Chapter 16: Return to Reality

"Damn it, get someone to fix the problem and get them now!" the pilot roared.

The co-pilot ran from the control room and began gathering all of the ship’s personnel. "We’ve got to fix the problem fast or there’s gonna be big trouble!"

Lights began flashing and sirens started blaring.

The pilot of the ship contacted the co-pilot via their comm-link system. "We’re moving too far off course, we’re gonna have to alert the public to evacuate."

"As you wish sir" the co-pilot responded.

Just as the co-pilot opened communications, an engineer ran into the control room. "The engines are over heating! If we don’t land now, they’re gonna blow!"

An instant later, an explosion was heard from the engine room. A hole was torn in the ship; an all crewmembers in the area either went up in the explosion or fell to their doom.

The pilots lost control of the ship as it sped off-course. Anyone who was standing was knocked to the floor. Chaos ensued. Crewmembers ran around the ship helplessly fixing errors from computer programs to superstructure damage.

"Shut down all systems!" the pilot screamed.

Another engine exploded, this time causing significant damage. Numerous glitches occurred while the system was being shut down.

The co-pilot panicked. "Sir, the weapon systems!"

It was too late. The weapon system began firing random shots. Crewmembers caught hectic glances at the viewing monitor. They were now well over a small town; people were fleeing in horror.

As system power ran low, a final shot was fired. Dark Star was no longer observing the destruction from the ship, but now seemed to travel down the red beam of light used the track the destructive energy pulses of the laser cannons. Even though it only took an instant for it to hit its mark, it seemed as if time where at a near standstill. Dark Star saw and felt every bit of horror from the ship to the ground. Moments later, still traveling down the beam, he saw himself. Not as he was during the final war of his planet, but as a child. He was playing the yard of his old home. Slowly the image disappeared as he approached roof of his home. Suddenly, an image of his parents flashed in front of him. All went black.

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Dark Star was found by Admiral Lilwall crouched against a wall holding his head. "It’s probably pointless to ask, but are you okay?"

Confused, Dark Star stood up. "Internal system error." Casually, he walked away.

"Waitstate, we’ve gotta do something about him." Admiral turned around to find out he was alone. "Wait?"

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Waitstate had made he way back to the bar. Surprisingly, the bar tender was there. "What are you still doing here? It seems everyone else has evacuated the station."

"Have they?" was his only response.

Waitstate was thoroughly confused. "Starax, do you have any idea what’s going on?"

Starax smiled. "I dunno, could have something to do with the fact that we cleared this station out just after you arrived."

"What are you talking about? This place was filled with visitors just a few hours ago" Waitstate argued.

Starax smiled again. "Was it?"

Waitstate was now assured that Starax knew exactly what was behind the recent events. He activated his beam saber and walked up to the bar, grabbing Starax by the neck. "If you enjoy having your head you’d better start talking!"

Chuckling, Starax replied. "I might as well. You see, in my lifetime I’ve come across millions of different types of weapons. The most enticing piece happens to be this bomb." He held out a small unit with several glowing orbs imbedded in it.

Waitstate grabbed the supposed bomb. "And just what is this supposed to do aside from go ka-boom?"

"Well, unlike a regular bomb, this one supercharges metal creating an incredible detonation field. Given the amount of time it has been on this station, it’s ready to go ka-boom any minute" Starax informed him with a smile.

Waitstate scoured. "Why didn’t you just kill us outright when you had the chance?"

Starax broke free from Waitstate. "Normally I would. However, I wanted to test out my little toy, and what better way and place? Given the fact that this station is sealed tight from top to bottom, there’s no possible way you could escape. Once this bomb detonates, this station and everything in it waves bye-bye to reality."