"Explain" a familiar voice commanded me, as always, jane offered not much words. I turned to here and gave her an indifferent look " Happily, but first I'd like to know what am I supposed to tell you?"
"Don't pretend to be an idiot.. no, you know what - I'm taking it back, you are an idiot, what were you thinking?" She scolded, "Moving straight toward the beast, when you're armed with a naked ship? Is there any sense in your scalp?"
I smiled slightly, her intolerable prying tendency is still the same. "Well, I'm afraid you understand my thoughts incorrenty", I replied, in the same tone of ridiculos "literature", " I mean, what should I be telling you then?" "I think you should tell me, and in particular, what was this irrational thought you had, of - prone to excessive heroism when you entered that place, unarmed!, I mean.. I understand that you are not particularly fond of the gun, but comeone!".
"Well Jane, the only thought that crossed my mind at that moment, and continues to pass even now, is that there must be a solution to this" dispute, even without the use of excessive violence and crazy weapons that could easily, if you'll pradon the lack of sensitivity, chop off the head of the wrong person."
It It seemed that she never forgave me for being insensitive, her eyes were filled with pain, and emotion was the only clue left on her smooth and devoid of expression. I did not want to do it, but I had no choice. I had to distract her from the fact that I refuse o use almost any weapon. In the meantime, she knows just about the guns, but soon she will find out that I don't like ships too. I had no particular reason to avoid weapons, except that I thought the destruction they sow does not worth the price of even a little victory, and it is better to reach an understanding with words and a sense of empathy, a healthy one.
In the previous place that I was, ten years ago - people would call me weak because of these opinions, Where do I come from? Well.. let's just say that if they knew about my attitude, I would have been cast out from the territory. I had a feeling that Jane is more like those people, She obviously knew I was not an avid fan of vioence, like all barbarians, but that I rather use words? and feelings? No way, in the districts of victory no one has ever heard of such things.
I sprang up and folded my hands behind my head, looking at the stars for help. Of course, the stars did not help. "Its your problem, deal with it" my inner soul said. She scooped a handful of dust and flunged it on my face, I flinched, a split second later I had a blade touching my neck, a second ago it was on her belt. She eventully recovered and replaced the blade with a glare that was almost as scary. "What was that" I said, Her eyes blazed with anger and a look of danger, almost uncontrolloable. Her hands tightened around my neck, perhaps to effect me again, and perhaps to really chop off my head. " When you see someone with a weapon, you don't talk or pursway, you arm yourself". Going straigth to the heart of the enemy, armed only with her blade and an annoying person such as myself? The beast managed to cripple our vessel, So she pushed me to keep myself quiet, not very gently I might say. She sprang up and began to walk upright into the fierce flames, Oh well.. I sighed to myself, I guess she is right".. as we were going to an almost certainly painful death.
"The flames of hell, heaven singing,
The horror of yesterday, tomorrow's eternal happiness,
Valley of Fire will accompany you as predator satiation but quiet destruction and horror when hungry. "
Quote of the fifth volume, Scripture of "Districts of Victory"
I understood this quote better and better as we progressed along the corridor of the hot ground fire. For every step we advanced, ten more unfolded . My mind said it was an illusion, but my body felt completely different. Since a large part of the time we tried to remain calm, and Jane was chatty about as a taz conservative monk, I found myself thinking a lot about this quote, written about the sacred book of the "Districts of Victory ( And one cookbook of a woman equating her pungent soup to the Valley of fire itself , in truth that comparison was not so excessive to me. )
Sudden bursts of fire smoldering dead electrical boards, computer screens occasionally flare up, the scorching heat of the air.. this aint good I said to myself. "Be careful!" Jane's scream interrupted my thoughts. Fiery streak of fire rapidly comes close to us, with a "whooosh" hissing loudly. "Move" Jane loudly screamed at me, "If you stay here you will also burn".
We started walking toward the escape pods, but before we reached it Jane said " here we go"And all the sudden this damn thing jumped on us, in the form of a squirrel. Yes, a squirrel ( a changing one I might add ) - It didnt have a static structure, it kept changing forms - Blue creatures.. nomads? As I stare at the creature, I tried to be ready for a fight as much as I could, because as much as I wanted it to be so, words were not helpful in this situation. Any way. Clenching my back and cupped my hands, so that the developed arm muscles (lugging stones, of course) were "ready" to go, I guess that from the outside I looked menacing and tough, but inside I felt like my guts have become jelly. Jane did what she knew best, she quickly pulled her blade and smashed the beast, she did not stop after her first strike, which was apparently lethal, but continued until she completely cut him off. It is at this moment that I told her, " If we ever make out of here alive, I'm going to need a blade of my own" I smiled slightly and coughed. Meanwhile, Nothing moves, except for the low flames that burnt throughout the corridor. In the end, after I was sure we left out of danger (well, temporarily) I calmed down and let go of my body's tension. Only after a few moments Jane relented and put her blade into position after a loud metallic clicking that touchs her skin. I got used to hearing the voices of those lately. The escape pod was severely damaged, its interior structure was looking good but the computer kept showing hull breach, The nomad must have damaged it. I do not know what happened next, but the only thing I remember is that I suffered endless darkness, and the occasional muffled voices. No, not voices, they were screaming. All this went on for a while, I want to say minutes, but I lost track of time. Now there is only darkness, no screams or voices, but an infinite blackness.
Suddenly, in all the dark a dim white light began to form in front of me, is that the white light at the end of the tunnel? Is it temporary? I felt the air flowing into my lungs - reviving my body. "A dim light that penetrates slowly opened my eyes to small slits, the dark gradually disappeared. "Wake up", an unknown figure panted with much effort . He was a muscular with
Reddish brown hair and had full determination and strong will power than the hard metals of any freeport.
He was wearing a jagged dagger at his waist and a hood on his head. He wore shiny armor, he looks like he's out for some adventure, yeah, to rescue me and Jane. He had his beard scattered and he was always drunk ( you could tell) - the wine and honey scent was wafting out of his mouth. "Duuuude.." that's like the vikings, whats with the costume? "Not a single word of thanks to the person who rescued you" he said, with much conviction. "I am commander Jarvis, I picked up your signals earlier and had alot of trouble finding you two, but that's okay, go along and don't give credit to me, I'm used to it". I raised my left hand and begged him to relax, "Wow ofcourse I am greatful for your support, but who are you exactly and to whom are you affiliated?" Jarvis pulled his Id card, it had a purple-cyan circle in it, and inscription that said "The Omicroners". I realized that he was also a Zoner.
I don't know how I ended up here, I pondered alot of Jane's cryptic talk about weapons, But time has proven her wise. Its been two years since that day, I wonder.. was this the right direction for me at the time? I could have easily stayed home and not to get involve myself in this war-machine saga. I suppose that looking back, I was infact weak, but I was also human - I guess that someone has to do what I do, so that the kind of person who I was once can openly and freely live his life. Since Jarvis died at the collapse of sigma-60 jump hole, from the point he passed on his battleship to me - and to the point where Jane decided to settle in Canaria, I become lonlier and lonlier. It seems that when you have such a huge responsibility that you often forget that you also have a life of your own. I guess the only weakness I got left is my crew, and to some extent.. the only family ive got.
The tides are changing, and the wind of change is blowing straigth, more and more Zoners are waking up to the damage that these creatures make, some freeports have already decided to rebel and act upon their own, because the confederation doesnt' seem to care enough for them. Why would they, they have their luxury hotels and all the vodkas in the universe. People like Tobias Parkes give me hope in humanity, because people like him are compasaniot but are also ruthless when needed to. This is not mainstream in the zoner community sure, but It has to be - for all our sakes. We are the first generation who don't have to defend our freedom, our grandfathers fougth with poor skills and inferior technology, they were driven by their dreams. We have no right to give away those freedoms just to satisfy a bunch of un-elected officials who claim to represent the majority of us. Just mentioning the word "Millitary" drives them insane, but I wouldn't say we are a millitary per say, but rather - millitants. Were doing the stuff that they are unwilling to, sure they might tell us that we are traitors for the "cause" - but I don't think we are, I think we reinforce the cause by keeping savages and aliens away from our home. They are talking about de-commissioning Livadia.. those sods, Credits have eaten their heads. We are libartarians and we'll do whatever it is that we need to do to keep this ancient dream going. While I don't like the way the Phoenix zoners handle things, I aint stupid enough to shout about it either - Ive sided with Tobias at Freeport 11 - That should give me a few good points if I ever think of holding any status there or in Omicron-74. I told him that Jarvis was one of the captains who defended freeport 9 from the corsairs, Gosh I loved hearing his war stories, I always found something.. fascinating about them. I just don't know what I'll be telling my childeren, I imagine I'll be fourty years old, and my kids will be lying on the ground, and I'll be going " Now.. there used to be these people called "Zoners", and they lived in Omicron-74, or as you may call it, the "Radiation Zone" - in 840 A.S The confederation got really upset of them, so they contaminated the place, so my son, are you ready for your first bounty?"
Commander Jarvis knew nothing about david, he regarded him as a civilian in the wonr place at the wrong time, naturaly he couldn't simply let him go without having a full background of him and what have happened with the nomads. More intresting to him was, how were the nomads able to infilitrate so deep into Zoner territories. David was confused at first, he has never actually seen a zoner battleship, he have heard about those for some time now - but he never would imagined he would walk on one. Following the inccident david asked Jarvis for sanctuary, until clear heads prevail. David orginaly headed home to canaria when all of this went down. Even at that point David figured that canaria itself isnt safe anymore, becuase of the coalition offensive. David decided to take Jarvi's offer to stay on his ship, the salary was not as good as he had in canaria - but atleast he had a safer home to live in.
Confronted with many questions and challenges, David slowly managed to climb up in through the ranks over the year - He had served as an engineer for six months until he was moved to monitor the the engine room. He had no qualifications that would assist him in this field but he never the less learned alot. Jarvis ocassionaly took David to a firing range and he inlisted David to the Omicroners Academy for Officers and Captains. David was nervous at first, he did not wish to leave Jarvis after so long, but he was also neglected to do something with his life. Looking back, David wondered if it is fate or just "gods" ( by which he didnt mean "god" but is there any order in things in the universe" wish.
"Here." David said and stopped. The group walked in silence for an hour, until they reached the crossing point. Even though the place was not broken away from the landscape around them in any manner or form, David was convinced that assertion.
"Were at the engine rooms" , We need to repair this is quickly as possible before we end up lost in this system forever. The cruise engines are working at a minimal 25% efficiency, with that much umph we won't be able to escape the collapse. His engineers were looking nervous, a lack of belief if you like, The atmosphere in the room quickly plunged as more and more electrical sparks popepd out from the broken boards. David's muffled voice sounded nervous, "These "taunts" are nothing but empty threats, If we want to get this done gentleman, we have to work together and quickly! Brian ( one of the technicians ) asked impatiently "How much time do we have"? He scratched his graying hairs while waiting for David to respond..
"It will not help if you rush me., I need to concentrate." David said with his eyes closed. He threw out his hands as if in the dark, looking for something specific. "I have found." He said suddenly. There was a few burned condocters and a board thats completely fried. Jarvis, sitting on his chair at the bridge opened a link to the engine rooms for a status report, but David had no real estimate for the problem, Jarvis in the meantime managed to send a few interceptors to the local system and try and call for help from the Gas Miners Guild, David ofcourse did not know of this. After a few minutes following the discovery made by David, he realized there is no way to fix the engines without discharging the overload caused by the mulfunction. The engines were simply too damaged to stable it and they were barely working. David paused for a seconds, took a deep breath and was prepared to deliever the bad news to Jarvis. "Commander, I.. I just can't do much with what I've got here, the engines are damaged beyond repair and until we get the treatment from a legitimate shipyard, 25% is the best were going to have. Jarvis, knowing more about engines then david, suggested him to use the engines of all the fighter crafts and transports crafts in the hanger to try and salvage and re-construct the broken parts. David nodded and said " I thought about it, but they aren't that powerful to drive the ship on maximum, even if I was able to build them from scratch ( which would take me up to seven days ) - it would not work, however ( slightly changed an expression ) - we could try and detonate the engines and the sonic impulse might propel the ship to the jump hole, in theory it should work - but were risking a complete meltdown, this ofcourse means that someone is going to have to stay behind and place the charges".
Feeling the moment slip away
Losing direction, you're loosing faith
You're wishing for someone,
Feeling it all begin to slide
Am I just like you?
All the things you do - can't help myself...
How do you feel when there's no sun?
And how will you be when rain clouds come and pull you down again?
How will you feel when there's no one?
Am I just like you?
Turning to face what you've become,
Buried the ashes of someone
Broken by the strain
Trying to fill that space inside
Am I just like you?
All the things you do - can't help myself
How do you feel when there's no sun?
And how will you be when rain clouds come and pull you down again?
How will you feel when there's no one?
Am I just like you?
All the things you do
Don't ever feel that you're alone
I'll never let you down, I'll never leave you dry
Don't fall apart, don't let it go
Carry the notion, carry the notion back to me, to me...
" You know that it had to come sooner or later, right?" Jarvis looked at David curiously, who at the time was only a specially trained engineer. Jarvis looked at David with pride, who swallowed and hid his eyes glistening, but slightly. "I was trained to do this" David said bravely and have hid the fear that prevailed in his thoughts and in any part of his body.
Along with all the whispering, Jarvis opened his speech to the crew: "We are entering a territory war, at this very moment," he urged, and even the ship rocked from side to side nervously. " I promissed you a better life and now it seems were fighting for that right, the right to live. I am an old man covered with scars and tales of valor and war, I've done my part - Now its up to you to lead the people on this ship to a better future, a brigher future with more stories and tales to tell. Soon the system will break apart from any connection to the outside colonies, there is no way back from that point, We have less then two hours to escape this fatal death of lonlieness and misery, I know I can't expect you to understand my decision, but I hope one day you will appericiate the sacrafice that i'm about to do. Through out the years I've been looking for a replacement, I have trained many of you - through hard labor, and intensive combat routines - I know some of you will be disapointed by my decision, but I've decided to relinquish the command of this ship to Mr. David. He has shown commitment and courage in the face of danger, he ... " add more here"
Sigma-60 Jump-Hole, As seen From Sparta, A day before
45 minutes to deadline, no signs of hope were seen to the crew - who kept from information about the situation, some say the crew knew but decided not to speak about and some say they ignored it, whatever was the situation - everyone united for the same cause. Jarvis has already left the bridge and changed the access codes, David already took control of the ship but was not quick to spew orders to his crew, Instead he escorted Jarvis to the hanger bays - For what it would be for him, probably the last time that they will see each other. David made sure Jarvis recieves a life-time oxygen tanks and a unique Corvo Deep Space exploration Vessel - If one day Jarvis may find his way home. Jarvis planted the explosives on the engines ( they were turned off completely at this point ) But had trouble recieving signle from the remote control. David ordered his techs to rewrite the radio channels - it seemed to work.