Chrysalis of the Creator

Chapter 5

"What's going on Number two?" Michael stormed onto the bridge.

"We have burnt out relays through two dozen zones and are not able to jump at present," The man vacated the Commander's chair and relocated to the secondary command panel. His fingers flying over the skin of the panel with lightning speed.

"Where are we?" Michael asked.

"We managed to get the cruiser to the edge of the system, but we are still in danger, there is a shock wave still coming at us." Number two's voice shook, something only observed by his Commander.

"Have you bypassed drive circuits."

"Yes, but the laser relays are fried in vital areas and nothing is getting through."

"Fuck." Michael sat rubbing his hand over his face, he was exhausted willing himself to think of the solution.

"Two minutes to solar wave." Number two piped a reminder of their imminent destruction.

What system was isolated from the normal relays and insulated from the circuit flare that had taken out dozens of vital points? What systems still ran through the whole ship? He drew in a massive lung full of oxygen, a possible solution filling his mind as the air invaded his body. It was dangerous and risky but if they didn't try it, they were going to die anyway, leaning forward in his chair he ordered. "Take the life support off-line use its laser relays two solar system jump only."

"But!" Number two stammered.

Michael cut him short bellowing. "Just fucking do it."

The order carried out for life support relays to be re-routed the A.I. chirped. "Jump available."

Sucking in another breath, Michael ordered. "Activate."

The battle cruiser jumped out of the range of the shock wave, just as the last of the Milky way blinked into a non-existent state.

"Jump complete, Life support relays intact," the A.I. advised.

"Number two, reactivate life support and get those fucking laser relays back online, I'll be at the healer station." Without looking to see if his orders were being carried out Michael stormed from the bridge.

Entering the translift, the doors slid shut and he braced himself against the translift wall. Exhaustion clawed at him, his only thoughts now were to get to his little echo.

His Echo! Who the hell did he think he was? He was not as devout a follower of the creator's teachings as the Historians but he did pray and right now he prayed that the little female had survived. There was something about her. She knew his name. Even though her body was broken and beaten it had felt so right when he had held her in his arms. The memory of her abuse only served to darken his mood as he stalked the passageways, no one daring to get in his way.

Striding up to Adams he demanded. "How is she?"

"See for yourself." Adams advised as he indicated to a bed in the far corner of the healer station.

There was a tiny figure covered with thermal sheets in the darkened corner.

"She is asleep at the moment and will be out for a few hours yet." Adams handed Michael the electronic healer tablet listing her injuries.

"I am assuming she was assaulted, the tearing was extensive. The internal bleeding from other blunt force trauma and stab wound took effort to contain. The blade missed her heart by a hair's breadth. Five broken ribs, scrapes, scratches and bruising. It was bloody overkill." Adams face was anything but his usual calm mask of the Healer. "What the fuck did you do to her attackers?"