Chapter III

After a ten minute jog, they land at the cave’s gaping mouth. The crystal landscape shines like ice and Neop sees her reflection pink on the smooth surface.

“Look for signs of life,” murmers Longsuffering, creeping into the dark, his electrotorch in hand, “she must be close.”

The company forms a perimeter and scans the rocks for debris. Neop tentatively traces her finger along the sharp rim of the cave entrance. Here it is. The cave where PHL3 took shelter after the evacuation. Neop knows most ships are equipped only with basic medical material and wonders how PHL3 could have survived this desolation alone. If she was as afflicted as Longsuffering claims, she couldn’t have gotten far. She must be close. Even after all this time.

Longsuffering finally speaks: “Here’s the operative: Pull the visor over her eyes and draw her in with your words.” He grows dark, “Claim you are defecting and seeking refuge in this desolation. Tell her the truth of who you are, the daughter of AC00, the only gaian capable of programming the artillery needed to win the war in Troi. But then, say that I swindled you out of your seat on deck to Troi and now you are deserting. You need this weapon. Don’t hold back. You despise me. I’m the enemy.”

“How long did it take you to draft up that drama?” Neop’s comment spurs a few chuckles from the Crew. Then embarrassed silence.

Longsuffering moves on, “Do you remember your father, Neop? AC00’s strength was unparalleled. There has and never will be a more powerful promethean. You remember his disintegration I trust.” He steps toward Neop, “The strength of words outperform strength of the body every time. I’m not asking you to lie. I’m ordering you to prove your strength. Exchange these few minutes of deception for a lifetime of glory.”