Chapter Two: A Whole Old World

[Aria Blackthorn]

Suki looked around and tried to think about what Eric asked her. She made a point to continue to hide her weapon behind her leg. After all, she still didn't completely trust them. “All I remember is that I was in the lounge of our Jumpship. I was talking with Kat. I mean Adept Katya Johns, she was my roommate and sponsor. We were talking about my upcoming trials. I had been nervous and I had talked about just going home.” Suki looked down as sadness came over her. “It was a big deal for me. I was only supposed to be with Comstar for a few months. All I was suppose to do was help as a translator between local communities and the Comstar personal. I mean I loved seeing the stars but I was starting to miss my homeworld. I told Kat…..Adept Johns, that I was ready to take my trials.”

“I had ask to be alone, so Adept Johns left me alone in the lounge.” A tear slipped from Suki as she remembered the events that changed her life. “I remember seeing Vela Pulsar as its waves of energy illuminated the Gum Nebula. It was so beautiful. I had never in my life seen something so beautiful. Being with Comstar, it was my first time being off world. Living among the stars was so wonderful. I never dreamed of seeing something so beautiful in my life."

"As I stood there watched the Nebula. I remember thinking of how many more wondrous sights that laid before me.” She dropped her head in to her hands and fell silent for a moment. After taking a deep breath she continued, “when the sirens went off I ran for the Prince of Wales. I was so scared, there had been rumors of pirates in the area. I ran as hard as I could. But I couldn’t reach the dropship in time. Someone yelled that the K-F drive had activated on its own. There were still people outside of the jumpship. I recalled hearing the sirens. I tried to reach the Prince of Wales, but I couldn’t. It was if the corridor wouldn't end! When I saw the other ship, your ship, I thought we were under attack. Then our ship started to break up. I thought this was the end of me. I turned and leaped for the nearest escape pod."

"I had never been so scared in my life." She lifted her head and looked towards Eric once more, “I don’t know if that answered your question, but it’s all I remember.”