Star Runners: Dark Space

Chapter 3

3

"Who all's going to be there?"

Josh stared out the window, watching the Christmas lights. Darkness came so early this time of year, allowing the holiday spirit to paint the yards and streets in dazzling greens, reds, and whites. He stared at an inflatable Santa Claus, tipping over until his head touched the gutter of a brick house.

"Josh?" Kadyn asked.

"I'm sorry," he said, turning back to her and smiling as she drove through the Marietta streets. "My mind's wandering."

She sighed. "Mine, too, sweetie. Gets worse at Christmas."

He clasped her hand. "I could’ve driven, you know."

"I know. I'd rather drive. Keeps my mind occupied."

“I remember watching you and Austin leave school all the time. You were always driving."

She laughed. "Bum never had a car."

"Yeah," he said, admiring her face as the Christmas lights reflected on her skin. "Always drove me a little crazy to see you guys so close."

"Oh, really? Tell me more."

"You've heard it all before."

He squeezed her hand.

She turned onto the street of elegant townhomes glowing with lights and wreaths with bright red bows where Austin and Ryker had moved to be closer to her rehabilitation facility.

"So do you know?"

He looked at her. "Know what?"

"Who's going to be there?"

"Oh, Austin and Ryker," he said, clearing his throat. "He said a couple of other people might show up. I really don't know."

She paused. "He didn't say?"

"Not really." He frowned. "Listen, we don't have to stay long. I know how you feel about these things."

"What are you talking about?"

"If it's a bunch of officers, we don't have to stay."

She sighed. "It's not that I don't like them, you know. I just, well, I don't like the reminders."

"Listen," he said, leaning across the car, "it's Christmas. Let's just have fun tonight, okay?"

He kissed her cheek, smelled her perfume.

"Okay," she said, rubbing her ear on her shoulder to fight off the chills from his kiss. "I will."

Josh opened the door before the car came to a complete stop, and he hopped around to the trunk. Grabbing the presents with one hand, he offered his arm to Kadyn.

"Shall we?" he called out in grand fashion.

"Well, thank you, kind sir."

They walked up the stairs. The door flew open so fast the wreath banged, sending a cascade of fake pine needles to the welcome mat. Wearing a bright red sweater with white snowflakes, Austin stood in the doorway with a glass of eggnog.

"My friends," he said, holding his arms out wide and setting the glass down. "Merry Christmas!”

"Buddy," Josh said, embracing him and stepping into the warmth of the townhome.

While Austin greeted Kadyn, Josh nodded as Ryker shuffled down the hall, her limp barely evident in the low light.

"Miss Ryker,” he said, “how you doing?"

"Goo," she said with a smile, holding out a tray of brownies. "I tied to make these for first time."

"We tried," Austin said, draping his arm around her shoulder. "You can't blame the result on her."

"I'm sure they're great," Josh said, taking a brownie and holding up the gifts.

Ryker looked at Kadyn. "Like to tour?"

"Sure," she said, looking to Josh. "You coming?"

"You guys go ahead," he said, gesturing to the living room. "I'm putting the presents where they belong."

They remained in the foyer for a moment. Raising the gifts, Josh said, "Got you guys a little something. Kinda a housewarming s***h Christmas gift."

"You're the best," Austin said. "I'm sorry we haven't had you out here before now.”

He waved it off. "Life happens. We know all about that. Kadyn's still looking at going back to school next summer, but it's been hard to, ah, adjust."

Austin gazed at the floor. "I'm sorry she had to go through that."

"I'm glad you guys got through it," he said, shaking his head. "The rest of your guests here?"

"Ah," he glanced at his watch, "you're the first, but they'll be here soon." He nodded toward the living room where Christmas music played softly near an elaborately decorated tree. "Make yourself at home. Gotta check on the ham."

Photographs lined the mantle above the fireplace. He paused and looked at photos of Austin with his parents, one of Josh and Austin on the middle school football team, and a recent one of Ryker with Austin at the park. Leaning down, he placed the gifts at the base of the tree and—

He paused.

Two ornaments hung on a large branch sticking out farther than the others. Josh stared in silence, his heart beating faster as he reached out and touched the nose of the Trident ornament to send it twirling. Behind it was a Zahlian Interceptor, hanging just above the Legion craft as if preparing for the kill shot.

"Had to buy those,” Austin said from the doorway, his hands thrust into his pocket as he stared at the tree.

"You've got them in the wrong order here. The Trident wouldn't let an Interceptor on its tail like this."

"I wish that were so."

Turning back to the Trident, Josh watched it sway in the lights. "These aren't the originals?"

"No," he said with a sigh. "They burned in the fire. We had digital copies of those pictures on the mantle saved to the cloud. Otherwise, we lost everything.”

Josh winced, recalling how Phantoms had destroyed Austin’s childhood home.

As he walked closer to the tree, Austin’s sleeves crawled up his arm as he placed his hands on his hips, revealing his unique circular tattoos.

"You never told me how you got those," Josh said, nodding toward Austin's forearms. "Wild night somewhere?"

Instead of laughing, Austin took a deep breath and stared at his forearm. "A long story for another time."

"How do you do it?"

"What's that?"

“You've obviously been through hell, and it rolls off your back." He held his hands out. "How?"

"It bothers me." Austin stared at the Trident ornament on the branch. "I just know this is what I'm meant to do. I was born to be a Star Runner. I tell myself each Interceptor or marauder that goes down by my hand makes the Legion a little safer."

"That's it?"

He smiled. "Sure."

Turning back to the tree, Josh took a deep breath. "I wish I had that.”

"You do. You were always better than me."

"At the game."

"At everything."

Josh heard the experience in Austin's voice. He found it difficult to accept all the people he knew in high school weren’t frozen in time with the same hairstyles, the same clothes. But they had all changed. Something unexplainable had turned in his friend, and it would probably never be the same again. Was high school a few years ago or twenty?

Before Josh could respond, the doorbell rang.

"Guests?"

Austin nodded. “Yep."

"Do I know them?"

Austin smiled and strolled to the foyer, his shoes echoing on the hardwood. Through the door, Josh heard a voice he hadn't heard in a long time.

"Oh, honey!” Eileen Stone cried. “Merry Christmas!"

Wearing a bright red scarf and elegant black coat, Austin’s mother burst through the front door and hurled her arms around her son, sending him staggering back.

"Mom," he said, burying his head into her shoulder. "I missed you so much. How long you back for?"

She wiped her cheek, still holding him close. "Not nearly long enough."

Watching them embrace from the living room, Josh clenched his jaw. It was the type of hug only a mother could give, one who hadn't seen her son in a long time and who didn't know when she'd get the chance again.

"Going to freeze out here, son," a deep voice boomed from outside. "Make way."

Josh's mouth dropped open as Major Jonathan Nubern stepped through the door. He was out of uniform with khaki slacks, but his sports coat was still the distinctive Tizona blue.

Austin parted from his mother, his eyes lingering on her a moment longer before he clasped Nubern's hand and hugged him.

"Good to see you, sir."

"Nice to be seen, son. I get tired of seeing you only in official meetings."

Austin hesitated. "Yeah."

"Josh?" Eileen asked, her lips parting as she hurried across the living room floor.

"Ms. Stone," he said, shaking his head. Somehow, she looked younger than she had the last time they’d met. "You look beautiful."

They embraced.

"How are your parents?" she asked, inspecting Josh like she had since he and Austin were in middle school. "Are they adjusting to their new life?"

He nodded.

Mom and Dad had chosen to enter a Legion relocation program, an option extended to all individuals and families granted Revelation Protocol. His parents had become Jim and Roxanne Simpson of Juno, Alaska. It wasn't too far of a stretch for Dad as he'd often talked about retiring to Alaska, but he wasn't so sure Mom would be able to withstand the winters.

"They're good," he said, trying to offer a smile. "I'm going to try to head out and see them once my boss gives me a day off."

Nubern laughed as he shut the door. "I can't help it two of my best scouts are under the same roof tonight." He nodded toward Josh. "I got your recent report on that Hobbs individual. I've passed it over for review."

"And what about Ethan from right here in Atlanta?" Austin asked. "That guy's got some potential."

Nubern nodded. "We'll see, but it's looking good. I may start sending you guys out to meet the talent in person before too long."

"Okay," Eileen said, taking off her red gloves and rubbing her hands together. "Enough shop talk, you guys."

Chuckling, Nubern placed his hand on Eileen's shoulder and rubbed with his thumb. "You're right. It’s the day of trees after all."

"It's Christmas," Austin said with a laugh. "Christmas."

Nubern looked away. "Right."

Eileen playfully hit Nubern's chest. "I told you all about that."

Austin had mentioned Nubern and Eileen had become close over the past couple years, but seeing it in person blew his mind. Before he could say anything about it, footsteps echoed down the hall, and they turned.

Austin stood a little straighter. "Mom, this is Ryker I've told you so much about."

Ryker shuffled forward, doing her best to hide the limp. One side of her mouth curled into a smile.

"Ms. Stone," she said. "It pleasure meet you, finally."

"Oh, honey," she said, moving forward with her hands outstretched. "You cut that out and call me Mom."

Ryker rested her head on Eileen's shoulder and sighed. "Thank you … Mom. Merry Christmas."

Dishes clattered together as Ryker, Kadyn, and Eileen cleaned up the Christmas dinner mess. Josh had offered to help, but they seemed to want the men to sit and talk in front of the tree.

Covering his mouth as he burped, Josh stretched his legs on the ottoman and leaned back. He stared at the tree and the sparkling Trident, uninterested in Nubern and Austin's talk of work.

"Can I ask about Ryker?" Nubern asked, drawing Josh's attention back to the conversation. "She's looking better."

Austin took a sip of eggnog, his eyes glazing over. "She's better than when we first brought her out of sickbay, but the improvement has been slow."

Nubern paused. "When's your next appointment?"

"First of the year," he said, his eyes still unfocused. "But I don't think this appointment will be much different than the last."

"I see." He traced his fingers around the empty glass in his hand. "She deserves better, and so do you."

"I'm not giving up on her.”

“I know,” Nubern said in a calm voice, pointing at Josh. "The Legion needs its Star Runners out there, and you both are some of the best. It hurts me to no end to see the three of you grounded like this. I want you back out there where you belong."

Josh sighed. He knew Nubern meant well, but the thought of flying a Trident again made his stomach turn.

"I won't leave until she's well, Major," Austin said, his tone official. "I can't."

Nubern leaned forward. "I've always shot straight with you, Austin, you know that, but you might have to face the fact she's not getting any better. She wouldn't want you throwing away your career for her. She'd rather die."

Austin rubbed his eyes. "Let's see how this next appointment goes. Then, I'll reevaluate."

“Don’t wait forever.” Nubern reached over and tapped Austin's knee. "I gave you this temporary position to help you, but you're too good to sit here for long. Take it from an old man like me when I say you can lose your edge quicker than you’d like to think. Your squadron has regrouped and replaced its losses. Make sure you aren't getting too soft to join them."

"I go to the simpods three times a week and continue monitoring the servers like I'm supposed to." His eyes hardened. “I’ll be ready when the time comes. Don't you worry about that."

“All right,” Nubern said, turning to Josh. "And what about you, Lieutenant? You've been back here longer than Austin. How are you holding up with dark world life?"

"I grew up here, remember?"

"Sometimes it's hard to come back from what you've seen. You ready to get back out there?"

"I don't know," he said, thinking about his promise to return Matta's ship to Sanctum, "but you'll be the first to know."

"What did you think of Ryker?" Kadyn asked, pulling out of Austin's neighborhood.

Josh shook his head. "Okay, I guess. They have another appointment in a week or so."

She sighed. "I feel for her. She looks at me sometimes, and I can tell she wants to say something more, but the words just don't come. It's got to be frustrating."

"Yeah."

"Did Austin ever say what exactly happened to her out there?"

He looked at her. "I thought you didn't like talking about this kind of stuff?"

She frowned. "I just care about her. She's a friend. Well, she's my only friend."

He touched her knee. "And what about me?"

"Well, I guess there is you," she said with a laugh, placing her hand over his. "But I meant a girlfriend. I had a few down in Savannah before all this happened, but I've lost touch with them now. I wouldn't even know what to say to them."

Turning his hand over, he interlocked his fingers with hers. "Still having nightmares?"

She swallowed. "All the time. You?"

"Yep." He sighed. "Been almost two years. Still not enough time."

"Ms. Stone mentioned something about her first tour coming to an end and that she'd be on leave for a while here on Earth before she heads back out or up ... or whatever you guys call it."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," she said with a pause. "It got me thinking."

He braced himself. "Thinking about what?"

"You said once you made a promise about returning a ship."

"I thought you'd forgotten about that."

"I tried to, believe me." She looked at him, her brow furrowed. "You aren't going back, are you?"

He hesitated, watching the Christmas lights. "I told you I gave my word."

She released his hand and grabbed the wheel. "Let's not talk about this."

"We have to talk—"

"No," she said quickly. "We don't."

They drove in silence.

Josh stared at the stars as the clouds broke. He knew the mercenary attacks had left scars on Kadyn, but he had his own demons. The Barracudas saved his life by offering their ship, and he owed it to them to return it.

Kadyn pulled her car into Josh's apartment complex and shut it off. Resting her elbow on the car door, she looked away from him.

"Austin told me once the only reason I was in danger was because we emailed one another when he was at that school," she said in a monotone voice. “I sometimes wish he’d never sent those emails. If we'd just said goodbye after graduation, I wouldn't know about any of this and my life would be normal."

Josh reached over and touched her shoulder, but she moved away. "You'd rather be in the dark?"

"Yes!" she shouted, her eyes ablaze. ”Do you know I can't even look at the night sky without fear? Every time I see a wooded lot, I wonder if one of those men are going to kill me. I want to be in the dark! I thought you wanted what I want!"

"I did—I do! It's just that I gave my word. If they hadn't done what they did, I’d never made it home to be with you."

"Don't you understand? Honor and keeping your word is going to get you killed. Austin is at least staying with his girlfriend. All you want to do is leave!"

He slammed his fist into the car door. "I don't have a choice! I can't stay here forever without setting things right. I promised them I’d come back. It keeps me up at nights. I’m afraid if I don't do this, I'll be a shell of person the rest of my life."

Kadyn's face crumpled. “I don't want to live like this. I want to be able to look into the sky and not be afraid."

"Hey," he said, pulling her close. "I didn't mean to lose my temper. I'm sorry."

She rested her head on his shoulder. "Please don't go back up there. Don't leave me here. I have no one else."

He squeezed her. "We can talk about this later. Okay?"

Pulling away, Kadyn looked into his eyes and nodded. He wiped the tears from her face and kissed her.