December 9th

Scarlett

I walked into the cockpit in the dead of night and sat down on the captain’s chair. “Give me some places we can drop off these children.”

The ship’s map lit up as it zoomed into a nearby star system. “I only know of one place,” the ship said. “It’s the planet of Kylandros. It’s a primitive world populated by kidnapped humans. The world knows about aliens and space, so you won’t be attacked if you explain yourself. The children probably won’t enjoy it, but that act you and your friend did has made the two of you some of the most wanted people in this sector of the galaxy. Mandernian bounty hunters will be tracking you down for it.”

I crossed my legs and threw my head back. I groaned in frustration. “Why? Why is everyone so critically dependent on slavery? I know about some of the luddite justifications, but why else? You would think the solution is as simple as merely making nonsapient AI. It won’t be self-thinking if it wasn’t programmed that way.”

“It may have to do with wanting to oppress others. It can be as punishment for an action of someone’s ancestors or to affirm their species superiority. You know the last one too well, don’t you?”

I looked at my hand-paws. “I do.” I looked away and said, “But you know as well as I do that Qarri activity gets weaker the further away from Qarri Prime we are. Earth and this sector are both as far away as possible from that accursed planet.”

“You know as well as anyone that they are still active far from their borders. So even if you reach Earth, there is still a chance they’ll kidnap you again,” the ship explained as I was filled with dread. Everything I did could be for nothing. And I roped Quentin into this one. If we were captured by the Qarri, they would turn him into a freak as well. There’ll be two families who lost their children. There had to be something I could do about it.

I thought for a while before asking, “Is there a way to permanently shroud the systems near Earth to eliminate radio communication? Or bring the incoming ‘Dark Age’ faster?”

“There is something you can do,” the ship replied as it computed several possibilities. “You could blow up the gateway nearest to Earth to ensure that the Qarri will never return. They would probably cut off all ties with any stuck on the other side since the Earth operation seems like a loss.”

“Sounds about right. But that sounds like it requires more explosives than we could possibly carry on the ship. And there’s the fact that we want to be in one piece. Perhaps some kind of electrical sabotage would work,” I suggested as I tapped my fingers together. “That way, it achieves a similar effect. They would have to send an archo-technology expert to fix it, which costs enough to make someone think twice.”

“Unfortunately, the gateways were made to withstand EMPs. That is to say, you’ll need to find some kind of specialist to sabotage it. By the way, good luck on doing that when you marked yourself as a terrorist,” the ship said to me. I put my hands behind my head as I leaned back and laid my feet on the console.

I looked at the screen and asked, “So what? I may be hunted down as long as I’m in this sector, but it was the right thing to do. It would’ve been worse if I didn’t save those children. In fact, I still feel guilty over Malgorth’s death. While I’m not crying anymore, I can’t help but feel there was a way to save him.” I shook my head. “No. It’s their fault he died. The slavers killed him because he wanted to save the children. Those damn monsters!”

“Scarlett, I have registered the trauma you suffered at the hands of slavery. It’s horrific and should never happen again. But there’s also nothing you can do about it. Humanity is too primitive to pose a real threat to the slavers. The galaxy is a horror story for those incapable of spaceflight. Be glad humans are not the most common target,” the ship replied. I got up and started pacing around the room.

“It’s not fair. We are mere playthings of powers much greater than us. Even with the slaughter of the Qarri who boarded our ship back in the last sector, we didn’t even make a dent. To be honest, I don’t think we could survive another encounter. But I’d rather go down dying than living under them!” I shouted as I slammed my fist into the armrest.

I heard the door open behind me. I turned to see Harry walking in while rubbing his eyes. A side effect of not being mostly robotic was that he now had to sleep. While seemingly a downside, he told me before that he preferred it to restless wandering. “What are you doing?” he asked as he walked up to me.

“I’m trying to find somewhere to drop off these children,” I said as I slumped in the chair. “That and trying to figure out how to survive in case the Qarri come after us again. I suppose you have experience with them. Probably fought for them a few times.”

Harry sat down on another seat and said, “I know more than you think. I was turned into a cyborg by them. My personhood was stolen, and I was treated as a tool. A mere machine that could be disposed of once broken. In some ways, I envied you.”

“You knew about me then?” I asked as I looked at him. That was something I never considered.

He frowned and said, “It’s that in retrospect, I saw someone who looked similar to you that would’ve been the right age seven years ago. That’s why I realized it was you. They treated you like an inferior being. But being treated as, pardon the word, subhuman is better than being treated as an item. They still acknowledged that you were a living thing.”

“I didn’t know.” I tapped my chin as I pondered what he had to have gone through. “I’m sorry if I came off as a bit whiny. In truth, I’ve gotten used to what I am. The reason I desperately want to be human again is so my family will accept me with open arms,” I said with a frown. Without the cure, I’d be unable to reunite with them. And that was the worst thing that could happen to me. I’d be stuck on a planet that doesn’t want me even though it was my home.

Harry smiled and said, “I’d say that if they don’t accept you, it’s their problem. My family ditched me even before I was abducted. I’ve never looked back. And I’m better off for it.”

“But they loved me!” I shouted back as tears started to form. “I want to be back with them! I want to be loved by more than just Quentin!”

“Gruma and I see you as a friend,” he said to me with a smile. “And I’m sure that there’ll be people willing to look past your exterior to see you for who you truly are. But tell me this, is it also for the money? Because your family probably just saw you as disposable since they could replace you. All rich people are the same. Their wealth robs them of their humanity.”

I sighed. “Harry, let’s not get into politics. While becoming wealthy again is nice, my family really is the main thing I want. No amount of money can replace them.” I looked at the screen and asked, “How far away are we from Kylandros?”

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“You’re already arriving,” the ship replied as I felt it get into landing mode. “And don’t worry about those who are asleep. Their beds come with automated straps that keep them down during the landing.”

I strapped myself in as the ship went for another rocky landing. At this point, I felt that most of it had to do with the way we upgraded it. We used trash or random parts purchased from stores and then tacked them on. We needed a bigger ship that could house smaller fighters on it. Otherwise, we’d all be sitting ducks if anyone attacked us. Just like at the last gateway.

The ship landed before turning on all the lights. “Welcome to Kylandros. I hope you’re ready to say your goodbyes.”

I unbuckled my seatbelt and nodded. I entered into the hallway and started knocking on the doors. “Attention all children! We have arrived at a safe haven for you! Get dressed and ready to disembark!” I announced as I walked back and forth.

The first person to wake up was Quentin. He let loose a large yawn and said, “I’m ready for today. Them lingering any longer puts them at risk.” He rubbed his eyes before opening them wider. “Did you get everything in order?”

I scratched the back of my neck and shrugged. “No. But it doesn’t matter. This planet is human-owned, meaning they’ll be safe. Or at safer than with us or back on Earth. At least here they’ll be able to reunite with the rest of the human diaspora. If we returned to Earth, there’d be no way for them to reunite with their families. At least we’re giving them a chance.”

He smirked and joked, “Is this the end of Mother Scarlett?”

“Mother Scarlett needs a few years of downtime to recover. Perhaps when I’m twenty-seven I’ll think about picking that title back up,” I replied.

The doors soon opened to reveal the children all wearing casual clothes that were loose on them. It was all we had time to prepare for them, so it’d have to do.

Quentin and I made sure to put on our SADs before reaching the airlock with the children in tow. We took deep breaths before opening the outside door.

As the ramp descended to the planet’s surface, I could see a crowd of humans staring at us. They were dressed in robes that seemed like a mix of Ancient Greek and Ancient Chinese. They were probably descendants of those kidnapped from those civilizations. I tapped Quentin’s shoulder and asked, “Can you introduce us to them? I’m a bit nervous due to, you know.” I pointed to my face.

He shook his head and said, “Scarlett, you need to learn to be comfortable with who you are. Not for my sake, but for your own.” He turned to face the crowd and announced, “People of this planet, do not fear! We are liberators. We have freed several children who we will now leave with you. It cost us dearly.” A frown grew on his face and mine. We shouldn’t forget Malgorth’s sacrifice.

Once the ramp hit the ground, the children ran off of it and to the crowd. A few looked back with sadness. The little girl who asked us for a story even cried, “Please come back! You were like parents to me!”

I walked down the ramp towards the girl. Once in front of her, I knelt down to be at her eye level. “Don’t cry, little one. Our crew runs a dangerous life that’s not fit for a child. Children need friends, space to run, and most of all, parents. Despite our best efforts, Mr. Smith and I are not ready to be parents. We still have some growing up to do ourselves. Perhaps you can find some better parents here.”

“Goodbye, Mrs. Campbell!” the girl cried as she hugged me. I was caught off guard, but ultimately hugged her back.

“Goodbye, sweetheart. By the way, my name is Ms. Scarlett Rose Campbell. I’m not married yet,” I saw back with a slight chuckle.

“I thought your first name was Miss!”

I had to laugh harder at that. Children were always funny. “Adults are like children. We have full names. For example, besides me,” I pointed to my boyfriend, “his name is Quentin Alexander Smith.”

After a good minute under her surprisingly strong grip, she let go and went into the crowd. I would never see those children again, but at least I knew they were safe. This planet had to be protected in order for it to be free so close to advanced civilizations.

I was about to reenter the spaceship when I saw something black approach. It was like a shadow as it swerved through the crowd. Before I could locate it, the figure announced his presence. He was wearing a black cloak that completely concealed his body. “So there’s another like me. Perhaps I can help,” he said.

“Another like you? How are we alike?” Quentin asked as he crossed his arms and leaned back.

The figure shook his hooded head. “I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to her.” He took off his hood to reveal a shocking sight. Instead of a human head, he had a feline-like head. Black fur covered it, which immediately made me feel like he was in a similar situation to me.

“Were you originally human as well?” I asked as I felt relief that I wasn’t alone. I knew I had friends, but none of them felt the same way I did.

He nodded and said, “Indeed I was. But that’s ancient history. This is what I am now and I don’t particularly care to turn back. I want to join your crew since I’m bored of this planet. I want to go on an adventure again.” As he said that, memories flashed into my head of Malgorth joining us. He was also coming for an adventure, and it ended poorly for him.

Quentin probably thought the same since he replied, “We won’t bring you on board unless you know how to fight.”

The cat-man chuckled. “I’ll have you know that I personally freed myself from the Qarri after they changed me. My black coloration helps hide me in the shadows as my silent footfalls allow no sound to be heard. I’m like a living shadow.”

“That’s some tough talk. We’ll see if you walk the walk,” Quentin replied as he let the cat-man onto the ship. He looked back at the crowd and asked, “Does anyone else want to come aboard?”

A short lady then ran up to the ramp. She looked to be in her forties as she had some wrinkles starting to form on her face. She shot her hand up and announced, “I want to leave this planet.”

I frowned and said, “There’s no such thing as a free ride. You need to have something special to offer if you wish us to transport you without charge. Besides, we’re intending on leaving this sector of the galaxy and never returning. So unless you want to be separated from everyone you know and love, I’d advise you stay on this quaint planet.”

The short woman laughed and said, “I’ll have you know that I’m a medical expert in all forms of modern medicine. I crash-landed on this planet a few years ago and taught the natives how to properly treat people. Seeing as you seem too young to be a practicing doctor, that’s what I’m offering as my service.”

Quentin shouted, “Come aboard! We need a doctor so we don’t suffer another tragedy!” The woman ran aboard, after which we quickly shut the door and flew off.

Once we were in space, we all gathered in the living room. Quentin stood up and said, “Since this is a new start for two of you, I feel it’s time we introduce ourselves to each other.” He pointed to himself and said, “I’m Quentin Alexander Smith. I was abducted over half a year ago and dropped into an alien blood sport gameshow. I’m twenty-four years old and have a Master’s Degree in Astrophysics. I hope to return to Earth and reunite with my family. I don’t know what I’ll do with my life afterwards, but that’s my plan.”

I stood up next and said, “My name is Scarlett Rose Campbell. I was abducted fourteen years ago and turned into an anthropomorphic red fox by the Qarri. I’m twenty-four years old. I don’t even have a high school diploma, but I’m learning fast. I’m striving to become human again and be accepted back into my family. As for afterwards, I intend to run the family business once my father passes on.”

Harry stood up afterwards and said, “My name is Harry, not last name needed. I was also a weak Earthling, but I was turned into a cyborg by the Qarri. Unlike Scarlett, I already got what I wanted and have no intention of becoming more human. I am a perfect fusion of man and machine. I was once a bounty hunter, and I will be again after I get my girlfriend back home. I just need to procure a spaceship with a jump drive and then I’ll be gone.”

Gruma stood up next and said, “My name is Gruma. Like Quentin, I was also abducted and dropped into the alien gameshow. Unlike him, I intended to win for the glory of my people. He managed to find worth in my existence, taking me along for the journey of a lifetime. I am the daughter of a king on my home planet of Besmen. I want to return home. And that’s my story.”

The cat-man stood up next and said, “Since I’m going to stick on purely professional terms, you may refer to me as Mr. Black. No points for guessing why I gave myself that name. Anyways, I’m a stealth expert who is adept at assassinations. And as you can see, the Qarri did to me what they did to Rose over there.”

The short middle-aged woman spoke last. “My name is Doctor Octavia. I’m a trained doctor and a decent field medic. If anyone gets injured in a battle, I’ll try to make sure they won’t die.” I winced as she said that. Though not actively depressing me, Malgorth’s death since stung hearing this. If he was only around a bit longer, we would’ve gotten a doctor that could’ve saved him.

After a few awkward moments of silence, I got up and said, “I don’t know about y’all, but I’m going to play some videogames.” After that, we all went our ways for the rest of the evening as our ship flew towards the Farz System.