Chapter Thirteen
Sky Falls Apart
Sky agreed. “Before we go through, I need to finish the last piece, Fred messed it up a little, and I didn’t want to take the chance at a problem, so it put me one piece behind.” She looked pleadingly at Jane, but don’t tell him that. He feels bad enough with me building this ship in the first place. He doesn’t need another reason to feel bad.” She looked to her with hopeful eyes.
“Sorry Sky, but he has a clue already he caused a piece to go bad. You tossed it out the loading ramp with him watching. He looked upset with himself just then.” Jane tried not to smile at Sky’s look of shock at what she did to Fred. “I was so wrapped up with what I was doing I didn’t realize he was walking normal speed. I guess it can’t help now; I just hope he doesn’t feel too bad. It was only one piece, and he did save time with his suggestions.” She said shrugging her shoulders. Ten minutes later she was done, and they headed for dinner. Sky was a little tired and hungry with her tummy voicing its displeasure. Jane was walking beside her was a grin at the sound.
It was a full complement for lunch and dinner. Everyone was there to eat and chat about the day so far. William and Rocssanna were the first to greet Sky in the mess. They knew by the way she was walking how tried she was and the brave face she had put on. They also knew Sky would have it no other way if it meant even saving one person she didn’t even know. The ship she was building was going to save possibly billions if not more. Not stopping the rogue mages might spark a new mage war and this time there would be no stopping it and if a human killed a Titan. The Titans would come in force with a full armada of battlecruisers and frigates. Most of which could dwarf entire planets. So, they were willing to let her sacrifice some of her energy to save so many.
“How’s everything going my cute little angel? We made another one of your favourite meals. You can share it with everyone and see how they like it.” Rocssanna said as she pulled out a chair also trying to keep the emotions of seeing her exhausted daughter. William was no better than she was at hiding his distraught at seeing the lively girl almost dragging her feet. If weren’t for the fact she was happy they would have done something they may have all regretted.
“I’m a fine mommy, daddy the last break Jane, Courtney and Heather gave me a message while I showed Todd how to regulate his new magic level with Captain Fred’s system, which I tweaked a little. I don’t know what they did, but they took my boots off, and it was amazing. I felt like after relaxing in the afternoon starlight or a long hi pressure shower.” You should see if they would give you one; it’s the best.” She turned to everyone in the room. “Thank you, everyone, so far for your support and kindness. I’m more than willing to share anything I have with all of you and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.” She was smiling, but you could still see the weariness in her eyes.
When she turned back around there was a large plate with a thick slice of meat with a pile of vegetables. Off to the side a big bowl with leafy greens and slices of a sweet-smelling fruit. Everyone around her had the same meal only in smaller portions as she started to eat her eyes closed as the flavour rolled over her tongue.
Before everyone started to eat Fred sang a little mantra. They eagerly dug into eating after seeing how much Sky was enjoying her food. Todd, Courtney, and Heather already tried the meat and knew this was going to be another delicious meal. The meat was surprisingly tender even with the sound of Sky chomping through her extra tough meat. No one was talking as they ate their great tasting food.
Sky was the first to speak. “The top is ready to be put up tomorrow after breakfast. Tomorrow is going to be another big day not as many big pieces anymore. But there are a lot of small things to make up like, the few hatches, the turrets and loading ramp door. The landing gear was also going to go on the outside. Everything but the turrets is going to look seamless.” Sky was talking with more enthusiasm after what seemed every bite she ate.
Sky’s parents relaxed as their daughter recover some of her youthful vitality just by eating.
Fred was telling Joe about the ship since the outside bulkhead, and inner walls were put up and that you could see through the walls without any more magic of your own. “It looks like one solid piece of metal. Walking across the floor of the ship is so, you just have a feeling of oneness with the ship.”
Sky laughed at what Fred said and when everyone looked at Sky, she had her mouth full. She quickly chews so she could give the reason why. “That’s because you are a part of the ship while you are in it. Your body heat and any motion help power the ship. The ship can reclaim just about all your expended energy. So, it would make you feel more in tuned to it. Because a part of you is flowing through the ship.”
“Where do you come up with those ideas to put into the ship? You came up with so many new things, and many things you’re building were just fantasies till now.” Fred asked holding her gaze.
“Not being able to play with others I spent my time reading and fantasizing about making futuristic machines and magical people. Remember my thought process is a little faster than yours and I had time to do a lot of reading and fantasizing.” Sky answered with a slight blush. “I guess you could call me geeky.”
Jane slowly got up and walk around to where Sky sat with an empty plate. “I know you have many questions for our little.” With a pause added cute. “Young lady here but I think she’s done a shower and some much-needed rest. Tomorrow isn’t going to be any easier.” Sky Let Jane help her to her feet, and they said going night.
Heather and Courtney were tempted to join them, but they were having lunch not dinner.
Joe asked Fred about the course they were on, and the time they would start their tour through the rogue’s system.
“We should be there in their system by tomorrow afternoon if we don’t encounter any outward sentries watching for our approach. I might even have Conny take us around the out fringes to come from a different side than our present approach. It might make us a little harder to spot if Sky’s new cloak doesn’t work as well as we’re hoping.” Fred had an anguished look. “I hope these we’re putting in but after they disappear from my senses as soon as they become part of the ship. Can you sense the ship while you’re putting it together? I’m trying but other than sight and touch it’s not there.” Jane looked to Sky inquisitively.
I can see the ship from all angles, but I can hardly feel it from the outside. That means the engraved spells are working. Once it’s done, just a little power to the cloaking spell and puff the ship is gone from every type of sense but touch. A healing spell cast anywhere on to the ship will repair any damage done to the ship. If there were no damage, the healing spell would be partially active until it’s needed. So, when I first got here, I damaged a few tiny little things. If it were this ship, I doubt I could have done it by accident. If it had happened, it would have fixed it right away.” Sky realized she was rambling and smiled at Jane as a sheepish smile.
“So, you won’t be able to see it after it’s done and cloaked? Jane asked as she bonded the next part they were working. While working at the assembling part, no healing was needed. So, it was really easy for Jane to do it physically. I just made him uneasy walking on the surface.
“I won’t be able to see it without an incantation to do so, and you have to know how the ship is built to make the incantation to work. So right now, I’m the only one who’ll be able to make the incantation. Any spell cast on the ship is like using a powerful talisman. I’ll show everybody later how you can cast through the bulkhead of the ship.” She said placing another piece into place.
Jane started to wonder how Sky laid out the forms to fit so perfectly. “I was wondering; how did you make everything so precise without using any measuring device at all? Everything so far fits perfectly together.” Jane asked between fusing more pieces.
The little girl giggled. I had everything already laid out the forms were made already I just terraced them out for easier reference so I could fill them with better efficiency. The way Titan’s minds work is more like a supercomputer. Plus, everything is in a set pattern, if you take a step back and look at the big picture. The walls are set in a pattern to make things easier if you notice just about all the rooms are the same size right now. I’m going to change their size with spatial magic when I start on the insides. For now, it’s just easier to build with a repeating pattern.” Jane looked to the uncovered walls on the ship, and a hint of pattern showed through.
“So, you skipped a few steps by placing magic forms and using a pattern that repeats half of its self once,” Jane said somewhat sarcastically.
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“Yeah, it saved about four hours and made it easier by two percent. So, we’re going to be ahead six hours in the end even with the unforeseen troubles with heating the metals.” She knew that Jane was being sarcastic and just played into it. She still didn’t miss a beat as she places more pieces into position. Jane was just a little slower as she talked and worked.
Jane knew Sky wanted to finish as quickly as possible so she could rest. She tried not to ask any more questions and concentrate on what she was doing. Once they got down to working Sky was able to move a little faster. The top was just about completed when Sky stopped before placing a piece with a hole in it. “There is a problem with this piece, it not responding correctly with the magic to fuse it to the rest of the ship.” Jane didn’t know what to say.
Sky’s shoulders slumped down, and she sighed a single tear rolled down her cheek and tossed the part out the hatch into space. The next part floated up to her, and another tear rolled down her face. The piece was also thrown out into space, and the next piece followed. Sky was in tears now and sobbing uncontrollably. “I can’t do it. I can’t take it anymore. I’m just too tired.” She subbed. Sky had reached her limit, and she was breaking.
Jane does not know what to say or do enfold her in her arm. Her face unknowingly was wet with tears. Sky reached around Jane and hugged her back. Sky wailed in anguish at her lack of abilities she was making mistakes that could ruin everything. Jane didn’t know what to say to console the small child in her arms. It seemed like hours before Sky tears stopped. The sobs of her crying slow as sleep took her. Jane picked her up and walked to the edge of the ship and hopped down. Without saying a word, she carried her to their shared quarters and placed her down on her bed. She brushed the loose hair from Sky’s face and kissed her forehead gently. She pulled off her boots and socks before pulling a light sheet over her sleeping form. Jane left Sky to get something for her to eat when she wakes up. She walked out quickly to meet Rocssanna and William. When she reached the mess, and everyone was there, all with a distraught look.
Rocssanna quickly embraced Jane in a hug; William was right behind her. “HHow is she doing? I could feel her anguish, and I knew something was wrong.” Rocssanna looked anxious. “What happened to her? I could sense you were with her and I knew she was in great hands. She is doing okay right; I know she’s sleeping”?
Jane didn’t know what to say. “I.. I don’t think she can continue. She found something wrong with the last pieces, and she couldn’t finish. She had to stop. I think she has reached her limit, she pushed her self too hard, and we did nothing HHHHHHto stop her.” Janes' face had tears rolling down her cheeks. With a sob, she continued. “Why did she have to try so hard to help everyone? Why did she have to do it by herself”?
Fred went to Jane and put his huge hand on her shoulder. “She is the only one who could do it. She is going to save billions. She is doing it for herself just as much as everyone else.” He also had tears going down his face. “I have to let her do what she’s doing because there is no stopping her.” He didn’t release Jane’s shoulder.
Jane’s tear-filled eyes and looked to Fred. “She said she couldn’t continue; she can’t finish the ship the way she is.” Jane couldn’t understand how Fred could say she was going to finish it. “How can you say she’s going to finish it when she doesn’t think she can see herself? If you’re thinking of forcing her in any way, I will stop you. She is more than a sister to me; she gave me my life back and asked for nothing. She just...” Jane stopped talking. As she realized what Fred was about to talk.
Fred saw the look of realization on Janes' face. With a quick look around he saw everyone realize just what he was saying. He gazed off into the bulkhead. “We’re going to go around the rogue’s system, and it’s going to be two extra days before starting the scouting pass.” He waited for any questions or objections. He continued when none were forthcoming. “I’m going to be helping her tomorrow, and I’ll have her slow down and not let her push herself so hard.” He noticed William and Rocssanna approaching, and he released his gentle hold on Jane’s shoulder.
William grabbed Fred’s shoulder with a hint of anger. “So, you want my daughter to continue even though she said she couldn’t go on. If she doesn’t want to continue, I won’t ask her to. If she didn’t set foot in that room again, I'd be happy. I won’t stop her if she wants to continue, but I won’t ask her to either.” William looked deep into Fred’s eyes. I won’t let you talk to her until she decides what she wants to do. If she is going to continue, she’ll meet you in the cargo bay. If she doesn’t show up don’t go looking for her she might be part of the military, but she is no slave.”
Fred didn’t look fazed by one of the three most powerful humanoids in the known universe. “I won’t have to talk to her until she comes to the cargo bay and the only thing, I’m going to insist on is that she doesn’t work too hard.” Fred was three times Williams size and towered over him. “I can see her possible future, and she is the main focus of the existence of life. I will make sure she doesn’t push herself too hard this time. She is going to come out on top this time.” Fred put his hand on to William’s shoulder and squeezed with magically boosted strength.
William backed down from Fred to get some space. “She’s my little girl, my angel you can’t push her anymore.
“She’s a daughter to me too, since she came on this ship, I’ve treated her as nothing less than a dearly loved child of my own. I know she tired she needs rest. When she wakes up, she’ll see what she did wrong, and she’ll go to fix it, and I’ll be there to keep herself from pushing too hard. I’m giving her the time she needs to go on without the fatigue she seems to push herself too much.
William relaxed his grip, and then he let go of Fred’s shoulder. “So, you’ve seen what’s going to happen to Sky? I guess you know that she’s going to restart building the ship.” William forced a smile and Rocssanna did the same.
Jane coughed to get their attention. “Um.. excuse me could I get something to eat for sky and myself. I want to take it to our quarters and wait for her to wake up. She’ll be hungry and alone if I wait too long. I want to be there when she wakes up.” Jane said to the two Titans.
Rocssanna went to a cupboard opened one and took out two bowls both were sealed with stasis fields to keep them fresh, one bowl was huge the other was just larger than a regular bowl. She handed the two bowls to Jane tucked two spoons into her breast pocket, one was heavy enough to sag her pocket down. “I don’t have to tell you who’s is whose, if she wants more ask Conny to have me bring more. I don’t like her eating in her room, but there are always exceptions to the rules.”
Jane took the food said thank you and took her to leave. When she reached their shared room, and it slides open. As the door slide, she looked to see if the sleeping girl moved from where she last left her. Sky seemed to be still sleeping. Jane crossed the room to place the two bowls on one of the footlockers. She contemplated waking the girl so she could eat and get ready for bed. She looked too peaceful to wake and decided on letting her sleep a little longer.
Jane found herself a little hungry, so she washed up a little and took her boots, socks and stripped down to her vest and shorts. After quietly pulling another footlocker over for a seat, she dropped the casting over her bowl and took in the delicious smell coming from the bowl. It had a spicy smell she now knew was a signature of the Knights cooking. Jane took the spoons from her pocket placing the one down she dipped her in the bowl. Steam rose off of spoon as she brought it to her lips. She savoured the smell before gently blowing to cool it down. The first taste of the thick soup was incredible. It seemed to be a thick spicy vegetable soup with chunks of meat. Before she could take another spoonful, she heard a deep growl behind her.
Startled she turned to see Sky sleepy-eyed with a little moisture at the corners of her smiling lips. “Sorry for my tummy scaring you it has no manners when it comes to food. May I join you after I wish you a bit and get more comfortable like you”? She asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes and taking in the smell of dinner.
Jane relaxed after seeing Sky standing behind her. “Sure, thing Sky had I known you were awake. I would have waited and eaten with you. Being in the military, you don’t always wait after you’re served to eat. You never really know when something comes along, and you can’t eat for days.”
“That’s okay; I’m not one for waiting either. My tummy gets too insistent when I smell food; she always growls for me to stuff her mouth shut.” Sky said with a grin. She walked towards the washroom removing her shirt. After a few minutes, she came out in just a vest and underwear.
Jane could still not believe the little girl was the strongest person in the known galaxy. Just nine years old on the cusp of becoming a woman. With her hair down her body looked tiny surrounded by shiny sea blue hair the thick trusses framed her body to her waist. She walked over and took a seat next to Jane, who shifted over to give the little girl more room. “There are more footlockers to sit on if you’re not comfortable.” Sky just shook her head and gave Jane a one arm hug. “No, I’m fine here if you are. I’m still sleepy, and I need to get some sleep soon.” She seemed relaxed as she ate snuggled against her new sister’s arm. They seemed content to finish eating in silence. The two almost finished eating at the same time. Jane takes the two bowls and rinses them in the bathroom sink. Coming back, she takes Sky’s hands and helps the exhausted feet.
“We should wash before sleeping. So, grab your wash bag, and we’ll shower then go to bed.” Sky agrees and follows Jane to the showers. Jane helps the half sleeping girl undress and washes her back and hair. She can’t get over how silky it feels as she washes it. She helped dry her little sister and brought her now fragrant smelling form to a nearby bench so she could wash. After quickly washing, she carried Sky and their things back to their quarters. A brief visit from Conny informed Jane Sky likes to sleep in the bunny onesie that is hanging in her walk-in closet. After gently dressing her as a bunny she tried to place her on her bunk bed. Sky wrapped her arms around Jane’s neck and did not release her. Understand the sleepy girl’s intention places her on her bed next to the wall and climbs in after her. Jane places a gentle kiss on Sky’s forehead and whispers “goodnight my little angel.”
Sky kissed her back on the nose because she was half asleep already. “Goodnight, my bestest sister, I love you.” She was sleeping before her head hit the pillow.
Jane wrapped the girl in her arms and fell asleep seconds later.
Minutes later Rocssanna and William slid the door open and entered just enough to see their daughter sleeping in Jane’s protective embrace. They whispered “goodnight” to the sleeping pair. Just as they were about to leave Sky whispered back “goodnight mommy goodnight daddy, I love you.” After taking another quick peek, she saw they were both still sleeping peacefully.