Grand Adventures Along the Anova Trail with Mason and Bella

Wrecking Ball Part 8

Wrecking Ball

["Lucien!"]

"Mason, so good to hear from you! Thank you for keeping me abreast of your adventures. Are you on your way?"

["Yes, that's why I'm calling, we will be at El-Nom soon. How is your new position?"]

"It is completely fulfilling. Like I was made for it."

["Ha! I know the feeling. But you literally were made for it."]

"True, must be why I'm so good at it. I will be anxiously awaiting yours and Bella's return."

["She said, yes."] After a short pause,

"Of course she did, that's the only way she could get her ring back."

["Ha! Ha! You're a trip, I'll see you soon. Love you Brother."]

"Love you. Tell Bella she could have done better."

["Ha!"]

[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: PRIORITY ONE:]

"Torvall here."

["Greetings Captain Torvall. This is Events Director Braydon Knoll. His Majesty has informed me of your impending nuptials with Isabella Rush and I would like to talk to you both about any plans you have in mind."]

"Wow! His foresight is something! Yes, it is a pleasure to take your call Director Knoll. Actually, Bella and I will be arriving in El-Nom within the chrono. After we settle in, we will contact you. Will that work?"

["Yes, it will! How perfect! I look forward to meeting you both in person. See you then."]

"Excellent, until then."

The Ariel III dropped into the Ja-El system, home of the media-based world, Muel. Fenton ran close to the star for a quick scoop of fuel and had no sooner opened the harvester when he received a distress signal in close proximity.

"Captain, I am picking up a distress beacon nearby, shall I attempt to contact?"

"See if they have been contacted by local authorities first. Send a message to the closest station that we are on standby." replied Mason.

"Aye, Captain."

"Distress ship, this is the Ariel III. What is your status, over. Distress ship, this is the Ariel III. What is your status, over." Bella came and stood next to Mason as they looked out at the blackness. Fenton continued to hale the distressed ship for a pentachron when Mason finally said, "Let's start moving their way. Have we heard back from the local authority?" "Not yet, any moment we should."

[Incoming Transmission: Ja-El Grant Station] "And there it is." ["Ariel III, this is Grant Station. We are sending someone to the distress signal now, we would appreciate a visual if possible. Contact the Oster Veil on the frequency provided. We appreciate your help."]

Upon approach, a garbled message was coming in from the distressed ship. Fenton dropped from hyper-cruise to within a kilometer of the ship then slowly made his approach. "Hit the forward lights." said Mason. Within moments, sparkling reflections from debris began to come into view then a burning Clipper Class ship with a gaping hole near the engine bay. The engines were venting compressed fuel into space causing the ship to rotate in place. Mason said, "Let's suit up. Start sending the feed to the incoming authorities." "Aye, Captain." said Fenton. Then Bella pointed straight ahead and said, "What is that?"

[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: Feta Gral] ["Well, well, what have we here?"]

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? FIND OUT BY READING THE ENTIRE URTU 313 SAGA!

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