Test Flight Evacuation

First Step into the Void

This would be the first time sleeping on the ship for the crew that was present for the destruction of Earth. I had to save what I could for the people that were still in stasis when it happened. I don't think it would be an easy sell to tell someone that their home was destroyed and that going back would be impossible. "Freyja, please make sure to save all data related to Earth's destruction including footage and broadcasts." She took a few seconds to respond and then... "Done Captain, sorry it took so long, I was making a partition of storage that would remain untouched for the duration of our journey. Is there anything else you would like help with?" At this time, I had just entered my quarters. There was a decent queen-sized bed, a closet that seemed to blend into the wall slightly and an en suite shower. There was also an office desk and chair that looked to be made from durable but comfy material. The door slid closed behind me as I asked... "Please tell me you have access to music Frey?" She scoffed as if to say she was slightly insulted. "The powers that be gave me 100 000 Yottabytes of storage capacity, when we left Earth, all data created up to that point only consisted of 88 Zettabytes. This includes all books, documents, music, and art. So you can be damn sure I've got all music ever created. I even have your Spotify playlists sorted for your preference so you are very welcome sir and shame on you for thinking I didn't." At first, I was taken aback. Not only am I conversing with the most advanced AI in human history, I was being berated by her as well. It made me laugh a little. "Sorry for being unaware Frey. Please play something appropriate for the mood." She put on Daylight by David Kushner. It was a piece I had never heard before and I almost protested the choice until the mood of the song began to sink in. It seemed to resonate with what I felt at that moment. " Thank you, Frey." I got undressed and threw my clothes in the corner on top of a basket. I then headed for the shower and began to get washed up. Not that it had been a long day in particular but it did feel like I survived a massive accident and everyone else had passed on.

I stood in the shower with hot water rolling over me and music on the speakers. Thinking of all the people I had met in life and how each one helped shape me into the person I was. If I wasn't who I was at the time that test came along, I might not have been the one selected to head up this mission and I might have faced the same fate the rest of Earth faced when things took a turn for the worst. I started to feel thankful for the bullies I endured and the friends I had. The relationships I survived and the family that supported me. All I could say was... "Thank you, everyone, for making me who I am." I finished up with my shower after 15 minutes then grabbed a towel and went back to my bedroom. I opened the closet to find something that I could sleep in and then went to fall into my bed. If by chance this turns out to be one big nightmare, I'll be laughing all the way to therapy but if not, I'll see what tomorrow brings. "Goodnight Frey" "Goodnight Captain, I"ll wake you in 6 hours." The dreams that night can only be described as horrific. My final thoughts before sleeping were of those on Earth as the threat from space approached so that was what I dreamt of. Weather patterns going arry. Earthquakes and hurricanes damage major cities. And the Earth's crust opened up as people did all they could to survive.

I woke up in a sweat the next day. I was breathing heavily and it took me a while to realise that Freyja had been trying to talk to me. "Wha...what is it Freyja?" I sat on the side of the bed and stood up slowly. The floor was cold and I put on slippers before heading to the bathroom. "Did you sleep well, captain? Your heart rate was exceedingly high while you slept. You also said "No" and "help" a few times in your sleep." I splashed some water on my face before responding. "I...I had a nightmare, Frey. But let's not talk about that for now, what is our status?" "All systems green captain, we are still travelling in Quantum space and there have been no anomalies detected. The full Aurora crew have awakened with no issues and has been briefed in a similar fashion to the bridge officers. Although, they have been asking to meet with the captain as soon as possible. I'm sure they have questions." That last bit had me sweating. It was all well and good that I gave the bridge crew a small speech to help them focus, but how would I deal with almost 200 people looking to me for direction? Freyja had noticed my hesitation. She assured me that this isn't anything I haven't dealt with before and that I can do this. I grabbed a hot shower and put on my uniform which looked like something from Star Trek's Federation crossed with the uniform from the Star Wars Empire.