HAWK

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: TEMPEST (5/6)

Nobody spoke for a long time.

A supernova was a relatively common event in the Asiman galaxy, with one happening every fifty years or so. It was the death of a large star - an explosion so immense it could be seen thousands of lightyears away, ultimately becoming a nebula, though some went onto form neutron stars or black holes.

Neutron stars were very small but extremely dense objects, some only a skip and a jump away from becoming black holes themselves. If one of them were to be suddenly dropped into a common star like Primi, that would be all the encouragement required to invoke a new supernova and destroy the entire solar system in one quick move.

The table sat in silence, filled only by the ignorant murmur of the hundreds of diners across the hall, still enjoying their meals, oblivious to the new threat.

Mana was the first to find her voice.

'How certain are you that this is their plan?' she asked.

'I cannot be entirely certain,' Astrid replied, 'but I've considered all possible scenarios and I'm afraid this one is by far the most likely.'

Mack cleared his throat. 'So how long do we have?'

'If the IRIS continues on its current course, I anticipate it will arrive at Primi in seven days.'

Everyone around the table voiced their favourite swear word.

'So we destroy it,' Kas said. 'We destroy the IRIS.'

Rhaspa shook his head. 'No. The IRIS is our only way to take down the Intelligence. Astrid will need it to carry her virus to Kiko.'

'I agree,' Astrid said. 'Destroying the IRIS is not an option. Even if we succeeded, it would only assist us in the short term, but I'm confident the Intelligence would soon find another way to achieve their objective. The only choice I can see is for me to develop my virus while travelling towards the IRIS - but I cannot pilot myself. Doing so would require too much of my processing power. I need someone to take me.'

'Like fly you there?' Mack asked.

'No, I will need all the F-88 has to work. I would suggest I harpoon myself to one of your courier ships and have someone tow me.'

Mack scratched his beard as he thought it over. 'I don't like it. We'll be too conspicuous.'

'We don't have any other option.'

'What about the freighter ship?' Kas suggested. Mack looked at her like she'd just spat out her food.

'The Pegasus?' he said. 'No chance.'

'Why not?'

'She hasn't moved in nearly thirty years.'

'So put some grease on her joints and fire her up.'

'It may be worth attempting,' Astrid said, 'though the potential risks may outweigh the advantages.'

'Fire her up,' Rhaspa said, putting an end to the discussion. 'If she doesn't fly, we'll use the courier ship. Either way, we're going to need a pilot.'

'I'm not called Captain for nothing,' Mack said.

Rhaspa nodded glumly. 'I was afraid you would say that, but I suppose you are the best choice. Thank you, Captain.' With watering eyes, Rhaspa put the flats of his hands on the table and pushed himself to his feet. Silence fell across the hall as the hundreds of people turned in anticipation of a speech. Unfortunately, it would not be one they would enjoy.

Rhaspa had to summon all of his strength to relay Astrid's message to the crowd. They listened in stony silence while the old man laid it all down for them. There were plenty of disbelieving looks, but no cries or gasps. It was as though they'd always been expecting it. Curiously, the thing that puzzled them the most was when Rhaspa explained how they were going to power up the Pegasus and use it to transport Astrid to the IRIS. Sudds stood up and reiterated what Mack had said - that it would never get off the ground - but his comment was stifled when a cold, brittle voice interrupted him from the back of the room.

'What model is ship?'

Everyone turned in their seats to see who had spoken. Through squinting eyes, Kas was shocked to see the six-foot robot standing in the shadows by the steps. It walked towards the centre of the room, its body no longer skeletal but covered in thick black plating. While it was slightly taller and bulkier than an X1, the differences only made it look more imposing. The glossy black dome in its neck gleamed, happy to be back in its rightful place.

Kas rose to her feet and felt a glimmer of hope.

'Hik?'