Starcrossed

The Weight of The Universe

Later that day, Captain Eo reported to the bridge with the chief and commanders. The chief let out a long breath and motioned for Eo to sit at the end of a meeting table. 

The commanders, in all-black, nearly blended into the Legacy's dark control hub, paired with their heads that were brightly lit and appeared to float in the air. Captain Eo stood out in the group in his contrasting white armor and boots. Dinner on the ISS Legacy had just ended, but Eo's stomach was far from settled.

"Thank you, Captain Eo, for joining us," the chief began. "We all know about the sudden loss of Commander Bog, my understudy, who was a dear friend to all of us. He was a leader that spoke softly and carried a very big laser." The commanders chuckled, and Eo offered a knowing twitch of his lips.

"'Most of all, he embodied the very spirit of loyalty and dedication it takes to lead a fine group of recruits such as yourselves. He died protecting the ISS Legacy against many of our countless invaders. In the past week, we have had to rush certain matters. That included Commander Bog's burial, ceremony, and all of the actions that went into securing his personal items to his family... and closest friends."

Eo acknowledged the subtle looks from the commanders. To keep his burning eyes at bay, Eo looked down at the reflections on the table. Of course, the chief was noting the personal flag of Bog's that Eo had been gifted, and other trinkets: a photo album hard drive, pins collected from space stations across space.

"This meeting is not only to allow you to fill in his rank, but there is also something more required of you."

Eo nodded.

"There are still matters to take care of, like completing a full investigation into his death. Usually, Captain Eo, these matters are advanced for your rank. However, you are more than emotionally involved in the death of Bog. You are, in fact, legally involved."

Eo's heart raced. "What does that mean?"

"Of course," said the chief, lifting an assuring hand. "what that does not mean is that you were the sole cause of Bog's death in battle. The circumstances of his death are a complex situation. For now, I would like to focus on Bog's last will and testament. Legally, you are listed as a beneficiary."

Eo exchanged glances with some commanders at the table. 

"Would you do the honors?" said the chief, who extracted text from his device and pushed the floating page to Eo. Eo stopped the projection in front of him, and then he began to read it.

"'In the case that I die'," Eo read aloud, "'all of my credits must go to charity. I have no children and no partner. To the secret assignment, I give this to... Eo?' What secret assignment?"

"Before Bog's deployment," the chief explained, "when Bog sadly lost his life, he and I discovered a disturbance in the galaxy. Upon investigation, a group of planetary bodies were not following their usual orbit around the eastern star. 

"My telescopes captured readings that are signs for the beginnings of a black hole. We did not want to cause panic, so we began an investigation only between us, until we could confirm for certain that was the phenomenon."

The commanders listened to the sudden news nervously. 

Eo took his cue to keep reading Bog's will. "'Eo is the only one who can complete this mission based on the nature of the task. Chief, please explain it to him in my stead. I searched the archives for past maneuvers for this very rare hardship. I found no clear answers'."

"'Only one book, written in one of Earth's languages, could give a tiny clue. The energy needed to complete the mission to reverse black hole formation requires something more than what even the strongest lasers can give. Energy reversals have to be done on a spiritual realm, using life force. Historically, this energy was named chi, or an aura'."