Spirit woke the Captain 8 hours after going to bed. As she sat down on her bunk, she felt strangely refreshed. She had feared that the imminent launch of the Last Protocol would further upset her, but this was not the case. In truth, her anxiety seemed to have just settled. She glanced at the silver watch on her left wrist, according to her calculations, there were still 18 hours before Cavah's arrival.
This watch had priceless sentimental value for her, she had owned it long before leaving Earth, and it was a very expensive gift... It had stopped working once, an Earth year ago, and she had done everything she could to convince Ilki'thelae to repair it, as well as to find out the Earth time based on her former home. Sarek had surprisingly understood her request, and her watch had finally been put back into operation.
Skylar got up, went straight to the kitchen, and prepared breakfast. A fruit juice made from nialo, a fruit that tasted of mixed orange and banana, a cake she'd bought the day before that tasted of peach, and a slice of jam whose composition she preferred not to know. She arranged everything on a tray and headed for the Communication post. She ate her breakfast while watching the series, then got dressed.
Spirit had told her that there was a few checking to be done today, as he'd been able to accomplish a lot while she was asleep. She put on black tights, a short skirt in the same color, and a long-sleeved navy-blue T-shirt with a black Claudine collar, all matched with black-heeled ankle boots. Few checks didn't mean none, and that was no reason not to dress properly. So, for the next hour, Skylar and Spirit worked to complete the checks before Cavah's arrival.
By the time they had finished, there were only 16 hours to wait. The Krœnos hadn't stayed in one place for so long. The last time was ten months ago, when the antimatter core had overheated due to mishandling in the machine room, and Sarek had ordered an emergency evacuation. In the end, it was only a false alarm, but it had forced them to stay on the same planet for over 48 hours. This time, she had to wait in the same place again, but she was alone.
She made her way to the Command post and sat down in the Captain's chair, just opposite the large window. The layout of the Command post bore an uncanny resemblance to that of the 2009 Star Trek films, of which she was very fond. As for the ship itself, it reminded her of the Millennium Falcon mixed with the Serenity, only bigger and brighter, but just as complex as a labyrinth, like the USS Enterprise. She particularly liked being in the Captain's shoes, but it was still difficult for her to fully take on the role. Skylar stared outside for a while, thinking about her recent past and a future she didn't particularly dread.
"Captain," Spirit interrupted, "we've only got 15 hours until Cavah's arrival."
"Thank you, Captain."
Skylar closed her eyes. 15 hours was still a long time. She wanted to get out of here, get off this planet, it didn't matter where she went, as long as she didn't have to activate the Last Protocol.
"You know you have no choice, Skylar," echoed a voice beside her.
Skylar opened her eyes and looked to her right, then to her left. There was no one there. Obviously, there was no one. The voice was in her head.
"Hallucinations are a bad sign," she murmured, closing her eyes again.
"And yet, you answer me."
A silence.
"I don't want to start the Last Protocol, Sarek," said Skylar, her eyes still closed.
"I know, but you have no choice. The rules are the rules, and you accepted them when you took on the role of Captain. You know that, otherwise, you wouldn't be stuck on this awful planet, and you wouldn't have asked Cavah to settle his debt with you. Once you've completed the Last Protocol, you'll be free to explore space again and find a crew worthy of the Krœnos."
"I want all of you."
"That's no longer possible, Skylar, and you know it. You have to turn the page and move on."
The Captain opened her eyes, aware of the tears rolling down her cheeks, and also aware that she'd just had a conversation with a hallucination. Nevertheless, the illusion had a point. She had no choice but to launch the Last Protocol, and once that was done, she could set out again, free, to explore space. She had the feeling again that someone was somewhere on her ship.
"Spirit, scan the ship for any life forms hiding on board."
"You are the only one on board, Captain."
"Are you sure?" asked Skylar, knowing full well that she was alone.
"I'm sure, Captain."
"Security protocols and White Knight?"
"All activated."
Skylar rose without delay and headed straight for her quarters. She sat down on her bunk and cradled her head in her hands. She needed to clear her head.
She decided to take out her laptop. When she'd left Earth, she'd taken her computer and phone with her, the last vestiges of her past life. She thought she'd never see them turned on again, but Ilki'thelae and Vahrak had spent a whole trip tinkering with them so she could use them again. She'd never understood how they'd done it, but they worked even better than before. She opened her computer and started writing. She'd always liked to write, and now that she was in space, she could tell real stories. Tell her story. She needed to keep busy until Cavah arrived. She didn't want to take the risk of going out into the city and having him arrive just then. Besides, it was already quite dark outside. The city was not very safe during the day, but at night, it was even worse...
She wrote for an hour, then stopped, and lay down on her bunk, but seeing that she couldn't keep still, she got up to go to the engine room and check once more that everything was all right. She did the same with the control room. The Krœnos was ready to fly, just waiting for her. Next, she went to the armory and picked up a blaster, which she strapped to her back. She put on a black leather jacket, tied her hair in braids, and picked up a book before opening the ship's entrance. She needed some air, but she didn't want to stray too far, so she might as well read at the entrance. The book in question? The Lord of the Rings, a "classic" by her standards.
"2h30, Captain, before Cavah's likely arrival," Spirit informed her as she read outside.
"Thank you, Spirit."
Outside, the sun was already rising, but everything here seemed permanently dark. Nevertheless, the light from her Vessel illuminated both her book and her surroundings. She wasn't afraid, in fact, it was strange. It was as if she wasn't totally present.
For his part, Cavah had been surprised to receive a call from Epson. When he'd met the human and her crew a few years ago, he'd never thought he'd see them again. This human had saved his life, and he was indebted to her. He'd argued with her when she'd told him that she hadn't done it so that he would owe her, that her kind didn't save people's lives in the hope of receiving something in return. The psychology of these Type 1 creatures had completely confused him. He had come to realize that she was a particularly intelligent and ingenious creature, seemingly fond of violence, but fighting for the peace of her crew. Everything about her was a paradox. So when they'd parted ways and he'd given her the tools to find him, Skylar had said she'd surely never need them, and now she was contacting him to settle his debt. He hadn't believed the human would be capable of that. Besides, how could Sarek have agreed to come to this horrible planet to wait for him? many questions he was about to get answers to.
Epson had misjudged her. A Sretra owing a debt to a Type 1 creature was inconceivable to him, and yet he did owe this creature his life. Sretras are 2 meters tall and weigh at least 90/100 kg of muscle. Admittedly, with this description, it was easy to wonder how a creature of 1.60 meters and 55 kg could save a Sretra's life. But that was another story. In any case, he didn't think the human would claim his debt. This was also reassuring for Cavah, as it meant he'd finally be free of all this, and could truly forget about the human.
He was now within sight of his miserable planet. He'd never thought he'd return, but here he was again. Krœnos was the name of Sarek's ship if he remembered correctly. The computer would find it for him. He wasn't sure how he felt about seeing these people again. It wasn't for Sarek and his crew that he was here but for Skylar.
"Taungnese vessel, identify yourself," ordered a voice from his communicator.
"Taungnese code RH-435-rivolve," Cavah replied, sending his code.
"Code being verified. Cargo and destination?"
"Just me. The Great Capital."
"Code verified, you are cleared to land. Hangar 165. Path sent directly to the onboard computer."
"Thank you."
"Welcome home."
Cavah cut the communication and began his descent. Hangar 165, he would be at the bottom of the Great Capital. He began his descent and after a few minutes, he landed. He was the Captain of his own ship, and unlike Skylar, he had no crew. He knew how to do everything and saw no need for one. Cavah got out of his ship and locked it. His Ship was just as wretched as his planet, but it was still his Ship and he had no desire to be robbed of it. He walked along the bridge, and before embarking into the city, he activated the bridge computer next to the door.
"Computer, can you find a Ship?"
"Yes, I can.
"Academy ship, the Krœnos, arrived about one rotation ago, maybe a little more."
"Analysis in progress. Academy ship, the Krœnos found, Hangar 7."
"Of course," says Cavah, switching off the computer.
The first Hangars were reserved for Academy Ships and anyone else willing to pay a fortune. They were also the most secure Hangars. He still had a long way to go if he wanted to get there. Almost exactly 33 hours had passed since Epson had contacted him. He'd said he'd be there in one rotation.
Skylar was still outside reading her book, she also had a piece of the cake she'd bought a rotation ago with her. She'd tried not to think about when Cavah would arrive and the fact that she'd have to explain what she wanted from him. The Last Protocol, as Sarek had called it, wasn't a protocol per se, but rather a rule to follow for the sake of respecting the former Captain. It was all so far from what she'd known on Earth.
Suddenly, a blue light above the gate leading to the city caught her attention. Skylar scrambled to her feet.
"Someone is requesting access to the bridge, Captain, probably Cavah," intervened Spirit.
"What? Are the hangars secure?"
"Only the first ones, they're reserved for Academy members."
"How do I get him in?"
"Your bracelet authorizes it. Blue light."
Skylar looked at her Bracelet and saw that a blue light was flashing. She pressed it, and the blue light on the door went out, and the door opened. At the end of the bridge, slowly coming towards her, Cavah. The door closed behind him. He was terribly on time. The Sretra are much bigger and more impressive than she is, but she wasn't impressed by anyone now. She stood straight in front of the entrance to her Ship, closed book in hand, and waited for the Sretra to arrive within reach. He hadn't noticed her Captain's Bracelet yet. The further he advanced toward her, the more confused he seemed. Obviously, he'd expected to see all the crew outside.
"Skylar," he said without preamble.
"Cavah, I see you remember my first name.
"I remember the names of all those who owe me a debt, but especially all those to whom I owe one. And in this case, only you."
"Well, that's good."
"Where's Sarek and the rest of your crew?"
"Go inside, please," she replied, moving out of the way, "we'll be more comfortable talking."
Cavah nodded and entered the ship. The entrance was vast, as the Academicians designed their spaceships for the comfort of as many people as possible. He entered, followed by Skylar. The young woman didn't seem to have changed, although Cavah couldn't quite put his finger on what was strange about her. The Krœnos was one of the most beautiful ships he had ever seen. The human locked the door and took the lead, leading him straight to the Command Post. But there was no one there, the building was hopelessly empty. This was not normal.
"Where is everyone?" he finally asked as they reached the Command Post.
"They're not here, Cavah, it's just me now..."
"What do you mean, only you?"
"I mean it's just me now," she repeated, pointing to her Bracelet.
Had he been able to do so, Cavah would have been speechless. The human had the Captain's Bracelet, which meant only one thing.
"He made you Captain? Why?"
Silence. Skylar sighed and sat down on the Captain's chair before resuming.
"Do you know what the Academy calls the Last Protocol?"
"I'm not quite sure."
The Last Protocol sounded vaguely familiar to him, having heard about it during his time on the Moon of Zars, Zetania, a place reputed to be home to various high-ranking criminals. He'd overheard a discreet conversation saying that the Last Protocol had sounded the death knell for an entire group of pirates. But he hadn't understood what it was all about.
"The Last Protocol is not, strictly speaking, a protocol. It's more a kind of rule to follow when... when something happens to the Captain."
Skylar had tried to contain the emotion in her voice as she finished her sentence. Cavah seated on the Pilot's chair and looked into her eyes. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't read emotions on human faces, or even on those of other species, apart from his own and the Teosians.
"When something happens to the Captain? I don't understand. Where's Sarek? where's your crew?"
"Back on their planet. Are you familiar with the Return Protocol?"
"I'm familiar with this one, yes. I guess... I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
A silence. Both stared at each other before Skylar looked away.
"And in all this, why call me now? I still don't know what the Last Protocol is."
"When something happens to the Captain, the Last Protocol orders the crew, or the surviving members, to avenge him."
"Avenge him?" he repeated, incredulous.
"Yes, I was just as surprised as you were when I first heard about it. The reason I asked you to settle your debt with me today is to help me launch the Last Protocol."
"Help you take revenge? Why do you need me for that?"
"Revenge isn't in my nature, Cavah," she replied, rising and standing in front of the large window. "Despite what the Glossary says about humans, we're not a species that constantly seeks violence. Most of us just want peace and freedom. I can't do it alone. I don't know anything about revenge... And I don't even know where to start."
Cavah looked at her for a moment and quickly realized that her species was intimately linked to the search for goodness and peace. If the Last Protocol wanted the death of those who had brought down the former Captain and his crew, the Academy hadn't thought that the last crew member capable of initiating it would be an inexperienced human. If the conversation he'd overheard on Zetania was true, and the Last Protocol could be responsible for the death of a group of pirates, that meant they now had carte blanche. The Academy wouldn't interfere, no matter what Skylar and Cavah did.
"A debt is a debt, Captain," said Cavah, standing up beside her. "I'll help you."
Skylar looked at him for a moment, smiled, and thanked him. Cavah now wanted to know the details - the more he knew, the better he could help her. They went into the kitchen. Skylar took off his jacket and brought out some food and drink, if they were going to work, they had to have something to hold on to. They sat down at the table and talked for a good hour. Some passages proved more complicated to recount, and others were completely obscured by Skylar, but at least Cavah knew the main thing.
Finding those responsible for their deaths would be far more complex now that they were well ahead of them. He'd have to use his contacts throughout the galaxy... It was a challenge she was offering him, and one he was delighted to accept. It was strange, but he was genuinely delighted to participate in her quest for revenge.
"Well," said Cavah, rising to his feet, "we've got a lot of work to do before we find them."
"I'm sorry I couldn't call earlier."
"No, I haven't heard of it."will be all the more interesting. The first place we need to get to is on the Moon of Zars, Zetania. Ever been there"?"
"No, I haven't heard of it.
"I'm not surprised, it's as bad a place as Taung III. There's just one problem."
"What's that?" asked Skylar, rising to her feet.
"It turns out that my ship is no longer authorized to land there."
"Should I be worried? what did you do?"
"A little contentious, but I'm no longer authorized to land there, and my Vessel is particularly well known, just like me."
"It's a good thing we have mine at our disposal.
"I knew you'd say that. So I'll go and get my things and come back here, it shouldn't take long."
"What about your Ship? isn't it dangerous to leave it here?"
"Yes, but I'd ask Epson to look after it for me. I trust him."
Skylar escorted Cavah to the entrance of the Krœnos.
"I'll see you soon," said Cavah, already walking away on deck. "Don't forget to look at your Bracelet!"
The Captain nodded and closed the ship's door. It wouldn't be long before she was off this rock. She would finally be able to activate the Last Protocol...
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