Rogue Station Chapter 1 LEAVING

Rogue Station 

Chapter 1.Leaving

Journal

What a day! Today was the second worst day of my life. I can’t believe what has happened. As I’m writing this I’m on Rogue Station. I have come to live with my Uncle Nick, who runs the station. I know he doesn’t want me to live here with him. Some days I wish I had a normal family, with a Mom and a Dad. The day they were killed…that was the worst day of my life, but I don’t remember…I was only a year old. Anyway, someone else died today.

My only friend in the—well—universe. Keith Jadoo was like my older brother, who always looked out for me, kept me away from Mak. I don’t have to worry about Mak anymore—just my uncle—.

I hate this, I really hate this!, I said, running my fingers through my mop of jet black hair. I flopped on the bright purple lounger that was next to my bed and glared at the man standing at my door.

Brendan, we have no choice, the man spoke up.

My friend, Keith.

We just can’t keep you here any longer, he continued.

My steel gray eyes flashed in anger. “Why not? I’d rather stay here than go with—him.” The last word I uttered between clenched teeth.

He’s the only family you’ve got, Keith countered.

Family? I have no family, I muttered. That’s kind of why I’m here, remember?”

But Nicholas Starr is your uncle.

Uncle Nick. He’s probably a hundred years old.

He’s only thirty-two—.

I laughed then. Might as well be a hundred.

Keith smiled at that. You’re sixteen Brendan. He’s only double your age.

I know my math, I retorted. I was silent for a moment, then continued, he’s only thirty-two?

Keith rolled his eyes in exasperation. He’s younger than me. I’m thirty-six.

You are an old guy, I said, sarcastically, That was the first time I smiled that day. You’re really thirty-six, Keith?

Thirty seven in three months, Keith said, resignedly

I thought for a moment, then noted Keith’s attire. Orange fluorescent shorts and t-shirt, two silver serpent earrings dangling from each earlobe, and long blond hair, pulled back in a ponytail. I guess you’re not that old, Keith.

No, I’m not. And even so, your uncle’s probably cooler than me.

No one’s cooler than you, Keith.

Keith chuckled. “Thanks for the compliment, kid, but you still can’t stay here at ED any longer.” ED was short for Earth District 2 Foster Care Facility.

I spent the last 15 years at ED ever since my parents had been killed in a vicious alien attack. The Lurkers were a violently savage race, who, soon after the vicious attack, mysteriously retreated into the far reaches of space, never to be heard from again. That had been 14 years ago. It was then that I had been brought to ED.

Then, raised by Keith Jadoo at ED, I had became somewhat of a troublemaker, wreaking havoc among staff and the other orphans, playing practical jokes on them and generally being a major pain in the neck.

And stop buttering me up, it won’t work. Keith continued. He sighed. I like you a lot Brendan, I’ve been here with you since you came here as a baby, and, no doubt I’m going to miss you, but you know, I could come and visit you on Rogue Station. If you wanted me to, that is.

Rogue Station? Is that where—?

Your uncle lives. Yes, he’s the Overseer of Rogue Station. Keith explained..

He’s runs Rogue Station?” I said in awe.

For four years now. Doing a pretty good job, too. Runs the place like a well oiled—orphanage. Keith chuckled at his joke.

Great, I muttered, not amused. Out of the frying pan, into the fire. Anyway, I still don’t want to go. Please, can you talk to Mak for me? Put in a good word?

It was Mak’s idea, Keith said. He wants you out of here. All he needed was a reason to kick you out.

If it’s because of what happened with Fluffy, I’ll apologize to her, I said, sobering. I didn’t mean to put her in there. She had it coming, though.

Fluffy was a glarg. At most times a relatively docile beast from the arctic plains of the Earth Alliance planet of Mentos’a, when provoked she was nasty tempered and could be downright spiteful. Earlier that morning I had lured her into the facility recycler with promise of a small and tasty kluykk—a small Denesian rodent—I then locked the metal door with Fluffy inside. Her howls could be heard all through the facility, until Mak Byensyn rescued her. Mak was the facility administrator. He was not docile, neither was he amused by this latest prank of mine. But then again, he was hardly ever amused especially when it came to my antics.

I don’t care, I shot back. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll apologize to Fluffy—and then Mak will change his mind.

You locked her in the recycler. I wouldn’t go near her for about a year. And Mak won’t change his mind. I just had a meeting with him. I’m telling you, he was madder than—a glarg stuck in a recycler.

“Is she still in the infirmary?” I smiled at the memory of Fluffy, stuck in the facility recycler. She’ll be pulling metal filings out of her fur for weeks.

Yes, Miss Stackpole cleaned her up. She’s as good as new. Except for her temper, of course, Keith replied.

Do you think Fluffy will forgive me? I said hopefully.

You’d better talk to her—then start packing your bags, Keith said, turning to leave. Your shuttle leaves in 2 hours.

I just stared open mouthed at Keith for a moment and Keith hesitated, hand on the door knob. Two hours?, I asked hoarsely. I sat down on my small bed and became silent.

Yes, Keith replied. Two hours.

The good-byes were short. Though most of ED’s residents were glad to see me go, the other orphans would miss me. I had brought a bit of excitement to a place that could be at most times downright dull.

Even Fluffy managed a handshake, well, paw shake, but only after I apologized profusely and had gotten down on my hands and knees. Fluffy grunted her appeasement. She thought it an amusing human custom—groveling.

Then I came to Keith. I’ll come and visit you on the Station, he promised.

No one else made the offer to visit me on Rogue Station. The other orphans couldn’t leave and the staff, well, the staff wouldn’t waste their measly vacation time to visit a juvenile delinquent on a space station orbiting the Earth. Even if it was to Rogue Station. They all stood around awkwardly looking at each other. I looked at each one in turn but saw no friends, only people who couldn’t wait to see my back. It was not a comforting thought.

I looked once more at Keith. Only Keith I considered a friend. I would definitely miss Keith. A lot.

And with that I was out the door, my scuffed and brown duffel bag holding all of my worldly belongings. Which weren’t much. A couple of shirts, a tattered pair of denim shorts, a clean pair of socks and some underclothes. Also in the bag were a tattered journal and a pencil, sharpened so many times it was almost too small for my hand. I wouldn’t go anywhere without my journal.

I had also managed to swipe some pecuckell  from Mrs. Reynold’s kitchen for the shuttle trip. It was wrapped up in some foil wrap and stuffed into the front pocket of the duffel.

Before saying my final goodbye, Keith had pressed a half dozen Earth credits into my hand along with a shuttle ticket. Sorry I can’t do more, Keith had muttered under his breath, suddenly acting nervous and like he couldn’t wait to see the back of me. Did I annoy him somehow? Why did he want me to leave so badly?

I fingered the credits now as I approached the commercial district and wondered if I had time to browse the many shops lining the street. It was noon and smells coming from the kitchen of the small restaurant now situated to my left were overwhelming my sense of smell. I could buy some food for the trip, or swipe some food and keep the money for something more fun.

Air cars hummed overhead as I debated. There weren’t too many pedestrians in the city of New London, most preferring public transportation. Since the Lurker war, many these days could not afford their own vehicle. Public transportation in New London was crowded but relatively cheap.

But the moon shuttle depot where I was headed, was in the middle of the commercial district, another two blocks farther along. It had been built where there was available land and enough room for a Customs Department. Customs departments at Shuttle Stations on Earth were a necessity these days. You could never be too careful who you let onto Earth. Earth was very selective.

Anyone with enough credits and a nice smile could disembark on the moon, though. Thus the customs desks at the shuttle station.

I decided then against the food. I would save my money for something fun.

I peered into the window of the nearest store. Closed for inventory, a sign on the door announced. A bright red poster caught my eyes as I peered into the darkened shop. It wasn’t the colour of the poster that caught my attention. It was the mechanical man, whose frame adorned the poster. Words along the bottom read:

YOURS FOR ONLY §1000 CREDITS

Androids can do anything humans can do—even better!

I stared, transfixed, at the poster. Way cool, I murmured. If only I had one of those—.

A footfall behind me caught me unawares. I turned around. I was surprised it was Keith.

Miss me already?, I managed to say, eyes travelling between Keith and the poster inside the store.

Keith frowned, but didn’t answer my question. Instead he said, Spending your money, already? Come on, your shuttle leaves in 15 minutes.

Afraid I’d run away?, I said, sullenly.

As a matter of fact, yes, Keith said quickly, grinning at me then letting it drop from his face. Not that I don’t trust you or anything—I just don’t trust you.

I reddened. I turned and headed up the thoroughfare without speaking and entered the shuttle station a few minutes later followed closely by my shadow.

Look, Keith said, when I turned to face him, I do trust you, I’m sorry for saying what I did back there. It’s just—I wanted to tell you—I.

What?, I muttered.

I didn’t really want you to go. The others—Mak thought that—.

Mak wanted me out and that episode with Fluffy was the last straw. You told me that already. I don’t care anymore. I’m glad I’m out of there.

Why the sudden change of heart?, Keith wondered aloud. You didn’t want to leave earlier. Now you can’t wait to go. What’s up?

I just shrugged. I’m looking at this as an adventure. Now I’m glad Mak kicked me out. Yeah, I’m scared, but—well I’m just glad, that’s all.

You will be better off on Rogue Station, Keith remarked. There’s something I need to tell you, though. I didn’t want to tell you back at ED. That’s why I slipped out just now.

What is it?

Something’s happened, back at the orphanage. I had to get you out of there, but don’t ask me to explain—its’ too complicated right now. But we have to leave—now.

Keith, you’ve got me worried now. What happened back at the orphanage.

Something I wasn’t expecting. But we can’t go back there, it’s too dangerous—for you and now—me. We have to get on that shuttle—now!