Ray’s mind was filled with the clarity that only sudden impending doom could grant.

They had gotten back to the yard in record time. Flynn’s little hover-skiff could move when he wanted it to. The rain soaked gray dirt had turned to a soupy mess. Odd that it was raining here and in town at the same time, but not a big surprise really, not when this whole moon was suddenly turning very strange, she supposed.

“Ok, so if you’re gonna lift her with just one thruster, you gotta get her really moving fast, like 90% rear and 10% for lift, maybe even less in this atmosphere. She’s got a little natural lift to her anyway, but she’s gotta be flat out.”

Ray was terrified, she wasn’t ready for this yet, not like this. But what could she do? Had to look at your options and pick the best one and she wasn’t about to lose her ship.

“I don’t know if I can do this Flynn, so you said 10% and maybe less what? Less lift or less thrust?” she said nervously.

“Oh I don’t really know sweetie, you’ll just have to figure out the balance on your own. Don’t worry about it, I’ve lifted her dozens of times on one engine, or on two badly running engines, whatever the case was. She’ll be a little timid but she’ll go, always has. Plus maybe the anti-gravs will help.”

Ray hit the ground running and sprinted to where her ship was parked. Flynn and her had run through a quick checklist on the ride over but this mud wasn’t going to make it any easier. She was going to have to hustle!

She had the two large and the two medium anti grav units mounted up to the hull in record time, she left them plugged in and charging. The cooling system flush was a breeze, especially without running the recyclers. Flynn had told her where to take some fresh drums of coolant from. He was rarely so generous. Then she had booted the main computer and had the ship run another full systems diagnostic on itself.

She gathered her few personal possessions and all of her best tools (not to mention a few of Flynn’s that she had borrowed) and stowed them in the tiny crew lockers. As an afterthought she loaded the plasma cutter rig. “That’ll come in handy in orbit when I pull this old warp core out.” She told herself. The diagnostic finished and displayed mostly green lights, with a couple amber, and that one big glaring red one that was Atmospheric thruster no. 2.

That was all she had on her list, she ticked the items off again in her head to see if she missed anything. “Nope, that’s it.” she said and went to go find Flynn. Flynn was working on his “plan B”, whatever that was, under the main storage shed at the center of the wrecking yard. Evidently the old kook had more than one ship hidden around here. She didn’t know what could possibly be stashed under that thing, certainly nothing as big as The Widower’s Way. Perhaps a troop transport of some sort? That could accommodate a lot of people but certainly no where close to half the town’s population. Or perhaps he was banking on not many people showing up.

That didn’t seem too likely either. Ray had been through a few panic evacuations and nobody, nobody, ever wanted to stay on a truly sinking ship. She had seen people do just about anything to get on one of the last remaining life rafts. She was more worried about what was going to happen when they ran out of room.

She walked into the big structure. It was more like a conglomeration of dozens of smaller buildings and awnings that had all been patch-worked together. She had repaired several other outbuildings on the property but Flynn had always been very particular about this one. He never wanted her around it by herself even when she had offered to patch some of the sizable leaks. “It’s fine, it’s fine. More important stuff to do.” he would always say. At the time she had just chalked it up to his typical strangeness but now it made perfect sense. He had been hiding something out here.

She went to the spot he had told her about and sure enough there was an intercom on the wall. She walked up to it and pushed the send button.

“Hey Flynn, you copy? Flynn, Flynn, you there? Over.”

A few seconds later the reply came back. “Ray, yes I’m here. Got the ship all prepped?”

“Yea, she’s as ready as she’ll ever be.”

“Ok, good. You know that room I told you to keep out of before? Go in there and you’ll see the lift. Take it all the way to the bottom, I’m already down here. Over.”

“Allright, on my way!”

She went into the small room labeled “warning explosive” on the door. The latch was already unlocked. She walked inside and saw nothing but what appeared to be a mining lift gate. She pushed the metal sliding mesh out of the way and walked onto the small platform. There were three buttons, she pushed the bottom one and the mesh curtain closed and the floor dropped out from under her.

She fought the unexpectedly large amount of negative G and regained her footing. A few seconds of pitch blackness and then the elevator dropped into a huge opening. Right below her and coming up fast was the nose of some sort of Vaarulian deep space craft looking like it was jumping up at her to take a bite. If her Mandelorian was ancient then this thing was prerelativistic.*

She wooshed past the nose and continued downward. The elevator shaft shuddered and shook but made no sign of slowing down. She flew down the length of the ship. Was that a habitat section? The water reclamation section was huge, she lost count at 22 ports. A horizontal shaft that connected to the ship was coming up. She flew by it. “Ok, If that was stop 1 then that’s probably the half way point.” She told herself.

As she descended she took note of the surface of the massive cigar shaped vessel, it had some good wear marks and the remains of many different paint jobs, all in all however it looked very clean, someone had gone over it carefully, tinch by tinch.

The engines section of the ship was the most impressive part by far taking up at least the bottom third. This ship was from the development phase of this galaxy’s interstellar travel progression. They had been able to get right up against the speed of light barrier if not cross it, fast enough to make interstellar travel feasible if not still painfully slow. The way they had accomplished this feat was through sheer raw power. Really big engines! Ray had never seen anything of similar magnitude.

Finally just when she was beginning to worry if the brakes had possibly gone out, the elevator began to slow down. It set her down very gently on what appeared to be a false floor. The top of the three colossal nozzle shields poked up through huge holes cut into the floor.

Flynn was waiting for her up a flight of stairs at the aft-most access airlock of the ginormous ship. He had a bottle in his hand and looked like he had already put a good dent in it.

“There you are, took you long enough. Quit dilly dallying and get in here.”

“Drinking at a time like this, Flynn?” Flynn just shot her an inquisitive glance.

“What better time TO drink!? Oh, don’t worry this is just a little somethin’ to get my ol’ bones movin’ again, and who are you to judge, I’ve seen the berr cans in that little rattletrap you kids ride around in.” He had her there. “Here try a real drink,” he handed her the bottle.

She reluctantly took a quick pull on the bottle and resisted the urge to spit it out. She may have found what old James had done with those first batches of fuel he had made for her. As she breathed out the noxious fumes burned her nostrils.

“Uhhg Flynn! That stuff is horrible.”

“Yes it is, but it’ll put a hitch in your kaboodle, that’s for sure!”

He suddenly got very serious like he did whenever he was about to bark some orders. “I need you to go up to section 12 and work the power flux controls while I dial in the fuel mixture levels, ok? Now when you get to 12 go two rooms portwise then one forward, should be a maintenance panel there on the right, it’s already open. I’ll tell you what to do over the comm.”

Ray shot up one the center corridor side ladders. The ship was set in at a bit of an angle but not much and a little off center which made hanging on the ladder a bit awkward. She arrived at the panel out of breath and full of adrenalin.

“Ok, I’m here.” She set the comm to ‘open’.

“Alright start bringin ‘em down while I dial it in alright? Over.”

“Ok, I’m on it.” She started working the controls. “Is this a farking colony ship Flynn?”

“It’s a Vaarulian Mosheer Ergolux 7, last and nicest of it’s class. Luxury cruisers these were, for the ultra rich. What do you do when you’re finally ready to move out to the new 400 square mile plot you’ve been having built to your exacting specifications on Regargulas Five? ‘Do it in style in an Ergolux 7 series, with interiors so plush they’ll make you blush.’ Or something like that, those silly old ads they ran back then.”

Ray did some quick estimates in her mind. “Wait how could you even know that, wouldn’t that make you like a couple thousand years old?”

“Well, I’ll tell ya little lady, but only because we now find ourselves in a life threatening situation and those always wake you up and bring your entire life back to you in a rush.” Was that a sob she heard on the other end of the comm?

“Flynn,” she was going to ask if he was ok but he cut her off.

“It makes me exactly two thousand four hundred an’ forty two years old, as of just this past season. By Galactic Federation standard that is. Relativistically speaking I’m closer to 75 but I bet you wouldn’t have guessed me a day over 60 eh?”

“Of course Flynn, I would’ve guessed you at 55. So were you on this ship, you know back when it was in use?”

“No, nope, no I sure wasn’t. I wanted to be though. You see, my sweetie was on her. The most beautiful girl I ever seen in my entire life. Georgiannora Lorra-Lynewin-Sue. Her daddy was wealthy and was sending her out to the stars to get her away from yours truly.” Flynn paused and Ray heard a sloshing sound. “Cut that number three valve down another tenth please.”

Ray made the adjustment, while processing what he had told her.

“Wait, really? So your girlfriend was on this ship and you weren’t? Where was it headed?”

“She was flying to Sinelwavonia Prime not too far out from here, just a few jumps in fact. But there weren’t such things as jumps back then. Just long hard acceleration, years and years of it.” Flynn trailed off.

“So what happened? What did you do when she left?”

“Head up to the midship dock and check that everything is stowed or locked down will ya? I’ll tell you from there”

She made the climb in record time. “Alright, I’m working on it, so what happened?”

“Nothing, nothing happened right away. Life went on. I tried to get over her, but I really couldn’t and I had quite a dark time for a while. But then I was watching vid- as we called it back then, and I saw this program about how the newer space engines were gettin’ faster and faster to the point where people leaving now were arriving before the ones that left earlier.”

“Oh so you took an FTL ship and got there ahead of her?” Ray guessed.

“No, still no FTL in those days. Just the same old tech, bigger and better and more and more powerful versions of it, but they just couldn’t seem to crack that lightspeed barrier, for a while. Didn’t realize they were going about it all the wrong way.”

“Ah I see, so what did you do? Tell me.”

“Well I worked my arse right off, every day I could, any job, anytime, anywhere. And I saved. I really don’t need much to get by so I lived on the cheap and put every green thickle I made in the bank.”

“And so you bought yourself a ticket on the first ship that would get there sooner! Oh Flynn, that’s soo romantic.”

“Now wait a parsec! Again, little lady that’s not at all what happened. Yea, I was trying to save up for one of them tickets, but just when I could finally afford one, the entire economy dropped out of the planetary system I was in and my years of savings was turned into about a lifetime’s supply of toilet paper. Seriously, we was burning it to keep warm there for a little while.” Flynn paused waiting for the interruption but when it didn’t come he continued.

“You see the ones in charge of that system had already gotten in control of all the wealth and they had run out of people to impress and wealth to collect so they just crashed the markets, pulled out, sent everybody spinning, then they just came back later and bought it all back on the cheap an’ started over. Lousy bastards!”

“Whoa so what did you do? What ever happened to the girl? By the way, I’m all done here, hold is secure, where to next boss?”

“Head to the observation lounge up in the habitat area, I think it’s like level 24, need to make sure all the shutters are fully closed and locked. An’if you sees anything loose along the way, stow it.”

“Gotcha! On my way.”

Some time later and more than a little out of breath Ray came back on the comm. “So did you ever reach your star crossed lover? Tell me Flynn!”

“Oh, oh yeah, well sorta. Ok, so I got sick of the whole socio-political system and hyjacked a freighter that was headin’ to Frugalania, which was in the opposite direction spinwise. I sold the cargo on the black market there and ransomed the crew back to the company one at a time over a 3 year period, those cheap bastards.”

“Wait what? Flynn!? You ransomed people! Shame on you!”

“No, no, it wasn’t like that at all, you see it’s a long trek out to Frugalania from, from, well wherever I was heading from, corewise. Never could keep track o’ all these silly names out here. Anyways, so I got to know that crew really well on the trip, we was playin cards and drinkin and havin a good ol’ time when we started schemin’ about the best way to spin the whole thing so as everybody came out of it the best.”

Ray again, was speechless.

“So after we sold the cargo and the ship on the black market we bought this little Vipitchian yacht, real sleek little craft, not real fast or anything but real cheap to run and real, um, sexy.”

“Wait, what did you just say, did you say sexy? Over.

“Yea, well you know those companies were using all female crews in those days. Women are smaller so they use up less air and are thusly cheaper to ‘operate’ in space. It was a cost saving maneuver and probably the only one I didn’t mind one bit, always made my job real easy. Anyways, we had a good time, Pinta, Seenta, and Santa Marina and I. We found this little barely settled moon, deep forest, rainy nights moored in the treetops. Three of the best years of my life spent with those women. We all parted ways on good terms, in fact I still see ol’ SantyMarie every now and then, the old star-wench.”

“Eww, Flynn, Gross! So wait. Did you ever get back to your girlfriend?”

“Who? Oh Georgiannora Lorra-Lynewin-Sue. Yes, well eventually. It was almost ten years later after starting out on one of the longest non-stop piracy runs in the known verse. I was wanted in fourty seven systems, probably still am in a few.” He released a semi-long burst of his maniacal laughter.

“What!? Flynn! You were a pirate!? It all makes sense now, it all makes sense.” Ray had forgotten she was talking on an open comm and quickly stopped.

“Oh I wasn’t really a bad guy, I just sorta didn’t have much respect for authority, still don’t in fact.” He hit her with a short burst this time.

“So what happened? Did you get away with it all?”

“Oh no, no you never really ‘get away’ with anything in life you know. Every run has it’s violent end and mine had it’s, thats for sure and if I could go back and do it again, well lets just say I would do things a bit differently.” He seemed to drift off somewhere again. “But that’s all vapor off the comet now. I don’t really have any real regrets or anything.”

“Wow, so how did you get caught? If you don’t mind telling me that is.”

“No I don’t mind sayin’ at all, I’m proud of it, took the greatest lawman in the sector and ever born in my opinion to bring me to justice. None other than Phillip Chauncey McRakin, at that time it was Sheriff McRakin and his was a feared name indeed.”

“What?! Mayor McRakin brought you in? There’s got to be more to that story.”

“Oh there is my dear and maybe one day I’ll share some of it with ya but we’re just about done here and need to get back up topside. People are probably gonna start showing up any minute now and we’re gonna have to get ‘em stowed fast. Ya know, I learned something important out there along the way and that’s if you just make the desire to help people known, the universe will find ways for you to do it.”

“Huh? Ok ok ok, OK! So you have to tell me what happened to the girl Georgiano-whats-her-name. Did you guys get together!? Tell me NOW!”

“Oh yea Georgiannora Lorra-Lynewin-Sue! Yes yes, I was there waitin’ when she debarked flowers in hand.”

“Awwww so you guys did finally get together, see that is soo sweet Flynn.”

“Girl, you have really got to let me finish talking before jumping ahead like that. No! We most definitely did not get together.”

“Oh my! I’m so sorry. Would you please just tell me what happened then.”

“Well, you know what all that time at heavy gravity does to a girls figure? Especially a wealthy girl, trapped on a huge ship full of rich young people and good looking crewers plus all the best most exotic luxuries and foods from all over the galaxies and not really much to do all day but sit around and eat, and tan, and watch vids, and tan, and eat some more, and tan, and fark around with just about every single person on the farkking thing! Every day… for like 10 years… relative time. When she walked off that ship she was the most worn out, haggard, leathery, droopy looking piece of space trash I have ever seen. She already had 6 kids, one from each crew member I guess or something to that effect, I don’t even think they knew. She looked me dead in the eyes and didn’t even recognize me. I could tell it was her by her eyes, always had such pretty eyes, but after that she just looked tired. Oh and she had been such a beauty…”

“Oh wow, I’m sorry Flynn, I hadn’t thought about any of that.”

“Yea I know, thats the problem with all you girls. Always getting carried away with all your feelings and not listening to logic. ‘Course it’s also your gift too. So anyway, yea I never did get with ol’ Georgiannora Lorra-lynewyn-sue, but I did end up married to her great grand daughter Gerrygeorgio-Ginger Macnamaren-May for a good while and that little gal was a hoot, let me tell you!.. But that is definitely a story for another day.”

“Well ok, so what about the ship? How did you get the ship?”

“Oh this old bag of bolts, I bought her dirt cheap at auction centuries later. Lived in and worked out of it for almost 10 years while fixin her up, course didn’t need much. These babies didn’t have anything as complex as a stardrive or even transimpedal fluidic compensators. She’s just pure ol’ fashioned hot rod and I been itchin to fire her up again for a long time.”

Just then an alarm sounded and Jimmy’s voice came over the intercom.

“Flynn, Ray, anybody home? We’re here and there’s more coming right behind us. Anyone copy, over.”

They met him at the top of the elevator shaft. He and his mother had an entire skiff loaded with foodstuffs.

“Everything that didn’t have an expiration date.” She had said.

Flynn had Jimmy and Ray start to stow the welcome supplies. Shortly after Dreagar came pulling up in a hurry.

“Guys! Glad to see you’re still alright out here.” He said in a panicked huff.

“What’s up Dreagar? Are you ok?”

“Yea, so I got out to my uncles place and it’s just not there anymore. Been replaced with another of those strange fields. There was one of those large monkey things hanging around the area but it wouldn’t respond to any calls. I think it was my uncle.”

“Oh Drea, I’m sorry.”

“Ah don’t worry about it, I always said he was an animal, now he really is. We just need to get out of here.” Dreagar said. “Whatever is happening seems to be increasing.”

After that more people started trickling in. Flynn was quick to assign responsibilities. Once the loading operation was working smoothly he called his three employees together.

“Ok, Ray, Dreagar and Jimmy. We’ve got this all in order now, but I’ve got a special mission for you guys. Need you to go make a pickup for me. It’s very important and you need to go fast.”

Ray and the others stood attentive as Flynn described his hiding place in the closest mountain range. “Here take this.” He handed Ray a leather belt containing a holstered energy pistol.

“You’re going to need something to burn open the locks, this should do it on the medium setting. It’s fully charged just point and shoot.”

He put his arm around Ray and pulled her aside. “Now Ray, I’m giving this to you because I think you’re the most responsible. Be careful with it. Never point it at anything you don’t intend to destroy and always know what’s behind your target. This thing will blast right through low density materials. Also it’s a good idea to keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. Got it?”

It was some sort of Vogonian model, Ray had seen them in action before. It was a bit large for her but she knew that generally made a weapon easier to shoot, you had to really hang on them.

“Yes sir, I copy.” Ray said and strapped the gunbelt around her waist. Even on it’s tightest setting the belt hung low on her hips. It would have to do.

“Ok good. I’m launching by 10:00 am at the latest, but if anything strange or stranger happens I may have to pull out sooner. Don’t wait around for me. Once you get those containers loaded and stowed go to orbit. We’ll meet up at the space dock later on. Don’t let anyone else know about them, it’s very sensitive stuff. And whatever you do, don’t open them.”

“Ok, get the crates then straight to orbit, wait for you there. Don’t let anyone near them. Got it.”

“And Ray, there’s one other thing I should tell you,” he pulled her further aside and looked her in the eyes. “There is something special about your ship there.”

“So she is mine now?”

“Ray, she was yours the first day you saw her. Now, I don’t know if she’s either indestructible or just very lucky, whatever the case, she’s never let me down. You stick by her and she’ll do the same, mark my words.”

“I’ll take good care of her, Flynn.”

“Oh I know you will, now get out of here. Oh and Ray,” she turned to look at him. “Be careful.”

“You too Flynn. See you in orbit!”

They strapped in and even though it killed her to not take the first flight herself, Ray let Dreagar have the pilots seat. He had the most training afterall, even if it was mostly simulated. They put Flynn’s coordinates into the computer, fired up the anti-gravs and the single working atmotphereic thruster and the ship moved out, floating a few feet above the rough landscape. The light of dawn was just beginning to show on the horizon.
*Prerelativistic – characteristic of the earliest starships, from the time period before the invention of the FTL (Faster Than Light) Drive.