Chap 17

Alex wasn't sure how long she spent in the cleanse room, she had become lost in her own thoughts as the dirt and dried blood ran from her body. She reluctantly left the cleanse room and pulled on the white vest and skinny blue overalls Rhea had provided. She held up the white sandals which reminded her of the PE shoes Mrs Robins made her wear when she forgot her own pair. Alex frowned before putting them on; surprisingly they fit her comfortably. She stood and ran her hand over the white symbol located on the right side of her overalls. There was a long pole with three rings around it.

"Welcome to Aeron Alex" an unfamiliar voice called from within the room. Alex's head snapped up; her eyes fell on the hologram that had appeared to her right. "My name is Bron and I am your guide to Aeron." Alex waved her hand up and down in front of the hologram; it was similar to Alura's hologram back on Earth. Questions began to race through her mind.

"Is there a way out of the worm hole?" Alex asked.

"No; it is physically impossible to leave Aeron" Bron replied.

Alex turned away from Bron; she felt frustrated and annoyed at being told she couldn't return home. There had to be a way Alex thought as she turned back to Bron. "Tell me everything about Aeron."

"As you wish." Bron replied as other holograms appeared around Alex; she was surrounded by lights and images. Alex listened as Bron spoke of Aeron's history and explained each image.

"Aeron was created by Keane of Raku and named after his beloved wife. The station consists of three rotating wheels which help create an environment of artificial gravity. Aeron currently has 1150 inhabitants. Each individual is assigned a role which is identified by your uniform. You have been given the role of a teacher."

Alex looked down at her uniform with raised eyebrows. A teacher, she thought to herself. Her mother would be proud.

"Aeron..." Bron and the other holograms suddenly disappeared. "I'm sorry but I find Bron a little out dated" Keane said as he stepped into the room. Alex took a step back. "I'd like to apologise for my actions earlier." Keane began "What I did was..."

"Don't worry about it." Alex interrupted. She didn't want the man's apology. "How's Draper?"

"My daughter is given him the tour of Aeron. I would like to show you around if you're feeling up to it. I promise it will be more interesting then listening to Bron" Keane said. Alex thought for a moment before limping towards Keane. He smiled and led the way. They stepped out onto the metal walk way and Alex was surprised at how big the settlement was. The walls were identical to the ones in her room; the doors were metal and bright white. She held onto the railing and looked up. There were many floors above her, the ceiling was one bright light, too bright for her eyes. She looked down and noticed a communal area occupied by Aeron's inhabitants.

"It's beautiful isn't it" Keane said. Alex looked back up at Keane before walking towards the white staircase. Keane turned and followed her down the stairs.

"It's such a big ship for a small group of people."

"I had hoped to save more." Keane said sadly. Alex couldn't help but feel pity for Keane, he had lost so much. She was suddenly distracted as children exited a room to her right. They wore red overalls and each carried a small silver device. Alex watched as they walked in line led by a tall man with jet black hair and blue overalls.

"We've had some time to study other planets" Keane began. "But I'm sure the children can learn a lot more from you."

Alex frowned "I'm no teacher."

"What was your role on Earth?" Keane asked

"I hunted aliens." Alex replied as she continued down the stairs.

"I'm afraid we don't have a role for those abilities" Keane chuckled "I think you'd be better off teaching the children about your planet." Alex was about to protest but was distracted by someone calling her name.

"Danvers" Draper called from the bottom of the stairs. Draper had a few cuts and bruises to his face and hands but otherwise looked in good health.

"Draper" Alex replied. She was relieved to see a familiar face, even if it was a former DEO prisoner. "Are you alright?" Alex asked.

"I'm fine, just getting the grand tour of the place. It really is beautiful, don't you think?" Draper said looking back at Alex and winking so fast she almost missed it. It was an act, relief washed over her.

"It's beautiful" Alex finally answered. Keane and Rhea smiled at each other "Then let us show you the rest." Keane said. Draper and Alex followed them around Aeron for what seemed like hours. Alex couldn't help but feel impressed with the place; she never dreamt she would travel to space or get trapped in a wormhole. They chatted to the inhabitants, played with the children but most importantly they memorised the layout and location of the docking station.

"I'd like you to meet Alanna and her father Sardath of Rann. We welcomed them on Aeron when their ship was attacked and forced to take refuge inside the wormhole." Keane said

Alanna was a muscular, dark-haired woman. She tilted her head and stared at Alex. "You're human" she said.

"Yeah" Alex replied and watched as the Alanna smiled back at her.

"My husband is also human; I look forward to getting to know you." Alanna said. Alex was curious to learn more about Alanna and her human husband but Keane had other plans.

"I have one more room to show you both" Keane said as he led them to a medium size room on the ground floor. Alex's eyes fell on the chambers inside the room; each had a glass lid. Alex stood over one of the closed chambers; her eyes met those of a man frozen in time. Alex placed her hand over her mouth and turned away.

"I'm sorry Alex, we should have warned you." Rhea said.

"What is this?" Alex asked.

Keane smiled and stepped forward "There are only three rules on Aeron.

No fighting: If you have a problem with a fellow Aeron, you come to me.

No killing: We may not age or suffer illness but we can still die.

No attempts to escape; I will not allow anyone to risk the lives of my people.

"If you break the rules, you will be given a sentence which is carried out here." Keane pointed towards the chamber. "If you continue to break the rules after this isolation, you will be banished from Aeron."

"Banished" Draper repeated. Keane pointed to a white pod on the opposite side of the room "You will be placed into the pod and ejected from the ship."

"Has anyone ever been banished" Draper asked.

"No, Isolation seems to make people come to their senses." Keane said as he looked to Alex.

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Alex and Draper sat alone on a metal bench located at the end of the communal room. Rhea had finally left Alex's side in order to attend to her chores but promised to return. Alex had secretly hoped the girl's chores would keep her occupied long enough for her to come up with a plan to escape.

"Please tell me you've got a plan" Draper asked

"Working on it" Alex replied. "Do you know anything about Raku?"

"Just the stories I heard on my planet"

"Which Are?"

Draper inhaled "There planet was infected. Twenty years ago."

Alex's eyes were wide with shock "They've been on this ship for twenty years."

Draper nodded "Looks like it."

"How...do they...I mean... I can't..."

"Use your words Danvers"

"We have to get off this ship" Alex finally said.

"Agreed"