Invasive Species

Slipping into the copilot seat across the aisle from Sam, Tamsyn closed her eyes and leaned back. “Scans didn’t show anything too serious. Mild hypoxia, some frost bite. Should make a full recovery. She’s resting now.”

“Excellent. She’s a tough one. Look at the size of me, and even I’m scared of her. I’m getting our flight plan into the computer. Your last name is Jones, right?”

She stayed silent for a moment, then opened her eyes. “Go ahead and put ‘Harper.’” He gave her a quizzical look in response. “Jones was my married name. I never even used it till I got divorced.”

He nodded, still intrigued, and began entering the information. “Birth date?”

“February third, twenty-two twenty-one.”

He stared at her again. “You’re not…THE Tamsyn Harper?”

She chuckled. “That’s me. Born on the infamous Resolution, the day she was destroyed.”

“Wow. My uncle served on that ship too… I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

“So, once we report on the disaster, what do you plan on doing?”

Tamsyn hesitated. This was the first time she had a line of thought that included the possibility of surviving the day. “Well, I could go back to my company. Keep doing transport security. But, I think it’s time to move on to something new.”

“You can always join my crew. I’d be happy to have you onboard.”

Tamsyn stared out at the warp field. “Maybe. But, not yet. I need some time to wander. But don’t disappear on me. I have a feeling I may call you someday.”

“You saved our butts back there. We owe you. All you have to do is ask.” There was a long silence. Sam broke it, seemingly just because he hated long silences. “We’ll be on Bellefonte in about two hours. This Space-X warp engine is pretty nice. I think I’ll keep the ship.

“Can you do that?”

“Legitimate salvage. And, I do need to replace the one I lost.”

There was another long silence. Tamsyn stared into the warp field and let the warp euphoria sooth her for a moment. “You know, the feds won’t really need all three of us to explain what happened. I could write a witness statement and send it with you.”

“Somewhere else you’d rather be?”

“I’d like to get this wrist comp to the Cole family. Better I talk to them before it hits the news.”

“Roger that. Your wish is my command.”

“Thank you.” She said it to Sam, but it wasn’t really for him. She felt David’s presence out there. Somewhere among the stars. Part of her hoped she would always feel it. She would be thanking him for the rest of her life. The ship dropped out of warp and changed bearing in one fluid motion, disappearing in a flash of light on its new course to Zuhause.