The Lost Star Chart - Chapter 5
Uncovering ancient secrets, evading certain death—welcome to Darla’s daily grind.
The Lost Star Chart, gritty, sometimes silly, stand alone space adventure novel, is out this month. To celebrate, we’re sharing the first five chapters for free (but, be warned, only the first five chapters)—and this is the final instalment.
This book will be the March book of the month, which means all paid subscribers will get a free copy shortly.
Chapter 5
Darla — Seventeen years ago
Darla sank into the rich upholstery on the bench seat next to Vi and wrapped an arm around her. Their train cabin exuded the sort of luxury once considered high-end on Old Earth, long before the troubles that had forced humans to leave the planet.
“This is perfect,” Vi whispered as she relaxed against Darla. The sweet scents of vanilla and honey wafted up from her hair.
“It is.” Darla looked around their surroundings, regretting their holiday was almost over.
Dark mahogany walls and ceiling gave the space a warm glow. Jewel-toned paisley fabric covered the nicely padded seat—one that didn’t make a sound when they moved around on it. A large window gave them a clear view of the sleek New Haven station on one side, and a door with only a small window gave them privacy from the other passengers. It was romantic—almost.
“I just wish we’d come alone,” Vi whispered as Norman slid open the door to the cabin. He settled on the bench across from them.
Darla nearly groaned. Norman had a habit of talking his way into situations where he wasn’t wanted. She couldn’t even remember how he’d convinced them to bring him to the planet’s surface on their only two days off in the past six months. Most likely, Vi had invited him—she was always too kind to the moron.
Oblivious that he was unwelcome in Darla’s eyes, Norman ran his fingers through his honey-hued wavy hair and smiled at the two women. “Now, this is a luxury train.”
Vi straightened. Trains were one of her favourite subjects. “They built it during the revival period, making it more than a hundred years old. The details are superb, more luxurious than even the Garden Princess.”
Norman smiled at her, and for a moment, Darla felt a pang of jealousy. “Be careful, my little mechanic. Insulting our place of employment could have unintended consequences.”
“Bullshit,” Darla said. “The Garden Princess needs us.”
Vi pulled herself away from Darla’s embrace, leaving a cold spot in her wake. “But do we need the Garden Princess?”
Norman leaned forward. “Plenty of luxury ships out there would hire the three of us in a heartbeat.”
The train levitated and pulled away from New Haven station. Darla shivered, cool where Vi’s warmth had dissipated. She turned her gaze to the passing city buildings, their pompous style reminiscent of some sort of neo-Greek revival thing that both Vi and Norman would tell her all about if she asked. She didn’t ask.
“Is anyone in the mood for tea?” a serving robot asked from the door, breaking the silence.
Vi smiled. “Yes, please, with extra sugar.”
“I’d prefer a coffee and maybe a croissant if there are any on board,” Norman said.
Darla rolled her eyes and tried to hide her annoyance; Norman always wanted more than what was offered. “A tea for me too,” she said, wishing it was beer o’clock.
“I will return with your refreshments in a few minutes.” The robot rolled away down the corridor.
“I’m glad the Garden Princess hasn’t resorted to that kind of service,” Vi said when the trio were alone again.
“The ship is all about offering personalized luxury.” Norman defaulted to his know-it-all tone.
Darla frowned. “Explains why we keep getting roped into those fancy shindigs, eh?”
“Speak for yourself! Those positions are only ever for bridge officers like you two. Engineers like me never get invited,” Vi said.
“You could always borrow my uniform,” Darla said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Vi would look like a little clown wearing the oversized uniform.
“You know, I just might. I bet that’d cause a stir.”
The robot returned with a teapot peppered in jaunty pink flowers and matching cups and saucers on a silver tray. With mechanical grace, it set the tray down in the centre of the table before placing a steaming mug of coffee with the train’s emblem on it and a plate with a croissant in front of Norman.
“Travel time to the base of the space elevator is two hours. I can be reached through the train’s intercom,” the robot said before rolling away. Norman slid the door shut behind it.
He took a sip of his coffee. “What do you two think of jumping ship, so to speak, and finding a privately owned yacht in need of a few crew members?”
Vi cocked her head. “You really don’t like the new captain, do you?”
Ever since the new captain started, things hadn’t been nearly as fun on the Garden Princess. Making things worse, she was a stickler for outdated rules like ironing uniforms and polishing boots. Who had time for that crap?
“Captain Kassinger rubs me the wrong way,” Norman admitted.
“I’m surprised to hear you say that,” Darla said. “Especially since you suck up to her every time you two are in the same room.”
Norman shrugged. “As first officer, I’m simply doing my job.” He leaned back in his chair, holding his mug in one hand. “But I’ve been researching positions on other ships—positions where I would be the captain.”
Darla leaned back in her seat too and crossed her arms over her chest. “Ready to move up the ladder already?”
Vi poured two cups of tea, then looked at Norman. “You’ve been first officer on the Garden Princess for two years. Moving up might make sense.”
Another silence fell over the cabin, punctuated by the silver spoon hitting the fine ceramic teacup as Vi stirred in way too much sugar.
Norman spoke first. “I think you two should make the move with me. You, Vi, are an amazing mechanic, and you”—he gestured at Darla—“have adequate navigational and piloting skills.”
Darla snorted.
“We’d be trading working for one set of people for another,” Vi said. “I’d prefer to run my own show.”
Norman leaned forward. “Are you suggesting we run our own luxury yacht?”
“Yes.”
Norman licked his lips. “That may be out of our reach, unless one of you comes from a lot of money.”
Darla met Vi’s gaze. “I’d love to be my own boss, but why on some fancy yacht where we’d still be stuck answering to our rich patrons? What I’d really love is one of those contract survey vessels. We could go off on our own and explore…”
“I’d go stir crazy in days,” Vi said.
Darla did her best to keep her face neutral. As much as she’d love to just explore, Vi’s happiness was the important thing.
“Whatever ship we chose, we’d need a lottery win to get one that wasn’t a condemned rust bucket,” Norman said.
Vi put her elbows on the table, looking between Norman and Darla. “I think we’re in the right place to take advantage of an opportunity. We need to keep our ears open and think things through.”
Norman grinned. “You’re suggesting a heist.”
“The Garden Princess is where the elite go to be seen,” Vi said. “An opportunity might present itself.”
Darla leaned forward, putting her elbows on the table too. “That’s batshit crazy.”
“I’m in,” Norman said, locking his gaze on Vi. “I love a crazy plan.”
With a frown, Darla met Vi’s gaze. “If you’re in, I’m in.”
The Lost Star Chart is now available in all the usual places, grab a copy and continue reading.
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