There’s just something about the stars. The patterns of infinite sky unfolding ceaselessly under an imaginative gaze. It draws in and overwhelms with new and uncountable wonders. The violence of distant imploding stars, colliding systems, and the beauty they trace across the sky in wondrous colors poured out like cups of Elysium spilled by the gods themselves. It is a sight where one can mourn, wonder, imagine, hope…a sight that captures and releases all at once. The desire to be trapped in such beauty and swim freely in its graces. Surely out there, somewhere, there is a place for humanity to be at peace. A home for a fallen race. A place for a bereaved father.

Jupiter sighs as he hears the Bridge door open. He does not turn from gazing outward until he hears Bellerophon, “Reporting, Sir.”

Blinking back his wet eyes, Jupiter stands from the captain’s chair, “Janus, seal the Bridge.”

Locks click in place and the viewing window goes black, “Report.” He is having a hard time focusing on anything other than his daughter, so despite his affection for Bellerophon, Jupiter resorts to official dialogue.

“Sir.” Bear can tell something isn’t right, but also knows to follow protocol, “Currently twelve devices have been neutralized, several dozen may remain.”

“Excellent work. We have already noticed some systems are coming back online. Upper Level elevators are now fully functional.”

“Sir.”

“There’s more?”

“Yes, Sir. On my last mission I left captives for security to pick up. They were executed on sight. There was no threat or even aggression. Mars ordered a kill-team. I can only assume he has been doing the same for the previous missions. Was this your order Sir?”

“No. No, it was not. I don’t commit war-crimes. That is very suspicious behavior. Consider your mission parameters changed. You release any and all survivors once disarmed. Clear?”

“Yes, Sir.” A look of relief and pride makes its way onto Bear’s face.

“You didn’t think I would order you to murder people, did you?”

“I was hoping not, Sir.”

“And what would you have done if I did?”

“I’m glad I don’t have to find out, Sir.”

Jupiter smiles, “I always did like you, Son. At ease.” Bear relaxes, his shoulders visibly less tense, “Anything else to report?”

“On my last mission, Sir. The enemy soldiers called me ‘Ghost’.”

“Ah yes, you are apparently making an impact on the Rebellion forces. That is the name they have given you.”

“That’s pretty damn cool, Sir.”

Jupiter chuckles, “Be careful. If you are on the enemy’s mind then your legend can only grow. They will fear you. But they will also prepare for you, especially if there are now going to be released to tell of your tactics. Be careful and remain as unseen as possible.”

“Yes, Sir. Sir?”

“Yes?”

“What are we going to do about Mars, Sir?”

“You are not going to do anything. You are going to continue your mission and retake our AI systems. I will look into Mars.”

“Why wouldn’t he want those people interrogated Sir? Why would he kill them?”

“That is not your mission. It is mine. I need you focused, Agent. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Anything else?”

“Sir. Any news on Siff, Sir?”

Jupiters eyes dart down and he stifles a sob, “She’s gone, Agent.”

“Gone?”

He looks up, “She’s gone.”

“What do you mean, ‘gone’ Sir?”

“The infiltration of the Chosen Ones…that was her.”

“Sir?”

“I had to shoot her, Bear. I had to shoot my own daughter.” The tears fall and Bear rushes to hold his mentor in a tight hug, “I killed my daughter. I killed her,” He sobs, “I tried to save her but we couldn’t get through. I killed her, Bear.”

Bear does not know what to say. Tears fall in disbelief as wide eyes and trembling lips take over his body. Both men fall to their knees and embrace, weeping the loss of the one they loved, “She’s gone. She’s gone. Oh god. Siff, why?”

The sobbing slowly ceases and they look one another in the eye. Jupiter grits his teeth and chooses to speak his mind, “There is something very wrong with how we are fulfilling this mission. We are denying ourselves humanity in an attempt to save it. We are crushing our own people. This whole process needs to change.”

“Sir?”

Jupiter stands and begins to pace, “You heard me, Bear. Once this war is over there will be a lot to answer for, and a lot will need to change. If it does not we will be doomed to repeat this violence until we wipe ourselves out.”

“There was one more thing, Sir.” Bear stands as Jupiter tilts his head questioningly, “Many of the enemies I have encountered claimed to be from the upper levels. If true, there may be sympathizers in our own ranks.”

“That is something you should have brought up earlier, Agent.”

“Sorry, Sir. I will do better.”

“I am not surprised about the information, however. With the shock of the lower levels thrust upon them, I can imagine many of our people want them to be free.”

“Sir?”

“Yes?”

“I want them to be free, Sir.”

“So do I, Agent. Is your mission compromised?”

“Not if I don’t have to kill them, Sir.”

“Good. We don’t want slaves, but up until now we have relied on them. Perhaps there is a compromise. Negotiations could be beneficial, but this war needs to be stopped. And Diana does not seem to want peace. We need our ship back, and once that has happened she may be willing to talk.”

“I really hope so, Sir.”

“Look at me, Bear.” Bear meets his gaze and waits for Baldr’s words. He speaks with a hand on the young man’s shoulder and a fatherly smile, “I’m so proud of you, Son. Keep the faith. The mission won’t change, but our execution of it must. I will look into Mars. We will uncover everything that has happened. We will win this war.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Dismissed.” Jupiter returns Bellerophon’s salute and watches him turn to exit, “Janus, unseal the Bridge.” The locks release and the viewing window returns to transparent. He watches the door close behind Bear before turning back to his view of the universe, “Well,” he sighs, “Here we go.”