Chariot 3: Conception
Chapter 30 – “There is no escape”

“There must be one.” Shoffer replied to Flumen`s momentary absence of hope, truly convinced of the veracity of his words.

Flumen remained quiet, embarrassed for saying such a thing.

In the meanwhile, Chariot 3 had set its course towards open space. Destination: DA-51.

The ship ascended on its horizontal position, as it would normally land or take off the ground.

Without the magnetic pole to stabilize their ascension, Chariot 3`s disc shaped body started to vibrate as it gained more and more altitude. Despite the gravity resistance, the ship gradually increased its speed, striving to reach its maximum.

The silence remained in the air while the crew could not hear anything other than the discomforting noise caused by the vibration in their ears.

The last few seconds that elapsed before they reached the stratosphere felt eternal, Flumen could almost hear his heart pulsing under his throat.

Cai Yiu, V-Nus and the Shoffer looked up through the deck head`s displayed on their E-Lenses while Flumen, despite his fear for flying, preferred to look straight and contemplate the curvature of the planet and its spectacular view.

“Earth…” He would miss it.

And so would V-Nus whose unforgettable memories became vivid once again.

V-Nus remembered the overwhelming vibration taking over his body and mind as he looked around the constricted metallic cabin he was on.

Happiness and fear blended as he proficiently conducted the usual checks, concerned with the obvious bad shape that the ship was presented with. Distrustful looking patches and adapted parts blended within its modern design.

While trying to ensure it would not break apart and that oxygen would not leak out of the narrow compartment containing his tanned muscular body, he looked through the archaic view replaceer, and saw the planet behind him getting smaller and smaller at the pace he rose to the skies. He had no idea if he would ever come back.

“We are entering space in 5 seconds…” Sissy proficiently updated them, bringing them all back from whatever thoughts went through their minds. “Finally some good news”, Thought Shoffer.

“…However, I regret to inform you that numerous Grey ships are about to intercept us in…4…3…2…1.” She continued.

The anxiety triggered by her words was immeasurable. Flumen squeezed the seat with his hands as if he was trying to extract something out of it.

Cai Yiu Hun looked fearless with nothing but coldness in his eyes. The Nibirian weapons and armory specialist presented a complete, and sometimes concerning, absence of stress while he drafted his next moves in his mind. He knew very well that the success of the mission was, perhaps, on his hands, literally.

Cai Yiu blinked his eyes, moistening his lenses, raised his hands and cracked his fingers, prepared to deploy the deadly probes once more.

Captain Shoffer stopped him with a gesture, lifting the palm of his hand. Cai Yiu was likely to be ready for the worst and he knew it very well. “Save it for later, we will need it.” Said Shoffer.

V-Nus was speechless, there was nothing to be said. The cold sweat run down inside his burnished uniform. He wondered how many more battles he would have to fight and how many more lives would have to be taken so the people from Earth could finally live in peace, if that would ever be possible.

He shook his head in the attempt to give up his thoughts and ignore the frustrations of having questions whose answers he would never have.

Shoffer could no longer think of words to encourage his team. He could not even be sure if they would make through their next encounter. The only thing he was certain is that their future was uncertain.

As Chariot 3 finished her count “0”, almost as if she had actually summoned them all there, the Grey scouters appeared behind them, all at the same time and then engaged on a deadly pursuit.

The second after they reached space, Chariot 3 made an abrupt stop, changed its course and moved sideways as fast as she could.

Captain Shoffer had a plan. He knew they could not risk staying for another fight, the black hole was their only chance to escape and still, there were no guarantees.

“Ahead of us!” V-Nus called their attention as he stared at the stunning brightness approaching them. Among all the unusual things they had seen and places they had been to, that what they were seeing in front of them was something they had never even envisioned before.

“The Moon…” Regardless of the imminent threat, the most certain death, to not mention the likely failure of their mission, V-Nus could still feature the purest sign of satisfaction displayed in his face. Seeing Earth`s Moon was something they had never imagined be possible before.

Its remarkable natural beauty was beyond the representation they had seen in the most realistic planetary simulators they had the privilege to experience.

The murky lenses they worn did not seem as dark anymore, noticed Cai Yiu when seeing the reflection of the Earth`s natural satellite on the eyes of Flumen.

Captain Shoffer could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, although in that case, it was darkness what he was after. Followed by the others, Shoffer saw the frightening beauty of the black hole ahead of them, with its void partially blocking the ordinary light emanated by the Moon.

No matter how fast they were flying, the eclipse like phenomenon seemed to last forever. The contrast of light and darkness, void and matter was incredible.

For a second, they were all certain that their salvation lied ahead, untouched. No race would ever dare to follow them into the pool of uncertainty that the black hole represented. In a matter of seconds, they would be years ahead, away from the threat behind them.“Away from the Greys.”

“Hold on…”Shoffer`s voice was almost cheerful “…we are almost there.”