Evolution
Expedition Epsilon Part 3 | Final Choice - A worthy speech
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The Chosen Path — “Inspiring, empathetic speech”
Expedition Epsilon
Part 3.3: Evolution
SWAI-H manifested around the ship from all available holographic projectors, and in the areas where there were none, the voice rang through the intercom. “Please standby for a message from the captain.”
Helios and Kai stopped where they were and stared at the phantom-like appearance of the AI’s avatar. They found themselves back in observation deck 1 on the way back to the bridge, where there remained a large pile of debris that the tardigrade had created from bursting through the ceiling, now in an orderly pile ready for recycling. The smell of iron assaulted their nostrils. Remnants of Daniel's blood, although cleaned from the room, still floated through the air in the form of aerated particles. Helios despised how used to the smell he was.
Suddenly the avatar vanished and was replaced with the image of Cpt. Dunwall, shown only from the shoulders up. They straightened, ready to hear what the captain had to say.
The intercom crackled to life as the captain began to speak, “Passengers and crew of the Evolution, allow me to introduce myself to those of you who are unfamiliar. My name is Cpt. Dunwall, and I am privileged to be your first captain for the journey ahead. Many will come after me, but I am not ignorant to the fact that the great honor of setting off on this pilgrimage to our new home is my place in what is soon to be our history. I offer my apologies to everyone for the events that just occurred on the ship, just know that it is over and you are all safe now.”
The ship was quieter than usual, and the captain's voice could be heard echoing through the halls of the vast vessel. Everyone's complete attention was hanging upon his words, give or take a few that were disinterested.
“We have been dealt a tremendous blow, a loss far greater than anyone of us could have ever anticipated. Our families. Our people. Our home. The pain that emanates from our very souls is fresh, raw and shared between us all. We mourn our loved ones that were lost to the plague that infects Earth, the ones that have been left behind.”
Flanagan sat at the table in Daniel’s assigned living quarters, looking after his children. Olivia and Alex sat together on the bed, in each other’s arms listening to the captain speak. His words reminded them of the pain they felt for their mother and the fear they felt for their father; tears streamed down their cheeks in silence. Flanagan rose and went to them, kneeling down and embracing them in his arms. He never was a father to any children, a thought that crossed his mind often. He used this moment to give Daniels children all the love he would have given his, had he been given the chance to have any with his wife. He was the epitome of a hard man, but that did not mean he was void of love or afraid to show it.
“Others would congratulate you on being one of the chosen few, however, I am all too aware at how bittersweet our situation is. We may have made it, but only at the loss of everything. Sacrifice.” Cpt. Dunwall paused for a moment, taking a few deep breaths off the intercom to hide the weight that he carried. He continued, “Sacrifice…is what our survival is based upon. Not just now, but in the past as well. Humans have come this far as a species due to the sacrifices we have made and continue to make. We must all come to terms with this and appreciate the ones that sacrificed before us, so that we may be here.”
The ICU was cold, and smelled of that sickeningly sweet antiseptic that makes people uncomfortable at hospitals. The captain's voice echoed through empty hallways, void of any patients at this point in time – besides for one. Daniel laid in bed, intubated, wires seemingly coming from every inch of his body. “Sacrifice”. His eyes–bloodshot–opened slowly. Seated next to him, watching over as a rugged guardian angel, was Orphus. She noticed him blink and stood immediately. A smile grew over her typical, angst-filled expression, before switching her comm on to relay the much needed good news.
“We must always remind ourselves of where we came from, but we are more than that now. The trials and tribulations that we face ahead can only be conquered by people willing to change. Now, more than ever, I have a renewed faith in all of us. I believe in all of you. I believe that we can face anything that comes, as long as we remain unified, strong and understanding. Look at the people that surround you.”
People all across the ship broke away from the speech for a moment in order to take in their reality. Most just stared at each other, silent, yet there was a universal unspoken message that said, “I have your back, if you have mine.”
“They are more than just neighbors, friends or family now. They are your best chance for survival. Many of you will be heading off to cryo, to begin a long hibernation until your service time has come due. If you dream, I urge you not to dream of the world we left behind, but of the one we have ahead of us. For those of you that are to begin your service right away, I salute your courage to get right to work for those of us that need your help in order to reach our impossible destination.”
Miranda paused in the hallway headed to the ICU. She thought of her father, and that all of this was only possible because of his and Daniel's father’s discovery. As many problems as they had, she had to give him credit where credit was due. Miranda wondered if he would give as inspirational of a speech as her captain was. Probably not. Suddenly, Killinger rounded the corner with two men trailing behind her – Smiles and Chef. Their faces were bruised and their hands were bound to the magnetic locking system around their neck. Killinger passed Miranda, tipping her head, as she continued on her way to their quarters which would become their temporary confinement. Just as she started back down the hallway, Miranda’s comm came to life.
“You all have my eternal gratitude. As we set off, feel free to join the rest of the ship in the observation decks. Here we will gather and say goodbye to the Earth as it fades into the background of space, as well as wish the best of luck to the other ship, Star Hunter. I will leave you with one last message; there is a reason this ship is called what it is – We are the next evolution of humanity.”
After a series of tragic and intense events, The Evolution is finally ready to begin her voyage across the void of space. The speech served as a monumental moment in the history of the human race and will go down as a message of hope, when all seemed to be lost. We now begin our journey to Epsilon, of which we can choose to take many different paths.
It would not be possible to create these stories if not for the choices you all make, so thank you for helping me create this wild sci-fi adventure! Keep on choosing and see where this story goes!
Expedition Epsilon will return in next week after the next issues of Perthro: The Rune of Mystery and Trapped Within Darkness. You could earn a free premium membership if your refer 3 people, and you will have access to the character sheets! I hope you have a great week, and as always — Choose Fiction!