Nova

Chapter 2 - Forest

The small crew stands silently on the balcony of the ship, waiting for Hawk to return from inside The Company building. Non-lethal injuries are patched up quickly, and the crewmate is sent on their way, no way out except death. Nova rubs her arms and glances around the dark moon nervously. This place is supposed to be "safe", but Nova can't help feeling put off by it. The gigantic concrete building before them stretches into the sky with seemingly no end. Shipping containers litter the platform they are docked on, and the ocean roars below the flimsy stilts that hold this place up. Something from within the building growls. 

Eventually, an invisible door slides open and Hawk hobbles out of the foggy interior. His suit is rolled up to reveal a shiny metallic leg. Nova blinks away tears, feeling partially responsible for what happened to him. Maybe if she hadn't stopped moving? Perhaps if she had reacted faster? Guilt hangs in her throat as Steele grabs his arm and hoists him over the railing, his metal foot clanging against the floor.

"Hey guys! That place was wild, they knocked me out cold as soon as I got there, and afterward I was in a freaky pitch black room before that door opened up," he says animatedly, complimenting his story with his hands. His voice trails off as he sticks his leg out, getting a good look at it for the first time. "Damn," he says softly with a twinge of sadness. Nova puts her hand on his arm gently.

"I'm so sorry, Hawk," she squeaks, her voice choked up. He puts his gloved hand over hers and says nothing, still looking down at his leg. For once, he's speechless. 

---

Steele is hunched over the terminal, deciding the crew's next move, blurry green text reflects on his visor. The grainy screen displaying the deadline flips from seven days to six. Why six more days? We got enough for the week in a single day! Apparently, Nova knows less about this job than she thought. She sighs deeply, resting her head against the wall of the ship. She has resumed her uncomfortable spot in the corner, sleep seems impossible in this oversized tin can. 

Out of the corner of her eye Nova watches the first mate look over at her and Hawk, both sitting on the floor.

"Maybe it's time to rebuy those beds, Steele," the woman says into his ear, her gloved hand resting on her hip. "These kids need a decent night of sleep if you want them to be of any help." He grunts in reply, Nova isn't sure if it was in agreement or not. Nova shifts her gaze to Hawk, he hasn't moved or spoken much at all. She is unable to read his expression, guarded by the helmet they all wear. After contemplating for a moment, Nova crawls over and plops down beside him. She crosses her legs in front of her and puts her hands in her lap, unsure of what to say. 

"Hey, Nova," he says quietly. "Thanks for saving my life, I owe you one." He elbows her in the arm playfully, trying to lift the sorrowful atmosphere they've been drowning in. She cracks a gentle smile. He used my name.

"No problem," she leans closer to his ear, "can't lose the only person who talks to me in here." He laughs at her jab.

"The elderly are all business," he says, plenty loud enough for the other two to hear. Steele doesn't react and the first mate shoots a, presumably, pointed glare at them. Hawk giggles. "Sorry Polaris," he says to the woman. She sighs and shakes her head, returning to her hushed discussion with Steele. 

---

Nova reads "Vow" on the grainy display screen as they make another rocky landing the next morning, or what could only be assumed as that. She got hardly any sleep curled up on the metal floor. Ugh my back is killing me. She groans as she adjusts her oxygen tank, preparing for another day on the job. She grabs her shovel and tries not to look at the dried blood plastered over it.