CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

EPILOUGE

On Veil

The damage to the ship was immense. The EMP had fried more systems than originally anticipated, and without a full bridge crew, or a Guardian, getting anywhere with it would be a long shot. The survivors of the crew had decided that it just wasn't worth the risk. They sent their message and left the ship.

With the knowledge that someone was coming to help them, they were ready to rest from their ordeal.

It didn't help that Veil was so beautiful and everyone was just so tired, physically and emotionally.

It was obviously an alien world. The colours of the plants were just a bit off from what an earth native would expect, but all that didn't matter once a breeze kicked up and the tall grass waved in the wind. Or when the sun came up and passed through the boughs of the trees just right. To a man who had been trapped on a ship with a computer trying to kill him, it was paradise.

Howard looked over the crowd gathered for the funeral for those lost, he had just finished giving his remarks. He was now sitting and looking over everyone's faces as James started his talk. He took note of the ones missing, especially Sam.

'He would have liked it here,' he said softly to himself.

Ayla and her Mother were sitting next to him, Ayla turned and looked at him. 'Yeah, he would have.'

Howard looked down at her and smiled softly.

***

The memorial service was over. The colonists had taken the news hard, most of them having not known what had happened after they left. Many had friends on the crew, friends who were no longer with them.

Everyone was milling around the open space between the colony bays which served as a central park for the budding colony.

Howard spotted Mark leaning against a tree, talking with James.

He walked over to join them.

'Gentlemen,' he said, nodding towards them.

The two stood up straighter. 'Captain,' they said together.

Howard smiled. 'At ease my friends.'

The two relaxed. Howard looked around the park at the people still gathered, and at the colony bays sitting nestled among the rolling green hills.

'This place is beautiful isn't it?' he said out loud.

James nodded.

'It certainly is Captain,' Mark said, 'I wish everyone was here to see it.'

'Aye, we lost good people,' James said sadly.

A light breeze blew through the park, swaying through the leaves of the tree Mark was against. It's leaves rustled softly.

The three men stood in silence, alone.

From one of the larger structures, a woman came rushing across the field.

'Captain Fredrick!' she called.

Howard looked to her, and all eyes in the crowd followed her path.

She stopped next to the men and tried to speak through her heavy breathing.

'There's... a call... for you,' she managed to say.

'What's that?' Howard asked.

She pointed behind her, towards the building she came from. 'There's a call for you in the colony hub.'

'A call? From who?'

'She said her name was Sophie.'

That was all Howard needed to hear. He started to walk across the field, but a longing need drove him to run. People turned to stare at him as he ran past, but he didn't pay them any attention.

The woman raced to catch up with him.

He slipped past the automatic doors before they'd fully opened and looked around. The staff inside looked up at him curiously, and the woman entered behind him.

She stepped in front of him, panting with effort. 'This...way,' she said between breaths.

He followed her to a desk along one of the walls and sat him down.

As soon as he looked at the screen, he saw Sophie's face. She was smiling broadly.

His smile bloomed on his face, and he felt some of the darkness of the last few weeks lift from him.

'Hello my love,' he said softly.

'Howard, I was worried when you didn't make your weekly call,' she said, with worry coming across her face.

'I know love. Things got very bad.'

She nodded. 'I heard. Axion said there was an accident?'

Howard snorted. 'It was more than an accident. Our Guardian went a little bit wayward. He decided he wanted to live freely no matter the cost.'

Her face flashed with fear. 'What? What happened?'

'It's okay love. We won. We shut him down. We're safe now. Our ship isn't going anywhere but we're safe.'

'Axion told me your ship was damaged. I guess that means you won't be coming home for a while?'

Howard smiled back sadly. 'It'll take at least a few months for a passenger ship to come here. There are some supply ships en route, but they'll be taking the injured back first. No room for the able bodied yet.'

'What about the colony?'

'It'll stay. The colonists are all staying, and things are fairly peaceful here. We haven't had a chance to check out the rest of the planet yet, but things are lovely.'

She nodded sharply. 'That settles it then.'

Howard frowned. 'Settles what?'

'I'm coming to Veil.'

'What?'

'The treatment was successful. Doctor Patel's treatment works! He says that the rest of it can be done by injection, I'm free to travel.'

Howard felt a wave of concern. 'Do you feel well enough to travel?'

'I feel the best I have all year,' she said, smiling.

Howard smiled back. 'I wouldn't say no to having you here. I could tell Axion I can stay on to help with the colony set up.'

She laughed. 'I'm sure Mr Richards will love to hear that.'

'I don't think his feelings will hold a candle to what I'll feel having you close again.'

'Just one thing though Howard,' she said carefully.

'Yes, my love?'

'Don't go anywhere. No more daring space captain for a while okay?' she asked tenderly.

Howard felt his eye's growing wet. He felt a lump in his throat as he thought about how close he had come to never seeing her again, and leaving her alone.

He smiled tenderly at her. 'I promise my love. No more daring space captain.'

She smiled back. 'I'll go call Mr Richards. I want to give him the good news myself.'

Howard laughed. 'The honour is all yours, my dear.'

The call disconnected, and Howard leaned back. After a moment a thought crossed his mind and he looked at the loose sleeve of his shirt where his missing arm was supposed to be.

Couldn't see it in the camera. I should have mentioned something. I better call her back.

His hand moved toward the terminal, but paused.

Ahh, it can wait a bit. She'll call me back.

With a smile and a chuckle, he got up and went back outside. It was a beautiful day, and he didn't want to waste it.

THE END