Page 6 of His to Worship

“Yes!” I exclaim, pumping my fist. The other girls glance around with wide eyes.

“Okay, or it will do just that,” Sabrina breathes out in awe.

“CEASING XCLIXAN, ENGAGING ENGLISH SYSTEM UPDATE. WAIT.” It continues calling out ‘wait’ over and over with small beeps in between the words.

“How did you….” Renata peers at me in shock, talking over the computer.

“I like sci-fi, and I had a hypothesis, so I tested it.” With a shrug, I continue, “Let’s see if we can voice activate our navigation.”

“Amazing!” Sabrina squeals, clapping her hands before she and Amari hug tightly in celebration. “We’re going home.”

“Maybe. It’s a long shot,” I contest. I don’t want anyone to get their hopes up because of me.

“SYSTEMS OPERATING IN ENGLISH.”

“Computer, run diagnostic,” I announce loudly.

“DIAGNOSTICS ENGAGING. MANUAL STEERING SYSTEMS—DOWN. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS—ENGAGED. SECURITY SYSTEMS—ENGAGED. OXYGEN CONSUMPTION—HIGH. LIFE SUPPORT—80% EFFECTIVE. COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS—ENGAGED. PROPULSION THRUSTERS—FUNCTIONABLE.”

“What does any of that mean?” Amari’s eyebrows pinch before she looks at me.

“We can’t steer the ship manually, but there’s a small chance we might be able to change the autopilot’s destination via the computer.”

“Okay, see if it works,” Renata encourages.

“Computer, where are we headed?”

“CURRENTLY NAVIGATING TO SYSTEM 2167, PLANET NUMBER 21, COMMONLY KNOWN AS HESCTONA.”

“Computer, navigate to Earth.”

“365 EARTHS LOCATED. SPECIFY NOW.”

“Fuck,” I curse. “Navigate to the Earth with human civilization.”

“EARTH 231 IS A RESTRICTED ZONE PER INTERGALACTIC CODE NUMBER 2946. PROVIDE SYSTEM OVERRIDE CODE NOW.”

“Okay, well that’s not happening.” I rub my face with my hands. “What now?”

“What’s it restricted for?” Sabrina asks curiously. “I mean, they came to get us from there, so how can it be so restricted?”

“Hmm, good point.” I lift my eyes back to the ceiling and begin talking again, “Computer, what is Intergalactic Code 2946?”

“DELIVERING INFORMATION TEXT NOW.” A second later a holographic image screen is projected in front of us in English. It’s a bit pixelated and some places flash in and out from the damage to the panel, but I lean forward to read:

Intergalactic Code 2946: Colloquially known as the "Non-Intervention Directive," it mandates the non-interference in the developmental trajectories of sentient life forms inhabiting designated planets. Under Code 2946, advanced civilizations are prohibited from directly intervening in the technological or societal evolution of lesser-developed sentient species. By allowing civilizations to progress naturally, uninfluenced by external forces, Code 2946 seeks to preserve the integrity of each species’ unique cultural and technological heritage. Violations of Code 2946 carry severe penalties, including galactic exile and death.

Renata’s brow furrows in concentration as she reads before she pulls away and sighs. “Maybe there’s a backup control panel somewhere on the ship. We just have to find it.”

I nod, “Good point. Computer, where is the backup control panel for the ship's steering?”

“BACKUP SYSTEMS NOT DETECTED. CONTROL PANEL COMPROMISED. MANUAL STEERING DISABLED. COORDINATES DESTINED FOR SYSTEM 2176…”

“Well, fuck.” There is no other control panel. No backup anything. So, it’s just us and the vast expanse of space, and a destination none of us want to arrive at.

“Let’s split up and search the ship.” Renata is moving as she speaks, never one to stop for too long. “There has to be something.”

“Maybe even an escape pod.” The thought fills me with hope again as soon as it slips from my mouth. “Sometimes ships like this have emergency crafts in the shows and books I like. Maybe this one does too?”

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