AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I pressed my hand against the palm pad. When it flashed green, I pressed the button to close the door. I half expected to see a contingent of security officers come running to stop us from essentially stealing a pod.
No one came. I guess J'avet's story and rank was enough to convince them we weren't up to something.
"I'm inputting the coordinates to the rendezvous site," Brinley said over the pod's comm system.
"You're cleared for departure," a voice said in reply. "Safe travels."
"Thank you," Brinley said brightly. She turned off the comms and pressed a few of the buttons in front of her. The pod hummed and lifted up a couple of handspans above the docking bay deck.
"As soon as we're clear, I'll modify the coordinates," she said. "We're going to have to travel a hundred kilometres in the wrong direction first though."
"It can't be helped," J'avet said. "I'd prefer not to waste fuel, but they'll send a ship after us if we head right for Iri space. The pod can't outrun anything except another pod."
"That's a cheery thought." I leaned against the cockpit door and crossed my arms. "If the Iri come after us—"
"I have a plan," J'avet said.
"Care to share?" I asked.
"Perhaps you could allow the pilot to concentrate," E'rel suggested coldly.
I regarded him for a moment, then smiled. "That's Parvoran for 'you like Brinley.' How adorable."
He twisted around to give me a dirty look, but J'avet seemed amused.
"I'm merely suggesting you be quiet," E'rel said before he turned away.
"Sure." I nodded. "I'm happy for you both. You'll be adorable together." They really would.
Brinley looked back at me and gave me a wink. So she felt it too, hmmm?
Wait, why did I suddenly get the feeling this wasn't a new thing? I had been somewhat distracted for the last few weeks. They could have been seeing each other for ages and I hadn't noticed. I made a mental note to ask Brinley for the details later. In the meantime, I felt like a pretty crap friend for not seeing this sooner. Talk about being self absorbed.
I was dragged from my thoughts by the opening of the docking bay doors. We passed through them, into the airlock and out into space.
I don't think I would ever be tired of looking at the open expanse of space spread out in front of us. Stars upon stars twinkled like fairy lights. A small fraction of what I saw out the window was IF space. Beyond that were more unexplored galaxies than a person could count. I knew the IF planned to send their people out there some day, when technology advanced more.
Personally, I had only seen a small portion of the galaxy. When this was over, I wanted to see more. Frey-T, Parvora, not to mention Agus. It felt like years since I left Earth, headed straight for there. 'Straight' turned into a wiggly line, with a few loops thrown in.
I sighed and moved into the main sitting space of the pod. From here, I got a good view of the station disappearing behind us.
"Undapan Station to Commander J'avet." The voice startled me. My heart began to race.
J'avet looked uncertain for a moment, but opened the comms. "Commander J'avet here."
"You are requested to return to the station immediately," the voice said. "Doctor Barek has not cleared you for travel."
J'avet turned his face enough that I saw him grimace. He looked back toward the comm panel. "I feel fine," he said firmly. "I have a nurse with me to see to my needs."
I scowled at the back of his head. His needs? He made me sound like a servant.
"You didn't clear this mission with Doctor Barek?" I asked.
J'avet glanced over his shoulder. "He would have said no."
I shook my head. "You're such a rebel." I was going to be in a world of trouble now, aiding him in his escape from the station.
"We didn't have time to waste." J'avet ran a hand over his head and winced as he touched the wound.
