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Episode 81: When the Way Seems Dark
While Derek, Mark, and Homer talked with Nova, Alex, and Adam, Sandor pulled the Queen aside. "There is another matter I must discuss with you, Queen Starsha."
The Iscandari woman turned to him with serious eyes, "I see by the look on your face that these are not tidings of joy you bring to me."
"No, I'm afraid not," Sandor replied with downcast face, "It's about… your sister, Astra."
The Queen took in a sharp breath, and Sandor could see tears forming in her eyes, but she did not let them fall. Instead, she nodded slowly, "Ever since I discovered that your Nova was mistaken for my sister, I have wondered if she still lived." Starsha closed her eyes and turned away from him, "She is dead, isn't she?"
"I am afraid so," Sandor replied, "She died in the process of delivering your message. It was the last thing she did. Her ship crash-landed on the nearest planet to Earth. She likely did not even realize what happened."
The Queen nodded again and managed in a tearful voice, "We had another sister who died years ago. She suffered much before her death. I am glad Astra did not have to endure the same pain."
"We brought her back. Our ship's doctor and I have attended her remains throughout the journey."
Sandor saw the Queen subtly wipe her eyes before turning around to face him, "I thank you for bringing back one of the last of the children of Iscandar."
The Queen's words struck Sandor, "One of the last?"
"Yes," Starsha beckoned the XO to follow her over to the far side of the room. He obliged and they soon looked out over a large, grassy field, dotted with elegant crystal sculptures. "As I am sure you saw, there is no one else here besides my guests and I," Starsha gestured out towards the sculptures. "These are all that remain of my people."
Sandor looked with wide eyes, understanding dawning on him. These were not sculptures, but graves. He drew in a sharp breath, "What… What happened?"
"That, Stephen Sandor, is a long and sad tale. My people were wiped out by a mysterious virus. Only Astra and I escaped harm. Even our younger sister, Sasha, eventually fell ill."
Sandor stared out at the rows of markers, "But how did you not fall prey to it?"
"Chesed Elohim," the Queen whispered, "By the grace of God. I do not have sufficient time to tell you how He saved us, but, perhaps one day you will hear the story. Your friend Alex has heard it, and I am sure he is quite capable of relating it to you."
Sandor nodded, "It is good to finally see him again. We thought him and Adam dead."
"They almost were," the Queen replied, "They washed up on shore here after their prison transport met with some trouble. They were near death for some time, but by the healing hand of Yahweh Rophe, they recovered. I am grateful that there was no need to add another marker to this field of departed dreams."
Sandor nodded, "We're all glad. Seeing three of our own will be a great relief to everyone on board the Argo, especially the Captain."
Starsha gave Sandor a knowing look, "He is not well, is he?"
"No, but only some of the officers know. He didn't want to burden the crew with his failing health," replied the science officer as he cast a glance back toward the group on the other side of the room. "Not even Adam knows yet."
"I know he will be glad to see his father again, even if his time with him is short," Starsha whispered as she looked out over the graves again. "He is a good man, Adam Avatar, and he has been a good friend. Alex is brash, but of noble heart. I am sure you know that."
"Did something happen?" Sandor asked as he caught the look in the Queen's eyes.
"Alex… asked me a question some months ago – a question whose answer he did not wish to receive. I fear he may still harbor hope that I will change my mind." The Queen turned her eyes away from the field and up into the sky. Only then did Sandor notice how clearly he could see Gamilon from here. "I cannot."
The Queen's eyes grew glassy with tears again, and she bit her lip to keep them from falling, but her gaze never wavered from the golden-green world above. She whispered something so quietly that Sandor couldn't hear all of it, and it was not in English. The only portions of what she said that he caught were the words, "live "and, "dear friend."
Puzzled, but cautious to open what seemed an old wound, he didn't ask any questions. Instead, he turned the subject back to something more lighthearted.
"To finally be here is a great relief to all of us," he said. "The morale on board skyrocketed when we landed here. I don't know how many of us actually thought we could make it. Once we get the Cosmo DNA on board –" he stopped when the Queen raised an eyebrow at him. "The Rophi-Shamayim," he corrected. "The ones in charge of our mission thought it might be better to adjust its name – so it wouldn't sound so alien to most people on Earth."
"Ah, I see," the Queen nodded, "But I must say it is a curious name."
"Pardon my saying so, Queen Starsha, but your name for it is just as curious to most of our crew."
The Queen smiled, though her face still held traces of sadness, "Quite true. Though I hope that, whatever it may be called, it will be used with the utmost care. It is a tool of great power, though I am not sure exactly how it will react to Earth. We have only ever used it here on Iscandar," she finally looked away from Gamilon and turned around to face the group of happy visitors clustered around her three guests. "I am glad you found your friends again," Starsha said.
"We're all glad of that," he replied, "The last time I saw Alex, he was taking off for Pluto-space with Adam. And Nova…" the XO looked down at the floor, "When we found out she'd been kidnapped we were all devastated, Wildstar most of all."
The Queen kept watching the small group. "I see," she said, "he looks at her with the innocence born of friendship – a bond forged through flood and fire." Starsha looked over at Sandor, "Am I correct?"
Sandor nodded slowly and lifted his face towards his fellow officers, "Though I do not know if it can ever become more than what it is."
It was Starsha's turn to nod, "I see that as well. But I also see something more…" she narrowed her eyes a bit as she stared at the pair, "I see… a great many questions in your friend, Derek Wildstar, and in your Nova Forrester, I see the answers."
The Queen's eyes grew glassy again and she covered her eyes with her hand for a moment, drawing in a sharp breath and letting it out slowly. "Astra was always my confidant – my stability when the storms came. Even when I was appointed queen, she was the one I sought advice from. Now…"
"I am… so sorry for your loss,"
"All is well," a tear rolled down Starsha's cheek, but she managed a smile, "She is in Shaddai's Realm." She wiped away the tear, "I will see to her burial once the Rophi-Shamayim is aboard your ship."
"We can never thank you enough for such a gift – and one that cost you so much to give to us," Sandor felt the energy in the room liven as the officers introduced themselves to Adam.
"I wish to meet your captain," the Queen said, standing up straight, her eyes now clear.
"I know he would be delighted to see you," Sandor replied, "Would you like to accompany us back to the Argo?"
"I would be honored to come aboard the ship that made such a journey."
Starsha took a few steps back toward the group.
"Queen Starsha?"
"Yes?" she looked back over her shoulder at the science officer.
"Why did you do it? Why send a message so far to a group of people you don't even know?"
A light sparkled in the young woman's eyes as she replied, "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
A jolt of surprise shot through him as he heard this woman say the very thing Captain Avatar said at the beginning of their voyage.
"You… know that promise?" he asked.
"I do," she replied, "And it is dear to my heart."
Energetic chatter rippled through the gathered crowd as the officers, deputy captain, and Queen Starsha boarded the Argo. Almost everyone was there to see the woman they'd all heard about, and there were more than a few expressions of surprise when Alex, Adam and Nova set foot onboard.
Sandor walked beside Starsha, keeping an eye out for any over-zealous crewmen. As they trekked through the sea of men and women, he could feel the rising excitement. Everyone was eager to pick up their precious cargo and get home, but there was another undertone riding just beneath the surface. Even though they were all ready to return to Earth, at the same time, they weren't ready to leave Iscandar.
Sandor looked into the eyes of person after person and saw the same thing in every face – exhaustion. If they could stay here for a few days, perhaps that weariness could be remedied.
Far ahead, Feria buried Nova in a bear hug as she cried with joy over her friend's return. Conroy shook her hand and grinned brightly, and Orion gave the lieutenant a fatherly pat on the back and a "It's good ta see ya lass."
Many of the crew knew Alex or Adam from their Academy days and the two men received a host of glad greetings at their coming.
Finally, they managed to make their way up to the captain's cabin.
Wildstar knocked on the door and waited for a response. It took a minute for Avatar to answer, but when he did, Derek opened the door and ushered the entire cadre into the small room.
Sandor, last, closed the door behind him.
He didn't notice until the door clicked shut that the cabin was silent. He looked around, trying to determine what was wrong. His eyes found the Captain, sitting up in his chair near the front viewports. The old man's eyes were brimming with tears as he struggled to his feet.
"Adam…" The Captain choked, "But your ship –"
The younger Avatar rushed forward to help his father stand, "We both made it, Dad – Alex and I. The Gamilons found us, but on their way back to Gamilon our ship crash-landed on Iscandar and Queen Starsha saved us. But – " Adam's face grew concerned as his father's hand flew to his side, "are you alright?"
"I'm so glad you're safe – both of you," the Captain threw his arms around his long-lost son and hugged him as tightly as he could manage, avoiding Adam's question about his health. When he finally let go, he sank back down into his chair, drained.
Sandor saw Alex steal a glance back at Starsha before he stepped up beside Adam and knelt down in front of Captain Avatar, "I'd like to request your permission to join your crew for the journey back home. I would remain on Iscandar," his eyes flitted back to the Iscandari again, "but I need to get home. I've been away long enough already."
"Of course!" Captain Avatar eagerly accepted Alex's request, "I would be glad to have you as a member of my crew again." The old man turned his eyes back to the rest of the party, "Miss Forrester! It is good to see you again!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up at the sight of the young woman.
Nova smiled back at the captain, "It's good to see everyone again. It's been too long."
Sandor watched as the captain finally saw the Iscandari woman. A mix of shock and wonder filled Avatar's eyes as he looked at the Queen.
"Queen… Starsha…?" The captain struggled to stand again.
Starsha held out a staying hand, "That is not necessary, Abraham Avatar," she took a few steps over to where the old man sat, "I am honored to be in your presence. I have seen the many trials you and your crew have come through to receive this gift I offer you, and I am humbled by your perseverance."
Captain Avatar stared at the woman for a moment before replying, "We – cannot thank you enough, Queen Starsha."
"I only wish for your Earth the same thing you do – life and restoration. Yahweh has decreed that it be so, and so the promise must be fulfilled," she knelt before the captain, folded her hands in her lap and looked up at him, "I serve the Ever-living One, Abraham Avatar, and I have seen His light in your eyes as well."
The captain nodded slowly, "There are many on board who share my faith."
Starsha looked around the room, her eyes stopping on Adam, Nova, Homer, and Sandor, "I know. Yahweh uses who He pleases, but I am glad He has chosen me to deliver this hope to Earth." She stood up again, "Perhaps you would like to stay here on Iscandar for a few days. It will give your crew time to work with the Rophi-Shamayim, and to take a well-earned rest before you begin the journey home. I do not doubt that you will encounter resistance, and as such, you must be prepared to face it. There are a few modifications I would like to present to you, or your deputy captain, if you wish."
"We would appreciate any help you have to offer," Captain Avatar replied.
"I don't think we'll be running into too many Gamilons on the way home if that's what you meant by 'resistance,'" Derek piped up.
Starsha turned to look at the young man as he continued.
"They tried to trap us under the planet's surface, and we… had to attack their capitol to fend them off," Wildstar hung his head as he said it.
Sandor watched as Starsha's expression changed from one of pleasant happiness to horror, "Were there survivors?"
"I don't know," Derek replied without looking up, "We… didn't check…"
The Queen regained control of her face long enough to say, "I… am sorry, Captain, if you will excuse me for a few moments."
Captain Avatar nodded, puzzled at the Queen's reaction to this news.
She brushed past Sandor on her way out the door. As she went by he saw her desperately holding back tears. An instant later Nova followed her, concern on her face.
The Queen's distress radiated through the room, leaving in its wake a painful silence.
"I… need to talk with my son," Captain Avatar said, "Please tell the crew we will be staying on Iscandar for a few days and that we will rotate shore-leave for everyone."
Derek and Sandor nodded and the science officer led the way back out of the cabin and up to the bridge.
Nova closed the captain's door behind her and hopped on the elevator, taking it down past the bridge. She checked the logs and found out which floor it stopped at last. Choosing the same option, she found herself deposited in the middle of the crew quarters.
She stepped off the elevator and looked both ways down the hall. There was no sign of Starsha in either direction.
She started down the passage to her left, stopping everyone she saw and asking if they'd seen the Iscandari woman. Most shook their heads, but a few nodded and pointed farther down the hall.
Nova hurried in the direction they indicated and started knocking on doors. A number of men and women were unhappy with the disruption and glared at her when they opened the door – especially the night shift. Over and over she received the same answer, "I haven't seen her."
Finally, she came to an unoccupied room. Instead of knocking, she laid her hand over the door panel and it opened to her.
The room was dark and musty with disuse. Off in the corner, Nova could just make out a dim light.
She reached out and triggered the room lights. They flickered on.
Sitting on the corner of the bottom bunk was Starsha, holding out a small hologram, an old metal box at her feet.
"Who was he…?" the Iscandari asked, tears streaming down her face, "The man who once lived in this room?"
"He was a pilot," Nova took slow steps over to the bed and sat down beside the Queen.
"Did he have any family?"
Nova looked around the vacant room, her eyes stopping at the box of possessions, "He took care of his mom and aunt."
"I see," Starsha closed the hologram in her hand and set it back in the box. For a long time she stared at the stranger's things and Nova could see the host of memories flooding through her mind. "He wasn't always this way… Desslok," the Queen pulled out the odd glove Nova had seen on several occasions and pulled it on.
Starsha held out an open palm and said a few things to the device.
As Nova watched, a hologram appeared. It was like nothing she'd ever seen before. A younger version of Gamilon's Leader knelt before an old, white-haired priest and a middle-aged man with skin colored very close to the Gamilons. The cleric held his hands out over the Leader and began to recite a blessing.
When the priest was finished, the other man, who Nova now noticed held a golden circlet said, "This day, we crown you Leader Desslok III of Gamilon. May you rule your world well, and may the coming days be filled with the blessings of Adonai," then the man placed the crown on Desslok's head and the Leader rose and turned to greet his people.
The hologram disappeared. "He was once Gamilon's only hope, and he did whatever he had to so his people could live… When I first saw him, he was but fifteen. Even then he held in his eyes a wealth of sorrow, but not so much rage."
"He may still be alive," Nova offered, "Perhaps he escaped."
Starsha sighed and wiped away some of her tears, "I do not know… I pray he did, but if he did not –" the Iscandari's words ended in a choked sob.
"I'm sorry, Starsha," Nova hugged the weeping woman, "I'm so… sorry…"
Episode 82: Layover
Silence fell over the captain's cabin.
Adam leaned back in his chair, still letting the reality of his father's words sink in. "Dying…?" he whispered. "But –" he leaned forward and breathed in sharply, "– it's too soon, Dad…" Tears welled up in the young man's eyes. "The last time I saw you –" he choked back a sob. "I'm not ready for this…"
"I'm sorry, Adam," Captain Avatar, now in his bed, laid a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "It happened in that last battle – at Pluto."
Adam took in another shaky breath and nodded as the tears rolled down his cheeks. It took him a moment, but he finally managed to ask, "How long… do you have?"
Avatar shook his head, "Dr. Sane says maybe six more months, but it could be less than that."
Adam nodded again, blinking furiously as he tried to stop crying; "Okay…"He wiped his face on his sleeve and squeezed his eyes shut against the wave of emotion flooding through him. Everything from grief to bitterness threatened to sweep over him all at once. "I just – I can't believe I only have half a year left with you…" He leaned over and hugged his father, careful not to disturb the captain's wound. It was still ugly and ragged – raw with the poison riddling his body.
When his father showed him the gash, Adam nearly vomited. The rank odor alone left his eyes watering, but the sight of the wound was even more striking. He wondered how his father was still doing anything at all in his condition.
"Dad…" Adam said as he let go, "I wish Jen was here."
The old captain smiled, "Your sister would have loved to see this place."
Adam sat back in his chair again and looked out the viewport lining the front of his father's cabin. "Yeah, she would. She'd be out there right now, picking up shells or building a sandcastle." He pictured Jen as he remembered her, a teenager, long brown hair fluttering in the fall breeze.
"I'll be seeing her soon," his father said softly, a faraway look in his eye, "And your mother."
"Yeah," Adam managed, swallowing hard as he pushed back the tears again, "I know…"
The waves outside made the ship sway gently back and forth, almost as though the ocean were trying to soothe them to sleep.
Adam closed his eyes and let the comforting rhythm take him back to the times when he'd been with his family – happy and content – before the world fell apart.
Images of birthdays, school programs, soccer games, overran his mind.
A sudden jolt knocked him back to the present as the deck shuddered under his feet.
"What was that?" Adam asked, sitting up straight.
"Sandor's team is opening the loading dock - preparing to bring the Cosmo DNA components on board. I'm sure he could use the help if you want to go down there and see what they're doing," the Captain offered.
"No," Adam shook his head emphatically, "I'm staying right here. I'm not going to lose any more time than I already have."
"Don't miss the journey home for me, Adam," his father advised, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"And you're my Dad. I can't replace you," Adam replied.
The Captain nodded slowly and smiled, "I'd be glad of the company."
"It's good to see you again, Stephen," Alex clapped Sandor on the back, "Starsha told me you were onboard a while ago, but it's just not the same as actually seeing you. How've you been? I haven't seen you since before Pluto."
Sandor tapped a command into his handheld computer and then looked up at Alex, "I've never experienced anything like this trip. We've seen things that… I can't explain. The more I see of this universe, the more in awe I am of it." Sandor put his computer away and picked up a nearby box, moving it out of the way.
Alex scooted another one over to the edge of the cargo area. "So what're you going to do when you get back to Earth?"
"Help set up the Cosmo DNA, first of all. After that… I'm not sure – maybe go back to teaching."
Alex raised an eyebrow at Sandor, "With the things you've seen? Stephen, you could literally do anything. If the Academy – or anywhere – had the money to give you a research grant or hire you for R&D, sponsors would be knocking down your door."
"Money isn't what I want to get out of this," Sandor replied, surveying the cargo hold one more time before motioning for Alex to follow him back out to the loading dock. "I didn't come on this trip for personal gain. I came because I was needed."
Alex shook his head at his friend, "When are you going to learn that doing the right thing doesn't mean you can't profit from it?"
"I wouldn't feel right about it," Sandor replied.
Alex sighed and slipped his hands into his pockets as he fell into step alongside the XO. "Still the same old Stephen – won't take anything from anybody."
"I don't need anything," Sandor replied.
They came out through the open auxiliary loading dock just as a stout breeze swept across the harbor, whistling in their ears as it passed.
"Just because your family's still well-off doesn't mean you can't be compensated for what you do," Alex held out a hand over his eyes to shield them from the sinking sun. "It's not a sin to get paid, Stephen."
"I'd just rather it go to someone who does need it," the science officer replied, "Let's get these components on board before it gets too dark."
"Oh don't worry about that. You should see this place at night. There's a type of fish here that glows in the dark. Schools of them swim around the bays, lighting up the water. It's pretty awesome to see," Alex said.
Sandor didn't reply.
A moment later a cargo sled took off from shore headed for the Argo, the first pieces of the Cosmo DNA in tow.
"This is the core of the machine," Starsha explained, holding out the crystalline container so Sandor and his team could see it. "In it, you will place a piece of your Earth." She reinserted the sphere, clicking it into place, then stood in front of the piece of the control panel they'd assembled. "I… confess I do not know exactly why this device works. The design is far beyond my understanding, but I have seen it cleanse my world of a virus so terrible it claimed all but two of us. At least now no one who lands here will be infected with that same dreadful disease."
"Wait," Royster squeaked, "so we don't really know if this is going to work!?"
"It will work, I assure you," Starsha said, looking straight into the tiny crewman's worried face, "But I do not know exactly how it will react to your planet. It may take a few days for the effects of the Rophi-Shamayim to become fully apparent, or it could take hours, or months. I do not know."
A long silence punctuated the Queen's words.
"Alright, last load for the night," Sandor announced, "Those of you on shore leave tomorrow, be prepared for a briefing when you get back."
At this, excited chatter spread through the cargo hold. The team filed out of the room, heading back up to the loading dock to retrieve the shipment of parts.
Sandor sighed as he watched his team leave, Alex taking up the rear, shooing the stragglers along.
"They want this to work so much," the XO said, voice low.
"As do I," Starsha whispered back, "but I cannot tell them with certainty exactly what will occur. I only hope that –" she stopped and with determined eyes continued, "– No. I know it will work."
Sandor nodded and folded his arms over his chest, "Now what were some of those modifications you wanted to suggest?"
Starsha's face lit up at the question, "Yes, I saw several things during your trip here that could serve you well on your journey home, and any other voyage this ship may take. You have the semblance of a shield, do you not?"
"Yes," Sandor replied slowly, "But it does not function as it should, and it draws far too much power to be of use for any length of time."
"I can make some adjustments," she replied, heading straight over to a computer terminal. Sandor watched as the Iscandarian stared at the interface for a long moment, squinting at the words on the screen, then raising an eyebrow at several of them. "Oh… It seems I… cannot read your language…"
Sandor stepped up beside her, "Just tell me what to do."
"Thank you," the Queen stepped back, lending control to Sandor.
She walked the science officer through a complicated series of commands, adjusting several things in the engine's core that he didn't even know existed.
"That should serve you better," she said once the changes were implemented. "It will now run for several hours without the need to shut it off."
"What else did you have in mind for the Argo?" Sandor asked, now intrigued.
"I will tell you of all but one adjustment. That one I must discuss with your captain, or Derek Wildstar before it is implemented as it could have… other consequences."
Sandor nodded, "Alright, let's see what we can get done before the team comes back with that load of parts."
Late into the night the science team disbanded for some sleep and Queen Starsha made her way out to the load dock. It stood open, letting the cool breeze whisper into the ship. She stood very still, looking out at the distant shore and the glowing crystals surrounding the palace.
Above, stars glinted.
Peace settled on her as she stood with arms folded, letting the wind tangle her long hair.
She stepped out onto walkway just outside the bay door and leaned on the railing, looking down into the ocean below. She stared at the water for a long time as thoughts of her sister came to mind.
She closed her eyes and felt the gentle rocking of the ship.
"Queen Starsha?"
The voice startled her and she jumped, whirling around, eyes wide.
"Derek Wildstar," she said, "I did not expect anyone to be out this late. If I may ask, what are you doing here?"
"Just taking a walk," Derek replied, then looked away from her and stuffed his hands in his pockets, "Actually, I was passing by and saw you. I wanted to ask you a question."
"Oh?" Starsha raised an eyebrow, "And what would that be?"
"You… knew someone on Gamilon…" Derek managed, still not looking at the Iscandari, "Who were they?"
Starsha sighed, the heaviness of earlier settling on her once again. A wave of grief rolled over her and she felt hot tears stain her cheeks, "He was… a friend…" She did not elaborate further.
"I'm sorry," Derek kicked at the deck plate, sending a pebble sailing off into the water, "I wish it turned out differently."
"As do I," Starsha replied quietly, "As do I…"
A long silence stretched between the two until Wildstar said, "There's one more thing I was wondering about."
"And what might that be?"
Derek stepped up next to the Queen and leaned on the railing, peering over into the water, watching the schools of glowing fish swim by, "What is that modification you wanted to talk with me about?"
Starsha felt some of the sorrow ease as she replied, "It is a type of guidance system – though I do not know how often you would have the occasion to use it."
"Guidance system? Like something that could take the ship through a mine field?" Derek asked.
"Not precisely," Starsha replied. "It would indicate how far you are from Iscandar, and what bearing you could take to get here…" she bit her lip before continuing, "And… as long as I live, it will work."
Derek looked at her quizzically, "I don't understand."
"It would be a type of North Star – as you on Earth would put it – a constant guide to you. Wherever you are in the universe, you will always know which way to go to come here – and to get home."
"But why tie it to you?" Derek asked.
Starsha sighed, "It would be tied in with my Interface," she held out her hand, presenting the deputy captain with a white glove-like device, "It is bound to me. When I die, if I do not designate another wearer, or free it, then the device will cease to function, and your link to Iscandar and to me will be severed."
Derek nodded slowly, "I think it's a good idea. We don't know where we'll be a week from now, and a compass like that would be pretty handy in a pinch. Go ahead and do it."
"I will work with your engineer in the morning," Starsha replied, stepping away from the railing. She started toward the ramp leading down to the craft she'd taken here.
"It's late," Wildstar's voice carried to her when she was halfway down the stairs, "You're welcome to stay here tonight. I'm sure we can find a place for you… though it isn't anywhere near the quality you have in the palace."
Starsha smiled, turned around, and headed back up the stairs. "Thank you. That would be much appreciated."
"There are several empty crew rooms, if you'd like to use one of those," Derek offered.
"Does…" Starsha paused, then went on, "Is there room in Nova's quarters? I do not wish to be an imposition, and if she does not wish me to stay there, I will not, but –"
"She's got room," Derek chuckled, "She's one of the few who lucked out and didn't draw a roommate for this trip."
"'Lucked out'?" The Iscandari sounded out the phrase carefully, "I do not understand."
"She got a good deal," Derek offered instead.
"Oh, I see. Are you sure it will not trouble her to have me there?"
Derek nodded, "I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."
"Thank you," Starsha started toward the bay door again, making it all the way inside before glancing back over her shoulder at the young deputy captain. When she did, his back was to her and he was leaning on the railing again, looking out towards the palace.
She watched him for several seconds before she set off for Nova's quarters.
"Wow, I didn't know so much dust could collect so fast," Nova muttered to herself as she settled back into her old space. Everything was just as she'd left it. She smiled softly. They hadn't packed up her things.
She dug out a duster and started to clean up. She'd just finished tidying the spare bunk when there was a buzz at her door.
"Come in," she called without looking up from what she was doing.
She heard the door hiss open, then closed.
"Feria?" she called back over her shoulder, "It's pretty late – Oh! Starsha… I'm sorry; I thought you were someone else."
The Iscandari looked at Nova with tired eyes, "May I impose on you for the night?"
"Of – of course," Nova gestured to her lower bunk, "You can have this one. It's easier to get in and out of."
"That is alright," Starsha smiled, "I will take the top. You are most gracious to let me stay here."
"But, your dress –" Nova protested.
"Will not be in the way," the Iscandari slipped off the blue vestment and draped it over the chair pushed up under the room's tiny desk. Beneath her outer clothes, the woman wore a short, light blue garment. She pulled off her boots and what Nova had come to recognize at their equivalent of socks, and set them next to the chair.
As Nova stood stunned, she noticed a tiny scar over the Iscandari's heart.
"How did you get it…?" Nova asked, "The scar, I mean."
"Oh," Starsha placed a hand over the marred skin, "It was… a long time ago, when the plague first came to Iscandar. I did an experiment."
"On yourself?" Nova sank down onto her bed, horror and awe congealing in her stomach.
"It was… necessary… but too late," Starsha turned away and bowed her head.
"I'm sorry… I wish there was something we could have done to help your people."
Starsha breathed in sharply and faced Nova again, "It is alright, Nova Forrester. There is a purpose, even in such death."
"But that must have been awful, seeing everyone dying around you – even your own family," Nova's eyes welled up with tears as she imagined being in a similar situation. "I lost my Dad when I was younger, but that's the only family I've buried. You… I – I can't even imagine."
Starsha stepped over to Nova and gently patted her on the shoulder. "Do not think on it too much." The Queen started up the ladder to the second bunk and easily crawled in. The light for the top bed was already off and Starsha did not turn it on.
All was silent for a long time as Nova sat on the bed, thinking about the hundreds of graves she'd seen surrounding the palace. She'd looked through them more than once during her stay. Every time she went out, it sobered her. She'd seen the tombs of men and women, old, young, even newborns.
The tears spilled down her cheeks as she imagined being the one holding those children as their lives slipped away. As a nurse she'd seen her share of deaths, but few of them were children, and none of them younger than ten or eleven.
She set down the duster she had clenched in her hand.
Without a word, she changed for the night, slipped into bed and turned off her light. She lay staring up at the bottom of the upper bunk for several long minutes.
As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she noticed it wasn't as dark as it usually was. Curious, she propped herself up on her elbows and peered around the room. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she crawled out of bed. When she stood up she saw a soft glow emanating from the upper bunk.
Quietly, she pulled herself up the ladder one rung at a time, not wanting to wake Starsha if she was already asleep. When she'd climbed up high enough to peek over the edge of the top bunk, her eyes widened.
Starsha was asleep, but beside her on the mattress lay a tiny silver disc and on the ceiling above was painted a host of unfamiliar stars.
As Nova watched, certain stars began to glow and shapes formed. She realized these were their constellations. A sudden longing tugged at her heart and she wanted very much to see her own planet's familiar stars again.
She let herself down the ladder and got back in bed. She pulled the covers up over her head and closed her eyes, imagining that she too was surrounded by the twinkling lights of home.