11. Roxanne

Chapter 11

Roxanne

Young Ones

I stand at the Command Bridge of the gargantuan warship, my palms sweaty as memories of the Seeker Swarms attacking the ship flood my mind. The scent of burned metal and ozone still lingers in the air, and the sound of blaster fire echoes in my ears. The once-active bridge now stands empty and eerily quiet, the hum of the ship's engines a distant memory. I can feel the cold metal under my feet and the rough texture of the console as I grip it tightly. A ghostly reminder of the past. Is it my imagination or does the ship feel more hollow without Krogoth? It is probably just the boredom, waiting for him to return and make good on his promise to take me back to Earth.

Krogoth surprised me with the news of his departure, leaving me behind for my safety. Is it really for my protection or is there something on the station he doesn't want me to see? But the seriousness of Astraxius, as he bid farewell to Krogoth on departure, had hinted of the grave danger that lay ahead of him and the others. As I ponder, I stretch my arms over my head, taking a deep breath. The thought of never seeing Krogoth again sends a wave of anxiety through my body. My chest tightens as if it's being squeezed. Am I growing fonder of the big guy, or is it the fear of being stuck here? I curse myself for being so cynical, but I cannot deny my feelings towards Krogoth are growing stronger.

As I gaze out of the view port, all I see is an endless abyss of darkness. Once, the view was breath-taking, with stars shimmering and dancing around the ship during faster-than-light travel. Now, the blackness is suffocating, like being trapped in a never-ending void.

The frustrating lack of control I feel is infuriating. I wish he had taken me with him. This waiting is unbearable! I could be exploring the space station, surrounded by vibrant and colorful aliens. I imagine the sound of their languages, the feel of their unique skin, and the aroma of their exotic perfumes. I can almost see the bustling marketplace, filled with strange and wonderful items from across the universe, sparkling and gleaming under the bright lights and the exotic alien food that I am missing out on. I can almost taste the spicy and savory flavors on my tongue, imagining the texture and warmth of the dishes. My mouth waters at the thought of it.

But here I am, stuck in this dark labyrinth of a ship! My only company is the sound of my breath and the dull hum of the ship's engines. The frustration and restlessness within me grows with each passing moment, making me pace around the room randomly.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the faint smell of metal that permeates the Command Bridge. Right, Roxy's time to buck up! As I approach the control console, my fingers brush against the smooth, cool surface of the circular table, sending a shiver down my spine. The holographic display flickers to life, casting a soft blue glow that illuminates the dimly lit room. I can hear the gentle hum of the ship's systems, the sound echoing off the metallic walls.

As I study the holographic display, my eyes widen in amazement at the intricate details and advanced technology. The holographic projections are like the wrist console, but this one is so vivid and realistic, it's as if I could reach out and touch them. I experimentally run my fingers through the holographic display, feeling the faint resistance of the simulated images against my skin.

Jeez, I could probably fly the ship back to Earth using this! I feel guilty at the thought of leaving Krogoth and the others stranded here, not to mention old Astraxius and the others would probably tie me up and throw me in a wardrobe by the time I got the ship off the station. Despite this, I can't resist the urge to fiddle with the holographic display. As an IT Quality Assurance Tester, it's in my nature to experiment with systems, learn how they work, and try to break them.

So, with a mischievous grin on my face, I move my hands through the holograph. The display reacts to my every movement, and I feel a sense of power as I manipulate it, selecting different options and zooming into areas for a better look. It's exhilarating to explore the ship in this way, and I can't help but feel a rush of excitement as I discover new features and functions.

It's not long before I hear the faint whirring of the ship's engines as energy floods into them, powering them up. I jump back in panic at the sudden noise, feeling like I'm about to have a heart attack. Crap, crap, I should have quit while I was ahead! How do I power down the engines?

To make matters worse, I hear the bridge door hissing open. Terror grips me as I quickly contemplate hiding behind the console. But it is too late. They will discover me. I spin around and see one of Krogoth's warriors enter the room, fully armored and masked.

He looms over me, a massive and imposing figure, but as he lifts off his visor in salute, I see the youthful face of a Klendathian with short brown hair and piercing green eyes. I recognize him instantly. He is the helmsman from the desperate battle against the Seeker Swarm.

"Hail, Rocks," he utters stiffly as he leaps to the center of the room, tampering with the holographic display, and I hear the ship's engines power down, their absence deafening. I'm so busted!

"I… was just trying to learn the ship's systems," I stumble out, feeling embarrassed by the warrior.

"The Chieftain requires the ship to remain here," he responds flatly, no hint of anger or annoyance in his voice.

Awesome, he's not angry . I decide to change the subject. "I remember you. You were the helmsman during the Seeker Swarm attack. What's your name?" I ask, looking up at him.

"My name is Carndor. Yes, the Chieftain appointed me helmsman - for the time being," he replies absently, checking what looks like weapon systems on the holographic display.

I hesitate for a moment, considering whether to ask him for help in learning how to operate the ship. He didn't tell me to stop and Krogoth said he would give me access to the ship's weapons. With so few crew on the ship stretched thin, it might be useful for me to know my way round the ship's controls.

With a deep breath, I finally summon the courage to speak. "Carndor, would you mind showing me how to control the ship?" I ask, trying to keep the eagerness out of my voice.

"I will try," he says, his tone devoid of any excitement or emotion. I'm taken aback by the flatness of his response. Undeterred, I walk over to him.

As Carndor guides me through the various controls of the ship, the holographic display above us glows with an eerie blue light, casting shadows on our faces. I listen intently to his instructions, the sound of his voice deep and monotonous, echoing on the empty bridge. I feel the smooth touch of the holographic light under my fingertips as Carndor shows how to turn the shields on and off, adjust their power level, and read the power levels of the ship's resource, Elerium.

Carndor continues by showing me how to plot a course on the galaxy map. I watch the holographic display, tracing my finger along the projected stars and planets. The colors are vibrant and bright, each celestial object outlined with a glowing border. I feel a sense of wonder and excitement as I try to retain this information on how to navigate the vast expanse of space.

It's surprising to discover that the ship is equipped with defense turrets in some rooms and corridors, and I can't help but imagine the powerful weapons in action. I try my best to repeat everything Carndor shows me, the placement of the options and buttons becoming more familiar with each try.

Despite Carndor's monotone delivery, I do my best to stay focused and absorb everything I can. I know this knowledge may come in handy. I'm lucky someone as experienced as he is willing to teach me.

It's not long before my stomach rumbles, and my head spins, trying to remember each and every little detail and placement for the controls. I still have a lot to learn, but at least it is a start. I need a break but I'm already looking forward to exploring the ship's controls more in the future.

Carndor's demeanor is a stark contrast to the lively personalities of Krogoth and Xandor. His robotic and emotionless approach to teaching has me feeling a bit uneasy, but also it piques my curiosity. I wonder what experiences have shaped him into the warrior he is now.

I flash him a grateful smile and say, "You're an excellent teacher, Carndor. Where did you learn all this stuff?"

"After the Proving Pilgrimage, the veterans taught me," Carndor responds in a monotone voice, leaving me with a sense of awkwardness. I can't read him, and it is making me curious and a little unsure how to proceed.

"Did you always want to be a warrior when you were a child?" I ask, trying to get to know him better.

Carndor stares at me with a puzzled expression. "I was never a child," he finally responds, his discomfort his first display of emotion. "My first memory is being dropped off at Klendathor, then assigned to the clan Draxxus, already nearly fully grown."

My mind reels as I try to process what he just revealed. Are all the Klendathians grown in incubation tanks and emerge near adulthood because they had no women? Is Krogoth the same? The implications are staggering, and a deep sense of sorrow washes over me. What kind of life is that, to be denied a childhood?

"I'm so sorry, Carndor." My voice trembles slightly. "I did not know."

"Don't apologize. I feel nothing. It means I can be the best warrior." Carndor's response is chillingly flat, making it even more heart breaking.

But I press on, too curious to stop now. "What happened after you got assigned to clan Draxxus?" I ask him.

As Carndor speaks, I notice his eyes staring off into the distance, lost in thought. "Much. I remember the Chieftain and Elders reciting stories of Klendathian fables and history before leading us to grand temples deep in the forest," he says, his voice low and gravelly.

"But like everything else, it bored me," he continues, his eyes flickering with a hint of excitement. "It wasn't until he taught me how to fight… how to kill. That's when I discovered pleasure." A chill runs down my spine as Carndor's words sink in.

I take a step back from Carndor, feeling my unease building. But he remains lost in his memories, oblivious to the impact his words are having upon me.

"I still remember my first hunt," he says, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "A venefex mother nearly killed me as she fought to defend her cubs. We battled for hours, blood running from our wounds. Even now, I carry the scars from that encounter." He pauses, reliving the memory.

"After I finally killed her, I strung up her cubs and experimented on them, cutting pieces from their bodies to see how long they would live. One had no eyes or limbs, but it lasted for hours! Can you believe it?" Carndor's tone is no longer monotone; his excitement is palpable. He turns his huge frame towards me, and terror grips my heart.

I take a deep breath and try to keep my composure as Carndor speaks. "Next came the Proving. They sent me into the depths of the forest, facing dangerous predators at every turn, in search of the great underground temple. It was a test of survival, and I barely made it. And for what? Upon reaching the temple, I was supposed to receive a vision. But it was all a lie. I saw nothing but ancient statues with accusing eyes, mocking my very existence," Carndor roars, clenching his massive fist before his face in anger.

I stammer some incoherent words as I move closer to the exit of the Command Bridge, desperate to end the conversation before things spiral out of control. Carndor's eyes burn with an otherworldly intensity, and his words drip with a savage delight that makes me shudder. "I received this warvisor after the vision that never was." He takes a step towards me, holding the warvisor in his hand. "The sacred lie. It helps me kill better," he says with a twisted grin. A sense of dread washes over me and I take another step back to maintain a distance from him.

"Next, I was sent by the elders hurtling through space on a shuttle until I landed on a primitive planet in the Dominus system. And there, I had to survive as part of the Proving Pilgrimage. I could live off the wildlife there. But that wouldn't have been fun!" he says, his claws extending and retracting repeatedly with a menacing click.

"I slaughtered the inhabitants. Ah! I can still smell the stench of their blood as I sliced them apart with my razor-sharp claws, seeing the fear in their eyes as they were powerless to stop me. Still it pleases me. Finally, free from the fake morality of the old ones, I was unleashed, free to express myself, free to kill." Green mist wisps from his eyes as he trembles, lost in the hunt's thrill. I can see the gleam in his eyes and the veins bulging in his neck.

A shiver runs down my spine as I realize I am standing before a monster. Violence and war have defined his entire life. Carndor seems unable to feel any emotion other than the pleasure of killing. I can feel a chilling aura emanating from him, causing me to back away further in fear, my heart pounding in my chest.

Suddenly, Carndor speaks with his previous flat, emotionless voice, "Goodbye, Rocks."

Without hesitation, I run out of the room, stumbling in my haste, heading towards Astraxius' lab, hoping for answers and safety.