Thread: The Infinite Black Ocean (The Intrepid Wanderer & darkangel76)

The sirens from the alarms were blaringly loud, the lights flashing an obnoxious shade of red and yellow as it sounded again and again and again. Just what was happening? And, all so suddenly? Laela had no idea. Then again, she never paid attention to how the ships ran. That wasn't her place or station and never had been. Besides, her mind had been too preoccupied with the fact that she'd finally been leaving her home planet of Helios... It had been at least ten years since Laela had seen her cousin, Halten long years of lonely isolation. She looked back upon her childhood, that time with her cousin, so very fondly. Hal had always been so kind to her, so fun. Though quite a bit older than herself, he'd never seemed to mind her tagging along and playing with him. And oh how she'd appreciated that! It wasn't often that she'd had any playmates as a child, at least none who stayed for any length of time and Hal and his family had stayed with them for a better part of a year before moving off planet to Themis. She'd cried that day when he had to leave, thoughinterestinglyHal had not. She'd admired the boy for being so strong, but then that was why he was now an Illuminati Representative, was it not? She often times reminded herself that it was. Laela had always wondered how Hal was doing, had always missed him and inquired after him. But, her parents had always told her that Hal was busy doing good for both Helios and Themis, learning about the Lumos System and the ways of his bloodline within the Illuminati. Then, that fateful day had arrived when she'd heard word through whispers she'd overheard while lingering a bit too long in darkened corners. And eventually, her parents saw fit to tell her Halmir Quinn is the newest Illuminati Representative for planet Charon. Oh, she was proud of him for earning a station within the ranks, though her parents had seemed a bit put out. Why? He'd earned a station, was proving himself to all just how capable he was. Wasn't he? Oh, Laela knew she wasn't overly versed on all the political nonsense of the Illuminati. Her family had kept her too occupied with other things... Time to dance, Laela. Have you practiced your instruments, Laela? Are you ready for your art lessons, Laela? You must get ready for the party, Laela... Truly, it was always the same. She lived and breathed refinement, constantly 'bettering' herself for another, for that fateful day that she knew would soon be upon her. Her parents often whispered about it, though they never spoke directly to her regarding the matter, and it frightened her terribly. To be so alone, yet destined to be given away to whomever gave them the best offer. Too many times she'd wake up with nightmares of where she'd end up and with whom. It was why she needed to get off planet, to see more of the Lumos System than merely Helios. After all, she hadn't even seen Themis and it was practically next-door! Such a sad existence... Warning. Warning. Entering atmosphere. The ship's internal AI voiced the warning, the ship itself almost toppling as it began to literally fall from orbit into the atmosphere of the planet they'd been circling. Charon. It was practically a desolate wasteland. Cold this time of year, so Laela had heard. Her blue eyes went wide as she looked over at where her parents were sitting, their own faces frantic as the ship's AI voice spoke in cool calmness. She swallowed hard, her mind a swirl of panic at not knowing what to do. Get to your seat, Laelestra! Laela heard her father, Jareth Quentinrenknowned Illuminati official of Heliosshout at her. Her mother, Sherylindria, eyes seemingly wet with un-shed tears looked over at her only child, hands pointing toward an open seat. Laela smoothed out her coppery gown, the skirts billowing as she began to move across the room. Just then there was a jolt. Warning. Warning. We have entered Charon's atmosphere. We have entered Charon's atmosphere. The very idea that soon they'd be crashing sent Laela's thoughts into a whirl of panic. Instantly, she began to run, her feet trying their best to move. Unfortunately, as the ship jolted and jostled, she tripped on her skirts and fell to the floor with a hard thud and letting out a tiny howl as she landed. Wincing, she pushed her dark hair out of her face, her eyes connecting with those of her father's. No time! Jareth shouted. The ship was falling fast. Faster, faster. All too soon they'd have to brace for landing, crashing upon the rough and harsh terrain of Charon. Without further hesitation, Laela found a small nearby nook and crawled inside. It was next to what looked like some sort of control panel. But then, she was never any good with buttons, systems or technology. Not caring what it was, she hid inside the nook, her hands moving to cover her head, her face. As the ship continued its descent, falling... falling toward Charon's surface, she just let out a shrill scream. All sorts of things began to fall from overheadgear, equipment, everything. Then suddenly... CRASH! We have impact. We have impact. The impact was hard and Laela felt her entire body shake and tremble, her teeth rattling within her skull as the ship struck the surface of Charon. Her thoughts ran wild and she wondered if Hal would ever find them. Would he know to look for them? As the ship seemed to skip along the desolate terrain, she could hear things banging, crashing about her. More things were falling, closing her in. Again, she screamed and her thoughts suddenly turned to her parents. Were they all right? Were they...? Finally, after the ship settled, Laela focused on her breathing, desperately trying to calm herself down. At least she'd managed to live through the ordeal. Now she just needed to somehow get in contact with Hal, if that was even possible. Licking her lips, she turned to the side and began to push at the debris blocking her way. It was tough at first, but eventually she managed to free herself from her hiding place. Once out, her eyes went wide at the mess before her. Everything was in disarray, seemed broken or worse. As her eyes scanned the area, she noticed the injuries. No... deaths. Deaths? Just then, Laela choked on a sob that suddenly bubbled up from within. No, she whispered half to herself. It couldn't be, but there it was, plain as day. Her parents were both dead and impaled in their seats, their bodies limp and lifeless. Tears streamed down her face, her tummy going queasy. She needed air. Clutching at her stomach, Laela raced out of the ship. The air was startlingly cold, then she was used to the warmth of Helios. But she wasn't in a state of mind to dwell on such things. Once outside, she fell onto her knees, her hands pushing back her dark hair. She dry heaved a few times before she finally vomited, feeling more alone than ever. As she finally stood up, she wrapped her arms about herself, her eyes watering. The smoke from the wreckage of her ship was billowing upward into the sky like a homing beacon, no doubt a call to anyone and everyone. She just hoped those who came were 'friendly'. Surely, once they saw that she was Illuminati they would be. Wouldn't they? Of course they would, she rationalized. But even that thought didn't stop the tears from falling.