Chapter 1:
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"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy says that if you hold a lungful of air you can survive in the total vacuum of space for about thirty seconds. However it goes on to say that what with space being the mind boggling size it is the chances of getting picked up by another ship within those thirty seconds are two to the power of two hundred and sixty-seven thousand seven hundred and nine to one against." -The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
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Marco
I just had to tell him to go with the crazy reckless decisions. Then again, since we were all dead to begin with…what the hell?
I hope you're happy Xena, I whisper to a memory as the ships collide and everything goes black…
* * *
When I finally come to, everything aches. Just opening my eyes sends shockwaves of pain through my skull. At least I'm sure of something. I'm not dead. I feel my blood pool, thick and sticky beneath my fingertips, as I touch them to my scalp.
Jake is staring out of the view screen, looking just about as beaten up as I feel.
"Well, fearless leader, what do we do now?" I ask from pure reflex.
Jake turns to me with a look on his face that I haven't seen in a very long time. "I can't get the Z-space drive to respond."
"Wonderful. Please tell me we've at least lost the wannabe alien cult leader." I respond and wince as the pounding behind my temple increases.
He smiles grimly, "No sign of the other ship anywhere."
"You know…I could be-"
"Marco, give it a rest, you were bored out of your mind."
I grin back at him and wince a bit as I do so, "But still…"
He just rolls his eyes and turns back to the controls."
"So, what does work?"
"Basic navigational systems—Wait." He starts fiddling with the virtual map of this sector.
"Uh-oh" I mutter.
"What?" he asks, his eyes never leaving the view screen.
"You've got that look again. I hate that look. Every time I see it, I know that we're all about to do something insanely dangerous and suicidal."
"Who told me to make the crazy decisions, Marco?" He shoots back quickly with an ease he hasn't had in a long time. Great. I'm so glad it takes the crazy suicidal missions to let Jake regain his sanity. I mean, the guy's my best friend and all, but still…
"How does a small planet on the edge of nowhere sound?" he suddenly throws at me.
"Like a Star Wars: Episode 1 rip-off," I snap back
"Too bad, because we're heading for it."
"I wanna speak with the writer," I mutter under my breath
"What?"
"Never mind"
mmmmmghnfhfgfhgg I 'hear' in thought speak
"Morning Tobias," I respond pseudo-cheerfully
Now I know I'm dead. Marco's never that cheerful.
"Shut up, bird."
That's better.
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To be continued
I'll write more later