Escape from Mathebos

By Sarah Rodecker

The people on Mathebos are dying. The Blue Death, a plague that suffocates its victims, is spreading across the planet, leaving its inhabitants with two impossible options: wait for a cure that may never come or leave their home in search of a new planet.

 

Eriska Insolna lost her parents to the Blue Death and failed her intergalactic license test on the same day, sending her dreams up in flames. She knows it's the air of Mathebos suffocating her people, but without a pilot to take them to a new planet, they're all out of hope. With her chance of getting her intergalactic license gone, she certainly can't fly humanity to safety. But when her best friend and co-pilot falls ill to the Blue Death, she knows she has to fight to overcome her doubts and find a way off the planet.

 

Up and coming scientist, Yuri Aybram, imagined his twenties would be spent making huge discoveries and rolling in fame. Instead, he finds himself suffocating amongst government schemes. After his mentor, Fransix Arman, is arrested for digging too far into the truth, he entrusts the cause of the Blue Death to Yuri, hoping that Yuri will reveal it to the public. Only one problem: Yuri doesn't agree with Fransix and isn't about to threaten his life for some insane theory. It isn't until he's invited to speak at the Conference for Disease Research in Fransix's place and finds himself entangled in a web of cover-ups that he realizes Fransix might have been right all along.

 

As Eriska and Yuri find themselves sucked into the black hole of government conspiracy, they must race to reveal the truth behind the Blue Death to the masses before it's too late. Skyward meets Cinder in this exciting novel about a desperate search for home.  

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sarah Rodecker
• Release date: Sep 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215463369

Book preview

1

Eriska

All of Mathebos–and my future–spread out below me as my ship broke through the planet’s atmosphere. Above me, the stars multiplied into a blanket of twinkling lights. 

I barely noticed any of it. 

Tears stung in my eyes and my hands trembled as I leveled out my borrowed ship. Masse had an old, dinged up ship set aside for people taking the intergalactic pilot license test. It had so many dents beaten into the sides from entrances and exits from Mathebos’s atmosphere and from space debris hitting it, a little more damage wouldn’t matter, so my boss kept it for newbies. 

We have reached altitude, Leski read off a monitor. We are free to cruise. My co-pilot leaned back in her seat and grinned. So far, so good. At least we’ll get good points for this portion of the test.

I nodded, not willing to speak lest I break down on the most important day in my life. I’d trained my entire life, day and night, to take the intergalactic pilot’s test. Now here I was: finally out of the simulators and flying in space. 

Eriska, you holding up okay? Leski’s voice was soft with concern. 

Yeah, I managed. 

She took her hand from the controllers and set it on mine. Your mom and dad will be so proud of you. You’re in space!

I nodded again. I just hope they hold out long enough for me to tell them. My father had been the first pilot to fly to Mathebos when the people of Earth started looking for a new home. All my life, I’d wanted to follow in his footsteps. And now that I was, he and mom were being suffocated by the Blue Death which plagued the people of Mathebos and killed dozens every day. Some said the Blue Death was better than getting blown up along with everyone else on earth, but after watching my parents suffer, I wasn’t convinced. At least with a bomb, there was less chance of painful suffering before we died.

They will, Leski assured me. They’ve waited so long for this moment. They won’t give out now.

Yeah, you’re right. 

All right, Insolna, you’ve successfully broken Mathebos’s atmosphere. You know what to do from here? Masse’s voice crackled over the radio. He was watching our progress from the ground on the tracking monitors, and would give us our instructions. The thought of him watching over us made my palms sweat even more. He was a fair enough boss, but tough, and it was difficult for me to feel like I lived up to his expectations. If I messed this up...

Yes, sir. I hoped he would mistake any cracks in my voice for a poor radio signal instead of my grief. Fly through space for thirty minutes, then reentry.

Correct. Good luck.

The radio went dead, leaving Leski and me wrapped in a blanket of silence. For a moment, we flew through the stars, taking in our dream. Dad always told me how beautiful Mathebos looked from space, standing proud and ringed with stars. Now that I saw it with my own eyes, I had to agree. The sight stole my breath much like the Blue Death stole my parents’.

Do you want to talk about it? Leski finally asked, twisting in her seat to look at me. 

I sighed, letting my shoulders relax. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I turned and faced her. Last night was really tough, I admitted. Dad moved to Stage Five. I... I blinked back tears. I didn’t get there in time to say goodbye before he slipped into a coma. He...I don’t... 

Leski grabbed my hand as I struggled to find the words. 

I don’t know how much longer I have with him, and instead of being by his side, I’m wasting time on this stupid dream.

It’s not stupid. It’s something you and your dad both loved. You’re honoring him by pursuing your dreams.

I nodded, and tried to smile. Thanks.

You’re...

Insolna! Masse’s voice sent my heart racing. Is your head up in the stars? There’s a wave of space junk heading right towards you. Don’t you see it?

My attention snapped back to the expanse ahead of me. I grabbed the controls, but it was too late. A piece of metal collided with the ship’s right wing, sending us jolting. Shrapnel hit the window. Whether it was from the space junk or from the ship, I wasn’t sure. I hoped it was just debris, but knew I wasn’t that lucky. 

We need to head right, I shouted to Leski. Even if we made the maneuver, it was unlikely we’d get through this wave unscathed. I swiped my clammy hands on my pant leg and gripped the controls again.

I steered to the right and narrowly avoided another piece of junk–this one much larger than the first–but slammed right into a piece of what looked like the wing of another ship. It sent us rolling. 

Leski screamed. 

The sound made me fully snap out of whatever fog had settled over my mind and I gripped the controls even tighter, pulling us out of the roll and back to a level position, flying straight towards Mathebos. 

Eriska! Leski pointed at the front window. A crack started to cross the glass. 

Oh no, I whispered.

I can patch it. Before I could stop her, Leski unbuckled herself and struggled towards the back of the cockpit for the emergency supplies. 

You’re going to get tossed around, I shouted.

Don’t worry about me. Just keep flying. We’ve got this.

Her words kept me focused. Her self-assured tone made me feel like everything was just fine and that it would be an easy fix, even though my gut said that we’d be more likely to die than anything else. I fixed my gaze on Mathebos, trying not to look over at the ever-growing crack that threatened to release our oxygen and our safety into the unforgiving space beyond.

Here. Leski all but splattered against the window as she stumbled back to the front. Her legs wrapped around the back of her seat for stability as she began to fix the crack as best she could. I watched as she put a temp patch against the window, securing it with industrial tape. Some of the pieces pulled away from the glass and she ripped more tape off of the roll with her teeth.

Not to rush you, I said, but you’ve got seconds, not minutes, to get that fixed and get back in your seat before we break Mathebos’s atmosphere. I didn’t have to tell her what would happen if she wasn’t buckled in before then. We’d both seen the horrific videos of reentries gone wrong during our training.

Yep. Leski strained to reach the furthest point of the crack with her tape. Her foot jabbed in my face, and I had to lean back to see the path ahead of us. 

Hurry, I muttered through my teeth as my brain ticked down the seconds. Reentry in 5...4...3...2...

Almost...Got it! She collapsed back in her seat and worked to buckle herself in.

Leski’s belt clicked just as flames roared around the windshield. My palms grew sweaty as the heat rose. My gaze kept flickering over to the crack, my eyes squinting against the glare, but Leski’s workmanship held. For now.

The few seconds it took to break through Mathebos’s atmosphere felt like ages, but soon the flames died away and we descended towards the Novis City Shipport, where I figured a very angry boss awaited us. The thought of his angry stride coming towards us was almost as frightening as the crack on the window.

Not to make things worse, Leski said as she peered out of the right side window, but the wing is really busted.

That explained the increased struggle to keep the ship level. It kept tilting to the left and my right arm tightened and strained to keep the ship on course instead of spinning round and round. 

Let’s just land. I couldn’t help the fury that burned in my throat. My chance to reach my dreams was taking a nose dive into the ground. Literally.

Leski and I managed to get the ornery ship to land less than gracefully onto the takeoff strip. The impact jostled us in our seats, and only our seatbelts kept us from flying straight into the glass. Somehow, I managed to bring the ship to a stop, and then sat back in my chair, flicking the ship’s ignition off. As the engines died down, I heard the sickening sound of the right wing falling off. Great. Masse was going to kill me.

You head to the hospital, Leski told me as we unstrapped from our seats. I’ll take the heat from Masse and try to explain the situation.

I can’t let you do that. After she had saved us from burning up on reentry, I couldn’t have her also face Masse’s anger alone. I’d seen how he got when someone messed up. His shouting voice had the power to send everyone within a half-mile radius running for cover. Most often, an encounter with him when he was angry ended with him assigning some menial task or with the guilty party getting fired. The thought of letting her deal with that by herself felt cruel.

Yes. She gave me a shove down the gangplank. You need to be there with your parents. With a smirk, she added, I can handle anything Masse has to throw at me.

I gave her a grateful smile. You sure?

Of course. She gave me a hug. Now hurry up.

I sprinted away just as Masse stormed towards the wrecked ship. I winced at the sight of the burning, shredded wing lying on the ground. Masse was never going to let that go.

THE SOUND OF MONITORS beeping, nurses and doctors murmuring amongst themselves, and the looming sound of grief greeted me as I burst through the doors to the floor my parents were on. 

One nurse that I recognized as Mariette huddled with several others, talking. She spotted me and peeled herself away from the group to approach me. Eriska. She spoke slowly, and I knew. 

My knees gave out and I dropped to the ground. A sob ripped out of me. 

I wanted so badly to be like my dad. I wanted to be a great pilot, to conquer the stars, but I’d failed and now I couldn’t even get to hear his voice telling me it was okay. That I was still his precious child and that he was still proud of me.

I felt Mariette’s hand on my shoulder, gentle and reassuring. He passed away about thirty minutes ago.

My cheeks heated as tears spilled down them. I pressed a hand to my mouth as I cried. 

I’m so sorry. Mariette pulled me close, and for a moment I wondered how many young people like me she had to comfort after they lost their parents to the Blue Death.

Then I let myself grieve my dad and whatever chance I’d had to carry on his legacy.

2

Eriska

AFTER A WHILE, my sobbing settled into deep, shuddering breaths. 

Your mom is nearing the end, too, Mariette said. Before I could break down again, she grabbed my hand and squeezed. While our hospital protocol doesn’t allow visitors into the rooms right now, I can set up a video call so you can say goodbye to her.

Unable to form words, I only managed to nod. My vision blurred with tears as she led me gently to a tiny room–more like a closet–with bright, white walls. Only a chair, small table, and a hologram machine decorated the room–unless you counted a tissue box and bin full of filthy tissues from my previous visits. 

Mariette guided me to the chair and helped me sit before working to get the video call set up. Okay. She straightened. I’m going to get it set up in her room. It might be a few minutes, but I’ll get it working as fast as I can.

Thanks, I croaked as she slipped out the door. It closed behind her, leaving me alone in the cold, barren room. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself. I tried to think over how I’d failed my test and lost my dad, but my mind felt numb, like there was Earth-era static crackling through my head. I couldn’t focus on much of anything for more than a second. 

The hologram sparkled and came to life. I leaned forward and propped my elbows on the table to get as close to the image as possible. 

The image wobbled for a moment before I heard Mariette say, Here we are, and Mom’s beautiful face appeared on the hologram. 

I tried to smile wide, but I’m sure it looked weak. She beamed back at me. 

Hey, my Star, she wheezed. How’d...your test...go? Each breath came as a fight, forced out like a jabbing punch.

I swiped at my eyes, and my knuckles came away wet. I didn’t pass, mom. My voice came out as a hoarse whisper. I failed you and Dad.

No. The single word came out as a bark that turned hoarse at the end. I could see her struggling to sit up so she could face the hologram directly. Not possible.

You don’t understand. I blinked rapidly, trying to not cry again. I let my guard down. I wasn’t paying attention, and Leski nearly died because of it.

Did...she? Mom’s voice hitched, and not from the Blue Death. Her concern for Leski as part of our family was obvious, even at the end of her life.

No, I admitted. She managed to patch the window while I flew the ship back to Novis.

Then...it’s all right. Mom reached out to me like she was trying to take my hand. You...can...try again.

I don’t think so, Mom. I think I blew my one chance. I’ll never be like you and Dad.

No. She shook her head. You...will get...your chance. We all...fail. But we must...keep trying.

I laughed, ruefully. When have you two failed?

Her smile faded away. I’m...the reason...we’re still...here. She spoke so softly I almost didn’t hear her. 

What? I leaned forward even closer so I could make sure to catch each word. 

When we fled Earth...I was...in charge of the...radio. 

I felt the blood rush from my face. I’d heard stories about the missing radio to communicate with Earth, but never knew who or what had been in charge of it, and I didn’t like where this story was headed. What happened?

I... She gave a sarcastic laugh. I thought I...had packed...it, but...but I guess...I grabbed the wrong...box. When we got here...I realized...my mistake. I had grabbed...oxygen filters instead. She pressed her hand to her mouth, likely to keep herself from crying. We couldn’t...hear from Earth...to know if we could...ever go back. All because of...me.

I saw a hand reach to hold her free one, and heard Mariette whispering something to her. A wave of gratitude washed over me, knowing that someone was there to comfort my mom, even though I couldn’t be. 

I failed humanity, Mom said. 

No, I said sharply. You didn’t. You and Dad and all the rest who came here did their best. Humanity could have been entirely wiped out if it weren’t for your bravery.

She’s right, I heard Mariette say.

Thank you, Star. Mom leaned back on her pillows. I’ve spent...the rest of...my life trying...to fix— She sucked in a sharp breath. To fix... my mistake. Letting out a long sigh, she added, I was so...so close. I’d built a radio. It was almost...done. There were just a...few more steps. And the key was... Her face turned even paler and her eyes rolled back. Her hand rested on her chest, gripping at something.

The key was...? I found myself tensing as I waited to hear what Mom said.

But she didn’t speak again.

All I heard was the monitor going off, and chatter as medical staff raced in to hook my mom up to more intensive equipment than the machine she was on. 

One of the nurse’s assistants erased the writing on the wall behind my mom’s bed and wrote BD: S5, and my heart sank. My head dropped onto my arms and I found myself crying again.

BD: S5. Blue Death Stage 5. Mom had entered the final stage of the disease.

3

Eriska

THERE ARE NO graves on Mathebos.

At least, not for those who die of the Blue Death. If there were, perhaps I could grieve the death of my parents. As it is, I’m forced to move on, knowing that their bodies would be incinerated and the mere acknowledgement of what killed them is illegal to mention.

The night passed slowly. At some point, the hologram ended and a nurse came to move me to a room adjoining my mom’s so I could see her, but I was too numb to focus on anything. I must have slept, as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and saw indentations on my cheek from my jacket sleeve. 

I think it was around four in the morning when mom died. The beep, beep, beep of the monitor stopped, and Mariette, who had spent the past few hours sitting at my mom’s side in my stead, called in the rest of the medical staff. They covered my mom in a sheet and wheeled her out of the room towards the place where they took everyone who had died of the Blue Death. I figured my dad was there, too. 

As I stepped out of the dark, lifeless room with nothing but a chair and a massive window, the sound of medical staff moving about and the constant beeping of life support machines pummeled me from all sides. Their incessant noises aggravated my growing headache. Staying awake for almost two days—let alone two stressful days—wasn’t the best for one’s health.

Mariette stopped in her trek to a patient’s room and gripped my hand. Her skin was dry and chapped from the frequent handwashing, yet it brought me a sense of peace. I’m so sorry for your loss, Eriska.

I forced myself to meet her gaze. It was warm and sympathetic. Her forehead knitted together, and I could see shining tears threatening to spill over. I imagined her expression mirrored my own.

Thank you, Mariette. I gave her a smile and squeezed her hand back. I owed her what little energy I had left. She was one of the kindest people I’d encountered at the hospital. Even when the other hospital staff surrendered to the inevitable, saying there was nothing more they could do, she made sure to keep my parents comfortable as they passed. I knew that their passing was made better because of her efforts, and it hurt to know I could never repay her for her work.

If you need anything, you know where to find me. With a gentle nod, she left me to attend to her other patients.

Before I stepped outside where there would no longer be any filtered air, I tugged my mask back over my face after having taken it off in the hospital. It took a few sharp intakes of breath to adjust to breathing through the filter. Satisfied that it was working, I pushed open the door and stepped onto the sidewalks. Despite the sideways glances and shaking heads from passersby—and the sheer lack of others wearing masks—I felt comfortable and safe wearing it, almost as if it were a shield from their angry looks. And, with my mom’s admission that she had packed extra filters by accident, it almost felt like I still had her by my side to face the miserable day ahead of me. Though, if I were being honest, having a reminder of her failure wasn’t the way I wanted to remember her. The idea that either of my parents were capable of messing something up–especially something so huge–didn’t sit well with me. 

An elderly lady stopped in her tracks and squinted at me, saying, You know those won’t do anything, right? I almost scoffed. She had a scented locket around her neck–another way people warded off the horrors of the Blue Death.

I allowed her words to wash over me without impact.

That’s what some people say.

Those who haven’t lost family to the air of Mathebos. Coming here was supposed to save us. Mathebos was meant to be humanity’s rescue when President Obtoro, the dictator of the Hidden Isles, threatened to blow up Earth with nuclear bombs. Engineers, farmers, scientists, anyone who had a strong skill set for survival were crammed onto ships and swept off