Stepping Up (33 page)

“Third platoon, the ceremony is concluded.  Next formation,
ten minutes.  Fall out.”  Most go to the ’freshers.  I don’t know about all of
them, but I go to wash my face and blow my nose, then I go back out to the Commons
in time to see the carts from the kitchen being unloaded. I grab a half liter
bottle of beer and stick it in my cargo pocket.

Precisely at 1400:00, I hear “Third Platoon! Fall in!” The
order thunders across the room. Chief Sergeant Rufus F. Call is at the head of
the formation. I walk up behind him.  He turns to face me. “Troopers are
assembled per your instruction, ma’am. May I ask the nature of this formation?”

“Thank you, Chief Sergeant.  Stick around, you’ll find out.”
He nods and steps around me, taking a position to my rear. I wasn’t graced with
a “command voice” so I switch my perCom to Public Address and speak to Third
Platoon. “At ease.  I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to give you a very
personal, very sincere ‘thank you,’ not only for myself but also for my
daughter, Gwendolyn.  It is my distinct honor and personal privilege to be your
Captain.  I will strive always to be worthy of that singular honor.  If you
haven’t been told, you are in the middle of a two-day down period.  I apologize
for interrupting it, but it was the best way I could think of to get this done
quickly, efficiently and in at least a quasi-military manner.  And it’s the
sort of thing that can’t wait.  I want you to relax. Get some rest. You’ve
earned it.  Unfortunately, there is a down side.  Now, now, stop groaning like
that.  I’m sure you’ve seen the several bottles of various fermented or
distilled beverages scattered around.  The bad news is that we don’t have any
way to store it. As you will note all the caps have been broken or lost.  And
it would be truly criminal to pour it into the converters as is without
filtering it through livers and kidneys first.  So, if you will all raise your
glasses, I propose a toast.” I pause while they secure then raise their own glasses.
I flip the cap off my bottle.  “To the Troopers of
Night Searcher
, the
toughest, baddest, meanest, maddest motherfuckers in this or any other galaxy!”
Their roars shake the panels of the ceiling and walls.

“Yeah!”

“Fuckin’ A!”

“You’re the best, Cap’n. Anybody who says otherwise is a
stupid ass and always was!”

Not knowing any better, I yell, “Fall out!”  As the
formation disintegrates, I move around the room, “pressing the flesh” as they
used to say.  On top of my beer, I toss back two shots, a whiskey and  … oh, I
hate gin, but there was no way to refuse.  I leave them to the party after
personally shaking hands with everyone there.  Chief Sergeant Call is waiting
for me at the door.

“Thanks, ma’am.  I mean that,” he says.

“Chief Sarge, it is literally the very least I can do.” He
cuts his eyes towards me. “That didn’t come out right.  I mean I will never be
able to pay them the debt that I feel I owe.  So we go through a six-month
supply of hooch in one evening.  Big deal. You and I both know there are stills
on this ship.”

He looks at the deck, sheepishly.  “Ma’am, you’re not
supposed to know about those.”

“Sarge, it’s my
job
to know about those. That’s why I
get the big bucks.  By the way, who’s making the corn liquor? My bottle is a
little light.” 

“Tell your aide to be absent from her desk between 2000 and
2400.  And leave the door unlocked.  The situation will be remedied and the
door won’t be left unsecured.”  He rocks back and forth on his heels for a few
seconds.  I turn to leave when he whispers conspiratorially in my direction. 
“Y’know Cap, for someone who has to squat to pee, you’ve done pretty well for
yourself.”

“Stow that ‘squatter’ crap, doughnut poker,” I whisper back,
“Unless you can hold your breath on the other side of the airlock for the rest
of the way home.”

We laugh through a quick hug.

At the end of the projected seventy-two hours,
Night
Searcher
comes out of Transit and slows to 2G. There is a planet on
scanners. We will attain orbit in roughly two hours.

“Captain to the bridge.”
Figures
.

“Captain to Med Bay.” There’s only one reason she would call
me.

“Bridge, Captain. I’ll be there directly; cut our speed and
buy me some time.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Aria says.  “There is no issue with speed now.
The helm is back in control of the ship. The chronometers say we went
approximately 800 light years.  We are slowing to 0.8G.”

“We’re probably due a few major services then.  Keep me
posted, Captain out.”  Irony, sarcasm and humor; it’s so difficult with
androids. Eight hundred light years.  Seventy eight trillion miles. That’s
twelve zeroes. Wow!

“Med bay, Captain.  On my way.”

Moments later in the medical bay I ask, “Got some good
news for me?”

Doc looks up from her desk, “See for yourself.”

Gwen comes running out of the playroom. “Hi, Mommy!!! I am
home at last!!! Will you stay here with me?”

“Gwen!” I pick her up in a twirling bear hug. “Oh, I’ve
missed ye so, lass!”

I turn to Dr. Traynor. “A clean bill of health, I hope?” I
ask.

“As clean a bill as I can give her. I must admit her mind is
so advanced, I can only presume things about it. She is a little fatigued, but
other than that she is very healthy.  Of course, I can’t take credit for
anything.  She was comatose until five minutes before I called you.  That was
when her eyes snapped open and she asked for, and I quote ‘a cookie and a glass
of milk.’”

“That’s good enough for me.”

I look at Gwen again. “I may never let you leave home again!
I’m so happy to see you! We’ve a new planet to explore.  Let’s go look at it.” 
For the moment I won’t let her out of my sight.  We go to the Bridge.

“Captain on the bridge.”

“Report,” I order.

Aria says, “Scanners are picking up a class M planet. Sixty
percent water, standard atmosphere, no cities larger than a thousand people. No
ships in orbit, population estimated at 423,000. Archaeological databases cite
rumors that there are advanced races of psionic beings here, but no
documentation supports that.”

“Best guess on where we are?” I ask no one in particular.

The navigator responds, “It’s a guess all right, but I would
say we are in a region the old stellar cartographers and astronomers called the
Coal Sack.” He pulls up a map of the semi-known universe. “Earth is here,” he
points, “and I think we are here.” He is pointing to a sector as far “south” as
the map goes.

“I’ll take a good guess over a wrong conclusion.  Is there
any way you can confirm our location and which direction we need to travel to
get back to Ramaris?”

“Working on it, ma’am.”

“Engineering, Captain. Make plans for a major service on the
Transit drives. Instruments say we just pushed them through 246 parsecs.  But I
don’t want them to go off-line until I know we can stay put for a while.”

“Got it, Boss.”

“Athena, I’m sure you remember Gwen? Gwen, this is my
assistant Athena.” Athena and Gwen shake hands and begin exchanging small talk.

“Mr. Rangee, I want to speak with you and the Chief Engineer
in the conference room, please.”

“I’ll make it happen, ma’am. Ten minutes?” I nod; he turns
to his holoCom.

In the conference room, I lay out my plans: “First order of
business is ship integrity, with ‘crew rest’ coming in a very close second. 
I’m thinking to establish orbit around this planet.  If it’s hospitable enough,
we’ll rotate the crew down for a few days of open air and fresh game. There are
certain to be a few hunters among the Troopers. Arm them up and send them down
for some fresh meat. The length of time we’re here will be up to the
Engineering department, specifically concerning the condition the engines are
in.  They’ve just had the dog crap run out of them. Malcolm, put a team
together to investigate some R&R spots on the planet.  Task who you’d like,
but I want to see your list before you publish it.  Ginny, when he gets back,
I’ll change into my grubbies and give you any help you may need, unless you
tell me—and it won’t hurt my feelings—to stay out of your engine room.  But I
want you to get me a complete picture of our engine status.  Any questions?”

Ginny says, “Respectfully, ma’am, with the entire department
working on the drives, it’s going to be crowded. And…”

“Understood.  Like I said, my feelings aren’t hurt.” I go
back to the bridge to find Gwen and Athena still deep in conversation.

Anya calls my perCom, “I hear Gwendolyn is conscious. Is all
well with her?”

“Anya! I’m sorry; my manners left me.  Yes, she is back and
appears to be herself again.  I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.  Why don’t
you join us for supper this evening?”

Gwen turns as though she overheard: “Oh, I’m sorry but I
won’t be here,” she says. “My family is waiting for me.” She turns back to her
conversation with Athena.

What??
“I never thought we would be faced with that. 
Well, we’ll worry about that when, and if, we find them.”

“What do you mean, ‘find them?’ I can talk to them right
now. They are waiting for me to shuttle down.”

“They...they’re here?” 
It doesn’t look like I can ever
catch a break.
“The last time I took you off the ship, you were almost lost
forever.  Or at least I thought you would be.  If those are your relatives,
they have been without you for years.  Another hour or so will not be
significant.  Perhaps, they would like to ride back with the landing party?”

“They have already waited
too
long.
I
must go
to
them
. Our civilization is dying! I must go to them now!” She has the
same tone as a child who is unaccustomed to hearing the word “no.”

“Stop this, right now. I love you dearly and because I do,
I’m telling you that we aren’t rushing into this.  The last time I did that was
with the disk on Lacus IV.  Do you remember how that ended? Remember Azazeel? I
understand how you feel.  Really, I do.  My parents are also gone, and the only
relative I have is an uncle. But I’m asking you to trust me.  In the great
scheme of things…they’ve been waiting for years, another hour is nothing. Will
you give me that much?”

Gwen balls up her fists and closes her eyes. I try to move,
and can’t. I am completely immobile. “I am getting really mad! I hate you!
I
hate you!
” The ship begins to groan as if two big hands are wringing the
life out of it. In my peripheral vision, I can see hands reaching for weapons.

Aria says, “I am not sure what is happening, but we are
losing structural integrity by the second. We detect no energy emanations from
the surface.  Seams in the external hull are being stressed, they will fail
soon.”  Aria is looking into the sensor displays for an answer I already have. 
It’s Gwen.

“I’ll tell you exactly what’s happening:  A little girl is
having a temper tantrum.”

Gwen looks at me.  Tears stream from her eyes but her mouth
is twisted in an angry frown.  I fix my gaze on Gwen. I have had enough of
this. “Oh, you ungrateful little...After all that I’ve done for you, the
sacrifices made on your behalf, the risks I’ve taken, and you’re going to do
this? Seven Troopers died bringing you back aboard.  Did you know that? Do you
remember Sherri? She’s dead because she tried to find you. Fine. If you’re in
such a hurry to get to the planet, you know where the airlock is.  No one is
stopping you.  Go.  Ye’ll want to hold yer breath fer a few minutes.”  I’ll
meet her tantrum with as steely a gaze as I can manage. “And wear a few coats. 
Ye’ll likely lose one or two on reentry.”

The creaking and groaning stop and Gwen begins to cry. “I’m
sorry, Mommy, I really am. Please forgive me. I just want to go home.  My real
home.”  She releases her telekinetic hold on me.  She runs to wrap her arms
around my waist, her sobs wracking her body.   I wrap my arms around her,
patting her back.  I kneel to be on eye level with her, trying to be
reassuring.

“I understand, Peanut.  And you’re almost there. You just
need to be a little more patient. If there’s anything aboard that you want, now
is the time to go get it.” She scampers off to our cabin.  There’s a collective
sigh when she leaves. 

The XO approaches me, a light sheen of sweat on his brow.
“The shore party, ma’am.” Rangee hands me his list.  I see Jonesy and Troopers
Bagger, Des Laurier and Boteler; three I can’t put faces with right now. “And
I’d like to send Athena if you’ll let her go.”  I add the notation that the
local populace may be very strong psionics.  I write an admonishment for them
to guard their thoughts as much as they can and then I approve the list. I hand
it back to him; he takes it and leaves.

“Navigator, can you tell me where we are and how long it
will take us to get to Atlas?”

“I’m working that, ma’am. The only thing I’m sure about is,
we would have to head Rimward for at least seven months just to get back where
we were.”

“Fortunately, we have no need to go there.  Very well,
coreward ever coreward.”

Gwen has returned to the Bridge with a bulging knapsack over
one shoulder.

“Hunting team is aboard and launch one is ready to depart,”
Shawna reports. 
I know she’s not the only qualified pilot, but that girl
gets more off ship action…

I nod to Aria, she says: “Launch one, you are cleared to
depart. Good hunting and be careful.”

We watch the launch streak into a lower orbit.  Moments
later, Shawna reports: “A boatload of life readings. There is a huge settlement
on the Southern Islands. That is our destination.”

“Roger.  If you make contact, keep us apprised of your
situation.”

The counters on the chronometer steadily increment.  There
are hundreds of things happening around me.  But I don’t notice them.  I’m
waiting for a particular report.

“
Night Searcher
, Launch one is down and secure.” 
And
there it is.

“Roger.” Aria responds.

Within moments, Athena adds to the report. “We are landing
near the big settlement. We see two people walking down a road towards us. We
will establish communication with them.”

“They will probably tell you they are Gwen’s family.  As
such are certain to be psionic.  Take Bagger with you as a go-between should
telepathy be necessary. Explain to them we wanted to make sure the area was
safe before bringing her down and returning her to them.”  I am waiting for a
“no one is trying to kill us” report from the away team.  Hopefully, I won’t
have to wait long.  The minutes pass.

“
Night Searcher
Actual, Athena.  We have spoken to
them. They describe Gwendolyn perfectly. They say they are her aunt and uncle.
They advise that although we may have formed an attachment, it is in our best
interest to leave her here. We, and I quote, ‘cannot control her’ end quote.” 

In the back of my mind, I’m trying to remember if Bagger
knows Gwendolyn.  If they are psionic, they could have pulled her description
from his mind.  “Athena,
Night Searcher
Actual. Please let them know
they are correct.  I understand and support their conclusion.  I don’t like it,
but I don’t have to.  Stand by for a few minutes.”  I turn to Malcolm.  “XO,
did Bagger go aboard the clone ship to rescue Gwendolyn?”

“Already looking…no, ma’am.  He’s in second platoon.”

Aria supplies: “I do not believe he and Gwendolyn know each
other, Captain.”

I thought not.
Damn
. “Athena,
Night Searcher
Actual.
Do they want to ride up with you to get her, or would they rather we come down
in a separate shuttle?”

“They prefer she be brought here.”

“Roger, we will be down shortly. 
Night Searcher
Actual out.”

On the way to the small craft bay, I call Anya: “Gwen is
leaving us.  Come down to the small craft bay if you want to say good bye.” 
It’s a tearful deal all the way around.

I don’t know who pilots the shuttle down.  And at the
moment, I really don’t care.  Gwen and I spend the ride in silence.  As soon as
the pilot announces we are down and safe, the door slides open. Gwen bounds out
of the ship as soon as she can fit through the opening.  I shoulder her
knapsack and follow her.  I see a man and a woman nearby with Athena. Gwen is
running towards them and jumps into the woman’s arms. The man has his arms
around both. I walk up to join them.  After a minute Gwen lets go and comes to
hug me. “Good bye, Sonia. I will always think of you.”

“I will always remember you, too, Gwendolyn.”

The female of the couple holds out a necklace that has three
emeralds on it, each the diameter of my thumb.  “This is not a substitution,”
she says to me, “but we are grateful for all you have done for our niece.” They
speak a few more words and the meeting is over. The man has taken Gwen’s pack.
The three of them walk hand in hand towards the village.  I can’t look away.

I suddenly realize Athena is talking.  “…and they tell us
that provisions, water, just about anything but weapons or ship components can
be purchased roughly one kilometer from here in the village. The woman says to
tell anyone there that Lunia said ‘give them anything they need.’  The
implication is we could buy at a significant discount.” 
So she really does
have an Aunt Lunia. I hope she’s not in the cyborg business.

I watch them until the terrain masks them.  “I’m going back
to the ship.  Athena, coordinate with Aria. If we need anything the village can
supply, buy it.  Otherwise, we’ve a long way to go.”   Fortunately she’s an
android.  I don’t have to worry about offending her.  Nor do I have to worry
about her asking me what’s wrong or why I sound cold.  I don’t feel cold. I
don’t feel anything. Nothing. No, I do feel something.  I feel empty.