Stargazers

Canaan's Orbit

Daedalus appears out of dive-space in a flash. Reality undulates around it in waves of rubbery light that slowly return to fade. The ship glides smoothly into Canaan's orbit, matching the planet's rotation and floating within its gravity. Captain LeGuin, a tall, broadly built man moving into middle age, stands still, staring out at the planet with an immovable calm. He has his arms folded behind him, his back straight, and his cap resting perfectly on his head.

The ship's pilot looks back at him. "In orbit, sir, but no responses to our hails."

"Anything from our scans?"

"Facility is dark, sir," says the navigator. "But we are picking up a ship in orbit. It is leaving the atmosphere right now."

"Hail the ship," says Captain LeGuin. "And follow at a distance. Get word to Lt. Guinevere. We will need to be ready, in case things go south."

The Comm. Officer salutes and returns to the operations board.

LeGuin walks forward, running his hand along the rail support. A raised platform in the center of the helm allows him a view of all operations around him. From where he stands, he can also see a clear view of Canaan, its surface a gleaming bronze with small, swirling clouds like smeared whip cream. In the distance, a dark speck floats slowly into and then out of view.

Daedalus turns, effortlessly, and follows the speck.

"Sir, they are not responding to our hail," says the Comm. Officer. After a prolonged silence, she adds, "I've issued them our credentials and requested they halt."

"Sir, there are warp distortions," says the Navigator. "They are preparing for dive."

"I see," says the captain. "And how far out are they?"

The pilot checks her mechanisms and gives a solemn glance back at the captain. "Too far to catch them before dive, sir."

LeGuin frowns.

"There could be survivors on the surface, sir, and even if we make chase, they're out of range for our cannons to do any significant damage before they escape," says the pilot. She looks ahead again and fixes her hands around the ship's controls. "Sir, should we make chase or land?"

LeGuin rubs his mustache and clears his throat. "Page all of the armor pilots to the armor bay and call the Lieutenant to the bridge. We'll send armors to the surface to check for survivors and make pursuit as far as we can."

The bridge's crew salutes. "Sir!" Then, they go about their various tasks.

-Stargazers part 1-

Chastity and Arthur are left floating in a cold, steel room. Arthur is bound and was unconscious for a time. When he wakes, he complains of a headache and sits up stiffly, now held to the ship by manufactured gravity. They make sullen eye contact and have little time to themselves before the door slides open and their captor steps in.

He is still wearing his battle gear, though he now wears his goggles up. His blade is out, unfolded, and he is cleaning it with a rag in one hand. Two guards follow him in. They are wearing a form of black military uniforms, and both carry pistols on their hips and have batons out.

At their entrance, Chastity shuffles back against the wall. Arthur stands to meet them, but the guards meet him first. They push him down into a seated position on the bed, and he offers only a glare in return.

Their captor, who is clearly the leader, surveys them calmly. Then, he returns his focus to the blade in his hands. He is smiling beneath his mask, and it can be heard in his voice. "I see that you've collected yourself, girl. That is good, because we have much to discuss."