Sorry for the lack of content the last few days! Real life has been
keeping me busier than I normally like. As a form of apology today's
post is a bit longer than usual. Enjoy :D
The Ship lifted off the ground and
wavered for a second in a way that could not be described as calming.
The soldiers in the bay were far enough back that none of the cargo
containers that got knocked over were able to reach them. Still, they
backed up a little closer to the door.
“Sorry! Sorry! Later someone will
have to tell me why any ship would have an gravitational stabilizer
button! I always want stabilizers on, when would I not want that?”
Toll yelled, mostly too himself.
Carter leaned over and whispered to
Rusty. “What's a gravitational stabilizer?” Rusty shrugged his
shoulders and gripped his seatbelt tighter.
The rest of the departure was smooth.
The ship backed out through the containment field without further
incident. Once they were clear of the positively enormous Decency,
Rusty's jaw hit the floor as he took in just how huge their previous
vessel really was. No matter how far away from Destiny Toll got the
ship just seemed to keep going, until they were far enough away that
they got their first glimpse of the Corporate Asset 3175. And if the
Decency was huge, the Asset was colossal. Rusty sat down hard.
“Damn!” he gasped. Cater glanced out the window at the ship.
“Yeah, it's almost like they're
compensating for something.” He quipped. Rusty was still in awe.
“The Decency can't defend itself
against a ship that large.” he said. Carter shook his head.
“It's not the size of the dog in the
fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.”
“What?” both Rusty and Toll asked
at the same time.
“You probably don't have dog fighting
on your planet do you?” Carter smiled. “It's an old Earth saying,
basically that size, while intimidating, is often out-shined by
determination.” Toll turned the ship toward the Earth.
“So I'm pretty sure that the planet
is Earth, but having never been there, is there a specific spot I
should be headed for or what?” Carter scanned the passenger side
control console, and pushed a button that bought up a 3D interface
projection in mid air. He worked with the 3D interface and entered a
series of numbers. A video feed of an unfamiliar young man popped up.
“Oh thank God your still alive!' The
kid said. “We are in dee -”
“I know. I saw the papers.” Carter
interrupted. “We can talk about that when I'm planet side, but
right now you need to tell me how close we have to be for that
assisted guidance thing.”
“Five hundred miles.” The kid
didn't miss a beat. “why? where are you?” Carter looked to Toll
for the answer.
“Don't look at me, I just fly this
thing.” He shrugged his shoulders. The kid groaned and started
messing with systems on his side.
“Ok look, just broadcast the numbers
3474 repeatedly on an open channel.” He commanded. “I'll find
you.” Carter nodded and used the 3D interface to broadcast the
number set as instructed. The kid looked away from the screen to get
the computer to search for the signal. “Ok I found you. Please tell
me you got permission from the captain to take one of her cruisers.”
The kid looked exasperated.
Carter smiled “I never have before. I
don't want her to think anything has changed.” He said.
“Because that would just be weird.”
The kid said sarcastically. Carter glared at him. “Who's flying the
ship?” The kid asked ignoring the glare.
“A runaway from colony six, his name
is Toll. He and his friend Rusty arrived this side of the gate about
a day ago.”
“Colony six turned their ring back
on?” The kid asked. “That's going to cause some problems we
weren’t counting on.” Carter shook his head.
“They came through without
permission.” Carter transferred the information about Toll and
Rusty to the computer The Kid was using. “Hijacked a ship and a
ring console. As far as they know, the ring was shut off and is most
likely being dismantled.” The kid scanned over the data.
“So by total fluke, two randoms from
the colony that started this whole mess just happen to show up -”
Carter muted the signal and checked to see if Toll or Rusty were
following along. Both of them were. The kid saw that he was on mute
and was miming knocking on the screen.
“What mess is he talking about?”
Rusty asked. Carter sighed and turned the audio on the call back on.
“Warren would you be so kind as to
prepare a small presentation about what the current situation is
between the corporation and the settlers? I'd like to get them up to
speed while I am dealing with BoBo.” Warren nodded and continued to
mess with the computers on his side of the call.
“Oh, by the way, we've got you on
assisted flight. We'll have you dirt bound in about fifteen.” He
said and ended the call. Toll let go of the controls and turned his
chair to face Carter.
“You didn't just need me to drive you
here, did you.” He accused. Carter nodded.
“You two have a lot to learn. I
didn't have the time to fill you in until now.” Carter explained.
“Warren will make sure you learn everything you want to know when
we land. Then we can talk about where we go from here.”
“Any chance going home might be an
option?” Rusty asked. Carter shook his head.
'Not since your arrival here proved to
the corporation that Colony Six still exists.” He said sadly. “You
boys and the Pacific Free Zone are the only thing keeping your colony
safe right now.” He stated as the California coast line became
visible on the planet below.
