by J. M. Hagan
"It felt like five minutes, right?"
"Yeah. Even though it was six hours."
"Six hours of rest a day is good for humans," Europa chirped in. "Especially after a traumatic event."
"Damn. We had a lot of those yesterday," said Jack, grinning. His spirits faded quickly.
“I still can’t absorb this,” said Anderson, shaking his head. He ran hands down his cheeks and stared off into the corner blankly. “I just can’t. My head is fried.”
“It’s a lot to take in, you’re right. But we don’t have a choice here,” Jack offered, trying to console his friend, even though he needed some consoling of his own. "Okay, Europa, you said you wanted to show us around? Lead the way."
They were shown the kitchen first, and taught how to use the service point. Europa explained that she was going to teach them the common language of the Rovian Federation.
Jack sniggered disbelief. "I can't remember a thing I learnt from French class, except Bonjour, Ca mon te pel tu, and, ole tu fromais. Actually, I learnt that last one from Dexter’s laboratory. How the heck am I gonna learn to speak alien?"
"You will. And you will learn to read and write, too.“
"...Excellent."
After food, they went and saw the command bridge for themselves. As they ascended the short ramp, Jack's attention was captured by a dozen blinking lights. Blue and orange screens. Sounds of computations. Then his gaze wandered to the window in front of the controls.
For the first time in his life, he laid eyes on space, and it felt like his chest was floating. Nearby stars appeared like bright dandelion seeds drifting in the night sky as they flew at what must have been an incredible speed.
Ahead of them was a dark blue ringed planet, and a flaming golden sun. A veil of stars upon a dark canvas that thrust his curiousity. In an instant, he forgot that he had ever been a terrestrial being. He lost all concept of self, every worry, and his perceptions seemed forever changed as he gazed on the imperceptably gigantic reaches of space.
Time was gone, as the dreamy sounds of the engines, and the computations in the background, took him to the edge of infinity.
"This is...amazing..."
Jack hurried to the window. But his eyes quickly wandered to the pilot's chair. I can fly...I can explore the heavens. There were sticks on the chair that looked like they were right out of an arcade.The screen in front of the chair had a grid layout overlapping the view to the outside.
"Europa, when can I start flying this baby?" he demanded, his body tingling all over.
"Upon completion of basic flight, you may fly with limitations. Those limitations will be removed upon completion of Advanced Flight."
"Can I start basic flight today?" he questioned, like a kid asking his mom if Santa would bring that big present he wanted.
"Yes. But only after your meeting with Cane."
"...Excellent."
They moved on to Deck-D where they knew they were going to be presented with something fascinating, given what they had heard about the holo-chamber. Unlike the other decks on the ship, when they came down the ramp, they weren’t presented with a long corridor that had rooms either side. On this deck, there was a door on the right, and a door ahead of them.
“To your right, is the audience suite. From there, you may spectate what is going on in the HC,” said Europa. The door ahead of them opened, and to their surprise they heard birdsong, and saw rolling green hills dappled with golden sunlight. My God… “This is a relaxation program. It would be best if you adjusted to virtual worlds before moving on to your training.”
“Incredible,” sighed Anderson, his mouth agape. The look in his eyes was that of someone who had sat at the foot of God. I knew this would get him wet.
They were astonished when they stepped inside and tread on the grass. The door shut behind them, and a light wind lifted Claudia’s hair. “How is this possible?” she asked.
“They’re light-years ahead of us,” said Jack. “We’re like cavemen to these people.”
*
When they entered the briefing room, Cane outstretched his good arm as he approached them. "Cane, understands the Earth custom of handshaking," Europa relayed, and Jack smirked, putting his hand across for a shake. He got a tad red.
"Hey," he said.
Cane said something back, smiling at him. He shook all their hands, then waved at the chairs. They sat and he took the chair at the head of the long table. The fair skinned man spoke, and Europa translated.
"From now, Cane, will merely type his questions and responses to save time. I will continue to act as translator.“
Cane raised his hand and thought for a moment. "I am learning to speak your language," he said, in his strange accent. Wow.
The glow of his computer screen lit up his face blue. His fingers got busy tapping the touchscreen keyboard.
“We have covered everything concerning your mission,” said Europa. “Cane, has been working hard on coming up with a training and learning schedule for you that you will have to follow each day.”
“I feel like we’ve just joined an academy or something,” muttered Jack.
“In essence, we have. Something tells me none of this will be easy,” emphasised Anderson. He took off his glasses and set them on the table, then sat back with his arms folded like he meant business.
“Cane, has been waiting for this moment since we first made contact with the Future-Europa. There is a restricted audio message that has been sent along that is locked to your voice pattern, Jack.”
“How do I open it?”
“I have the file prepped. Just say the word unlock.”
He eyed his friends, and they willed him to proceed. Jack swallowed. “Unlock…”
The audio began playing immediately.
“I’ll give you the short version – this is everything that happened. We didn’t learn this ourselves until a while later, of course.”
That was Jack’s voice! Just a little gruffer than it was now. Jack grimaced. That’s me…? This is surreal.
“Earth’s population was halved within six months. It was caused by the deadly virus, unleashed by, Amataius. The time-drive was damaged when Europa exited that wormhole. We needed to reach Plysar to get it fixed, before we could go back and stop Amataius from launching that missile – that was our mission. We were humanity’s only hope. While all of this was happening to Earth, we were journeying through space. Then the war began, just when we were getting close to the Gateway that would bring us to the Plysarian systems. We wound up stuck in Federation space, just like most other people, restricted to a few planets by the surrounding military blockades. We begged them, but they wouldn’t give us any form of special dispensation. We had to bide our time, make a living – all the while, believing that our home was dead. We’ve since learnt the truth of what happened after we set out. In our absence, another alien race – the Overseers, mean little bastards – visited Earth, and not for the first time. Seven months after the virus started killing people, they made first contact. They gave humanity a cure they had been working on as a showing of good faith. People back home looked on them as saviours, and who could blame them? The Overseers told a sob story about how they were hunted to extinction by the Federation, and then painted them as the bad guys to everyone on Earth. They told people the Federation was interested in expanding their reach to the Sol system. People believed war was coming. Every nation banded together. Peace reigned on Earth. They got them to start building ships using Overseer tech. After a few years, with almost a billion people working around the clock, they had already regained most of the fleet they lost in the war with the Federation eighty years previous, and they also had an army of fired-up human soldiers at their disposal.”
Jack ran hands through his hair and then dropped arms on the table. This is insane. He’s…I’m…talking about stuff that hasn’t happened yet, in the past tense. Our whole planet was duped into helping the bad guys? Man…what are we up against here? He
looked at his sullen friends. Me, Claudia, and Anderson? How the hell can we be expected to do any of this?
“Then…the Overseers, and Earth, joined forces with, Vorjool. They helped him turn the tide of the war. The long siege ended, as the Overseer fleet flanked the Federal forces. Earth soldiers assaulted bases and massacred innocents. The whole Federation crumbled in a matter of months. Billions of lives lost, and trillions more hanging in the balance, they turned their sights on the Ishar Empire. As of right now, twelve years ahead of your time, the galaxies are living through the darkest days anyone has ever known. We had to join the fight. Starmen Deputies joined together with us to help the Federation – only a handful made it for as long as we have, though. A few that remained, our friends, helped us make it to Plysar, where we tracked down some of Venec’s scientists. They rebuilt the time-drive for us, finally. By then, we’d already come up with our plan.”
It took twelve years for something they should’ve accomplished in less than a year. My God…we must have been heartbroken…
“We’re gonna destroy the Overseers – every last one of the fuckers.”
There was deep seeded anger below his tone. He said it so sharply, and with conviction; Jack knew he’d hear him saying it over and over in the times ahead. That’s me right there, and I’ve never hated anyone that much. It takes a lot, to get that kind of a reaction from me.
“As for you lot…you’re gonna kill, Vorjool. Without him, none of this would’ve happened in the first place. Believe me, I know how hard this is for all of you. All of this was forced on us, too, just like it’s being forced on you now. If you don’t wanna spend your best years out in the galaxies, then you’ve gotta take him out. If all goes to plan on our end, then you won’t have to worry about the Overseers, either.”
“Claudia,” they heard a girl cry suddenly. Then a cough followed. Claudia went ghost-white. Holy crap, that’s her? “Jack, stop hogging the mic.”
“Sorry. Go ahead.”
“Thanks. Claudia, don’t be afraid. That goes for you, too, Mark. Please. Just believe in yourselves.”
Claudia and Anderson both welled up like it had been commanded of them. How come I didn’t say anything to encourage myself? Damn. I’m an asshole.
“That’s right,” came Anderson’s voice next. “All three of us, we’re the best Starmen left for a reason. Oh, and by the way, don’t let Jack intimidate you. You will always be the better pilot, and Claudia will always be the best shot!”
Jack’s face dropped, while Anderson let out some sudden laughter, and Claudia joined him.
“Give me back the damn mic,” Future-Jack grumbled. Just right, me! “We’re not supposed to tell them stuff that isn’t necessary, remember? We don’t wanna screw with time any more than we already have! Ugh. Okay. Good voyage…”
At that, the audio cut out.
“Playback complete,” said Europa.
“Jesus. That was surreal,” Jack declared, falling back in his seat.
Claudia had got some of the colour back in her cheeks. “I’m the best shot?”
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
“Yeah? Let’s see how things go tomorrow, Jack.”
Starmen
Part 3
The Mission
“We’re gonna destroy the Overseers – every last one of the fuckers.”
Old Jack
13
Location: Delta-9
The Federation that once stretched galaxies had lost all but a few worlds. Delta-9, being the farthest cityscape from the conflict had been relatively untouched so far. A lot of his friends that survived the war had moved here.
As people went about their daily lives, you’d have been forgiven for forgetting that the galaxies were in peril.
Just above his eye line was a haze of bright colours from the billboards flashing overhead. The skies of Delta-9 were overrun with hover car traffic as usual. Beneath a black clouded sky for twenty hours a day, the streets were always humming with the glow of fluorescent lights.
Here we are…the last stop I’ll ever make on a Delta world.
It was a small door in the street beneath a sign that fit on top and read Dex’s in flashing red bulbs. A gallery of bright windows displayed the priciest stock. All of it tech of some form. Most notably, the newest model of PDP. He was definitely getting one of those first, before he took care of the real business.
He had long, dark hair that was soaked with rain water, a dark layer of stubble trickled by it. His clothes were covered with leathers and straps that were worn from use. Jack was dripping when he entered Dex’s shop. He shook himself off a little at the door.
“Good evening, sir,” greeted the robot receptionist. “How may I be of service this evening?”
“Got a towel?”
The robot paused. Then its grill lit up as it spoke. “Are you planning on staying for a browse, sir?”
“Yeah. I just don’t wanna drip all over the place. I’m thinking of buying a new PDP.”
“Excellent, sir,” it exalted gleefully. “One moment please.”
The robot’s mechanical legs sounded as it stepped out back to the staff toilets. It returned with a very small hand towel.
“What’s this? A face cloth?”
“I am sorry, sir. I regret to inform you – that is the best which I can do.”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck and hair, then he dried his face, chin, and chest. The robot waited patiently until he handed the moist towel back.
“Now, sir, how about I show you the latest, greatest, in PDP hardware?” it asked happily.
Nothing I detest more than a sale’s pitch. “Not necessary. I’ll take the new one. The one that can morph into a drone. With the remote included.”
“Ah. The PDP 62.2! An excellent choice, sir! That particular model comes with many incredible updates, both in software and hardware. You will have increased processing power, storage –“
“Cut the damn sales pitch.”
“ – space…”
“I’m already gonna buy one. I’ve gotta see, Dex, too.”
“I see,” the robot said, sounding disappointed. “Why, might I ask, are you wishing to speak with the owner?”
“We’re old friends. Tell him, Jack Murphy, is here to see him, and it’s about business.”
“At once, sir.”
It went over to the counter. Jack clicked his fingers, and the robot turned. “PDP first, encase I forget.”
“Yes, sir,” the robot said, hurrying to the stock room.
Once he’d rang it up, the robot led Jack toward the back of the store. The part that was only open to Starmen like him. As he went, Jack was busy playing with his new toy. He was transferring all his data over from his current PDP, while playing the new hologram platformer.
Ede the horned Baska – the gargantuan hulk of motherly muscle was a little different to the cute game characters he grew up with. The principles of the game were the same, lots of jumping and searching for items, although it involved a lot more smashing, bone crunching, and devouring than Super Mario.
“Excuse me, sir?”
Jack grunted in reply, hopping over a body of water filled with leaping fish that bit the air. Don’t you dare nibble on my tail, you sea-dwelling bastards!
“Sir, could you possibly give me a good review when you speak to the owner?”
Jack paused his game mid-jump. “Huh?”
“I would like for you to give my employer a good review concerning our transaction. I wouldn’t ask, honestly, but I am worried about my future. I have made several mistakes recently.”
“Mistakes?” Jack asked. Half-tempted to continue playing, he bit his lip.
“Yes. I fell on top of a customer.”
Jack sniggered, then stopped himself. “Oh, no. Was someone hurt?”
“Galaxies, no. But…I did break through a glass display case with my head.” Jack sniggered abruptly again. “The owner has threatened to power me down, and replace me.”<
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“Well, if you’re broke, you’re broke,” Jack said definitively. He switched on his game again, and continued the unending fun of running, jumping, and stomping on hideous small creatures with ginger fur. “Besides, you didn’t even have to sell me this. I knew what I wanted when I walked in.”
“Please, sir, I beg you. If your word carries any weight with the owner, could you please tell him that I am worth keeping around,” it begged, its fingers trembling steeples. Jack paused his game.
“Wow. You’re really bothered about this.”
“Yes, sir, I love every nook and cranny of this store. I even spend time examining it inch by inch, just for fun.”
“Yeah, well, each to their own. But…I’m not gonna turn my back on someone when they need my help. Even if it is a rust-bucket. Consider it a deal, my friend. What should I tell him?”
The robot halted, its eyes lit up bright. “Addressing the owner: Sir, I would like to inform you that this particular robot is very good at his job. Not only was his customer service exemplary, but there isn’t a spot of rust on him. He is pleasant in his dealings, and he does a mighty fine job of cleaning every speck of dust in the store. If I were you, I would keep him around for years to come. Perhaps, I would even leave him in my will to my successor.”
The robot reverted to his normal state. Jack blinked when he was done, and gave an unsure nod of compliance. “Whatever you say, man.”
“Sir, you are the most marvellous customer I have ever had. I shall remember the name, Jack Murphy, for all time.”
“Sweet. What I always wanted – my own robot fan…”
They entered Dex’s office. He stood behind his desk looking out the window, with grey lines of smoke surrounding the florescent lighting pouring in through the window.
“Sir, your old friend, Jack Murphy, is here to see you,” the robot declared, sounding so pleased it was annoying.
Dex nodded at him. “Jack.”
Jack grinned. “Man, this robot is crap. You should shut him down.”
The robot froze. Dex stared questioningly at them both.