Star Runners: Dark Space

Chapter 17

17

"All right," Foster said, drawing the cover over the Lutimite Drive control and leaning back in his seat. "We’re cleared for the space lane up until Ragal's End. Then, we discretely hop off the lanes and curve to WLM-670 also known as Stillwater Berg. If we can get a navigator to join us, next stop will be Shoborian space."

In awe of the display outside the viewport, Josh ignored Foster and watched the distant stars rattle against the emptiness of space. An intense flash of light filled the cockpit for an instant, the Lutimite Drive kicking in, the force easing him back as the stars flurried by like streamers on the Fourth of July. The blinding light dissolved into a colorful array, blurring into a single hue and back again, the aura pulsating and burning.

"Wow," he breathed, wiping his face still wet from the shower he took upon curving away from Ilman City. Somehow, he still smelled the rank odor of those streets. "Never been on a Zahlian lane before."

"Yeah?" Foster took a deep breath, the colors of the faster-than-light space playing across his face. "Something to see, I'll give you that. You'll have plenty of time to look at it, too." He peered down at the console. "We got nine hours and fifty-two minutes before we reach our destination."

Josh sighed. "Guess we'll have time to get some rest then."

"Go ahead." Foster peered over his shoulder. "Girl hit the rack already?"

He nodded. "That crap back on Ilman City shook her up pretty good." He stared at the deck, the image of the Pisceans incinerating the Magistrate Guards replaying in his mind. "Truth be told, I'm not okay with it, either."

“You’ll see worse if you spend enough time in the void, but I'm glad those things aren't on my tail."

It was the first hint of weakness Foster had shown since Josh met him on Sanctum. He studied the man as he peered into the swirl of Lutimite Space, wondering if his origins would ever be revealed.

Instead, Josh cleared his throat and decided to focus on the present. "Thanks for getting us out of there."

"No charge," Foster said, waving his hand. “Ilman City’s always been on the edge of lunacy. Those Pisceans showing up just pushed the rabble into a manic state and the Magistrate's Guard only needs an excuse to light off their weapons. I doubt your pursuers expected they'd stir up the hornet's nest the way they did, but it allowed me to slip out before they could give chase.” He stared at Josh, his colorless eyes gleaming. "If it weren't for the Guard being so hopped up on local juice and willing to scrap with anyone or anything, you and your girl wouldn't have made it out of there."

Josh gazed out the forward viewport, knew Foster was right. He didn't want to think what the Pisceans would do if they captured them.

"You think my friends are still alive?" he asked.

"I don't know. I can tell Rodon, and his Pisceans want you and Matta pretty bad.” He paused, staring at Josh. "What are you, a noble Star Runner, doing this for? You could have stayed safe and sound on your dark world, probably even avoided this the rest of your life.”

Josh grimaced at Foster’s tone. "They're my friends. I won't leave them if there's a chance."

A shadow fell over Foster's face, and he appeared to stare at a faraway place. "I had friends before. They caused me the same amount of trouble they're causing you. Couldn't find a place for such distractions in my line of work." He looked at the console for a heartbeat before turning back to Josh. "That can't be it, though. There's something more."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you're driven, propelled by something more than just saving a friend." He c****d his head to the side. "What are you hoping to find out there?"

Josh swallowed, thinking for a long moment, the hum of the Lutimite Drive filling the room and vibrating his bare feet on the cold, polished deck. "Redemption, I suppose."

"For what?"

He interlocked his fingers, avoiding Foster's peering eyes. "I don't know," he said, exhaling. “I took my best friend for granted, used to always put myself first even when Austin lost his dad. Guess I just want to help him, you know?”

“You’re risking your life going across the galaxy for a friend?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“Never met someone worth it.” Foster snorted. “So that’s really the only reason?”

Josh put his hands behind his head and sighed. “Things happened to me out here, things you don't get over. My life back on Earth, well, the world I knew didn't fit me anymore. It might not make any sense, but I realize now there are things in life that, once seen, can't be unseen. There might not be any going back."

"Guilt."

Josh looked at him. "What's that mean?"

Foster sighed, closing his eyes and turning toward the forward viewport. "You've killed and seen comrades die. Some people get over it, realizing there are times it's kill or be killed. Others ... don't. You've ended another person's life, and it's haunting you, so you're searching for answers—for meaning—in the void. Believe me, kid, you won't find it."

"My best friend's a Star Runner, too. Best in the Legion, some say. I know he's shot down other ships. Doesn't seem to bother him."

"You wish you were like that?"

His voice faded, and Josh could only nod.

"It bothers him," Foster whispered. "It bothers us all ... one way or the other."

Minutes passed. The Lutimite Space flashes filled the viewport. Lost in memory, Josh watched with unfocused eyes at the space shooting past the ship, wondering at the worlds they passed on the Zahlian space lane.

"You sure this comrade of yours will help us?" Josh asked, yawning as he leaned farther back into his seat.

"Should," Foster said, his head bobbing as his eyelids drooped. "He's the best navigator I've ever seen. Real natural gift of navigating the stars like the Star Runners of old."

Josh grinned, remembering the tales he'd heard from some of the older Star Runners on Tarton's Junction. Centuries ago when humans first mapped out the known galaxy, brave navigators known as the first Star Runners ventured into the void to bring back knowledge of space beyond. Their legends had grown with each passing generation to the point some called those initial Star Runners mythical.

"How'd you meet him?"

Foster frowned. "I sailed with him in a different life," he whispered. "I didn't always work alone." He grumbled, clearing his throat with a deep cough. "If we're actually heading to Dark Space, we need a navigator who can operate without standard star charts. Orvin's the only one I know who could do it."

Josh heard the hint of a past but didn't press the issue. "How'd he end up out on the Frontier?"

Taking a deep breath, Foster said in a forced casual tone, "We all want to get away from it all, and we have different reasons for doing it. I never asked Orvin why he disappeared out here. None of my business. Besides, it wasn't like we got the chance to ..."

He stood and tapped Josh's shoulder. “Before I forget, I want to give you something.”

Foster moved in front of an indiscreet section of the glass wall at the bridge’s rear. With a wave of his hand, a compartment opened, and he produced a shiny black box. He grabbed a blocky watch with a thick black strap from the container.

“I want Matta wearing this before we drop back into normal space,” he said, handing the watch to Josh. “I’m not entirely sure it was Matta’s fault we were tracked to Ilman City.”

Josh took the watch and felt the weight. “What do you mean?”

“Rodon’s Pisceans were on us too fast for it to be Matta’s fault. I think she’s being tracked.”

“You think Rodon’s got the Barracudas’ frequency?”

“Yep.” He pointed at the watch. “That’ll help mask anyone trying to trace Matta’s implanted tracker. Should help shake the scent, so to speak.”

Josh nodded. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” Foster said, waving his hand. “As long as you two are onboard my ship, those things are chasing me, too. And I’ve got a job to finish here.”

“You sound like this is personal or something?”

Foster hesitated. “Job’s taking too long.” He slapped Josh’s shoulder. "I'm hitting the rack for a few hours."

"Wait," Josh said, leaning forward, “what were you going to say?"

Foster shook his head once. "Stillwater Berg’s a primitive world, what you Legion folk call a dark world. Has the possibility to get interesting."

Josh nodded, realizing Foster was done chatting. "I can handle it. You think Orvin can navigate to Dark Space?”

Foster stared at the deck. "I think we should be more concerned about whether he'll come with us or shoot us."