Charlene Carr
F.C.V. WS15
Pur System
Milky Way Galaxy
> Charlene Carr stood on the beaches of Floridia, the soft sand beneath her feet, their warmth wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. Each crashing wave seemed to beckon her closer, teasing her with its frothy allure. In a playful moment, she pushed John into the next wave, his laughter ringing out like music in the air, infectious and bright. He charged toward her, grabbing her in a whirlwind of joy. Kicking and screaming with feigned outrage, she begged him to release her, but he only laughed, responding with his usual, “Okay, I’ll let you go, there you goooo!” before tossing her into the ocean's embrace.
>
> But then, as she surfaced, the salty water giving way, she found herself not on that familiar Florida beach but on the bridge of the WarpStar, the blaring alarm of General Quarters jolting her from her reverie. John was at his command station, urgency etched on his face. “Char, what are you doing? Execute my order! All ahead flank, new heading one five nine seventeen degrees positive!” Confusion washed over her as she took in the chaotic scene—Alliance ships firing upon the WarpStar while she was still clad in her bikini.
>
> “Char!” John's voice cut through the disarray, pleading yet firm.
>
> “Ah... Aye, sir.” Her bare feet felt alien against the cold, metallic deck as she rushed to the pilot's seat.
>
> “Helm, new orders! Immediate execute FTL, five c.”
>
> With determination, Char punched in the commands, her hands moving instinctively over the controls. She set the levers and throttle for FTL flight, adjusted the knob to five c, and pushed the throttle forward. The universe transformed around her, exploding into a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors that danced and swirled in her vision.
>
> While the bridge was a flurry of activity, no one seemed to pay any mind to Char's half-dressed state. She stood from the helm, scanning the room, and noticed it was strangely empty, save for John. He smiled at her—the flirtatious smile that always made her heart flutter, a silent reminder of their bond.
>
> “Char, take us out of FTL."
>
> She nodded, returning his smile with her own, a silent promise in that playful exchange. Pulling the lever back, the WarpStar exited FTL, emerging in close orbit around Eugene Station in the Epsilon Eridini system. As she turned to John, she found herself transported to the vibrant promenade of the station, dressed in her military whites, shops buzzing with life all around her.
>
> But then the atmosphere shifted. The lively din faded just enough for her to hear John's voice again, calling her name, "Charrrr... Ohh Charrr." She searched the crowd, but he was nowhere to be seen. As she walked toward her favorite shop, the joy drained from her, replaced by a sinking dread. The chamber where she had lost the love of her life loomed ahead, and she gasped, “What nooo!” as she stumbled back out, only to collide with the chamber again. Desperately, she tried to flee her nightmare, but fate had other plans. This time, John was inside the chamber, disassembling before her very eyes, molecule by molecule, in agonizingly slow motion.
>
> As his lower body began to disintegrate, he looked down at her, calm and serene. “Char, you will have what you need soon, and when you do, come for me. Char, you must come for me."
>
> Confusion gripped her heart. This had to be a dream, surely? “What do you mean?”
>
> “Char, Eugene Station is where I rest, but it’s not where my journey ends. Come to Eugene, then seek out the Sumerians."
“What the hell…” she attempted to articulate, but before she could finish, she was jolted awake by Jen's voice.
“Hey, hey! Are you okay? Charlene!"
“Wahh waahhh! Whoohhhh!” Char sat up, panting and drenched in sweat, her surroundings coming into focus—she was onboard the corvette. “What. Why.. Huh?"
“Char, you were screaming, calling out…” Jen's expression was filled with concern.
“Yeah, for some bloke named John. Who the fuck is that jackass? Sounded like he hurt you. Point me in his direction, and I'll kick the fucker’s teeth in.”
Without hesitation, Charlene shoved Jen aside, bolting toward Roger and swinging a right hook that sent him crashing to the floor. The impact echoed throughout the ship as she pinned him down, her knee pressing against his neck, his face beginning to turn purple under her grip. “You ever speak about John like that again, I will kill you, do you understand?"
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All Roger could manage was a feeble thumbs-up, and Char released him, striding toward the food dispenser to grab breakfast and a much-needed coffee.
Jennifer helped Roger to his feet as he coughed, confusion etched on his face. “What the fucking hell is her problem?”
“John and her have history, major history. He sacrificed his life to save humanity. They were deeply in love. I highly recommend you not mess with her; she can handle herself."
“Hey, girl.” Jen settled beside Char, pouring herself a coffee. “Are you okay?” She wrapped her arm around her friend, offering comfort.
“Yeah, I'm fine.” Tears began to trickle down Char's cheeks, unbidden.
“Talk to me, we’re sisters; come on.”
“I don’t know, it was weird. I had a strange dream. I mean, I dream about him all the time, but this time… it felt like he was talking to me, reaching out.”
The comm unit buzzed, and Roger downloaded the message, beginning to read it.
“What do you mean?”
“He kept saying that what we’re doing out here will be over real soon, and when it’s done, we need to go to Eugene Station. I have to seek him out. Then, to seek out the Sumerians."
“That is oddly specific…”
“Exactly!” Char leaned her head on Jen’s shoulder, finding solace in her friend’s presence.
“Hey, you two, check this out. We just got a message from the buyer.” Roger's voice broke through their moment.
Jen met Char's gaze. “It’s going to be over real soon?"
“Yeah, that’s a little weird."
Jen took the tablet, her brow furrowing as she read. “It’s encrypted.” She shot a glance at Roger, who looked frustrated.
“Why do you think I handed it to you?”
“You could have told me! It needed to be loaded onto the main unit, not this slow piece of junk.” She brought the message up on one of the corvette’s main displays, her fingers flying over the touchscreen as she worked her magic.
Roger chuckled, watching her focus. “What a nerd!” Charlene shot him a fierce glare, her temper flaring once more, but Jen interjected, “You say that as an insult; I hear that as you calling me a god! All done!” The message crystallized on the screen.
“Meeting location set. Canus Galaxy, Veren System, Buuka Planet. More details to come."
“What the fuck? A different galaxy? We can travel to a different galaxy?” Char's eyes widened as she looked at her companions.
“Well shit, beats the hell out of me. I didn’t know. How do we get there? Can this slow-ass tub take us?” Roger replied, bewildered.
Jen stared at the message, her mind racing.
“No, this slow-ass tub cannot get us there. Jen, I believe it’s time for phase two. You and I both know there’s only one ship that can do that.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Sending the message now. Got a reply.” She glanced over at Char. “That dream of yours keeps getting weirder and weirder."
“Where are they?"
“Eugene Station."
“Woah, woah, honeys, we are not going into a Federation fortress."
“I have an idea on how we can sneak in.” A chirp on her private comm unit interrupted the tense atmosphere, cutting through the uncertainty. Char's heart raced as she glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing with curiosity. “What in the hell is going on?” She showed Jen the message, noting the surprise that flickered across her friend’s face, as if they were both caught in a web of unanticipated revelations.
“How do you want to play this?” Char asked, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
“What has got you two in a bunch?” Roger interjected, his expression a mix of confusion and concern.
Ignoring the fugitive’s presence, Jen answered firmly, “Well, we can’t go on like we are. We need to move to the next phase anyway. Well then Sol it is then Epsilon!”
An energy charge crackled in the air, followed by a sharp click that sent a chill down their spines as they stood up in unison. Roger suddenly aimed a Volt-99 at them, the pistol capable of delivering a wide range of non-lethal to lethal shots, its menacing weight almost palpable in the room. “No, we are not going to Epsilon or Sol. We are taking our happy asses to Canus, and that is the end of that.”
An evil smirk crept across Char’s face as she rose defiantly, stepping toward Roger and placing herself directly in his line of fire. “I’ll shoot you, love. Don’t force me.”
Her smirk widened, almost tauntingly, as she walked directly into the path of the weapon, the barrel resting ominously on her chest. She locked eyes with him, her grin so fierce it could frighten even the most hardened criminal. “Go ahead, pull that trigger! I’m the best damn pilot out there. Who’s going to fly anything past anyone? You?”
“Remember when I told you not to mess with her? Here you are, messing with her. She’s got nothing to lose, Roger!” Jen chimed in, her voice laced with urgency as she stepped forward, trying to diffuse the tension.
Roger’s gaze flicked back and forth between the two women, a look of drunken fright washing over his face. Sensing an opportunity, Char acted swiftly, disarming Roger with a fluid motion, now pointing the Volt-99 squarely at him. He fell to the floor, landing hard on his backside, scrambling to back away from the woman who had suddenly transformed into a force of nature—the woman who looked as if she could ignite the universe in flames, just because she could.
Jen placed a steadying hand on Char's shoulder. “It’s over; we have enough. Besides, you just made him piss himself.” They both glanced down, noting the embarrassing puddle forming beneath him, a clear sign of his panic. “By the power vested in me by the United Federation of Nations, I, Commander Jennifer Smedly, place you under arrest for espionage, treason, grand larceny, and attempted murder.”
“Attempted murder? I’ve never once tried to kill anyone!” Roger protested, his voice pitchy and incredulous.
“Jennifer, remind me how I got this gun?” Char replied mockingly, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
They both stared at Roger, who appeared to be making his urine puddle even larger, a pitiful sight that only added to the absurdity of the moment.
“Well, I’m going to go fire up the hyperdrive. Send a message to the WarpStar; let them know we’re coming home—with a stinky mess,” Char declared, a hint of satisfaction in her tone.
“Yes, ‘mam!” Jen responded, their military discipline resurfacing as their ranks took over once again, the gravity of their situation momentarily eclipsed by the absurdity of it all.