Captain Justo, Valley of Bones

By Stephen Miller

Captain Justo, Valley of Bones, continues the adventures of Captain Justo and the Sterling family. After being swallowed by a black hole into a parallel dimension, Captain Justo meets the High King of Atlantis and is charged with rescuing the Sterling family. After doing so the High King reveals that he was known on Earth as Merlin the Magician and chooses Captain Justo as his successor. Uncle Cenric reveals that he has sworn loyalty to King Alhred, usurper of the Seratian throne and will kill them if they return to Seratia. The arrival of Captain Justo and the Sterling family in Seratian territory awakens Incatez, the Destroyer of Worlds, and his immortal army. How will they save all of humanity from an invincible foe?

• Language: English
• Publisher: V&E Enterprises
• Release date: Dec 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370398843

Stephen Miller

Stephen Miller is a creator and entrepreneur who has grown his platform to nearly one million followers in just two years through his show The Miller Fam, a channel that displays the beauty of diversity and adoption featuring his large, diverse, adoptive family of nine. No clickbait. No fake drama. Just a story that says, “Where grace guides, we'll go.” With over fifteen years of ministry in some of the nation's largest churches, Stephen has recorded six studio albums and is the author of Liberating King and Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars.

Book preview

Portal One

In the Shadow of Phobos

The golden starship counted down the final seconds before attempting to open a portal into the fiery rivers of eternity. Its hull shimmered in the blackness of space like a golden brooch in a sea of diamonds, waiting for the harmonic engines to call forth a space vortex to pull the craft into its timeless depths.

The starship Seratian was trailing the moon of Phobos in its orbit around Mars. The gigantic orb cleared away any space dust that might interfere with the delicate process of opening up a space vortex for the first time. The attempt was not going well. After six months of fruitless effort, Captain Cenric Sterling, was ready to ram the ship into the moon out of sheer frustration.

The command center inside the ship mirrored the mood of its captain. The floor was littered with discarded Doritos bags and empty plastic Dr. Pepper bottles. Half-eaten cans of chili lay on every surface not needed to navigate the ship, some spilling on the ground along with crinkled metallic Pop Tart wrappers.

Cenric Sterling, admitted pirate and captain of the starship Seratian, sat nervously in the middle of the trash pile, ready to initiate the harmonic drive. Sweat poured down his brow and he wiped it off with a dirty towel that hung heedlessly around his neck.

Initiatin’ final countdown, Captain Cenric announced desperately. Navigation coordinates double-checked, and waitin’ yer final approval.

Coordinates noted and approved, Captain Justo replied, appearing in the middle of the Seratian’s holographic imager. Space vortex entry attempt number 99 ready to begin.

Aye, ya would have to bring that up, wouldn’t ya? Cenric growled.

A deal’s a deal, Marion said gravely. I’ve done everything humanly possible to help you open that portal. I said I’d help you 99 times before we would do it my way. You agreed. This is the final attempt, number 99.

A deal with the devil! Cenric complained. An the devil take ya then, let’s get on with it!

****

Aboard the starship Isian Captain Justo adjusted his instruments for the final countdown but couldn't go on.

Hold on a moment, Captain Justo ordered, trying to reason with the agitated pirate. Listen to me before we both die from exhaustion. We’ve been working on this attempt for over 31 hours. Neither one of us has had any sleep. I’m too tired to think and I don’t feel well. Let’s get some sleep and start fresh tomorrow; besides, there’s a much easier way to do this. Just hear me out.

I’ll not have it! Cenric yelled ferociously, and only a half-wit fool would even suggest such a thing!

I’ve told you why the ship isn’t being taken into the space vortex, Marion insisted. She’s a musical instrument, and because of that, she needs to be seasoned. Now there are only two ways to season a ship: the first is to wait for maybe two or three hundred years, and the second is to...

I’d rather be boiled in butter! Cenric interrupted. Yer grand suggestion is ta fly her straight into a black hole! What kind a fool do ya take me for? Yer plan’s got death written all over it!

We wouldn’t fly into a black hole, Captain Justo objected. We would navigate safely inside its energy cone. The elementary particles will push us away from the deadly center, yet we will still benefit from its gravitational distortions. The ship will be seasoned in the matter of a few minutes.

And be squashed a few seconds later, the older man spat. I’ll not be havin’ it! I’ve got this last grand attempt ta make, so get back to yer ship, and let’s be takin’ it. He shut off the holographic imager, leaving an empty space where the captain was standing just moments before.

I don’t even know why I try to reason with a crazy Seratian pirate! Captain Justo muttered, sitting back in the command chair of his own starship, entering in the final codes to begin establishing the vortex.

Acting as a support craft, the starship Isian stayed just far enough away to keep from interfering with the other starship’s harmonic tones. The Isian could easily open a portal and allow the Seratian to follow, but until the new ship opened a portal on its own, it was no better than any other time-bound starship. The starship Seratian was destined for much greater things.

Here we go again, Captain Justo said over the communication link that connected the two ships together. Initiate harmonic drive on my command. Three, two, one... Initiate!

****

Cenric Sterling acknowledged the command aboard the Seratian and activated the harmonic drive, turning it to full power. The musical sounds of the finely tuned crystal bowls in the engine room vibrated the whole ship. Even a thousand miles away Captain Justo could feel the harmonic energy of the other ship bouncing off the hull of the Isian.

Captain Cenric Sterling was a man with as much raw energy as his starship. He was 57 years old by Earth standards, overly thin with dark piercing eyes and unkempt graying brown hair. While most men his age were enjoying their established careers and families, Cenric had built a vast empire of companies, investment houses and tax shelters all for the purpose of building his masterpiece, the starship Seratian.

****

The ship he built was as an exact replica of the starship Isian. How he had managed such a feat without instructions, Marion had no clue and Cenric refused to reveal his secret. He had made some minor enhancements, of course. The Seratian was fully armed with an offensive missile battery and a very effective cloaking device.

The ship was built in the ancient Isian Alpha Class design with the inner hull crafted of wood and an outer hull of titanium covered with hardened 24-carat gold. Titanium girders ran throughout the ship, giving structure and strength to the huge wooden inner hull.

Cenric had worked for over 40 years to create the ship and now he couldn’t get it to open up a space vortex. Without the ability to open a portal into eternity, it was no better to him than a flying golden bedpan.

How’s me power? Cenric begged.

Your power is perfect, Captain Justo responded. "If I was moored any closer, your bleed-over energy would cause the Isian to open up the portal for you."

And me harmonic signal, is it playing the right song?

It’s perfectly tuned, the younger captain declared. We’ve checked and double-checked that for three months. Your signal is perfect.

How’s about the river? Cenric asked frantically, frustrated that the ship still hadn’t opened the portal. Has the flow of the space vortex shifted, have I missed it?

The river flow is at full power, the Captain assured him. You’re right in the middle of it.

Is there dust in the way? Can ya see a problem with the shape, the design, the construction of the ship… with anything?

There’s nothing wrong with your ship, Captain Justo repeated even more forcefully. It’s perfect in every way.

Then what’s wrong with the blasted space vortex?

There is nothing wrong with the space vortex, Captain Justo stated boldly. I think you forget the forces of nature you’re dealing with here. The space vortex won’t let just any starship into its river. It’s a living intelligence, a river of eternal energy running outside of time and space. It flows through the Universe like an invisible ribbon, existing in multiple dimensions, independent of all the matter around it. It’s made of pure, raw light and intelligence, and because of that, it only allows the highest quality ships to enter. It won’t be bullied around.

It won’t be bullied around? Cenric snorted. What about me? I’m bruised from head to toe.

A force of nature can’t be reasoned with, Cenric, you know that. There’s only one reason the space vortex won’t let you in!

And ya can choke on that reason, Cenric yelled through the communicator. And I’m thinkin’ yer a cruel man ta even suggest it.

So you think I’m cruel because I dare to tell the truth? Captain Justo balked. Your ship isn’t just a piece of machinery, it’s a finely tuned musical instrument. It has to be aged.

Aged? Cenric boomed even louder. If I let her age any longer I’ll be a dead man. I can’t wait two hundred years for the glue to dry. What do ya expect me ta do, become immortal?

Do you want to hear my suggestion again? Captain Justo asked, trying to stay calm."

No, I do not! Cenric yelled. Ya ungrateful yelp. I’m openin’ this portal on me own, see, and I don’t want ta hear the sound a yer yappin’ mouth touchin’ me ears 'til I’m done with the task or dead! Captain Cenric out!

Cenric closed down the standard communication channels as well as the emergency system. The starship was completely cut off from any way to contact it. The only energy coming from the ship was the pulsating vibrations from the harmonic drive.

****

Boom, the ship's golden robotic navigator, attempted to contact the ship using various emergency frequencies and with his own internal harmonic vibrations, but was unsuccessful.

Captain Cenric will be killed if he opens a portal in his current state of mind, he said curtly. I am leaving all communication channels open just in case he comes to his senses, which I doubt. At the moment his brain is sending out waves of negative energy so powerful, I can pick them up from here. You should order him to calm down.

How can I do that? Justo replied. He’s shut down all his communications links. And even if I could, I think that would make him even more angry.

But sir, if the space vortex opens to him now, in his current state of anger, he will most surely die.

That’s probably true, Marion frowned. But there is nothing to worry about. The space vortex is ignoring the ship completely.

****

Captain Marion James Justo was barely twenty-two years old. Although he was the youngest and the least experienced starship captain in the fleet, he was a force to be reckoned with. His complexion was fair with matching blond hair and eyes painted in dark blue. He was built solidly with strong shoulders and muscular arms. His legs were large and his back was accustomed to hard work.

Marion’s true talent lay with music. He was as nimble at creating music as the starship Isian was at playing it. They were a perfect match, instrument and artist coming together to form a perfect symphony. Since all Alpha class starships were musically based, he was the perfect captain, capable of understanding every program and every technical element of his ship.

Moments later, Crazy Legs, the ship’s holographic humanoid starboard computer engineer, appeared in the center of the holographic imager.

Hey, could you pipe down the music up here? he said, holding his ears in discomfort. I can’t hear myself think.

Captain Cenric is trying to open up another portal, Boom said smugly.

He’s trying it again? Crazy Legs laughed, The last attempt took 110 hours and he almost starved to death. Are we going to wait that long again?

Probably, Boom answered dryly. He is a Seratian pirate after all.

Captain Justo got out of his command chair, shaking out his hands and stretching his back. Engineer Fanny, report to the command center, he ordered.

Yes sir, the ship's chief sanitation engineer responded obediently, coming out of the floor in the circle of the harmonic imager. Fanny was a holographic humanoid like Crazy Legs, but much better behaved.

Watch Cenric’s vital signs, and at the point he collapses, please inform me so I can rescue him again.

How long will that take? she asked smartly.

Possibly as long as last time, Marion confided. But plan for anything. I don’t know his endurance level at this point. Just hold steady. I’m off to my quarters to get some rest. Boom is monitoring his brain waves; if you see any drastic changes, wake me up.

Yes, Captain, the sanitation engineer agreed, and disappeared into the floor.

What about me? Crazy Legs complained. I’m a very sensitive musical program. This constant pounding is apt to drive me crazy. What do I do?

Make a shadow musical program and play it to cancel out the harmonics of Cenric’s vortex drive. Captain Justo suggested, nearing the door of his room.

What a perfect solution, Crazy Legs sang, and hey, it works. Good night, Captain.

Good night, Crazy Legs, Marion said, yawning while watching him disappear for the night into the floor. He was about to give Boom more instructions when another yawn escaped his mouth.

Sorry about that, Boom, he apologized. I’m putting you in command for the next few hours. If by chance Cenric does manage to open a portal, wake me up and we’ll follow him through the vortex. Have a body bag handy just in case. You never know what will happen.

Yes, Captain, Boom agreed, looking straight ahead, rhythmically pounding out musical signals to all parts of the ship. Should I wake you for any other reason, sir?

Not unless the ship’s on fire, Justo laughed. And even then I doubt I’d be much help.

Pardon me? Boom asked dryly. What exactly do you mean?

Don’t wake me up except in the case of a class one emergency, he whispered, barely able to hold up his body from exhaustion. Carry on!

Yes, Captain, Boom said, not bothering to watch as Marion collapsed on his bed without even taking off his uniform.

****

Several hours passed without incident. The starship Seratian continued singing to the space vortex, but the space vortex continued ignoring its song. Boom was monitoring both starship and vortex when two signals came across the communicator linking Earth with the starship. Boom noted two Dream Teacher program requests coming from machines belonging to Christopher and Daniel Sterling.

Signal accepted, he responded to the delicate tools.

Looking through the Dream Teacher protocols established by Captain Justo, Boom noted that when both Dream Teachers were operating together they fulfilled the requirement for a 7th level teaching opportunity.

Proceed to the 7th level, Boom ordered.

The protocols were clear, and since he was a robot, he didn’t have the ability to question his orders. Boom was a machine and as a machine, he followed his programming perfectly.

The Dream Teachers acknowledged the command and asked for the program downloads. Four major programs were available. Hounds of Hell, Bones Rising, Doomsday, and Fiery Pit and Redemption. Each program was a series of lessons that had to be experienced with two students in order to safely escape the program. Boom selected all the programs and sent them back to the Dream Teachers to download.

The task was completed in less than 16 minutes and most of that time was spent waiting for the signal to travel back and forth to Earth from their hiding place near Mars. He continued monitoring the progress of the starship Seratian and dutifully stood guard so his captain could enjoy a peaceful night’s rest. Christopher and Daniel Sterling would not enjoy the same privilege.

Portal Two

The Dream Teacher’s Painful Journey

One hundred and thirty-six million miles away, Christopher Sterling looked at the numbers on his blinking clock with disgust. It was 2 in the morning and he was still awake. He hit his pillow with his hand and tried to sleep again. It wasn’t working. He had too much to think about.

Christopher was 16 and struggling to adjust to his new life under government protection. It had been 6 months since he had last seen Captain Justo and his Uncle Cenric. They had communicated by email two or three times, but lately the communications lines were cut off by Homeland Security. Ever since it was discovered his father and uncle were from another planet, his life had been miserable.

He was getting taller, although in a crowded room his blond head was still a bit shorter than most of the other boys. His eyes were just as blue as before and his handsome gold glasses still made him look smart. The real reason for his increased maturity came from a new point of view.

Ever since he’d witnessed a spaceship crash-land in front of him and his brother, he was forced to change his whole way of thinking. Of course it was meeting Captain Justo from the planet Is that really made the difference. Learning his uncle and his father were born on another planet was just icing on the cake.

Unfortunately all of these secrets were discovered by Homeland Security. In the time since Captain Justo and Uncle Cenric had left to attempt to return to their own universe, Homeland Security was making their lives difficult.

For their own protection he and Daniel were staying at Grandma Sterling’s house for a few weeks. Christopher loved his grandparents but didn’t like sleeping in a strange bed. He looked back at the clock and noticed that it had barely moved; it was still 2:10. The wind blew outside and caused a tree branch to scratch against the window. He shuddered for a second and then relaxed; there was nothing to fear. He wasn’t afraid of the dark anymore, but what was hidden in the dark was another matter.

He rolled in his bed and tried to sleep again. A million thoughts continued disturbing his slumber. He remembered how Captain Justo had taught him that the Universe was controlled by Natural Laws and that those laws were described in eight simple pearls of wisdom called the Eight Pearls of Is.

With the right kind of starship, a person could travel in rivers of Eternity for billions of light years without the passage of time. Unfortunately, arriving alive required training. The Eight Pearls of Is were developed to train space vortex travelers how to survive the journey. Captain Justo had given each of the two brothers a tool to help them learn the eight principles needed to safely travel the rivers of fire. They were called Dream Teachers.

The Dream Teacher was a simple and effective training tool. With the correct command, a red light would come from inside the instrument and flash into the eyes of the student. After causing the student to instantly fall asleep, the program would play in their dreams, guiding them through training scenarios, step by step, until they learned the appropriate lessons. It was fast and powerful and often painful.

Even Benny Strong, his archenemy for all of grade school and Jr. High had benefitted from the tool's powerful influence. In the last few months they had become friends, thrust together by a common experience. When they were forced to move from Salt Creek, even Benny was left behind. Being the son of the only space alien on the planet was losing its luster.

He sat up in his bed and looked around, trying to memorize the walls of his new room. He was used to old houses; his parents' home was built in 1889, but it was made of brick and had a solid feel. This home was made of wood, with wood shingles and wood walls and wooden floors. When the wind blew, the house creaked back, as if answering its mournful call.

He looked at the other end of the room to see his little brother Daniel sleeping soundly. Daniel could sleep through anything.

Daniel was blond, hazel-eyed and bold. He was 12 years old and made sure everyone knew it. He was in the last few months of his 5th grade year and he demanded respect. Even though he was short for his age, he stubbornly did everything the other boys did. Stubborn or not, Christopher counted him as his best friend. Who else had a matching Dream Teacher?

Christopher tiptoed out of his unfamiliar bed and searched for his Dream Teacher. He felt inside the sock drawer and found both instruments rolled up in different colored socks. A clever disguise, he thought to himself.

Mine’s the one in the black sock, Daniel said quietly, hid by the darkness. Yours is in the white sport sock.

I just hid these this morning, Christopher groaned, turning around to see his brother sitting up in bed.

Yeah, and I found them about ten minutes later, Daniel smiled. You suck at hiding things.

I wasn’t trying to hide them from you, he complained good-naturedly. I was trying to keep them from Grandma.

About that, Daniel frowned. She already did. I caught her looking at them.

What was she doing snooping through our private drawers?

Putting away laundry is what she said, Daniel answered. When I saw the huge basket full of clean clothes I kind’a believed her.

What did she do then?

She told me if we want to keep them really secure, there is an actual wall safe downstairs, he grinned, turning on a small bed lamp. She even gave me the combination, see?

Chris tossed the black sock to Daniel and sat on his own bed with the white one. Have you even tried to see if it opens up the safe? he asked, disgusted.

I sure have, Daniel said with wide eyes. All the girls' diamond bracelets are in there, including Amber’s.

I bet they had to about chop her arm off to get that from her, Christopher laughed.

No doubt, Daniel agreed. But there’s more. This is a really big safe, and I found a sword. I was about to pick it up when Grandma came behind me and told me to never touch the sword. It was one of Grandpa’s most prized possessions.

That’s weird, Christopher mused. Why would she give you the combination to a safe that contained something so special?

I asked the same thing. See Christopher, I’m starting to think just like you!

That’s a scary thought. So spill it, what did she say?

She said some things are only secrets until you’re ready to learn the truth. We have Dream Teachers from outer space, the girls have special diamond bracelets, Mom has a plant that doesn’t have to be watered and Grandpa has an ancient sword of power with an indestructible blade. How cool is that?

She said that? Christopher gasped, An ancient sword of power?

Those very words, Daniel said, raising his eyebrows, then he busted up laughing.

Now I’m gunna smash you, Christopher threatened.

Don’t come any closer, Daniel warned. I have a Dream Teacher and I know how to use it.

Yeah, well, so do I, little brother, Christopher retorted, holding out his own. And mine doesn’t even need to be activated. So apologize before I blast you.

I’m not apologizing to you, Daniel warned comically, stepping forward and opening up his Dream Teacher. There really is a sword in the safe. I didn’t touch it, but it's there. I’ll show you in the morning. So be nice to me, you’re not my boss.

Christopher took his own Dream Teacher and readied it. His had a hair trigger, all he had to do was open it and it would take whoever it was pointed at to a dimension of terrible adventure and pain. He had personally barely passed the fourth level. But Daniel hadn’t even gone past the first.

Tell me the truth right now, Christopher warned, pointing his unopened Dream Teacher at Daniel like a gun. This will hurt you a lot more than it would me. Put down your Dream Teacher or I’ll blast you.

I dare you to try, Daniel laughed. You haven’t even used it yourself for over two months, you’re too scared!

Wrong answer! Christopher smiled and opened the Dream Teacher.

At the same time, Daniel raised his own machine and gave the fateful command. Dream Teacher, activate!

The two boys stood face-to-face, almost touching noses with their Dream Teachers opened wide. Neither Dream Teacher so much as blinked a spark.

Ha, yours didn’t work, Daniel laughed, seeing that nothing had happened. Your batteries have run out.

It doesn’t have batteries, Christopher said, worried. And yours didn’t work either. I don’t know what’s happening.

Six minutes passed. Both boys waited for the Dream Teachers to activate, but both remained perfectly still. After another ten minutes they stopped waiting, afraid of a horrible reality; the adventure was over.

I don’t think they work anymore, Daniel finally said, disappointed. I guess Captain Justo is gone and took the programs with him.

That would reek, Christopher groaned. If these things stop working, how will we ever learn to be starship captains?

I guess we’ll never know, Daniel said, just as disappointed, putting his Dream Teacher back in the sock and lying down in his bed. I’m going back to sleep. See you in the morning.

Christopher threw his Dream Teacher on his own bed in disgust. My life sucks, he complained.

Without warning the ground around the room started to shake. Daniel sat up in a panic. Earthquake, he yelled.

The quaking intensified; the ground under them groaned and lifted ten feet from its original position. The room tipped up, splitting in half and rolling them both off their beds, thrusting them toward the broken window.

I’m sorry I made you mad, Daniel yelled over the crashing lumber. I don’t want you sore at me if I die.

I didn’t get mad. I was just playing with you. But I don’t think we’re gunna die, Christopher yelled, watching as a golden starship approached them. But I guarantee, this is gunna hurt.

Without any more warning the minimized starship Isian came crashing through the window, sending glass and wood everywhere. The curtains hung on the ship until its lasers cut them to pieces, making a huge gash in the already destroyed wall. Both boys held onto the tilted window frame in fear as the ship hovered in the middle of the shaking room.

We’re inside the Dream Teacher, aren’t we? yelled Daniel.

No doubt, Christopher groaned.

Oh boy, we’re in trouble.

Big trouble, Christopher agreed as they were both minimized and scooped up into the ship.

****

Six hours later Grandma Sterling walked into the room and found both boys collapsed on the floor, their Dream Teachers rolled out of their hands. Without panicking, she gathered up the golden objects and placed them back into their protective coverings and into the sock drawer.

Good morning, she tried to say as happily as she could. It’s time to get up, boys. Wake up.

Daniel woke up like he had seen a ghost. He sat straight up, clutching the shag carpet and yelled.

Keep away from me, you monster! Christopher, help! He looked around in a panic, then collapsed on the floor holding onto his heart and breathing deeply.

Christopher woke up just as violently.

I’m coming, he yelled, rolling over and hugging the bed frame like he was trying to be kept from being pulled into a deep burning pit. Just follow my lead, Daniel! He looked at his grandmother with a wild panic in his eyes, then relaxed and fell on the floor.

Your mother warned me about those things, she said, shaking her head. I can’t imagine why either of you would even dare to use them.

It’s starship captain training, Daniel panted, still breathing heavily. We just escaped from a pack of red-eyed dogs trying to take us to the underworld. I can’t believe we survived. We wouldn’t have if I didn’t agree to let Christopher take the lead. He just helped me get to the second level. Thanks, Christopher!

That was not the second level, his brother groaned, slowly getting up and dusting the lint off his pajamas. If we ever do that again, you better listen to me faster or we’re both dead. Why did you do that to me?

I had to do something, Daniel grinned. You stopped using the Dream Teacher and I didn’t know how to beat the level. Thanks for your help.

Breakfast is ready, Grandma Sterling smiled weakly. I hope you’re still hungry after fighting or running or…whatever.

Starved, they both said happily, almost running their grandmother over as they bolted out of the door.

Jinks be a cow, Christopher yelled.

Moo, Daniel said loudly, running down the stairs, laughing and joking like they had just saved the world.

Grandma Sterling walked slowly out of the room. She had bad news to tell them, but she didn’t want to spoil the moment.

Their father, Stephen Sterling, was back in full federal custody, despite all the promises the last U.S. President had made about keeping the family together. Mrs. Sterling and the girls were packing up the house in Salt Creek and trucking the contents to a storage site owned by her parents. They weren’t going to wait for the new Alien Protection Agency to do it for them.

She heard the boys laughing and joking downstairs. I’ll let them horse around, she thought sadly, as she walked down the hall, at least for a moment longer. After all, they’re just boys, even if they are Seratian royalty.

Portal Three

Captain Cenric’s Collapse

Captain Justo woke up with a jolt. He looked down at his wrinkled uniform and rolled off the bed in a panic, running into the command center like a maniac.

Good morning Captain, Boom said calmly. How may I assist you?

Is everything okay? he asked breathlessly, How long was I out?

You slept for ten hours, thirty five minutes and ten seconds, sir, Boom reported. Captain Cenric is still attempting to open the portal into the space vortex. I have very little more to report, with the exception of sending 7th level protocols to Christopher and Daniel Sterling’s Dream Teachers.

You did what?

At 2306 hours a message was received from both Dream Teachers informing me the two instruments were being used together. According to your orders, I sent the necessary training materials corresponding to this event.

So you sent them level 7 training material? he gasped.

As per your instructions, Boom reminded him.

Daniel hasn’t even made it past the first level, he complained. Did they survive?

Apparently so, sir, Boom replied stiffly. The first lesson was completed successfully. I am not aware of any permanent damage done, although I cannot be sure, since they are so odd to begin with.

You should have woken me!

My instructions were to allow you to sleep, unless, and I quote, 'the ship was on fire.'

That was just a figure of speech! Marion complained.

That is hardly my concern, Boom said smugly. I follow orders, plain and simple.

Captain Justo was about to reprimand his Navigator but Fanny came out of the floor of the holographic imager.

It’s time! she said urgently. Captain Cenric is ready to collapse. If you don’t go now, he may harm himself and the ship.

I’ll talk to you later, Marion said pointing his finger at Boom as he ran out of the command center.

And I will listen as always, Boom said passively, continuing to monitor the other starship's position.

How could Cenric be ready to crack so soon? Captain Justo asked Fanny while putting on his space suit and readying its booster pack.

He’s been living on Dr. Pepper and Doritos for three months now, she lamented. I’ve tried to get him to eat whenever he comes here, but he won’t. I’ve consulted with Engineer Toakase, his own sanitation engineer, and she can’t convince him to eat either. He hasn’t slept properly in six months. I think this last attempt has pushed him over the edge.

I know Engineer Toakase’s programming, and she is no push-over, Marion confirmed. Her DNA comes from a particularly powerful Tongan Woman. She is as competent as you are. I know she would have done everything to protect him.

I agree, sir, Fanny said studiously, Her name means woman of the sea. I’d hate to get her upset.

An appropriate name for a program made to travel the currents of eternity, Marion agreed. Once we’ve established a communications link, tell Toakase to have the sick bay ready for us.

Yes sir, Fanny said sternly and disappeared into the floor.

Boom, give me a systems check, Marion called through the communicator of his space suit.

Systems check initiated, Boom responded. Several seconds passed and a hundred screens popped up and off his visor. All systems are go. You are cleared to proceed.

Can you open a communications channel to Captain Cenric?

Negative, Boom responded, "All communications lines with the starship Seratian have been cut off, including emergency channels. You will be forced to enter the ship through the emergency entrance."

I copy, Marion said, getting closer to the Levitation bay. If only we had even one shuttle. I don’t like space walks.

"The Isian comes equipped with 4 shuttlecraft, but all of them were used to ferry the original crew to your father’s ship when the Starfleet from the Seratian Confederation attacked last year, Boom noted. According to Engineer Toakase, Cenric didn’t even bother building shuttlecraft for his ship. He was having fighter ships made to fit in the upper hold."

How would Toakase know anything about fighter ships? Captain Justo asked. She’s the ship’s sanitation officer.

She’s also in charge of life support, Boom reminded him. She voiced her worries about the lack of a medical evacuation shuttle, but he only scoffed at her.

That figures, Marion frowned. Leave it to a Seratian pirate to build tactical fighters instead of even one shuttlecraft. Oh well, move us to within 200 yards of the ship and I’ll access the emergency entrance.

Captain Justo felt the Isian move for a moment. The ships were already so close together that Boom needed very little time to complete the order.

"The Isian is in position, Captain, Boom announced. Good luck, sir."

Thank you, Boom. Levitation bay, activate on my command. Three, two, one: Activate. As the iris door opened under his feet, he folded his arms and glided into the pale blue light of the levitation beam.

Here goes nothing, he said cheerfully as he jetted out from the beam.

I have no idea what you are referring to, Boom said stoically. Boom out.

Captain Justo moved free of the Isian and looked around until he spotted the other starship. Aiming his body toward the ship, he controlled his flight with the jets on his space suit. Using short bursts of energy, he floated high above the large red planet, which loomed under him like a large rubber ball.

The starship Seratian was trailing Phobos and as he approached the ship its reflection looked like a metallic round red cell flowing in a stream of blood. According to his instruments Phobos was almost certainly hollow, but he had been too busy helping Cenric to investigate further. He arrived at the emergency entrance of the ship and held on to one of the golden bars.

Placing his hand into a concealed small panel, he found the manual override lever and pulled on it as hard as he could. A door opened in the side of the ship and he entered it. The interior of the emergency entrance was designed exactly like his own. Not a single modification had been made to the ship to distinguish it from the Isian except for the internal décor. The Pacific Islander motif was a nice fit for an Isian starship. He was curious to learn more about these sea-faring craftsmen. But that would have to wait until later.

Close outer doors, he commanded through his space suit communicator. The outer doors closed and the room hissed as it filled the room with warmed gases. He looked at the composition of gases in the chamber and noted its mix: nitrogen 78.084%, oxygen 20.9476%, argon 0.934%, carbon dioxide 0.0314%, neon 0.001818% and minute quantities of methane, helium, krypton, hydrogen, xenon, ozone, nitrogen oxides, iodine, argon and ammonia.

Boom, do you read me?

I read you loud and clear, Boom stated coolly. Proceed.

Roger, he continued. I have measured the gases in this room and believe it is the perfect mix to breathe; do you agree?

I confirm your findings, sir, he said. Proceed with the emergency entrance.

Copy, Captain Justo confirmed, while taking off his helmet. The air rushed at his face but it was warm and smelled fresh due to the ozone content. "Captain Justo, commander of the starship Isian, requesting manual override, confirm." The starship’s computer blinked back the words, confirmed, and opened the emergency portal into the starship.

The hall of the ship was lighted brightly and the sound coming from the harmonic drive was so loud it pounded in his sensitive ears. Running down the hall, he passed the supply closets, bathrooms and emergency escape pods all located in the same location as on his own ship. He ran to the levitation elevators and stood in the center of the now-lighted shaft.

Command center, he ordered. In seconds the shaft of light transported him to the third floor. He stepped out of the light and onto the hall just outside the command center. Taking a deep breath, he pushed through the command center door, expecting the worst. His fears were confirmed.

Captain Cenric, son of Cridoa, was passed out in a pool of Dr. Pepper and discarded empty Doritos bags. Just as Marion ran up to him to make sure he was still breathing, Toakase the sanitation engineer appeared in the holographic imager, almost in tears.

I told him to eat better, she began to sob. I tried to get him to sleep. I treated him like my own child, yet he ignored everything I said.

Is he all right? Captain Justo asked quickly.

No, not at all! she cried. Oh he is breathing just fine and his heart is pumping, but his head is sick. He’s over the top. I knew it would come to this, but I couldn’t do anything to stop him.

"What’s his