Aubade: Chapter 17

The Library Pulse

OpenArt • Prompt by author

You just woke up and find yourself onboard the spaceship Aubade escaping Earth. Forever. Last thing you remember is going to bed. On Earth.

Link to all previous chapters [first 13 chapters are free!] • KindleVella

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Captain Meadows and Sirta stopped only for a barely noticeable moment when they saw Sara's unkempt look.  Vince quickly replayed a record of the simulation she had composed and a few minutes later they had opened a com channel with Stormare and Jack, who now seemed much more sober and composed than when she spoke to them.  

Manipulative bastards, she thought.  She had to remember to pay back if she survived this madness.  Stormare was in the visual and for the first time Sara realized why Vince had appointed him first officer.  He was in full control of all his actions.  She saw him complete the complex recording, all while keeping up the conversation with the headquarters, and there was no hesitation in his voice.

He was really a chameleon.  Sara looked at Vince and she knew he looked satisfied.  It made both of them look good, him and Stormare.  

Sirta spoke:

"Miss Hanley, well done, well done indeed."  His voice was neutral but Sara allowed herself to believe it might have a dash of positive in it.

"Thank you Sir, but let us first see what happens."  He nodded approvingly at this before getting back to work.

Sara watched the team activate the procedure and all they could do was wait.  Stormare remained in the visual and didn't betray any sign of nervousness.  These men actually knew what they were doing.  Not only were they humorous, but they were well trained and didn't hesitate to step in when needed.  

Sara had not fully realized this before, even when she married Peter.  He had never let her be part of his crew.  She had known some of his men but never fully became their friends.  Peter would never have allowed that.  That was not even appropriate for a man of the Coast.  Yet here she was gaining the trust and respect of several men of the Coast.  She was becoming an equal.  She wondered what Peter would think.  Would he even recognize her any longer?

It was quiet while they were waiting.  Stormare didn't display any personal thoughts, and Jack was never seen on the visual.  Then they saw the first reaction on Stormare's face.

"Well, what can I say that you cannot see for yourselves?  Take a look at this," he recommended.  They received the visual shortly and were able to detect the result.  The beacon had died.  They waited to make sure.  It didn't recover.  No back up system kicked in.  They waited another moment, still afraid of breaking the silence.  Finally Sirta broke the silence by exclaiming:

"Looks like our shipwrecked lady came to the rescue again!"