Argonaut; An Interstellar Journey (#ShawRocketFundContest)

Chapter 1: The Start of An Adventure

Jason gazed out of a window outside to the vacuum of space. Millions of stars and other spaceships illuminated the obsolete darkness with colour and motion. His gaze slowly drifted towards one object in particular, which was growing smaller each second as the Argo continued its flight. A giant flying city, floating in space, with giant holographic words that spelled Thessaly floating above it. Hundreds of vessels were entering and leaving simultaneously, like bees in a hive. However, none were headed in the direction that the Argo was, that was for sure. He put his palm on the window, and pressed his head on the glass, eyes closed. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an old gold pendant, which had intricate designs carved into it. Flipping it around, a name could be seen engraved in its metal. Alcimede.

Jason clasped the locket, reciting an unbroken promise that he vowed would see its fruition. If it didn't, then everything that everyone sacrificed in order to lead to this moment would be wasted. Pushing himself gently away from the window, and away from the last sight of home, Jason walked down the hallway and into the cockpit.

"Argus." Jason said. "How long until we are out of Thessaly?"

"A few more minutes." Argus answers. He pushes his glasses upwards and neatly tucks in a lock of black hair from his tanned face. "Once we leave Thessaly, we'll be heading directly into the Lemnos cluster and beyond that-"

"You're thinking ahead too much," Came a quiet voice from the seat on the left, and Typhis leaned over, his ragged hair drooping. "We're not going to get to Lemnos in a few minutes. They're about 3 weeks away." Typhis said monotonously to Jason, blowing a bubblegum bubble.

"Y-yeah, I knew that..." Argus looked down, an embarrassed flush on his face.

"Don't worry. We all make mistakes." Typhis tonelessly said, and Argus seemed to lighten up at that.

"Do you know where the others are?" Jason asked.

"Most of them are in the training room, Orpheus is playing to Aethalides and Iphis in the lounge, Amphiaraus and Idmon are in their rooms, along with Caeneus. And Lynceus is doing...Lynceus things." Typhis said tiresomely.

"Should we call a crew meeting so that we can count out numbers?" Argus asked, and Jason nodded. Pressing a button on the control pad, the speakers burst to life, and Argus's voice resonated throughout the ship. "All crew members, report to the main area." Argus clicked a few buttons and the Argo ceased its movement, allowing Typhis and Argus to follow Jason as they headed towards the main area. Upon arriving there, most of the crew members were already there, talking to one another or minding themselves.

"Attention!" Jason shouted, and the assembled crew members lined up. "Has anyone seen Lynceus, Amphiaraus, or Idmon?"

"They're probably on their way." Argus said, fidgeting in his posture. As the minutes continued, more of the late crew members arrived, before only one was left.

"Idas, do you know where your brother is?" Jason sighed, exasperated.

"Nope." Idas responded simply. "He's prolly somewhere gaggin' out a hairball or summin-"

"I'm right here." Came a smooth voice, and like a shadow, Lynceus emerged, his amber eyes glowing as he took his place among the crew. "And I wasn't gagging a hairball."

"Anyways, I have to take attendance before I explain the importance of our journey-" Jason said, and somebody groaned. "Does anyone wish to complain?"

"Uh, yeah, I would." Among the crew, big burly Peleus lifted his beefy hand in the air. "We've all heard what this whole thing is about, so, like, there's no point in saying it again."