Free Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair by Marcus Johnson Page A

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statement we also plan to conserve energy by halving the use of crew quarters.
I know it’ll be cramped but it’ll keep the Avoni running efficiently. The
senior officers are under the same conditions.”
    “What
was with that video you showed us yesterday?” another ensign asked. Many behind
her echoed the sentiment.
    “I
made the decision to show the video to everyone,” Brian answered. “We took
refuge on this moon for repairs, but while doing so we uncovered something
horrible. A few of your crewmates have seen this first hand. Instead of keeping
it secret I decided to show it to all of you. What happened to the Mardok is
not something that just concerns us, but the Confederation as a whole.” He put
the image of the inner planet Zae showed him yesterday on the massive screen in
the back of the auditorium. “As you can see this rocky planet is orbited by a
large moon. It’s also within the life zone of this solar system’s star. If you
look closely you’ll notice wear and tear on the planet’s surface. This is proof
erosion has taken place. But now there’s no atmosphere. In the video all of you
watched yesterday Nardin mentioned a great catastrophe that burned off the
atmosphere of their home planet. If this is true then we must find proof it
really happened. That’s the reason why I want to check the planet before
leaving this system. We must know if the Greys such power. But, if the crew decides
we should leave immediately I’ll comply.”
    The
crowd spoke amongst themselves quietly. After reaching a decision each stopped
and saluted to show their agreement with Brian’s plan.
    “Good,”
Zae said. “We will now move onto specifics. Each of you can choose who you’re
going to bunk with. After this is done we’ll shut down all unused areas of the
ship.” She pointed to herself and Brian, then Celi. “As of now, Brian’s the acting
captain of the Avoni. I’ll serve as the first officer with Celi as the third in
command. We’ll be in charge of operations and the bridge of course.” She
pointed to Baed. “Lieutenant Baed will be in charge of the ship’s navigation
and power systems.” She then pointed to Jesela. “Lieutenant Jesela will be in
charge of the ships engineering systems as well as mainatence of the Avoni.”
Finally, she pointed to Meldi and Myli. “Lieutenants Meldi and Myli will be in
charge of the Raknas and security of the ship. I know all of this is
unsettling. Each of us will be asked of much more than we expected when we
signed on as the crew of the Avoni. Each of us may be put in a position we
never wanted or that may cost us our lives. But survival is the game we’re playing
now. No matter what happens we will reach home.” Zae ended her speech with
applause from the crew.
     
    * * *
     
    Brian
watched while the three officers in the sickbay spoke in high spirits from the
lab room. Celi was busy checking him over again.
    “It
certainly looks like our meeting earlier helped,” Brian said.
    “Morale
is important right now,” Celi said. “If we keep our wits about us we should be
able to survive. It really is a good thing most of us trained in the military.”
    “You
have to admit the Avoni’s feel is much more casual,” he said.
    “That’s
because of Valis,” Celi said. “She’s always been laid back. Too many rules and
regulations will ruin a crew. That’s what she’d say.” She checked her scans
three times. “Damn, I was right.”
    “What’s
done is done,” Brian said before putting the exoskeleton back on.
    “Are
you sure about keeping this secret?”
    “For
now, it’s important for the crew to see me walking about,” he answered. “I’ll
tell Zae soon. If the worst happens I’ll inform the crew.” He looked at the
diseased nanomachines in his blood. “If the worst does happen promise me you’ll
make it back alive.”
    “That’s
something you’d say to Seles.”
    “She’s
not here right now,” he said. “I meant you Celi.