Excelsior

Part 3 - I Want A Reason

Day two aboard the ship and everything was going well. My hand hurt some from the punch I graced Lotterdome with, but I felt good about it. Apparently, so did Captain Elyi. I walked into the Gondola to be greeted by him. I thought back to what he had said to me.

"I saw what you did today, in the mess hall." His voice was smooth, silky almost. He had an accent I couldn't place. So it must have just been the way he spoke... He leaned down and whispered in my ear. "Welcome to the crew, Sinclair." and with that, he walked to his seat, leaving me to make my way to mine.

"Good morning, Sinclair." Captain Elyi greeted.

"Captain Elyi." I replied, jumping as I was startled out of my memory. His eyes seemed to flash as I said his name. I made my way to the Pilot's seatand switched the ship from auto to manual, or, so I thought. I could feel him before he said anything, his hand reached around me and flicked the switch I had moments ago, then switched another one. "Wrong switch." Hesaid, his breath tickling my ear.

"S-sorry, Sir." I apologized.

"No need to be sorry." He said still at my ear. With that, he turned and walked to his chair.

A few minutes passed before I spoke again. "Captain Elyi?" I asked.

"Mmmh?" He responded.

"Why me?" I asked

"Because." He said.

"I'd like a reas-" I was cut short by a bell sounding from the engine room. Captain Elyi picked up the phone and called the engine room.

"What's the problem?" He paused. "Yes. Ok. I'll be right- What?" He listened. "Fine. I'll send her." His eyes caught mine as he said it.

"Am I needed?" I inquired.

"Yes, in the engine room. One of the workers has dropped something under the engines and can't reach it. They need someone small to fit beneath them. Would you mind?" He asked.

"Of couse." I stood and headed to the engine room. I opened the door to the engines and stepped inside.

"Thank God you're here, Sinclair. None of us can reach far enough to get that wrench. D'you mind?" He gestured to the engine. I said nothing but slid onto the ground and under the engine. I grabbed the wrench, but as I did I felt some resistance and then... BOOM!

I bolted from under the engine, knocking my head as I did so. The black cloud had consumed me and I was choking on the soot. I could hear the laughter of the engine workers as I walked out of the cloud, coughing. I was covered in blackness.

"Payback's a bitch ain't it, Sinclair?" I looked up to see Lotterdome in the door way. "Good job, boys." He sneered and walked away. I glared at the workers and headed to the Gondola. Captain Elyi took one look at me and laughed some, his eyes dancing with humor.

"Take a good laugh." I growled.

"What happened to you?" He asked.

"Ask Lotterdome." I responded in a voice dripping with venom. The light fell from his eyes as I said this. He stood and left the room. I heard the door to the engine room open then shut. Minutes later he returned, his hand was bleeding... but I pretended not to notice. He said nothing, just took his seat and watched me with intent eyes, even after I had turned to the controls.

Roughly an hour passed before either of us spoke more than a few words. I would get the occasional "29 degrees south." or "Adjust altitude." Finally, he spoke.

"I chose you because you were in fact the most qualified. That's the reason. I was searching through the applications, and yes, you were the only female. I figured if you had the guts to apply, you must have something interesting about you. I read your file, your story, your qualifications. They were perfect." I heard him sigh. My spine straightened and I tensed. I heard him rise from the chair and make his way towards me. He paused at the stairs that led to my spot. "I found you intriguing. You were the only female graduate in your class. Your grades. Perfect." He drew closer, his hand on the back of my chair. My hair had fallen in front of my face, he pulled it back, his hand brushing my face and sending a shock through me. "You're unbelieveable."