Brown Ryk - Ep.#2 - Rescue (The Frontiers Saga - Part 2: Rogue Castes)

CHAPTER ONE

Captain Tuplo stared at Josh as if he had lost his mind, but the young man looked serious, and in all the years Connor had known Josh, the talkative pilot had never been able to keep a straight face for long. The captain studied the faces of the four visitors in Ghatazhak-style combat armor. All of them looked stoic as well, but from what he had heard about the Ghatazhak, he expected as much.

Finally, he looked at Marcus. You want to tell me whats going on here, Taggart?

Youre not Connor Tuplo, Marcus said. Youre Nathan Scott.

Nathan Scott, Captain Nathan Scott, captain of the Aurora. The guy from Earth.

Thats right.

And youve known this for how long?

Well, as long as weve known you, I suppose.

Connor looked at Josh. By we , I assume he means you as well?

Yes, sir, Josh replied.

Are you kidding me? Neli exclaimed in disbelief.

Oh, I dont believe this! Dalen said with excitement. Im flyin with Na-Tan!

Theres no way that Connor Tuplo is Na-Tan, Neli insisted.

I agree, Connor added.

Marcus and Josh were assigned to look after you, Nathan, Jessica explained, taking another step toward him.

Dont call me that, Connor snapped. Im not Nathan Scott. I told you, Im Connor Tuplo, owner and captain of the Seiiki.

You see? Neli said.

Youre Nathan Scott, Jessica said, and the ship you think you own is actually named the Mirai , and technically it is owned by Deliza TaAkar.

Then how did I end up with it? Connor wondered.

Its a long, complicated story, Nathan.

I told you

Im sorry, Jessica apologized. Ill call you Connor for now, if it will make you feel better.

It will make me feel better if someone will tell me the truth, Connor told her impatiently.

Were tryin to, Capn, Josh insisted. You are Nathan Scott. Well, technically, youre a copy of yourself.

What?

Josh! Jessica chided. Maybe you should let me do the talking?

Sorry.

Oh, this is great! Dalen exclaimed.

A copy? Connor said doubtfully. Of myself? Like a clone, or something?

Yes.

Connor didnt know what to think at this point. Lets just assume for a moment that I believe youwhich I dont. How is it that I dont know who I really am? Does it have something to do with the crash?

The crash is just a story they planted in your head, Jessica replied. Look, Ill explain everything to you, I promise. But not here. This place is within the Jungs single-jump range. We need to get someplace further away, someplace safe.

Thats what Ive been saying, Neli agreed.

Shut up, Neli, Marcus scolded.

Id love to go with you, lady, Connor said, but Ive barely got enough propellant left for one cycle, so, unless youre offering to pay me, or at least fill up my tanks, Im afraid were staying put.

Come with us, and we will give you all the propellant you can carry, General Telles promised.

What do we have to do for it? Connor asked suspiciously.

Just come with us to Burgess, and hear us out, thats all we ask, Jessica assured him.

Burgess? Connor said in surprise. In the Sherma system?

Thats the place.

Connor looked at Jessica and the general for a moment, then at Josh and Marcus.

Itll get us off this rock, and what, like a hundred light years away from the Jung? Marcus pointed out.

One hundred eleven, point eight six, to be exact, General Telles corrected.

That would take us completely out of the Pentaurus sector, Neli realized. That would be a damn good start.

No strings attached? Connor asked.

None, Jessica promised him.

And after I hear you out, if I still dont believe you?

Youre free to leave.

To go anywhere we want, Connor added, just to make sure.

Anywhere you want, Jessica confirmed. Well even give you a list of systems where you could pick up some runs to keep you going.

What makes you think we cant get some here? Connor wondered.

The fact that youre almost out of propellant and out here in the middle of nowhere means you probably dont have the funds to pay Havens meager port fees, General Telles said. He looked at the damaged cargo ramp. And your ship appears to be in need of repair. Since the Jung have locked down the Pentaurus cluster, and will most likely do the same to the entire sector before long, your options appear somewhat limited.

Something will turn up, Connor said.

Something has, Jessica told him. Us. She stepped even closer to Connor, standing less than a meter away. Look at me, she said, gazing into his eyes. Tell me you dont remember me.

Connor stared into her eyes, hoping hed be able to recognize her. Im sorry, he whispered sadly.

Jessicas spirits fell. Thats okay, she said quietly. She looked up at him again. Because I do remember you. Come with us, let us tell you what happened to you. What really happened to you. What have you got to lose?

Connor continued looking at her, captivated by the genuine sincerity in her eyes.

You can always return to this place afterward, if you so choose, General Telles added. We can even help you repair your ship.

Connor thought for a moment, weighing his options, then quickly realizing that he had very few. Very well, he sighed. Ill hear you out. But after you fill up our propellant tanks.

You have my word, General Telles replied. Shall we depart?

Everyone, back inside, Connor ordered as he turned around and started up the ramp. Were going to Burgess.

Were not coming back here, right? Neli asked, as she followed Marcus up the ramp.

* * *

The Seiikis cockpit windows filled with dust as she slowly lifted off the ground, leaving the dusty old molo farm behind.

Jump us to orbit, Captain Tuplo instructed Josh, in a very matter-of-fact tone. I dont want to waste the propellant on a standard climb out.

Even Haven has jump rules

Just do it, the captain stated, cutting him off.

If youre worried about Jess going back on her word

Captain Tuplo gave Josh a disapproving sidelong glance. Do I have to take the controls, Josh?

No, sir, Josh replied as he punched in the jump parameters and started the ship forward. Jumping to orbit.

The cockpit windows turned opaque. When they cleared two seconds later, they were filled with the blackness and stars of space to their right, and the gas giant that Haven orbited to their left.

Use just enough propellant to get Tikkas gravity to pull us away from Haven, then jump us to outside the system so we dont have to burn as long to change course for Sherma, the captain ordered.

I know how to do a minimum-propellant departure, Capn, Josh replied defensively. Besides, theyll give us the propellant, Im tellin ya

Forgive me if I dont take your word for it, Josh, the captain snapped.

Josh altered the Seiikis course just enough to steer it toward the looming gas giant. Are you mad at me, Capn?

Im mad at somebody, thats for sure. I just havent figured out who yet.