Worlds Without End: The Mission (Book 1)
Page 14
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Three Months Later. March 25, 2042 - Approaching Mars ?
Jake was engrossed in reading a set of scriptures that Ashley had given him for Christmas. He was lying on his bed with his left arm propped up by his elbow and holding the book open with his right hand.
Even though he didn't know for sure if God actually existed, he continued to keep the promise he had made to Ashley of reading the scriptures daily. What was surprising to him was that he was beginning to feel that maybe, just maybe, there was a God and that God was watching out for him and his father. Every time he thought about it, chills would shoot up and down his spine, leading him to think that he was being guided. But then his logical side would take over, telling him that it wasn't possible. After all, he was a pilot, trained to rely on his own senses, not some unforeseen spirit. Nonetheless, he still questioned, and that was what terrified him the most.
Suddenly, the communicator to Jake's quarters buzzed, snapping him out of his daydream.
"Come in."
The door to Jake's quarters slid open. Skip walked in with a smile on his face.
Jake gave him a curious look. "What are you so happy about?"
Skip grabbed the chair located next to Jake's desk, turned it around, and sat, resting his forearms on its back. "Ah, reading the Bible, huh?"
"Yeah, I promised Ashley that I would."
Skip seemed to perk up a bit with the mention of Ashley. "Your cousin? Oh, she's a looker."
Jake smiled and said, "She's what ? twelve years younger than you?"
Skip cocked his head to one side. "Hey, I know beauty when I see it. In fact, I think after this mission is over, I may just ask her out."
Jake's body stiffened. Even though Ashley was constantly teasing or insulting him, he still wanted to protect her. "Over my dead body," he retorted.
Skip laughed. "Hey, that can be arranged. We're in space, after all."
Jake chuckled. "Shut up."
After a few seconds of laughing, Skip changed the subject. "So, have you found Jesus yet?" he asked with a nod of his head toward the scriptures on Jake's bed.
Jake looked up, his joy quickly turning to discouragement. "Trust me, Skip. I've been a around God my whole life. My family is extremely faithful, so you would think I would have found him. But ? the only thing that God has brought me is pain and suffering. He took my mom and dad away when I was young. And he killed my Aunt Diane, even though I prayed nonstop for her to survive her cancer. Why would God do that? In my opinion, He's either a hateful, vengeful God, or He doesn't exist at all."
Skip quickly stood up and pushed the chair he was sitting in to the side, surprising Jake. "Don't you dare speak about God that way! He loves you more than you know. We weren't placed on Earth just to get by. We are challenged to make us stronger. You, being in the military, should know that more than anyone. Look at your Brother, Jesus; he suffered for you and me. He suffered more than anyone in the history of our planet-"
Skip stopped, and tears poured out of his eyes.
Jake was speechless. He didn't know what to say. Whenever he offended God or tried to deny His existence to his uncle, Kevin would simply try to console Jake and reassure Jake of God's existence. But not Skip. Here stood a close friend, almost a brother, rebuking Jake for his lack of faith and ignorance.
Skip quickly regained his composure and spoke in a softer tone. "Jesus suffered for you. He suffered so you could return to live with your mom, dad, and Aunt Diane again. If it wasn't for Him and your Father in Heaven, we would be lost forever. So you better get your faith back quick, Jake, because you're going to need it during this mission."
Before he could respond, Jake heard the voice of Taylor Young, the third member of his crew, through the comlink in his ear.
"Jake?"
Jake, still looking at Skip like a scolded child, cleared his throat. "Wh ? What is it, Taylor?"
"Jake, we're approaching Mars."
"All right. We'll be right there."
Jake reached under his bed, pulled out his backpack, unzipped it, and placed his scriptures in it. Both men walked into the corridor in silence.