Part 5 - Distance
It seemed like Orion and Sorensen had been travelling for days. As though using a pedalo to keep up with an ocean liner, their journey, and Orion's task seemed ever more arduous. However with Sorensen's knowledge of Commander Uchett's military compound, and of the planet which it subsides, patience would have to be their biggest virtue as they trundled through the blackened abyss of space.
"Tell me about your kids.."
Orion broke the silence which had seemed to last for hours. He figured he should get to know the man who was providing him with such direct assistance, so he ventured a few questions.
"My kids? They're the light of my life, well, apart from my wife Gloria of course.. The one year old is called Lucas, he's already walking, showing real signs of development at such a young age, I'm so proud of him.. And little Liana, she's three.. She's got a rare blood disorder.. I can't afford the cure for her."
Orion listened intently, nodding occasionally.
"What if I was to try to get Liana the cure she needs?"
"I doubt it's possible.. She's had it since birth, it's a blessing she's still with us now.."
"All the more reason to get the cure. Surely it's worth it to try?"
"Well yes but.. Why would you do this for me?"
"Let's just say my future family is on that ship we're chasing."
"I.. I'd be eternally grateful, Sir.."
"Please.. call me Orion."
"Orion... My first name is Pete."
"Well I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Pete. And I'm sorry for earlier.. I've been practicing my intimidation techniques.."
"It's okay.. You spared me, and for that I'm grateful"
Looking at the ship's control panel, Orion could see that they had a very long journey ahead of them, as the positioning system told him they were several million miles away from the planet. The ship didn't have a warp system either, which made things rather frustrating. The two men had decided upon shifts, piloting the ship for several hours each at a time, while the other rested. They would have to make stops at passing space-stations and planets if they were to make it there without the risks of starvation and the ship's oxygen reserves running out. Orion had made it a point to visit a planet known as Berros, as he knew a mechanic there, who owed him a few favours. Luckily this mechanic had the know-how to fit warp systems to ships. Unfortunately this planet was about a million miles away itself, so they would have to travel for a week at least before they could get there.
Sorensen had volunteered to do the first piloting shift, so Orion headed back into the sleeping quarters, which were basic given that the ship wasn't really built for long distance travel, however these ships were given basic amenities should lengthy travel be required. Orion put his head down on the bunk, and as soon as he did, he realised how tired he was, and promptly fell asleep.
"Orion... Star Orion... We see you... We know you... You will fear us..."
He woke abruptly from this, looking around the sleeping quarters. Looking at his watch, three hours had passed. He tried to get back to sleep after this, but couldn't. The words echoed in his mind, a whispery, spooky female voice, but one that seemed strangely familiar.
Another hour passed, Orion laying there, awake, when his watch beeped, telling him it was time to relieve Sorensen of the piloting duties. He got up and headed to the cockpit.
"Go get some rest, Pete, I'll take over from here"
"Tell me about your kids.."
Orion broke the silence which had seemed to last for hours. He figured he should get to know the man who was providing him with such direct assistance, so he ventured a few questions.
"My kids? They're the light of my life, well, apart from my wife Gloria of course.. The one year old is called Lucas, he's already walking, showing real signs of development at such a young age, I'm so proud of him.. And little Liana, she's three.. She's got a rare blood disorder.. I can't afford the cure for her."
Orion listened intently, nodding occasionally.
"What if I was to try to get Liana the cure she needs?"
"I doubt it's possible.. She's had it since birth, it's a blessing she's still with us now.."
"All the more reason to get the cure. Surely it's worth it to try?"
"Well yes but.. Why would you do this for me?"
"Let's just say my future family is on that ship we're chasing."
"I.. I'd be eternally grateful, Sir.."
"Please.. call me Orion."
"Orion... My first name is Pete."
"Well I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Pete. And I'm sorry for earlier.. I've been practicing my intimidation techniques.."
"It's okay.. You spared me, and for that I'm grateful"
Looking at the ship's control panel, Orion could see that they had a very long journey ahead of them, as the positioning system told him they were several million miles away from the planet. The ship didn't have a warp system either, which made things rather frustrating. The two men had decided upon shifts, piloting the ship for several hours each at a time, while the other rested. They would have to make stops at passing space-stations and planets if they were to make it there without the risks of starvation and the ship's oxygen reserves running out. Orion had made it a point to visit a planet known as Berros, as he knew a mechanic there, who owed him a few favours. Luckily this mechanic had the know-how to fit warp systems to ships. Unfortunately this planet was about a million miles away itself, so they would have to travel for a week at least before they could get there.
Sorensen had volunteered to do the first piloting shift, so Orion headed back into the sleeping quarters, which were basic given that the ship wasn't really built for long distance travel, however these ships were given basic amenities should lengthy travel be required. Orion put his head down on the bunk, and as soon as he did, he realised how tired he was, and promptly fell asleep.
"Orion... Star Orion... We see you... We know you... You will fear us..."
He woke abruptly from this, looking around the sleeping quarters. Looking at his watch, three hours had passed. He tried to get back to sleep after this, but couldn't. The words echoed in his mind, a whispery, spooky female voice, but one that seemed strangely familiar.
Another hour passed, Orion laying there, awake, when his watch beeped, telling him it was time to relieve Sorensen of the piloting duties. He got up and headed to the cockpit.
"Go get some rest, Pete, I'll take over from here"