Hail Warning

Rond Point Port — Aboard the Hail Proton

There was a celebratory dinner on the Hail Proton that night. Since none of the restaurants on the ship were big enough to accommodate Hail Proton’s entire crew, dinner was held in the ship’s gymnasium. Tables had been set with linen tablecloths, real silver and crystal glassware. Everyone, except for a skeleton crew, was in attendance.

The ship’s music teacher had assembled a band, consisting of the crew’s younger members. They started off softly with some light dinner music and then they transitioned to some jazzy tunes. By the time Hail had popped the cork on the fake champagne — for the minors — and the real champagne for the adults, the young man playing the electric guitar had cranked up his amp, and the drummer had started pounding on the skins. The band churned out the song, I Am the Fire, by the group Halestorm. Hail had no idea Sarah Starling was such a great singer. She belted out line after line as the band continued to blast out the verse.

Hail found himself listening to each phrase, and the song was meaningful to him. What he was doing — what his life had become — was nothing that he could have foreseen or imagined. Was he strong enough to continue along the path he had set for himself? For the time being, at least, the answer was yes. As each of the Top Ten Terrorists fell like dominoes, he found himself getting stronger. He knew he would continue to follow his desire — and revenge was a dish best served cold.

Starling transitioned into the chorus. The chords were filled with power and emotion.

Hail was burning brighter. His crew — his kids — were radiating life, celebrating their first successful mission. There had lots of many moving pieces and they had risen to the occasion. Hail recognized how much talent they possessed, and his chest burst with pride. In their young lives, they had overcome so much trauma and loss, yet they had accomplished much. Marshall wistfully wished their parents could have been there to revel in their infectious happiness. Simultaneously, he ached. He wished he could have shared this occasion with his wife and twin daughters. There was all this life around him, yet Hail felt amazingly empty.

It was getting late and most of the teens, and many of the adults, were out on the dance floor shaking, twerking and jumping up and down.

“Can I have this dance?” asked a female voice behind him.

Hail’s spirits soared — the voice was that of Kara — Hail turned ready to pull her into a warm embrace. However, it was not Kara. Sarah Starling had left the stage to request a dance with Hail. He tried not to let his disappointment show — instead he exchanged a smile with her, and said, “I would be honored to have this dance with you, Sarah.”

Hail arose from his chair and he took Sarah’s hand. He went to the dance floor and made a fool out of himself.