by Charles Nall
“Yes, sir.”
“Something is definitely wrong, though. Did you hear about the Osaka?” Tsukino asked.
“No? What? That's where I first learned to fly. Good people are on that ship,” Riko said.
“Were. Osaka is nothing but scrap. The official report is some sort of hyper-drive system malfunction. It went critical. I find this highly concerning, considering that the captain of the Osaka was refusing orders to assist us in our tests. We had to go without them.”
“That's horrible. They were good people! I was told they were having engine problems... by Captain Oshiro.”
The commander grimaced. “Well, he's under a lot of stress, right? He's getting some days mixed up. Or he's not telling you the truth. I will get to the bottom of this, I assure you. Do not trust anyone.”
A crewman walked by and the commander changed his tone. “And that's all, Lieutenant. Peace. Have a good day.”
The commander quickly walked away from the Kitsune. Riko looked down at her computer. All of the logs were downloaded from the fighter. She had an option of erasing the entire set of logs from the craft itself. Do not trust anyone. She deleted the logs off the Kitsune.
February 7, 0270 AC - 11:20
Turner's Salvage
Argolis, Artemis, Galactic Union Space
“Full of crystals,” Trevor Reynolds said.
“I'm not sure if I understand. Was it made out of crystals?” Jacob Carpenter asked.
“I looked up at the ship and it was just a kaleidoscope of shimmering crystalline structures. I'm not sure if it was made out of them or what. That's what I saw. There were figures watching me, too” Trevor said.
“What sort of figures?”
“I don't know how to describe them. It is hard to describe anything. They seemed to have roughly the same build as humans, slightly larger head, grayish purple skin. I don't know. Again, it's hard to describe this whole ordeal. No one believes me anyways. They did something to me and I will find them. I need answers. I need—”
Arnold Lawrence slammed a heavy box down on the table, startling both Jacob and Trevor.
“What's this?” Jacob asked.
“Burnt out components of the energy channel leads to the ion thruster. They are all mostly replaced,” replied Arnold, “We'll get Rapture going soon.”
Trevor sat up and started going through the pieces. “Is any of this worth anything?”
“Not likely,” said Arnold, “most of it is fried. Just need to haul it out to the compactor. I'm gonna go keep working on Rapture. Since you're staying here a little while longer and haven't paid rent yet, one of you could help me by taking this box to the compactor.”
Trevor quickly sat back down. “But I'm sitting down, sorry.”
Jacob stood up. “I thought you said it would be quick? Sharon really wanted to see this thing fly, and at this rate, we won't be able to. We're going to Exodus tomorrow.”
“I know, I know” said Arnold, “I probably won't have it finished. But Sharon could stay here, you know. I'll have Rapture up and running soon. That's a guarantee. There's no guarantee about Andromeda.”
Jacob shook his head. “She won't stay. She really wants to see her dad again, and who can blame her? We're both signed up for Andromeda. We're going. If you had to make her choose between a hunk of metal and her dad, I'm sure you know which one she'd pick.”
Trevor pulled out a computer from his pocket and opened it up. “Speaking of Sharon, where is she? Is she okay?”
“She's probably on the bridge of Rapture, still. That's where I last saw her. I wouldn't bother her. She has a tough decision ahead of her,” Arnold said.
“What?” Jacob said, “Tough decision? She made her decision! She's going with me!”
Arnold yelled, “She can always change her mind!”
Trevor looked at both of them. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, calm down. I'm trying to read something.”
Jacob shouted, “She's going to Andromeda with me!”
Arnold moved up into Jacob's face. “Her old man told her to say here. With me. I'll keep her safe. Not you. Who do you think you are just to pop in here one day and drag her away with you? Who do you think you are?”
“Who do I think I am? I'm not so sure, but I know I'm in love with her!”
“Oh boy,” said Trevor, moving his chair a bit further from the altercation.
“You are in love with her? You barely know her!” Arnold exclaimed.
“This isn't some competition between both of us. You had your chance if you wanted to get closer. How long have you known her?” Jacob asked.
“That doesn't matter, I wasn't expecting some urchin to steal her away! And for what? What do you have that I don't?”
“Look, let's calm down. It is not about you or me. It's about her dad or that rust-bucket!”
Arnold shoved Jacob. “It's not a eff'n rust-bucket!” shouted Arnold. “We put our blood and sweat into fixing her up! Which is more than you and her have ever done together.”
Jacob averted his eyes and under his breath said, “Well, I've gotten sweaty with her as well...”
Trevor looked up from his computer. “Uh oh.”
Arnold struck Jacob in the face with a devastating punch. Jacob fell backwards onto the concrete floor.
Arnold pointed at Jacob and snarled, “Listen here, Jake. I like you. You seem like an alright guy. But don't pretend you know that girl better than me. Don't pretend you know me. Get away from her. Go fly away to Andromeda, but don't expect her to go with you. Now take this garbage to the compactor and get out of my face before I throw you in the compactor too.”
Arnold walked away from the table. Jacob struggled to stand.
Trevor put his computer away. “Jake, I'd be careful. Everyone's emotions are high. I think I am regretting staying here on Artemis. If you and Sharon go to another galaxy, I'll probably not hear the end of it from Arnold. I need to get out of here.”
Jacob grabbed the heavy box of parts and barely could pick it up. “Trevor. Be quiet.”
Trevor nodded. “You're the boss.”
Jacob carried the box outside the hangar to a compactor. He struggled with the weight and then dropped the box onto the ground. He cursed and attempted to pick it back up.
“Lift with your legs, not your back,” called out a voice behind him.
Jacob turned around.
The voice continued, “Ouch. Someone just punch you in the face? Knowing you, you probably deserved it.”
“Teresa? What are you still doing on this rock?” asked Jacob, “What about the Union? Are they still after you?”
Teresa Day laughed. “Probably. I'm sure Akeldamas is still on the hunt for me.”
“The admiral?”
“Yes. He's part of something dark in our government. He's not be trusted, and I believe he'll have something to do with the destruction of Exodus.”
“What?”
“He has his filthy hands in projects that I am too disgusted to mention. Projects that would horrify you. Unfortunately, he has Jerry in his pockets. I think Exodus will be destroyed. Don’t go to Exodus.”
“What? Jerry couldn't do that. Do you have any proof anyways? Why would Akeldamas destroy Exodus? Why would Jerry help?” Jacob asked.
“You can commit suicide if you want. When I saw Jerry bleeding when he was talking to me, I knew there was something wrong. Akeldamas has a project that, well, controls people. Bleeding is one of the side effects. I'm being serious, I'm sparing you the grisly details. Akeldamas will use Jerry to destroy Exodus. Do not go,” Teresa urged.
“This is hilarious,” Jacob said as he tried to lift the box.
Teresa Day grabbed the box of parts and heaved it into the compactor easily. “Look, Jacob. I've heard terrible rumors. Jerry Turner was chosen because he's connected to me. He's connected to the Confederation. Jerry is the scapegoat. I want you to stay away from the front lines tomorrow. When I saw your names on the passenger list I knew I had to save you bot
h. You and Sharon need to stay away from Exodus. Save yourselves.”
“There are other passengers! Why don't you let them know too!” Jacob exclaimed.
“There is already riots. There's been sabotage rumors for months. If I reveal this information it will be even easier for Akeldamas to pin it on me. Look, I can't stay here long, they're still looking for me. Please promise me you won't go. Trust me. I can't prevent the destruction of Exodus. I wish I could. But I can prevent some loss of life, even if it is only two souls.”
“Even if you’re right, how will I convince Sharon? How do I change her mind now? It's a day away and she misses her dad already.”
“I don't know how you will convince her, but you must if you want her to live. That's not all, though. They will connect Sharon to her dad when Exodus blows, and then none of you will be safe. Take that corvette and get out of here. Silver Cove is safe. Maybe you don't want to be a mercenary but you could lay low there for a while. If Captain Hawk gives you any trouble just tell him I sent you, call him an idiot if he refuses,” Teresa said as she scanned the skies.
“What? Listen, Teresa, I appreciate it, but we–”
The rumble of an aircraft interrupted Jacob. A low flying aircraft flew over the hangar and a spotlight moved across the ground. The spotlight came across Jacob. He shielded his eyes. The spotlight moved away and the aircraft flew off into the distance.
“Teresa?”
Jacob looked around for Teresa. She was gone.
Jacob entered the hangar and saw Arnold approaching. Arnold called out to Jacob, “Hey, sorry. I crossed a line.”
“It's massive, man. It's all good,” assured Jacob, “When can you get Rapture up and running? I just, uh, talked to Teresa and she told me that Exodus is going to be destroyed. We have to get out of here.”
Trevor overheard and walked toward them. “What? Teresa was here? Where–”
“Don't be messing with me now, man. What about Jerry? We gotta tell him to get off that boat,” Arnold said.
“No, it's not like that,” Jacob said. “She told me Admiral Akeldamas is controlling him somehow. I don't understand, either. The main thing is that me and Sharon can't go and we all need to get out of here. They'll connect the crime to us. We have to get out.”
“And you believed Teresa?” Trevor asked.
“I believed her.”
Arnold shrugged. “We can't just get out of here. You were right, Jake, Sharon won't listen. She won't stay. She'd rather go with her dad to Andromeda. She won't believe anything you say.”
“She'll go where I go.”
“I wouldn't be so sure,” Arnold continued, “she has her heart set on that trip across the universe. I'm a fool. There's no reason she'd choose Rapture over Jerry. I'm sorry, guys. I really screwed up.”
Trevor pat Arnold's back. “You didn't screw up, big guy. Everything is fine. Jacob can take a hit.”
“No, not that,” Arnold admitted, “I haven't been working that hard on Rapture. The damage wasn't that severe. I just thought maybe if Rapture was grounded, she'd stay here with me.”
Jacob angrily glared at Arnold.
“Listen, yes, I know, I screwed up. I can have Rapture working by tomorrow. There's no way she'll agree. I barely agree. The destruction of Exodus? There's no way,” Arnold said.
“Jake, how do we know we can trust Teresa? How do we know this really will go down?” Trevor asked.
“That's the thing,” Jacob said, “I have no idea. Why would she lie? At this point we have to make a decision to escape Artemis or for everyone just to do what we were planning on doing. Even if we don't die on Exodus, who is to say what Andromeda will bring? Do we really want to take that risk? I have no idea what to do, guys.”
Arnold nodded. “It's going to be tough. Everything just got a lot more complicated. You should talk to Sharon. See what she wants to do. No matter what, you'd follow her if you really love her, right?”
Jacob sighed. “I think so. I hope I would.”
“Go talk to her,” Trevor insisted.
“Yeah, I should discuss this with her. Arnold, get that ship working. We may need it soon.”
“Sure thing, Jake. If we truly need to run away from here, where will we be going?”
“Teresa told me a place that is safe. You guys may not like it, but it's the only idea I have so far. We'll figure it out. When I first met Teresa she told me Exodus was a bad idea. Maybe I should have stayed on Urbania.”
Trevor smirked. “Really? Sharon doesn't live on Urbania.”
Arnold stared down Trevor.
Trevor continued, “Or Arnold or me! We're a new family! We stick together.”
“We stick together,” Jacob echoed.
Jacob entered Rapture and made his way through the ship. He climbed the ladder and raised himself up onto the bridge. He saw Sharon in the captain's chair. Her shapely face was stained with tears. Her eyes were closed tightly and she rocked back and forth in the chair slowly.
“Captain?”
She opened her eyes and looked toward Jacob. She cracked a smile. “I'm not the captain.”
“You should be.”
“What does it matter? I'm not going to fly Rapture. I'm off to another galaxy,” Sharon whined.
Jacob walked up next to the chair and put his hand on her shoulder. She placed her hand on his.
Jacob cooed, “You may still fly her.”
“It doesn't matter. I've accepted the fact I'm leaving.”
“Let's say you chose a different path. A path where you could, well, captain this ship.”
“A fantasy. Also, I am no captain. I want to see her fly, but I'd rather keep her running rather than the crew.”
“You help keep me running. You are the reason for my existence. I can't live without you.”
Sharon leaned her head against Jacob's hand.
“Well, we're gonna see Andromeda,” Sharon said.
“What if I told you I wanted to stay here in this galaxy with you, with Rapture?” Jacob asked.
“I would be confused. And sad about my dad.”
“He told me to keep you here. He wanted you to stay, and not go with him. Perhaps we should stay. Maybe– ”
Sharon slapped Jacob across the face. “We decided together! You can't make me stay now!”
“I'm sorry, Teresa came by and told me about the admiral and–”
“Teresa? Don't trust her, she's a criminal. She ran with my dad back in the day when he associated with the wrong crowd. Why would you trust her? You don't know her.”
“I just do.”
“Why? She wanting you to stay for any reason? Do you want her instead of me?”
“It's not like that all,” Jacob insisted.
Sharon screeched, “We were supposed to go to Andromeda then some other girl tells you to stay so you try to convince me to stay? I can't leave my dad!”
Jacob apologized, “Listen, Sharon, I'm sorry. I don't think it's safe. I'm sorry. We just should not go. ”
“You mean Teresa doesn't think it's safe. Teresa doesn't want you to go,” Sharon said.
“I trust her. Something bad is going to happen.”
Sharon got up from the chair in a huff. “You believe her? No. I'm not staying here. You can't tempt me with Rapture or some rumor of something bad happening. We've heard those rumors for months now. You can't tempt me.”
“And what if I stay?” Jacob asked.
Sharon started climbing down the ladder. “Then it's through. It's over. You can't tempt me. I'm going to Andromeda.”
Sharon continued down the ladder, Jacob followed right behind her. “Sharon!”
“Leave me alone, Jacob.”
Jacob pursued her, following her down the ship hall. “I will not watch you die! Sharon, wait. Sharon Rose!”
“Leave me alone.”
Jacob grabbed Sharon's arm, she turned and slapped him again. “I said leave me alone. Get out of my life!”
Jacob held his face in pain. “I
didn't want to tell you this, but, please.”
“Get away!” yelled Sharon as she kept moving away from Jacob.
“Sharon!” called out Jacob, “Something dark has some sort of control over Jerry. He's going to destroy Exodus. They are going to pin the blame on him. Then they'll just keep blaming people connected to him.”
“No, he couldn't do that. He wouldn't.”
“Then they will blame everyone connected to Jerry. They'll blame me, they'll blame Teresa, they'll blame the Confederation. That's bad enough but the Union is going to connect you to tragedy, too, Sharon. I can't let anything happen to you. Even if there's a small chance you'll be hurt I can't go along with it. Please. Stay with me in this galaxy,” pleaded Jacob.
Sharon sneered, “I can't believe you'd stoop that low, Jacob. You are blaspheming my family? To get what you want? You don't want to hurt me? You are hurting me right now! You are devastating me! Claiming my father is going to destroy Exodus. Get a hold of yourself. Get the hell away from me.”
“Sharon! He's being controlled. He can't help it. He wants you to stay. You heard him. Please. Please stay. I can't lose you.”
“Too late. You lost me, Jacob.” Sharon ran down the hall.
Jacob collapsed onto the plated floor. A mixture of rage, sadness, confusion, and regret washed over him.
February 8, 0270 AC - 11:25
Skyrift's Quarters, USS Freedom
Orbiting Artemis, Galactic Union Space
“Come in,” Lieutenant Commander Ember Skyrift said.
Skyrift's quarters were not lavishly furnished. The room was a bit larger than a normal crew member's quarters, since she was part of the command staff, but not nearly as large as the commanding and executive officer’s. Skyrift was meditating on a multicolored rug that was laid out in the middle the room. One of her hands was on her chest, the other on a globe of Earth that was resting next to the rug. Skyrift was bald; a wig with straight red hair sat on the floor in front of Skyrift.
Lieutenant Ashara Cinderflake entered the quarters. “Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were–”
Skyrift smiled and kept her eyes closed. “It's no issue. Terra does not mind.”
“Terra.” Cinderflake walked up to Skyrift and sat down next to her. “Do you actually believe that stuff?”