Of Broken Things

Chapter 4 - scene 3.

Aiden felt guilty when he thought of Hikaru Ugusaki. He hadn't really talked to his co-pilot in months. Not since the funeral, when Hikaru had been the third one to throw a shovelful of earth on the coffins, after Aiden and Ricky. He had come over to where Aiden had stood, still shell-shocked by all that had happened, squeezed his shoulder gently and said, "We're all just shooting stars in eternal darkness, but that's what makes us so beautiful." And somehow those words had made him feel just a little better, even if he had also wanted to bawl his eyes out.

Of course, Hikaru had called several times after that, but Aiden hadn't been able to pick up. Because Hikaru knew him even better than Ricky did. Because if he asked, "Hey, brother, how are you?" Aiden wouldn't be able to just smile and pretend he was better, that this gapping void in his heart didn't exist. Because he would have to tell him the truth that sometimes he felt like he had been tossed into the vacuum without a spacesuit - the same absolute cold and absence of air.

So he had never quite found the will to call his friend back, and now he was feeling guilty because his first call in seven months would not to check on Hikaru, but to ask for help.

But he had to call him anyway, because after Ricky had left for work, Aiden had done his own search on the Net. He had found and read the Greek myth about Cassandra and found it rather depressing. But his search was sadly devoid of any mention of Project Cassandra: not a wisp of gossip, not even a footnote, zilch, nada. Ricky could have been right, it could be a false lead. Or t just meant that Project Cassandra was need to know only, and most of those were military. Hikaru had retired from the Space Patrol six years after the accident that had permanently grounded Aiden and had accepted a position with the Department of Planetary Defense. If anyone had knowledge about military research projects, it would be him.

"Computer, call Hikaru Ugusaki."

"Home, work or transmitter?"

"Try work first."

Hikaru picked up after the first ring and smiled broadly when he saw Aiden.

"You look much better than the last time I saw you, brother," he said with a slight Japanese accent.

Aiden, who had seen his bloodshot eyes and day-old stubble in the mirror this morning, looked back skeptically.

"Well, what I meant is that you still look like death warmed over," Hikaru continued. "But at least there is something other than despair in your eyes. Let me guess, you need help with a case?"

"Am I really that obvious?"

"Well, I figured it must be something important for you to break your seven month-long silence."

Guilty as charged, Aiden thought with shame.

"Look, Hikaru, I'm sorry. I meant to call you back, I swear. It was just... to hard."

"Don't worry about it, brother. One doesn't get over such a tragedy overnight. You needed time to pick up the pieces of your life, and it looks like you picked up enough of them to go on, since you are back in the investigation business."

Aiden sighed, "It's hard, and I'm not okay. I'm as far from okay as the Earth is from the Sun. But I'm getting better. Working this case helps keep my mind of... other things."

"How can I help?"

"I tried to follow a lead, but all the official channels turned up blank. So I wanted to see if the DOD has any mention of Project Cassandra."

"Hmm... can you be more specific? What kind of project - defense, offense, research? Earth-bound or Space?"

"I'm afraid the name is all I got."

"You never liked making my life easy, did you?" Hikaru laughed. "With just the name, it could take a while. Tell you what, I will put my feelers out and see what I can catch in the net. Let's meet at the Safe Haven tonight and discuss what I find, or just to have a drink or two for old time's sake if I come up empty. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good. And Hikaru... thank you for your help."

"But of course, Aiden. I'll always have your back."

"Safe flight, pilot." Aiden smiled.

"Soft landing," Hikaru replied and hung up.