The Solar Wind (24 page)

Chapter 15: Afflicted

             
As promised Wesley delivered Ava back to her quarters on Orionis safe, and well rested by five o’clock Sunday evening. Ava knew they would be leaving again in a few hours.

“The coming and going, it never ends does it?” Ava asked Wesley gently as she wrapped her arms around him.

“It’s a tough business Ava. I don’t like leaving you behind week after week, but that’s the way it is right now.”

“I know, I’m not complaining. I just worry about you that’s all. I’m concerned that you aren’t getting enough rest.”

“I’m fine Ava, trust me. Ash and I take turns piloting the ship. Andre could even fly the Andromeda if I needed him to. There’s nothing to worry about. It’s been peaceful out there lately. Don’t lose any sleep over me, you need your rest too.”

“Every week it seems harder and harder to say good bye to you.”

“I feel the same.” Wesley ran his hand slowly over her face and through her hair. “Ava, there will come a time when we can be together every day. I’m working on a solution, but it’s taking longer than I expected.”

“What solution?” Ava looked at him with surprised eyes.

“I will tell you when I have more information.” He smiled encouragingly at her. “But for now, just know that I love you and that I am always thinking of you.”

Ava told Wesley she loved him and then he was gone and she was alone again. She shook off the feelings of loneliness by busying herself with preparing to go back to work tomorrow. She messaged Elaine, letting her know she made it back okay and invited her to meet up for dinner on Tuesday. Ava still felt bad about cancelling on going to the concert with her friend.

             
Elaine arrived early at the café Tuesday night, sitting for a few minutes watching the crowds of people rush by after work. Ava met her friend at the entrance, happy to have company for the evening.

             
“I got us a table on outside of the restaurant on the patio, is that okay?” Elaine announced.

             
“That’s great. How are you?”

             
“Doing well as always. And you? How was your trip?”

             
“It was great to see my friend again. She’s due in a few weeks.”

             
“That’s exciting. I’ve been to Antares only once, with my ex. Having a significant other who works on a starship has its advantages.”

             
“Yes it does. I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you to see Geodesic. How were they?”

             
“You missed a great concert. I’ve never seen the Labyrinth so packed, despite the steep admission fee.” Elaine proceeded with the full report. “The lead singer and band members were dressed all in black, but otherwise looked pretty normal.”

“Did they have tons of makeup on and piercings everywhere?” Ava joked.

             
“Actually no, thank God. I hate it when musicians wear jewelry, eye makeup and face paint. It’s like you can’t see who they really are, like they are hiding from the universe or something.”

             
“I suppose some musicians aren’t really comfortable in their own skin,” Ava added.

 
             
“Anyway, they weren’t much for a light show, however the music sounded great. The lead singer was very tall and very handsome. I’d say he looked like he was in his late twenties.  I wasn’t sitting very close but I could see that he had dark hair and blue eyes. He had the most amazing voice, it was very smooth and soothing. I don’t think my date seemed impressed, but I think most of the women in the audience were. They performed for a nice amount of time, a little over an hour and a half. I always feel ripped off when you pay all of that money and only get an hour’s worth of a show, so it was a nice change.”

             
“I’m glad you had a good time, I’m sorry I missed it. Do you know if the band is coming back anytime soon?”

             
“I don’t think so. According to their site, their next concert is on Polaris.”

             
“That’s too bad. Maybe I’ll catch them the next time they come to Orionis.”

             
“I’d definitely go,” Elaine smiled coyly at Ava.

             
“How are getting on with Kurt?” Ava asked, inquiring about Elaine’s new boyfriend.

             
“Pretty good. We’re keeping it slow. Seems like we’ve both had a bad split from our exes so it’s working out well. He seems honest and solid.”

             
“Glad to hear that,” Ava sipped her glass of iced tea, her treat for the week.

             
Ava and her friend continued to catch up, Elaine giving Ava the details of her promising new date. Then, after what seemed like only a short while, it was time to go home and get ready to start all over again.

             
By Tuesday evening Wesley and his crew were back on Kyanos, receiving an update on the progress of the re-building from Vance. The small planet was now entering the end of the summer season.

             
“Welcome back Captain.”

             
“It’s good to be back Vance. I trust everything is almost back to normal?”

             
“Yes it is. I am happy to report that we have had no sightings or blips of any kind from a certain starship and it’s infamous Captain,” he replied, referring to Kaden.

             
“I’m relieved to hear that, however we cannot be too careful. He’ll be back sooner or later and we need to be ready.”

             
“The Principia is coming along nicely, were you able to obtain the parts we need?”

             
“We have them in the cargo hold. Rowan also has some plant life to transplant. Were you able to salvage the fields?”

             
“We removed all of the debris from the last attack and plowed them again. We can re-plant them in the spring.”

             
“Sounds like you are doing a great job keeping up with things. How is Rochelle?”

             
“She and the baby are doing well. She’ll be due in two more months. We are very excited,” he smiled appreciatively at the thought of becoming a parent soon.

             
“That is good to hear.”

             
“Captain?” Vance looked inquisitively at Wesley.

             
“What is it Vance.”

             
“Is it true that you are thinking of taking up a permanent residence here soon?”

             
“That is the plan, once Kaden is out of the picture.”

             
“Is it also true that you have found someone special to share your life with?” Vance hated to ask Wesley personal questions for the risk of offending him. He had known the captain all of his life and had witnessed how solitary his existence seemed.

             
“Yes, that is true. After all of this time I have found someone,” he said softly, looking out into the distance.

             
“Well, that is wonderful . . .” Vance began but Wesley cut him off.

             
“She is human.” Wesley looked back at Vance, a serious expression on his face.

             
“Human?” A look of surprise overtook his face.

             
“Yes. Her name is Ava.”

             
“How is that possible? Aren’t you supposed to be matched up with . . .”

Wesley cut him off again. “I don’t know how it’s possible Vance, but it is done.” Wesley replied, losing patience with the conversation. He wasn’t used to explaining this to anyone. His crewmembers, his family in actuality, never questioned it.  They simply accepted the situation for what it was and supported it.

Vance could see this was a sensitive issue for Wesley and decided not to press it. “Well, we will look forward to welcoming her when she arrives, whenever that may be.”

“Thank you Vance, I will appreciate that,” he said quietly. “Andre and I are going to take a look at the Principia and then I’m going to call it a night.”

“Yes Captain. I’m sure you both will be pleased to see the progress our engineers have made.”

Wesley turned back towards the ship where Andre met him. The two men hopped into a nearby courier and then shot out of the Andromeda’s hangar heading towards the hangar that housed the incomplete starship. Vance watched his two friends leave, pondering Wesley’s situation. He had never known Wesley to take an interest other than friendship with any human before, he realized this must have been a shock to Wesley. He wondered how this ‘Ava’ felt about the match. In the few days that followed the captain and crew inspected the Principia. The mood in the hangar reflected the excitement of the engineers that the starship neared completion. The new vessel was modeled after the Andromeda, however it would be smaller and faster, with the latest technology. Wesley and the crew were very proud of their colony and how far they had come from only a few residents in the beginning.

Wesley’s mood improved as he began to feel more positive about the future he might have with Ava. He knew she would love the warm outside air and to see a real sunrise and sunset. She could walk around outside in the lush green grass in her bare feet without needing shoes or heavy clothing for the first time. Ava was too young to recall the Earth, they way it had been, but Wesley remembered. Kyanos was not Earth, but he felt certain that she would feel at home here. Wesley shifted out of these happy thoughts back to the task at hand. The new starship still needed some additional parts before it could be completed. He and the crew would head out the next day to acquire them, stopping at Orionis on the way back to check on Ava once more.

The Andromeda left the atmosphere of Kyanos headed swiftly back towards the known galaxy that contained the space station Ava lived on. The captain and crew were unaware that they were being followed. An invisible black starship latched on to their trajectory and trailed behind them. Kaden had witnessed the numerous comings and goings of the Andromeda and wondered where the captain needed to be that was so much more important than the colony of humans and the planet he desperately wanted to protect. This could be the key to his misery and his undoing, Kaden thought to himself. Kaden’s six foot three-inch muscular frame made him appear more powerful than Wesley, however he knew if it came down to hand to hand combat, Kaden had to admit that Wesley would be the more powerful one. This he knew because Wesley was older and only ever had one human body. Kaden, so different than Wesley, cared nothing for humans. He loved to toy with his victims, make them wonder why he does things. It could drive you mad. This lack of respect for human life gave way to an un-measurable cruelty. All that concerned him was the sanctity of his own life, his starship, and his four crew members. Nothing else mattered.

The Andromeda eased off of the absolute velocity as it neared Orionis, preparing to accept clearance and enter the hangar, as usual. The Draconis did the same, only it did not follow The Andromeda into the station. It hovered nearby, maintaining its invisibility. Kaden’s first mate, Darius, hacked into the network and pulled up Orionis’ docking log.

“This is where he’s been spending all of his time. He’s been here numerous times, almost every weekend,” Darius reported to Kaden.

“That’s odd. Who in their right mind would deliberately come to Orionis of all places?” Kaden wondered aloud to himself. “Whatever it is, it must be pretty damn important for him to go through all of that security each time.”

“What now?” Darius asked impatiently.

Kaden narrowed his small steely gray eyes and studied the massive station. He ran his hand over the top of his sharply crew cut platinum blonde hair. “When is he scheduled to depart?”

Darius punched a few more buttons. “In approximately forty eight hours.”

“I’ll bet they are going to head back to Kyanos.”

“Should we wait here and blast him when they come out?” Darius asked with a hopeful smile. “We could take them down pretty easily, they wouldn’t expect it.”

“No, I’ve got something better in mind. Turn the ship around. Let’s go to Sceptrum. We’re going to need some supplies.” He grinned maliciously at Darius. This is going to be fun, he thought to himself.

It is Friday night, Ava’s favorite night of the week. She rushed home from work, eager to freshen up and see Wesley and her friends again. At six thirty without fail Wesley pressed her doorbell and Ava ran to him. They held each other closely for a few moments before heading out the door for dinner. It seemed that Wesley could not stop smiling at her.

“How was your mission this week? You seem very relaxed,” Ava inquired once they sat down.

“It went very well. No problems. I’m just so happy to see you again.”

“Me too.”

“How was your week? Have you seen any more cases of that new virus?”