The anniversary of my father's passing has just passed. 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 is dad's ring as it starts 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 to return back to the RNS Boseman. A large battleship 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 Gentleman, 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 council?"
"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 first hand."
"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 more clear. This is not Captain Phoenix asking, this is Irving Phoenix."
"I know…I'm just so…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?"
"Why would my relationship with my mother cause an issue?"
"The answer is different for everyone. I won't go further for now. We'll talk about it later."
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 in the room. A notification from the bridge. It was Marcus.
"Captain." He says. "We need you on the bridge. Message from the Admiral."
"Very well." He said before turning back to me. "We'll talk about this later."
We leave and head for the bridge below us. A video plays on the front screen as we enter. It was a repeating message from the Admiral.
"This is Admiral Han." It said, "All ships are to report back to the Rosa, this is not a drill."
All eyes turned to us as we sat down in our seats. Phoenix calls out to the crew.
"Marcus. Status report"
"Sir, the ship is already en route to the Rosa."
"Good, how far out are we?"
"60 seconds out, sir."
"Very good, comms?"
"Sir," The comms officer says, "The Rosa said they need a few more moments to clear a ship but hanger bay eight will be open when we get there." He said.
"Perfect." he says, turning his attention back to Marcus.
"Marcus, how long?"
"10 seconds, sir."
"Okay, let's do this people, red alert…"
The bridge flashed red as sirens echoed throughout the ship. The shaking starts and Marcus begins the countdown.
"Exiting jump space in five…four…three…two…one."
We arrive on the planet Sindera. Nekomon's second of only a few planets within its control. There above the planet's atmosphere, sat The Rose. The massive flagship of the famous Rose fleet, packed with enough firepower to take on a fleet of ships single-handedly. Its hangars are located at the top of the ship so we can see all of it in its full glory. The ship stretches on for miles and I honestly have no idea what the actual size of this thing is, but as we pass over the "Rose" written into the ship, I could almost say our entire ship could fit into the letter "O". Straight ahead was the command bridge. It towers high above the ship and doubles as a traffic control tower for nearby ships. We arrive at hangar eight and everyone straps in for landing. There was a little bit of some jostling at first but Marcus is a pro. The ship came in for a smooth landing. He was super focused. His eyes were locked in place, making sure he didn't make the slightest mistake. The closer we got to the ground, the more focused Marcus became.
"Three…two…one…touchdown." He said,
There is a loud thud followed by a bang, shifting all our weight up and down as we landed. Marcus, proud of himself, retracts his seat. The metal blinders began expanding along the windows blocking the view. He exits from his seat and takes a bow. We all gave a round of applause. Phoenix immediately cuts in, unamused, and starts dishing out orders.
"Alright everyone let's get to work. I want everything. Food, supplies, ammunition, if we're missing it, I want it. Marcus, you are in charge, I want all of this done!"
"Yes sir." he said
"Demi, You're with me." He continues.
I nod in agreement and we leave for the elevator. As the doors close behind us, Phoenix hands me my badge for the Rosa. After a bit of navigation we arrive at the cargo bay doors and loud bangs echo across the ship as the doors open. A long glass tunnel expands into the cargo doors, connecting us to the rest of the ship. As we cross it, I notice where the bang came from. The entire platform from which we landed on sank into the ship and the bay doors closed above us. The banging was the result of the hanger doors locking. Phoenix and I arrive at the main central hub where all the hangers converge. A rail system ran down the center and the walls were covered in restaurants, stores, and I even spotted a gift shop in the corner. There were incredibly large screens displaying advertisements and today's current announcements. Phoenix taps me on the shoulder and points at the incoming train. All the television screens flash red, announcing the incoming train and to back away from the rails. As we approach the queue to enter, a guard approaches us and asks for identification. We flash our badges and he gestures that we can enter. The train was a bit narrow and with so many entering at once, we found ourselves shoulder to shoulder next to each other as the doors closed.
"Next destination is the City Dome and Bridge." The train announces.
The train pushes forward, entering a tunnel. We were preparing to enter the city dome, a section of the ship I had never heard of before. The tunnel finally disappears and we are greeted with a spectacular site. A city, just like any other back home, encased inside a massive glass-like structure. The skyscrapers were all centered around the tallest tower in the middle, which stretched past the dome and connected to the bridge at the top. Thousands of small ships surrounded the city while the frigates could be spotted outside, flying carefully enough to not hit anything fragile on the dome. The scale of all of this was immense, touching from end to end of the ship. I was left in awe. The train stops at its next station where we make our exit. The station sat on the far side of the dome, nearly sticking out of it and had to be at least 600 feet in the air. The scale only grew bigger as we walked onto a viewing platform at the front of the exit. The same announcements and ads that we heard back on the station were echoing throughout the city and the LED lights placed on the edges on the buildings just made everything pop a little. Phoenix nudges my shoulder to carry on toward the docking platform at the far end of the station. There stood a skinny man waiting for us. He had light skin and was bald but his face was just recently shaved. He wore a bright green military uniform with several accommodations pinned on his shoulders. The name "Maverick" was written on his chest plate and he was holding a sign saying "Boseman" on it.
"That must be for us." Phoenix says.
The man spots us and waves in our direction, greeting us upon arrival.
"Hello, my name is Maverick, I am here to take you to the admiral." He said
I gave him a good hard look, top to bottom. It was interesting, his accent seemed a bit familiar. A little rustic, but it didn't sound like anyone I know from Nekomon.
"You're sultarian, aren't you?" I asks
He smiles nervously but it quickly goes away and a wave of confidence washes over him upon seeing me.
"What gave it away ma'am?"
"I don't know, lucky guess."
"Lead the way." Phoenix says
Behind him was a small shuttle. It was a four door and quite small. There were several lights dotted all over it and a large sign on top saying crew. Phoenix walks ahead of me and opens the front door, waving me inside saying, "After you." I smile and enter the shuttle. Phoenix follows behind me.
The door closes behind me as he enters through the back door. Maverick acknowledges that everyone is ready to go and he flips a switch on the center console, lifting the shuttle off the ground. The shuttle turns around and launches forward with a burst of speed, shifting my weight into the back of the seat. We flew through the inner city. Weaving through buildings and oncoming traffic. Not much could be seen from the height we were at, but the buildings were glowing in several bright colors, giving the city a kind of nightlife vibe. Upon closer inspection, I find out how this city came to be. It's not actually apart of the ship. There were several locking mechanisms on the edges of the dome, suggesting it can detach at will. It makes sense to be honest, who would want to be flying around with a city attached to you. The shuttle picks up speed, tilting upward and climbs until we reach a large structure separating the dome from the bridge and space itself. The structure was shaped in a plus sign and was a part of the massive tower in the middle of the city. The shuttle lands on a platform that sticks out of the structure. Maverick opens the doors and tells us to use the elevators in the building to get to the admiral's quarters. That's where he will be waiting for us. As we exit the ship, it takes off once more, flying away and disappearing into city traffic.
Phoenix and I cross the platform. As I look up, the sense of scale starts to get to me. Despite the building's shape, each of the edges where the structure wasn't built, was covered in the glass material and we could see the full underbelly of the bridge. Phoenix arrives at the elevators and calls one up. I spot a light falling down the center of the tower and the elevator doors open when it arrives. We both step in and Phoenix presses the button for the admiral's quarters, which was listed in the options for travel. The elevator acknowledges the request and asks for verification. We scan our badges and it begins to move.
The city fades away through the window as we arrive at our destination, passing through the glass and into space for a brief moment before entering the bridge. The doors open, greeting us with the admiral's quarters. A long room filled with strangely normal affairs. His bed and personal affairs were in a separate room with the door closed. A window along the back wall allows us to pear out into space. In the center of the room was a long table stretching parallel to the back window. 16 people were already seated. Presumably they were captains and second officers of the other ships in the fleet. Han sat in the middle writing a report but already knew of our presence.
"Come in, come in." He said, waving us inside.
"Admiral Han." Phoenix acknowledges.
"Are you thirsty at all?" Han asked.
"No sir."
"How about you ma'am?" He says as he gets out of his chair and reaches for his cups.
"No, I am fine." I said
"Really, you are missing out! Sindera has some of the best tea in the sector."
"It's okay."
The Admiral grabs his cup and fills it with water before grabbing a small box out from under his desk. Inside was filled with all sorts of strange leaves. The aroma it let off was intoxicating. There were hits of fruitiness and sweets. I could also smell something resembling mint, but it was way stronger. He grabs a few green ones and places them in his cup, then he pushes it to the side. I scan his desk off to my right for I see some interesting objects. He has his plank with his name written on it. A few pictures of old ships were lined across the wall behind his desk. There is a picture of a family in a small frame in the corner of his desk. On closer inspection it looks to be a picture with him and a woman. Presumably could be his wife or significant other. Han sits down, shifting documents out of the way to make space for his drink.
As we arrive at our seats, a man stands up and pulls the seat out so I can sit down. He smiles and nods as I thank him before returning to his seat next to me. Han is still fiddling with his tea so everyone went to chat amongst themselves. The room is filled with both men and women, though shockingly most, if not all, were older than me by a significant margin. At least by 20 years or so. I felt almost a little out of place. The gentleman next to me decides to strike a conversion to ease the tension I was feeling.
"So," he said. "Looks like you've returned to the rose garden."
"So it would seem. How have you been Captain Lewis?"
He reaches out his left hand.
"Could be better. It was getting a little boring around here."
"Really?"
I reach out and shake his hand. It felt cold, almost like he had been sitting in cold air for hours at a time and just recently stepped out. He had a dark skin tone and looked a few years older than me, at least 10, but much younger than everyone here. If I wasn't here, he would definitely be the youngest. He sported a goatee and his hair was cut very low, like he was almost balding. He is very muscular, clearly he works out a lot. So much so, his uniform looked like it was on the verge of ripping.
"So. How's your first few days back?"
"I regret it already."
"I could tell, it's written all over your face."
"What?"
Lewis smiles and laughs a little.
"I know the day has passed, how long has it been? 20 years?"
"Yeah. I don't even know if I am ready for this new change."
"That voice in your head talking again?"
"What?"
"You know who."
"Lewis…"
"As your non-older brother slash father, I order you to ignore that voice."
"Father?"
He puts his hand on my shoulder. Firmly holding it in place like I'm his child or something.
"You are more than capable of doing this, trust me on that."
He releases his hand and takes a sip of his drink he has on his desk. Meanwhile, Admiral Han finally shuffles his paperwork and places it in front of him.
"Okay, let's get down to business." He said, "First of all, I would like to welcome the new commander of the Boseman, Demi Nassa."
Everyone stands and applauds then sits back down.
"Second of all, you are all aware of the event the Sultarians are preparing for the king's children. The republic has already…"
Before Han could finish his next sentence, a man bursts into the room. He is of low rank and out of breath, like he had been running several laps across the entire ship. Confused, Han stands to his feet and walks over to him. The man is shaken up. He had this worried look on his face that I couldn't describe. Like he experienced a full-blown war in a matter of moments. Han stands over him and holds him up to help him catch his breath.
"Soldier." Han says, "Are you ok?"
"Yes, sir."
"You understand we are in a meeting right now? What's going on?"
The man pulls out a letter and gives it to him.
"From the Pack Leader."
Han takes it and begins to read as the man bends back down to his knees to catch his breath again. Han circles the room, reading as he does it. His silence is eerie. He slowly converts from his confident and outgoing self into one of worry and sadness. The hell is he reading? As he continues, the silence in the room gets to some of the captains and they start calling out to him.
"Admiral? Is everything ok?" one yells.
"What's going on?" asks another.
He walks to the window and looks out for a moment, not saying a word. Now he has me worried. What could cause this man to dread so much?
He turns back around and walks to his chair. I grab Lewis' hand, bracing for whatever he has to say. Lewis gently rubs it, trying his best to keep calm himself. Han sits and lays the letter on the table. He takes a deep breath and scans the room.
"What happened, sir?" Lewis asks.
Han doesn't say anything at first, but moments later he starts to speak in a soft tone.
"The king is dead."
A wave of shock fills the room. Eyes grew the size of fruit. Jaws crashed into the floor. Everyone whispers to each other, trying to process what is going on.
"King Alex?" one says, "What do we do?"
"I don't know." Han says, silencing the room.
"What happened?"
"A bomb exploded in the palace."
"He was murdered?"
"I don't know."
"Then how-"
"-I don't know!"
He thinks long and hard as everyone whispers among themselves.
"Return to your ships until we receive further orders." He continues, "Go."
Confused and shocked, everyone nods and swiftly exits.
"Demi, Phoenix." Han says, "Stay back for a second."
I turn to Phoenix who shrugs a little. He doesn't know what this is about either.
Han walks to his desk and sits. We sit in the chairs across from him. He starts cleaning his desk, moving files around and clearing the center between us. My heart is racing. What is going on here? What does he need?
"There has been a request for you, Demi."
"Me? Who?"
He takes the letter and passes it to me on his desk. Phoenix leans in for a closer look.
"The king's daughter."
"Princess Cadence?" Phoenix asks, "Why?"
"No idea. The people's council is reassigning the Boseman. Your ship will be overseeing the security of the king's children during this transitional period."
"Don't they have people for that, though?" I ask.
"Apprently not."
"When do we leave?" Phoenix asks
"Immediatly. Your ship has been given priority on resupply. Leave out as soon as possible.
"Yes sir."
"You are dismissed."
Phoenix and I exit the quarters and ride the elevator back down to the city dome. Neither of us said anything. I couldn't find the words. We just stand quietly, descending into whatever pit we are about to encounter.