Love, Against All Odds

I - Chapter 8

'Bay doors are closed and sealed,' Andren called out.

Reaching overhead in the cockpit, Becca flipped switches but continued watching the flickering onboard dual screens that fed data about the transporter's systems. 'Prepare to ignite engines,' she yelled through the cockpit.

Starr was swiping her finger across the single, large screen in front of her. 'Clear!'

Becca pushed the twin buttons together, listening to the engines firing to life without any hesitation, but the roar overwhelmed the cockpit. 'Holy fuck!'

Starr was covering her own ears, then held up a headset and hastily slipped them over her head. She twisted in the seat and yelled at Andren to put hers on.

After adjusting the wireless headset, Becca asked, 'How in hell does this ship not have noise dampening on it?'

'It's that old,' Starr argued.

'Andren, can you hear us?' Becca checked and peered over her shoulder to the third seat behind her and Starr.

'Ja. I can hear you both,' Andren reported.

'No auto, no noise dampening, and now headsets. What's next?' Becca muttered over the headset's comms, but her focus was on the panels all around her. She was used to flying ships that were streamlined and simpler than this transporter, and it took her a few extra ticks to understand everything.

'I have the route the kidnappers took to get here,' Starr reported.

Becca perked up at the news. 'Where we headed, navigator?' She grinned when Starr gave her a death glare, but then Starr had a worried look when she looked back at the navigation screen. 'Where, Starr?'

'Nowhere.'

After a groan, Becca's head thudded against the chair, and she rubbed her forehead.

'Nowhere?' Andren asked, confusion lacing her tone.

'It's a wasteland,' Becca explained. 'It's a planet that used to be called Golden Ring before the entire place got wiped out.'

'What happened to it?'

Becca frowned at Andren's curiosity about the dead planet. 'It was destroyed by the Sworne.' She sat up after noticing the engines were ready for take-off. 'Engines are warm.'

'Quickest route to Nowhere has been mapped,' Starr reported. 'Andren, do you remember what to do?'