Space Junk: Part 2
Story by deleteduser1 on SoFurry
If you haven't read Space Junk: Part 1, this wont make sense. So, go do that, I guess.
Ms.Minnie, piloting the ship to their nearest jump point, couldn't ward off the thought of why Zach wouldn't answer her questions. Putting the ship into autopilot, she went to wake Zach up so he could authorize the jump. Opening the pod-like cryostasis chamber, she attempted to wake Zach up. Getting a slight mumble and a groan, she feared he wouldn't awake. "Zach. Wake up, we need to authorize the jump." she demanded, slightly shaking him. Just barely awake, Zach stumbles to his feet, mumbling incoherent vulgar abuse towards his cognitive abilities. Finally awake enough to perform an authorization, he executes the eye scan and lets the ship warp.
Ms.Minnie, gathering her thoughts, tries to squeeze information out of the temporarily groggy Zach. "Zach, you weren't very clear last time I asked. Why DID we leave earth? Why did everyone leave? I want you to tell me." Her tone was soft and sweet, and she looked at him longingly, hoping that he would answer. "Err. We left...uhh, what was I on about?" He mumbled almost incoherently. Rubbing his temples, he woke himself up, and decided to tell her the full story. "Humans, people, have been destroying the planet for some time. It was only a matter of time before we would be forced to go somewhere else while the earth rotted. So when the first sign came that we would need to move to space soon, I got to work on getting us ready. Yes, I did tell you that it was part of a government experiment, but I lied. I'm sorry. Now earth sits in the massive expanse of stars, living the last possible bit of its life. I plan to find a close enough copy of earth before the federation does. If I do, I can start us anew. We can use eco friendly resources. Avoid destroying our home out of pure greed. There are a few groups of rebels like us with the same intent. That's why I try to avoid most contact with other humans and various races. Because they could be federation spies." He explained, leaving Ms.Minnie speechless.
Suddenly being hailed, Zach decrypted the signal to be a fellow rebel ship. "Come in, Silver Star! Rebel Ship Alpha 3926 here, we require some assistance. Just supplies if you have any to spare!" A young orange glowing creature said, attempting to signal help. Getting a suspicious feeling, Zach slowly approached the ship, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. A Krumlein captain got out of his ship, and slowly floated over to the Silver Star's airlock. Quickly grabbing a ionizer, Zach got ready to enter the airlock, fully equipped for any combat. "Ms.Minnie, I'll need you to stay in the ship, NO MATTER WHAT." He sternly said, closing the airlock door, and authorizing outside space entry. The Krumlein looked overjoyed to see Zach, "Oh! Good! I just need some fuel and possibly food, if you have any to spare." He seemed nervous, and made weird motions with his wrench-like hand. His cold metallic eyes blinked awkwardly, but it was too late to see the SOS hidden in his motions. Zach was ion stunned from behind, and dragged into the rebel ship. A trap, pirates held the Krumlein crew hostage on their hunt for bounties. Quickly performing an unauthorized jump, they leapt away from the Krumlien captain, the force pushing him into the Silver Star. Hardly damaged, he quickly hacked the airlock, and got aboard the Silver Star. "Excuse me, but I never meant for your captain to get caught. It was simply out of my power. But I can help you get him back." The Krumlien said through his British translator accent. Slowly getting up from her seat, Ms.Minnie pushed the Krumlien to the wall, and pointed an ionizer at him. "WHAT. HAPPENED." she barked, her tone fierce and threatening. Fearing for his circuits, the Krumlien put his arms up in sign of surrender.
Sighing, Ms.Minnie let go of him, and began piloting the ship in pursuit of the rebel ship. "I- I'm very sorry, we Krumliens are very peaceful, so its only natural that we had to give in to their demands. Was he more than-" He was cut off by Ms.Minnie sternly saying "No. Nothing. Be quiet, and just tell me what your name is." The tension between her and the Krumlien captain was thick. "My name, is DA-X991. In your language, it is William. You are an odd species, what sector are you from?" William asked, attempting to put her at ease with minor chitchat. Ms.Minnie only looked at him, then back at the deck. "I'm Ms.Minnie, and I'm from earth. That's all you need to know."