Chapter One: Deep Space Music

[Akirapryde]

Alice knew the feeling of being the new kid on the block. She only joined Project Phoenix three years ago. She leaned forward from her seat and rested a reassuring hand on Jake’s shoulder, “I don’t think he was talking about you” she said softly. She didn’t want to seem overbearing, so she pulled her hand back. She hoped that the act of kindness would help ease the young man’s nerves and embarrassment.

As she set back in her chair she found it strange. She had been aboard the Schicksal for almost two years but she realized she really didn’t know any of them. Well, she knew Captain Thorchan due to a number of meetings between the Science Team and Captain Thorchan. She was starting to realize that she barely knew the others. Much of her time during the past two years had been eaten up working on equations Professor Angsoft needed completed before arrival. She knew that this was just an excuse for her though. She always felt uncomfortable around others. But in a matter of days, this group would be out of her life and she would never see them again.

With a heavy sigh she looked out the window at Captain Thorchan. She knew that she liked talking with Lyona. There was a common bond through technology and science. But the others she really didn’t have anything in common with them. She didn’t even know most of their names. She turned her eyes back to the pilot and decided to at least know their names. “My name is Alice Underwood. I am a Computer and Mathematics specialist.”