Admin Log: entry 1856: I got a hairball today. I also got my pay docked for another year. Oh well, it was worth it. On top of that I have to work with the other Admins. We all have to find the Angel of Death. Can you say suicide mission? I was the only one that has fought him and lived. There was a blimp on my radar. At first I thought it was nothing but a glitch, until my alarm went off. Someone fired a bullet. My guess they were trying to get a greedy president. As an Admin, it was my duty to protect him. I take the hit from a simple bullet. The bullet went completely through the Deadman’s cargo bay. I set my 8-core and flew to overdrive towards the blimp on the radar.
As I reached what my radar stated was a blob, I look out, and was just lost for words. There he was. In a ship I never saw before. The ship looked like a black angel. I fly around to the side of the ship. No name, no tags, nothing. I reached over and turned my radio to all stations. “Angel of Death, I am requesting you to power down and surrender.” And then I heard his voice. “Only a dead man will bring me down. Until you die once, you are just a simple human.” His voice sounded empty, almost like he is waiting to die. I don’t remember what happened after that. The next thing I knew, I was in the medical unit. They said I died in the battle. They brought me back to life, but what he said still echoing in my head. Now it’s back to Lofn, but first I need to get the hairball taken care of. Damn it. Why is it so hard to keep Credits? My dad always made it look so easy. –End Log-
I looked up to see the hairball floating in the middle of the cockpit. I forgot to turn on the gravity generator. I reach over and flip a switch and everything fell to the floor. The hairball gave me a dirty look before my shirt landed on him. I laughed and picked him up. “Now tell me, my little hairball, what shall I call you?”
“Meow?” he answered.
“How about Freyr?”
“Meow.” We reach the space station and docked in 843-B. As the hairball and I exit the Deadman a robot came up to me.
“Excuse me sir. Would you like me to start the repairs?” said a robot.
“Not this time. Just call the vet and tell him that he is needed.” I activated the defense system on the Deadman before taking the elevator up to the vet’s office.
“You are a new face. I have never thought someone like you would have a pet.” Said the vet when I stepped onto the floor. I look around the room. It bare except for a sign that says ‘When stuck in space without food. Don’t eat your pet.’
“Picked him up on the planet. He was on the landing pad.” I replied
“So what can I do for you today.” He asked. I hold up the hairball. First thing out of his mouth was “Awe how cute, what is his name?”
“Freyr. He needs shots and a check up. I will be back in a hour to pick him up.” I turned around and grab a standard list of pet supplies for cats, and took the elevator up to the supply floor. I stepped out of the elevator and looked at the man at the counter.
“Your back?” the man behind the counter choked out. It was the same man as last time. “I just found out that you knocked out the cloaking device. Just get the shit you need and get the hell out.” I walked up to the counter and set a list down.
“I want this stuff at my ship in 45 minutes.” I said as I turned to walk away. I now made my way to the Admin Lounge. I took the elevator up to the top floor and stepped out.
“ADMIN ON DECK!” shouted a Second Lieutenant. I turned and look at him. He saluted me.
“Do me a favor and shut up.” I returned the salute and continued walking. Only 2 other Admins were there. I would think that they were all off trying to do this suicide task.
“Gee man, give him a break. He is only doing his job.” Said the Admin. He grabbed his beer and took a drink.
“You know I hate being announced every tine I reach a floor.” I replied.
“Black Rose, you need to relax. Sit back, and enjoy a beer.” He grabbed a can of beer and passed it to me.
“Know what Flame Ring?”
“What?” he answered.
“In here is the only place I get treated like a fellow Admin.” I said. “I am not treated like a military brat.” I look out the glass dome that showed the planet below. I opened my beer and took a sip.
“You are only 45. You are the youngest Admin among us, and some of us feel that you cheated to get where you are now.” Said the female Admin. “In here, we all become normal people. No title to hold up. No ranks. No ages. Just people just trying to relax.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth.” I answered back. I looked at her and took another drink of beer. “I was forced into the ATC because of my dad went into the military, and my mom didn’t want anything to do with me.”
“I… I… never knew that.” She looked shocked.
“And you still don’t. I don’t want anyone to think I was a charity case. My dad was forced back into the military because of the threat on the elders. Flame Ring is the only one that knew.” She looked at Flame Ring and punches his arm.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” she asked.
“Well Dark Wolf; you never asked.” Answered Flame Ring. He sticks his tongue out at Dark Wolf. She tries to punch him again, but he moved out of the way. “Get back here you little pip-squeak.” She jumps up and chases after Flame Ring. I checked my watch, only 15 minutes to get back. I turned around and headed back toward the elevator. Right before I stepped in the tube, I gave the Second Lieutenant the beer.
---
The hairball and I reached the Deadman. The supplies were in a nice pile. I set him in the cockpit and loaded everything in the cargo bay. I climbed into cockpit just to be attacked by Freyr. He pounced on me with full claws. I let out a yell as I fell backwards out of the cockpit and landed on the hard dock bay floor. Instantly an alarm goes off announcing a code red. Before I could get up, there were over 50 men. Their guns were aimed at Freyr. “False alarm I am fine. It was just my cat playing.” I picked Freyr up and got into the cockpit again. I shut the cockpit and watched the men leave. The bots opened the doors, and I left. I set the autopilot and sat back. Freyr jumped on me and curled up and fell asleep. I reach over to turn off the cockpit lights when a code red shot out over the radio.
“I am Taki, I am being attacked. Need help. Near the planet Baldr. Don’t know how much longer I can hold out.” I override the autopilot and set it to Baldr. I turned on my headset.
“This is Admin Black Rose, pilot of the Deadman. I will be there in 10 minutes. Just hang on.” I set my 8-core to overdrive. Before I even had a chance to strap in, I enter hyperspace.
---
The jolt out of hyperspace was harder then normal. I didn’t care. I turned on my targeting system and charged the EMP cannon. I reached over and override the autopilot. I started speeding towards the two ships in the distance. I turned on my headset. “Taki, this is Admin Black Rose. How are you holding?” The answer I got wasn’t the one that I wanted to hear.
“I have no power to my engine.” He answered over the radio. I changed the EMP to wide shot, and fired it. It hit both ships, leaving them powerless. I turned on my headset and changed my radio station to the local emergency.
“This is Admin Black Rose. I need two ships picked up. And please hurry, I am not sure how much air they have.” I said waiting for a reply.
“Admin Black Rose, we are sending help now. Please hang tight.” Was the answer. I flew over to the ships. I dimmed the lights and waited for help.
Author notes
Prologue http://storywrite.com/story/347168
Chapter 1 http://storywrite.com/story/347202
Chapter 2 http://storywrite.com/story/347296
Chapter 3 http://storywrite.com/story/347478
