The moment I finished penning Curious Wilds, I turned my attention to my patrons’ next tale, a science fiction. While I had a couple of crews, I could have used to explore the unforgiving expanse of space. It took me longer than I’d like to admit to choosing between them. Ultimately, I chose the crew of the Drifter II. Yet, an actual story eluded me. That is until I remembered the last time I visited this crew during the events of Derelict Ship. And with that recollection, a fresh narrative flooded into my mind. Sometimes, someone’s survival hinges not just on skill, but on the delicate balance between a trio of ideals: duty, loyalty, and the weight of responsibility.
Fresh off the events of Derelict Ship, that’s the reality Charles faces in this newest tale. We begin with a weary captain awaiting news regarding the injured member of his crew, but it quickly spirals into something else when a desperate stranger approaches, looking to hire the Charles and his crew. This is a story of tension, high stakes, and moral ambiguity, where every decision could have dire consequences for someone.
Find a comfy spot and join me as we’re exposed to the latest installment of the Drifter’s crew.
While Charles waits for news of his injured crew, a desperate stranger approaches, searching for help…
Charles’s gaze dropped to his palms as he collapsed into a seat. With a heavy sigh, he buried his face in his hands before massaging his temples. When his fingers stopped, he leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling, losing himself in thought. Between stilted breaths, a small chirp erupted from his comm. He grabbed it with a weary groan and leaned over his knees.
“Lucille, I’m still waiting for Selina to emerge with an update on Tia’s condition.”
“Isn’t this the station we picked her up from?”
Charles’s shoulders sagged as he sat up and stared at the sealed door. Several hours ago, many doctors and technicians had ushered Tia and Selina through it. His eyes slammed shut as his white fingers tightened into a fist. “Yes, she is from this station. But that doesn’t mean she’ll somehow unlock immediate medical attention.”
“Shouldn’t her connections provide us with some benefit?”
“Nobody wants what they consider a stranger to impede their work, and Tia’s doctors assumed Selina was a deranged lunatic. We’re fortunate that she has a highly placed friend on the station’s command staff who lent us his influence, which adjusted their original stance.”
“Where’s the resulting news?”
As Charles’s hand fell to his thigh, a strange voice cut in from his right. “Excuse me.”
.
.
.
To continue reading head over to my Patreon page and become a patron, $2 a month will give you access to this and other flash fiction stories.