War Within

((I changed the music a little. It fits the story better, but it's still not long enough. Feel free to pause it and read in silence, if you want. By the way, here's a new short story I wrote. Don't forget to check polls in the corner over there -> ))




War Within

Once upon a dream in the land between Dusk and Dim, there waged a war.

We have been fighting this war for a long time now, the people of Light against the people of Dark. What humans call magic we use on a daily basis. Some are naturally gifted with the true power of Light or Dark. For them, simple tasks are done with a word or flick of the wrist. These are most excellent in combat as they wield their power with authority. Most are not naturally gifted, but still have power to some extent. The ones closest to human in appearance usually have an intensified ability, such as speed or the like. Others have human qualities, but with an added trait, such as wings or fins. I myself have wings. Dusty black fae wings far too delicate for my liking. Many, many different people live in the land between Dusk and Dim.

For a very long time, the land between Dusk and Dim was at peace. The people of Dark ruled the night and gave way to the people of Light when day began. However, the magic used to rule Dark became poisoned with jealousy, anger, and hatred. The people of Dark eventually tried to use their power to gain control over day. The war wages on even to this day. Just as Light is about to succeed, darkness creeps into the hearts and minds of our allies and Dark gains yet another victory. There have been a few who saw Light for what it truly is: truth, honor, and love. I have been part of this battle a long time. I fight for Light, but it was not always that way. Enough time has passed that most have forgotten my days in Dark. I left that past behind. I am now the second captain in the army of Light, recently tasked with defending a sanctuary of Light. An old fortress really, but it is the holding place for one of Light’s powerful treasures, the Key Wand.

Last night, I received a message that one of our allies had information regarding a new weapon the enemy was crafting and that perchance the enemy would seek to take the fortress with this new evil, as this fortress is the closest to the border. To utilize utmost secrecy, I was to meet the ally in secret this very night. I knew the ally who would deliver this information, a friend of mine. One who had been there when I first came to Light, when I needed a friend most. In the long years of war, I had fallen out of contact with most of the first friends I made. War does that. In any case, the time came and I set out into the shadows toward the rendezvous point. I do not fear the night, as some warriors of Light. I know better. Being from Dark myself, I know night and shadows are harmless. It is the creatures of darkness and their corrupt power that must be feared.

I flew to the meeting place and saw my friend waiting. I called his name and he slowly turned to me. I could tell something was odd. He greeted me not with salutation or news, but started talking about how someone so insignificant can have so much power. Confused, I asked what he meant. By this time, he had fully turned to me. He did not seem himself. His appearance was overly confident from what I remembered and his stance almost menacing. He dressed in black and red. I had never seen such colors on him that I could recall. He had always been one of the Light folk and they do not wear such colors. The person standing before me today was different from the friend I had all those years. Had he changed into this person recently or was the change gradual? Was it the war changed him or something else? To be honest, I couldn’t tell you. I didn’t know. He continued talking about how insignificant he must be, to be ignored by me all this time. He counted off the number of people and things I spent time with and asked if I had ever once given him a second thought. I hadn’t. He claimed everyone treated him as though he didn’t exist. He was ignored, unheard, and unseen. His voice steadily grew louder and he became angrier.

“Please,” I interrupted, “ There is a war going on. You know that. Now is not the time for this. Can’t we talk about it later? You mentioned you had news of an enemy weapon.”

At that point, he stepped back and took a breath. “You’re right,” he said. “The enemy does have a new weapon. Its capacity is sure to break the barrier between kingdoms. With this weapon, the enemy will take the Key Wand and destroy the other artifacts from there.” He spoke with a calmness that alarmed me almost as much as the news itself.

“What is this weapon?”

“Me”

In an instant, I was surrounded with dark clouds that swirled around and concealed him from my view. I backed up in bewilderment. The clouds dissipated to reveal a creature I had never seen before. The creature was at least 4 times bigger than me. It had the hulking body of a troll with skin as black as coal. Massive bat-wings protruded from its back. Its orange hair looked like thin wisps of glowing embers on a dying fire, as though someone has set strands of straw aflame. Its eyes were the worst part yet. The body was black, yes, but the eyes were darker still. Genuine ebony wherein was no light at all. Thin yellow slits were all that could be made of where the irises should have been. Long, thin white teeth projected from the mouth, which was now pulled into a sneering smirk. Where once stood a friend now stood a monster. I tried to run. I tried to scream, but all I could do was stand and stare.

The creature glared at me and spoke in a deep, raspy voice, “Not what you expected is it?” Terror clung to my heart, invading my lungs with every shallow breath. The creature changed its voice and spoke again. The voice still sounded deep, but it was less menacing, almost smooth. “You see,” it began slowly. “I grew tired of being ignored. Tired of being overlooked.” As the creature continued to speak, it walked around me with more fluidity than I would have guessed that bulky body to be capable of. Its voice was calm with an edge of conceit. “I was fed up with being the invisible weakling others can’t stand to be around. I had enough of the coward I was. So I changed.”

Finally able to regain my voice, I sucked in a deep breath. “Giving in to darkness is only proof of cowardice. If you seek protection and recognition of courage, you will never find it in this evil power.”

At this, the creature’s harsh and threatening voice returned. “You would know about recognition, wouldn’t you? You acknowledge those of superior rank who come your way and ignore the ones who cannot give you a higher position. Including the ones you call your friends. The Dark powers are far superior to anything Light has. I will take the Key Wand and you cannot stop me!” The creature suddenly took off into the air with its massive wings and I swiftly followed. I had to get to the fortress before it did. I had to. My wings were far smaller than the creature’s, but I was faster. I can turn sooner and stop earlier, but there is no stopping for this mission. I wove my way past him and just out of reach as he made a swipe for me with his large hands. I was still faster. I came to the fortress and went straight to the guardians, the Light-gifted. “You must protect the Key! Darkness is coming to take it!”

The fortress lies in tiers upon an incline and the Key is in the very heart of the sanctuary. This is because the Key acts as a channel for light and it is through this channel that a field of energy surrounds the fortress. Smaller structures shaped like keys ground the field in certain locations, but it was the Key Wand itself that gave power to the field and to those who bear Light magic. The guardians, in their elegant robes of white began rushing around the fortress and the Key immediately after I sounded the warning, but it was already too late.

In a moment, I saw the creature above the Light field before it disappeared behind the curtain of surrounding night sky. Soon after, a dark figure emerged in the fortress from the direction I last saw the creature. The enemy, my friend, was now inside the city in human form and walking toward the Key. How he got in, I cannot tell, as the Light field is supposed to keep creatures of darkness out. Where were the guardians? I looked around and saw them dashing to and fro, but they made no effort to stop the man from approaching. Was he invisible to them? I don’t know. All I know is that he must be stopped. If I have to stop him alone, so be it. He continued walking down the sloping steps to the Key, seemingly as oblivious to the frantic guardians as they were to him. I flew between two pillars he was about to walk through. “I will not let you take the Key!” I said and stood defiantly in his way.

“Try and stop me,” he coolly replied. I pulled my sword from its sheath and moved in for a strike. Before impact, he changed into the monster again and grabbed me with an enormous hand. The hand smashed me into a sidewall and let me crumple to the ground, crushed and hardly able to breathe. I looked up in time to see him bridge the gap between him and the Key. I desperately cried out for him to stop. He never looked back. As the creature raised a hand to grasp the prize, a flash of light burst from the Key and all the guardians saw him for what he truly was.

I tried to stop him. I knew such power could not be turned. I knew it would destroy him. When he grabbed the Key Wand and the blinding light burst forth, the monstrous visage disintegrated and there was left my friend suspended above the ground. He hung midair only seconds before crashing to the cobblestone below. The guardians were upon him in an instant with their magic. “NO!” I cried, stumbling to my feet and hobbling toward him. When I got there, it was too late. The spells had done their work and the power of the Key didn’t help. He was bruised and battered, lying helpless on the ground. Quite a turnaround from just a few moments ago. I knelt next to him only for a moment before he faded.

A small part of me tried to tell myself this was my fault. That the death of my friend was my own doing, but I knew better. I knew in my heart that his envy and anger led him to this. He had done this himself and no one could save him. I could not save him, but in his last moments something else occurred to me. He was right about something: I hadn’t paid much attention to those helping me along. Every battle I won and victory I gained gave me more responsibilities and respect from those around me, but I hadn’t done it alone. When did I forget that? I can see now why he would assume I only used my friends as stepping-stones. That was never my intent, but I had been so focused on my own internal struggle that I had forgotten one thing. Every day, every single person has an inward battle to face. The result of that battle will determine the entire war. When my comrade falls, who is there to help him up? This is war. I have been fighting this war for a long time now. I am a warrior of Light against the enemies of Dark, but I am not alone.

~ SMS ~

Utopia – Within Temptation

So, I’ve been super busy, but that’s not unusual for me. Busier than normal? Yeah, I guess so.
Quick recap.

I had a blast at home. I came back to the states and got stuck in an NY airport for 5 hours. Made it back to school with just enough time to unpack and sleep before classes started the next day. Hit the ground running with traveling from Poland, to Ukraine, and to America within a span of about 5 days. (Crazy, don’t try that at home.)

Anywho, went back to homework, regular work, meetings, and stuff all over again. On very little sleep.



Skip ahead a couple weeks and we’re in early Feb. Lectureship week dawns and activity increased threefold. During that whole week, I was working (sound for most of the all-day lectures), going to class (the ones that weren’t cancelled and still wanted to have homework and tests that week), eating (quick meals between work), sleeping (i.e. crashing with exhaustion just to get up in a few hours), or babysitting (awesome kids). I gotta tell ya, that was rough. I thought I would pass out from exhaustion at the end. Missing a couple stairs and sliding down the rest with my foot didn’t help either. I will say this though, I didn’t get sick until the very end of that week. For that, I am very thankful. Course, I’ve had the cold ever since (not enough time to rest and being busy enough to forget to take medicine doesn’t help).



Over the next week, some friends and I held a clothes drive to send clothes to Zimbabwe. We had an amazing response and last weekend we packed 65 banana boxes full of clothes. From what I’m told, there are still 50 garbage bags full of clothes waiting to be packed. Intense.

Time travel to today and here we are, in the middle of a new week full of activity and new demands. This weekend, I’m leaving for a “Women in Computer Science” conference in Kentucky. The annual poetry contest is coming up and I have poems written for that (will probably post those after the contest) and I’ve still been writing for the Bell Tower. Honestly, sometimes I worry about the little energizer bunny in me.

Burning Heart - Survivor

I think my favorite line from this song is:

In the warrior’s code, there’s no surrender.
Though his body says, “Stop!” His spirit cries, “Never!”

Already the first week and a half into the semester and I’m already tremendously busy. It’s been a hit the ground running kind of thing. I’m in Poland a week, that weekend I’m back home, the beginning of the following week I’m dealing with delayed flights, the latter part of the week I’m battling jetlag while trying to do homework.

I started crocheting another scarf to give away. It’s already 1/3 finished, maybe a little more. A project I would like to do in the near future make hats for the cancer kids at the hospital in Jackson.

I’ve been rewriting parts of Hanna’s prequel. I actually have a personality for one of the main characters now, who knew? For those of you who are interested in this news at all, I’ve rewritten/edited parts 1 – 3 so far. More to come as time allows.

I’m writing for the Bell Tower again too. They must be really low on writers or something because they asked me if I would be interested in writing for the paper again. They must have forgotten how late my last submission was. Note: it never even made it to the web page.

I’m super excited about this next project. One of my friends came to me and asked about any ideas I had for gathering a bunch of clothes to give away. Last year, I helped a Partners4Africa load a huge cargo truck with banana boxes (over 1,000 boxes, I forget the exact number). They gave us permission to gather clothes to send over to Zimbabwe through the organization. I’ve been had to jump through some loops to get this activity approved, but hopefully everything will work out.
Here’s the slide I made for the event.



*cough* Freedies *cough*


Of course, I’m still involved in most of the other groups + some. Usually, the only way I can tell if I’m too busy is if I suddenly realize a couple hours later that I missed a meal. So far, I’ve only done that once. No worries, I ate when I remembered.

Classes/homework – same old story. I just have to work hard to keep my head above the water. Finding enough time for my homework has been a killer though. Classes are fine, generally speaking. Ironically, the most logical class (which I am pleasantly surprised that there is more logic than math in this class) is at the end of my longer days, when I’m pretty much mentally and physically spent. Just another par for the course, I guess.

Ever the wandering wayfarer in this wearing journey through life. I’ve been told it gets worse the older I get. There’s a hopeful outlook for ya. Doesn’t help when you have that awkward moment where security is driving by and stops to ask if you’re ok because you were hunched over a trashcan with stress leaking from your eyes.
Ah well.
Ok, I’m done ranting.



Let’s end on a happy note.

I’m booked to work sound during lectureship week. That is going to be awesome and extremely busy at the same time.

Now for something a little closer to home.
Me: *tells a friend about my schedule*
Friend: It’s ok. You’re Savannah, you’ll get it done.
Me: I don’t understand why people have these great expectations of me. I’m not that great. I mess up too.
Friend: You’re not that great, but God is.

Just goes to show…

~ Always Hope! ~

Humanity - Scorpions

Thought this song was the best fit for everything that’s been going on, especially my trip to Auschwitz.
I’ve been in Poland for the past few days. Due to the whole Ukrainian law/visa issues, my family had to leave the country, get a Ukrainian visa in another country, and then reenter Ukraine.



The point is we were in Poland.
We did not have time to see many things in Krakow (such as the Wawel Castle and Schindler’s Factory).
But we did have time to visit Auschwitz.








Auschwitz is more than one concentration camp, it’s a huge complex made up of many concentration and extermination camps (the most famous of which are Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II - Burenau).

The Soviet liberation was more walking into a camp of those who were left behind because they were frozen, dying, or already dead. There was no joy, only fear and hesitation from the liberated.

Broken.
Broken physically.
Broken mentally.
Broken beyond repair.

No person alive should ever feel that it is acceptable to break another human being.
But that’s what people do all the time, isn’t it?

Not to the scale of what the Nazi party did, but people still say things and do things that hurt those around them.
Apathy and pride kill inside.
Not just you, but others as well.

Cruelty knows no bounds.


Living conditions in the camp.
Three bunks (including floor)
8 to a bunk
No mattress, no pillow, no heat, maybe a thin blanket.

With the grueling labor and horrible treatment, people survived only three or four months (on average).

Humans were treated worse than animals. Everything was taken from them. Those who lived were forced to work without rest. The rest were killed. Everything was used. The hair (cloth and nets), the teeth (gold melted down into bars), and the ashes after incineration (fertilizer).

Gas chambers were created to kill off thousands of humans in 20 minutes.
People had to wait to be killed because the incinerators couldn't keep up.

Isaiah 6:5 "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

What makes people think they can get away with such atrocious and appalling acts of hatred?

~ Never Again ~

Christmas Comet: Final Frontier (Part 4)

December 25, 2118

Three separate beams of light came to life as Sonus, Annie, and Missy turned on their flashlights. Silence enveloped the cabin since Annie had closed her music box. Aside from the flashlights, ICEE was now void of power.

“There goes the generator,” stated Annie, deciding to break the silence. “How much time do we have?”

“Until the comet passes or until we run out of oxygen?” replied Missy.

Sonus waved his flashlight enthusiastically as he spoke. “I’ll take ‘Mysterious Flying Objects’ for 100.”

“According to the calculations,” started Missy, “we have anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour.”

Sonus nodded. “That’s not so bad.”

“Not so bad?” Annie griped, “We’re drifting in space with total loss of power and absolutely no way to contact our family. On Christmas day, no less.”

“True,” admitted Sonus. “But we have plenty of oxygen left in addition to the masks. Which means, more than likely, we’ll last until the generator kicks in again.”

“Either way, it’s out of our hands now.” Missy said.

“Exactly,” Sonus concurred. “So don’t worry about it.”

Relenting, Annie nodded to the still-wrapped gift in Blueray’s hand. “What is it?”
Sonus shone his light on the present and finally opened it. Inside the wrapper was a worn leather Bible. Flipping through the book, a folded paper drifted from the pages. Taking the note and unfolding it, Sonus read in silence.

To my dearest son, Sonus Blueray,

I wish you could be with us this Christmas. Your sister and I miss you dearly. This time of year has always been difficult since the passing of your father a few years ago. Do not let my words dishearten you, for you carry on the great legacy of noble men. The Bible now in your possession was your father’s, just as it was his father’s, his grandfather’s, and his great-grandfather’s. I know you will take care of it.

You are not the first to spend Christmas so far from home. One hundred and fifty years ago, three men made a live Christmas broadcast from space. Together, they read the first chapter of Genesis to the world.

I know this is a dated form of communication and I will probably get to wish you a merry Christmas when the time comes, but I had to let you know how much you mean to me. You have worked diligently to be a good example for your sister. Your influence on others reaches farther than you know. I am so happy to call you my son. If your father were here, I know he would be so proud of you. No matter what difficulties you face, I know you can overcome them. You are a hero, not only to your family, but also to everyone on this earth.

Never let anyone tell you differently nor let others decide your fate for you.
Ever strive to be honorable.
Valor and honor in a person are to be treasured.
Endure the trials, for they are the times that try men’s souls.
Remember what your father and I taught you and you should be all right.

Greet those you meet with a sincere smile, as I know you will.
One kind word or act can change a life.
Now, I believe I have said enough. Remember, you are
never alone. There is
always hope, even in the most dire of circumstances.

Give my regards to your friends.
I look forward to seeing the three of you again.
Vanessa sends her love. I’m sure she would like to hear from her brother.
Enjoy the time you have, my son, for no one can tell when it shall end.

Stay strong and brave.
Love,
- Mom

Sonus folded the letter and thought in silence.

“You know,” Missy said in a soft voice. “This is the farthest I’ve ever been from home on Christmas. Now, more than ever, I wish I could talk to my family.”

Annie sniffled a little, the semidarkness hiding her face from view.

“Are you ok, Annie?” Missy inquired with concern.

“Yeah, I’m...” she faltered. “It’s just...” Without saying any more, she opened her music box again and let the music play for a few moments.

Even though no one said it, everyone in the room felt a wave of homesickness. The prospect of never seeing their loved ones again only strengthened the feeling.

“If I could talk to my family again,” Missy said. “I would tell them how much I love and miss them.” Then she smiled. “But at least we have each other. I’m glad I get to spend Christmas with my friends.”

When Annie closed the music box, a faint hum could be heard. The hum grew louder and the lights came back on.

“The generator is running again,” Annie said in thunderstruck amazement.

“HAH! I told you so!” exclaimed Sonus as he gently descended and landed on the ground.

Missy tried getting the transmitter to break through the static. It took about an hour before she actually got through. Within that time period, the electricity came back on in various parts of the station until the generator was no longer needed.

“Houston, this is ICEE, come in Houston. Do you read me?”

“We read you, ICEE,” Earth finally replied. “What happened up there? You were out of commission for almost five hours! We thought we lost you.”

Missy laughed with relief and shook her head as she answered. “No, I’m still here. Darksaber and Blueray are here too. We’re doing just fine.”

“What happened?”

“You probably won’t believe this, but a comet came pretty close to us. It knocked out all the electricity and jammed the radio signal.”

“But you’re ok?” Houston affirmed.

At that point Annie cut into the conversation. “Yeah, we’re all here.”

Then Sonus jumped in, “Merry Christmas!”

Laughter could be heard in background over the receiver. “Wow. Listen, Darksaber, Blueray, McBacon, your families are all here.”

“Are you serious?!” Missy asked in surprise.

“Of course, is there anything you want us to tell them?”

The three friends looked at each other for a minute, wondering who was to go first. Sonus gestured to Missy so she took the lead. “Houston, McBacon speaking. Tell my family I love them.”

Annie went next. “Houston this is Darksaber. Let my family know I miss them.”

Finally, Sonus spoke. “Blueray to Houston. Tell them thank you.”

“Sure thing,” came the reply. “Is that it?”

Missy grinned, “From the crew of ICEE, Merry Christmas!”


The End






~ SMS ~

Christmas Comet: Shooting Star (Part 3)

December 24, 2118

Sonus Blueray stepped into the control room deep in thought. It had been an hour and a half since the first comet sighting and things weren’t looking any better. In fact, they were only getting worse. The scanners continued to waver until they had died completely. Missy tried contacting Houston, but she couldn’t get through. All communication systems were either jammed or down. Now the lights were starting to flicker.

Annie and Missy sat near the main controls. Missy was in the process of chronicling the events thus far when Sonus plopped into a nearby seat. “I just checked the back-up generator,” he said. “It should kick in if we lose power.”

“What’s to say the comet won’t kill that too?” Annie, slumped in her seat with arms folded, pursed her lips in grim expectancy.

“Don’t be such a Grinch, Annie. Cheer up.” Sonus replied with a smile. “Tis the season to be jolly.”

Missy nodded and added, “He’s got a point. It could be worse.”

At that moment, the lights flickered before all electricity died.

Annie’s voice filtered through the darkness. “You just HAD to say it.”

A long moment passed before the hum of the generator could be heard. Lights in the control room flickered back on. Sonus realized something was off with the artificial gravity when papers, pens, and even the girls’ hair started floating in midair.
Buckling himself to the seat, Sonus booted up and accessed the station’s statistics on one of the computers.

“The good news is, the generator’s working,” he said. “The oxygen system is still running, the main computer has power, and artificial gravity is at 50%. The radio transmitter works, but the signal is still jammed.”

“...And the bad news is?” Missy inquired in hesitance.
Sonus waited a moment, checking and double-checking the information, before answering.
“According to your calculations concerning the current location and speed of the comet… If this keeps up, we’ll lose the generator within an hour.”

“Meaning,” Annie stated while pulling her hair into a braid. “An hour from now, we won’t have electricity, gravity, or oxygen.”

“Yeah, pretty much.” Sonus responded, ignoring the urge to comment on Annie’s pessimism again. Finishing off the braid, Annie gave a heavy sigh and buried her head in her hands.

“Look on the bright side,” Sonus said merrily. “We have plenty of food. At least we won’t starve to death.”

At that remark, Annie looked up with an exasperated expression. “I’ll get the emergency gear.” She pulled her feet up to the back of the chair and launched herself away from the conversation.

Sonus glanced at Missy. “Something I said?”

Missy shook her head in a “you should know better” manner.

“No worries,” Sonus said as he resumed going over various calculations. “We’ve been through worse.”

“Have we?” Missy asked dubiously as she twisted her flyaway hair into a bun and secured it.

“Sure we have!” he answered. “Remember that time you threw up during flight simulation?”

“How does that count?” she scoffed. “It’s not like it was life threatening. It was over in ten minutes.”

“You thought it was an eternity at the time. Besides,” he continued, turning to face Missy. “What makes you think this won’t be over soon?”

At that moment, a loud clang followed by a frustrated growl from the other end of the room garnered their attention. Annie was floating near a cabinet and appeared to be strangling whatever was inside.

“You’d better go help her, Sonus.”

With an acknowledging nod, he unbuckled and cautiously drifted through the room, grabbing a handrail near the emergency supplies cabinet upon arrival. “Need any help?” he asked.

“Of course not!” She replied sharply before attempting to yank a rope out of the metallic cabinet. “I’m doing just fine.”

“Mhm, I can see that,” Sonus commented as he watched her tug the rope a couple more times. As one of the small flashlights in the cabinet drifted out, he grabbed it and clipped it to his belt. “Annie,” he began. “Don’t let this get you down. We’ll be all right.”

She stopped pulling and stared at him. “What makes you so sure?”

“Remember that time you cheated in one of the mission simulations?”

“I never cheated,” she denied, turning her attention back to the cabinet.

“You hacked the program’s code and changed it. That’s called cheating.”

“I simply evened odds. They don’t have to put people in difficult situations and demoralize them with unfair statistics. They should’ve known better than to tell me I can’t win.” She glanced at Sonus and found him smirking before she stopped to think about her answer.

“Ok, maybe you’re right,” she admitted.

“That’s the best thing about having friends. They’re there for you when you need them.” Sonus said and patted her on the back. “Believe it or not, Annie, you’re not in this alone. Now then,” he pointed to the rope. “I believe there is a latch keeping that in place.”

Annie lowered her head. “Thank you.”

“Pleasure.” Just then, his watch beeped. Raising his wrist to looking at the timepiece, he muttered, “Would you look at that?” His face broke into a wide grin. “It’s Christmas day. Merry Christmas!” He floated back to Missy with Annie in tow.
“Merry Christmas, Missy!” “Merry Christmas to you too,” Missy replied. Annie proceeded to distribute oxygen masks, flashlights, and rope to the other crew members before buckling herself in her seat.

“Shall we float around the hovering Christmas tree and sing carols?” Sonus suggested as he pointed to the helpless artificial tree drifting near the ceiling.

“No thanks.” Missy turned back to the computer.

“So you’re just going to sit there and worry?” Sonus asked. He took advantage of the significant lack of gravity by performing a back flip in slow motion.

Missy thought for a moment before remembering an important detail. “Actually, I have a better idea.” She left her chair and floated to a cupboard and opened it. Three gift wrapped objects drifted out. Missy took hold of them and went back to her seat. “These came with the last cargo ship.” She threw, as best as one can in throw in 50% gravity, a present to Annie then threw one to Sonus. “Merry Christmas!”

Missy tore the paper of her present and watched a gold locket glide out. She opened it to find a picture of her together with her sister. Missy smiled and held the locket close while fond memories of her family flooded back to her.

Annie opened her gift and fought to hold the tears back when she revealed her mother’s music box. Gently lifting the lid, Beethoven’s Fur Elise softly filled the room.

Sonus waited to open his present. When Missy noticed he hadn’t opened his gift yet, she asked, “What did you get, Sonus?” Just as he was about to tear into the wrapping paper, the lights suddenly went out and the hum of the generator died.

“Well, I got to see my friends smile.”

~ SMS ~

Christmas Comet: Collision Course (Part 2)

December 24, 2118



Annie Darksaber pulled her helmet off and greeted Missy with a hug.


“You’re finally here!” Missy exclaimed with joy.


“Of course I am,” Annie replied. “Did you ever doubt?”


“Well, I don’t know,” said a familiar voice as Sonus walked into the room. “Your flying skills are to be feared,” he finished with a smirk.


“Nice to see you too, hero.” Annie gave her old friend a hug.


“Either way, you’re both here in one piece. That’s what counts,” Missy said as she helped Annie out of the spacesuit and led her and Sonus to the service module. “Are you two hungry?”


“Starving,” replied Annie as she sat in a high stool bolted to the ground.


“Great! I’ll get the food out.” Missy headed over to a cupboard and pulled out a few cans and packages.


Sonus sat in a stool opposite Annie and asked, “What’s for dinner?”


“Well,” Missy started as she rummaged through the cupboard. “The last cargo ship brought a bunch of Christmas food, along with the usual shipment.” She pulled out two cans and placed them on the table. “I think these are supposed to be ham or turkey.” She put a few more items on the table and sat down. Missy held up a packet. “Eggnog.” She then held up a small silver tube. “Oh, and here’s frosting.”


“Someone’s in the Christmas spirit.” Sonus said while taking the tube from Missy and examining it. “Odds of Annie accidentally replacing it with a tube of toothpaste?” Sonus and Missy both raised a hand and looked at Annie, who only rolled her eyes and responded, “That only happened once.”


“Once is all it takes.” Sonus placed the tube on the table.


“I’d watch it, Blueray,” Missy said with a snicker. “It may not be an accident next time.” Missy and Annie both laughed at the prospect while Sonus simply smiled.


Lighthearted conversation and updates on the past few weeks were exchanged as the three friends relished finally being reunited. Although the following meal could hardly be considered homemade, it was still quite appetizing to the hungry astronauts. After dinner, the three ventured to the control room where Sonus promptly seated himself behind the main computer and brought up one of his oft-used playlists.


“All right,” he said while turning up the volume. “It’s time to get this party started!” He leaned back in the chair with a triumphant grin as The Pretender by Foo Fighters blasted through the station’s PA system.


Missy shook her head in feigned disbelief and crossed her arms. “You can’t possibly be serious.”


“What? It’s a classic,” Sonus said with an innocent shrug.


“But it’s so old!” Missy protested. “Besides, it’s Christmas Eve. Where’s the Christmas music?”


“Oh, fine.” With a disgruntled sigh, Sonus sat up and changed playlists. Once Jingle Bells could be heard, he turned to Missy with raised eyebrows. “Happy?”


“Very,” she replied with a grin. Missy grabbed Annie’s arm and pulled her to her feet. “Now help me decorate the tree!”


“We have a tree?”


“Not yet, but we will!”


After scouring the station, the three managed to find a small tree near the cargo module as well as some garland. The tree was one of those mini artificial Christmas trees and looked fairly old, but it would do. There wasn’t much they could do as far as decorating the station, but they did their best.


Despite the fact that it was Christmas Eve, there were still a few odd jobs to be done around the station. For instance, one of the small exterior panels of the station was starting to chip and needed to be replaced. It was while carrying out this task that Sonus first realized something was wrong outside the station.


Missy was in the control room filling out the daily report when she noticed an odd blip on the scanners. When Sonus finished the task and came back inside, Annie helped him get the space suit off.


Veiling any urgency, he asked, “Is Missy on the monitors?”


Having seen an odd light out the window, Annie replied, “Yeah. Did you see something out there too?”


A questioning glance was exchanged before Sonus made for the control room, with Annie in pursuit. When they entered the room, Missy turned down the music and faced her friends. “Something’s coming our way.”


“Can you tell what it is?” Sonus inquired as he read over the information Missy pulled up.


“From what the scanners tell me, it’s nothing more than a normal comet.” Before Missy could continue, Annie interjected. “It won’t hit the station, will it?”


“It shouldn’t,” Missie replied as she scanned for more information. “It’ll be close, but not close enough to hit us. Ack!” The scanner and computer screens started wavering for a few seconds and blinked once or twice before resuming normal operation. “It’s been doing that ever since the comet came within range,” she explained.


“That’s not good.”


“No, it really isn’t.” As Missy spoke, Annie checked the wiring and started going through the computer files to make sure the cause of the disturbance wasn’t with the equipment itself.


While she worked with the computers, Missy and Sonus checked other major machines aboard ICEE. The investigation brought no light on the subject. At the end of their search, all equipment seemed to be running properly. That is, aside from the celestial sojourner’s disturbances, which increased in frequency as the time went on. Missy started trying to contact Houston, but so far, she wasn’t having any luck. Annie looked out the window at the foreign space traveler with a sigh.

“Just when I was starting to enjoy myself too.”


~ SMS ~