The Wanderer docked with the Resistance Command Ship, The Liberator, a few hours after I fell asleep. Fresno and I, however, didn’t wake up until around 800A. We would have slept longer, but Wayland wanted to see us. I was still exhausted, and it took every ounce of energy to drag myself out of the bed. I walked over to the mirror. I hardly recognized myself with my full beard, bed head, and bags under my eyes.I did my best to make myself presentable, and joined Fresno, who was waiting just outside the door. Two armed guards then escorted us to Wayland’s quarters.
Wayland welcomed us in and told us that since our ship would most likely take longer than 3 days to fix, he would arrange for a shuttle for us to take the rock back to Tanar, so we don’t miss our Pitt-imposed deadline. That offer, we would learn, came with a catch: In return for the shuttle to Tanar, and for the parts to fix the Jackyl, we would need to stay with the Resistance an extra 3 days, and run an important mission for them (parts transport or something like that). It seemed like a no brainer – get Pitt off of our backs, get the Jackyl working again, and then get lost. Fresno and I couldn’t agree quickly enough. Wayland considered the matter settled, and told us that he would provide details of the mission once the Jackyl was repaired.
With that Wayland dismissed us. The guards who had escorted us to Wayland’s office now lead us down to the main hangar bay. The hangar was buzzing with activity, just as it was last night. I could see the Jackyl in the far corner, covered in dents and still smoldering. One of the guards told us that if we needed any parts or tools, we should speak with Hub, the floor tech. The two guards then turned and headed back upstairs.
Fresno and I figured that since we were both filthy, it was best to start with the repairs before we showered. Took a couple of hours to clean out the inside of the main cabin, which was littered with debris and other junk. I made sure to keep the rock (which was still covered with the cloaking tarp) in the cargo bay. The last thing I needed was someone on board swiping a case, and then having to explain to Pitt why his shipment was short. I then removed all of the necessary access panel doors, so we could start fixing the engine, jumpers, and shield generators. Fresno managed to get the engine running, but the jumpers and shield generators were in bad shape. There was no way we could fix either of them without some new parts. I made a point to find Hub after I got myself cleaned up and ate some breakfast.
I headed back upstairs to our quarters, while Fresno stayed behind and tried to pry some of the dents out of the ship. As I passed Wayland’s quarters, I overheard a loud conversation. It sounded important. Wayland’s door was open slightly, so I hung back and listened in. I don’t know why I did. I had nothing to gain from overhearing anyone’s conversation on the ship. I guess simple curiosity got the best of me. Anyway, Wayland was talking to (actually, more like pleading with) a tall, sharp-dressed officer. From the way the officer was decorated, I could tell he must have been high-ranking. I couldn’t hear all of the conversation, with all of the noise and commotion coming from the lower hangar deck, but I did manage to catch some of it:
Wayland: “Admiral Jerrod, please reconsider. All I’m asking for is a small crew…”
Jerrod: “I’m telling you for the last time, Mavus, the Lost Fleet is a myth. A story mothers tell their children at bedtime. Nothing more.”
Wayland: “It exists! And I will prove it.”
Jerrod: “I don’t want to hear another word about the damn fleet! In case you haven’t noticed, we’re at war. We cannot spend time chasing after fairy tales.“
At that point, Jerrod started towards the door so I turned and hid by the stairwell. I saw Jerrod exit Wayland’s office and leave in the opposite direction. When the coast was finally clear I made my way back to our room.
Going to take a shower and relax before heading back down to the hanger. I can’t help but think about Wayland and Jerrod’s conversation. Lost Fleet. I wonder what the hell Wayland was talking about. I’ve been to every corner of this galaxy and never once heard anything about a Lost Fleet. I have to remember to scan the Jackyl’s Knowledge Base and see if I can find some info about this fleet, myth or otherwise. Something like that might fetch more than a few credits on the open market.
- Colum
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