To the Lost and Found

A Short Story

Crow shot out of the south end of the canyon just meters above the giant redwood trees that lined the narrow passage. He banked the ship hard to port and then dropped lower as soon as the treeline disappeared, turning into a lakeside beach. He pushed the accelerator forward and picked up speed, a wall of water kicking up behind the small craft.

“Captain, they’re still back there,” called Ingram from her navigator seat.

A static-distorted voice came through the headset. “Unidentified transport. You are in violation of Ministry Code 23.456 section 21. Your presence in this sector is prohibited. Slow your speed and prepare to be detained.” The voice was young-sounding and nervous.

“They’re above and three clicks to starboard, Captain.”

“Copy that. Renna! Those distractors ready yet?”

Through his headset, he heard the gruff voice of his mechanic. “Almost, Cap! Still charging up.”

“Understood. Hang on everyone!” He banked hard to port and pulled up on his control stick, decelerating for a moment and then jamming the handle forward.

“Unidentified transport!” The voice seemed panicked now. “I repeat, slow your speed! This is an official Ministry order! If you do not comply…” Crow switched the sound off. “Renna!”

“Fire when ready, Captain!”

“Copy that. All hands, stand by for distractors. Eyes and ears, people. Big bang in three… two… one…” Crow flipped three switches in order and the familiar THUNK THUNK THUNK of the Morrigan’s countermeasures dropping shook the ship. Crow dropped his shielded visor over his eyes and steadied his hands on the controls. Ingram flipped her own visor down and braced herself against the bulwark.

A brilliant flash of light lit up the cockpit seconds later, followed by a series of high-pitched screeches and deafening, rapidly modulating tones. As the last echoes faded, Crow flipped his visor back up, glanced around, and accelerated again, steering the ship upward and hard to the right.

“Sensor, report!”

Ingram was grinning. “They’re distracted, captain. Look at ‘em!” She laughed loudly. Crow pulled the ship further around and saw their pursuer through the front of the cockpit. The Ministry interceptor floated in place, slowly turning at an angle, helpless and blind. Crow knew that inside that ship were a dozen or more Ministry of Reclamation and Protection agents trying to rub spots from their eyes and clear the ringing in their ears, while also trying to manage the sudden loss of gravity. He almost felt sorry for them. They weren’t soldiers; they were just glorified auditors and observers. He was glad he was not going to have to kill anyone today.

“Captain, we have a clear shot towards Luna. No more Reccies on scan.” Ingram began entering coordinates into her navigation system. “Once we break atmosphere, we can go FTL almost immediately.”

“And Jorhan knows we’re coming, right? We’ll need to unload the babies as soon as possible to keep them viable.”

Ingram nodded. “Yep, and he’s even arranged for a mobile greenhouse unit.”

“The Virellians always did know how to plan, didn’t they?” He turned back to his controls and made some adjustments. He spoke into his com again. “Renna, how are we looking? Ready to go?”

“Whenever you are, Cap!”

Crow gave Ingram a thumbs up and switched on his shipwide com. “Well done, all. We’re almost free and clear. Prepare for atmospheric egress and FTL jump. You know the drill. All hands. No gate means expect the unexpected. It also means we’ll be back home sippin’ Garden Grog and rolling in Drifts before you know it. To the Lost and Found!”

He could hear the cried response throughout the ship. TO THE LOST AND FOUND!

Adjusting his steering, Crow aimed towards the planet’s moon, pale and full in the daylight sky above, and sent the Morrigan towards it.