Stromile Keegan, "Fitful Wakefulness"

Transport Ship
En Route to Blue Dwarf
Passenger Section
Stromile blinked in surprise, trying to understand what his eyes were
relaying to his brain. The image of the two large ships seemingly
occupying a shared spot in space was strange enough, not to mention the way
they blurred, but that effect could easily have been the alcohol he'd
consumed already. Both he and Aran pressed up against the windows,
surveying the scene. The stewardess was engaged by the view as well and
asked what was going on. Stromile and Hares shared a confused look.
"Cannot be sure." Keegan replied. "Looks like some of a tear in the fabric
of space, like maybe another universe." "C'mon man. How would that be
possbible?...Hang on a sec" Hares said chippily and turned to the
stewerdess "Don't you have access to this ships mainframe?" It appeared
she did and a few seconds later they were scanning through the command and
control menus. They found the sensor status screen which related the news,
incomprehensible as it was. "Smegg happens?" Stromile grunted.
Keegan scratched his lengthy beard. It was obvious that this transport
wasn't going to go in and explore the situation. In fact, the skipper was
probably preparing to turn about and just avoid this route all together.
He hadn't come out here to have someone else decide where he'd be going.
The pull of duty was strong, not to mention the bump in salary. He turned
and looked at Hares. "You know, I used to pilot a ship like tis 'ere one,
when I was a lad. I reckon I could fly us through that there hole and find
out whats goin' on" he offered, mixing a little truth with a whole lot of
exaggeration. Sure he'd piloted in space before, but underpowered mining
pods in low orbit and atmospheric levels. "Shouldnt we try to make
contact first?" sneered Hares "We don't know what we'd be flying into."
Unfortunately that option was out as it seems the spilled beer had shorted
out the communication equipment. Pity. "No choice then, we'll go in!"
and with that he sped down to the
cockpit with Hares close on his heels. He looked around the empty helm
station in disbelief first, then relief. There was no pilot, an automated
computer seemed to be running the ship. That was probably why it was
taking so long for the big slug to decide what to do. "Bloody computers
running your lives! Not like the old days." He rubbed his palms in
anticipation and hopped down into the pilot seat, examining the controls
and trying to bring back the hazy memories of previous flight experience.
"You are not authorised to pilot this vehicle!" was the voice coming from
the speakers above their heads. "I am now!" Stromile knew mechanics and
circuitry fairly well and it took him only a few seconds to find the
appropriate wires and yank them out. "Auto-Pilot offine" came the drone
voice. The ungaingly transport immediately began to shudder and a few
alarms went off. Hares strapped in beside him, swearing under his breath.
"Those other passengers are going nuts!" he said, taking a quick look back.
Stromile didn't respond, struggling with the heavy control sticks, but the
ship did begin to turn, dipping slightly at the nose until he pulled
another lever. Their stewardess came in then, apparently a little nervous.
"Oh my goodness, this isn't quite allowed you know? The master of the
ship will surely be upset!"
Hares brightened at her entrance, seemingly ignoring the shaking of the
ship. "Now now dear, don't worry, me and my friend are professionals.
Just come over here and you'll be alright." he offered charmingly, patting
his lap. "You really must be afraid." croaked Keegan as the stewardess
accepted the suspicious offer. He'd finally gotten the ship swung around
and in proper position, the bow pointing directly at the patch of murky
space and the other ships. "Hang on kids!" he shrieked in glee, stepping
on the accelerator, the transport bucking forwards. At just that moment
the master of the transport reached the pilot's control room, his eyes
bulging and face red. "What the HELL is going on here??!?!"
Hares jerked around and pointed at another side seat. "Take a seat sport."
he yelled vainly, as the powerful forward momentum shook the ship and the
man flew backwards out of the compartment, swearing all the way. The
transport was buckling now, at full speed and the spatial hole directly in
front of them, like a giant maw about to devour them. Stromile heard Hares
emit a prayer-like "Save us." and held on for dear life.