Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 18: Return of Disruption

"Prill."

"Prill."

"Prill! Are you paying attention?"

"Huh? Sorry, Captain. What did you say?"

The captain sighed at her desk. "I asked you about the systems we're approaching."

"Oh, yes! Sorry, Captain."

"Well," she gestured, "are you going to tell me?"

Prill turned to the star chart, pointing at the crimson dot. "You said our position is here correct?"

"Yes."

"After our stop at Omaron, I would head to Temilis Five first."

The captain pointed at an inhabited system, their course line not intersecting the dot as usual.

"Why are we bypassing that binary system? Isn't it inhabited?"

"These maps are out of date. Temilis Six was wiped out when the white dwarf star prematurely went supernova. It is now a nebula."

"How long ago was this?"

"About two Terran months."

"Are there any dangers traveling through it?"

"Polla said the spectroscopy of the nebula indicated a high concentration of radioactive elements. Sparky said radiation levels are deadly for most of the crew, but not for Tevra, myself and Roger. Everyone else would need shielded hibernation pods"

"How long would it take to go around?"

"Going around is not an option. It is too big and still expanding."

"Has anyone gone through it?"

"Not that I know of, but when we arrive at Omaron, I will ask around."

"Very well. You are dismissed."

* * *

Roger exhaled, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Do you really have to chew that fucking loud?"

Sloan took another chip from his bowl, smacking his lips, exacerbating his chewing noises. Roger rolled his eyes. Sloan smirked as the barrage of noises continued pester to the boy, as he had done for the past five minutes.

"It's chips, kid. Nothing I can do about it."

"But it's still fucking annoying. You're eating like a pig on cocaine!"

"If you don't want to hear me, you can go sit with your girlfriend over there."

Roger blushed a light scarlet. "She's not my girlfriend!"

"Sure. You're sitting with me and not her because you're too embarrassed to be around your crush."

Roger's face turned more scarlet. "You're the one who joined me. And I don't care what you think. We're not together."

"Let's do some simple math. Alien chick plus teenage boy is-"

Roger's face flushed with anger and embarassment. "Shut the fuck up! I hate you!"

Sloan returned to his snack, cackling. The teen rolled his eyes.

"Can't you just leave me alone? Why do you always have to hang around me? Do I remind you of your son you never raised?"

Sloan stopped mid-bite, his eyes flashed at Roger with fury. He stood up, the metal chair noisily sliding, grabbing the attention of everyone in the dining area. Sloan promptly stormed out of the room, all eyes watching him, the mess hall remaining silent.