DESTINATION: AYAMA

  >…………… Accepted

  > The attack was an inside job. Someone high up has been aiding the rebels, they had access to our weapons and controls. Only ten people have the access codes. Do not trust Ha-

  The message cuts out, a blood smear marring the screen as if they typed it as they were dying. As a warning.

  I quickly click on the message which was sent, trying to ignore the panic the other created. When I realise what I'm seeing, I almost jump for joy.

  “Guys!”

  “What happened?”

  “You okay, speed demon?”

  “Tell me you're not hurt.”

  “Shh, and come here will you!” They all crowd around me, their heat seeping into me and distracting me. Shaking my head, I flick back over the message, checking I’m right.

  “They got a distress message out as we were going down. Earth and Ayama know where we are!”

  The voices blend together as they all celebrate. I turn, letting the wire go and the screen dies as Auden whoops and picks me up, spinning me around. A bang goes off, making him cover me and we all shut up and throw each other a look.

  “We don't know what the stability of the ship is like, we should leave,” Eldon says seriously, none of us fights him and we slowly make our way out of the skeleton of the ship. When I get outside, I almost laugh as my cat stalker sits wagging its tail at me.

  “It's getting dark, we are better setting up camp here and waiting to see if anyone else comes,” I offer, looking around as the sun gets lower, the light barely breaking through the trees. The guys nod and we all start to work together to get a camp together.