Rocky Start

Signar entered the command module of the Juggernaut. It was larger than he had expected having only seen it on the security footage. All around him, other Moltins were busy at the various workstations. They had each absorbed large amounts of memories from the ship’s former crew but having someone else’s elses memories was not nearly as good as having actual practical hands-on experience. The center chair, the command position had no console, it was from here that traditionally orders were given, but the menial work of using one’s hands was seen as beneath the typical duties of a commander. Signar could process this line of thinking but he didn’t understand it. He was used to putting his own strength, his own effort into a job and feeling satisfaction for having played an important part in the completion.

Procouncil Granueel entered the room and a few of the workers noticed and gave a deffered respectful greeting. Granueel warmly greeted in return, taking a moment to encourage each worker, and praise them as if a long lost friend. Signar wished, not for the first time that Granueel was taking command of this mission, and could have done so if he wasn’t so opposed to it’s existence.

“Procouncil” Signar too lowered his gaze respectfully.

“You know there is no need for such formality between US”, and Granueel enveloped Signar is a tight embrace. He released and stepped back, still holding Signar’s shoulders. Granueel said nothing for a long moment, smiling the whole time. “I came here to try once more to talk you out of this, but I realize now that would be river rough.”

“Fundamentally, our problem is one of lack of information.” Signar had said this line dozens of times in the past few days, including to Granueel. It was the core of his position the foundation of the entire mission. “We have an opportunity…”

“I know, I know… you’ve convinced the Council, and in part you’ve convinced me, but does it have to be YOU?”

“It should be you.” Signar returned, but both knew that would never happen. “But the Council decided, it has been Decided.”

“Decided.” Granueel smiled, the Council’s decrees were law, and personal feelings aside things must take place as they will. “True. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“So if you’re not here to erode my feelings…?”

“You forgot something.” Granueel explained, “Our technicians pieced together some more of the final moments on this ship. It seems the commander set the ship to crash, but after he left via his escape shuttle…”

“The escape shuttle!” Signar interrupted now understanding what had been forgotten. Granueel transferred some knowledge to Signar, how to pilot the craft, taken from one of the fallen crew.

“Yes, while Commander Lyscene was fleeing, his crew tried, and failed, to stop the descent. They were partially successful. The ship still crashed, they still died, but instead of a total loss, we were able to repair this… craft.” He waved his hands around as if not impressed with such a technological marvel.

“We’re about to launch…I don’t have time.”

“You have time to go to the shuttle, and fly it to space and meet the Juggernaut in orbit. It’s something you’d want to practice anyway.”

“You’re right…as usual.”

“I’m always right.”

| | |

Everything on the shuttle acted just as Signar expected. Not only had he been given knowledge of the ship’s features, but also of flight theory, and the physics behind it. He could envision other Moltin developing this technology, as it was quite thrilling to move so fast, climb so high above the planet going higher than the clouds, then the atmosphere, and into the inky black of space.

The Juggernaut had preceded him into orbit. He flipped a switch to open a communication signal and let them know of his approach so they could open the hangar bay door. That wasn’t what happened at all. Instead, a black object shot out of the shuttle, something Signar had not expected. He searched his memory, his own and that of the borrowed memories. One word surfaced “torpedo”.

Before Signar could find the actual radio controls he realized it was too late. With no energy shield activated, the Juggernaught was caught unaware. The projectile hit in just the right place to begin a chain reaction that began one explosion after another, as each breached chamber imploded and crumbled, battering the ship into a charred husk, and once again sending it toward Creeateen, this time nothing could stop it’s furious descent. It lit up as it gained speed and burned into the atmosphere. The shockwave from the impact could be felt for a long distance.

Signar’s radio cracked to life. It was Procouncil Granueel’s voice, this time all pretense of care and love was washed away. “Signar, why did you attack your own? You must return immediately and be tried for treason.”

No one would believe him, even if given access to his memory, no, if he landed he was as good as dead. He had to find someplace else to figure things out. He searched the ship’s listing of places close enough he could reach with this craft’s range. He adjusted course and set off, for the first time in his life truly alone.