INTO THE BLACK

“First things first, we need a bird that can get her feathers wet,” said Google, addressing the rest of crew, who were all gathered around the cockpit dining table.

“What are you talking about?” asked Jupiter.

“Atlantis – the entire planet is one big water world; we'll need a ship that can travel underwater.”

“Come on, surely we're not... It's suicide. Yes, we have one piece of the key, but there's still two pieces to go – and we'll have every ship in the galaxy hunting us down if Mykur passes his kill order,” said Abe.

“That's the second thing,” said Justice, taking charge. “We need to delay that order if we're to have any chance. Jupiter, I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty, no pun, of researching you and Abe before Google hired you. You have connections to the Malacandra.”

“That was a lifetime ago,” Jupiter replied.

“Do you have any connections left that you could trust? They're just about the only group in the galaxy that still openly defies Mykur. If we could get them to message the Council planets maybe we could delay the kill order. It's possible they could sway enough planets our way.”

Jupiter took a sip from his drink.

“The way I left things with the Malacandra, they'd be just as likely to kill me themselves.”

“Well, suck it up, princess. Justice is right, we won't make it to Atlantis with a kill order on our heads,” Liberty said, in-between bites of Hangover-b-gone bacon.

“One problem,” said Abe. “Well, no, actually, a million problems – but one more problem – the Malacandra are on Mars while, last time I checked, Atlantis is on the other side of the galaxy.”

“Ape is right,” said Google, before ducking a cup thrown at him by Abe. “Sorry, Abe is right. That's why we need to split up. One group makes the trek to Atlantis on The Love Crusader, while the other group heads to Mars on Blackbird to meet with the Malacandra.”

“So who's going to Mars?” asked Liberty.

“I'll go – I was born there, no one knows the planet better. Abe, you take the others to Atlantis,” said Jupiter.

Abe and Justice both jumped to their feet, talking over the top of each other.

“Whoa, one at a time. Justice?” said Jupiter.

“Getting to the Malacandra is too important – you'll need help. You can't go alone.”

“Are you asking me out?”

“No. Liberty will be going with you.”

Liberty glared across at Justice. “My job is to protect Google. Where he goes, I go.”

“Lib – the best thing you can do to protect Google is to make sure the kill order doesn't get through the Council,” Justice said.

“It's true. Besides, I'm not the chosen one – I'm not your mission anymore.”

“Like hell you're not,” said Liberty.

“Don't worry, it'll be ok Lib. You'll find I've learnt a lot from you over the years,” Google said with a slight smirk.

Liberty looked down at her now empty plate with a grimace.

“I thought the bacon tasted funny,” she managed to slur before her head hit the table, passed out.

“Great, so it's all settled then,” said Justice. “Let's get you and Liberty packed and onto Blackbird – remember to dress warm for Mars.”

Google and Justice gently lifted Liberty out of her chair and made their way out of the cockpit. Now alone, Abe made his way over to Jupiter.

“You sure about this, boss?”

“Yes, you're the only one I'd trust with The Crusader.”

“But perhaps I should be the one going to Mars with Liberty.”

“Nah, it'll be fine. It'll be good – hey, I used to love Mars. Besides, I remember how you feel about the place.”

“Can't say I'm too fond of flying underwater, either.”

“You'll be fine. Just you make sure The Crusader stays in one piece. Don't let the kid fly her.”

Jupiter got up to head towards his quarters. Abe looked across, weighing up whether to say something or not. Then:

“Belle - she's not going to be happy to see you. You know that, right?”

“What do you mean, you can't remember if you had a birthmark before the crash!?” Jupiter asked, nervously pacing back and forward around the cockpit.
“Well, it's on my back... I didn't exactly spent a lot of time examining my back when I was a kid. What's the big deal?”
“What's going on?” asked Liberty, starting to sound concerned.
“And do stop moving – you're all whooshy when you move,” said Justice.
“What's with him?” Jupiter asked Liberty.
“He's can't handle his alcohol straight.”
“You can drink it arty?”
“No. I mean, he's used to having it mixed with coke. We're Cokecasians, remember.”
“Can we get back to the topic of our imminent, painful death?” asked Abe.

“Ok, I just received a transmission from Mykur – asking me to hand over Google.”
Liberty automatically reached for her blaster, “You didn't...”
“No. Stupidly it would seem! He said Google's not the chosen one. Mykur just set things up to make it look like he was to take the attention away from his hunt for the real chosen one.”
“But that's impossible – what about the way Google's parents died and the birthmark?” asked Abe.
“He tampered with the reanimation machine so that only Google would survive the space jump – the miraculous survivor. And the birthmark is just a combination of scarring and tattoo work. I even saw the footage of them doing it.”
Google sat down silently, his head in his hands.

“So what do we do now?” asked Abe.
“We have 24 hours to hand over the piece of The Trinity Key; he said that if we did that, he'd spare us; that he wouldn't hunt us down.”
“And you trust him?”
“No. Of course not – the guy's 101 flavours of evil. But, we don't really have any other option, do we? If we don't hand it over, he'll request the Intergalactic Council put a kill order on all of us. He already controls over 50% of the Council – it's very possible he could get the 66% vote required. We'd have every member of the entire galaxy's armies and police squadrons after us.”
Google started to run his hands through his hair, the way someone might do if they were stressed out about discovering they're not a prophesied hero. Jupiter rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey, look at this way kid, it's over. You should be happy. No more having to worry about killing Mykur. No more worrying about having to be some hero.”
Jupiter walked over to his control monitor, ”We can just press this button, make a deal and it's all over.”

“Press the button,” Google said softly.
“Are we all sure?” asked Jupiter.
“It makes tactical sense,” replied Justice.
“It's our only choice,” added Abe.
Liberty just sat quietly.
“Press it,” Google said more forcefully.
Jupiter did as he was told and a few seconds later a hologram of Prince Mykur appeared before them, smiling politely.
“How nice it is to see you all – particularly you master Google. I take it we can come to some sort of arrangement?”
Google stood and slowly approached the hologram.
“Here's the deal I'm prepared to make: You murdered my parents. I never even really got to know them. And you think I'll give you what you need to rule the galaxy? So I'm not the chosen one and I may not be able to face you in battle and live – but so help me, I don't care if I die in the process, I'm going to kill you, you evil son of a bitch. Do you hear me!? I'm going to fucking kill you!” he yelled before smashing the hologram projector into a hundred pieces.

“Well, that went well,” Abe muttered to himself.