Space Rescue One (22 page)

      "In what way was it helpful?" asked the commodore.

      "Well, sir, it gave me something important to think about. I practically tired myself out just thinking about everything and trying to tie up all the loose ends," Richard answered.

      "Loose ends? I wasn't aware that you had any family to concern yourself about. How about accompanying me to the bridge while we talk? I have to make an announcement."

      "Not in the traditional sense. Still I feel that I have a family to care about. A very large family," Richard said as he walked alongside Commodore Shortner.

      "I wish I knew more about what you're saying. Most of it sounds like some of that theoretical garbage the engineers are constantly talking about. I seriously doubt that we'll see Faster Than Light engines in my lifetime or my children's."

      "Maybe not, but I'm not spouting theory," Richard said.

      "No, you're just like the engineers. I really don't understand what you're talking about. I take it that you're sober. However, I never understood you when you were drunk, either. Excuse me, I have to make my announcement now."

      Richard took hold of his gun and slid it out of his pocket.

      "This is Commodore Shortner speaking. I've received orders for the
Earth
Avenger One
to be the flagship of the Earth defenses and begin making patrols. I know that you've all been looking forward . . . What are you doing, Technician Saber?"

      "I'm taking over the ship. The
Space Rescue One
is not and will not be a warship. You might want to play war, but there are others, including me, who do not want to play that game. Do not attempt to do anything foolish. I have shot a man before. Don't force me to shoot another," Richard said as he took hold of the microphone.

      "Technician Saber, I order you to surrender your weapon and yourself."

      "Can it, Commodore. Just keep quiet while I inform everyone about what's happening now," Richard said.

      Commodore Shortner glared at Richard as he pressed the mike switch and said, "This is Technician Richard Saber of the
Space Rescue One.
I am taking over this ship. Do not resist and no one will be hurt. I already have control of the armory, airlock, and communications. Those personnel who do not wish to remain neutral in the war between Earth and the VMA will be permitted to leave the ship and wait on
Earth Station One
which will be neutral according to the rules of engagement proposed by the VMA and accepted by the warring Earth governments. You will later be permitted to return to Earth to rejoin the fighting on some other ship than the
Space Rescue One.
From this moment on,
Space 
Rescue One
is reverting to its original mission of saving lives for both sides in the conflict. By now, more personnel are entering the ship to take over the necessary duties for space rescue. Please do not attempt to start any violence. I want this to be as non-violent as possible. We want to save lives, not take them. Thank you."

      "You don't know what you're getting into. You don't know how to run a ship, much less a mutiny. I have armed guards who will oppose you," Commodore Shortner said.

      "You had armed guards to oppose me. Some of your armed guards were my people. I am in control now, so take it easy and don't cause any trouble. You were a fairly good captain while you ran this ship as a rescue operation. If you really want to take part in the war, then you'll have your chance when you leave the station later. For right now, just lead everyone off this ship onto the station. Oh, please don't start any trouble there, either. Most of its personnel want it to remain neutral. They're willing to treat you and the others properly if you don't make any trouble for them," Richard replied.

      "So, you think you hold all the cards? Well, holding them isn't the same as playing them. I feel sorry for the people you lead on any rescues. You'll be leading them to their deaths. No one is going to respect any neutrality. It's never happened before in war and it won't happen this time, either."

      "Maybe not, but they didn't have to deal with a ship dispensing more firepower than themselves. I think that anyone who tries to ignore our neutrality will find us willing to at least fight for our lives. It's one thing to kill to defend your life. It's quite something else to go out and murder people. That's where the others and I draw the line. Now, if you don't mind Commodore, I've really got a lot of work to do, so please leave. I don't want to force you off in shackles. I'd prefer letting you leave in a dignified manner. It's the least I can do for a man I held some respect for once," Richard replied.

***

"This is Captain Richard Saber of the
Space Rescue One
to all warring parties.
Earth Station One
is now a neutral space station. Likewise,
Space Rescue
One
is neutral and willing to offer assistance to any disabled ships on either side of the conflict in accordance with the rules of engagement. We do this in good conscience knowing that if we do not, the bloodshed from this conflict will be far greater than it should be. Our running lights will be on at all times to indicate our neutrality."

      "We will not hesitate to fire on any ship which fires upon us or
Earth
Station One.
We have a right to defend our lives. Otherwise, we will not take part in any fighting. If we are asked to leave an area while a battle takes place, we will comply if possible."

      "Furthermore, we ask that any ships approaching
Earth
Station
One
request permission to dock before entering into weapons' range of the station. We also ask that they turn on their running lights to indicate that they are temporarily neutral and that those lights remain on as long as they are within weapons' range of the station. Failure to do so will be considered an attempt on our lives."

      "As I have just stated, we are neutral. We will not spy for either side, handle illegal supplies, or commit any other breach of neutrality. Our sole mission is to rescue personnel from ships unable to move or fight under their own power where the lives would otherwise be wasted. Those personnel we save will be returned to our neutral station until other arrangements can be made. We will not transfer them to active warships of either side to fight again or be prisoners."

***

"That voice! It's the same one I remember when the blanket was held over my head, father," Jerrod Brump exclaimed.

      "Are you sure?"

      "Yes, I'm as sure as I can be. I'll never forget that voice. Never! Now I'll never forget that name, either. Captain Richard Saber, your time will come. I swear that it will and that I will be there," Jerrod answered.

      His father said, "That may well be. However, for now there is nothing we can do without violating our own rules of engagement. He is neutral for now and that must be respected. You will have to wait for the war to end, son."

      "That's not fair, father. He should suffer as much as I did," Jerrod exclaimed.

      "Yes, but you cannot jeopardize our independence movement. I order you not to."

      "You can't order me about any longer. I'm not one of the crew aboard your ship."

      "If you try to get your revenge while the war is on, I will oppose you, son. On the other hand, if you wait until the war is over I will help you. Think on that. Then let me know your answer."

***

"So, you mutinied. I guess you want us to return as a rescue team then," Chief Dickson said.

      "That's precisely why I asked to meet with you and Chief Brunner. I could see it in all your eyes when I made my other proposal to you before. It was crystal clear to me that none of you were willing to practice pacifism if it meant prison. You would rather take a chance on not being killed or having to kill. Now I'm forcing you to make a decision. It seems like any direction you go this time is going to be difficult. I don't think I have to delineate the disadvantages for you," Richard said.

      "No, you don't. I can pretty much imagine what we're facing with each decision. What I'm concerned about is whether you can actually run a ship. I'm not feeling very confident in your abilities since I haven't seen you do anything yet," Chief Brunner said.

      "I understand, Chief Brunner. What about you, Chief Dickson?" Richard asked.

      "I'm going to discuss this with the rest of the team. You already have a fair idea of how we stood before. This changes things and we'll discuss it together before I make any commitments," Chief Dickson replied.

      "You're willing to sign on with this inexperienced mutineer?" Chief Brunner asked.

      "I didn't say anything of the kind, Ralph. What I said is I'm going to put the facts before my team," Dickson replied.

      "That's really all I'm asking either of you to do. I hope you've both noticed that I've a very experienced crew manning the ship's other positions. You won't be going out with a green crew," Richard said.

      "Yeah, just a green captain," said Chief Brunner.

      Richard reached down to his travel chest. He picked it up and placed it on the briefing table. "I'm not experienced as a ship's captain. That much is true. However, I have been a First Officer before. If you'd like proof, I'm willing to provide it to you."

      Ralph stared at Richard for a moment, trying to decide if Richard was trying to bluff him. He was met with an unwavering stare. "What about your drinking?"

      Richard answered, "I gave that up sometime ago. You can verify that with whomever you wish."

      "So, why'd you leave the command track? Did you mutiny then, too?" asked Chief Brunner.

      "The full facts of the matter are inside this chest. The hinges are broken, so look in it if you wish," Richard replied.

      Chief Brunner reached for the chest. His hands grasped it while he stared into Richard's eyes. Richard's eyes refused any compromise in their determination. The Chief let go of the chest for a moment in indecision, then grasped it again to pull it to him. He opened it and stared at the top sheets of paper. His face fell from its stony bearing to leave his mouth slightly open before he gently closed the chest.

      "Satisfied, Chief?" asked Richard.

      "For now, yes. I'll put the facts to my team as well. Is that why you drank, sir?" Chief Brunner answered.

      "No, Chief, it isn't," Richard answered.

      Brunner said, "Well, you must have had your reasons. I'll trust you that you had good ones and not pry further. Will there be anything more, sir?"

      Richard replied, "I only hope that you choose to go out with me. There are shipmates on board those other ships who don't really want to fight and die in the cold of space. We can make a difference. You don't want to look in the chest, Chief Dickson?"

      "No, thank you, Richard. I already know what's in the chest," Isaac replied.

      Richard exclaimed, "You do? I'm shocked. Is no man's private property sacred? Does the team know?"

      Chief Dickson nodded.

      "Okay, that explains what you all were up to lately, I guess. You had me going there. I guess it never occurred to any of you to just ask," Richard said.

      "Would you have told us?" Dickson asked.

      "There was a time when I would have," Richard answered.

"Attenion all personnel. 

***

"Corridor One is disengaged."

      "Airlock is secured."

      Richard ordered, "Engage thrusters."

      "Thrusters engaged."

      "Distance from station is five meters . . . ten meters . . . twenty meters . . . thirty . . . forty . . . fifty meters."

      Richard ordered, "Engage main engines. Ahead slow."

      "Engaging main engines. Ahead slow."

      "Passing course to helm."

      "Helm has course from navigation."

      "Additional information from
ESO,
sir."

      Richard ordered, "Put them on the intercom. We're not going to hide anything from anyone. Let's keep this ship's crew together."

      "Aye, sir. Patching communications to intercom."

      "Earth
Station One
to
Space Rescue One.
There is definitely a battle going on in the sector between the Moon and Earth. Estimates are that there are ten rebel ships against five Earth ships. There have been no communications from either side for rescue assistance."

      Richard responded, "Thank you,
ESO.
We will proceed to the edge of their battle area and maintain position in case we are needed."

      "Captain, do you want all communications patched into the intercom?"

      Richard replied, "For now, yes. I'd like to let the crew know that we're not faking it on the bridge. We'll let them gain some confidence in our abilities first before we return to more normal procedures. However, make sure that no intercom transmissions from elsewhere in the ship are broadcast out by accident. I don't want anyone out there thinking that we're not organized and tempt them into testing our neutrality."

      "Aye, sir."