Back on the spaceship, Avi prepared a full tray of stuffed baked potatoes and synthesized the lemon water. Luna was in the main room, connected to the data box via her adapter, her expression was one of uneasiness.
“How is it? Did you find something?” - Avi asked.
“I'll play it, listen to it yourself.” - Luna answered.
On a holographic screen, the Pioneer's crew emerged, gathered before the hooded statue. They knelt, offering reverent bows and calling out to it.
“Avquera mi lato, doers na hada. We reject what must be rejected. We reject fourteen commercial laws. We honor her, who extinguishes the stars, who walks through the steel storm, the vanquisher of M?bius Syndicate, the herald of heresy."
In the distance, it was possible to notice enslaved slugs, in chains and shackles. They were led to the sphere of light. When the first victim approached, they lost strength and then collapsed. Around them, semi-transparent blue grass and flowers began to blossom – it continued until they drew their last breath. Their lifeless body started to disintegrate, burning like a blue-glowing ash, until nothing was left except for their shackles.
The process continued, so Luna skipped until all the slaves were gone.
The ship's captain raised his hands and fell to his knees. - “Forgive us, who are unworthy. We have not yet fulfilled our duty to you, but we offer ourselves.” - His voice was trembling, as if he were terrified. - “We'll find what must be found. May our weakness perish in embers of oblivion.”
He stood up, then, with lowered hand, waved at the guards. They aimed their weapons at the Pioneer's other crew, forcing them to sacrifice themselves. When there was nobody left other than the soldiers, the captain spoke. - “You know the cost of defiance. We have no choice, either we die here, or we're lost for eternity.” - There was a long silence. - “Do we draw straws, or are there any volunteers?”
Nobody dared to approach the statue, so the captain activated the randomizing device. Many bracelets beeped in green, until one of them turned red. The knees of the chosen soldier bent, yet he continued to slowly step forward until his comrades began to push him. He collapsed, face to the ground, and died shortly after. There was nothing left but smoldering blue ash.
It continued until only three of them were left, including the captain. When the randomizer determined the next 'winner', they refused to go and aimed their weapon at their officer.
“I won't die because of you! You sold the last of our kind! You go first!” - The soldier yelled.
The captain bit his lip. There was a loud gunshot, and the mutineer fell to the ground, dead. The other soldier walked to the sphere of light, uttering his last words. - “You're the last hope of our people. If it doesn't work, forget, turn back and search for new hope among the stars.”
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When his incinerated corpse fell apart, the captain lowered his officer's cap over his eyes, concealing tears.
“You lied to us.” - He whispered. - “I... curse you.” - He put his pistol to his skull, then pulled the trigger.
It didn't fire. A white-robed person with two levitating black shawls materialized before the captain, telling him. - “You made your choice.” - She said. - “You'll be judged.”
The captain's lower lip began to tremble, and he couldn't utter a word. The white-robed figure extended her arm and vanished, taking the captain with them.
Avi was speechless, she didn't understand what had happened there at all.
“It's not everything.” - Luna added. - “I checked the logs. Someone landed here, manipulated the recordings, and deleted data entries a few years after those events. They cleverly filled the gaps with AI-generated images of an empty spaceship.”
“Did someone... force them to just die?” - Avi muttered finally, devastated.
“It appears so.” - Luna replied.
“That's too much... God's Sickle, Creators, that fragment, Universal Necrosis.” - Avi uttered. - “Can all of this really turn out well?”
“I don't know, but we'll keep trying.” - Luna said, removing the adapter.
“...but can we really do anything on our own?” - Avi asked.
“We were fine so far.” - Luna added. - “Do you remember the robot city and volcanic mines? You did a lot of good, don't lose hope.”
“Maybe you're right.” - Avi said, gazing at the lid of her heatproof dish. - “We've a goal, and we have us.”
Luma smiled, caressing Avi's cheek. - “Sadness doesn't suit you at all, Avi. We should probably eat before it gets cold. It'll calm your mind.”
“You're right.” - Avi served the meal onto the plates, then whistled and called. - “Aurora, lunch!”
The fox sprinted into the room and began climbing the table's leg, licking its lips and eagerly waiting.
“Here, enjoy!” - Avi said as she put the plate down. She then sat with Luna on the sofa.
“So, Genesis Star is next?” - Luna mentioned.
“Yes.” - Avi confirmed. - “It's already a tenth star system. I can't believe we already visited almost one-fifth of the universe.”
“Still, a long journey awaits us. The distance to other stars is increasing, too. We'll have a lot of time for each other.”
“Yeah. We can test the devices installed in Caleb's room. Did you say that I can train the control over the multitask cell there?”
“Yes, but not precisely. Virtual worlds can simulate the actions of your cell, but only those that you already know. You'll not create anything new there.”
“Okay...”
“You'll see, you'll like it. We can replay all of our memories there, and a lot more.”
“Like... the spaceship flight?”
“Among other things. You'll not only be able to re-experience it, but also try some obstacle courses.”
“That sounds amazing! We have to try right after you start the ship!”
Luna giggled, adding with a sly smile. - “What about a small race? I'll give you a head start.”
Avi pouted. - “You don't have to! I'll do just fine!”
“...and in my humble opinion, you'll crash into the first asteroid.”
“We'll see!” - Avi exclaimed, spearing another potato with her fork.
Luna just laughed.
