DGC 71 On board HFS Grimoire, Bridge

  Sara slept better than usual the night before and was bright-eyed and attentive when she arrived on the bridge for 3rd watch. To say Sara looked bored would be believable, but so far off the mark, anyone who might comment on Sara’s misleading appearance would observe annoyance or even jealousy from 3rd watch. Anyone who worked with Sara admired her ability to enjoy tedious work like sifting through broken code for hours to find the one mistake, Net diving through endless layers of information, or like now, monitoring the sensors. Certainly one of the more boring jobs on a bridge, but slightly more important to be attentive at. Any drills or surprise tests always had Sara at the top scores. Not that she was any better than other sensor operators. Just the only one who looked like she was slacking off or not doing her job all the time. A begrudging respect grew with most of the bridge crew of 1st Watch. 2nd and 3rd watches from her initial time working with them had similar dispositions. It never stopped the occasional trouble for Sara in the form of harsh comments by less regular visitors to the bridge. That included Fleet officers. It made sense to Sara, as annoying as it was. She could try harder to look attentive, but it was never a problem enough for her to worry that much. She always did the job, and most of her work was solitary beyond her screen. Bridge duty was just one of her chores for Grimoire. Every ship occupant had one, even if they weren't dedicated crew.

  “Look alive, here comes that wanna-be fleet captain,” Selena warned. She was at the communications station, looking around the bridge to see if her warning registered with everyone. The audible tightening of seat buckles could be heard in a pointless attempt to look more presentable. Not that 1st watch needed to try harder. Everything was already above average for a civilian crewed bridge, easily passable to fleet standards. The most important thing was that Sara had schooled her features to look attentive and alert. Ironically, the effort to look attentive made her less attentive for a few seconds.

  Major Grier floated onto the bridge, followed by an ensign. He surveyed the bridge as he brought himself to a stop in zero gravity. The ensign made their way to Sara's station. They were looking over her shoulder but not saying anything. Not breaking her eyes from the screen, Sara made a shooing motion over her shoulder.

  Finally done with a petty inspection of the bridge, Grier looked at the bridge watch officer, Jean. She had a thin frame and wire grey hair. She was past retirement age but had opted to continue working jobs that she could be exempt from, ship command operations being one of them. Any contention of her ability because of her age should have been dismissed by her regular clean bill of health. Testing and health evaluations for any elderly who wanted to keep working certain jobs were more frequent. Saras was missing the staring contest, her attention facing forward, the back corner of the room where the command seat sat in her blind spot. The looming presence of the ensign behind her was becoming so distracting that she was having trouble staying focused on her duties for once.

  “Sara, report for an evaluation. The ensign behind you will cover for the rest of your shift.”

  “Anything else?” Jean asked. The annoyance in her voice was crisp and clear. Grier looked frustratedly around the bridge one last time before he shook his head. As he made to leave, Jean raised her voice so the whole bridge and anyone in the hall could hear.

  “Then state your business when you first enter the bridge. Looming and hovering behind station watches interfaces with a well-oiled bridge crew.” Jeans admonished the man who had been looking for something to reprimand Grimoire’s bridge with. It was a good thing Grimoire's Captain wasn't here, and Grier was about to leave the ship to go to some other assignment. He had arrived a few weeks ago with new fleet personnel. The flotilla had been a buzz with transfers, retrofits, and rigorous testing for the crew of the ships that were being asked to divert to a new flotilla. The reason for it was not public knowledge yet, but usually with the fleets of humanity, everything would be shared well before any course changes to leave a flotilla or fleet.

  Sara made her way through the ship after an awkward lift ride with the angry Fleet officer. As soon as Grier went their separate ways, Sara stopped hiding her frustration, grumbling as she floated through the large hallways. She had completed all the medical evaluations, psychological evaluations, aptitude evaluations, and all the other random tests Fleet had made everyone staying on HFS Grimoire do.

  When Sara reached the interlock she looked through the window and saw her friend Tim waving at her from the window on his side. Smiling, she waved back as the more complicated locks took longer to cycle open. It didn't matter that today the hammer habitation pods or “hab” weren't spinning, or that the ship wasn't under thrust. Even when the habs were pulled in flush with the rest of the hull the doors here still took the longest to traverse. The whole reason for the complicated process to allow movement between the habs and main hull when the habitats were spinning. Tim's were bags being towed behind Sara's friend Tim reminded her of the knot that had been forming in her gut that they were leaving today, too. Grier and others who weren't staying for HFS Grimoire’s change in fleet grouping needed to be off the ship in the next few hours. Sara was about to be the only net diver anywhere near her age left on the ship. Before Sara could even speak a greeting to Tim, a thumb drive spun across the compartment and bounced into her chest, almost floating away. She grabbed the data storage device just before it was out of reach and glared at him.

  “What is this and what was that?” Sara asked.

  “Free copy of my hobby y'all always teased me about until 9 months ago. Files of info regarding the Rift and Rift adjacent conspiracies. Including some of the latest stuff I found just last night regarding that spooky shit with The Den and The Roost.” He grinned, slowing his momentum to give him more time to chat as they slowly drifted towards each other.

  “The Free Bird event?” Sara cocked an eyebrow, starting to stuff the small pinky-sized drive into one of her soft pockets. She reconsidered before putting it in her hard shell leg pocket. It'd be more protected from any X-rays or other particles that might interfere with electronics. Less of a concern on a ship as well, taken care of as HFS Grimoire, but still a constant concern living in space.

  “Not all of it. I'm not convinced those mercenaries waging war against themselves are related yet. But it's got everything I have on my so-called obsession with the Rift and adjacent spaces.” Tim grinned sardonically, making quotations with his fingers about his obsession. Long since used to the gentle mocking of their little group. Not that there would be a group anymore.

  “Thank you, I really do appreciate it. Now what was that?” Sara crossed her arms and couldn't help puffing her cheeks in annoyance. Her friend looked apologetic and understanding.

  “I'm sorry, I wasn't aiming for your chest. Besides, we all know your hair is the bigger target.” He apologized jovially, throwing one of the group barbs back at her. Sara scoffed a bit of tension leaving her shoulders.

  “Seriously, thank you. I know we always teased you about your obsession with the Rift trail, even after it became relevant. I promise I won't share or sell it.” Sara said.

  “Even after my catalog was relevant, you guys teased me more. I can't blame you. I've made a pretty good profit trading it. I know y'all are just jealous. I just keep in mind the newer stuff I found, too. You're heading that direction, and scuttlebutt keeps gossiping about you guys eventually going into the rift.” He said.

  “I assume you don't know this, but they did announce at the beginning of my shift that we are most definitely going to be probing into the Rift. See if we can find anything of The Den. We're not going to be traveling, though, at least not the Grimoire. We can't fly through 4th-dimensional space without the particles there taking us apart immediately. We can pop in and pop out so long as we don't fly around. Going to try and get some sensor scans and drop out. That's what they're telling us, though. It's not like Grimoire can jump into 4D space, so…” Sara trailed off as she thought about it more.

  “Well, now's your last chance to change your mind.” He said just as they were floating past each other.

  “No, I'm excited, I know everyone else left cause it'd be so far away from Network updates. I have more than one hobby, so genuinely I'm excited. Wish me luck.” Sara said.

  “Good luck! How about me? Can I get a good luck kiss for my flight out?” He said, having rotated himself floating backward so he could wink. Sara chuckled at the good-natured flirting. She grabbed one of Tim's bags before it floated past her and gave it a loud kiss. Just before she tossed it past his head.

  “Good luck.” She laughed as he cartwheeled, caught up in his straps. She kicked off into the smaller halls of the hab, floating so she could see and wave goodbye.

  “Be safe!” He yelled after her as he tumbled down the hallway, wrestling with Newton's law of inertia.

  Sara kicked off floating backward to wave at Tim one last time, knowing she might never see anyone from her net diver click of friends again.

  The smaller hallways of the hab were lined by identical doors. The numbers and letters were the only distinguishing way to tell them apart. Admittedly the black stenciling was easily read at eye level when someone was oriented by gravity walking the halls, not gliding near the ceiling upside down. It didn't deter Sara from finding the room, although almost forgetting to turn off do not disturb on her comm when she left the bridge might have deterred her. She double-checked the message she received on her way down from the bridge against the door number. It was hard to tell but Sara was sure none of the other rooms used for evaluations were ever in this hall. Doctor Glenn was already seated across a table waiting. Her eyes indicated the only other chair sitting across from her. The room was dimly lit with nothing else in the room. Sara took the other seat waiting for Dr. Glenn to finish looking through a folder. Sara wasn't sure what type of doctor she was or how many doctorates she had but gave off the impression she was psychiatric, people-focused, but in an overly aggressive therapist who hates talking to you kind of way.

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  “Must have been important if I got pulled from bridge duty. What did I miss?” Sara knew the answer should be nothing. She was positive she had completed everything days ago. In answer, Dr. Glenn closed the folder.

  “Last minute concerns. I don't think you’re the only one.” Dr. Glenn answered.

  “Concerns about what?” Sara felt her stomach drop. If it was worth a last-minute evaluation, could she be at risk of having to leave? It would be absurd timing, but the last outbound shuttle was unlikely to depart in less than an hour. Could she be put on it at the last minute?

  “You grew up on the Sardonyx, correct?” Dr. Glenn asked in a bored tone of voice. She opened the folder again and shuffled the papers inside.

  “I grew up on it, but it wasn't where I was born,” Sara said.

  “Yes, one of the big hand-me-downs, The Pacific. I need to ask about your schooling on the Sardonyx. Not your early childhood.” Dr. Glenn said, leadingly as she met eyes with Sara, who was nodding frantically.

  “Sure, ask, I’ll answer,” Sara said. Her track of time as she replied to the Doctor’s questions. More and more she found herself rambling about her childhood, not sure what they could be evaluating her for. It wasn't long before her trip down memory lane led her to memories parallel to her dialog with Dr.Glenn.

  DGC 63 HFS Sardonyx

  Back then Sara was 13 with a short blonde ponytail waiting at the entrance to the hangar for her childhood friend. “Nick you took longer than usual. What happened?” She asked.

  “Sorry Sara I wanted to try the simulation some more, so they gave me a few extra runs.” Nick grinned at his best friend. He had known her since they were 5 years old, ever since they had been together. Even after he transferred away from his family at age 10 to the flight defense academy. Less than six months later Sara's family ended up moving to the same ship he was training on.

  Sara had been glad to have her best friend back, and that safe place to run to whenever she was troubled.

  “Nick, I…” She began.

  “Hang on,” Nick said walking over to two mechanics who were trying desperately to fix something. Nick was saying something to them she couldn’t hear so she drew closer. “... And then it should work,” Nick said.

  “That is not how we are supposed to do that.” One of the mechanics fumed at the 13-year-old boy telling him how to do his job. Still, the second mechanic studied the device.

  “No, that would work. That’s an out-of-the-box way to do it but it saves us extra parts, and maybe even a little time. Thanks, kid.” The second mechanic said. Nick nodded and turned to walk beside Sara.

  “Okay cool, now Nick can we talk?” Sara prodded him as she tugged on his shoulder.

  “Yeah yeah.” Nick chuckled. The two teens left the mechanics and walked towards the living quarters. A slow pace was set as their footsteps filled an empty section of hallway. Sara wrestled with spending limited time together well instead of bringing up her problems They rarely got to spend anytime together, Nick always being in or around the academy areas. Sara paused in an empty corridor and held Nick’s arm to halt him. She was looking down with a worried expression.

  “We could have talked at any point, why are you not telling me what's on your mind?” He asked.

  “I-I don’t know if I can talk to you a-about it,” Sara muttered. She wished they went to school together, She would have talked to him about it weeks before, maybe before she asked that schoolmate out.

  “Why?” He asked.

  “You’re a boy.” She muttered. Nick smiled at her not being able to stop the laughter he was trying to suppress.

  “Sara. I am also your best friend. I bet you could tell me anything, even things about boyfriends, just like any other time. Yeah, I’m a boy, but so far that hasn't stopped me from always sticking by you no matter what. Worst case is I say that I can’t help you.” Nick's smile grew wider as he spoke, grinning at her reassuringly. It didn't feel very reassuring to Sara.

  “I-I well I want to know… if I’m pretty,” Sara murmured.

  “Sara, you're a knockout.” Nick beamed. Sara looked at him funny, surprised by his answer. He seemed sincere, it was just that he responded so quickly. No embarrassment, like he was just telling his fellow trainees that they were looking sharp in their civilian outfits. She felt a little more awkward now.

  “Now why is this just now bothering you?” Nick pulled her from her thoughts.

  “I asked a boy in school if we could go on a date and he said no. I think it’s cause I’m ugly. You really think I’m pretty?” She asked. A bit of her awkwardness thawing away.

  “Yes, you're very pretty. Look, Sara, you're not always approachable and you are abrasive sometimes the way you say whatever's on your mind. I don’t mind cause I’m way too used to it with you. I suffered so much being around you that I have seen more of the bright sides of you.” He said elbowing her in comradery.

  “Your motor mouth has gotten us both in trouble as much as all the suffering you keep alleging.” Sara shoved him back with a playful grin spreading across her face.

  “I also don’t have to worry if you ever hold any ugly opinions of anything cause you will just say them.” Nick laughed.

  “But you think he may just think I’m annoying.” Sara huffed.

  “I think maybe he said no, not because your looks. Just ask to hang out as friends and let them get to know the bright sides of you. Then ask him out if you still feel like that.” Nick advised.

  “Mmmm well… I guess maybe I just try that. Thanks, Nick I guess I really can ask you anything.” Sara smiled up at him. He smiled back down at her and she wondered if she would grow to be the same height as him one day.

  “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the mechanic's bay so we can go to breakfast,” Sara said.

  “Yeah, sounds good,” Nick said. He always loved being allowed to eat breakfast with his second family. Sara was never shy to make a stink about how most of the time he had to eat sleep and breathe every minute as a flight defender trainee. At least Nick never wasted a waiver instructor Obelisk granted him to eat outside the academy mess. The next day though he never made it to breakfast.

  Present day DGC 71 Grimoire

  Sara paused recalling events so long ago when the doctor shuffled another paper around. Her eyes glanced from side to side as she read something. It made Sara feel odd, and for a second time out of place in this evaluation.

  “He was hospitalized, your friend I mean.” Dr. Glenn stated as a fact more than a question.

  “No! He had a bipolar episode and got in trouble for trying to rebuild some equipment so it could turn invisible. He was harmlessly goofy at best whenever he was manic but… they made him choose between leaving the academy or getting corrective brain surgery. He was never hospitalized, just surgery.” Sara's initial anger ebbed away with every word. Her voice trailing off as she remembered it all.

  “Yes I'm familiar with that procedure, it’s amazing what advanced civilizations technology made possible.” Dr. Glenn said looking keenly at Sara with her scrunched-up nose and eyes squeezed shut.

  “It's not all that amazing,” Sara whispered.

  DGC 63 HFS Sardonyx

  After young Nick's surgery, He was supposed to have three days under observation with no duty for a month. He didn't last a day. Immediately he snuck out to try the prontroma simulators. The scores on the prontroma simulation were wrong the first, the second, and the third time he ran through it. There would have been a fourth if he hadn't been pulled out and read the riot act by an instructor. He was back in the hospital room now, his stitches reapplied. He must have torn them when he was scratching his head in frustration. Sara had arrived for visitation minutes after his stitches were fixed.

  Now Nick was pacing furiously, mumbling in an almost panicked fashion. He huffed a sigh that could strip paint off a wall. Sara had seen Nick frustrated before but this was something on an entirely different level.

  Sara kept her seat on Nick's hospital bed watching him calmly, waiting for him to work himself down. Every time he paced away from her she could see the stitches from the top of his bald head to the base of his neck. It had been a week ago that he missed breakfast, only 3 days since they shaved his head right for surgery. Today was the first day she could finally visit him. She couldn't figure out how uncanny Nick seemed to her now. He stopped pacing finally putting his head against a wall, and muttered again this time Sara could make out his words.

  “It’s all gone,” Nick said. Sara wasn’t sure what he was talking about, each time he had started to explain anything he started huffing and pacing again.

  “What is gone, Nick? Just breathe, and then tell me.” Sara said soothingly.

  Nick finally calmed down enough, he dragged his feet towards the bed where she sat as he started to talk. “The thoughts, my ideas, they’re so dull! My entire being feels dull! I feel less than the me I was, different in little ways that make my brain itch when I notice. I feel like I sold pieces of me away and will never get them back. The scores are nowhere near my old ones.” Nick said.

  Nick was a few feet away from her when he crumpled to his knees at the foot of the bed. His eyes flashed to his shaking figure, trying not to scream in anger as he was dragged out of the simulator. It all felt different. Everything was like he was a shadow.

  “I...am so… far gone!” He bawled his hands, tears forming in his eyes as he shuffled to her. She reached out to hold his head in her arms as he sobbed an endless cry. Sara gently pulled on him guiding him off the floor into the bed to cling to her. Gently, she leaned back so both lay out on the bed. She just rubbed his back not saying anything. His guttural cries drew a nurse to the room in a rush. Sara waved a thumbs up, and the nurse reluctantly left. Sara held her tears as Nick cried into her chest. She was her safest friend, and right now, she was his sanctuary, the only person he could let down his guard, away from academy life. Tonight was a jarring reminder that Nick needed someone safe just as much as her. Eventually, he settled into a fitful sleep in Sara's arms.

  ***

  A knock at the door pulled Sara from her memory. She hadn’t even noticed the prying questions Dr. Glenn had probed her with. Barely a second went by before the door opened and the ship sheriff stepped in followed by a thin flight officer.

  “Excuse my doctor, but do you know where Kulu-Gara-Kuru is?” Sheriff Tomson asked with a smile, singing the name as if it were a song. Dr. Glenn glanced at the left wall reflexively. The flight officer saw the gesture and stepped back into the hall.

  “Left door!” He bellowed. Everyone in the room could hear rapid knocking, then a loud commotion as what seemed like the neighboring room was stormed into.

  “ Sorry, we barged in a bit frantic-like. I was asked to find Kulu-Gara-Kuru and make sure he was to meet with Captain Abrams in his office sooner than possible. Oh, and Sara, good you’re here also. How lucky for me. You are needed elsewhere, please come with me.” Sheriff Tomson spoke with his perpetual grin that never faltered since he entered.

  “Am I… but my evaluation?” Sara stammered.

  “The captain wanted me to let you know he looks forward to seeing you on the bridge for the coming days.” The sheriff said with a wink as he whisked her out of the room. She barely caught sight of the trademark reflective blue on a jacket. She couldn't even tell what species the peacemaker was.

  ”Why is a Jacket on Grimoire?” Sara asked, trying not to scream at the two men. The blue coloring used in the clothing was only ever used by the Galactic Peacemakers. Usually operated on planets or large populations stations or ships, even if they had unilateral rights to go anywhere, investigate anything or anyone. It was bizarre to think one was on a smaller populated ship like Grimoire. As Sara thought about it, a few reasons started to populate her mind with reasons for the Jacket to be aboard a vessel bound for the system that had been ransacked by a bunch of criminals, 404s, and self-proclaimed rebels. None of the reasons she could think of explained the excitement around her last-minute evaluation. The added fact that she was being escorted anywhere but there made her feel even less sure about anything for now.