The Unknown Darkness

Up, Up and Down To Earth

Coffee was smothering nostrils of each astronaut. Alert forms, once everyone comprehends it was Brazilian rich roasted blend. Blue paper cups sit on the table with steam rising. The circular table holds 4 barstools with varying heights.

"The flight back is only 25 minutes if we take out any excess equipment we don't need like the spare storage compartments." Rowan leads the group around the table. "Sophia: decafe Roger: two sugars and Jax: French Vanilla," she points to cups surrounding the table. "Remember we need to be ready for launch when the ship is near direct hit of NASA.

"Roger and Jax, you two can do the major moving while Sophia and I pack food and other necessities."

"Yes Ma'am!" both men salute and jog off where the escape pods are located.

"Once you fell asleep, I already stored everything we need away. You and I are having a ultrasound," Rowan whispers. "Tools used for x-rays are almost exactly alike to the real deal!"

"Amazing! That's what you are!" Sophia wraps her arms around her neck excitedly. The gym was set up with stretching pads with a lawn chair in the middle. A mini television stood next to a tray with strawberry jelly and wireless probe.

"Strawberry jelly was the only major substitute," Rowan laughed. She motions to the chair for Sophia to take a seat. Slowly but surely she makes her way. Finally, easing her way down comfortably into the plastic chair. Rowan unscrews the top of the jelly for the probe to lubricate. Sophia lifted her white tank right above her belly button. She grips the probe hard smoothing cold jelly on the top of the little baby bump. The monitor beeps rapidly showing a little outline no bigger than a potato.

Sophia's face starts turning a bright scarlet. Tears form in her eyes showing compassion for her little miracle. "I'm going to be a mother..."

"A great one too," Rowan smiles warmly at her. Deep inside Rowan's heart she feels a pinch of jealousy. Not because of Roger but because of the love that she was being deprived of. She missed the warm feeling of concern for one another. Thing was she only had two meaningful relationships in her life. Roger and Derek. Derek had been with her for a year and a half until she went into space. From time to time, Rowan wonders if he ever looks up in the sky looking for her or living his life like they never met.

"Have any names picked out yet?" She tries to wipe her mind about the past.

"I haven't suggested in to Roger yet, but I was thinking about Kara for a girl or Jameson for a boy," Sophia brushes the water out of her sight. Clearly she's been taking consideration for the baby.

"We should probably go check on the guys. They've probably finished by now," Rowan proposed.

"So what's going on with you and Soph?" Jax questions him.

"It's nothing. Just a little fun 'til we get back home," Roger nudges Jax's elbow.

"Oh really? Does she know this?"

"Hopefully."

"So you don't know?"

"Why so interested? It's not that big a deal," Roger shrugs. They both had been inside Escape Pod Exodus 2 removing steel from the top cabinets.

"She just use to mean a lot to me, that's all,"

"Soph was the one who left."

"Yeah," Jax rips a huge piece from the floor showing anger that was there earlier.

"Everyone's been there," he puts his hand on Jax's shoulder, "and if it bothers you this much I'll stop." A trace of concern was absent in his eyes. He saw through this lie immediately.