Scavenger

DATE: Year 308-B, Sol 526

LOCATION: Quarantine Strut 4

The ascent took an hour.

The Stardust acted as a tug, its gravity drive pulling the dead weight of the Sparrow up through the cloud layers until they broke the surface.

Jupiter raged below them, but up here, on the strut, it was just wind.

Phoenix managed to dock the Sparrow manually. It was loud and ugly. Beside it, the silver Stardust touched down without a sound.

Phoenix cycled the airlock and stepped out onto the grate. He checked the Sparrow’s hull. It was scorched, dented, and leaking hydraulic fluid, but the frame was straight.

He looked over at the HAK ship. The canopy popped open.

Himalaya climbed out. He looked different.

The City airlock opened.

Victoria and Poteau stepped out.

They were wearing their heavy environmental suits again.

ISOLATION PROTOCOL INITIATED.

They stopped ten feet away.

-The intruder? Poteau asked. His voice was tinny over the comms.

-Gone, Himalaya said. Crushed.

Victoria nodded.

She looked at the Stardust.

-I guess it’s mine, Himalaya said.

Victoria looked at her son. For a long moment, the unreadable botanist’s mask stayed in place. Then, she reached into her belt pouch.

She pulled out the small, sealed vial. The three red seeds suspended in gel.

She walked forward and placed the vial in Himalaya’s hand.

-Then you will need to feed yourself, she said. Since you insist on living in the wild.

-Mother, Himalaya started.

-You’ve made your decision. You’re always welcome back, as long as there’s time.

She looked at Phoenix.

-Pilot. You have fuel?

-Enough to get to a pump, Phoenix said.

-Good. Then go.

She stepped back. She stood next to Poteau. They looked like statues against the massive dome of the city.

-Grow something, Himalaya, Victoria said. Don’t just survive.

-Goodbye, Himalaya, Poteau said. He raised a hand. A wave.

-Goodbye, Himalaya said.

The parents turned. They walked into the airlock and they were gone.

Phoenix turned to the Sparrow. He kicked the landing strut.

-Alright, kid, Phoenix said. Let’s get this circus moving.

-Where are we going? Himalaya asked, tucking the seeds into his pocket. Venus is a long haul. We’ll need to plot a gravity assist.

Phoenix stopped. He looked at the boy.

-We?

-Yeah. We.

Phoenix shook his head. He pointed a gloved finger at Jupiter.

-There is no we. I took a job. I did the job. I got paid in... well, I didn't get paid, actually. I got a broken ship and a headache.

-Phoenix—

-I’m dropping you at Io, Phoenix said. It’s the closest port. You got a fine starship there, keep it. You can sell it, fly it, I don't care. But I work alone.

Himalaya stared at him.

-You came back for me. You dove into the storm.

-I dove after my payday, Phoenix said. He turned his back. The Sparrow is leaking fluid. I need a mechanic. Io outbound.

He climbed the ramp to his ship.

-I’ll tow you, Himalaya called out.

Phoenix stopped on the ramp.

-What?

-Your engines are shot, Himalaya said. I have a tractor beam. I can tow you to Io in half the time. It saves you fuel.

Phoenix looked at the battered Sparrow. Then he looked at the shiny HAK ship.

-Fine, Phoenix grunted. Tow me to Io. Then we’re done.

-Copy that, Himalaya said. He climbed back into the silver cockpit.

Phoenix cycled his airlock. He sat in the pilot’s seat, alone in the silence of his ship. He tapped his wrist.

Three times.

-Just to Io, he whispered. Then I’m gone. Copy that.