iEgress – Alpha-Omega/i

The ready room was quieter than a graveyard. Even the mood was tangible at this point. Davis' Lieutenant, Travis Steward, was sitting next to him, and thus was feeling the Captain's pain the most.

Davis, for the most part, couldn't so much as raise his eyes. The tears hadn't stopped since he had received the news. He was stronger than any normal man by both emotional control and physique. Never once did he sob—his Lieutenant commended him for it, though he never received a reply.

And, now that he thought of it, Davis hadn't spoken at all once those words left Ken's mouth.

Travis promptly stood and placed a hand on Davis' shoulder. "Sir?" It took several long seconds before Davis dared reply.

"Yes Travis...?" It was long ago since Davis ever called him that. Before they even entered the Navy. Travis smiled slightly.

"Sir, we've been good friends since long before the Navy. Trust me enough to look at me." Travis' words never came near the 'harsh' threshold, which was something new, even for Travis. Davis looked up, and Travis did all he could to keep from starting.

Davis looked like Davis no more. He now looked old—indeed, many years older than he was. His eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted into a frown, the entirety of his face wrinkled into a facade reflecting sadness. The man was shaking ever so slightly, holding back what Travis knew was to come privately.

"Sir, everything will be fine, you must understand."

"It should not have happened, Trav."

"No, sir, it shouldn't have happened at all, not to anyone."

"Why not me?"

"Excuse me, Sir?"

"Why couldn't it be me in place of my son?"

"I see."

"Why not me? I am reaching the end of my life, and my son had so many more years to experience..."

"Because, Sir, you have a purpose yet." Davis sobbed, or at least it came out as a sob.

"My purpose was to protect my only son, my only family left. I've fai--" before he could finish, he broke down. He truly became a broken man.

Travis' thoughts turned to himself, surprisingly. How Davis had helped Travis overcome the death of his parents. His parents had died unfairly—truly unfairly, considering they were doing what loved ones did when their lives were taken.

"Sir, do you remember when you helped me? iHow/i you've helped me?" Travis felt a block enter his throat at the thought of his parents. Davis nodded weakly. "I lost both my parents because of a freak accident." Davis nodded again.

"They weren't even military personnel." Travis stood quietly for a few seconds, thinking of their demise.

It was maybe a year or two into his Navy career. He remembered this day all too well—it haunted him every night.

They would always walk together down a beaten dirt road. He looked at his mother and father so proudly all the time, and this was no different. Despite his age, he always felt like a kid around his parents. For no reason whatsoever, he would always bolt into the tallest grass possible along this route and come back with flowers for his mother. Sunflowers always made her smile, and that always made his father and himself smile.

That smile was his gift to his father, and the flowers were the gift to his mother. And always after the deed, they both would say at once, as if planned, i'You are the best gift God has ever given us'/i.

Then, that day, second day on his vacation, they were walking in the trail again, the father and mother holding hands like they always did. And, just as always, he bolted into the taller grass. He later committed to cursing himself over and over again for not staying by his parents.

An airborne fight broke out miles in front of them. Jets broke into the atmosphere trailed by two others. The lead craft, a UNS craft, broke formation to engage the trailing foes. The foe leftmost to the squadron fired a few lasers and crippled the second UNS craft, sending it crashing to the ground. The lead craft fired two missiles, and both hit their mark—the separate foe craft. Both craft began their flaming descent into the earth. The first one to hit the ground exploded violently, spraying debris in all directions. The second craft didn't explode.

Too quickly for anyone to react, the twisted and broken craft slid right into his parents at a dreadful speed. He knew they were dead long before the craft stopped sliding nearly 2,000 feet away. Tears in his eyes, he could not bring himself to even look at the wreck. He turned and ran as far from the spot as possible, eventually ending up at a Naval port. He ended his vacation and stayed in space, not once ever landing on any planet again.

"No, they were not military personnel," Travis replied, "but the war affects everyone. That's something you had told me." Davis was slightly quieter now. "You also taught me that no matter what happens, we have a purpose in life." Davis looked up once more, still looking so much older than he should. "We have a job to do, some unknown goal to reach. We never know what that goal really is, but we can still push toward what we ibelieve/i is that goal."

"I did say all of that, didn't I?" Davis was displaying a weak smile. It had a comforting effect on the both of them.

"Yes, you did. You taught me all of that."

"And now I'm taking lessons from the one I've taught. How nice," Davis said, not really smiling wider.

"All these years you've been a father to me. Have I ever told you that?" Davis' smile faded in an instant to be replaced by a look of surprise, albeit a minor one.

"No, you haven't, but I see what you mean."

"My true father could never be replaced, you know that. But you took care of me as if I were your son."

"So, in effect, I have two sons then…" Davis said quietly. "I still have family."

"That's right, Sir. I could very well call you my father."

"Why don't you, then?"

"Because I don't believe that would blow over well with protocol, or with anyone for that matter." Davis nodded. "You still have some kick in your life."

"Yes…yes, I do."

"May I suggest a place to begin looking?"

"You may," replied Davis after a couple seconds of thought.

"Let's start in iAlpha-Omega/i. Let's find out what those things ireally/i are." Davis slumped slightly at the thought, only to pick himself up a second later. He looked at Travis once more, a strange light burning in his eyes.

"Let's do it."

iOrbit Outside Meteo Asteroid Field/i

The café was alive with noise and commotion now that the morning alarm went off. Kevin found himself in line with a large array of anthros now, only a few of whom he recognized. He wasted no time waving to Allie, and Seria avoided him completely. Falco and Slippy were off sitting at a table towards the center of the café itself, chatting up a storm. Peppy was laughing a table away, most likely at Falco's wisecracks.

Kevin pulled up a chair just opposite of Allie, who was busy batting at her own hair, trying to get it out of her face. As soon as Kevin pulled the chair in and put his lunch down-another sandwich much like the one he had a night ago-Allie looked up and smiled brightly.

"Hey, good morning!" she exclaimed. Kevin smiled back and nodded his greeting. "How are you?"

"Pretty good. Didn't sleep all that well, but I'm doing well."

"Why not?"

"Not sure. Just an odd feeling." Allie nodded and poked at her carrots (or at least they looked like carrots).

"And what about your craft?"

"That's coming along nicely. How'd you sleep?" asked Kevin as he took a large bite out of his sandwich.

"I slept well. I'm used to the ship." Allie's ears suddenly perked straight up. "Maybe that's why you didn't sleep well! You aren't used to the ship yet!"

"I'd place a bet on that," replied Kevin with a smirk. Allie chuckled as Seria made her way to their table.

"What are you up to?" Kevin started to reply, but was cut off by Seria before the first word left his mouth. "I'm asking iher/i."

"Hey," called Allie, "don't be rude, Seria!" Seria stepped back slightly and Kevin took note of it immediately. "He's a nice guy."

"Yea. To you," said Seria quietly.

"What are you saying, Seria?" interjected Kevin. "That I'm making moves on her?"

"I don't know. Are you?"

"How long have I been here, Seria?" Allie leaned back slightly, ears getting closer to her head with every word exchanged between the two.

"Maybe two days," she stated matter-of-factly.

"So I've known her less."

"And?"

"Think about it, Seria. I barely know her. Sure, she's lots of fun, but that doesn't mean I want to get in her pants. So back off." Seria stared for a few seconds, and Kevin met her gaze fiercely. After a few seconds Seria stormed off. Kevin turned to Allie, who had the slightest frown on her face, her ears flat. "Sorry, Allie," Kevin said quietly, almost sheepishly.

"No, it's not your fault," said Allie, returning to her normal position. "I don't know why she's so protective of me. I can defend myself if anyone tries anything…"

"I guess she just cares about you a lot."

"I've told her about it before, even Valer told her about it," said Allie, her voice raising slightly.

"Hold up now," said Kevin, holding up a hand, "who's Valer?"

"One of our friends. He's like our father, and Seria listens to him more than anyone else." Allie paused, tilting her head quizzically. "She seems to be real defensive about you."

"I've noticed that much," chuckled Kevin. After a couple seconds, he raised an eyebrow as a thought occurred to him. "You don't think...?"

"No, no," said Allie, waving both paws, "I don't think she's right, I just think she cares about me itoo/i much, if you know what I mean."

"No, I don't catch your meaning."

"I mean, she thinks I'm just a kid still."

"No offense, but you do act like a kid."

"None taken. Besides, who wants to be a stick in the mud?" She finished her question with a wide smile. "You're too serious, for example."

"Are you saying I'm a stick in the mud," asked Kevin with a small smile.

"No, not at all. I'm just saying you're stiff at times."

"You never know. I could be a wild man."

"True, you could be. But that's why we spend time like this." Kevin laughed as she continued. "No, listen! We spend time together and we get to know each other, our weaknesses and strengths, then we become good friends by helping each other where we can!"

"You're very wise for...well...I don't know," Kevin finished laughing.

"You were going to say for one my age, right?"

"I was, but I don't know your age."

"23 years." Kevin laughed again. "What?!"

"Most women I know would stab me in my eyes if I asked their age," he said, still laughing.

"I'll never understand why." Allie giggled, then tilted her head again, ears perked upwards. "Maybe you and Seria should spend more time together!"

"You're not serious," asked Kevin, his laughs stopping very suddenly, "are you?"

"I am," she replied, taken aback slightly, "why?"

"Because I'm sure she'd rather eat my heart out." Now it was Allie's turn to laugh loudly.

"She's just a big old softie at heart! You just have to get to know her."

"I suppose I could try," said Kevin after a few quiet seconds. "Provided she agrees to not itry/i to agitate me."

"I'm sure she'll agree to those terms."

"Okay. Whenever you're ready, then."

"That'll have to wait until tomorrow. You've already made her a bit cranky."

"Me?"

"Sorry," Allie said quickly, "she did kind of do it to herself after all." Allie smiled again.

"Well, tomorrow then. Let's just hope all goes well."

"It will, I promise."

"That's reassuring, thank you."

"Anytime!" Allie beamed another smile as Kevin laughed.

Relative daytime rolled around on the ship while Kevin fervently worked on his broken craft. The engines were now completely repaired, and now he was working on several wing sections. Slippy was on the other end of the craft asking various questions about the build of the ship. As Kevin answered, Slippy would piece together other parts of the craft using his newly acquired knowledge.

Kevin found that he enjoyed Slippy's company. He had no problems being misunderstood when it came to technological info; Slippy understood everything to the highest degree and employed it even better.

Slippy also found Kevin to be knowledgeable about anything electronic. His prime interest was learning how Kevin modified the radio to intercept transmissions from across the universe.

Slowly the ship's nighttime came. By this time, Kevin had found that he truly enjoyed being on the ship. In particular, he preferred Allie and Falco's company, and the wise ramblings of Peppy were also very welcome. He had also gotten to know some of the songs that were played periodically over the intercomm. One of the songs, named "More Today than Yesterday" Allie had told him, he had almost learned completely. He also heard a few songs he knew from way back in the 21st Century such as "Boom" by P.O.D. Peppy had explained that before Ken had left he gave them a load of his CD's as well as devices to play the CD's over the intercomm.

Ship-Midnight came about, and Kevin found himself quite tired, so when his door chime went off he wasn't exactly thrilled. "Open," he called, and the door slid open. Seria was in the doorway. Kevin let out an involuntary moan.

"Okay, listen to me," she began, "I really suck with this kind of thing."

"I'm listening. It's not like I'd just tell you to shut up."

"I'm sorry," she said very quietly.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, Kevin."

"For what, Seria?" Kevin was taken completely by surprise by the whole thing. Seria had never struck him as one to apologize.

"For this morning." Her ears drooped as she leaned against the door frame, her arms crossed. "I...was out of place."

"Look, Seria," began Kevin, but he was cut off immediately.

"No, Kevin, don't. I already know you're a good guy, I know you wouldn't do anything to her."

"Then why would you say what you did?"

"I couldn't tell you," said Seria, averting her eyes. Kevin sighed.

"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I won't force you."

"I guess..."

"Seria, only tell me if you want to." Kevin offered a smile, lit only by the lights in the hall.

"Kevin, I was jealous."

"What's there to be jealous of?"

"You and Allie are good friends. You're good friends with Falco. You're good friends with everyone on the damn ship. You did it so much faster than I ever could hope to. You had no problem making friends with everyone. Everyone but me."

"That can change." Seria was now taken aback by the swiftness of Kevin's reply. "I'll immediately admit that I didn't try to get off on the right foot with you. To be honest, my first impression of you was that you were stuck-up." Seria prepared a retort, but decided it would be best not to say anything and let Kevin continue. "If you are willing, we can try again tomorrow morning. I'm still a little more than a zombie right now." Seria laughed lightheartedly and nodded.

"Alright."

"Thanks for your time, Seria. I appreciate your forwardness."

"No, thank iyou/i, Kevin, for listening to me. I'll see you tomorrow." Kevin nodded and Seria left as the door slid shut. Kevin rolled back into bed, threw his shirt beside the foot of his bed and fell asleep immediately.

iAlpha-Omega System, Hazardous Space/i

"Report," called Captain Davis to his Engineering Officer, Thomas.

"Well, Sir, we know that they're electronic, to a degree."

"'To a degree'?"

"Aye." The engineer fiddled with his glasses, setting them straight on his crooked nose. "Their makeup is unlike anything we've ever seen. All we can get is that they are part electronic, and the rest of their makeup is unknown."

"So you're telling me that these things are essentially jump-holes?"

"Yessir, it seems that's the case."

"How can jump-holes do...what they did?"

"Well, Sir, provided that jump-holes are actually distortions in space, it seems almost likely that--"

"Almost likely isn't good enough. Is there a sure-fire chance that jump-holes can tear a ship to pieces or not?"

"The Slipstream itself might, but there's no sure chance that a jump-hole can." Davis sat in the captain's chair and leaned forward.

"The Slipstream being the 'space' that the ship jumps through, am I correct?"

"Aye Sir, your knowledge is spot-on as always."

"Spare me the ass-kissing and continue, Thomas.

"Well," began Thomas as he regained his barely-lost composure, "the things certainly have the makeup of a jump-hole, but their behavior is very...erratic."

"Stop with the dramatic pauses and please elaborate."

"They move, as per par with spatial physics...but not per par with current conditions."

"And this means what?"

"These things move on their own free will, Sir. They ihave/i free will. Or at least that's what I'm lead to believe. "

"You're trying to pass off that spatial anomalies have free will?"

"Sir, not a literal free will, a sort of 'artificial' free will. They have slight control over where they want to be and when."

"This isn't helping at all."

"Sir, I'm doing what I can. Forgive me."

"Look, just keep researching those things out. I need to know what they are."

"Aye, Sir." Thomas turned on his heel and stalked out of the room as Davis contemplated his thoughts further.

Ken watched from his own 'home' in cyberspace as Thomas stalked out of the room. He silently chuckled to himself as he retrieved Thomas' files concerning the anomalies.

"His protection is rather primitive, even for an Engineer. He should know better." Ken opened the files and looked them over. "What if a hacker were to...say...delete..." Ken waved a hand over the file and it immediately dissipated into nothingness, "...the file?" Ken stood up and walked over to the mainframe of the ship and chuckled to himself. "This, however, should be challenging." He waved a hand over a little blue box and started searching millions of input codes a second, searching for a way into the mainframe.