Voyage: Journey to Earth

Chapter 5: A word with the Captain

After the fight with the mercenaries, the crew of the humpback try to repair the damages caused by the conflict. Jack is then call to the Captains office to speak with Farron. Sierra gives Jack the go ahead and Jack makes his way to the Captains office. Jack doesn't understand why the Captain would want to speak with him. For all he knows, Farron has something important to say to Jack. He thinks it has to do with what Sierra told him about becoming cold and machine like when fighting the mercenaries. But why would Farron want to speak with Jack specifically and not with the rest of the crew? Jack steps into Farrons office and is told to take a seat.

"You handled those mercs with quite the precision. Hard to believe a human can get that aggressive during a fight." Says Farron.

"If that's all you have to say to me then it's pointless for me to be here. I'm better off helping the crew." Jack says with an annoyed tone.

"I know that. The reason I called you here was to inform you about some information we gathered from your file, Mr. Rider." Says Farron before handing Jack the files on him.

"Tell me. Were you by chance enlisted into the republic military?" Asks Farron.

"I... I don't remember. If I was, then it's probably best if I forget about those days." Jack replied.

"I see. Then where did you learn to pilot a starfighter? That level of pilot is only possible through military training. So how were you able to pilot a starfighter like that." Farron asks.

"Like I said. I don't know. For all I know, I learned to fly because one of my parents taught me. Starfighters are not that hard to pilot." Jack says, annoyed with the questions.

"Take a look in that file. What you need to see is in there." Farron says pointing at the file in front of Jack.

Jack opens up the file and sees his personal record. On it, he notices that he is labeled as "killed in action" by the official report. This confuses Jack greatly as he knows that he is alive and well. It became clear to him why Sierra thought he was dead. Still confused, Jack asked Farron how Jack's considered KIA when he is clearly on the humpback alive.

"Most likely, this was a mistake on the part of management. I'll see what can be done to correct this." Says Farron in a assuring tone.

"You think this is the result of some cover up? Did I know something I wasn't supposed to know?" Jack asks with concern.

"Can't say for sure. But I won't rule it out as a possibility." Says Farron.

With this information, Jack is discharged and leaves the Captains office. On his way out, Jack runs into Xel, one of the ships medic. Xel makes their disdain for Jack blatantly clear. Xel approaches Jack with disdain in their eyes.

"Lets get one thing clear. Sierra and the Captain might trust you but I sure as hell don't. The lives of the crew matter to me. Yours does not." Says Xel with anger in their voice.

"That makes two of us. In that case, watch your back Xel." Responds Jack.

"If I catch you doing anything suspicious on this ship, I won't think twice of jettisoning you into space. Do I make myself clear?" Says Xel.

"Crystal clear asshole. Lets hope you stay true to that statement." Say Jack before leaving Xel in the hallway.