Astrophysical (completed)

Chapter 12

The news was out. After Elaine and her crew left the ship Ash fully disclosed the details of the misfortune that became the Diva's downfall. A mining planet had been raided by Batrachos and the only thing the Sovereigns had been able to do was rescue a few small survivors from the planet. Elaine's crew had gone to help, hoping to smuggle off a collection of family members and take them with them. The Sovereigns learned about their plan and attacked them when they were most vulnerable, as a warning to anyone else in case they were thinking of trying it.

Now, this was both hard to hear and welcoming for a couple of the boys. It was in fact the home planet to two of the men on board and the idea that their family members were alive and being held by the government still was attractive. Ash agreed it was worth looking into because of this but had warned them to really consider the consequences while they tried to find out where these people were being held. No one questioned him and instead worked harder than ever while they waited for news.

A week had passed and finally they learned of their location, which ended up being a satellite station inside of the Sovereign control. This proved to be a particularly demanding situation because now the crew was torn. The two who had family did want to risk it. A couple of others supported them and agreed they were worth risking. Others were being cautious, feeling nervous about this whole situation.

Everyone was on edge about it and so on this night during the dinner meal, they were almost too nervous to eat because they were waiting for the vote. It made it eerily quiet too. Cassie was sitting next to Dean because his silent self wasn't as weird as the rest. Since things were still a little awkward between Ash and Cassie, she was giving him some space even though he chose to sit behind her still, but she kept glancing behind her to watch him knowing he was under a lot of pressure right now.

After they had all finished, everyone had turned to him, waiting. He stood up, put his hands in his coat pockets and then sighed. Ash scanned the room for a minute, a frown upon his face. Then slowly, he said, "So we come down to a vote. You all have heard the risks, but again let us go through them so that you get one more chance to quickly think it over.

"First of all, this will be like nothing we've ever done. This place will be watched and crawling with Sovereigns. Any slip-up and any mistake puts everyone in danger. Second, it means if something goes wrong, we have an obligation to the majority to potentially leave you behind. We've made more enemies out there lately and if they decide to attack, we are in no shape to take a beating as Elaine did."

He paused and took another deep breath. "Finally, I want to make this last point clear. I will be more than willing to plan and prepare for this, but as you all know, I cannot come with you." The guys focused on him again; many were now a little paler. "I do know enough to formulate a plan, but as soon as you leave you have to follow it without my instruction. With these things in mind, I now want to put it to a vote. I will accept it if eight people agree. They will be the ones volunteering to go. Show of hands, who wants to do this?"

It was tense in the room when he asked. Immediately the two men whose families were on the line raised their hands. Three of their friends followed behind, but then there was a pause. Slowly two others raised their hands. Then again, a pause. Finally, after another moment, Matt raised his hand.

Ash nodded to him and then said, "It's been decided then. We will send a small transport tomorrow night. It will be far enough away for us and close enough to reach the satellite. Tomorrow morning, I will walk you through what needs to happen and what you need to avoid. For now, get some sleep."

The guys nodded and began to clean up quietly. It was weird to see them so silent, but it was a tense time and moment. Cassie had cleared away her plate as well but had taken a seat back at the table. Everyone said goodnight and passed by her until Ash who was watching them all leave looked over at her since they were the last ones there. He walked over to her and sat down next to her, his back leaning against the table.