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February 13, 2051
The CID alarm went off, and Henry jerked awake. He wriggled an arm loose from his tangled bedding and silenced the device.
Colton’s voice reached his ears from the cot on his right. “Tomorrow, let’s just shoot it.”
Henry laughed. “That sounds like something Alex would say.”
“I know.” Colton grinned as he sat up and reached for his boots.
After Henry pulled on his, he rose and made his bed while the engineer made the cot. He remembered something he’d wanted to ask his friend as he put on his lab coat. “Colton, do you happen to have a recipe for tiramisu?”
Colton stepped away from the cot, adjusting his jacket over his shield. “No. Is that a Japanese dish?”
Henry smiled. “No, it is an Italian dessert…But it sounds like it could be Japanese.”
Colton smiled back. “You could ask Topaz if she has a recipe, since she likes to cook and bake…And you could ask Alex too. His uncle and aunts taught him many different things. How to make tiramisu could be one of them.”
Henry thought Colton sounded wistful. “Were you able to finish the letter to your parents last night?”
Colton nodded. “I was planning to leave it and the others on the transport carrier after Gerard and I check it. Do you want me to take yours too?”
“Thank you.” Henry retrieved them from his pillowcase and handed them to the engineer. “Do you need to use the bathroom?”
“No, thank you. I have to go back to my quarters and pretend I’ve been there all night. I can use mine while I’m there.” Colton went to the locked hatch door, then glanced back. “Be careful today, Henry.”
“You too.”
Colton left, re-locking the door behind him.
Henry headed for the bathroom.
Several minutes later, he entered the empty main section of the medical bay and set up two examination tables for the transport carrier pilots. Before he could retrieve supplement kits for them, Autumn entered the bay through one of the corridor hatchways, her face grim.
Henry crossed the floor to meet her. “What is wrong?”
“I need to speak with you—unless the pilots will be here soon.”
Henry checked the time. “They are not due for another nine minutes.”
Autumn nodded and led the way to her office. She locked the door behind them, then remained beside it instead of moving to her chair. She didn’t invite him to sit either. “The general received new orders from his superiors. The Galaxy Explorer is to take its first official flight at the same time the transport carrier leaves.”
Henry frowned. “That does not make sense. There is a rebel threatening two engineers, we don’t know what the other rebels are doing, and we’re supposed to test the GE?”
“Not just test it.” Autumn let her breath out. “We’re supposed to fly a sixteen-hour exploration mission past the Moon. Along the way, we’ll measure the GE’s radiation levels and record plasma waves in space.”
Henry’s chest tightened. “How large will the GE’s escort be?”
“The orders are to avoid attracting attention.”
“…So, it won’t have one?”
She shook her head, her mouth a thin line.
Henry’s heart rate increased. “The Galaxy Explorer does not have any weapons of its own, and yet its crew is to fly without an escort and explore space that may be monitored by rebels?”
Autumn smiled wryly. “You forgot the measurements and recordings.”
“And who is”—he broke off, guessing he already knew part of the answer. “Who is assigned to the mission besides you? And why are they sending you?”
Her eyes widened. “How—never mind. To answer your second question, they wanted a division head to lead the exploration. Barr is overseeing the magnetic field project in engineering, and the general is temporary station head, so they’re not available.
“And, as Head of the Medical Division, I’m equipped to handle the scientific aspects of this mission.” She looked down. “And to answer your first question, Claire, Topaz, and Dr. Burke are also assigned to it.”
Henry’s blood ran cold. “Why those three in particular?”
“Claire and Topaz have exemplary records.” Autumn’s tone was bitter. “And Dr. Burke will be able to help with the measurements and recordings. I know what you’re thinking.” Her eyes met his. “You’re wondering if we were selected for a specific purpose—and after what happened to Claire, you’re especially concerned for her.”
Henry nodded, his throat tightening. “I know she was not flying the transport carrier when the rebels captured it, but this mission could still be traumatic for her. And if the rebels…if they captured you…it would traumatize all of you, and it would retraumatize her. Not to mention, she would know that the rest of you were suffering—”
“And she’d blame herself for it.” Autumn’s jaw tightened. “I’m against her going too, Henry. I’m against all of it, but…those are our orders.”
“They are stupid orders. They all are.”
Autumn’s eyebrows lifted, and then she smiled. “I agree.”
“The general can’t do anything about them?”
“No. He tried.”
Henry tried not to fidget. “Autumn, are you both certain this mission is not part of a rebel conspiracy?”
“As far as we can tell, the email came from the general’s superiors—people who have been trustworthy. He doesn’t believe they’re working with the rebels now.”
Henry was quiet. “You said you will be gone for sixteen hours?”
“Yes. Eight hours one way, and then eight hours back. We’ll check in with the station every two hours.”
Every two hours? “You won’t be in constant communication?”
“No. We’re supposed to keep communications to a minimum so hopefully no nearby rebels will detect it.”
Henry shook his head. “None of this seems right. You won’t have an escort, and you’ll only contact the station periodically. Both of those things would make it easier for the rebels to attack you.”
“I know.” Autumn let her breath out. “But there’ll be more than just the four of us onboard. Pilot Dai and Operator Marini will support Claire and Topaz. Dr. Muir will be supporting me, and Station Guards Bryant and Bardin will be with us as well.”
Henry frowned. “Bryant?”
Autumn nodded. “I know what you’re thinking about that, too.”
“I would feel more comfortable with Station Guards Duy and Baumann going with you.”
“So would I.”
Henry didn’t point out that when the rebels captured the transport carrier in October, there had been more than nine people on it.
They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence, and then Autumn spoke again. “I’m putting you in charge of the Medical Division while I’m gone. If anyone gives you any trouble, have Alex hit them with his new plunger.”
Henry burst out laughing.
Autumn broke into a full grin. “Oh my. I’m making disgusting toilet jokes now. My family would be horrified.”
Henry caught his breath and smiled back, then grew sober. “You’ll be leaving in…”
“Less than an hour. I have a few things to do before then, so in case I don’t see you, I’ll say goodbye now.” Her arms twitched, and then she checked her CID. “Two minutes before the pilots arrive. You better go. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Autumn. Be careful.” He echoed what Colton had said to him earlier, hesitated, then let himself out of her office. He didn’t think Autumn wanted a hug goodbye.
____________________________________________________________________________
No nightmares had plagued Claire’s sleep, which surprised her, given how the last few days had been. According to her watch, she’d woken up earlier than usual. She decided to spend a few minutes of the extra time lying on her bed, listening to the peaceful breathing of the cat curled beside her while she tried not to think about anything else. She glanced at the black furball. One paw stuck out from the rest with its claws protruding.
Claire lifted her gaze to Topaz’s bed, across from hers. The operator was also awake and already sitting up. As their eyes met, Topaz opened her mouth, but Claire held up a hand for her to be quiet. The pilot reached into her jacket and dug out a pair of clippers.
Claire carefully trimmed one of the cat’s claws.
“Urr.” Bugguffin’s eyes opened briefly, and then she fell back asleep.
Topaz grinned and whispered, “Another down, a bunch more to go?”
Claire smiled back. “We better stop there. Hopefully she won’t try to claw anyone when she gets back to Earth.”
Topaz’s smile faded. “Right. We’ll have to say goodbye soon”—her CID buzzed, and she checked it. “The general wants to see us, and he says we can bring the cat.” She yanked on her boots and stood up.
Claire did the same.
Bugguffin stood and stretched, then purred as Topaz picked her up.
Claire got the door for them, and they entered the corridor.
When they reached the general’s office, he was waiting outside. He let Topaz and Claire in and invited them to sit, taking his chair across from them. Only when they were settled, with Bugguffin contentedly flopped on his desk, did he begin. “I’ve been ordered to send you both on the Galaxy Explorer’s first mission…” As he explained what it entailed, Claire’s chest tightened. Is this a rebel ploy?
Dr. Lucinda Burke was very well known for helping build the station. Dr. Autumn Hampton was the Head of the Medical Division. Either of them would make excellent hostages. Claire’s eyes strayed to Topaz. The rebels in the government have access to reports from the station. They know what she’s done. They could target her—
The general’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I’m sorry.” His brow creased. “I explained to my superiors why now is not a time for an exploration like this one, but they weren’t interested. They told me they’re looking into developing a second station from which to fight the rebels, and this mission will help them determine where to put it.”
Claire swallowed hard. “When are we leaving?”
“When the transport carrier leaves.” His gaze moved between them. “I’d like to keep this quiet for as long as we can. When you say goodbye to your friends, make sure you’re alone first—don’t let anyone overhear that you’re leaving. While you’re flying, you’ll only communicate with Operator Jones and me.”
____________________________________________________________________________
Colton checked his room to make sure it hadn’t been tampered with, then quickly consumed a ration packet before leaving his quarters to find Gerard.
As he entered the main area of the engineering section, Albert approached him, Duy several paces behind. “Ah, have you seen the cat?”
Colton’s chest tightened. “Bugguffin?”
Albert lowered his voice. “Operator Jones brought her here for those of us who like her to say goodbye, and she ran off. Operator Jones is looking in the corridors, and Mom, Station Guard Duy, and I are checking the section. If you have time—”
Colton glanced past him. The division head’s door stood ajar. Oh no.
Duy followed his gaze. “Do you think she’s in there?”
“Yes. Is the major in his office?”
Albert frowned. “No, he left the section earlier.”
“Can you two keep an eye out for him while I look for her?”
Duy nodded, and Albert added, “If he comes back, I’ll try to distract him.”
“Thank you.” Colton moved past them and crossed the floor to Barr’s office, his stomach twisting with dread. Why does he keep leaving his door open?
Colton took out his CID and held it just inside the room, scanning for any cameras or microphones. Nothing. He entered the office and swept a glance across the room. The major’s desk and chair were unoccupied. His bathroom door was closed, but his bedroom door was open. Colton scanned it, then entered to find Bugguffin on the major’s bed, pawing at his blanket.
“What are you doing in here?” Colton scooped her up, his throat tightening as he turned to leave the room with her. “Goodbye, Bugguffin.” He kept his voice at a whisper. “I love you.”
“Urf.” She rubbed her head against his chin.
He tucked her under his jacket as best he could before he left Barr’s office, pulling the hatch door back into its previous position and rejoining Albert and Duy. “He didn’t come back, did he?”
“No,” Albert answered.
Colton exhaled and handed the cat to him. “Did you get to say goodbye to her?”
“Not yet. None of the guards have gotten to, either.” Albert pulled his jacket over her. “We should take her to see everyone. Don’t worry, I won’t put her down.”
“Thank you. Be careful.”
Albert and Duy left with her, and Colton looked around for Gerard. He was debating whether he should see if the other engineer was in his room when Gerard appeared from the hallway leading to their quarters. “Are you ready to check the carrier?”
Colton nodded. “Yes.”
Albert and Duy reappeared with Bugguffin, and the engineer asked, “If you’re leaving, do you want to take her with you?”
“Yeah, thank you.” Colton slipped the cat under his jacket and followed Gerard. Once they were in the corridor, he lifted her back out and offered her to the other engineer. “Do you want some time to say goodbye to her?”
“No, I can just say goodbye to her here.” Gerard cradled her, stroking her head. “Goodbye, Bugguffin.”
“Urf.”
Footsteps approached, and Gerard hid her again.
Janet appeared. “Did you find”—she stopped as Gerard held Bugguffin out. The operator smiled sadly. “I’m sorry about that. Second time she’s run away from me.”
“It’s all right.” Colton smiled back. “Are you going to take her to say goodbye to the other operators?”
“Yeah, Topaz passed her to me so I could make the rounds with her.”
Colton had been wondering why the other operator wasn’t with her. “What’s Topaz doing? Has something happened?”
“I don’t think so. She and Claire were on their way to get supplement injections when I ran into them.” Janet stroked the cat’s head. “Are you going to check the transport carrier?”
Gerard nodded.
Janet stepped closer and lowered her voice. “You’ll also need to check the Galaxy Explorer. Claire and Topaz are flying on it today.”
What? Colton was about to question her when more footsteps echoed farther down the corridor.
Janet slipped away in the opposite direction.
Colton was glad she did. As Gerard and he moved forward, Major Barr appeared. “Engineer Reed. Close.”
“Sir.” They spoke at the same time, and Colton’s spine tightened.
The division head’s eyes narrowed. “Off to check the transport carrier?”
“Yes sir.”
“Be quick about it. When you’re finished, I have something for you to do.”
“Yes sir.” Colton stepped aside to let the major pass, then hurried to the pilots’ bay with Gerard.
Thank you for reading “Galaxy Explorer” (Part 1). The next part of this episode drops next week.
The previous installment in this series is “Fail-Safe” (Part 6). Read it here.
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Copyright © 2026 Li Mitchell All Rights Reserved
Note: Everything I write is written without AI—even if I do use a lot of em dashes (and some semicolons).
Uh oh. I'm with Henry, and Autumn, and...basically everyone. This does *not* sound good! 😖
Intrigue and a furball! I love this series!