Chapter 3

Pony Express long-haul space freighter "Tulpar"

Crew: Eight

Planned Shipment Duration: 382 Days

Elapsed Transit Time: 148 Days

My eyes met Captain Curly's eyes. He had a surprised look on his face as we all surprised him with a birthday celebration. I bet he didn't expect that, he slowly walked towards the lounge, wide-eyed and still surprised as we walked in front of him and greeted him one by one, with Anya going first and the others next.

"Happy Birthday Captain, we only had one chance to celebrate something during this trip so we decided to celebrate yours! I hope you enjoy it!" I looked at my sister as she smiled at the Captain. Daisuke went next along with Swansea who had a frown and a smile on his face.

Then Fuyu was next, she looked at the Captain and smiled at him, before speaking in a small yet happy voice. "Happy Birthday Captain, thanks for being the one to keep us safe on this trip, I hope you enjoy our small celebration." Captain Curly looked at her and gave a small smile and a nod as Jimmy and Kashka went next, speaking in a more laid-back tone as they greeted him too.

"Happy Birthday Cap, enjoy the party, it only happens once" I spoke, as I tapped Captain's back, his smile growing as the mood became more light, with everyone going to their own chairs to take a seat. I went to the bar counter, leaning in there while Fuyu walked next to me.

"Don't wanna sit? There's still a chair there." Her voice reached my ears as I turned to her and spoke, my voice quiet and calm. "No, I like to stand more than sit, why don't you head there instead?" I asked, her eyes meeting mine as she let out a sigh before turning to the crew, her voice more quiet than usual so that only I could hear it.

"I don't want to sit either...especially next to Jimmy, that's the only chair left after all. He just weirds me out so much.." I looked at the guy who was mentioned, he had a neutral look on his face but, it was weirding me out too the longer I looked at him. I let out a breath before speaking again, my voice equal to Fuyu.

"I feel the same, but let's not judge the person. Maybe he's just naturally like that. It's both our first time being with him anyway, and I guess 5 months isn't still enough for us to get used to him." I replied, before I looked at her as she silently drank her orange juice and hummed.

We both listened in to the crew as they started celebrating the Captain's birthday, with Daisuke asking him to give a speech and everybody started to agree. I felt Jimmy look at the two of us before turning back to the others, while I nodded and Fuyu agreed to the Captain giving a speech.

Captain Curly took a deep breath and looked at all of us, before speaking in his usual voice.

"I…I'm thankful, for the celebration, really. You all made me happy with this and, honestly I have to tell you all something." The air was still lively, and Anya had a smile on her face together with me and Fuyu, satisfied that the celebration went well.

"I received a letter from the higher-ups." Pause, the air became tense, heavy, and everyone's smiles dropped as the pressure increased. Captain Curly looked at all of us before sighing and speaking again. "I was told to tell you all this when we got closer to our destination but…I just couldn't keep it to myself. The higher-ups told me that everyone on this trip will get fired after this haul, excluding me and Kashka, since she's our executive on board. And don't worry, you'll still get your paycheck but that's going to be the last, and as much as I hate this news…I can't do anything about it."

"I don't have any savings…" Anya said, I didn't have much either, I had savings I could use but it was only for myself, I wouldn't mind giving half of it to my sister but…how long would that last? "I'm…why? Why the hell would they fire us like that?" I asked, everyone turning to me as Swansea looked at me with a different kind of frown on his face.

"It shouldn't be surprising, Pony Express is the last man operated shipping company, its name's always brought down by other company's ever since tech became more advanced. Guess we're the last haul and things are over for them, and us." He answered, mocking the company as I started to think.

"Pony Express was slowly laying off its ships or transferring them to other companies…even as an executive of the company, I knew nothing about this. But like Mr. Swansea said, "It isn't surprising anymore." Kashka added, leaving us all in a tense silence.

"When did they tell you?" I looked at Jimmy as he spoke in a low tone, his head hanging low and his fists curled up as he placed it on top of the table. "Just..earlier this week.." Captain spoke, before stopping for a bit and taking a deep breath. "I was instructed to wait until we're closer to the haul destination…But I can't keep something like this from you all." He looked at all of us before his gaze landed on Jimmy.

"So what now? I guess you got what you wanted." Jimmy replied, his gaze raising to meet Curly's as they stared at each other. "Without the guilt." He continued, his fists clenching tighter as it slowly turned white in anger. Curly looked at him, guilt and confusion in his voice as he spoke back. "Jim..if I had known.."

"I can go back to my, how'd you put it? Struggle of a life?" Jimmy continued, his voice strained in anger and sarcasm laced in his voice. "Anya never got to medical school because she's…well, let's be real." My head turned to Jimmy, as my eyes widened in surprise and slowly turned to anger.

"And her oh so great brother?" He turns to me as I clench my fists, trying to be calm and rational while he slowly gets under my skin. "Let's be honest, he's just the same as his good for nothing sister." I took a step closer as I felt a hand tug on my coat, my eyes landing on Fuyu as she looked at me.

'Don't.' Her eyes dug into mine as I took a deep breath and gave a small nod, my hands going to my pockets as I tried to calm myself down. 'Just another tantrum…keep yourself together Maki.' I thought to myself as I stared at the angry co-captain.

"And how many employment years Swansea got left in him? Two?" He turned his head to Swansea as I saw the man frown at him. "Daisuke will be fine, along with his damned sister. Mommy and Daddy got them covered yeah?" His head turns to Fuyu and Daisuke, as the two stay quiet, even if Fuyu's anger could be felt as her hand tugs on my coat.

"And Miss Executive, guess you're lucky too huh? Being all high and mighty, in control of everything in here. Higher than the damn Captain himself, what a lucky day for you." Kashka stares at him, as the pressure around her increases. Jimmy smirks at her before turning back to Curly.

"And you. Headed for bigger and better, right?" He speaks, a smirk on his face, as if he was challenging the Captain. "I'm just…I'm just working on my life being a place I don't have to fucking escape!" He yelled, his voice strained as he slowly lost his cool. "That's what I was trying to tell you, nothing mor-"

"We're the ones you're trying to escape!" Jimmy yells back. His voice was laced with anger, venom and jealousy as he slams his fist on the table, making most of us flinch, especially my sister. "Leave the dirt behind now that your damn boots are clean!" He points at Curly, as the Captain takes a deep breath, regaining control of himself before speaking again.

"That's not what I meant. Let me-" He tried speaking, before Jimmy cut him off again. "It is what you meant." "You just couldn't frame it to yourself in a way that kept you as a hero, you're the damn hero of the place, the saviour of everyone, even if you abandon the crew, you still remain the model captain." His voice was full of anger, and pride.

Curly kept quiet, choosing to defuse the situation as Kashka tried to speak up. "Jim. You shouldn't blame this on your Captain. He knew nothing about this and-" And there goes Jimmy again, cutting her off as he stares at Kashka. "Shut it Miss Executive. We all know that you knew about this from the start. Yet you kept it to yourself and never even bothered to tell us about it, it's been 5 fucking months since we were here and you kept quiet!" He yelled at her, as I stepped in and spoke.

"Can't we all just stop arguing for a damn second?" I stared at Jimmy as he gave me an angry look before trying to speak again. "That's an order." Kashka adds up, as Jimmy completely shuts it. I heard Swansea mutter something under his breath as everyone slowly takes in the situation. I walked towards my sister, as she slowly started tearing up before speaking. "What…what am I supposed to do?"

My hand landed on her shoulder as I spoke to her with a quiet voice. "Don't worry, I'll lend you some of my savings until we get another job…just, don't think about it too much for now, yeah?" She stares at me before slowly nodding. Everyone was quiet, Kashka walks away, heading towards the sleeping quarters as Jimmy huffs and speaks up in a sarcastic tone.

"You know what? Let's just have some fucking cake hmm? Props to the twilight cruise of this damned Tulpar, and props to our Captain and his new prospects." His voice was laced with venom as Curly lets out a deep breath and holds the knife, slowly cutting the cake to 8 slices.

I guess, they really were never okay in the first place.

…..

2 Days Before The Crash.