The Black Planet (20 page)

‘Why not hit them as they cross the Barrier, wont our allies provide us with that probable location?’

‘Good question, we actually have a very good idea where they will cross.  It is at an area called the great rift.  The barrier as you know somehow stops the neutrons from our star.  In some places on the barrier those neutrons are very dense and if a ship goes through it at speed they can kill the crew.  The rift is a region of space where the barrier is very thin and very few particles are recorded.  It is close to the Albany’s region of space.  It is the obvious place to cross the barrier however it stretches for thousands of kilometres in every direction.  The chances are that when they reach the rift they will split into smaller groups and cross at these places.  They could be spread out all over the place.  We want them concentrated in one so we can deliver one massive blow.’

Admiral Baxter stood up and Steven stepped back out of his way.  ‘Ladies and gentlemen Captain Gordon is very busy, I would just like to thank him for taking the time to talk to us here today.’

Steven walked out while they were still clapping and cheering him.

Chapter 40

Steven had never learned to drive so he howled with laughter when his mother and father revealed the bright red sports car.  For two days he had done little but sleep.  They were at the small cottage in the highlands his parents had bought for their retirement many years ago.  He had literally worked until he dropped.  Things had begun to fall into place.  The correct people were now in the right jobs doing the right thing.  It began to ease Stevens’s workload and that was when Babes declared it was time for them all to take a holiday.  Steven had gathered everyone together and discovered they were all exhausted and declared a two-week holiday for everyone.  Babes insisted that they return to Earth.  Realising he had nowhere to stay he had found himself at his parents cottage.  There was a spare room and waking up each day to home cooked food very quickly lifted Stevens spirits.

It only took him a day to learn to drive the car and another to pass his test; so for the rest of the week he explored his native highlands and fell in love.  There was one feature of the car that Steven loved over any other and that was the antigravity drive.  On consultation with members of government they restricted him to a couple of hundred feet above ground level and he had to have a special device installed.  His mother would pack him a lunch and he spent the day flying around some of the most inaccessible places, setting down and having lunch.

He felt his energy levels begin to rise, but it wasn’t the only levels that were rising.  It was Cookie that had taken up the matter with him a week before.  It was rare for Cookie to request a private audience so Steven had granted the request as soon as it had been made.  Cookie had joined him in his private quarters and Steven had sat him down immediately, worried by the look on the small man’s face.

‘What is it Cookie?’

‘I have a problem sir, in fact I think we all have a problem.’

Steven shook his head, ‘we have hundreds of problems Cookie, you'll have to be a wee bit more specific,’ Steven tried to smile.

‘I mean the whole crew sir, I've been going round the lads asking the same question I'm going to ask you now.’

Steven sat back, ‘go ahead.’

‘When was the last time you felt horny?’

It caught Steven flatfooted and he flushed brightly, ‘I ah, I ah don’t know.’

Cookie leaned forward, ‘exactly, the last time I felt that was when we were on leave before we began our first big mission.’

‘Uh, did you talk to the doctor about it?’

‘Don’t be daft man, this isn’t a medical problem, ask Buzz, I did.  He said he can’t remember the last time either and he is married.  In fact since we became members of this crew and the longer we are on board the inclination becomes less and less.  I work with Mya, I think she is stunning, beautiful, sexy and yet I don’t even have the inclination to kiss her.  That ain't right, that ain't normal, not for me and not for the rest of the people in this crew.  You are in love with Komoru, yet when have you ever felt the desire to consummate the relationship, or her for that matter.’

Steven was blushing bright red and cleared his throat, ‘ah, well, we respect one another.’

‘Bullshit, we tried to have a word with Babes about it and she refuses to answer our questions.  I have no desire to spend the rest of my life neutered so get it sorted sir.’  An angry Cookie got up and left.

He had been right though, Babes was evasive in her answers and it had taken Steven to get angry before she admitted they had been suppressing the crew’s hormone levels.  They were used to an ordered race that only really mated once a year.  By comparison their new hosts breeding habits were chaotic by comparison and in a bid to control it they had suppressed everyone’s hormone levels.  As the months had gone by and no one seemed to complain about it they had conveniently forgotten to un-supress them.  Now Steven was beginning to experience feelings he hadn’t felt since he was fifteen and for some reason it made him smile.

On Saturday morning he drove to Tappers estate in his bright red Ferrari.  It was a beautiful day and Steven was looking forward to it.  That night Tapper was holding a ball for all the members of the crew.  Both ships were already there and the crews were helping decorate the ballroom for the night’s ceilidh.  Steven was disappointed to see the only ones missing were the scientists.  In fact between the two crews there was only a dozen of them present.

The two ships sat side by side on Tappers massive lawns joined together and glowing in an eerie almost ghostly way.  Steven followed the signs that had been erected into a courtyard.  He parked his car beside some others, switched off the engine and got out.  A wolf whistle attracted his attention and he turned to find Buzz standing at the top of a set of stairs beside an ancient studded door.

‘That’s a beauty Stevie, have you been stealing the ships funds?’

Steven laughed, ‘hey bud, it’s a birthday present from mum and dad.’

Buzz came down and slapped him on the shoulder, ‘man it’s a beauty.  Better than the old banger my parents got me for my first car.’

Steven laughed, ‘yeah I remember that, you had it a week and swapped it for that old bike.’

Buzz was smiling at the memory, ‘still doesn’t beat a Ferrari though.’

‘It has a few special features.’

‘Oh yeah, what?’

‘Anti-gravity drive.’

‘You have to be shitting me, how high can it fly.’

‘About six hundred feet above ground level but I am restricted to two hundred.’

‘Neat, tapper has a room for you, let’s dump your gear.’

Buzz’s wife appeared from somewhere, ‘hi Stevie.’

‘Hi Jan.’

She gave him a brief hug, ‘nice ride where’s mine?’

The men laughed, ‘mum got it for me, it’s a new prototype, I think they are going to go for a half mill each.’

Her face fell, ‘oh wow.’

‘You don’t need one on the moon any way hun.’

Jan scowled at him, ‘I don’t spend all my time on the moon while you are away gallivanting all over the galaxy Buzz Anderson.’

He flushed, ‘yeah sorry.’

She shook her head, ‘don’t you dare be sorry.  I'm the talk of the town, wife of the famous Buzz Anderson.  Still we need a new car,’ she sighed.

Steven looked from one to the other, ‘you have your cards don’t you?’

Buzz shrugged, ‘yeah so.’

‘There isn’t a limit on them Buzz, you want a car go buy one.  Hell if you want a dozen go buy them.  We are worth something in the region of a two hundred and thirty billion Buzz go spend some cash for god’s sake.’

‘That’s your money Stevie,’ Buzz protested, ‘I've been taking a wage the same as I had at the institute.’

‘Thought you sold the business?’

‘Yeah to my cousin, actually I didn’t so much sell it as hand over the family business.’

Steven shook his head, ‘I keep telling you Buzz it’s our money man.’

‘I know bud but it don’t feel right.’

Steven took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a few seconds.  ‘That’s it done,’ he blinked.

‘What's done?’

‘Your annual bonus.’

‘Oh hell I get a bonus now.’  His face fell, ‘what did you do Stevie?’

‘I put a billion dollars into your account.’

Jen squealed, ‘you're kidding!’ 

Buzz was still rocking, ‘Jezz,’ was all that he could manage.

‘Nope no kidding, have fun, now where’s my room?’

Buzz was in a daze while Jan laughed all the way up to Steven’s room.

Buzz hesitated on the way out.  What about the rest of the guy’s Stevie?  I know most are living on their army wages still and only using their cards if they are desperate.’

‘I have taken care of them as well.  I will tell them later. Now where is this room?’

Chapter 41

Buzz almost fell over laughing, ‘nice Skirt Steven.’

Steven flushed, ‘it’s a Kilt you moron.’ That had just made Buzz laugh all the harder.  The ballroom was awash with colour and Steven wasn’t the only man wearing a kilt.  He was wearing the dress Gordon Tartan with the black Jacobite shirt.  Pre-dinner drinks were being served and Steven refused the alcohol this early in the evening.  Komoru arrived dressed in a traditional pink kimono.  Steven felt his face heat up and his pulse begin to race as she approached.

‘Wow,’ was about as much as he could manage.

She laughed and her eyes twinkled, ‘you look extremely handsome tonight Steven.’

The compliment didn’t help his complexion any, ‘you look absolutely stunning Komoru.’

She bowed slightly, ‘thank you.’

‘Are your parents here?’

Her eyes seemed to twinkle, ‘yes are yours?’

He shook his head, ‘no, sorry, they had some off world trip planned for this weekend.’

‘They will be sorry to miss them but a little envious I think.’

Steven laughed, ‘yeah I suppose it’s not everyone’s parents that can jump into their own space craft and go gallivanting round the solar system for the weekend.’ 

She laughed, ‘I think my parents would be more comfortable with somewhere closer to home.  Have you enjoyed your holiday?’

His smile lit up her world, ‘very much.  I spent a lot of it sleeping though, the rest of the time I spent getting to know my own country.’

‘Of course you grew up in America, you don’t really know Scotland do you?’

‘No not really, trips home were few and far between.’

‘So what do you think of it?’  She asked. 

‘I love it, the best bit is how most people just ignore me as though I was a normal person.’

She frowned, ‘I don’t understand.’

‘If we go anywhere else in the world we are hounded by press or crowds of people.  Here people just smile, nod, or take a discrete photo.  Now and then I have to pose for a selfie from the bolder, but on the whole people seem to respect my privacy and leave me alone.’

She sighed, ‘that must be refreshing.’

‘It is.’

Cookie appeared and bashed a big gong, it brought lots of laughs from his crew mates.  ‘Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served.’

Neither Steven nor Komoru had eaten a seven course dinner before.  Cookies was split between the kitchen and the dinner table.  He was of course invited to the dinner but it made it awkward for him as he had never actually attended one of his own dinners before.  Steven managed to corner him and asked him what he was doing.  Why was he working during his holiday?  Cookie had just laughed, what he did on board the ships he considered as working, these special dinners were his passion.  He loved the planning and the preparation and of course coming up with something special for his guests.  He had planned this one with the Japanese guests in mind.  Komoru was very impressed.  The meal took hours to get through.  When it was over Cookie left the rest to the estate staff and joined everyone in the ball room.

A ceilidh band struck up and the heavier drink was produced.  Tappers piper introduced the dances but very few knew the steps.  The night turned to hilarity as the few that knew tried to teach the many that didn’t.  Komoru wasn’t dressed for the more energetic dances but Steven took her up for every waltz.  Lady Jane however stole the show.  She and Tapper were well matched as they out did everyone on the dance floor.  Steven had thought her dress at dinner was out of place, but here on the ballroom floor she seemed to float, obviously a woman in her element.  Komoru felt a pang of jealousy as she caught Steven staring at her.

‘She is very beautiful, isn’t she?’

Steven frowned, ‘sorry who?’

‘Lady Jane.’

‘Oh right, I suppose she is.’

Komoru had caught the deep look of concern in his eyes as he had looked at her and relaxed, ‘are you worried about her.’

He nodded, ‘I still don’t know if I did the right thing taking her on-board.’

‘I could still take her.’

Steven sighed, ‘the simple fact is Komoru I just don’t like her.’

‘You know what they say about love and hate Steven.’ 

He looked shocked, ‘I don’t hate her, I just don’t like her or her manner.’

‘Is she not working hard?’

‘Very, we now have cards on protocols for meeting different races and she seems to have taken to her role very well,’ he shrugged, ‘I just don’t like her.  She is just so stuck up.’

‘She seems to be enjoying herself tonight.’

Steven laughed, ‘well Tapper is a Lord after all and she certainly seems to be in her own element.’

‘What about Sergeant Kelly, how is he coping?’

‘He seems to have found his purpose.  Lady Jane certainly has the edge on him when it comes to using the new technology, but I heard she hired a tutor.  Kelly is in great demand, his Second World War mentality goes down well with the troops and has adapted his house to house fighting techniques to suit the modern era.   Our plant in America for the new rifles is now in full production and it easily cuts through bulkheads, so everything is going well from that perspective.’

She squeezed his hand and he realised she didn’t want to talk about the upcoming war any more so changed the subject. 

Later in the evening he felt the drink begin to take effect and got to his feet, ‘I need some fresh air.’

She laughed, ‘I think I will join you; I am not used to the alcohol either.’

Together they walked over the pristine lawn in front of Tappers castle like home.  The two ships floated gently side by side, still glowing eerily and unearthly in the moonlight.  They stood transfixed, somehow they were holding hands.

Komoru sighed, ‘they are so beautiful.’

‘And we are their hearts,’ Steven agreed.

‘We have been blessed Steven.’

He nodded and led her to a bench, Steven gave it a wipe, ‘it’s dry, would you like to sit for a while?’

‘Yes I would, it is so beautiful here, we did a small tour round Scotland before landing, your country is amazing.’

He laughed, ‘and I’m still finding that out myself. What about Japan, I hear it is beautiful.’

‘It is a very beautiful country Steven.  I was hoping you would visit, I was going to ask but I didn’t think you would come.’

‘I wouldn’t have, I think I needed this time with my parents.  Things have been a little strange since my change, if you know what I mean.’

Her answering smile lit up his world, ‘I understand.  My parents are finding it a little hard to cope with the change in me.  Your parents must be finding it extremely difficult.’

Steven smiled his mind drifting, ‘I think they are OK with it now.  I would love to see Japan though, you know just in case.’

She squeezed his arm, ‘please don’t say that.’

‘It needs to be said, we have to deal with the fact Komoru.’

‘I know.’ Her head dropped, ‘have they decided what they want us to do yet?’

He shook his head, ‘word is fast reconnaissance.  With our stealth capability’s we can get closer than anyone else.’

‘Do you no longer have any say?’

‘No not really, the momentum has finally overtaken me.  Our fighting men now have a good grasp on the situation and are making the right decisions, the politicians are a little slower but also heading in the right direction.  Humanity is beginning to wake up to a new dawn.  Those nutcases who denied the presence of aliens have finally shut up.’

‘I suppose they really didn’t have much of a choice,’ she giggled.

The pictures of The Burning Wind and the sighting of it by millions as it crisscrossed the planet had finally silenced even the most biased of voices.

Steven smiled, ‘yeah.  We still have a lot to do though.’

‘I know, this is why this week was so precious.’  She agreed.

‘What about us Komoru?’

She flushed, ‘you mean become boyfriend and girlfriend.’

‘Yeah, you do know I am in love with you?’

‘Yes I know,’ her voice was little more than a whisper, ‘and you must know that I love you?’

His smile took her breath away, ‘I was hoping.’

Both hearts raced as their lips finally met.  It was the most beautiful thing either of them had ever experienced.  Suddenly Steven broke away leaning forward.  ‘Are you OK Steven?’ 

Heat radiated from his body, ‘yeah, I’m fine.’      

‘Do you want to go back inside?’

‘Oh hell no!’  He almost shouted.  It was only then she had an inkling of what was wrong with him and began to giggle.  Steven went even redder.  ‘Please, it isn’t funny.’

She burst out laughing, ‘I’m so sorry,’ she gasped, ‘I didn’t mean to laugh.’

‘My god, what is life going to be like if I can’t even kiss you?  That made her laugh all the harder and Steven joined in.   Eventually though the laughter subsided.  It had the desired effect and Steven stood.  ‘I’m OK now, maybe we should just go to bed.’

She gasped, ‘after just one kiss.’

Steven became a little flustered, ‘I didn’t mean that, I meant our own beds.’

‘Oh!  I thought you were going to give me a speech about how soon we could be in battle and how short life is and then try and seduce me.’

His jaw dropped, ‘I could not, would not.’

‘No!’  Her eyes flashed up at him and his mouth dried up.

He sat back down, ‘Komoru, I have never had a girlfriend, or even been with a woman, you know?’

She lifted his chin, ‘I know Steven, nor have I ever been with a man.’

He flushed, ‘I didn’t know that.’

‘I fell in love with you when I was a little girl.  I fell in love with your mind.  I first read your theory’s when I was about fourteen, I was even in touch with your mother for years.  She sent me pictures of you and I still have them on my desk at home.  No man in my life was ever comparable to the young boy I fell in love with all those years ago.  I spent all of my professional life trying to prove your theories correct and was ridiculed for it.  Now I have met the man that child would have become and I am not disappointed Steven.  If anything I love you even more.’

Steven slipped onto a knee and dipped into his sporran.  From it he took a small ring case and opened it, even in the moon light the fire diamond shone bright.  Komoru gasped.

‘Komoru, from the first moment I met you I fell in love with you.  I have never loved anyone else, nor will I ever.  Will you marry me?’

‘Oh Steven, Yes, I will marry you.’  They came together in a long passionate kiss.  When they broke apart he slipped the ring onto her finger.

Komoru’s eyes smouldered, ‘shall we retire now?’

Steven took a deep breath, ‘we may have to wait a few minutes.’

Both burst out laughing.  As they were making their way back to Stevens room a fleet of Taxis began to arrive too take those who did not wish to stay home.  They were side lined by some of the revellers and it was a while before they could slip quietly away.  None were still up when they ships began to radiate and pulsate with a strange light.  As the sun slipped up over the horizon their colour changed to a rose hue and they were content.