The voice mentioned that the facility was located on Malta. Rex shudders as he has never been to the planet before, nor the system it's located in. Leon made sure the Starfliers' operations never crossed the Maltese border. Being a lot on edge about where he is, Rex tries to compose himself and proceeds towards the Awditorju. Rex ponders what other purpose this facility is used for. Has to be related to the question Julia asked, darkness. The ways of the Outcasts aren't familiar to Rex at all, as he comes up with no answer to his line of thinking on the topic. Rex then switches gears to respond to the voice.
"Twenty three days? How am I not dead if I slept for that long? That pill... Julia gave me a pill and asked me a question, then I ended up here. She looked... well? Don't have any other information to give you. So that's what I heard earlier when I woke up, is someone else meant to join me here, where are they? And you keep calling me healthy, this worries me..."
Upon being asked about the class of ship, Rex answers with two words.
"Kujira-Class."
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Godspeed, Pilots.
The closer Rex was reaching the main chamber, the wider the corridor got. Big letters Awditorju were put above the impressive and locked entry, worthy of maximum security prisons and military bases.
“I was wondering that myself, too. I guess that my splendid companion here was helping you, feeding you intravenously. She is a real charm and a proficient medic; you will see her soon enough! Still…something is not right here. Not right at all. We recall that we should not help others to pass the tests. Strange.”
He cleared his throat, delaying his response and trying to remember what Rex told:
“Ah yes, Julia is very inquisitive! I have not seen her in years. I wonder why she has not visited me. Maybe she is too busy with her new friends in the Hyper Squad or something like that. What a dumb name, I would never join that aberration. Where is the tradition and legacy of our ancestors? Why using a name that does not bring fear to our enemies? Forgetting our most valued principles? It is not even written in our most ancient and sacred languages, the Spirits will be pissed by this…”
Finally, the man concluded his babbling with a surprised yell:
“Kujira-class you said? KUJIRA? Is this some kind of joke? Kids these days…I cannot believe it. There was this time in Beta, 80 years ago. We were going to ambush a GMG convoy near the twin planets, or was it the twin stars? I never put too much attention to those details and colors. Anyways, we were approaching them and…”
The endless talking went eclipsed by the sound of the gate opening. Inside was still dark and the light from the corridors was not enough to illuminate it all. The Awditorju was a huge dome, containing countless computers of different sizes and purposes, forming circles and circles of hardware. Different eras of technology can be grasped from each component, a dusty museum that can fulfill the wildest of dreams for the tech-savvy.
An elevated central stage can be seen from outside. The disposition of the consoles and interfaces there resembled the ones that can be seen in bridges of capital vessels. An enormous holographic projector in the middle remained off; meanwhile the other devices displayed their operational status with bright shades of orange, teal and blue. Two unrecognizable and standing bodies waited the visitor in the shadows of the training bridge.
"I don't plan on working against you using the Cephei - I mean, the Kujira-Class. Despite the vessel coming from the GMG's shipyards."
Knowing very little about the Outcasts, Rex thought this whole ideal was a physical and mental test before reaching the simulations. Something to gauge if he is worthy of getting trained by one of most feared pirate organisations in Sirius. When he heard the concerned voice speak, Rex picks up the fact that something or someone may be helping him. If that's the case, he knew nothing of what was going on. The journey from the bedroom to here felt a little too easy, despite being located on Malta.
Confronted by a wide open room, Rex walks through the door and immediately sees the two shadowy figures up above. Between the mountains of electronics and computers all over the room are walkways to get from one section to another. The Starflier walks down the center path, while spinning around slowly to take in what's around him. Once satisfied with where he is, Rex stops and turns to the figures.
"Hello?"
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Godspeed, Pilots.
The vantage point taken by Rex allowed a better glimpse of the couple, as the silhouettes could be distinguished a man and a woman, but still the illumination did not permit to see their faces in full detail. The first one began to yell:
“There you are! You are finally here, Ħabib! Or should I say intruż? Just right where I wanted you to be!”
The dark figure clicked a portable button in his hand and emergency alerts buzzed all across the dome. Abrupt noises emerged from the 4 gates, located symmetrically around the chamber, and gravity made its work, as the locking mechanisms were disengaged and the entries went closed rapidly with strident crashes. Blackness covered the area; the lights and visual alerts on the consoles were bright enough to reveal vague shapes of the equipment and people. Next, the male drew a couple of weapons from his back and gave one to his companion, a lady that did not seem to react whatsoever to what was happening, taking her hands and squeezing them, so she can hold it steadily.
“Hold it right there, yes. That’s it, Imħabba.”
He accommodated her breather, thinking that it was falling from her and, after that, he turned his face towards Rex, still far away from him in the gloom:
“Now, I was wondering why you were still alive all this time…at first I thought you were just another guilty Outcast coming from a remote plantation in the other hemisphere, or even a glorified slave sent by a too generous Don. I even yelled to my wife, as we did not prepare on time your room adequately for the occasion. But then, I noticed that you had no problems walking around so freely. And then you told me that you wanted to learn about the Kujira! I do not know how…”
The talk was interrupted when the speakers around the dome emitted a different sound:
“Stupid old man! We know what you are trying to do! Stop at once!“
Followed by a profound inhale and exhale, in a clearly stressed voice, the person behind clarified his presence:
“Alberto Cruz of Malta Hyperspace Starfleet here! We came as fast as we could! We are overriding the systems outside the Awditorju! Keep the lunatic talking!“
The listener got heavily distressed with the sudden call:
“What is this? Is that you, amateur?! I-I do not understand…This is my prey! The final prey! Mine! You arrived late. I am authorized to do this!”
“It is not what you think, imbécil! This guest is a special one! Julia’s orders! Do not even…”
“I have lived for two centuries, but I still have the guts and wits to put a contingency plan beforehand. I will…no…NO! The light! The fire! My sweet, sweet Julia! What did she want from me? What did she say to me? WHAT DID SHE DO TO ME?!”
Past was brought to him, forcefully. The elder seemingly lost his mind, as he moved back and forth throughout the central floor, a body in complete tension and lacking full control. Anxiety and remorse in his mind began to flow through sweat and clenching teeth. He sobbed and proceeded with his ultimatum:
“I am so sorry, Julia! Did she think about all of this, right? What did she say to me? What did I do to her? WHAT DID SHE SAY TO ME?!? NO! I will blast all of this, directly into oblivion! Julia, my Ángel! I will do it right this time! All my sins will be paid as you wish! You should have just asked! And you still did not come personally for me…”
He kicked the top of the container in front of him, below one of the simulated bridge controls, opening it; an intense blue and purple glow emerged from it. Decisively, the mad man tried to focus his sight on Rex Baker, as much as he could, eager to know the final answer:
“My executioner. Any last words? Any last complaint? Any last question before I transform you into One with the Spirits, to What Lies Beyond, In The Void!?!”
Rex's became frozen in place once he heard a familiar word - intruder. The first thought was if there was a test, it would be this. Maybe there was no transport testing and the Outcasts were having some fun. The sounds of two bots locking and a buzzing charging matched the figures' stances, Rex started to panic. Why? He did nothing wrong. Maybe it was a mistake to ask the Outcasts for help. Should have gone back to Universal Shipping. Then his hope came back as the Starfleet member introduced himself over the PA system. During the verbal battle, Rex confirms that his exits were cut off and that he was stuck in this giant room. A Starflier up against two armed individuals. Rex shakily prepares his final words.
"I-I'm... not going t-to... die here today!"
The Starfliers' fight or flight response kicked in and his body chose to run and hide. For the next few minutes, a cat and mouse game had started. The two shadowy figures opened fire at Rex as he rushed to any safe position he could find. His mind racing, trying to piece together what he had just saw alongside analyzing what he should do next, Rex ripped off a panel from a server to use as a shield and ran behind one of the consoles to put distance between him and the figures. With no care for the equipment in the room, the figures continued to fire energy rounds at Rex. The server panel was made to contain hot air for proper exhaustion, not to shield oneself against energy weapons fire. One round impacted the shield and burned a giant hole when another round followed and hit Rex in the right forearm. Maniacal laughter is heard from the other side of the room as the figures slowly close in. Rex's panic sets in and frantically sees the area he is in become illuminated by the purple and blue glow. With no hope left, Rex closes his eyes and cowers wincing in pain from the burning hole in his arm.
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Godspeed, Pilots.
Shot after shot, laughter after laughter, the mentally crippled man slowly moved forward where Rex was supposed to be to him, a terrible search hampered by limited visibility.
“Why are you hiding? I thought you were going to be more trouble than that! Did not you come here to make my life more miserable than it already is? It seems that you are a real prey, after all! My wife, stay on the center; I do not want our holy device to be touched by others. Secure it with your life.”
The woman nodded apathetically, taking a completely passive attitude towards the general situation, and guarded the container as she was ordered. Meanwhile, the efforts outside continued as Alberto Cruz informed of what was happening:
“We are cracking the code. Even as a crazy man, he still knows a couple of tricks. Hold on, Rex! Do not panic! And do not get close to him! He is dangerous!”
“You are quite right on that last one, amateur! I will take down this vigorous guy, whether you like it or not!”
The old man chuckled and fired upon the impenetrable gate, trying to irritate the unwanted presence. During the fire barrage, circuitry charred and sparkled. Gadgets from a variety of origins lost their value, as they were devastated by the elder; firing to everything that seems bright enough.
“It will not happen again! Oh Julia, I regret everything! I will not be frightened anymore…I WILL NOT BE…”
“Just shut up, already! Rex, he is clearly out of his mind! Provoke him or something! But you must give us more time!”
The sounds of energy weapons fire, competing voices and the loud buzz of a nearby console all became a blur. Almost caving into fear, the only words heard are...
“It will not happen again! Oh Julia, I regret everything! I will not be frightened anymore…I WILL NOT BE…”
“Just shut up, already! Rex, he is clearly out of his mind! Provoke him or something! But you must give us more time!”
Looking up, energy rounds are shooting at his general direction whilst the words of Cruz and the figure echoed through Rex's mind. The constant loop of thoughts run through Rex's mind. What can I do? I'm being fired at with no way to fight back and I can't even use my right arm anymore! Julia... it's all her fault! Damn these Outcasts! Until one repetition breaks and Rex fixates on her name - Julia!
His mind snaps back as a second wind forms. Remembering what the voice said about Julia, sounding like he wants acknowledgement or... That's it! Rex attempts to put together a small phrase to stop this individual altogether. Will it work? Who knows. Will it backfire and cause his death? Most likely. Will Julia learn of this and attempt to kill the Starflier herself? Even more likely. After a moment, when his mind has caught up to the moment and formulated this phrase, Rex waits for a break in the weapons fire to yell out.
"Julia forgives you!"
The break in the weapons fire continues into a prolonged silence...
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Godspeed, Pilots.
The wicked elder crumbled and fall on his knees, contemplating the dark floor and surprised with the unexpected response, after all of what he has endured. Without hesitation, trying to hold the last hope that he could muster, he trusted on the certainty of said words by Rex:
“After all this time, I thought you would …I probably misjudged you. You are not really my executioner. Are you my savior? Is this really it? Can be it?”
He dropped the weapon.
“My wife, close the container and surrender. I did not think that Julia could be this permissive, especially with me.”
The companion also dropped her own and closed the box, neither opposition nor complaint. Cracking sounds came from one of the gates. Cruz made it, as light emerged from the opening, and several Starfleet members quickly dispersed throughout the dome.
The old man, suffocated by his own thoughts and edgy feelings, laughed at what he considered an absolution to all of his inner deeds, a grin transformed from madness to sudden happiness, followed by tears:
“Thank you, Julia! Thank you! Even now, I doubted if it was going to be possible, but it finally is!”
Then, he tried to look upon Rex in the shadows that began to disappear, due to Starfleet team and their arrival. Lucidity became real for the man, as Rex became clearer to the light, and he spoke:
“Who are you, stranger? I…I thought you were a real Maltese from a far land. But now I understand why you are not feeling unease…well, physically I mean. I wond-“
His talk was brusquely shortened by a kick in the gut, followed by several more hits in different parts of the body; as the Starfleet members tackled him without warning. Blood spilled around the man and the beaters seemed to be enjoying the task. Alberto Cruz was the last to reach the inner area:
“Huh. That was easy. Subjugate his slave, too. Remember, amigos, just incapacitate them; we still need them, for a long time…”
Three of the members went to the slave in the center and, looking at the deadpan woman standing, they unleashed unnecessary fury upon her, using the same methods as with the other. Cruz sought Rex through the debris and the burned components; he went friendly on the shadows:
“Are you ok, Señor Baker? That old guy gives me the creeps. I wonder what the real deal is between Julia and that scum. He really let you go easily; probably he just needed a singular pat. Take your time, Rex…you are safe now.”
After everything Rex just endured over the last couple hours, Cruz finds Rex still in one piece. He pulls away a piece of server paneling to find Rex holding the cauterized area of his forearm. Rex shakily, but slowly gets himself standing on his two feet with Cruz's help. Once he looks at the Starfleet member with a relieved expression, the Starflier goes limp.
"All I wanted was Kuji-"
A thud is echoed through the room as Rex collapses from pain and stress.
Take my time, he says. I'll take a nap...
Starfliers...//...Information...//...Recruitment...//...Discord Server Independent Cartographers, Vector Analysts & Researchers.
Godspeed, Pilots.
“Ah, he really took the pleasant way. Hey, amigos! I need some help over here…”
…
Stains have been removed and the orange twilight was no more; the window has been covered. Rex was returned to the bed and the dormitory where all began for him, in the facility. The doorway was open and highly illuminated from the outside, no more flickering. Alberto Cruz was sit and relaxed, looking at the console, waiting patiently for the Starflier to wake up. Tranquility dominated the Starfleet member; still, a bit of sweat drips off of his head, even after the rest he got. The events that happened hours ago were stressful for him, he did not expect that the old man was going to be this triggered towards the foreigner.
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