Space Rescue One (42 page)

      "That doesn't sound too good. The prosecution only has to sway one juror," Isaac commented.

      "Same holds for an innocent verdict. On the other hand, if only one juror switches sides to a guilty verdict, he can only receive one-fifth of the maximum sentence."

      "Oh? Well, that's something at least."

      "It gets better. Even if he's found guilty by all the jurors, he has the right to an immediate reopening of the trial if new evidence ever surfaces that could prove him innocent. If the verdict is guilty by only six or seven jurors, then his side has to have a judge rule on the significance of any new evidence before they can get a reopening of his trial," Richard said.

      "Not much chance of any of that happening. He is guilty, isn't he?" Isaac asked.

      "Probably, but it does seem like he has a better chance for an acquittal than otherwise. They also don't have the death penalty because of their sentencing structure. As well, if any of the evidence collected against him was illegally obtained, the sentence is reduced twenty percent for each separate instance if he's found guilty."

      "But they get to use the illegally obtained evidence against him?" Isaac asked.

      "Yes, they do. Anyway, they're trying to achieve a better balance of rights and impartiality than what's been seen in the past," Richard answered.

      "I'll have to see it to believe it."

      "I don't blame you, Isaac. After all, any new system is bound to have some bugs in it. Still, I can't help but think that Ralph has a better chance in their court than elsewhere. All he needs is five stalwart jurors who know of his previous work as a rescuer. If they refuse to convict him, he could get an acquittal. I kind of like the idea that people who know about the good you've done can be selected to judge you and possibly give you a second chance in spite of your guilt. Too many people have been sent away in the past for too little. It's about time the system took a person's good deeds more into account."

      "Yes, Richard, but for murder?" asked Isaac.

      "Believe me, Isaac, the men Ralph was after deserve more than he's capable of dishing out. He and I talked after he found one of them. Unfortunately, I failed to convince him to turn the man over to the authorities. Now I know that he probably did the right thing under the circumstances."

      "You're condoning murder?" asked Isaac.

      "I'd rather think of it as condoning justice, but you're right. It is murder and I'm truly against that despite my feelings to the contrary concerning these two men," Richard answered.

      "I get the feeling that you know more than you can discuss. Let me correct that. More than you're willing to discuss," Isaac said.

      "You're insightful as always, Isaac. That's all I can say for now."

      "Then I won't pry about that anymore. Any problems with Ceriga last night?" Isaac asked.

      "If you're asking whether she came on strong, the answer is yes. She was trying, almost desperately in my eyes, to push the right buttons and get me to take her."

      Isaac stared at Richard with a better poker face than Richard could usually manage. He analyzed Richard's features to determine if he should pursue or drop the topic. He finally asked, "Well?"

      "We both slept like babies."

"Attention all
Space
Rescue
One
personnel. This is a priority alert scramble. Repeat, this is a priority alert scramble. Attention all
Space Rescue One
personnel . . ."

      Ceriga sat up instantly from beside Richard when she heard the intercom. He stirred beside her. Seeing that he was awake, she slipped out of bed and rushed to the door without bothering to pick up her robe. She ran down the corridor oblivious of her nudity to reach her station and be ready for whatever the emergency turned out to be.

      Richard went over to his computer console. "Computer command, situation status now."

      He looked at the information display and listened to the dispatcher describe the problem. He replied, "Thanks. First Officer, have us launch as soon as everyone is on board. I'll be on the bridge as soon as I shower and dress."

***

Isaac hollered, "Slow down! It's not a level one right next to the station! There's plenty of time, Ceriga."

      "Yes, Chief," Ceriga replied.

      "You better take your time now and get yourself a shower before you get dressed. I won't start the briefing until everyone is ready. Okay?"

      "Yes, Chief. It's just that this is my first call. I hope I'm up to it," Ceriga replied.

      "I know it is. Trust me, I won't let you or anyone else get in over your heads," Isaac said.

      Richard walked in carrying Ceriga's robe. "I think you forgot this. Care to shower with me or your Team Chief?"

      She replied, "Thanks, I guess I flashed a whole bunch of people. I should have been more thoughtful. Maybe I better shower with Chief Dickson since we're buddies."

      "Fine with me," Richard replied without letting on that he was grateful for her decision.

      "I'll be with you in a moment, Chief. Let me get a towel," Ceriga said.

      The two men watched her go to her quarters without thinking about putting on the robe she then held.

      "God, I sometimes wish I had her energy," Chief Dickson said.

      "You aren't the only one. She's very good in bed, too, and really puts that energy to use there," Richard said.

      "In that case, you have my sympathies," Isaac said.

      "I ought to since you gave her the assignment. Guess I'll look up Shelly and find out if she minds having me as a shower buddy," Richard said.

      "Oh?" Isaac exclaimed.

      Richard replied, "Well, I need to discuss something with her. By the way, the job we're going to isn't likely to need anyone from the rescue teams."

      "Why not?" asked Isaac.

      "Captain Reason spotted some missiles headed back toward Earth. His sensors indicated that they're armed with nuclear warheads. Apparently they're a strike force that someone hid in deep space long ago for an occasion like we have now. His ship took out a few of them while they pursued
Chaser Two
until they were out of range. Our mission is to take out the rest of them. This is going to be a field day for our gunners once we reach them. If we're lucky, we'll make an identification of the missiles so ownership can be established," Richard answered.

      "For a war crime tribunal?" asked Chief Dickson.

      "Most likely for that since it was against UN regulations for any members to put nuclear weapons in space. Since every nuclear power is or was a member, someone's going to be held accountable," Richard answered.

      "They should be. I'll brief my team," Isaac said.

      "Fine. Do that, then resume your training."

***

Shelly said, "I've heard that you and Ceriga . . ."

      Richard admitted, "I'm not going to deny it. I gave in to her. She hit me with those eyes of hers. All I saw was that she was determined to eventually get her way even if she had to start something while I was asleep which she admitted she almost did on the first night. Though I had intercourse with her, I don't love her. I still love only you. Have you decided how you feel about me?"

      "Well, at least you're still honest, even though it hurts. I sometimes wonder if that's one of your virtues or faults. No, I haven't made up my mind yet."

      "Then we're both being honest. At least we have something to build on. I won't be pushy about this. When you make up your mind about how you feel, let me know. In the meantime, I can't promise that I won't take another woman."

      "I think I know that now. I'm responsible for starting this in the first place. I even said as much as it was okay if it happened since I did it once before. You don't have to remind me that I caused this. Besides, you're an easy target," Shelly said.

      "I'm not trying to throw this in your face. Mostly, I just want to let you know that my feelings are deep for you and I'm not considering any other woman, even if I give in to her out of weakness," Richard said.

      "Thanks, I guess that's nice to know, but I'd rather not discuss this in graphic detail. To change the subject, my trainees are coming along much better now. You may have been right about training them to be the replacements."

      "Uh, thanks for the compliment."

      "You're not entirely welcome. Unfortunately for you, you're going to suffer because of them. I've got two female trainees who both want in your bed. I suspect both of them want to do more than sleep."

      "Oh? Then you're going to permit it to happen?" asked Richard.

      "Do I really have a choice? If I don't, then I put us both in a position of further conflict of interest unless I reach some decision on how I feel about you."

      "I see. Well, I guess you'll do whatever you feel is best. Whatever it is, I'll go along since I don't have much choice in the matter. It's either this or have a drunk as a Captain."

      Shelly said flatly, "You're not a drunk.

      "Perhaps I'm not an alcoholic. However, it won't do the ship and crew any good if something happens while I'm in bed asleep and have to be awakened and made sober before anything can be done. They deserve to have a sober captain making the decisions."

      "Okay, I see what you mean now. You're right about that. I guess you don't have much choice since you care too much about others. That's probably why you gave in to Ceriga."

      Richard's face was easy for her to read.

      "You don't have to say anything more. I can see in your eyes that it was. Knowing what I know about Amanda and Sheila, I won't condemn you for what happens. You have my word on that," Shelly said.

 

***

"Hi, Captain Saberhagen. I'm Sheila. I have the honors tonight of sleeping with you."

      "Oh, hi. Well, you can either hit the sack now or wait until I'm ready. I have a few last minute reports to clear up first."

      "I'm not tired. In fact, this is the best thing to happen to me in the two days that we've been heading out for those missiles."

      "Fine then. Well, you'll have to hold the conversation momentarily until I finish. Computer command, open inventory report," Richard said. Richard looked through the figures with a well-practiced eye to see how his ship's supplies were holding up. Glancing at the potable water supply, he was glad that he had instituted shower sharing when he had. "Computer command, close inventory report. Open weapon status report."

      Once more, he went through the figures and comments on each weapon of the ship, satisfying himself that maintenance was performed properly and on time. Richard ordered, "Computer command, close weapon status report. Open trainee…Cancel computer command. Activate alarms and close computer."

      He turned toward Sheila to see that she was already lying on the bed, her robe on the deck and her legs parted. She motioned him over to her.

      "Isn't this a bit forward?" he asked.

      "I've thought of little else since finding out that I could finally have a turn sleeping beside you. Ever since seeing you in the bowling alley, I've wanted to put my hands on you and feel you within me. Now I can, so if you would, please take me."

***

The First Officer ordered, "Gunners, prepare to fire at will on mobile targets."

      "Which one is Will?" a gunner replied.

      "Should I find out who said that, Captain?" the First Officer asked.

      "Naw, it was funny. Go on with the instructions," Richard replied.

      The First Officer said, "Remember that we'll be passing in the opposite direction from them to take the rest of them from behind. Don't let it bother you if you don't get a shot at them all on the first pass. As soon as you feel that you're in range, open fire. By the way, the one with the orange nose is Will."

      The bridge crew broke out in laughter at his remark. Even Richard couldn't resist chuckling a bit while a smile crossed his face.

       "Hope you didn't mind, sir," the First Officer said.

      "I didn't. That was funny, too. I think we all needed a good laugh," Richard answered.

***

The intercom seethed with gunners' chatter as they fired on the targets.

      "They're like sitting ducks!"

      "I got one! Did ya see that? I got one!"

      "I got mine! Hey! There's Will! He's got an orange nose just like the FO said!"

      "I see him! Damn! I missed!"

      "I missed him, too!"

      The First Officer smiled as he intoned into the intercom, "All gun stations report while we come around their rear to pick them off."

      "Gun Station One. One hit with no outward sign of destruction or course change. Sorry, but the rest were misses."

      "Gun Station Two reporting one hit with destruction. Rest were misses."

      "Gun Station Three reporting all misses."

      "Gun Station Four reporting one hit with destruction. Rest were misses."

      "Gun Station Five reporting . . ."

***