Teardrops In The Night Sky (Steven Gordon series) (21 page)

Chapter 35

S
teven was facing another delegation, this time from the soldiers.  The four Scots wanted to join the crew, that wasn’t surprising; who was sponsoring them was the bigger surprise.  Steven didn’t think he had seen Colonel Howe or Beaver more nervous since they came on board.

Tapper and his three men stood ramrod straight while the Colonel made the plea.  According to the doctor Tapper had made a full recovery but Steven wasn’t sure what to do.  Did he really need these four men and what would the science community think of the recruitment?

Steven addressed Tapper, ‘Major I’m sure you realise I’m not out to recruit anymore soldiers into the crew, so what do you and your men have to offer out with those skills?’

‘As you know sir I’m a trained geologist.  I may not be the best in the world, but I am good.  I received the highest grades possible in all my courses at university.  What I may lack in experience I certainly make up for in enthusiasm.  A geologist is also something you don’t have on board sir.’

‘I realise that Major, but I have over a thousand applications from your fellow geologists far better qualified, why should I choose you?’

He shrugged, ‘can any of them pick up a weapon and defend this ship with their lives if need be?’

‘Probably not.  What about your government, how do you think they will feel about your desire to join us?’

Tapper grinned, ‘I think they will be well chuffed sir.’

‘Chuffed, you mean pleased?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘So what you’re telling me is your orders are to join this crew if at all possible?’

The Major shuffled nervously, ‘yes and no sir.  We have permission to join the crew if asked to do so.’

‘I see, ok Major let me put it to you straight.  If you become a member of this crew then your loyalty will be to this ship and me, before all other considerations.  I have no doubt every country in the world will want to put people aboard these ships and each will have their own agenda.  However if I ever suspect a person to have an agenda other than that of my own, then I will throw them off the ship and that could mean death within six months.  Is that perfectly clear?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Good, because a job here is a job for life, and I’m sure you’ve heard that phrase being bandied about.’

‘Yes sir it has something to do with the
nanobots in your head.’

‘That’s right they are powered by this ship, a power we can’t duplicate on Earth.  Once we venture into outer space we may not return for many years, so I must know that every person on board is for me and his fellow crew members, not a government a million light-years away.’

‘I understand all that sir and I can assure you, you will have my undying loyalty.’

‘What about the rest of your men Major do they realise the sacrifice they are about to make?  A posting from your government to a certain assignment is one thing, but this is something else in its entirety.  There will never be a reassignment, or retirement.  You are in it to the bitter end and the longer you are a member of the crew the harder it will be to leave.  If in fifty years you want out then you will have to take yourselves away to a quiet corner and blow your own head off, because that will by then be the only way out.  Is that understood gentlemen?’

‘Yes sir,’ they all cracked out in unison.

‘Good
, now do any of you want to reconsider his request?’  None of them did and by the look in their eyes none of them ever would.  Steven hid a smile and nodded, ‘ok, your credentials are very good Major, but what about the rest of your men?’

The Major opened his mouth to speak but Steven held up his hand, ‘let them speak for themselves.’

Cookie looked round to see which one would talk next and everybody’s eyes locked onto him.  Undaunted he took a deep breath, ‘I am one of the finest soldiers my country has ever produced but I am the best chef, sir.’

Steven grinned, ‘that’s it you can cook?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘That’s right I tasted a piece of one of your omelettes, it was delicious, but that on its own isn’t eno
ugh, what else can you offer me?’

Cookie looked him straight in the eye, ‘we’re going too far and distant places.  Once there you may consider resupplying from different sources.  You’re going to need someone who can evaluate the foodstuffs brought on board.  I know almost every edible plant on Earth and a few that are highly poisonous unless prepared the proper way.  Show me one man or woman on board that has my knowledge or is in a better position than I am to evaluate those food stuffs and I’ll walk now without any regrets.’

Steven nodded, ‘you know Cookie that’s something I hadn’t even got round to considering yet but you’re right.  I will need someone with those skills, but why not a botanist?’

‘A botanist may be able to draw a plant and give it a fancy name but can
you find one that will cook it?  I was brought up on Mr. Forbes estate, for generations my family have cooked for his family.  I have a working knowledge of plants and their uses stretching back generations and I’m bloody good at it.  That’s something your average botanist doesn’t have and if push comes to shove I can always think up a fancy tag to stick on a plant.’

‘I tell you what Cookie; we don’t have a lot of stores left.  Cook something up for the crew tonight and if they say so then you can stay.  Consider it a test.’

The small man was delighted, ‘you would be as well sign me on now sir.’

Steven grinned, ‘we'll see.’  He looked to the next man, ‘now who are you and what do you have to offer us.’

‘My name’s Trooper Bell sir and I’m a signals expert.  I also have a degree in computer engineering.  Apart from that I am a martial arts expert holding a number of black belts in different styles.  I’m afraid that’s about it.  Is it enough sir?’

‘Are you a qualified physical training instructor … is it trooper or do you have a first name?’

‘Sandy but everybody just calls me Trooper.  I am a qualified physical training instructor and martial arts instructor.’

‘You we could do with that trooper.  You could also work with Colonel Howe’s man on our signals console, what's his name again Colonel?’

‘Sid Tulane sir.’

‘Sid, that’s right I remember now.’  He turned to the final member of Tapper’s team, ‘and what do you do?’

‘I just blow shit up sir.’

Steven found himself laughing at the man’s reply, ‘is that all you do?’

‘Fraid so.’

Colonel Howe stepped forward, ‘sir if I may?’

Steven sat back, ‘go ahead Colonel.’

‘I know this man well sir and we really need his talents.’

Steven raised an eyebrow, ‘do we really need someone that can blow shit up Colonel?’

Howe seemed adamant.
‘We need him sir.’

The Major stuck up for his man, ‘
Sir, Jim can do anything you want with explosives.’

Steven held up a hand, ‘let
him tell me.  What's your name?’

‘Jim Grey sir.’

‘What exactly is it you can do with explosives Jim, what is it that makes you so special?’

‘Sir I can make you a letter bomb that would only lift your fingernail or I can build you an atomic bomb that would level a City.’

‘Are you that good, or is it an idle boast?’

‘I never boast sir.’

‘In that case I’m going to ask you to prove it.  I want you to make me an atomic bomb.’

‘No chance.’

Steven was surprised, ‘why not?’

‘Because for all know you could be a nutter who wants to blow someone up.’

Steven laughed, ‘you mean someone like the American President?’

‘Aye
, and half of Washington with it.’

Steven shook his head, ‘I’m not a nutter Jim and I have a funny feeling the President will end up cooking his own Goose.  What I really want to know is if you can
really build me an atomic bomb.  So I want you to make me one and we’ll test it far out into space.  I’ll make you a deal.  While that Bomb is under construction and as long as it’s on board I will permit you to wear a sidearm.’

He looked to the Colonel, ‘if I even attempt to use that weapon on any Earth target he has my full permission to shoot me and no one will stop him Colonel and that is an order.’  The Colonel nodded his acceptance of the order and Steven turned back to the Soldier.

‘Is that a deal?’

He nodded, ‘I can live with that, but how a
m I meant to see what I’m doing?’

‘Your problem, you have until this time tomorrow to prove yourself.’  He turned to the Colonel, ‘get Beaver to help and Babe will assist with the materials through him.  No one else is to help or put themselves at risk.’

He turned back to Jim, ‘I have no idea if I will ever have the need for an atomic bomb Jim but I do need a man who can understand the complicated science and electronics behind the construction of one.  We will have plenty people on board that do, but what they don’t have are the physical skills or the will to actually do it.  Do you understand where I’m coming from here?’

‘Yes sir perfectly.  How big a bang would you like?’

‘Just big enough to prove you can do it.’

He nodded.

Just then Sid’s voice came through, ‘sir I have something Haley says you will want to see.’

‘Can you transfer it to here?’

‘I don’t know yet.’

Steven shook his head with amusement, ‘ok I’ll come up.’  He stood, ‘ok gentlemen dismissed.’

They all trooped out and Steven followed.  Haley eyes were full of excitement and he went over. 

‘What is it?’

‘Not what sir, it’s a case of whom.’

‘So whom is it Haley?’

‘Komoru Kaizu.’

Steven shook his head, ‘sorry.’

Haley seemed confused for a moment, ‘of course you haven’t heard of her have you?  Your mother will have, take a look at this.’

Sid made way for Steven and he sat down.  He recognised his returned questionnaire and began to read.  The hairs were standing on the back of his neck by the time he was finished.  He sat back and rubbed them.

‘This Guys good, do you know where he’s from?’

Haley shook her head, ‘not a he a she; and she’s from Japan.’

‘Oh! Ok is there any way I can talk to this Komoru?’

Sid nodded, ‘yep, I’ve been able to configu
re Babes comms to recognise webcams.  Trouble is we’re so far away from Earth I don’t know if it will work.’

‘Could you try for me please Sid and Haley is there any way I can find out more about this woman?’

‘I think so; we’ve downloaded so much stuff from the scientific community we should have her on record.’

‘Ok I’ll do it at my station.’  He went back to his seat and Haley leaned over his shoulder while he did it.  A picture came up on his screen.

‘Is this her?’

‘Yes that’s her.’

The picture was fuzzy but her credentials impressed Steven.  ‘It says here she retired when she was twenty- five.’

Haley nodded, ‘by the age of twenty-five she was a self-made millionaire.  A child prodigy just like you; her contribution to science and the world of technology bore a rich harvest at an early age.’

‘So why did she retire so young?’

Haley fidgeted nervously, ‘she supported your ideas publicly and was ridiculed loudly, especially by the American scientific community.  Probably why she never came to the States.’

‘Their loss.’

‘That’s exactly what she said when she retired.  No one’s heard from her since.’

‘Very interesting, says here she’s twenty-seven now, still single and unmarried.  I wonder if she wants to join us?’

‘I would lay a bet on that being a yes.’

Sid spun on his chair, ‘sir I have her online.’  He turned back, ‘hello Miss Kaizu, yes I’m calling from the space ship.  We have received your reply to our questionnaire and our Captain would like a word with you if that is all right?’  There was a short delay, ‘it is, he will be right with you.’

Sid stood up and let Steven take his place, but he wasn’t prepared for the beauty that faced him.  He sat stunned and silent.  He could see a question in her eyes as she received the picture of him.  She gave a small-seated bow and it jerked him out of his reverie.

‘Hello Miss Kaizu, can you hear me? I’m Steven Gordon captain of this ship.’

There was a delay, ‘I am sorry Mr. Gordon I did not recognise you.  You are much different from your photograph.’

‘It’s a long story but I can reassure you it is me.  Thank you very much for answering my questionnaire. I was very impressed.  As you know I am looking for new members of the crew.  Would you like to join us?’

Her smile made his heart jump, ‘I would be honoured sir.’

He wasn’t the only one to notice his reaction to her, ‘are you feeling well my heart?’

He almost jumped at the voice inside his head, ‘yes Babe I’m fine, not now please.’