This is the second chapter I have posted today, so make sure you have read 13 first!
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-xXx-
It's been five weeks.
Everything is back to normal, or at least that's how it looks from the outside. In reality, things could not be more different. My relationship with the girls is at rock bottom and whether they mean to or not, it feels like they are punishing me for the decisions I have made.
Caroline's anger and aggression eventually became too difficult to deal with. I employed a trainer to work with her, but although she does the work out, it doesn't seem as well managed as it was before. Now I am faced with a decision that feels impossible. Do I allow my daughter to be medicated? The doctor has warned that it will affect her mood and personality in a significant way, but it will help her control her anger.
Cassidy is quiet and withdrawn, just going through the motions. She gets up every day and works out, after insisting I bought her various bits of equipment. It's good that she has something to focus on, but it's more than that. Cassidy tells me she wants to be ready so that when she turns sixteen, she can contact Andrea and join the crew. I have no idea what to say to that, so I try to support her as much as possible. I feel like this is her way of coping, and if it helps her deal with everything, then who am I to try and talk her out of her dreams and ambitions?
"Miranda?"
Lost in my thoughts, Helena's voice startles me and she smiles sheepishly. "Sorry."
I shake my head. "It's fine. What do you need?"
She gestures to the opposite sofa. "May I?"
I nod, curious to know why she looks so skittish. Helena has not been afraid to speak her mind around me for many years, yet she looks decidedly green and like she might bolt out of the door to the bathroom at any given moment.
"What is it?"
She clears her throat. "You're not happy, Miranda. The girls aren't happy either."
The anger that flares upon her words is extinguished almost immediately and I sigh wearily. I know she's right, but it's not something I have wanted to face. "It's not been easy settling back in," is all I reply. I can't let myself think about it too much, or I will lose control of my emotions altogether.
"Are you sure you made the right decision?" she asks cautiously. Hey eyes are warm and there is not an ounce of judgement in them. I find myself wanting to talk about it, and wanting to talk about Andrea for the first time since we came home.
"I may not have told you the entire story," I begin, reaching for two glasses from the bar next to me and pouring us a large measure of scotch. "I met someone. Someone amazing, Helena. I don't know how to go back to living without them in my life."
"I know," she admits with a soft smile. "Do you really think the girls would keep quiet about something as important as their mom being in love?"
I've just taken a sip of my drink and her words cause me to swallow it the wrong way. I cough furiously, clearing my throat. "Of course they did," I mutter. I'm not really all that surprised, though.
"I think that's half the reason why they are so upset with you," she offers, picking up her own glass and taking a drink. "They're not happy here, and they know that you're not either. I think they can't help wondering what the point is?"
"The point is… The point…" I stop. Do I even know what the point is? I thought I did, but here I am, miserable and lonely despite being surrounded by people I cherish. "I'm not sure I know what the point is, anymore," I admit, the scotch loosening my tongue.
"Then change it. Call Andrea and tell her you want to come back," she suggests, shrugging lightly as if it's the most simple thing in the world. Maybe she's right? Maybe it is?
"And what of you, Helena?"
She smiles then, eyes lighting up. "From what the girls say, I would be welcome to join the crew. They talk to me a lot about it, and I'm not against the idea. I have skills that I can offer and I will happily learn whatever they need me to, in order to become a valuable asset to them."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that," she repeats, eyes still shining.
"Hmmmm." I don't know what to say, my mind turning over at a thousand lightyears per second. Could it really be that easy?
Yes. I know it could.
All I need to do is contact Andrea and she would return for us, I know she would. The crew all told us many times just how welcome we would be. I feel the corners of my lips curling up at the thought of seeing them all again. What would I really be leaving behind? A waterworld planet that despite all attempts, is long past the point of no return. What are we staying here for? If my children have children one day, what kind of planet will they be living on then? Scientists have been transparent about the risk of it becoming inhospitable for human life for a long time now.
"Call her," Helena prompts, draining her glass. "I'll be ready," she adds with a wink, turning to leave the room.
I reach out and grasp her wrist. "Thank you, Helena. You are so good to me and I don't tell you enough how much I value you and your friendship."
"You might not say the words, Miranda, but you show me in other ways. If it's not immediately obvious, I value our friendship, too. If that means running off to live on a spaceship amongst the stars, then lead the way," she says with an impish smile I don't normally see on her generally serious face.
"Noted," I reply, releasing my hold on her. She slips from the room, leaving me alone to stare at my Comms unit.
My finger shakes as I press the button to call the Command console of the Star Chaser II.
It rings.
Thirty seconds later it is still ringing and I realise no one is going to pick up. There is always someone in Command and incoming Comms are always intercepted within seconds of their presence becoming known.
Is Andrea ignoring me? Has she instructed the rest of the crew to ignore my call? All those words she whispered and promises she made… were they all as empty as the loss I now feel in my life?
-xXx-
"You need to see this." Helena bursts into my office two days later, and takes the controller on my desk to flick on the information screen on the side wall. "Look."
***Breaking News***Evacuation Ordered on Earth One***
"Xylem has officially declared war against Earth One. After months of negotiations, peace talks have irrevocably fallen through, and both sides have withdrawn from further negotiations. It is our belief that Xylem poses a significant risk to the population of Earth One. If you have a way to evacuate, then do not waste time. We are urging all citizens to evacuate if it is possible. If not, then please make your way to the central reservation in each city for further instructions."
"Shit." I turn to Helena, only to see my own fear reflected back at me. "Do you have any ideas?"
"Did you call Andrea?" Helena asks cautiously.
I sigh, rubbing my temples. "Yes. I tried. It would appear that the crew no longer wish to be acquainted with us."
"What? I don't understand."
I look up to meet her gaze as steadily as I can. "I called Andrea's Command desk and no one answered. I didn't leave a message, but they would have seen my attempt, and yet no one called me back."
"Oh."
"Yes, oh," I reply snarkily. "Can you go and get the girls?"
Thirty minutes later and we are out of options. Helena has called every spaceport in the city, and every other city on Earth One, but no one has any room for four more passengers on any of their craft. Such is the corruption on this planet, that the politicians and people of 'influence' were told of our impending doom several hours before the news became public knowledge, allowing them the chance to book up all transport off of this godforsaken place.
We all have a small case packed and at some point today we will do as has been suggested and make our way to the central hub of the city. It's pointless, I know. There is absolutely zero chance that changing our location will offer us any protection from what is coming, but all of us feel the need to do something.
"Try Andrea," Caroline begs me, tugging on my arm.
"I did," I admit, a hysterical laugh escaping when I see the shock on her face. "I called her two days ago, Bobbsey, but no one answered. It's too late now. Wherever they are, they won't have time to get back to us."
"So what do we do?" Cassidy asks glumly.
"We hope for a miracle," I suggest, though my words are empty and there is not a single person in the room that believes that we can be saved. Xylem has a Planet Destroyer at their disposal and it's headed our way. By this time tomorrow, there is very little chance that any of us will still be alive.
"Andrea will come for us," Cassidy says resolutely, and I can see how much she believes in the Commander. I don't have the heart to tell her how impossible this is.
An uneasy quiet descends on the room. The quiet hum of electronics and our breathing the only sounds present. What is there left to say? We are out of options and it would literally take a miracle to save us now.
None of us move when we get an alert that someone is at the main entrance. They are sending officials door to door to make sure that people are following the issued instructions, and I don't want someone else to lie to my face. If they even attempt to tell us that everything will be okay, then I swear I will channel my inner-Andrea and put them on the floor.
"Should I?" Helena asks, gesturing to the door.
"No. Leave it," I reply, shaking my head. "We'll leave when we're ready."
No sooner have I spoken the words, my fury is sparked when I hear the door open, and then close again. How dare they?
"Hey? Miranda? Cassie? Caroline?"
That voice. I know that voice. No. Surely not.
"Andrea?" I call weakly, jumping to my feet. Until I see her face, I can't be convinced that this is not a trick.
"Hey," she says again, walking casually into the room with Douglas behind her. "Need a ride?"
I throw myself across the room and into her arms, hugging her tightly. "You're here. You're really here?"
She laughs gently. "I'm sorry for ignoring your call, I wanted to surprise you when we got here."
Surprise me? What the- "You were already on your way back here?" I guess, as the thought occurs to me.
She nods happily. "Yes. We were three sectors away and I realised that Doom Baby no longer felt like home."
"You wanted to live on Earth One?" Caroline asks, pulling me off of the commander, so she can hug the woman.
"No, Caroline. It was never about Earth One."
Cassidy reaches out for the Commander, wrapping her arms around both her and her sister. "Home is where we are, isn't that right, Andy?"
Andrea chuckles, holding both girls tightly to her. "You got it, Kiddo. However, under the circumstances I have a better idea. How about we get off this waterlogged world and go star-hopping for a while?"
Both girls nod eagerly, jumping up and down. Andrea pushes them gently back, walking forward to extend a hand to Helena. "Hey, I'm Andy. You're coming with us, yeah?"
Helena blushes slightly as she accept the hand. "If that's okay?"
Andrea grins widely. "A friend of Miranda's is always welcome. I'm sure we'll find something for you to do. We came back knowing it would be a package deal."
Helena flicks her eyes towards me in shock, and I conceal my smirk. She really doesn't have any idea just how much she means to me and the girls. Maybe this will show her.
"Thank you," Helena replies. "When do we leave?"
"Right now?" Andrea suggests. "Xylem are far too close for comfort and the entire solar system will be in turmoil once that thing goes off."
"Then by all means, lead the way, Andrea." I lean forward to kiss her cheek, but she lifts me up into her arms, kissing me soundly on the lips. I barely recognise the girlish laugh that leaves my mouth as I slap her arm. "Put me down, you oaf."
She laughs, turning to the cases she has spotted in the corner. "Girls, grab your cases."
Minutes later we are all in the shuttle speeding away from the only home my children have ever known. I look at them carefully, examining their faces for any sign of regret or sadness, but all I see is happiness. They are excited to be leaving. Excited to see Andrea and the crew again. Excited to be leaving planet life for a life amongst the stars.
I'm not surprised. I am excited for all the same reasons.