《The Lost Colony》


 Destination: Pax Haven

    I''m normally a charming person to be around but not when I just got assigned the job from hell, exploring Pax Haven. After everything I''ve done for this corporation, I get this. My crew is not going to take this well. As I walk through the shops at the station selling food, clothes, and other things I can''t help but wonder what I did to deserve this assignment. For the past two jobs our crew had done they all went off without a hitch. We escorted a transport across solar systems, and we went on a mining operation. Nothing we''d done yet would call for a job like this. Well, this job should pay handsomely if we find out what happened. As I walk abord our ship (The Luma) I''m greeted by our AI Nova. Are we going to depart soon or not? You haven''t told us anything about this job yet and I''m getting impatient. Relax Nova, or we might just pull the plug, says Matt. Now Ladies break it up says Zach as he pops up from underneath the floor with a grin. Dude what are you doing down there? Just making sure everything''s working for our trip to Pax. Wait a minute, how did you know we''re going to Pax, I haven''t announced it yet! Uhhhhh, guess? Zach did you hack into my feed again? Pfft, no, I''d never do that.... again. Not like I can just stop him; he has an IQ of 180 and is the smartest damn engineer on this side of the galaxy. Make sure you don''t mess with Nova, or he might electrocute you when you''re working down there, I say as convincing as I can manage when I know Nova loves Zach more the anyone else on this ship. Who else would upgrade him with cool weapons and the latest software?If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

 Onward Bound

    When are you going to tell the rest of the crew? Zach asks. As soon as Chloe returns from shopping with Theo then I''ll let them know about it. Zach snorts. GREAT, more shopping. Why does she do this every single time we get back from a mission? It''s the same stores, same clothes, same food! It''s the same stuff every time! Hey, don''t yell at me, do you think I know why she goes shopping every time? Why? I think it''s just because that''s what she''s used to. I don''t even know why she went and got a job here; her father''s rich enough from running asteroid mining operations. Could be she just got bored or something and wanted to do something fun? HA wouldn''t exactly call this the funnest thing to do in the world. You know that''s not a word, right? That''s what they all say. Maybe because it''s right?! Whatever. Hey, looks like Chloe and Theo are back from shopping! Hi Yall! How''s it going? Says Chloe. Just talking about the next job with the captain, if you wanna like, know where we''re going. It''s somewhere real fun! Like where? Just PAX HAVEN! Ain''t that a colony site? What business do we have going to a colony site? Asks Theo. Hey, I don''t know why we''re going to a colony site, but we are. We have a choice here colony site or fire. I think I know what I''m going with here. Says Zach. What about the rest of you? Eh, why not? Says Theo. Sure, sounds like it could be fun. Says Chloe. Do I get a choice here or am I just going to get dragged along on this? Asks Nova. Well, there is always just deactivating you. Says Zach. Hard Pass says Nova. Well then since we''re all in agreement I think it''s about time we depart. Zach, is she all fueled up? Yup finished even before you got here, Zach says with a smile. We can leave at any time. Alright, let''s get going then, Nova. Yes? Undock us. I exist to serve. As we disembark from the station Chloe leaves to put her bags away and Theo sits down in his chair next to the weapons console. Alright, what new toys did you make for me Zach? You''ll find out later, right now I just want to relax. I''ll tell you some time on the trip there. Nova butts in, we are clear of the station. Permission to go into superlight? Wait till Chloe gets seated then punch it. Ok, I heard that! I''m coming! She runs in and takes a seat. Happy? Yup, alright everyone strap in, and let''s get this show on the road. Nova, HIT IT!This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.