Unbroken Curiosity

Chapter 15: The End

Captain Sivian Cox

Cox was nervous. He could not stand still. He started to pace the length of the airlock door. Soon the Shadow Force would board the Unbroken Curiosity. Cox had heard rumours... He did not know how the mercenaries would react.

"There is no reason to be nervous, Captain." Lady Lillias comforted him. She leaned against a wall, dressed in a charcoal dress, her bare feet visible beneath the seams, and her glowing eyes were hidden behind emerald contact lenses. Once they had control of the officer's deck, Lillias wasted no time cleaning herself. She hurried to her room and showered, removing the blood, dirt and sweat she had accumulated the last few days. Cox did not have that luxury. Pieces of Cobalt still stuck to his clothes and hair.

"Everything that happened happened on my watch. I should have..." Cox said, but Lillias interrupted him with her hand.

"There was nothing you could have done, Sivian. Cobalt had planned for this long before he boarded this ship. Everything that happened happened because of him. No one else is to blame..."

She was right. Cox still felt guilty, however. So many dead... And for what? I am the captain of this ship, and I failed. Cobalt wanted to kill High Lord Garland, but fate ultimately did it. Some kind of premature jump into FTL destroyed Garland's estate, killing him and his daughter, Enrica Garland's mother. The day would be remembered as the Green Night... The night an aurora was visible across the planet. But what happened in orbit... No one will ever know the truth.

The Curiosity shook. "They are here," Cox whispered. They waited for the Shadow Force soldiers to board the ship. From the airlock, faint airbursts signalled their arrival. Then the airlock door opened. Soldiers dressed in all black appeared—the Shadow Force. With them, Cox saw a familiar face. Cox came to attention and saluted as Admiral Reed climbed onboard the Curiosity.

"At ease, Cox." He greeted the captain with a firm handshake. "Lady Lillias." He bowed. "I am relieved to see you are safe."

Before anyone else could speak, a Shadow Force soldier spoke up. "There is no time for this." He was the next to step on board. "Is the ship secure?"

"This deck is secure, as is the Comm Room and R&D deck," Cox replied. "Those loyal to the Guild are seeking out any resistance on the other floors. I believe there are still some mutineers on the Combat Deck."

The Shadow Force soldier ordered some of his men to help secure the ship before turning to Cox. "And High Lady Garland?"

"Enrica is in the Med-Bay. The last few months have taken a toll." Lillias answered.

"Take us there."

"Do not presume to order me around, soldier," Lillias smiled. "I am a noble, daughter of a High Lord. If you disrespect me or my friends again, I will see that your business dealings with Haven are cut short."

"I am sorry..."

"I am joking, soldier..." Lillias yawned. "It has been a long journey. I just needed to blow off some steam. Come, I will take you to her." She nodded towards Cox and Reed as she led the Shadow Force soldiers to the Med-Bay.

"Take me to the Bridge, captain," Reed said. Cox nodded. Together they walked the grey halls of the Curiosity to the Bridge. There was something different about them now. Haunting even. Signs of battle and death were visible. Bullet holes. Blood. Bodies. Cox and Reed walked in silence. They reached the Bridge. Cox was relieved to see the Helmsman, Victor, and the other Bridge Crew members still alive. With them was Erothh Company leader, Aryron. The elf stood at Navigator Burke's workstation, watching the radar. A.E.U. stood close by. The robot seemed sad as he studied Aryron.