He lied to me! I couldn't believe it. The look in my father's eyes when I turned the corner told it all. I didn't even want an explanation, I just ran out the door. He ran after me with all his might but I didn't look back. I just kept running, and running, till suddenly, I couldn't anymore and fell into the grass.
Dad finally caught up. He didn't say anything, he just sat down next to me. He shifted his body until I found myself laying on his lap, looking into the stars, staring at the mother planet our moon orbits as it shines down on us. Its blue and yellow bands of alternating clouds stretch across its sky, allowing us to witness its full beauty. I reminisced on the nights we would have together. When the skies were clear and the stars were bright, we'd travel to the most remote part of the yard and stargaze to our heart's content. I loved it. It was the first thing I looked forward to as the night began. Today was different however. The entire mood was soured as I laid there. I couldn't hold back my tears. I held on to him as tight as I could, hoping my grip could be enough to keep him from moving.
"Please don't go! Don't leave again!" I begged.
"Oh, Demi," he said as he looked into the sky. "My sweet little girl. My little white light. It's going to be ok."
He tried to be gentle to help ease the tension, but I could feel rain over the back of my neck as I bury myself into his chest. I could tell by the clear night that it wasn't rain and he took a long deep breath, trying as hard as he could to compose himself as he pushed me away at arm's length, looking at me eye to eye. His body language was stern and composed. His movement was calculated and controlled, like any army man. But his eyes told a different story. They were sad and weeping. They told of how heartbroken he was and how much he really wanted to stay. As I look back on it now, I think he knew he had no choice and I think deep down, I knew too. Trying as hard as he could to hold in his thoughts, he said, "I will never leave you, but I have to do this one last mission, and I will be done. I promise."
"You promise?" I asked.
He reaches over and presses against my chest with his finger. As I looked onto him, the sadness had spread throughout his entire body. He couldn't hide it anymore.
"Demi…" he whispered.
He gently stands me back up and walks me home. A house in the middle of long flat planes stretching into the distance. The duo set of moons could be seen along the horizon ready to greet the early night. Our house is modest. It was simple for a family of three, but it was enough. Greeting us at the door were two gentlemen in suits. They could be seen quite a distance away as the outfits glow along the seams. The suits were black but the glow was a bright blue. As my father greets them, I stood next to my mother, who held me in her arms. She seems to have no emotion, like she was preparing for this moment from the beginning. Father reaches over and gives her a final kiss. She whispers something to him, though I was unsure what she said, then he kneels to me. I was trying my best to hold my tears again. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring. It was old and looked kind of rusted, but the rock on top shined like no other. It was shaped in a small cube and bounced the light off one of the gentlemen's suits, glowing so bright it was almost blinding. He reaches for my hand and gently opens it, placing the ring inside.
"What is it?" I asked.
"This…is very important to me. It has been in my family for generations. I was going to give it to you on your 25th birthday but…"
"Why are you giving it to me now?"
He looks at me and smiles. I could tell he was lying. I didn't know about what, but something didn't sit right.
"As insurance and a promise."
"Of what?"
Before he could answer, one of the men calls out to him. "Burk, it's time to go." He said.
Ignoring them, he looks me dead in the eyes. The pain he was feeling at the moment was as clear as day. The tears had taken over again. He quickly reaches over and kneels down to me.
"Do you remember what the head of the family named you?"
"The star?"
"That's right. The star of Nassa. I need you to be that star today, Demi. For your mother and for the family. Shine a light forward and be the future of the Clan."
"Dad, you're talking like I'll never see you again-."
"-No!" He yells suddenly. "No, we will. Cross my heart…"
He hugs me one last time and leaves with the men as they follow behind him. I screamed as loud as I could, hoping he could hear, hoping he would change his mind and that he's making a mistake, but it was all in vain. The ship lifts off the ground, sending huge plumes of dirt into the air and throwing it into my eyes. As I wipe away the dust, I can make out the white light soaring away into the sky, never to be seen again.
20 years would pass since that day and I am left staring into a wall, emotionless. I have only just returned from leave to honor him, yet it felt like too short of time has gone by. The room gently rocks back and forth, and the taste of recycled air fills my lungs. As I look into my faded reflection on the wall, I notice a faint blue hue in my short silver hair. It was cut low to my shoulders and the light came from the window next to me facing out into the blue folded space. The same color reflects off my purple eyes, the result of rare family genetics, and brown skin. My height is pretty average though I am small in both build and stature compared to my peers. My black military outfit tried its best to absorb the light. The suit was a culmination of a buttoned shirt inside of a heavy suit and a black custom skirt to match. All that was left was dad's ring as it started to glow a bright blue. I wore on my left hand for good luck, not that I believed it though.
A folder sat in my hand and my new orders were contained inside. I've been promoted to commander and have been ordered to investigate a distress signal. First, I have to return back to the RNS Boseman. A large battleship, part of the Rose fleet in low orbit around a joint military planet near the border of Sulis, our neighboring country. I used to be on that ship before I got reassigned. The shuttle I am on is on its way back. I exit the restroom in the rear of the ship and make my way forward toward my seat. The other passengers on the shuttle were extremely eager soldiers, ready to make their mark on the universe. Most were confused as they sat in their seats. Some blankly stare out the window and the rest shiver in their seats. As I sit down, a gentleman walks through the sliding metal doors in the ship's front. He whispers into the ear of a man in front of me and exits back through that same door. The other man then stands up and walks into the aisle. He had this presence about him that made your skin crawl, and I almost wanted to back away further into my seat.
"Good afternoon, stargazers." He yells, "My name is Harrin Burlocke. I will be your head of security for as long as you are here. Welcome to hell!"
A light chuckle flutters throughout the ship. The man walks up and down the aisles, staring into everyone's eyes.
"The republic has called for troops, and you have answered that call. Congratulations on your training. In approximately one minute, we will arrive at our destination, the RNS Boseman. The newest ship in the Rose fleet. You will serve it and his capital ship, the Rosa. You will give him your everything! Is that understood?"
"Yes sir!" Everyone yelled in unison.
"When the ship lands, everyone is to stand in a single file line and are to exit only when I tell you to! You will split into two groups on the ground. Officers to my right, everyone else to my left, is that understood?"
"Yes sir!" Everyone yelled in unison.
The man makes eye contact with me and smirks before returning back to his seat. I didn't know what that was for, but I didn't find out either as the ship began to violently shake.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, hell awaits. Welcome to Elara!"
Space begins to warp and bend around us until it eventually returns to its original form. The rattling around me grew louder and louder until it was unbearable then…silence. A deafening silence at that. The ship violently exits jump space. The sheer force from the jump flung everyone forward before immediately being yanked back. There is some slight commotion and shock from the jump as I look down onto our destination, the planet Elara. Its rings soaring high into the sky, gracing us with its beautiful blue colors and bands. The planet itself was full of clouds and wonder.
It's strange though, I couldn't tell at first glance that this was a military planet, but it isn't until we get closer we can see the thousands of ships entering and exiting the atmosphere. High above the clouds, the Rose fleet could be seen. A culmination of eight ships, including the massive one in the center. Its hull stretched so far into the horizon that you would almost lose sight of it. Its cannons line across the top and sides of the ship and its cannons were the width of the entire shuttle.
I am able to spot my ship in the distance. It sat slightly above the rear of the Rosa and was incredibly small in comparison. The shuttle accelerates toward the hanger, slightly above the top of the ship. The name 'Boseman' could be seen written along the back wall of the hanger but I lost sight of it as the shuttle spins around to land. The gentleman stood up first, followed by everyone else. The door opens toward the ground like a ramp and everyone exits the ship, standing in the two lines like we were told. The gentleman then walks along the center, handing what looks to be paperwork to everyone that didn't have any.
"Alright people let's go." He says. "Follow the sheet you have been given and report to your commanding officer for further instructions."
He then stops me before I am about to continue forward, and he smiles as he looks me in the face.
"Commander Demi Nassa. Well burn me with nebula's light! What brings you back here so soon?"
"Got orders from the higher ups to return from leave."
"The day was this past week, wasn't it. Well shit, my condolences."
"Thanks, but that's no way to talk to your commanding officer. Who's your superior?"
"Ha, ha." He sarcastically laughs. "Very funny. Why were you even on the recruit's ship anyways?"
"I wanted to see what the new recruits were like."
"Demi. I mean…Commander, we have processes for these things."
"We do?"
He shakes his head in disappointment.
"What's happened to Faraday?" I ask. "He was the last chief of security. I'd thought he'd be here."
"He got reassigned."
"Why?"
"No idea. So, you got me now. A lot of moving parts today, it seems."
"Fun. Where's Captain Phoenix? I need to talk to him."
"He's in the usual spot, top of the ship. Take the elevator in the back."
"Thank you."
"And Commander Demi, congrats on the promotion."
I smile and nod, heading for the elevator doors and ordering it to the private observation deck at the top of the ship. The elevator requires a special key that I have within my identification card. I scan it and the doors shut. The elevator rises as a voice on the speakers assures me that I am heading for the correct location.
Under normal circumstances, this would be the day that I greet and introduce myself to the new recruits but today was different though. The Boseman was being sent to investigate a distress call on the moon Dekara along the border. Something was really off about it. Rumors were going around at headquarters that it's related to the strange attacks that have been going on recently. People are disappearing, outposts are being wiped out and it feels like whoever has been planning this has been two steps ahead. So, the captain's been a little on edge. Phoenix is known on the ship to always be found staring off into space when he is thinking, so it would make sense for him to be in the observation deck of his ship, alone, contemplating whatever comes to mind at that moment. The doors open as I quietly approach him, as if not to disturb him too much. He looks to be in such bliss. He wore a tight black uniform, decorated with service medals on both his chests. The seams of his uniform glowed white like mine, though his were a bit more pronounced. His dark complexion and nearly balding hairline fought hard against the white sun as it beamed intense sun rays into the room. He was much older than me, about somewhere in his mid 40s to 50s. Anyways, I try as hard as I can to not make a sound as I enter the room.
"-Kid, what are you doing?" He asked sternly, still staring out the window.
"Oh, sorry." I said nervously, "I didn't know you were watching."
"I can see your reflection in the window, kid."
Of course he did…
"Oh."
He notices the paperwork in my hand as I approach him and perks up in curiosity.
"Orders from the pack?"
"Yes sir." I say as he grabs them off me.
"Perfect. Have you taken the full tour of the ship yet?"
"I have been completely briefed on all the ships systems, but I have yet to see the upgrades firsthand."
"Hmm, strange."
"What?"
"Nothing." He says staring hard into a particular piece of paper. "I'll notify the C.E. to schedule that for you. There must have been a mix up."
Phoenix continues through the paperwork, leaving me there, staring out the window into space, watching the planet below. The dead silence between the Phoenix and I made every beat inside me more intense than it ever was before. Phoenix notices my nervous attitude and nudges me on the side
"Are you holding up okay?" He asked.
"Oh, uh, yeah."
"Hmm?"
"I am fine, really."
"Commander is a huge responsibility. These people here, they are a part of you now. Every decision we make will affect thousands of crew members. I've known you since forever Demi, you can't hide that look from me."
I took a deep sigh.
"You really think I can do this?"
"You think you can't?"
"What if I fail?"
"Failure is a part of life, Demi. You're my number two. People will be looking up to us for guidance and leadership. I don't think you can, I expect you to because someone will die on your watch."
"Oh."
"What is it Demi?"
"Nothing, I just…You really think I can?"
"Why do you think so low of yourself Demi? I sent you to that training course before because I know you can. You'll be fine. Your father thought the same thing about you."
"He never did get to see me here."
"He doesn't need to. A man will always have pride for his children. It is one of his greatest accomplishments. You grew up to be a fine and beautiful woman."
He smiles with pride as he finishes that sentence before continuing one under his breath, "Even if you have a short fuse."
"What?"
Phoenix tries to hold back his smile as he continues through the papers like I didn't notice. I try to get his attention again.
"What did you say?"
How's your mother holding up?" He asks, ignoring me.
"You…I don't know."
"What? You two still aren't talking?"
"No…I guess not."
"That's not cool, Demi. You can't just keep her in the dark like this. You need to call her."
"What? Are you ordering me to do so?"
"No, but when your father and I last spoke, he made me promise to keep you safe. I should have been clearer. This is not Captain Phoenix asking, this is Irving Phoenix."
"I know…I'm just…sorry."
"That's fine. I won't pry any further. I just need to hear from you that this won't be an issue going forward. And if it is, I am here. Ok?"
"I understand."
"Good."
Phoenix returns to reading the paperwork as a large shuttle flies by us. It was civilian, considering that it wasn't armed to the teeth, but I could see children through the windows, staring in awe at our ship. Their imagination had to have been running wild. I think I understand why he comes up here, it's almost soothing. The moment is broken, however, as Phoenix was reading through the paperwork and shuffling through it as loud as he can...like he's doing it on purpose, to break tension of course.
"RNS Bluford's in trouble?" he asks.
"Yes sir."
"Interesting."
"Do you really think this is another incident?"
"Another?"
"Like Dorria?"
"What makes you think that?"
"A distress signal with massive volumes of static. Mysterious disappearances."
"I highly doubt that."
"I think this is the same person who attacked the military base a few months back."
Phoenix was left distraught, staring at me with a look of confusion, like I said something stupid.
"The missing planet theory?"
"Yeah, it's this feeling I have. It kinda just leads me to things, you know?"
"What? Like a gut feeling?"
"I guess."
"And your gut says that something is making planets disappear?"
"We already have the ability to shift orbits, what's to say there isn't more we couldn't do."
"You're talking about Starfire."
"Yeah."
Phoenix shakes his head.
"The starfire engines can only shift an orbit a few million miles. You also run the risk of destabilizing a planet from planetary shift. The whole thing can collapse."
"True."
"And you know the 'Rules of Jump Transport'. You studied it in school, correct?"
"Yes." I said timidly, knowing full well where he is taking this conversation.
"Then you know full well, moving a planet out of the system is impossible. I think you have been watching too much news again."
"Or you haven't been paying attention enough, technology has advanced you know. We are sitting on the most advanced ship in the Rose fleet."
Phoenix takes a deep breath.
"Okay, fine. Say you're right, explain to me then how-."
-A ping sounds off on the observation deck. It came from the bridge, and they were requesting Phoenix. The pilot, Marcus, was the one speaking on the other end.
"Go ahead."
"Captain, I just tried to hail Bluford but I am getting no response."
"Nothing? Did you try again?"
"I have been trying for the last hour, sir."
"That doesn't make any sense. Patch me through, I'll try myself."
"Yes, Captain."
Phoenix turned toward the massive observation window as I follow right behind him. His voice was shaky as he talked through the comms.
"RNS Bluford! This is Captain Phoenix of the RNS Boseman. We are responding to your distress call and are preparing to jump, does anyone copy over."
"..."
"RNS Bluford! This is Captain Phoenix of the RNS Boseman, does anyone copy?"
"..."
"That's strange." I said, "There's like 10,000 people on that ship, right?"
"Yeah, that's what's gotten me nervous, sorry to cut this reunion short, get to the bridge!"
"Yes sir."
"Marcus, prepare to jump!"
"Aye sir."
The ship started rattling furiously. Distorted rings began forming around the ship as everyone was scrambling. We were getting close to entering jump space, a form of a middle ground between space and time itself. When a ship prepared to jump, rings would form around it, splitting into different chunks. Each chunk made its own ring and the amount of rings encasing a ship could determine its speed and distance. Moments before jump, these rings would merge together, forming an impossibly bright sphere around the ship and then try to sync with space and time itself. When completed, the ship would then be sucked into the missing void that the distortion field created, leaving behind a blue stream of radioactive material. This part of the trip tended to get rough. Unfortunately, the bridge was located on the top of the ship, and the rattling made the elevator ride up unsettling. As we arrive on the bridge, Phoenix ran to the captain's chair. The rest of the crew were scrambling to complete any last-minute measures that needed to be done before launch.
"Give me something, people!" He yelled.
"Elara tower has cleared us for departure, we are ready to go on your command, captain." Marcus says.
"Alright, let's go. Seven ring jump, put us on red alert."
The bridge started flashing red. Sirens followed, echoing throughout the ship. The distorted rings grew larger, skewing sight lines, stars and planets. They started to multiply too. It started with one, then three, then five, and ended at seven, glowing furiously in the process. The rattle had reached its climax as the countdown began. Everyone was hanging on to dear life. I sat next to Phoenix, gripping to my chair tightly. Marcus started the countdown.
"Entering Jump Space in five...four...three...two...one…"
Everyone's vision began to stretch forward, like we could see behind our eyeballs. It was a strange feeling. Everyone's senses had gone numb. I could no longer taste the air. The stretch itself grew further and further till we violently launched, watching as space itself warped around them like liquid passing a glass tube. The shaking tapered off and everyone was able to settle down before we exited. It was supposed to take thirty seconds for them to get there. The pilot, Marcus, spun around first to greet me.
"Commander Demi, welcome back!" He said excitedly.
"Good to see you too, Marcus."
He quickly got out of his seat and ran towards me, reaching out his hand. I meet him on the other side, giving his hand a firm shake. He was quite tall, possibly 6' or more but the height was skewed by me sitting down. His hands were double the size of mine. He had a dark skin tone and his hair on his head was jet black. He kept it short to almost buzz cut levels to minimize as much attention as possible.
"I hope the trainers treated you well.." He said, shaking my hand.
"They did, thank you."
"Can we have a word, privately?"
"Right now?"
I turn to Phoenix who shakes his head in approval. Marcus nods and I follow him to the office in the back hallway. When the door closes behind us, he turns around and faces me. He looks me deep in my eyes. They were dark brown and focused.
"I still haven't gotten a response to my question before you left."
"Was that even appropriate to ask?" I asked.
"Depends."
"On what?"
"On whether they drag you to the event for official business or not."
"You know that's out of my control."
"Then what is in your control?"
"Marcus, you know what you want is against the rules."
He takes a deep sigh.
"So what? The answer is 'no' then?" he continues.
"I didn't say that. I need you to understand the position you are putting me in. I'm an officer now. I can't just walk out or take vacation time out of the blue. All eyes are on me now. People will start asking questions. They'll start thinking I'm pulling favors."
"All I did was ask you on a date, you are making it like it's the end of the world."
"You and I both know this promotion was last minute. We…my hands are tied right now."
Marcus doesn't look me in the eye anymore. I could see the disappointment in him and the sadness that follows.
"Demi," He says, shaking his head, "How long will it be then?"
"I don't know."
"Fine."
"Marcus…wait."
He walks out without saying a word, I follow after him. We reenter the bridge where everyone stares at us. I get the feeling that everyone may already know. Everyone except Phoenix, who nods to Marcus as their eyes meet and he returns to his seat. I sit down as well, fighting hard to avoid eye contact with Phoenix.
We close in on the exit point. Marcus begins the countdown. Everyone sits quietly, anxiously awaiting what's on the other side of the portal.
"Exiting Jump Space in five…four…three…two…one…"
Similar to how we enter, the ship shakes again with the same ferocity. The planets and moons finally came into focus, no longer stretched and in view. At the end of the portal, we are greeted with the most majestic view in the galaxy. The white dwarf that Dekara orbites lights up all of space around it, exceeding all expectations on the view. The rest of it though was...strange. Massive chunks of rock were floating endlessly in space.
"What's with all the asteroids?" I asked.
"Probably part of the planet's ring, we did arrive a little close." said Marcus.
"Where is it, Marcus?" Phoenix said.
"Where's what?" Marcus responded.
"Dekara?"
"I don't know…it's like it just…disappeared.
"It could be on the other side of the planet; you did say we arrived close."
"No Sir, not close to the planet, close to the moon, its last known position."
"What? Run a system scan."
Everyone stands and watches, waiting to see what would happen on the viewing screen, but it all turns to horror. The ship scans the entire system and starts pinging the location of all the planets. When it comes time for Dekara, the ping simply repeats, over and over and over again. The chunks of rock floating in space were registering as Dekara and there were hundreds, possibly thousands, everywhere. At the end of the destruction, a massive blue mist could be seen in the distance. Possibly the size of the entire ship three times over. Phoenix's jaw is closed shut at this point. The look of fear is written all over him. I stood next to him, failing to hold in my own shock, much like the rest of the crew. A ping went off on the far corner of the display. On closer inspection, it was discovered to be the distress beacon, dropped from a ship that had to be nearby the area. From the date that it ping, it was 10 years old. How is that possible? The destruction laid before us looks recent, yet judging by the mist that's left behind, a ship has jumped recently. Phoenix orders a scout ship to deploy and retrieve it.
When it returns, the crew brings the beacon to Phoenix, who inspects it thoroughly before requesting it be played. The front display shows only static. We had no video, and the audio was choppy and distorted.
"This is Lieutenant…of the RNS Bluford." It said, "We need immediate assistance! The captain is dead…engines are down, life support is…"
"This is going to sound…I need you to… The missing moon…it's here! It came out of nowhere…destroyed our defenses…"
The video ends, cutting back to the main display of the planet's destruction. Everyone is left more confused than when we started. But I know. I know all too well. My heart starts to beat rapidly. I could feel it in my chest, in my hands, and upon my bare skin on my thigh where my hand sat still. That voice, I know that voice. It's impossible!
Phoenix nudged me and whispered in my ear. "Okay." He said, "Let's go with your gut theory."
"No. Don't."
"Why?" he asks.
I could feel myself shaking as I stood there, staring into space.
"Because I know that name. Burk. It's Dad. He was here!"