\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It seemed like years since Janet had visited Indy\u2019s office, so much had happened in the mean time. Once news was swapped and briefings on the current state of the war had been hashed over, the two women kicked back over a cup of caf and reminisced. After so many years and so many missions together, there were innumerable stories to call to mind, comrades to remember, and plenty of laughs to share.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But before they could get too comfortable, Indy\u2019s comm went off. As she took the message, she smiled at Janet. \u201cTwo more back into the fold,\u201d she told her.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlex and Amanda. Just cleared for landing on Wayfarer. I expect I\u2019ll be seeing them shortly.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cExcellent,\u201d Janet replied, though she had to wonder how Mark would respond to the news. They had parted on less than friendly terms. She would have stuck around to greed her old friends, had her own comm not chirped and warbled in the pocket of her jacket, the tone Asya had programmed into it not long before she was taken by the Vong. The smile it brought to her face faded as she listened to what Mark had to say. Assuring him she would be right there, she closed the connection and rose with some haste and headed for the door.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGot to run, Indy, back up to the Wayfarer \u2013 family emergency.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAsya?\u201d she inquired, worry entering her eyes.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLes. He\u2019s \u2013 well, I\u2019ll let you know when I find out,\u201d she said over her shoulder, already making tracks down the corridor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Stormcrow<\/em> shuddered as Janet guided it straight through the storm, not willing to take the time to fly around the storm cells pounding their fury over Shay Memorial. Lightning flashed all around and rain gushed over the windows as though trying to get through and blast the skin from her bones. The urgency in Mark\u2019s voice \u2013 he was very worried, and not in a very good state of mind of late. It seemed just one more thing would push him over the edge. Once again she felt herself in the place of the strong one, the pillar the family clung to when the storms of life swarmed in from all around to engulf them in drowning waves. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After a hurried goodbye, she found an old but true souped-up freighter she was able to requisition for her use, and sped off into the stars after her son.<\/p>\n “:)
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The controllers gave her no problem, providing her with immediate clearance. Probably she had Indy to thank for that. She found Mark pacing up and down the floor, while Asya sat in the comfy chair in the corner, knees drawn up to her chest, peering out from behind the hair that had fallen before her eyes.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat goes on?\u201d Janet asked as she entered. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou just missed him,\u201d a distraught Mark told her. He swept a hand through his wiry hair, more gray than black anymore. \u201cI \u2013 I\u2019ve never seen him like that, Janet. He was angry\u2026so angry. And he wouldn\u2019t talk to me \u2013 not a word!\u201d Janet reached up a calming hand to stroke his hair. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on, where he went, but find to him, Janet. Surely he\u2019ll talk to you.\u201d Eyes brimming with tears, he shook his head and gazed out at the stars. \u201cI\u2019ve got a really bad feeling about this.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gone.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They turned to the source of the small voice that had spoken those two words that sent chills up their spines. Asya stood but a few feet behind them, her hair partially concealing her face.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat did you say, honey?\u201d Janet asked.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not coming back.\u201d Her matter-of-fact voice was an emotionless monotone. Slowly her head turned to look out the window; they followed her gaze.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBy the Raven<\/em>,\u201d Mark uttered in disbelief.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Helplessly they watched the familiar configuration of the Stormcrow\u2019s<\/em> glowing engines receding quickly away to join the distant stars.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was no longer the time to stand and gape; it was time to take action, and Janet was the only one with the presence of mind to do so. She took Mark by the shoulders and forced him to look at her. In his eyes she saw a man who had been pushed to the brink and couldn\u2019t take much more.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go after him,\u201d she told him gently but resolutely. \u201cI\u2019ll bring him back, OK? You believe me?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve always believed you, Jan.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll right, then. I\u2019ll use all the power my rank provides me to get the fastest ship on the station. I\u2019ll find him. You and Asya wait here for us, we\u2019ll be back. Roger that?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRoger that,\u201d he replied, trying to smile.<\/p>\n
\nSkyy<\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>