I.
“Lieutenant Junior Grade Lindsay, Ensign Benoit, it is UTC 6:00. Prepare for watch.” Chimed the artificial feminine voice. The lights slowly turned on. Isaac’s eyes burned, his throat dry once again. This time he didn’t bother getting up until the food arrived and instead shoved his head under his pillow.
“Wakey Wakey Mr. Jackass!” The familiar voice of the short man rang out.
“Mmfff. Couldn’t you come up with something a little more original, you overgrown goblin.” Isaac retorted from under the pillow covering his face.
“Woah, looks like the pillow prince finally grew a pair.” The short man sneered, “You kiss your mother with that mouth.”
“Only yours.” Isaac replied, beaming with the originality of his insult.
“Ok you kinky freak, didn’t know you like licking petri dishes.” The short man chortled, “Your tiny dick manage to fit in a test tube?”
“Gentlemen, please!” Lieutenant Alistair stepped into the room, “Bernie, kiddie gloves with our guest.”
Isaac felt more insulted by the Lieutenant than anything Bernie said. Setting the tray down on the desk, Bernie left quietly. Isaac looked at Alistair and asked, “So, what’s going to happen today?”
“Well, first I suppose I should introduce you to the rest of the hostages. You’re probably a friendlier face to them than any of us, and they’ve been living in the dark for a few days now. Figuratively, of course.” Lieutenant Alistair replied, “Additionally, Captain Oswald wanted to apologize in person for indirectly threatening to throw you out of an airlock.”
“Indirectly...” Muttered Isaac before asking, “What should I say to the others?”
“Anything you like. Though I think they’ll just want answers to questions.” Taking a breath, Lieutenant Alistair concluded, “I’ll come back in an hour after you’ve eaten. Take a shower too. I hate to say it, but you have not been doing a good job of taking care of yourself.”
That last comment stung.
II.
Isaac was led to the lift by Lieutenant Alistair, where Alistair commanded, “NCO Quarters.” They then walked down to room Q-23. The room was guarded by two imposing figures wearing the same uniform as the guards who dragged Isaac aboard the Agent of Chaos. The room was slightly larger than Isaacs, though it had six bunks and a closed door in the back with a toilet symbol on the door. Six people were either sitting around the small table or laying on their bunks, most of them he recognized from the lunch. They all looked entirely disheveled, with one lady sitting on the edge of her bunk having puffy red eyes. All of them immediately looked at Isaac.
“Mr. Novak? Is that you?” It was the captain from the voidship ferry, Captain Ford.
“Captain Ford? How did you get wrapped up in this mess?” Isaac exclaimed.
“These brutes invited me for a small luncheon with the captain of the Agent of Chaos. But instead of quiches and casual conversation, I got chucked in this closet with a few others.” Captain Ford grumbled, “We’ve all been locked in here ever since. Not a word of explanation. Do you know what’s going on Isaac?”
“Yes. We’re hostages.” Explained Isaac. The woman with the puffy red eyes began to cry, while another sitting at the table moved over to console her.
“Hostages?! What could they possibly want? They certainly haven’t asked for money.” Questioned Captain Ford exasperatedly.
“That’s a bit of a story. Essentially, we’re being held hostages by a group of artificially created soldiers who are created to man ships in the expeditionary flotilla branch of the voidship navy. They were trying to bargain with the military to set everyone in the expeditionary flotilla free. However, when they tried to negotiate with the military, the Admiral instead ordered the navy to try and kill all of us. The Captain thinks a fleet is already on their way to kill us now.” Explained Isaac.
“Isaac, please tell me this is just a sick joke.” Captain Ford weakly gasped. Looking at Isaac’s face he concluded, “You’re not joking, are you…”
“I wish I was.” Isaac replied grimly. One of the men at the table buried his head under his arms and let out a quiet sob. The woman with the puffy red eyes was now sobbing inconsolably. Captain Ford’s light brown skin turned pale.
Clearing his throat and standing up a little straighter, Captain Ford flatly stated, “I always wondered who would be crazy enough to join the expeditionary fleets. Never met anyone who was. Now I know why. You said that the navy was on its way. How long do we have?”
“I don’t know.” Isaac stated, “Captain Oswald didn’t say.”
“Wait, why did you know all of this? How did you meet the captain? Are you working for them?!” Accused Captain Ford.
“No no. I was supposed to read the demands to the Admiral. I guess the Captain wanted proof he had hostages.” Explained Isaac, “I ended up doing nothing though. The Admiral immediately told me to shut up.”
“I just can’t believe they wouldn’t even try to save us…” Mumbled Captain Ford.
“Isaac. Captain Oswald would like to see you now. He only has a few minutes to spare so let’s hurry it up.” Said Lieutenant Alistair as he poked his head in. Captain Ford grimaced at the Lieutenant then turned to Isaac and asked, “Isaac, we have no clue what’s going on here really. If you can get us out of this, or even just keep us up to date on what’s happening, please do.”
III.
As Isaac entered the control room a few eyes warily glanced at him. Captain Oswald was standing over a console to the right of the room talking to an officer at the station. Glancing back, the Captain gave a few parting orders then turned to greet Isaac. “Ah, Mr. Novak. I'm told that Lieutenant Alistair already explained some of the finer details of yesterday. Never the less, I would like to personally apologize for everything. I’m sorry that we had to wrap all of you up in this, and I’m sorry that I said I was going to throw you out of an airlock.”
“It’s… uhm.” Isaac stopped himself from just automatically apologizing, “Thanks.”
Isaac couldn’t bring himself to forgive Captain Oswald. No matter how sorry the Captain may be, Isaac was still a hostage, and now stuck on a ship being hunted down.
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“So, I also wanted to let you know that we’re trying to figure out a way to release all of you safely. This might prove a bit difficult, so it will take time to figure out.” Captain Oswald explained, “We of course can’t just drop you off on Terra or Luna. We would be blown out of the sky by planetary defenses or intercepted by the fleet. Martian Reds of course would be highly suspicious of a Coalition warship entering their space. Venerians would destroy us before we entered Venus orbit. This leaves either the belt pirates, an obvious non-starter, and the Galilean Directorate.”
“What about some sort of shuttle or landing craft? You have got to have one of those at least?” Isaac asked, “Jupiter is easily months away. Or what about boarding another passenger ship and letting us off there?”
“Destroyed when our ship was disabled several months ago. We’re in the process of rebuilding it, but we’re speculating that the attack wave from Terra will intercept us in a day. Sorry to say, but there is no chance the landing craft will be ready by then. Especially now that preparations to leave Luna are underway.” Captain Oswald explained. Isaac felt his chest tighten and heart sink. They were orbiting Luna, home. He didn’t know how far from Luna they were, but it was almost certainly a mere hour or two of travel in a light shuttle.
“As for intercepting a civilian ship, we actually tried that soon after the call with Admiral Grey. All refused to accept our hails, one even lit a distress beacon when we moved to intercept.” Captain Oswald further explained, “By the looks of it, you’ll be spending a while with us unless a better opportunity presents itself.”
“What now?” Isaac asked numbly.
“Now? Now we escape.” The Captain stated, “A several month odyssey to Jupiter is preferable to death I assume?”
Isaac didn’t answer.
“In that case we will be heading out in three hours and twenty-six minutes. That will give us an optimal orbit to escape the Terran gravity well. In the meantime, we will be denying several orbital approaches to Luna.” Captain Oswald looked back at the officer he was just speaking to, “Are we in position yet?”
“Three minutes to optimal position, sir.”
“Gunnery has confirmed the hazard beacons are operational?”
“Yes sir.”
“Electromagnetic shock absorbers functional?”
“Gunnery reported dampers three and twelve are inoperative. It should be safe to fire, but we’re going to feel this one.”
“Understood. Firing sequence?”
“Rounds one through four will be fired beginning in one minute and thirty-seven seconds and ending in fifteen minutes and nine seconds. Attitude maneuvering profile has been verified by GNC-sim. With the extra recoil we expect there will be substantial error.”
“Very good. Broadcast on 433 and 2400 meg, and on 23 gig the ephemeris of the debris fields we’ll be generating. Repeat the broadcast until we’ve escaped the Terran gravity well. When we reach the descending node use the optical comm to inform the incoming fleets of the debris field as well. Let them know we know they’re there.” Captain Oswald smirked for a second, then pulled out his PAD. After glancing at it, he looked up and began to speak, “Attention all hands, this is Captain Oswald. In less than a minute we will begin firing the Kessler cannon. Two of the dampers are out so you’re going to feel this one. Take a seat, and hold on for dear life.”
An alarm sounded and a familiar feminine artificial voice began counting down. “15, 14, 13…” Not knowing what to expect, Isaac hopped into the nearest seat and gripped onto the armrests. “10, 9, 8…” The Captain calmly remained standing, merely resting his hand on a railing. “5, 4, 3…” Bracing now, Isaac could hear Lieutenant Alistair call out, “Isaac you’re bracing the wrong dire-“
“BOOOOOM”
Isaac felt the floor violently rip out from under his feet. He was braced for a shock coming from the front of the room, but it came from the back. Unprepared, Isaac was flung from the chair and landed face first into the ground. He could taste warm metal.
“Sorry Isaac! I should have told you the control room was facing astern!” The Lieutenant apologized as he helped Isaac up.
“Bpfthhh. Why dithn you thell me bethor?!” Isaac spluttered out through swollen lips. Warmth was flowing from his nose.
“Just sit on the floor until rounds complete. I’ll get you to the infirmary afterwards.” Commanded Alistair apologetically. Isaac looked up to the Captain, still standing there entirely unphased.
“Helmsman! What are the deltas on our heading?” Called out the Captain.
“CG is more off boresight than expected sir! We have a pitch rate of 30 milliradians per second and a yaw of negative 50. Reaction wheels and thrusters already compensating.” Cried out the helmsmen.
“Gunnery! Any issues while firing?”
“Negative sir! We have successfully denied a 27-degree inclination approach. Warning beacons have activated and are warning all voidships about the debris field. Next will be 50-degrees in approximately 2 minutes and 42 seconds.” Replied the gunnery officer.
“Outstanding! All stations, are there any other issues?” The Captain called out.
“Medical reports 16 injuries and no fatalities. Most of those were in the workshop when the cannon fired, and an open toolbox flung wrenches at the work crew. Of course, we have our injury in here, and one injury reported in the NCO head.” Called out an officer in the middle of the room.
“The head?” Questioned Captain Oswald, “We’re at full alert, who was in the head?”
“Petty Officer Third Class Mackay, sir. He had apparently fallen asleep on the head with earbuds in some time ago. Should I confine him to quarters, sir?” Replied the officer.
“No… If what I remember about Mackay is correct, being in the head while the cannon goes off is more punishment than anyone deserves.” The Captain chuckled, “Make certain you hose off Mackay before letting them return to duty.”
“Delta shift reports that the next round is loaded, sir!” Called out the Gunnery officer, “Thirty seconds until we’re in position.”
Isaac felt a tap on his right shoulder. It was Lieutenant Alistair holding a wad of gauze while gesturing to his own lower face. Isaac took the lump and held it up to his nose and lips, it stung as he held it there. “15, 14, 13…” The numbing agents in the gauze kicked in and Isaac felt cool relief. “8, 7, 6…” He braced himself into a corner on the floor, this time prepared for the blast. “3, 2, 1…” Isaac clenched with his legs hard.
“BOOOOOM”
Looking up, Isaac could see Captain Oswald was still standing and as unphased as before. The Captain then called out, “Helmsman!”
“Still a pitch and yaw of 30 and negative 50, sir!”
“Gunnery!”
“Nominal, sir! We have denied 50-degrees, sir.”
“Medical!”
“No further injuries, sir.”
“Anyone else?”
The room was silent.
“Outstanding, everyone!” Called out Captain Oswald.
This continued two more times, the gunnery officer announcing that they’d denied orbits of 76 and 86 degrees. With the rounds complete, Lieutenant Alistair helped Isaac to his feet and began to lead him to the infirmary.
IV.
The infirmary stank. Isaac’s eyes began to water up as he looked down at his pocket and thought as quickly as possible: Stop the smell! Stop smelling! I want to stop smelling! Lieutenant Alistair retched before glancing down at his own PAD. The horrible stench immediately cut out, replaced with a smell that could only be described as TV static. Gathering his bearings, Isaac looked around. Laying on the medical beds were fourteen people, all wearing yellow jumpsuits stained with dark blotches. Some had gauze on their faces, one a brace on her arm, another wore a light blue vest with several wires and tubes leading to a machine with a milky white liquid in a bottle on the top. To the right Isaac could hear a shower.
“Ah, Isaac, I heard we had an injury in the control room.” Called out a voice to Isaac’s left. It was that officer Isaac had kicked yesterday, Lieutenant Johnson. He was wearing a blue band around the shoulder Isaac kicked. “Let’s see here, what did you manage to do to yourself kid?”
“Brathed the wong way…” Croaked Isaac in a sulking voice.
“Ah. I suppose it happens.” Replied Johnson as he pulled back the gauze on Isaac’s face, “That isn’t so bad. Some dermal micro-sutures, steroids, and some pain killers and you’ll be fine. Nose looks busted up, but I don’t think its broken. Can you breath through it?”
Isaac nodded.
“Very good. Looks like its just bleeding then. A small bit of clotting agent should do the trick.” Explained Lieutenant Johnson, “Sit here while I attend to those engineers, they’re busted up pretty good.”
Isaac laid down on an open bed. Lieutenant Alistair whispered to Isaac, “Hey, I have to return to the bridge. I need to prepare the optical comm system to send a message to the incoming fleet, and I’d hate to miss one of the few chances to actually do my job as communications officer. I’ll catch with you later. Oh, and be certain to chat with Lieutenant Johnson, he’s a kind man, and is actually the person who discovered we were artificially created.”
“Dithcofered? Wath do you mean Dithcofered?” Questioned Isaac.
“Ask him yourself. I’ll see you later, Isaac.” Replied Alistair as he walked away.