Terran Alliance: The Odyssey

Chapter 6- Moving On

Chapter 6- Moving On

(March 13, 2023)

Night has fallen over the planet of Zallin. The planet has just come out of its equivalent of summer, and is now moving into fall. It's harvest season for the Sith of the planet, and the work is already mostly done.

In the town ruled by Chief Albaron, a festival is going on. This festival is not just to celebrate the harvest, but also to serve as goodbye for the crew of the Hood. After years on the planet, the Hood has finally been repaired. Of course, some things are beyond repairs, including, sadly, the ship's long range communications system, meaning they still can't contact the Alliance. However, the ship, for all intents and purposes, is back to full function and ready to resume journeys through hyperspace. However, the hyperdrive is not fully repaired back to normal. It cannot function at the level of power it was designed to. The engineers also have calculated that it cannot function nonstop for too long. However, that's no longer quite a problem. The ship has been fully refueled, and should be able to make do with its weakened hyperdrive.

The Hood is scheduled to finally depart Zallin the next day. For that reason, the Sith were holding this festival to honor them and bid them farewell.

Over the last year, the relationship between the Sith and the Hood's crew has gotten far better than Pellaeon or anyone else thought. The Hood defending Zallin from attack the previous year had proven the turning point. The Sith had come to revere their guests, and a number of the Sith had actually begun to worship the Hood and its crew.

In the town center, the Sith are celebrating with a portion of the Hood's crew, roasting animals over open flames, sharing stories, and doing ancient chants from the Sith history. The Hood's crew are also sharing some of their music with the Sith. For the crew of the Hood, it's a bit of an unusual sight to see the Sith celebrating and enjoying themselves.

Near one of the biggest fires, Pellaeon and Moorhouse are sitting with Chief Albaron, his assistants, and his family. Pellaeon and Moorhouse are both enjoying roast meat from an animal that slightly resembles a deer as Albaron is sharing a story from one of the invasions that came about a century and a half ago where his grandfather led the town's defense in one of the most valiant stands in recent history of Zallin.

"You tell a good story, Albaron. It sounds like your grandfather was a great warrior and leader," Pellaeon says to compliment the story.

"Thank you, Pellaeon. It has been one of the greatest warrior stories told in our settlement for a century," Albaron responds.

One of the other Sith then speaks up and says, "However, I think the tale of the sky gods that saved us from attack will soon surpass it," finishing with a wry smile. This brings some chuckles from Pellaeon and Moorhouse.

Albaron looks at Pellaeon as he takes a beat out of his own food. "You have been good friends to us while you have been here, Pellaeon, and for that we thank you. I know some of us will be sad to see you go. I trust you will continue to keep our agreement."

"You have our word we will keep you secret," Pellaeon says. The Sith had grown slightly concerned over the past 3 years that the Alliance could attempt to subjugate them or exploit their world. For that reason, they had obtained a promise from Pellaeon that he would not reveal the location of Zallin to the Alliance.

Albaron nods, and the conversation turns back to more lighthearted topics as the festival winds on through the night.

(March 14, 2023)

Pellaeon steps slowly up to Albaron. Behind him is a shuttle waiting to take him up to the Hood.

After three years on Zallin, at last the Hood is ready to depart. The repairs that can be done are finished, the ship has been stocked with years worth of food, and the crew is ready to get underway.

Pellaeon steps up to Albaron and extends his hand. "Chief Albaron, it has been our honor to stay here for the last few years, and we owe you a debt of gratitude for helping us get ready to sail the stars once more. We will always remember the aid and friendship you have given us."

Albaron takes the offered hand and shakes it. "We owe you gratitude for protecting us, Pellaeon. You are most welcome for our aid in getting your ship operational once more. If we never see each other again, then farewell, friend."

"Farewell, friend," Pellaeon says. He then turns away and walks back to his shuttle.

As Pellaeon boards the shuttle, the pilot raises the boarding ramp and revs up the engines. After a few moments, the shuttle slowly lifts off the ground. It flies over the town as it gathers speed before finally pulling up into a climb, heading up towards the Hood.

It takes only minutes before the shuttle finally comes to a rest in the hangar bay of the Hood. As the shuttle settles down and the pilot powers down the craft, the boarding ramp lowers and Pellaeon and his guards walk down the ramp. At the bottom of the ramp, Major Ronen is waiting for them.

"Welcome back aboard, Admiral," Ronen says.

"Indeed, Major," Pellaeon says. He then leads his guards and Ronen out of the hangar bay and to the lifts to take them up to the bridge.

Within a few minutes, Pellaeon is on the bridge. To him, it feels like a homecoming. Over the last few years, Pellaeon had spent most of his time down on Zallin's surface coordinating with the Sith and helping maintain good relations with them. He had spent very little time aboard the ship in the last few years.

Pellaeon approaches Moorhouse, who is standing in the center of the bridge. "Are we ready to get underway?" he asks.

"Yes, Admiral. All systems are go. The navicomputer is ready, and the hyperdrive is standing by," Moorhouse says, a slight smile on his face.

"Very well. Navigation, prepare for first hyperspace jump," Pellaeon orders.

"Yes, sir," the navigation officers call out.

Within a minute or so, the navigation officers call out that they are ready. Pellaeon looks out the window as the stars seem to lengthen out, and finally, after almost four years of waiting, the Hood jumps to hyperspace.