Chapter 10:
Suddenly, the whole ship shook with one violent jerk. Zara felt herself losing her balance as the wooden railing behind her threatened to give way. Zarabeth let out a cry of alarm as she began to tumble backwards. But then she felt Jim's strong arm wrap around her waist, pulling her back to safety.
The whole sky changed from pink to a burnt orange and the air felt hot.
No matter where they were, everyone came on deck to see what had happened.
Mr. Onus, the ship's lookout was the first to sight the issue. "Capteeen! The staaar!"
Just off the starboard side of the Legacy, a large star had just exploded, flames billowing from its sides, chunks of its broken mass flying in all directions.
The dog-man, Doctor Doppler, was the next to yell out, "The star Permusus; it's gone supernova!"
Captain Amelia began shouting orders, with Mr. Arrow relaying them, as the crew scrambled to obey. "Evasive action Mr. Turnbuckle! Make sure lifelines are good and tight! Men, secure those sails! Shoot down that debris!"
Jim quickly pulled Zara over to the main mast, tying a thick rope securely about her waist before putting on his own.
After giving the girl's hand a reassuring squeeze, Jim hurried to secure the sails at the front of the ship.
Zara stood blankly by the mast, not sure of what to do. In the three years she'd flown with the Captain, nothing like this had ever happened. She looked up to where Amelia stood beside the navigator, Mr. Turnbuckle. She always looked so calm, even under the worst of pressure. "What on earth can I do?" Zara asked herself as she looked around, totally at a loss.
Suddenly, the girl was thrown to her knees, pushed over by one of the aliens who'd been manning a laser cannon behind her. Zara looked behind her to see what he was running from. Her jaw dropped at what she was met with.
An enormous chunk of the burning star, twice the size of the ship, was slowly headed straight for them.
Zarabeth couldn't tear her gaze away from the smoldering brimstone which rolled ever closer, its heat radiating from afar. But, as the girl watched, the fraction suddenly changed direction to head backward, away from the helpless ship.
From above, Mr. Onus began frantically yelling. "Capteeen! Loook!"
All at once, everyone could see what was happening. Where the star had just exploded, a swirling black blob seemed to pull the debris back into itself.
Doctor Doppler's voice was strained as he called out. "It's devolving into a black hole!"
Zara stared in complete shock at the black mass which seemed to be pulling them in too. One thought singularly rang through her mind. "We're gonna die."
Sails now secure, most of the crew were back on the deck, staring blankly into the void which they were headed for.
A voice behind them caught their attention. "We're being pulled in!"
Zara looked up to the helm just in time to see Mr. Turnbuckle thrown to the deck, the wheel spinning out of control. With instant reflexes, Amelia forced the wheel to cease its spinning. "Oh no you don't!"
From the bowels of the black hole, a large wave of flames and gas came billowing forth. The force it hit the ship with caused it to creak and jolt under the impact.
Zara clung to the mast in front of her to keep from falling over, Jim doing the same as he came up beside her.
Zarabeth looked back at Amelia. She and the Doctor were calling back and forth to each other as Amelia's ears suddenly perked up with an idea.
Mr. Arrow called up to her, "All sails secure ma'am!"
The Captain raised her voice to answer. "Good man! Now release them immediately!"
Mr. Arrow stood there in confused shock before regaining composure. "You heard her men! Release those sails!"
Grumbling, the crew took action to obey.
Zara looked over at Jim just as he began to climb the shrouds again to help.
Amelia called out after the cabin boy to stop him. "Mr. Hawkins! Make sure all lifelines are secure!"
Zara watched as Jim came back, giving each lifeline surrounding the mast a firm tug, making sure none would get loose enough to come undone. "Lifelines secure Captain!"
The force of a second wave sent Zara back to her knees. She felt a firm hand grab her arm, pulling her up, steading her. Zara looked up into Jim's face. He looked so collected and calm. The girl couldn't help but stare. Jim looked so handsome, his hair blowing wildly about his face, his eyes glowing with the orange light which surrounded them.
The ship slowly began to tip as it was pulled closer to its demise. Delbert's voice yelled across the ship as the last of the sails were finally let loose. "The last wave! Here it comes!"
Amelia, still at the helm, called out to her terrified crew. "Hang onto your lifelines gents, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!"
Everyone scrambled to find something to cling to as the ship continued to tip backward.
Turning her to face the mast, Jim pinned himself protectively over Zara, clinging to the wood around her. Silver came from behind Jim, extending his large body to likewise cover the two teens, his mechanical arm firmly locked around Jim and Zara.
Zara turned her head to look at Jim. He was looking directly at her, a mixture of fear and love in his eyes. He tried to smile reassuringly as his gaze met hers. Closing his eyes, Jim pressed his lips to Zara's cheek. Zara turned back to face the mast, Jim's head resting protectively on her shoulder, his face touching hers. Zara took in the feeling of Jim's warmth against her cheek. One thought continued to press in her mind, sad but sweet. "I'm going to die in Jim's arms."