Chapter 9

Nessa and Kommer stepped into the blackness of the hallway, and Nessa followed the sound of Kommer's footsteps until a shaft of light pierced the darkness. They stood under the shield of the dome above.

Nessa ran her hand along the cold metal of the ship.

"There's a chance," she blurted out, "that I won't come back."

The color drained from Kommer's face.

"There's that possibility," he sputtered.

He clapped his hand on her shoulder, then gave her a nudge.

"The risks of staying are the same," he said. "Like I said earlier, I assume the friendliness of the inhabitants of Earth."

Nessa's eyes stung. He put his hand up, and she accepted the friendly palm-size comparison. "Now go. There's no time to waste."

Kommer unlocked the hatch of the ship, and lifted it backward. Nessa flopped in the seat, and pulled the harness down until clicked her into safety. The hatch fastened in place, and Nessa was alone. She watched as Kommer disappeared into the black hallway.

Her stomach turned, but her mind had already soared into adventure. She uncovered her implant, and drew a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and spoke.

"Transmission to Father, Mother, Iliyah, Aja, Aylen, Egan. I'm leaving for Earth beyond the galaxy. I hope to save Akron. Iliyah, Aja, Aylen, Egan. I hope we can reconnect when I return. I hope to return soon."

Nessa peered up through the hatch door above her, and into the plastic of the dome rotunda even farther above. The dome unsealed.

She shoved the lever upward, pumped the foot controls, and the ship vibrated as it left the landing pad behind. Once again, the ground below her receded, and the expanse of space welcomed her in.