Hyker's Plan

Outside, planes with much smaller sizes began to appear from inside the larger planes. Captain Dharma and Hyker witnessed it all.

"Yeah," the captain confirmed Hyker's words. "They're just keeping their distance from Earth."

A number of the small planes back and forth—most of them the size of a bus. There is also a fly towards a large ship called SARO on the starboard side. The ongoing traffic out there isn't something to worry about, at least, that's what Captain Dharma thinking.

"But," said the captain to his crew. "Do not be careless. Stay alert for the worst!"

"Aye Captain!" answered everyone in the room.

"We never know," the captain continued. "Has the Lord of Pangandaran reported this ship to the Federation, or… well, let's just hope that fat pig doesn't stand a chance at all."

"Speaking of SoF moves," Hyker said, then looked at the captain, turning to Pical, Oryza, and Quinn. "I'm a little curious, where are they really going?"

"What's on your mind, my friend?" Pical laughed softly, he was very sure that Hyker was up to something.

"Yeah," Dharma shrugged, looking at Hyker. "What do you want to do, huh?"

"Alright, alright…" Hyker chuckled as he rubbed his chin. "Listen, I'm pretty sure those out there aren't going anywhere for a while. You all saw it, right?"

Hyker again pointed outward, at the disorganized planes. Pical, Oryza, and Quinn looked in the direction Hyker meant, as did the captain himself.

"They look very relaxed. That means in the next few hours, they won't go anywhere," Hyker continued. "How many vehicle drones do we have on this plane?"

"Ermm, only two," replied Pical.

"Excellent, I'll go out with that vehicle," Hyker said. "Visited SARO and looked for information there. Hopefully, we can figure out the Federation's itinerary."

"Doesn't it dangerous?" Quinn asked. "I mean, for your safety, of course."

"Whoa, you're so cute, Quinn," Hyker chuckled because he felt she had a special interest in him. "Thanks for worrying about me, sweetie."

"Screw you!" Quinn's face turned red, and she looked away.

Captain Dharma and the others couldn't help but smile and shake their heads in response to Hyker and Quinn's behavior.

"Well, I agree with Quinn, your plan is quite dangerous," said Oryza, returning her gaze to the large screen on the dashboard, in front of her. "The Federation's reconnaissance drones are still out there."

"I don't think so," Hyker said after clearing his throat. "Well, maybe a bit dangerous. But, this is our only chance to find information about their journey right?"

"I don't want to put my men in a dangerous situation," muttered the captain, folding his arms across his chest. "I hate it. However, I'm just as curious as you are."

"Relax, Cap, don't worry," Hyker said with his hands on his waist. "I've been to SARO myself, so it's a little easier for me. After all, no one out there knows that I'm the pilot on this ship. They might think I'm just a regular visitor, just like everyone else out there."

"Well," the captain took a deep breath. "Looks like we can do it."

"I need one or two men to go with me," Hyker looked at everyone in the room.

"I'll come with you," said the captain.

"Hey-hey-hey!" Hyker refuted the captain's words, shaking his head. "Not you, Cap."

"Yeah!" Quinn, Oryza, and Pical said almost at the same time.

"Why not?" the captain frowned.

"You're listed as captain on spacecraft SC45, remember?" said Hyker. "That means the Federation people might recognize you. What if later they asked about the Pangandaran Lord? They will suspect you and investigate our ship, won't they?"

"I think Hyker has a point, Cap," said Pical. "It's too risky if you go with him."

"All right, all right," said Captain Dharma.

"I need someone who can disappear like a ghost," Hyker replied. "Those who are not registered on any plane. Moreover, the planes that have been under the Federation's control all this time."

The captain nodded. "Makes sense."

Yes, that's right, thought the captain. It would be better if the people accompanying Hyker were strangers. At least, the people out there, maybe even the Federation people would think Hyker and the other two were just ordinary people who came from nowhere. Not the kind of people to watch out for. At least, not the kind who would cause anything dangerous in the eyes of the Federation.

"Very well," said the captain the next second. "Let's just run it according to your plan. So, who else are you going to bring?"

"All of you here," Hyker replied, "I couldn't have taken out there. You guys keeping an eye on this ship, as well as the movement of reconnaissance drones, instead of the destroyer probe, is more important to keep an eye on. You guys can understand me, right?"

Pical, Oryza, and Quinn nodded. Hyker's words are very reasonable because they are the only ones who have the skills to control the spacecraft. Of course, it would be disastrous if they—or one of them—went with Hyker, and when the unexpected happened, it was certain that their next trip would be disrupted, or even completely delayed.

"All right," said the captain, moving his head slightly, signaling Hyker to follow in his footsteps. "Let's just go to the dining room to find two people to accompany you. They're all there right now."

"Great," said Hyker as the captain walked out of the cockpit. "Let's see who has the balls to go with me."

Captain Dharma laughed silently. "You are nut, you know that?"

Hyker laughed louder. "You know, Cap," he said, "it's like a game even in real life. To me, there is no difference. If you dare to make a breakthrough, then you will win at the end of the story."

"Amen to your words," said the captain.

This is where the captain is now accompanied by Hyker. The two of them were in the dining room where people were eating.

"Hey, Cap," several people greeted the captain.

"Come, Cap, or you'll lose your rations."

The laughter of several people echoed within the dining room.

"No problem, you guys just keep eating," Captain Dharma laughed with the people. "I didn't see Fraya and Guntur, where did they go?"

TO BE CONTINUED ...