The Beginning Chapter [1]. Chapter [2]
[16]
“I wish I could take you there, where I grew up,” Derek said whilst inhaling the scent of Sophie’s hair. It smelled like flowers. Derek was lucky to spend his childhood in the blooming gardens of South Orpheus before the Government took it over and made it a restricted area. Only military personnel were allowed to enter the Gardens of Orpheus.
“Annouk would like it; playing with flowers, running barefoot on the grass, coming home each night covered in mud,” Derek spoke quietly, not to wake baby Annouk sleeping in the cradle next to their bed.
Sophie gave a quiet laugh, and kissed Derek’s nude chest. His stomach growled; these last months stranded on the Gravedigger ship among the red mists Captain Derek had been enjoying more love than food.
Murblard Ake was recovering quickly, but he was still too weak to lead the expedition to the Rebel settlements for help. They ventured out on their own but returned empty handed and exhausted every time. Their signal got blocked by the red mists, both a curse and a blessing. The Ghouls couldn’t find them the same as the Rebels.
***
Derek was getting ready to head to the bridge when Jimmy’s voice bellowed into his ear.
“The winds are picking up, Cap! The mists retreating means, we’re starting to receive signals, and…”
“We might get to the Rebels. I’m coming,” Derek said.
“Please, let me speak to the Rebels! They have a special code of communication. Jerry, I mean Jerome, Annouk’s father taught me the code, when he said he’ll take me with him, but… They won’t trust you otherwise,” Sophie explained.
Derek nodded shortly. He took Annouk from the cradle and the three of them walked to the bridge.
The guys were surprised, but after their Captains short explanation, Sophie sat in the co-pilots seat and took over the communication. There was a buzz and three short clicks.
“It’s their hidden greeting,” Sophie whispered.
“An ally greets those who fight for justice from the red sands to the gardens,” she recited the greeting.
Jimmy and the guys exchanged eyerolls and smirks.
“Dang poets,” he spat out. Derek showed him to keep quiet.
After a short silent pause, a metallic woman’s voice replied,
“Pronounce the code, ally.”
Sophie began chanting a long list of numbers and words in the same mechanical manner. Once again Derek saw the stranger he didn’t recognize. Sophie outside the walls of Vulture remained a mystery to him. Derek looked into Annouk’s blue eyes. Sophie’s were brown. Those were the eyes of Annouk’s father staring back at him.
“Greetings, Gravediggers of Volture05. Information about your status has been confirmed as valid. A Rebel rescue team will reach your coordinates in two hours.”
Another short buzz and three clicks ended the communication. Outside vicious winds howled and swirled the red sands, tearing the sparkling red mist to shreds. The storms of Orpheus were both deadly and breath-taking.
“We have two hours to get the Vulture ready. Let’s get work!” Derek commanded.
“Got it, Cap!”
Derek gave the baby to Sophie.
“I’ll be helping them. Two hours is not much for maintenance after months of stand-still mode,” Derek said looking into Sophie’s eyes.
“It will be alright. The Rebels really are better than Ghouls,” Sophie replied softly. She, unlike him, seemed to know Derek all too well. His face expressed unnamed concern and distrust. Derek nodded without a word, Sophie gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before he marched out the bridge with the heaviness of new concerns lying on his shoulders.