Space Rescue One (15 page)

      Shelly left the ship as soon as it docked. She made her way to the Orderly Room where the registry was kept to find out where Richard stayed since it was unlikely for him to be at the bar that late or for that long. She was relieved to discover that he did take a temporary room shortly after she left the night before. As she made her way along the curved corridors, she thought of a way to make it up to him for breaking the date.

      Gently, she knocked on the door. The latch wasn't secured. The door swung open. Inside, Richard slept on top of his covers, his zero-gravity safety strap unused. Quietly, Shelly crept over to him and secured the strap before closing the door. Then she sat down near him to await his awakening.

***

Shelly said softly, "Good morning, Richard."

      "Shelly? You're back already?" Richard asked.

      "Yes, another false alarm. Faulty sensor readings."

      "Yeah, that happens."

      "I came by to see about resetting our date since it was interrupted."

      "I don't want a date. Thanks, anyway."

      "What?" she exclaimed.

      "I'm sorry, but I don't want a date. You're too nice for me. I don't deserve a date with you because I'm really a bastard."

      "Are you drunk, Richard?" she asked.

      He replied, "Not at all. I've only had one drink since the Chief ordered me not to. I'm stone cold sober and feeling like a fool. I'm a fool because I acted without thinking. You're too good for a bastard like me, so I'm breaking off the date."

      "No, you're a fool now. There was nothing foolish about you before. You were, perhaps, too serious, but never foolish."

      "Okay, so I'm a fool now. I still don't deserve the company of someone like yourself. Find someone worthy of your attention, but not me."

      "Yes, you're a fool now, but for a different reason. I'm going to give you some time to think about this. I still want a date."

      "I'm sorry, but my answer is no."

***

Richard picked up the distress message on the radio. Instantly, his attention was fully alert to the emergency as he reached over to press a switch. He began speaking. "Space
Rescue
One,
scramble alert. Freighter with stalled engines.
Space Rescue One,
scramble alert. Freighter with stalled engines."

      Though it didn't sound important, it was tacitly understood that any emergency in space was always important and serious. Without power, a ship couldn't dodge asteroids or track them with any guns she carried to blast them into smaller, less harmful chunks. Without power, her life support would dwindle to dangerously low levels or beyond. Without power, the ship couldn't make course adjustments to stay on course toward its final destination.

      Moments later,
Space Rescue One
departed
Earth Station One.

***

"We're glad to see you all, Captain Shortner. We've been doing what we could while conserving our battery power. Sorry, but we didn't make much headway."

      "Glad we can help, Captain Sharpton. We'll sneak up on your ship in a moment. Then we'll connect power lines to give you more than battery power," Captain Shortner replied.

      "Yes, that will be fine. I've got one mechanic injured. The rest of my crew is fairly green. Most are on only their second voyage," Sharpton said.

      "Are you asking for mechanical assistance?" Shortner asked.

      "I'm embarrassed to admit it, but yes, Captain Shortner. We have the parts and tools. I just don't want my ship to end up like the
Southern Pride
when she died with a green crew on board."

      "I reckon that my off-duty mechanics might like to tinker with some engines besides theirs. Otherwise, it's strictly a tow that we can offer."

      "Ah, yes, I believe I understand. I'm sure the company will recognize my authority to contract them for their tinkering."

      "In that case, I'll put the question to them, Captain Sharpton."

      "Thank you, Captain Shortner. Thank you."

***

Chief Dickson said, "We have one injured man on board. We're to render treatment while power is restored by Team Two since we're a man short. Flex suits everyone. Suit up."

***

"I had to get stupid and try to fix it in the dark. Serves me right to get a busted up arm. Still, I'm pretty lucky to have a whole rescue team taking care of me," Chief Engineer Pournelle said.

      "Not quite a whole team. We're a man short," Chief Dickson said.

      "Ah, be easy there. It hurts. So, you're a man short. Sorry to hear that. How'd you lose him?"

      "He's not dead. Just some broken ribs he got on another mission. Right now he's warm and cozy on
Earth Station One
while we're out here working our asses off."

      "Well, if that's the case, I'd like to have hers after you leave."

      "I think he needs a tourniquet around the mouth," Shelly said.

      "Sorry, lady. Just joking to ease the pain. I thought you'd get the joke. Working your asses off? Get it?"

      "You'll get that tourniquet I suggested the next time I hear one like that," Shelly replied.

      "Maybe you ought to try that idea on Richard the next time we see him," Alex said.

      The Chief Engineer asked, "Is Richard the man you're short? Maybe I know him."

      "I doubt it. Sometimes, I'm ashamed to even admit I know him," Jimmy said.

      "Oh, I don't know. The Chief here is nearly as uncouth as Richard is," Shelly said.

      "No way, Shelly. He's not even a close runner-up to Richard when it comes to being a friendless bastard," Alex said.

      Chief Engineer Pournelle said, "Clearly, we're not talking about the same man, then. The Richard I knew was kind and friendly. He'd give the shirt off his back and smile about it. Everyone liked and respected him because he liked and respected everyone back."

      "Definitely not our Richard," said Jimmy.

      "Definitely not. No one likes Richard, except the bartender. I think that's only because Richard's a heavy customer," Alex said.

***

Richard slept once more, if it could be called sleep, in the temporary room on
Earth Station One
while
Space Rescue One
went about its mission. Twice that first night, he woke up in a cold sweat while visions fought within his mind, tearing at it and his soul. The next two nights were just as bad. When he finished cleaning his clothing after the first night, he slept nude only to ease his laundry problem since he had only the one set of clothes for the time being. The rest of his limited wardrobe was on board the ship.

      He eased into the bar on the fourth night to take his regular seat. Damon came over soon after, shaking his head. "Richard, you're looking pretty bad. I can tell that you're not getting enough sleep."

      "You're right about that. I'm not. Does it show that much?"

      Damon answered, "Yes, it does."

      "Okay, then give me what I used to drink."

      "Are you sure?" asked Damon.

      "Please don't question or argue with me. I need it so I can sleep."

      "Sure, Richard. Coming right up. Mind if I talk with you since the bar's pretty empty?"

      "You can talk. I'll drink."

      A minute later, Richard tasted the liquor slide down his throat, burning its way through the visions in his soul and mind.

      "So, she dumped you, huh?"

      "No, I dumped her. I've got to be honest about that."

      Damon exclaimed, "Huh? You what? Are you crazy? She's a real catch. There's nothing fake or unreal about her."

      "I know that, but I can't burden her with me. I'm a cripple. Emotionally, that is. I can see that I am. I don't even need a mirror to see myself anymore. My eyes can stare backwards right into my skull. There's nothing left in me that's good anymore."

      "I don't buy that at all. I know you too well to believe any of that. You're still basically a good man inside. You've got to be willing to let the good in you get out."

      "That's easy for you to say. Then again, you don't have the blood of twenty men and women on your conscience."

      Damon exclaimed, "Say what? I thought you told me you didn't do anything bad?"

      "I didn't lie to you about that, Damon. What I did was to fail them when they needed me. I thought I could make it up to them. Now I'm not so sure anymore."

      "Make it up how?" asked Damon.

      "By becoming a rescue technician. I honestly thought I could make it up to them all for failing by taking on rescue work. Isn't that funny? I couldn't save them then and I can't save them or me now."

      "Richard, did you try to save them then?" Damon asked.

      "Yes, I tried, but I failed. I watched some of them die while begging for help. I couldn't get to them though I wanted to."

      "You froze up? Is that what happened?" Damon asked.

      "No, I didn't freeze up."

      "Then what happened? Why do you feel that you're to blame?" Damon asked.

      "Because I failed them. I saw it in their eyes. I heard it in their voices. I failed them."

      "No, I'm not sure I buy that, either. There's more that you're not telling me."

      "What more is there to tell?" asked Richard.

      "You could tell me what happened for a start. You're too close to the problem to judge it properly."

      "I'm the only person who can judge my actions that day. If I had the guts, I'd kill myself, but I won't. I deserve this punishment. It's the least I can do for them. No, I don't want another drink. I can't let it interfere with my penance. See you later, Damon."

"Richard? Are you awake? Richard?" Shelly asked.

      "He's sleepwalking. Leave him alone, Shelly. He doesn't want anyone's help, anyway," Alex said.

      "You're wrong, Alex. He needs our help more than he knows. I couldn't see that before. Now I do. Help me steer him back to his bed."

      "Only because you asked me, Shelly. I'd just as soon he sleepwalked himself right out the airlock."

      "Don't be so cruel, Alex. You'll make yourself into just as bad a mental case as Richard is now."

      "Is that what you think it is?" he asked.

      She replied, "Can you think of anything else? I don't know why, but I suspect that we've never seen the real Richard. That's in hiding or locked away in a cell inside his mind. I'm sure the real Richard is struggling to get found or out. It's up to us to find him or help him find his way out. Aren't we supposed to be rescuers?"

      "I suppose so. Well, no, you're right. We are. You take that side. I'll take this side," Alex answered.

      "Thanks, Alex. I'll buy you a drink sometime soon to show my appreciation."

      Alex replied, "Uh, no, make it a dinner. I don't want to start drinking like Richard did."

      "Okay, a dinner on me sometime soon, it is."

      "Have you seen these scars he has?" asked Alex.

      She answered, "Yes, I've noticed them before. They're really deep and ugly looking sometimes. Almost as bad as his shaggy beard."

      "He went through something real bad to get these and live. You think they're connected?"

      "I've thought about that often. They probably are connected to his problem. However, Isaac, I mean, the Chief and I haven't been able to find any record of him being in an accident in his medical records."

      Jimmy exclaimed, "Shelly! I'm glad I found you. What's with Richard?"

      Shelly replied, "Shhh, Jimmy! He's sleepwalking. We're getting him back to his room. Why'd you want to find me?"

      "Damon at the bar asked me to give you a message. He wants to talk with you when you have the time," Jimmy replied.

      "Did he say what it was about?" asked Shelly.

      "Yeah, he did, but I don't want to say it now."

      Shelly said, "Okay, I'll talk with him later. Right now I'm going to see to it that Richard is put back to bed. You want to help us?"

      "I'm not sure. What if he wakes up with us around him? He'll get pretty mad," Jimmy replied.

      "He might hurt himself. Besides, we owe it to him because we're professionals. He's not the only person we ever treated who didn't appreciate us. Think of him that way. Then get your butt in gear and help," Alex said.

***

"Ouch!" Shelly exclaimed.

      "You okay, Shelly?" asked Alex.

      She answered, "Yeah, I'm okay. I stubbed my toe on Richard's chest. Nothing serious to be concerned about."

      Jimmy said, "Okay, he's in bed."

      Shelly said, "Right. Make sure the safety strap is secure. We don't want him floating off if we leave and go into zero-g."

***

"You wanted to talk with me?" asked Shelly.

      "Yes, but I'm breaking a tradition by doing so. You're probably the only person who can help Richard. I learned something the other night before your ship returned. Maybe you can use the information to break through the walls Richard has around him," Damon said.