Chapter 7: Morning Among the Stars
On the Faithful Dog, morning was a relative term - in space, time lost its meaning. Astra woke up in her cabin, feeling a slight tremor in the ship, as if somewhere in the engine room the engines were still reminding her that they were working at their limit. The narrow, hard bunk was not an ideal place to sleep, but after recent events, Astra was grateful for any place where she could close her eyes.
She gasped for air and immediately regretted it - a mixture of the metallic smell of circuitry and something resembling burnt paint filled the interior of the ship. She sighed, rubbed her face with her hands and slid off the bed, heading toward the galley.
In it, Alex shuffled around with surprising agility, given that his standard mode of movement was more like that of a lazy predator. He wore washed pants and a sweatshirt that had seen better days ages ago. His hair was in a slight disarray, and one could tell from his face that his night was not much more comfortable than Astra's.
On a narrow countertop that looked like it was made from the remnants of some engineering mistake, there was a small, bubbling coffee maker that was trying to produce what Alex boldly called coffee. Stepping into the galley, Astra smelled a smell so intense that she almost had to step back.
- This... is this coffee? - She asked with a mixture of skepticism and fear as she watched Alex pour the black liquid into two metal cups.
- Technically, yes," Alex replied, handing her one of the cups. - In practice... Rather, it's a sticky wake-up call.
Astra lifted the cup and sniffed the contents. The smell was so intense that she felt her eyes begin to tear. She took a reserved sip, but immediately spit out the liquid, covering her mouth with her hand.
- On Vellis, even machine oil tastes better! - she mouthed, trying to get rid of the burning sensation in her mouth.
Alex smiled slightly, sitting down on one of the narrow stools.
- Machine oil doesn't have that something," he said, raising his cup in a toasty gesture. - And that, my dear, is supposed to work, not taste.
Astra gave him a skeptical glance, but set the cup down on the countertop.
- In that case, maybe I'll stop with water.
- There is water too," he pointed to a container in the corner of the galley. - But you have to filter it for yourself. At least coffee has the advantage of killing everything that lives in it.
Before Astra had time to respond, Alex went back to preparing breakfast. On a small, warming burner he was frying something that might have been eggs or their futuristic powdered equivalent. On a plate next to lay something resembling sausages, though the color was more like faded rust.
- What is it? - Astra asked, pointing to the contents of the pan.
- Breakfast of champions," Alex replied, tossing the contents of the pan with a grace that showed it was not the first time he had done it. - Synthetic protein, some spices and, if you're lucky, maybe even something that used to be a plant.
- Is there anything on this ship that isn't an artificial glut ready to turn your stomach inside out?
Alex shrugged his shoulders, sliding the food onto two plates.
- If it doesn't suit you, you can always go back to Vellis and cost your natural luxuries, full of healthy ingredients," he chuckled with a slight sneer in his voice.
Astra sighed, sitting down across from him at a narrow table.
- I'm not complaining. It's just... it's hard to switch from normalcy to such conditions.
- Be glad we got food at all," Alex replied, taking a bite of sausage. - Red Harbor isn't famous for the best supplies, but at least we got something that doesn't kill from excess heartburn.
Astra nodded, glancing at the small window above their heads that overlooked the cosmos. She remembered how, on Vellis, every morning began with a view of the gardens of her home, with the aroma of a freshly prepared breakfast and morning tea served on the terrace.
Now she was sitting in a metal can, surrounded by the smell of burnt tar and synthetic sausages.
"And this is my journey to my dreams," she thought, glancing at Alex, who seemed to find this reality perfectly. Still, she felt this was only the beginning.
She looked at her plates with a mixture of skepticism and determination. She took a piece of what was supposed to be sausage and carefully put it in her mouth. The texture was rubbery, the taste strangely metallic, but.... it was edible. Almost.
- Well? - asked Alex with an expectant smile, as if he wanted to see if Astra would flounder or survive after all.
- Let's just say... on a scale from chewed-up socks to a dish from a luxurious banquet, this ranks somewhere closer to the end of that scale," she replied, putting down her fork and sipping water that she had previously filtered through a system that buzzed like a rusty windmill.
Alex laughed out loud, leaning back in his chair.
- I'm glad you appreciate the cook's efforts," he chuckled, glancing at the console screen on the wall. It showed data about the ship: fuel status, pressure in the propulsion cores, distance to the nearest jump point.
Astra leaned back in her chair, looking at the austere decor of the galley. The walls were covered with gray, worn metal, in places crisscrossed with rust streaks that betrayed the age of the "Faithful Dog." On one panel hung a boarding pass from the ship's previous mission - the faded letters suggested that someone had once used it as a carrier for construction materials.
- Do you think our trip will be long? - She asked, breaking the silence.
Alex looked at her, finishing his "sausage" and setting the plate down.
- Long? Oh yes. Especially if the scrap decides to die along the way. But with my luck? We'll probably make it to Earth, just a question of how many pieces.
- You have a talent for comforting people, you know? - remarked Astra, shaking her head.
- Such a life," Alex replied, standing up and throwing a plate into a small sink, which made a disturbing sound as he began to rinse the dishes with water.
Astra watched as Alex walked over to one of the panels on the wall and activated what appeared to be a navigation system interface. A three-dimensional map of stars appeared on the screen and rotated slowly, showing their position in space.
- We're on the right track," he said, pointing to a small point marking their ship. - The next jump point in about six hours. After that... well, we'll see.
Astra looked at the map, feeling both excited and slightly anxious. The land was getting closer and closer - and with it all the questions she wanted answers to. Her fingers drummed lightly against the edge of the table, and there was something on her face that Alex recognized as a shadow of uncertainty - a rare sight in someone who until now seemed to always know what she wanted.
- Alex," she finally began, and her voice was more serious than usual.
- Well? - he replied, without taking his eyes off one of the navigation panels that showed the countdown to the next jump point.
- There is something you should know," she continued, turning to him. - I have a father.
- Amazing," replied Alex with a theatrical raise of the eyebrows. - And I thought you jumped out of a space egg.
- Listen, I'm serious," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Alex glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, seeing that this time the jokes would definitely not defuse the situation. He moved away from the panel, leaning against the metal wall and pointing at it with a motion of his hand.
- Okay, princess. Say what's on your mind there.
Astra breathed deeply, as if gathering her thoughts.
- My father is... a specific man. A general. A man who does not let go.
- General, you say," interrupted Alex, tilting his head. - So you not only ran away from home, but from the military base? This just gets better and better.
- I did not run away from the military base," she corrected him quickly, rolling her eyes. - But yes, I ran away from home. And I'm sure he already knows I'm not there. Besides, I left him a message not to look for me.
Alex put his hands on his chest, smiling under his breath.
- That is, if I understand correctly, your father is the type who does not accept "no" as an answer.
- That's right," she nodded, looking at him with seriousness. - And he will probably do anything to find me.
- And you're telling me this now because...? - Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.
- Because I want you to know," she replied. - So that you can prepare yourself. If you think it's too much trouble, you can back out.
Alex laughed, and his laughter filled the cramped space of the galley.
- Withdraw? Me: Princess, we are already halfway to hell. Now it's just a matter of feeling on your own ass how hot it's going to get.
Astra could not hold back a gentle smile. Alex, as usual, took the situation casually, but his gaze betrayed that he took her words seriously.
- So, tell me more about this father," he said, sitting down opposite her. - How specific is he? Are we talking about the type who will send a few scouts, or rather, the guy who will immediately launch a fleet to find you?
- Rather the latter," she replied with a slight sigh. - And Alex...
- Yes?
- Don't underestimate him. Never.
Alex stopped smiling when he saw the expression on her face. There was something in it that went beyond mere fear. It was a mixture of awe and knowledge of the unyielding nature of someone who doesn't back down from anything.
- So, what does this general of yours used to do when he loses his little princess? - he asked, taking a cup with the remains of his "coffee" in his hand.
Astra was silent for a moment, looking at him as if trying to sense if he was really ready to hear the answer.
- You don't have to worry about me," she finally said, avoiding his gaze. - But you... if he finds out that you are involved in my escape, he might not be too understanding.
- Forgiving? - Alex leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the metal tabletop. - Princess, forgiving is life on Halcyon.
Astra nodded.
- He does not forgive betrayal. He does not accept dissent. All my life he has tried to shape me according to his rules - to create me like him. But I... I never wanted to be part of what he created.
Alex raised an eyebrow.
- Sounds like a family drama. - He smiled mischievously, but his eyes were alert. - So what does he want from you that you don't want to give?
- Obedience," she replied quietly, looking at her hands. - And acceptance of his vision. And I ... I can't live in a world that is just a shadow of the past, a hypocritical reflection of what our future should be.
Alex looked at her for a moment, as if trying to understand her words.
- All right, princess," he finally said, rising from his chair. - We have each other on this drifting scrap. Your father can plan all he wants, but as long as I'm at the helm, no one will get us.
Astra looked at him with gratitude, but also slight disbelief.
- Why are you doing this? - She asked. - Why are you helping me, knowing that this could end badly?
Alex turned around, looking at her with a slight smile.
- Because, princess, life without a little risk is monotonous. And I ... I've had enough of boredom.
His words sounded light, but Astra saw something more in them - perhaps the shadow of a long-forgotten need to do something that matters.
The ship's engines made a quiet, pulsing sound, and through the panoramic cockpit window stretched an endless ocean of stars. Astra looked at Alex, who was back at the console, giving commands to the navigation system. There was certainty in his movements, as if he knew that even if the world was collapsing, he would always find a way out.
She leaned against the wall, looking at the horizon of space. She knew her father would not let go. But now, at this moment, she felt she could at least try to find the answers she was looking for.
Alex was silent for a moment, staring at the console, as if suddenly all those glowing indicators and switches were going to give him answers to questions he had never asked. He ran his hand over his face, pausing for a moment at the bristles that were already beginning to demand a shave.
- Okay, princess," he said, turning away from the console. - I'm going to take a shower. I'll think about all that you just told me. Maybe I'll even figure out how not to sell you to your daddy for a lifetime supply of booze.
Astra raised an eyebrow, but refrained from commenting. Alex gave her another brief glance, then disappeared down the narrow corridor leading to the cabins.
The bathroom cabin door closed behind him with a quiet hiss, and the interior, though cramped, seemed almost luxurious to Alex after his previous experience. The metal walls glistened from cleanliness, and small LED lights with a cold white hue cast a glow that gave the interior a sterile appearance.
He took off his shirt, throwing it on a holder against the wall. The water reservoir, though limited, worked flawlessly, releasing a thin stream of lukewarm water that fell over his tired body. The water washed away the residue of grease, sweat and dust that had accumulated during their adventure in Red Harbor.
He closed his eyes, letting the rhythmic strokes of the water hit his neck and shoulders, relaxing his tense muscles.
"A general, huh?" he thought, looking at the water droplets running down the metal walls. "And not just anyone. A guy who probably has more people under him than I have ever met in my life. And now his beloved daughter is on my ship. Great, Alex. Just brilliant."
He grabbed a small bottle of washing liquid, which the label advertised as "All-purpose gel for everything from skin to machinery." He spread it on his hands, and the chemical scent wafted through the air, reminding him of his days in the army, when bathing was a luxury and such remedies an indispensable part of life.
"Not that it bothers me," he thought with a bitter smile. "But how the hell am I going to get out of this situation if her father really starts chasing us? He's not just some bar type who will forget everything over a flask of bourbon."
He rinsed off the foam, reaching for a towel hung on a small hook. His thoughts still revolved around Astra and her story. General. The escape. The land. It all seemed too big for his humble life as a smuggler and former veteran.
"But who knows" - he thought, drying his face with a rough towel. "Maybe this is just what I needed. Something to give it all meaning. Or at least a decent reason to have something to live for again."
He pulled on a fresh shirt and pants that seemed a little more wearable than the previous ones. He cast another glance at his reflection in the small, tarnished mirror.
- Ready for another day with the princess and her daddy, the galactic dictator," he muttered to himself, leaving the bathroom and heading back to the cockpit.
Alex returned to the cockpit with refreshed energy, as if a cold shower had washed away not only the dirt, but also the uncertainty. He leaned against the pilot's seat, his gaze wandering over the consoles. Astra sat next to him, staring at the stars on the screen that stretched endlessly before them.
- Princess, we need to talk about our little problem," Alex began, fastening his belt and tapping the navigation screen.
Astra looked at him with mild surprise.
- The problem? I thought everything was going according to plan.
Alex laughed dryly, dragging his hand across the console.
- Believe me, if it was a plan, it certainly wouldn't look like this. You know, if your father has really started looking for us, and I have a strange feeling that's what it is, this scrap certainly won't get us to the point of full jump before someone intercepts us.
Astra felt the tension return with redoubled force.
- What do you have in mind?
Alex pointed to the star map screen, which showed their current coordinates and trajectory to the full jump point.
- We have here ... let's say a mildly ambitious distance to cover," he began, tapping his finger on the display. - And our "Faithful Dog" is more of a backyard dog than a racing greyhound. So I figured we'd do a little jumping.
Astra raised an eyebrow.
- A small jump?
Alex smiled half-heartedly, as if he had just planned something that seemed brilliant on the one hand and completely stupid on the other.
- Such ... sideways," he explained, moving his finger across the map. - We'll find somewhere relatively desolate, away from the main trade routes and patrols, and anchor there temporarily. We'll refresh our systems, check that no one is following us, and maybe even fix this and that, before trying to reach the full jump point.
Astra stared at him as if he had just announced that he was going to attack the military fleet armed with a golf club.
- That is, flying straight, we have to.... deviate?
- I would prefer "strategic reflection from the course line" - corrected Alex, turning his eyes back to the screen. - Trust me, it's not the first time I've done something like that. Besides, if we actually have your father and his men on our tail, they'd better not find us on the open trail.
Astra was silent for a while, analyzing the situation.
- Do you have any idea where we can go?
Alex smiled again with that cheeky smile of his that expressed more than any words.
- I know of one place," he said, tapping his finger on the map. - Planet K-47. Technically it's not even a planet, more like an asteroid belt with one larger lump where there used to be a research facility. No one has looked there for years.
- And are you sure the place is safe?
- Safe? - Alex laughed quietly. - Nothing is safe in space, princess. But compared to what might await us if we stay the course, K-47 is like a vacation on the beach.
Astra sighed, but nodded.
- Good. Do what you need to do.
Alex entered the new coordinates, and the navigation screen changed, setting a new trajectory. The ship's engines began to make a deeper, more metallic sound as the "Faithful Dog" prepared to jump.
- Well, hold on, princess," said Alex, looking at Astra. - It's time for our little strategic excursion.
The engines whirred and the ship began to accelerate, preparing for a short sideways jump. Astra felt a slight shudder - from a mixture of fear and excitement - as they embarked on another uncertain part of their journey.
"Faithful Dog" vibrated slightly as the systems began to prepare for the jump. A quiet but intense buzz sounded in the cockpit, as if the entire ship was purring in anticipation of the moment it would break out of its current course. Alex sat in the pilot's seat, his fingers running over the buttons and levers on the console. The screens in front of him flashed, displaying data: coordinates, speeds and warnings.
- Everything is normal, but this scrap was not made for finesse," he chuckled, glancing at Astra, who was sitting next to him, holding onto the backrest.
- Meaning? - She asked, and a slight tension could be heard in her voice.
- That means it's going to be a short, sharp jump. Maybe a little ... uneven," he replied with a smile that didn't reassure Astra one bit.
The lights in the cockpit dimmed momentarily as energy was redirected to the drive cores. The pulsating cylinders in the engine room glowed with an intense blue light, casting a glow on the walls. The sound of the engines changed - a deep, pulsating buzz became louder, as if the ship was taking a deep breath before jumping.
- Three... two... one," said Alex, pressing the main switch on the console.
In an instant, the stars behind the panoramic glass blurred, as if someone had stretched them into long, luminous threads. The space around the ship seemed to tremble, and the black void of space took on shades of dark blue and purple. Astra felt as if her entire body had been immobilized for a moment - a sensation that could be compared to a moment of suspension on a rollercoaster, just before a sudden drop.
- Hold on, princess," chuckled Alex, keeping his hands firmly on the controls.
In the blink of an eye, everything stopped. The stars returned to their places, and the ship emerged into a new space.
In front of them hovered the K-47. Astra held its breath, looking at what was to be their temporary shelter.
- This... is really not a planet," she said, looking at Alex.
- Technically, no," Alex admitted, looking at the object.
K-47 looked like a fragment of a planet detached from the whole. It was an irregular, rocky lump that seemed to drift through space, like a lonely sailing ship on an endless ocean. Its surface was green in places from forests as well as cracked, with visible traces of past geological activity - gullies, craters and cliffs with lakes. At one end, shiny features could be seen - the remains of a former research facility.
The lump was strangely symmetrical on one side, suggesting that it might once have been part of a larger planet. Its edges, however, were jagged, as if it had broken off with tremendous force. Remnants of minerals in the rocks glistened in the light of distant stars, giving K-47 an almost mystical appearance.
- It looks like a piece of cake that someone cut out with a laser knife," Astra remarked, trying to hide her amazement.
- It's just that this cake is a hard stone with a negligible atmosphere with remnants of ancient civilization," replied Alex. - Well, princess, now we need to find a place to land.
Onboard systems began scanning the surface of K-47, and details of the facility were displayed on the screen. The research outpost, visible at one end of the lump, was built directly on the rocky edge. Its structures, though damaged and abandoned, still looked stable.
- There," Alex pointed out, marking the spot on the screen. - It looks like there's enough room for this scrap to land.
- What if there is someone still left there? - Astra asked, pointing to the remains of the buildings.
- Then we'll find out," Alex replied, grabbing the helm. - We can always pretend we got lost.
"Faithful Dog" slowly approached the K-47, and its engines emitted a drawn-out roar as Alex precisely set the landing trajectory. The lump, though deserted, hid something that aroused both curiosity and slight anxiety. With each passing second, Astra felt the tension build up, and their journey to Earth began to resemble something more than a simple escapade.