Chapter 27: Another World

The ship slowly simulated normal gravity as the front panels slid open, revealing open space. Darren and Sara sank slowly to the ground and remained in their standing embrace. At length, Sara stared up at his face. “How did you make it here?” She dropped her head, embarrassed at having asked something so trivial at a time like this, but he seemed not to mind. “I gave myself no other option. If I had failed, I would have died.” He put a hand on her cheek, gently tilted her head up, and looked deep into her eyes. “I felt that the risk was greatly justified.”

Sara’s stomach churned and her heart leaped into her throat, choking off what little she could say. Whenever he looks at me like that…Her hand moved with a will of its own and covered his. Darren’s other hand reached behind her and settled in her lower back, pulling her towards him. Her breathing became shallow and quick; her body began to quiver. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Darren felt her start to shake and leaned back. “What’s wrong?” Sara removed both their hands from her cheek and looked down at her feet. “Sometimes…I feel I don’t deserve you…” He put his other hand behind her and pulled her even closer. “Funny. I was just about to say the same thing.” Sara tried to turn away. “No, you don’t understand…” Darren turned her to face him again. “You’re right, I don’t. And I don’t care.”

He moved closer. “You’re not worthless, you’re not excess baggage, and I’m not disappointed in you.” Noticing her slightly surprised look, he continued. “Remember, I notice body language, tone, inflection…even tricks of speech. Your feelings are important, but those have got to go. Remember,” they were almost touching noses now, “You’ve saved my life. You saved us all. Twice.”

Sara reached up and gently removed his hand from her face. “And you’ve saved us more times than I can count.” Darren sighed. “How many times has Legerra saved us?” Sara didn’t answer. “That’s right, none. It’s all about perspective. You can look at yourself compared to others…or you can look at yourself as a person. A beautiful,” he pulled her in, “smart,” she threw her arms around his neck, “talented,” he stopped as she kissed him violently.

Darren felt the necklace orb poke sharply into his ribs, but he didn’t care. Although centuries old and eternally young, he had never really grown interested in anyone before, and so his own romantic experiences were somewhat limited. Sara probably had more talent in the area than he did…he closed his eyes and mentally laughed at himself. Relax and enjoy it, you fool. You don’t know what lies beyond this ship.

Sara’s brain buzzed as her eyes closed. She pushed hard against Darren, the feel of the rough material of his cloak enhanced by the loss of all her other senses. Nothing else matters. She backed him up against the wall, pulling herself up and hard against him with her arms still locked around his neck.

Darren pulled away and Sara’s eyes opened. “What?” He smiled slightly. “You have to come up for air sometime.” She blushed and turned away slightly to try and hide it. Darren pulled her closer again and she leaned in expectantly.

He gave her one last quick kiss and pointed out the clear front panels. “I wouldn’t have stopped you…but they can see us.” Sara walked over and Darren joined her at the window. A large circular object constructed of a silvery substance filled the view. From that point, they could see windows lining the space station, and occasionally a head would pop into view and stare at the ship. Darren glanced at the controls. “They’ve already begun the sequence, apparently.”

A voice crackled over a speaker of some kind. “Transporter! Transporter, do you read me?” Sara looked around for the microphone. “Transporter, please flip the Outgoing 3 switch to the ‘On’ position.” Sara did so and replied, “Transporter reading you.” The voice sounded relieved. “Good to hear, Transporter. We’ve got your coordinates and will handle the rest. Relax and prepare for the boarding party.”

They stood side-by-side and waited for the ship to complete the landing, Darren rubbing Sara’s neck and trailing a finger up her back, sending chills through her spine. She smacked his finger and took a step away. “Stop that! You’re making me shiver.” He grinned. “Well, then I suppose the proper thing to do would be to make you warm again…” Sara shook her head. “Oh no, you don’t. We’ve had enough for one day.” Darren’s mischievous grin grew. “You sound so disappointed when you say that.”

Sara was saved from replying when he fell against the wall and straightened up quickly, shaking his head to clear it. Sara looked at him, concerned. “You alright?” He nodded, dazed. “I…don’t know what came over-agh!” He fell to his knees, clutching his head. Sara ran to his side and knelt beside him. “Darren!” His body began to shake uncontrollably.

A rumbling shook the ship and a small red bulb lit up overhead. They were docked in the station. The door slid open with a hiss of cooled air. Three men stepped in, two armed with rifles held at attention. At the sight of Darren they stopped and aimed at him. Sara stepped in front of him. “Stop! Don’t fire!” The third man strode forward, extending his hand. “Sara Williams? I’m the lieutenant of the space station Destiny. Step away from that man, please. We’ll take you somewhere safe.”

Darren stumbled to his feet, the pain fading. “No…” The lieutenant stepped forward. “It’s not a question. You shouldn’t be here, and you shouldn’t be near her.” Sara stepped back and bumped into Darren. “I don’t think you quite understand the circumstances.” The armed men moved further out. “I don’t need to hear the circumstances. The rules are there for a reason.” Darren placed a hand on Sara’s shoulder and spoke quietly. “I will cooperate and come without a fight, on one condition. If you attempt to separate us…there will be no peace.”

The lieutenant shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I’m only following orders.” Darren’s eyes narrowed. “A classic line. Unfortunately for you three…I don’t play by the rules of others. Especially if their rules are…unbalanced.” He pointed with his free hand at the controls. Slowly, softly, a familiar tune began to float into the ship. Sara shuddered. The music from the cathedral usually heralded evil. The guards lowered their weapons as the lieutenant took a step back. “Feladána?” Darren stepped in front of Sara and faced the lieutenant. “Do not say that name again. Ever. I will be treated normally, you will put me in an average room for the night, and you will never speak of this. Any of you.”

The three men nodded and led them through the hallway, the lieutenant leaning towards Darren. “Sir, my apologies. I had no idea…” Darren glared at him. “I’m a prisoner now, lieutenant. Treat me as such, but treat her better. Do what you must.” The lieutenant swallowed hard and roughly shoved Darren against the wall. The soldiers politely took Sara’s weapons while he removed Darren’s sword and sheathe. He pulled out a strange form of handcuffs that seemed to fit much more snugly than the ones Sara had ever seen before. He slapped them on and jerked Darren back into line, wincing every time Darren stumbled.

The hallways were completely white and lined with doors, an occasional window breaking the tedium. The sign overhead pronounced the area they were traveling through to be the barracks. Other than the gray uniforms and white jumpsuits, the environment seemed much the same as any other place of education. Various male faces peered through windows at the new arrivals, most in curiosity, some in boredom, a few with unconstrained lust on their faces. Sara looked away quickly and wished she still had her weapons. They passed through the men’s quarters and went through the women’s quarters.

The women were much more open in their expressions of admiration. Yelling of all kinds came from the open windows, quieting only a little when the soldiers tried to restore order. Some didn’t bother with words and instead decided to display their assets in a suggestive manner. Sara glanced at Darren, who was staring straight ahead.

Only when they reached Sara’s new room in the middle of the women’s section and the soldiers stepped aside to let her in did Darren’s eyes focus on her. “Don’t worry about a thing. You’re taken care of.” Sara glared at him. “It’s not me I’m worried about, and you know it.” Darren grinned. “I think I can handle myself. Being a prisoner just means I get eyed with more suspicion. It’ll be fine. See you in the morning.” He leaned down and kissed her goodbye. Darren was led off and Sara was left to explore her new home.

She walked in, shut the door, and looked around. Two beds sat in opposite corners, dressers with lamps on the tops sat next to the head of each bed. A large plastic and metal object that Sara assumed to be a fridge stood between two writing desks with laptops and other various attachments for it. There was another closed door to the left of where she stood, and sounds of water running came through it. She frowned slightly. I’ve got a roommate? She sat down on the edge of the bed she assumed was hers and waited.

She didn’t wait long. The door opened and a tiny short-haired brunette walked out, drying herself off with a towel. She saw Sara and jumped slightly, relaxing when she saw Sara’s travel clothing. “Oh, jeez! Don’t scare me like that! I thought you were sent by the warden.” Sara blinked. “The warden? As in prison warden?” Her roommate laughed. “Yes, in a way. Strictly enforced rules of separate, ‘modest’ living. In other words…no sneaking to the guys’ rooms. Although…” she looked at Sara extensively. “I don’t think you’ll have to bother going over there. They’ll be following you back to the room quietly, hoping you’ll notice and take pity on them.”

Sara groaned. “So it’s no different from anywhere else.” The girl chuckled. “What a burden we attractive people bear, huh?” Sara smiled in spite of herself. It did sound stuck-up when it was put to her like that. “Good to meet someone I can relate to. Oh, I’m Sara. Sara Williams.” The blue-eyed girl smiled. “My name’s Diana Lewis. Good to meet you. You’ve already found your bed…your computer is the desk to the left of the fridge. There’ll be clothing for tomorrow in your dresser. They’ll want to take you to the commander, so don’t be nervous. He’s not that bad a guy, just very dedicated to the rules.” Sara groaned again and could swear Diana’s ears perked up. “Oh? You’re a rule-bender?”

Sara shook her head. “Not normally, no. But the guy I came with…he doesn’t work well with limitations. And he’s good enough to get around them…so I worry about him. I don’t want to be separated from him again, and he feels the same way.” Diana grinned. “Your boyfriend?” Sara thought for a second. “I…guess so…I don’t really know what else to call him.” Diana sat down on Sara’s bed and bounced slightly. “What’s his name?” Sara couldn't hold back a smile at the energy Diana had. Rooming with someone else isn’t so bad. “His name’s Darren. Darren Kinsley.”

Diana’s jaw dropped. “That’s the man? That new guy everyone’s been talking about? The one they all started yelling at?” Sara blushed. “Yeah…” Diana leaped off the bed and stared at Sara. “I can’t believe you’re still here instead of with him.” Sara shrugged helplessly. “Well, he was put in handcuffs and taken somewhere else under guard.” Diana raised an eyebrow. “What’d he do?”

“Remember? He came here with me on the Transporter. They didn’t want to let him on, but he’s…very persuasive.” Diana kept staring at Sara. “He’d have to be. They’re ordered to kill anyone who follows you onboard the Transporter. Ordered to kill upon sight.”
~
Darren was taken back through both sets of living halls, to a room at the very end. There he was let into a simple 14 by 12 foot room, with a bed, chair, small table, and a strange computer. The handcuffs were taken off, the door was shut and locked behind him, and he was free to do as he wished. He sat down at the computer desk, examining the laptop and peripherals. Interface seems similar to everything else I’ve seen…He leaned forward and cracked his knuckles. They don’t really expect me to fall for it, do they?

The next morning, Darren was handed a white jumpsuit and ordered to change. He conceded and was escorted to an elevator. A soldier stood in every corner of the elevator. One reached over and pressed the ‘2.’ Darren looked around. “Were we on the first floor?” They nodded and resumed staring directly ahead. The elevator doors opened, facing another elevator. They stepped out and waited for…the elevator directly across from them. It opened and Sara stepped out, also in a white jumpsuit and flanked by four guards.

Darren raised an eyebrow. “You got guards too? And here you are, supposed to be a guest. I would’ve expected better from such advanced people.”

“Perhaps if her arrival had been less…event-filled, she would have had an easier time.” A tall, middle-aged, slightly overweight man stood a few feet higher on a platform, observing a crew of some kind. The man was well dressed, with medals and awards hanging from every available inch of his jacket. Thick glasses adorning his nose, a high forehead, and his shaven cranium all combined to produce a rather amusing “evil genius” look. This, then, was the caretaker of the entire space station.

He walked to the top of the stairs and gazed down at the pair. “Well…I suppose names are in order. I’m Commander Steven Garcia.” Darren started to speak but was cut off. “No, not you. You’ll be sent back. I don’t even want to know your name. The lady, please.” Sara glanced at Darren, who was surprisingly calm despite what was being said to him, and replied, “Sara. Sara Williams.” Unsure how to finish, she added a slight “Sir…” at the end.

Garcia nodded in approval. “Good. You’ll go far here. I assume that the young man here followed you aboard, snuck aboard, was smuggled aboard, or did something to follow you here, most likely out of love. Am I right?” Sara nodded. “That’s what I thought. I’ve seen quite a few of these before…we usually kill the other person, and if they hide behind their lover, we have to send the other person home. Sometimes both people go home.”

Darren still didn’t move. The commander went on. “While I decide what to do, I’m going to guide you around our main facilities. He dismissed the guards. “No need for the guns where we’re going.” Garcia glanced at Darren. “He’s harmless.”

Darren’s eyes widened slightly. He’s either got something huge up his sleeve…or he’s the biggest idiot I’ve ever seen. Garcia led them past the elevator and down another curved hallway.

Playing tour guide, he gestured to various doors as they passed by them. “The elevators go from level 1 to level 5. Each is granted access according to their needs…naturally; only myself and a few crew members have access to level 5, the bridge. Level 1 is the housing and food, Level 2 is all classrooms and the ISP room. Level 3 is the main engine room and maintenance area. Level 4 is the hangar.” He stopped and turned around. “Any questions?”

Sara raised her hand. “Yes, Private Williams?” She blinked for a second but recovered quickly. “What does ISP stand for, sir?” Garcia nodded, satisfied. “A good question. It’ll have to wait until you see for yourself. Anything else?” She nodded. “How could I best serve the station?” The commander chuckled. “Eager and willing to please. You will go far. But you’ll figure that out yourself. Your training is designed to help you learn what you’re best at.”

Sara smiled. “Thank you, sir.” Garcia turned and stepped up to a door with ‘ISP’ labeled in bold. “Ah, here we are. The Immersive Subconscious Placement room. Single-handedly the most important piece of equipment on this station.” He opened the door and stepped inside, motioning for them to follow. Sara glanced at Darren, who seemed strangely subdued and quiet.

The circular room was made entirely of reflective panels, strong and clear. Darren looked around. It couldn’t have been less than two hundred feet from the center to any wall. At the moment, it was all bright blue. The commander stepped up to one of hundreds of panels lining the outer wall and pressed a few buttons. Instantly the setting changed to a sunny meadow with a cloudless sky. Two seconds later, they were in the meadow. Sara knelt down and felt the grass, pulling some up and holding it out to Darren incredulously.

Darren took a few blades of grass and used them to create a high pitched whistle. He could actually taste the dew on it. He looked around and back at Garcia, astonished. “I’ve seen some incredible things, Commander, but this definitely tops them all. I’m impressed. You’re rightfully proud of it.”

The commander nodded sadly. “Unfortunately, we have to limit some capabilities, and there’s a minimum of two people in at any time.” Sara looked at him. “Why’s that, sir?” Darren spoke, disgusted. “I can guess. Somebody thought little enough of it to use it as a porno room.” Garcia nodded again. “We got rid of them, but we know if we don’t regulate it, somebody will do the same. Sad, but necessary.” Darren nodded. “A wise move to protect a valuable asset.”

Garcia smiled widely. “Darren, I think we’re going to get along fabulously before you leave.” Darren shook his head sadly. “No, I’m afraid not, sir.” The commander raised an eyebrow. “Well why not?” Darren produced a sheet of folded paper from his jumpsuit pocket and held it out. “Well, it’s just that you’re determined to have me fail, you want somebody spying on me at all times, you already planted surveillance equipment in my room, and you’ve restricted me far more than any other private in this station’s history. All this, of course, means you plan not to send me back. Sir.”

Garcia opened the paper, scanned it briefly, and looked up. “I see you’ve done some digging into our system.” Darren resisted the urge to yawn directly in his face. “I would strongly advise upgrading your security, or at least keeping a password on your own files…sir.” The commander’s face reddened. “I’ll see to it right away.”

Sara glanced at Darren as they left the ISP room and walked towards another part of the station. {When did you have time to crack their system?} He stared straight ahead. {I didn’t. I watched, did some thinking while in my room, and used the computer there to type out a fake report. It worked, and now they’ll go absolutely paranoid, because they’ll already find passwords on there. They’ll change their passwords just in case, and when they do…I’ll be ready to get them.}

They passed a long hallway of unlabeled doors. Sara shook her head. {Devious. I didn’t know you were a hacker.} He grinned. {I had plenty of time to learn.} Garcia interrupted both their thoughts. “Darren, you realize I did those things because you came onboard a prisoner and wrongly. Because of this incident, I am forced to institute even stricter limitations on you.” Darren smiled. “Sir, I really would advise you that we’d be better off working on the same team.”

The commander stopped and turned, his eyes narrowing. “Is that a threat?” Darren kept up his polite exterior. “Not at all, sir. I’m simply pointing out how beneficial my services could be if I were left unfettered and given tasks to help the station.” Of course it’s a threat, moron. If you’re going to play the game of subterfuge, at least do it right. Have some dignity. The commander smiled like a hunter noticing his prey up close for the first time. “I’ll put in a good word for you.” Darren almost rolled his eyes. When Hell freezes over. “Thank you commander, I’d appreciate that. I’ll do my best not to disappoint you in the meantime.” Try to screw me over, Commander. I dare you.

A voice echoed over the loudspeakers. “Commander Garcia, report to the bridge immediately. I repeat…” The commander motioned to nearby guards. “Bring them along. They’ll get to see the bridge today.” They were ushered back to the elevators. Garcia turned a key, inserted his keycard, punched in a seven-digit code, and then pressed the ‘5’ button. He glanced at Darren, smiling. “We try to keep people from accidentally getting lost.” Darren smiled back and nodded. I’ll bet.

The doors slid open and they stepped onto the bridge. Seven chairs were arranged in a circle, facing outward towards individual consoles. Each member worked silently and efficiently unless speech was needed, and then it was forced and brief. Darren nodded in approval. Swift, ruthless, and utterly cold. Not a bad way to get people to work long hours.

They were met by a man dressed in gray, probably the commander’s aide. Sara noticed and stored it away. White jumpsuits were students. Gray uniforms were staff and maintenance. He was white-faced and shaking. “Sir…I regret to inform you that…our lieutenant and his personal bodyguards have committed suicide.” Garcia’s mouth fell open. “What? How? Why?”

The aide shook his head nervously. “We don’t know why, but…they hanged themselves last night and weren’t discovered until this morning.” Garcia narrowed his eyes and stared at Darren. “What? Why are you looking at me? If you think I had something to do with it, I was in my room all night. Your own guards can attest to that.”

The commander turned to Sara. “Private Williams? Do you know of anything out of the ordinary?” Sara’s memory ran back to the shuttle, the tune, the look on the lieutenant’s face...“Nothing, sir. From the time he boarded until the time we were parted, he was nothing short of a gentleman.” Garcia sighed and seemed to age thirty years. “Never has anything like this happened before. The only deaths we’ve had before are from the truly stupid.”

Darren bowed his head. “My condolences, sir. The lieutenant seemed like a worthy man.” Garcia nodded, eyes clouding over with memories. “That he was, Private Kinsley…that he was…” Realizing his mistake in naming Darren a private and knowing he couldn’t correct it, he tried to save as much face as possible. “I’ve decided to let you stay and help out. Perhaps you may rise to lieutenant yourself, if you prove trustworthy.”

Darren looked into the commander’s eyes. “I prove trustworthy only if the trust given is real, sir.” The commander concealed a smile. Well said, young man…well said…you’re not just a young upstart after all. “Then real trust will be given. You two have the rest of the day off. Meals, times, and everything else can be found on your laptops. Access the network and you should be able to figure it out.”

Darren and Sara bowed slightly and left. The elevator doors closed and they traveled down to the first level in silence. Their tour had taken a few hours, but seemed to go by fast. The clock in the elevator read 4:46. When they got to the first level, Sara gently squeezed Darren’s hand. He turned to her and smiled. “How’s sharing a room work out?” She raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?”

He grinned. “I didn’t do a total crack of the system, just enough to find out where everything and everyone was.” She shook her head. “You know what? You just have to meet her. Words cannot describe the energy she has.” Darren smiled. “Want to go there now?” Sara thought for a second. “Sure.”

Darren shook his head slightly. “Man…that ISP room would have made for some great gaming back in Silver Lake.” Sara laughed. “Gaming? How about learning history, foreign languages, or vacations?” Darren tilted his head to the side, feigning serious thought. “Well…I…suppose…you could do that…but think of the games!”

- posted by Nick @ 5/24/2004 01:14:00 AM