“Um, because we were asked to help?”
“Yeah, I get that, Kitty. But we’ve had a lot of people ask for help over the course of time, and by ‘we’ I mean the United States. We don’t help everyone.”
“Because it’s impossible to,” Reader pointed out.
“My point,” Brian agreed. “This is looking impossible. We already know we can’t evacuate all the inhabitants, unless we’re looking at the least populated system in the galaxy.”
“Brian’s not wrong,” Chuckie said. “It’s a dangerous proposition.”
“Thanks, Chuck. Kitty, it’s dangerous even before I mention that we have to be going even faster than normal to escape the galaxy’s gravitational pull.”
“We have to try,” Jeff said calmly. “They need us.”
“We think they need us,” Brian countered. “We have zero proof that they do. We don’t know that this is Ixtha’s system. I agree, Kitty’s guesses are normally correct. But if she’s wrong, this is going to be a much more dangerous situation than we’ve ever been in, and I say this knowing that most of you on this deck were all superbeing exterminators before. But I’m the only trained astronaut here, and I’m telling you, this is the most dangerous thing you’ve ever suggested.”
“As dangerous as going into a sun?” I asked.
“Maybe,” Brian said. “Maybe more so. This could be some elaborate trap. Or we could die merely trying to get there. Or trying to get back.”
“Elaborate traps are our enemies’ go-to move,” Reader said. “And Brian could have a point. Though we face death all the time and we’re kind of used to it.”
“You all talked to Ixtha in the DreamScape,” I pointed out.
“We did,” Brian said. “But you, Jeff, Tito, and Tim didn’t. Maybe that’s why Mother kept you awake—so you wouldn’t be fooled.”
“I talked to Ixtha before all this started.” And, more importantly, I’d talked to Algar, ACE, Sandy, and Naomi. And everyone seemed very certain that this solar system mattered a hell of a lot. Galaxy Ending Event was the phrase most tossed about by the Powers That Be. Meaning we had to do whatever we could think of, crazy, dangerous, or not, to get to Ixtha and save her day in some way.
Though, reality did nudge in and mention that while I thought this was Ixtha’s system, I hadn’t bothered to try to reach Ixtha to find out for sure. But I was sure, and that had normally been enough.
“And you dismissed her,” Reader said. “You told us. I think Brian’s concerns need to be addressed now, before we risk everyone on what could be a trap or just a suicide mission. We owe it to ourselves and to the solar systems waiting for us to come back.”
“Well, short of my taking a nap, how would you like me to prove that we’re headed to the right place?”
“I could put you into sleep,” Mother said. “Right here, if necessary.”
That caused us all to stop bickering. “Would that be safe?” Jeff asked.
“Absolutely,” Mother said.
“No,” Tim said calmly.
“What?” Jeff asked.
“I said no.” Hadn’t remembered that Tim had a Commander Voice, but he did and it was on Full right now. “I’m the Commander of this mission, isn’t that correct, Mother?”
“Yes, Tim, it is. Your word is the final word on the ship.”
“Good. Then, as Commander, I’m telling you, Brian, that we’re doing what Kitty wants. Period.”
“Without confirmation?” Brian asked.
“Correct. The only confirmation we need is that Kitty thinks this is what we need to do. You haven’t worked with her like I have. She may be wrong, but if she is, then she’ll still be right and this system is going to need us. That’s our job, in case you weren’t clear—to save people. It always has been. And, as far as I can tell, it always will be. So, we go, and we go now.”
Everyone was quiet for a few moments. “It’s always a good feeling when you see someone really grow up and into the role they were always meant to have,” Tito said. “I’m with Tim. We do what Kitty wants.”
“Thanks, Tito,” Tim said in his regular tone. “And unless you want me to relieve you of duty, Brian,” he added, Commander Voice back on Full, “you’ll get us underway immediately.”
Brian nodded. “Yes, sir, Commander.” Though he still looked worried, he had zero irony in his tone.
“My Megalomaniac Lad’s all grown up.”
Tim made eye contact with me—hard to do with me in a helmet, but he managed it—and winked. “Team Maverick forever.”
As I laughed, heard Lilith in my mind. This is why Mother made Tim the Commander. For this one decision. Because she knew that, no matter what, Tim would always back you.
Not that I mind him having the authority, but why not just make me the Commander, then?
Because you need to be on Communications. You are who makes the connections, the person who creates the allegiances, and you do it with your words as well as your actions.
Okay, I guess I see it. So, why Jeff on Weapons?
He’s the one who will fire if necessary, but only if necessary, and he’ll wait until the last moment to fire. If anyone else had been at the controls when you arrived at Cradus, that system would be at war with us now.
Huh. And Tito?
The man who never panics? The man who saved a life before he was even out of medical school, when the A-Cs couldn’t? There is no situation that Tito feels he cannot overcome—rightly. Every command crew needs someone who will never look at a situation as anything other than something to be solved.
Chuckie’s backup because he’s the smartest guy on the ship?
And one of the bravest, yes. James is backup for the same reasons. The others are all qualified, all brave, and all loyal to you.
So Brian’s the only holdout?
She laughed. Brian’s relationship with you is different than all the others’. He will always see you as his first real girlfriend before he sees you as anything else. And that leads to exactly what just happened. There is nothing wrong with him questioning your authority or assumptions, but, in this case, time is more of the essence than any of you can comprehend. We have very little time before, no matter what we do, that system will be lost to the blackness between galaxies forever.
Just in case Bri’s right to be worried, could you verify if the system we’re headed for is the right one? I haven’t confirmed anything other than that I just know we have to go there.
It’s as dangerous for me to leave the galaxy as it is for you. I’m willing to leave with you, but not alone. You would have difficulty finding me and bringing me back if things went wrong.
Then we go together. I refuse to ask you to risk more than the rest of us. I’m still hella grateful that you showed up when you did and are still with us.