Simon stood in the cockpit contemplating. He felt like he lost the respect of his crew and he couldn't have that. All he did was for the crew. He even saved them from chopping off their legs or killing each other and now they were acting like he was the villain. "Fucking spoiled brats" he thought. They didn't know hardship like he did.
-Captain?
-Henry.
-I came to apologize.
-Where are the rest?
-Serena felt sick.
-Don't lie.
-They don't want to apologize. I tried to ask them nicely, but
-Do you want to be a hero, Henry?
-I…
-We can both be heroes. How about that?
-It would be an honor.
-Would you risk your life?
-I trust you, Captain Simon.
-Good. Cuz we're about to crush this ship.
Serena stepped into the kitchen. It was not because of the hunger. It was maybe just a curiosity about the place she would end up in if the harvesting went wrong.
-Serena?
-Hi, Teddy.
-Are you hungry?
-No. I just… If something goes bad, guess here is where I'll be in a few days if all of this goes south.
-Oh. Well, I heard it's nicer in the north!
-Hah.
-Want a cocktail?
-Mouthwash and booze? Don't you know pregnant ladies aren't supposed to drink?
-Eh, well, north or south, might as well live until then!
-Cheers to that I guess.
Teddy mixed water with some expired alcohol and mouthwash. He put a cocktail umbrella on the brim of the glass and offered it to Serena. She smiled.
-Ah, one thing I won't miss when we get home is this minty fresh aroma.
-Eh, gets you dizzy and protects you from cavities. It's two in one so it's not that bad of a deal.
-You must be right on that, Teddy… Do you- Do you think we'll ever get home?
-I don't know if home is the right word. With the shitty war and everything, I doubt is anything still standing.
-I've never been a homeowner.
-Homeowner? In that economy? You must be really drunk, joked Teddy.
-Well, you're a good cook then.
-Why is that?
-Cuz you marinate the meat before it's even dead. I must be really tender after this.
-Eh, you never stuck me as soft.
-Fucking cheers to that, mate.
Alice stepped inside the infirmary. She was seeking someone with the same beliefs as her. Who would better fit the role, but the man who sacrificed his leg just so the harvest wouldn't happen?
-Hi, Lancey.
-Alice. It's nice to see you.
-How are you feeling?
-Like shit. You?
-Same. Serena is due soon. I guess Simon will come into my room again shortly after.
-I should have killed that motherfucker when I had the chance. You, girls, should lock the room and only let Teddy bring you food.
-He has a gun. We don't even have locks on our doors.
-Shit.
-I'm scared, Lancey. I'm really really scared. I think I'm going off the track soon.
-Alice, doll, don't. Simon is going to do far worse things to you than eat you.
-What should I do, Lancey? I don't want to die, but I can't lose another baby… I can't have another baby…
-I'm sorry, sweetheart. If I would have had both legs, I would have protected you and Serena. But I'm trapped on this fucking bed.
-How is the pain?
-Not even fucking Titanic could have made me cry like this damn leg.
-Painkillers?
-You girls need them more than me.
-Oh.
Alice placed her head on Lancey's hand. She started crying. He stroked her hair to comfort her, but tears were filling his eyes too.
-I promised Teddy I'll take him out to get pasta when we get home. Would you like to join us? We could call Teddy and Serena too.
-I hate tomato sauce.
-Don't knock it until you try it. Nuclear post-apocalyptic tomatoes sure have a different taste.
-Could I get cheesecake instead?
-Sure, kiddo. I'll squeeze the milk out of the radioactive cow's tits if it needs.
-Thanks, Lancey.
-What do you mean by crushing the ship, Captain? asked Henry agitated.
-I mean we will make everyone think our ship will have an imminent impact.
-Like Titanic.
-Swear to God you should have brought another movie for movie night on this ship. Can we get back on the crushing of the ship, please?
-Sorry.
-Look, see that twinkle on the screen.
Simon pointed to a small light on the main board of the cockpit. The stats were flashing a yellow warning light: " Warning! A small meteor approaching the ship! Please keep the reaction wheel to a 16-degree angle when the timer is set to avoid collusion".
-We are gonna let the warning sign go red. I calculated. If we rotated that wheel at 32 degrees when the timer reached half, we not only save the ship, but we regain these people's respect.
-Sir, I don't think that multiplying with two is how it should be calculated. What about the gravity around the meteor? Wouldn't that pull the ship closer and faster? What if the meteor breaks into pieces?
-Nonsense. The computer would warn us. Hey, trust me! I'm the Captain, right?
-Well, yes, but…
-It's gonna be fine. You'll have my back, right?
Serena sat down on the kitchen floor with Teddy. They both had a bit too much to drink.
-Do you feel it moving?
-Yeah.
-It doesn't creep you out? To have an alien maggot like baby inside you?
-I try not to think about it.
-Huh. Well, it's kinda Simon's baby so it would have come ugly as a maggot anyway, right?
-Hey, I could have totally save that baby looks. I'm pretty in case you didn't noticed.
-Well, you're no Madison Beer.
-Really? That's your type?
-I mean… maybe?
-Well, you're no Ryan Reynolds either.
-So you like them funny, huh? Well, hear this out : How do you catch a bra? With a bootie trap!
-Really? That's all you can do?
-Well between Simon, Henry the farmer and Lancey's jokes about his wife, I'm the Kevin Hart of this crew.
-Wow, the bar is on the floor.
-We're on the floor too, so… isn't that a sign to kiss?
Teddy raise Serena's chin looking for approval. Serena chuckled and moved her face closer to Teddy's. Their lips parted slightly.
-Go on. Maybe your kiss will make me laugh.
-Ok, so are you ready, Henry?
-Ready, Captain!
-It's showtime!