Twin Quasar

“Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space,” or so they say. Unfortunately for me, I’m still in my quarters and can hear every screech distinctly. I’m jostled awake by the irritating shrieking of grown men.

“Dammit, Reyes!” I say to myself as a throw on my crisp flight suit. I’ve had a terribly restless night and now this.

“I’ll give them something to squeal about.” I mutter angrily as I dart out of my small, sterile, and pitiful excuse for a Captain’s Quarters.

As I pass through the Flight Deck hallway, I make a mental note of each smudge along the chrome detailing that I’m going to make Reyes polish to perfection as his atonement. Maker knows that I love a spotless spacecraft.

As I turned right into the Mess, I see that the term couldn’t be any more accurate. Trays of this morning’s rehydrated biscuits and gravy were flung haphazardly along my usually pristine walls. I see the congregation of my crew completely invested in the spectacle taking place. I make my way through the crowded circle of my men, who are behaving like wild animals and screaming

“GET HIM!” in the general direction of the only clearing in the Mess.

I fix my eyes on the open space and see Reyes and Anderson fully engaged in a bare-knuckle brawl. Reyes’ smirk says it all, he’s winning. Poor Anderson, he didn’t stand a chance.

“I swear, all he wants is the glory of a battle.” I think to myself with contempt.

“HEY!” I yell into the rambunctious mob. “What the Hell is going on here?” I scream again.

The fighting continues without the contestants batting an eye. I’ve had enough, it’s time to regulate my crew. I’m 6’2” and well-built to boot so I just shove my way into the scuffle and grab both of my insolent boys by the napes of their necks.

Reyes is stocky and strong as Hell; I’m surprised Anderson’s small goofy frame didn’t get knocked right on his hind quarters. They fight back, but only for show. “Oh,” I think to myself, “I get it.” They want to appease the audience that was so engrossed in their tussle.

“Knock it off!” I holler and the feign reaching for each other.

“Everybody, back to your posts!” The grumbling responses back anger me further. “And it’s ‘fend for yourself night tonight for wasting your breakfast rations this morning.” The griping continues, but I’ve got better things to do that regulate everyone’s bad attitudes.

“You two are on Kitchen detail, indefinitely.” I hiss through gritted teeth. “It had better be clean enough to eat of the floor in here by debriefing.”

Anderson complies and nods his curly, red head. Reyes of course has to get the last word and rebuttals, “Well, Cap’n, these people are dying for some action. I’m just trying to help keep up the morale.” He says with his half smirk that I find so damn annoying. “Don’t want a mutiny now, do ya?”

Reyes takes out his medically prescribed pack of cigarettes and puts one between his lips. “I’ll handle it if it comes to that.” I say shortly, giving him a light.

“Thanks for looking out, now get to scrubbing, boys.” I hand the boys off to the Chef in charge, Tremblay.

As I’m leaving, I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflective plating strewn across the Mess entryway. I make a note of my consistently neat black hair, and nearly as dark circles under my eyes. “I gotta get some sleep tonight.” I whisper under my breath. For now, coffee is the next best thing. I make sure to grab the largest disposable cup we have and fill it to the brim.

I step outside into the Flight Deck hallway, clutching the liquid lifeforce close and cooling it down by blowing softly through the lid opening. “Reminds me of home.” I think wistfully.

I pass a few crew mates on my way to the Flight Deck, and we exchange pleasant nods to one another. Part of being a captain is making sure I maintain a level of presence about the ship.

I stop at a large Flight Deck window and peer out of the ship. Her name is “The Twin Quasar.” A strange name, I know. She’s modeled after another ship that was in of itself, a renaissance for spacecraft design.

I take my handkerchief from my pocket and wipe away a smudge on the glass. The original ship, named simply “The Quasar,” contained numerous advancements to space travel and to the comfort of its crew. She was truly a marvel. Unfortunately, the ambition for what she could achieve surpassed her abilities.

I take a sip of bitter, warm coffee. The Quasar was sent on a retrieval mission to a planet with an extraordinarily treacherous atmosphere. They lost contact with mission control during the expedition and their location was unable to be recovered.

That’s partially why we’re here. Not only are we meant to retrieve the original intel, but we are also to find any information regarding the disappearance of The Quasar. I check my watch; I’ve got a debriefing to chaperone.

I make my way down the Flight Deck hallway and enter an archway leading into the Debrief Room. The room is set with a rectangular metal table and is strewn with uncomfortable, pristine, metal chairs to match. I take the chair at the head of the table with a docket placed neatly before it.

The room is brightly lit and contributing to further my existing headache. I wait for the crew to shuffle in and find their seats. I tolerate the unnecessary small talk among the crew for a bit. After they’ve discussed their disdain for shower schedules and the mandatory inventory night for remaining supplies, I speak up.

“Alright, crew. We’ve got a pretty light agenda.” I say with authority, “Let’s start with the current status of the mission an-“ I’m cut off abruptly by the sounding of alarms.

“Get to your posts.” I order, “NOW!” The alarms continue and I make a hasty exit to the Cockpit for an explanation.

As I pass through the corridors filled with panicked crew mates, I try my best to assure them, “We’re going to be ok, just a minor hiccup.” I say with confidence, “Just get to your assigned areas and await further instruction.”

I make it to the Cockpit, “Moreno?” I call out. “What in the Hell is going on?”

“Captain!” he calls back out to me. He’s pointing to something on the VueDisplay screen.

I make my way over to the screen. “What-“ I stammer “Maker, what is this?”

On the VueDisplay is the most bewildering planet I have ever seen. It’s almost got a glow to it, and its color is the most vibrant blue and purple color I have ever seen. The planet surrounded by atmospheric debris and clouds creating a haunting aura.

“Is that?” I think to myself “No, there’s no way.”

Peppered throughout the clouds and debris surrounding the planet are things that look unnatural, they look manmade.

“It looks like-“, Moreno starts.

“It looks like parts of The Quasar.” I finish his thought.

As we look in awe at the destruction of the most advanced ship that has ever been created by man. We see the vast opus of a miracle of science being so easily shattered by the elements. I’m stunned out of my trance by a new alert.

The ship begins to quake vigorously and throws us around. The lights to the spacecraft begin to falter and the power feels like its waning altogether. Not only is the failure of the craft terrifying, but I feel an immense sense of dread.

“We’re all gonna die.” I think to myself.