Quest for the Conestoga (Colony Ship Conestoga Book 1) (11 page)

“Just to be clear,” Cammarry said through clenched teeth.  “Yes, means we are on the quest for the Conestoga.”

“Some quest, this is not a fairy tale about knights and dragons,” Jubal muttered, but he did not look at anyone as he said it.  He just stared at his quivering hands. 

“That is correct.  A yes will mean you are on the mission to the Conestoga.  You are the first to request that ship as a destination,” Murial said. 

Cammarry and Jerome nodded and walked away. 

Other adventurers were approaching the table and Jubal’s countenance had altered and he was now all profession, kind, and supportive to the others. 

Jerome pulled Cammarry along before she said anything more. 

6 preparation and the sling

Just a short while later, the data stick that Jerome was carrying beeped several times.  “General message for Cammarry and Jerome: Yes.  Repeat. General message for Cammarry and Jerome:  Yes.”

“So what now?”  Jerome asked.  “If Faraday still existed we would know the schedule and all that is needed.  I just wish Jubal….”

The data stick beeped again.  “General message for Cammarry and Jerome: Report to Quartermaster immediately.  General message for Cammarry and Jerome: Report to Quartermaster immediately.”

“There is the answer.”  Cammarry tugged on Jerome’s arm.  “Willie will give us what we need, both in information and in supplies.”

They headed toward the Quartermaster’s storeroom.  As they walked along, another message came from the data stick.  “Jamie and Michael: Eschaton.”

“That was one of the colony ships, right?”  Jerome asked. 

“Yes, the one with the religious people who were considered probably hostile,” Cammarry replied.  “Murial is trying to keep us informed.  Why would Jamie and Michael choose that ship?” 

“Atonement.”  Jerome was pensive. 

“Jamie really was struck by what happened in Dome 3,” Cammarry commented.  “And the crazy Doctor Larsen did not help her at all, obviously.”

“Doctor Larsen had never helped anyone,” Jerome affirmed. 

Then a voice cried out from behind them.

“Cammarry!”  Gretchen was yelling and running. Paul was following.  

“What in the world are you two doing?”  Cammarry yelled back.  “Has something happened?”

“We wanted to see you before you depart,” Gretchen said as she ran up to her.

“Jerome and I are going to the Quartermaster next.  I do not have much time.  You can walk with me,” Cammarry said. 

“So which ship have you chosen?”  Gretchen asked.  Paul was close behind her.

Cammarry glanced around. A few people were watching.  Gretchen’s running had drawn their attention.  ‘How does Gretchen know?’ she asked herself.  Then she recalled that Gretchen’s AI was probably still fully functional.  Gretchen reached out and held her arm. 

Cammarry opened up and shared with her friend.  “It does not matter what people know.  I will be gone soon enough.  Jerome and I chose the Conestoga.  I believe Jamie and Michael went to that ship with the religious crazy people.  That was not for us.”

“We are on the third launch,” Paul said. 

“Why did you choose the Conestoga?”  Gretchen inquired her dark eyes were shining with wonder. 

Cammarry hesitated for a bit.  She felt nervous trying to explain it even to Jerome or herself.  So she babbled.  “Well, the ship’s AI reports that it has landed on a planet.  The probe found it.  So we estimate that it must have found a suitable planet, or it would not have reported that, nor would the probe have found it.  A hospitable planet is the ultimate destination, so we thought it would be best to go right to that planet.  Then when we build the teleportation receiving pad, it will save all the people from here.  They can walk from Dome 17 right to the new planet, and no need to worry about some ancient colony ship.”

Gretchen nodded and gave a warm smile.  “That is very logical.  I just wanted to thank you for being my friend.”  Gretchen glanced at Paul and then back.  Sadness was in Gretchen’s countenance.  “Our friend.  No matter which of us establishes the teleportation system, we will not see each other.”

Cammarry swallow hard.  “Yes, I know.”  She tried to hold back tears as she hugged Gretchen and then hugged Paul.  “No long speeches or that kind of stuff.  Just some really good stories about me to the people you meet.”  She wiped her eyes and walked away quickly.  She had to offer some hope, so she turned and added.  “The planet we land on will probably already have such good teleportation and technology that I will come looking for you and rescue you both.”  She then pivoted around and proceeded toward the Quartermaster’s area.  Jerome waved his own goodbye.

“They are good friends,” Jerome said quietly as he hugged her.

“I hope their colony ship is safe and good for them,” Cammarry replied softly.  “After what Paul went through he deserves a calm and peaceful place.”

Willie the Quartermaster was an unusual man.  His clothing was unkempt, and often looked like he had slept in it.    He had been significantly injured long ago and his one arm hung uselessly in a dirty tan sling.  Unlike nearly everyone else in Dome 17, Willie seldom used antiseptic foams at all.  His supply room had a distinct aroma unlike anywhere else, except perhaps for the elderly house complex.  There was a table covered with items and shelves were all around. 

Willie also had significant eye alignment issues.  His strabismus was pronounced, which many people found disconcerting.  He appeared to be able to look intently at two different people at the same time.   Willie used this to his every advantage. To make matters even more odd, he spoke with a bit of a wheezy nasally whine.   Nothing really pronounced, but just enough to set off one’s ears.  Some claimed he did that on purpose, but others said he had always been like that.

Cammarry found him eccentric and charming, but Jerome had reservations.    

Indisputable was Quartermaster Willie intellect and creativity with tools and equipment.   Many of the adventurers had discussed which person was more intelligent, Brink or Willie.  Opinion was divided as each had a very capable brain, and each was a specialist in his own area.  Willie had invented many of the tools, repair and reinforcement systems, and day to day items which kept the dome functioning.  Brink had brilliant insights into reality but was more about theoretical and esoteric items. 

“Well come in you two,” Willie said.  “I expected you.  Jamie and Michael just left, and you two are next.” One of Willie’s eyes looked right at Cammarry.  “Sweetheart, I hear, from some little birdie, that your artificial intelligence system was murdered.”

“Willie, John would tell you that there are no birds flying around anywhere in the dome,” Cammarry said as she tried to turn her anger over the loss of Winchell incident into humor.  She was only partially successful. 

“My system, Faraday, was disbanded as well.  Both Winchell and Faraday were terminated without our consent,” Jerome said.

“Yes, murdered.  Tragic.  Just tragic.  Such fine machinery should never be wasted like that.  Well, I have some things to give you that may brighten your day.  First, Murial says you are on the second sling launch, which leaves about an hour from now.  Jamie and Michael will leave in the first sling launch.  You will need to get the things I have designed for you, then go to medical.  That sweetie Doctor Carolyn will fix you up with all sorts of medical things.  She has a medical kit which I would have been proud to build.  That honey of a doctor says she wants to try some new things on this lame arm of mine, but hey, it has been this was for decades, so why change?  Mark that down, I said no to a pretty lady!”

“Thanks for letting us know about the schedule,” Jerome stated.  “We have just a short time.  Will we be taking a standard mission set of equipment?”

“Well, Brink will explain about the mass limits on his flying gizmo, and will tell you about that teleporter he has rigged up.  You will need to build the receiver. I have kept the weight and mass down on your gear as much as possible.  Energy is where we will start.  Fusion packs.  You will both carry two fusion packs.  Two each.”

“Willie, you are the first person who has given us any details about this mission.  Why do we need so many fusion packs?”  Jerome asked.   

“Energy is key to your success.  The flying gizmo will have its own power plant and get you to that old ship, but you will need portable power, sort of like in the dead domes, you need to rely on yourself.  No telling what one of those crazy old ships will be like.  So fusion packs for both of you.  One alone will operate the teleportation receiving pad.  That will be our way of coming to you, so you make sure to build me a safe sidewalk through space!”  Willie laughed.  “The fusion packs will adapt to most any energy system so they are nearly universally useful.”

“I bet you are being super redundant by giving us four,” Cammarry laughed with him.  Her stress was easing off now that she was getting some tools and had more information. 

“Right you are sweetheart!  You are so cute.  Well, you get four fusion packs, so take care of all of them.”  Willie then pulled some things down from the shelves.  He was adept at working with only one arm.  “Here Are the RAM suits, which include goggles, hoods, gloves and shoes.  Nothing to worry your pretty head about from radiation.  I have also given you standard food rations for ten days, including water.  After that, I hope I am there with you to scrounge around for other food supplies.  Everything fits into these satchels, and they will be stored in that scout ship.  So now change and put on the radiation absorbing material suits.  I promise not to peek at you while you undress.”  Willie winked one eye at Cammarry. 

She returned the smile as she and Jerome stepped into a vacant room and put on the blue RAM suits which had some gray accents.  The pockets and compartments in the suits were handy and easy to access. 

“Willie, a questions about the power issues,” Cammarry said as she stepped back.  “What if the colony ship’s power systems are down, or disrupted?  What if there are vacuum areas? What if the thing is a derelict?  How will we get those old systems operational?  Where will we find tools and replacement parts?”

“Sweetheart, you look wonderful, but slow down.  You ask pertinent questions, but I cannot give details about what you will find.  The fusion packs give you power, probably enough to run most of one of those old ships.  The tools kits give you everything you will need to build most anything.  The RAM suits give you protection, and now I give you added support.  Weapon systems.”

“Weapons?”  Jerome asked with surprise. 

“Here are the Willie Wackers,” the Quartermaster said as he set two hand held weapons down.  They were in well-tailored holsters.  

“Willie Wacker?”  Cammarry asked with a smile.  “My dear sir, that sounds rather naughty and indecent.  Perhaps even lewd.”  She stroked her hand along the side of one of the weapons. 

Willie turned bright red with embarrassment.  Cammarry laughed.

Willie sputtered for a minute.  “That spunky girl Jamie called them Willie Wackers, but I did not name them that.”

The weapons were gray on the top and about twenty centimeters long with sights on both ends.  The handle was flat black and molded into a fine grip for one hand.  The muzzle had a large bore.  It was very simple in design. A loading chamber opened on the top side, and a trigger assembly on the handle.

Willie recomposed himself.  “Jerome, you read all those old stories and such, well, these weapons, whatever you call them, do not use chemical explosions and metal projectiles.  This weapon uses magnetic polarization and depolarization. It has a battery pack in the handle and charges whenever it is in the holster.  Charges last a long time, and it makes its own ammunition. You load anything into the chamber here,” He opened the top of the weapon, “and the mechanism compresses that stuff into tiny nuggets, perfect spheres, which it shoots out at very high velocity.”

“The old fiction novels sometimes called a spaceman’s weapon a ray gun or a blaster,” Jerome said as he examined one of the weapons. 

“Yes, this is Willie’s blaster that shoots!”  Cammarry said and once more stroked the weapon. 

Again, Willie turned bright red and Cammarry laughed.

“Willie, thank you for all the equipment,” Jerome said.  “Honestly, we appreciate it.”

Cammarry and Jerome slung both backpacks on, but Willie interrupted.  “No need to carry them yourself.  I will have them taken to Brink for loading into the FTL ship he has built.  He will need to calculate and figure each unit of mass.  You will need to go see that sweet Doctor Carolyn.  No need to carry these all over the dome.  What would the people say if this beautiful young woman was totting Willie’s blaster all over the place?”  Willie grinned a playful face.