ALLIANCE (any gender, mid to late teens)
We've got three minutes until the hatch opens. Three minutes until the void comes rushing in and sucks everything out. But we're not leaving this airlock, mother. Not until you understand.
You should have told me. Because if I grew up knowing you were a member of the Deyno Alliance... maybe I would have joined, myself. We wouldn't have been popular in our sector but we would have had each other.
We would have had each other and I would have chosen Deynos as my off-planet friends. And those friends would be waiting for me at the planet 6 academy... that IS why the ship is set to take us there, right? Just another academy to interview at... except Planet 6 Academy has always had a strong Deyno student society. Hasn't it? What a coincidence.
Two minutes, now.
Did you think this would be the time to draw me in? When I was, was, was, when I was a messed up teenager looking for answers? Well, I AM messed up and I am still looking for answers but I do know some things.
My off-world friends have told me about the kind of damage the Deynos do. And the alliance is growing bigger and bigger, isn't it?
One minute thirty seconds.
I won't associate myself with the Alliance. But I can't change the fact that you're my mother, right? There is something to be done. Three options. You go back into the ship alone. I go back into the ship alone. Or we both stay here and fall through the hatch. We'll meet our separate makers. Three choices, mother.
One minute.
Copyright 2016 by Matt Haynes.
If you would like to use this piece, please credit: "Courtesy of Matt Haynes and The Pulp Stage"