Edge of the Stars

Chapter 3

"I accept."

"And you, Claire?"

"I accept, as well."

"Excellent. This meeting has come to a close. Thank you, everyone." Alexander closed all the holograms. The Board of Directors rose to their feet and one by one, exited the chamber. Soon, only Daniel, Claire, Alexander, and the woman named Moira remained.

"I'll be sending you more information pertinent to this mission on a private channel. Please keep an eye out for it," Alexander straightened his uniform jacket, focusing his attention on his communicator as he exited the room. 

"I knew your parents," Moira spoke, her voice dampened by sorrow. "I was the one who assigned them to the Icarus Project. I will never forget them, how young and full of hope they were. They truly believed they were doing something good. There is significance behind choosing such an ancient name as Apollo: in the myth, Icarus crafted wax wings to escape his imprisonment, but in his excitement of finally tasting freedom, flew too close to the sun. The wings began to melt, and Icarus plummeted towards the Earth, ultimately drowning in the sea. Apollo was the ruler of the sun, and did nothing to save the poor boy's life-"

"If you're trying to repent, save it for church." Daniel interrupted. Moira's mouth hung open for a moment before she forced it closed. He could see her eyes harden. She accepted that they didn't want to hear what she had to say, nor did they care, so she bit her tongue and left the room. Claire watched her leave. Daniel did not.

Daniel knew the emotion all too well: regret. It was something he despised, had no time for. 

"You didn't have to be so crass," Claire snapped.

"If she feels responsible for mom and dad's deaths, that's her problem. We aren't here to serve as vessels for her pain, and neither are we here to be the answers she's looking for. If she is in that bad of a situation mentally, she should seek out a therapist. She'll have no problem being assigned one." Daniel picked up his luggage and began walking out of the room. Claire shook her head; he was leaving her no choice. She scooped up Carla, picked up her suitcase, and followed her little brother. 

Daniel's communicator beeped. He opened the comm and an image of Alexander appeared.

"Daniel, I forgot to mention: I am naming you the new captain of the Legacy. Claire, you are First Officer, his official second-in-command, and have permission to assume the role of captain as you see fit, or if Daniel is unable. Take good care of her, and god speed." The hologram quickly dissipated as the transmission ended. 

"Why do I have to be second in command?" Claire pouted. It was one of her biggest pet peeves, being passed over for her brother. She shouldn't have to prove herself as his equal, it should have been the other way around. She was the older Stringer; if anything, she set the standard. 

"I have to pilot an S-Class Cruiser?" 

"Aww, it is too much for my baby brother to handle?" Claire teased, using a voice she knew Daniel hated. He retaliated by punching her arm. She jumped back, setting Carla on her shoulder to free a hand to rub the new sore spot. 

"Shit! I forget your punches hurt now."

"That's what you get," Daniel stuck out his tongue, indulging in a few moments of childishness. "Let's go find our rooms so we can finally set our belongings down."

"Yes, please."

I.

"God, they couldn't have allowed us to do this first?" Claire griped, turning to enter the room on the left. Daniel interpreted this as her claiming that room for herself, so he entered the room on the right. The bedroom was like any other standard bedroom: bed, closet, desk, bathroom. The only thing unique to this room was the carpet. It was maroon, just like his room back on the Arcadia. Daniel was partially glad to see the familiar shade of red.