Revolutionary (The Athena Lee Chronicles Book 4) (2 page)

I totally understood him on that. “Don’t worry about that no one is locking anyone up. Not again.” He was a pain-in-the-ass but he was my friend and I always protect my friends.

With a new commander reporting soon I was hurrying to get everything in the office shipshape. My personal filing system was a bit different than the Official Navy one. I the end I had Wilson just fix it. My computer skills were not exactly perfect, I really think he spoils me.

Chapter 2

Making my way to the bridge I thought about what Wilson had said. I too was concerned about the motives of these FLEAS.I was afraid that they might try and take Wilson away from me. While the Navy so far had played it rather straight with me it was the other figures of authority that worried me. My run ins with corrupt officials had made me extremely wary. Contingency plans and routes of escape automatically wove their way through my brain as I walked. No longer cringing away from me the crew was now friendly and nodded in passing. No assassins or bounty hunters had come after me for a few months. Things has started to settle down, finally.

Arriving at the bridge level, I greeted the two marines on guard duty. My time spend in marine country had made me more recognizable to the guards. One man was in Dar’s platoon and said hello. Even though they knew me they still checked my I.D. a sign of good training. The hatch opened and I entered the command deck.

The Captain and the XO were in the Ready Room. I stepped inside and came to attention. “Sir, you asked for me?”

“Oh good, Athena. Have a seat Lieutenant.” The Captain motioned to a chair at the table. “Athena, we received orders about our stay in Hong Kong. You are to be seconded to the Fleet Scientific division. They wish to explore the droids and the hydroponic system you developed. I believe that the strengthened bulkheads and hatches are to be discussed also. On a happier not you will be getting some shore leave to see your family.”

“Sir, about that..” The Captain did not let me finish.

“You forget, Lieutenant Lee, that I also am from this Planet. I am aware of the family traditions that you have to deal with. I understand. However, I have an officer that has not seen a family member in over 16 years. I am obligated to help that officer make that happen. It will be fine, you’ll see.” He looked me in the eyes. “Athena? Understand?”

Somewhat reluctantly, “Yes Sir.”

“Good. Also, we will be taking on a new Chief Engineer at Hong Kong.” His voice dropped a bit. “I believe that I told you the position was temporary Athena?” At my nod he continued. “As I was saying. Chief Engineer Clancy Hadley will be coming aboard. He has good references and the Navy Chief of Staff is sending him to us. You will drop back to engineering third, acting 2nd. Please try and work with the man. I will send all the details to you link. Thank you Lieutenant. Dismissed.”

Damn. Back to gopher status. “Wilson. Wilson are you in there?” Silence.

“Yes, Athena?” He was back.

“I assume you saw the orders and that we were getting a new boss in engineering, right? Do what you can and find out anything you can on this Commander Hadley that is coming in. I don’t want to be blindsided.”

“Athena, I checked up on him as soon as the Captain mentioned him. He is listed in the Fleet database as a troubleshooter. He has a ‘record’ of sorts of fixing problem ships. He has good reports from captains he has worked for but there are top secret blocks on his files. Let me work on breaking through those and I will get back to you.”

“OK thanks Wilson. Maybe he will be good for the ship.”

___

Seeing my home planet for the first time in years brought a tear to my eye.

The space industry around the planet had grown since I was last here. The massive Legation Station the headquarters of the sector governor was new. It was almost as large as Fleet headquarters station back in New Reno. I could see several shipyards and what looked like an asteroid mining facility in the distance. It seems that big industry was changing my sleepy little planet. I thanked Captain Gorshin for allowing me on the bridge and returned to engineering. When the James Cook entered the system all mail and communications had been updated. My link notified me of several messages from my family and one from the local government .

My family, after so many years, I was both excited and anxious about seeing them. We had not parted on good terms. My Father was the head of the Planetary Militia; Colonel Alexander Lee. At last count I have two brothers and a sister. Our mother had died early in our lives. Hong Kong is a hard planet to adapt to for an off-worlders. Mother was from Mars. Mars has been colonized longer than any planet in the galaxy but not yet Terra-formed. Some progress has been made but full life support is needed to leave any city or hab. The gravity on Mars is 38% of that of Earth and 50% of Hong Kong. A combination of a heavier gravity and unfiltered air killed our mother. Her immune system could not handle the impact that our planet cause upon her. Growing up without my mother was very difficult. My older siblings helped to raise me. Father was too busy running a militia to run to take care of a small child. We were like tiny recruits to him. His legacy and that of our family defined my early childhood. As soon as I was of age and over the protests of my father I left. I wanted a career in space, not in the militia. Only one of my siblings had not joined up. Breaking from tradition David’s goal in life was to be that of a farmer. He was the gentlest man that I knew. He had been the first one that I had called after getting ‘rescued’. I can only imagine my family’s surprise to have me come back from the dead. Like a ‘hungry ghost’ I have reappeared in their lives. Trouble can only follow.

As I had expected David’s message was an invitation to stay with him and his family. All I could do was smile. I was so looking forward to meeting his wife and children. I quickly sent him a thank you and gave him a approximate time of arrival. The local Government message was in legalese. Wilson told me that it was basically a “hey, your not dead! Here is your tax form,” kind of message. Death and taxes, there is no escape. My big sister Minerva, called Min by just about everyone, was now a Major with the Militia Fighter Command. Her message was short and sweet. “Glad you are alive, come and see me when you get in.” That was Min always to the point. My oldest brother Hannibal was also a Major in the Militia his message was tacked on to my Father’s “come home.” Taking a deep breath I quickly typed out a short message and sent it to my family.

David was delighted to hear from me and sent me directions to his homestead. From the family I got a message received notification. No matter how much changes some things remain the same. My link chimed again. This message was from Fleet command informing me of my temporary assignment of being seconded to the FLEA facility to investigate both my new innovations. I was supposed to meet with Professor Kip Wilson the Head of Research at 9am the third day after docking. I had Wilson check into his background for me. Wilson had chuckled that he was “a Wilson investigating a Wilson”. Dr Wilson was a graduate of the Livingston school on New Africa. He had worked for the Gentry corporation and for Mishkin Manufacturing before being hired on by the Navy. He had been on his job for 5 years. He and his wife Buffy lived on the station. Buffy? What kind of name is that? She must be a big ol’ vamp to be with a geeky guy named ‘Kip’. I had Wilson download a map of the facility for me. It would not be good to get lost my first day on the job.

“Prepare for Docking Maneuver! Secure all Hatches!”

The ship began to shudder and shake a bit as it slid into the ships cradle inside Legation Station.

“Docking Complete. Adjusting to External Gravity. Security to the Main Hatch.”

We would be docked here for a minimum of 8 weeks. Time enough to repair the outer layers of our armor and finish a few upgrades that only a station could do. The Research facility was on a separate smaller station nearby it was a hassle but there was a daily shuttle service. The navy had been concerned for the safety of Legation Station and had moved the FLEAS out. Cause one little explosion on the job and you get relocated. Or at least that was what I heard.

.

___

I had a bit of a spring in my step as I walked off the James Cook onto Legation Station. This was the first time I had been on ‘home’ ground since before the end of the war. I only had a few off and I wanted to enjoy them. The ships loading bay and passenger ramp gave way to a hallway filled with advertisements for station entertainment and planetary locales. Passing through secruity I entered the Station. Wow, the inside was huge. It’s builders had left the core of it open so looking up you could almost see to the top, over a mile away. Tiny lights inset into the walls gave the illusion of space. Since the Sector Government was located here the station had 3 main parts. Housing, offices, and entertainment. Very pricey entertainment. Only the elite lived on this station. I followed the signs toward the shuttle bay passing hawkers for adult and exotic entertainment. Funny finding that sort of thing on a Government station. A few drunk looking sailors and scantily dressed women passed me as I walked. Leaving the main part of the station I approached the shuttle bay. Large signs proclaimed ‘escorted’ tours of the system in a party atmosphere. Shaking my head at the display I boarded the planet bound shuttle.

Apparently there are two shuttles. One that takes workers and official visitors to and from the station. That is not the one that I got on. The other shuttle takes Liberty bound sailors and crew to the red light district or Sofokleous part of town. As I climbed off the shuttle Wilson popped into my head and said “Now Leaving Nun central…” Whatever else he might have said was lost in he deafening roar of music, laughter, and shouting that filled my ears. Nightclubs, casino’s, strip joints and neon as far as the eye could see. Lots and lots of neon. Checking my location I followed a group of young looking marines toward a quieter part of town, or so I thought. An archway sign proclaimed this to be the De Walletjes district. The roadway was lined with one room ‘cabins’. Each cabin was fronted by a large picture window that showed scantily clad men and women. Wilson started shouting “shake it baby, shake it” as we passed by a window with belly dancers. The dancing women gave way to dancing men. At one point I had to stop and watch. His pole dancing was very good. The moment turned raunchy when Wilson asked “is the the Foot Long?” I shushed him and we hurried out of the district. The shops became more normal as we progressed. I finally found a cab stand and secured transportation.

The cab driver was surprised at my destination. “Most of you spacer folk go hang out in the red light area’s. This is the first time I have gotten one of you xeno’s.”

He was using the local name for off worlders or strangers. I peered over the seat and saw his government license and read his name; Rick Gassko. “Well Rick, I’m a local. I was born on this planet. My FAMILY helped found this world so don’t you go calling me a stranger.”

“Sorry, sorry no offense ma’am. Most from this planet don’t join the Empire military.” He kept watching me in the mirror.

“I have been away for a long time because of the war. This is my first time home in a long, long time. Did you serve?” He looked surprised at my question.

“No ma’am. Not in the PPL. I was a truck driver in the militia when I served out my year. After I got out I kept driving but a cab not a truck.” He was looking at me with fresh eyes. More respectable now he asked me “would I know your family ma’am? I know many of the old families.”

I chuckled. “You should, my father is Colonel Alexander Lee.” The cab stuttered as Rick almost slammed on the brakes.

“You are one of those Lee’s? Whooo. Wait! You are the one that died! The Engineer? Wait till I tell the boys back at the company that I had …was it Debbie?.. In the cab.”

“No not Debbie, my name is Athena. How did you know about me being an engineer?”

“The Planetary Governor Stoner gave a speech on veterans day about war vets and the good news of your rescue. Did you really blow up a navy destroyer all by yourself?” Now he was staring at me.

I noticed that the cab had stopped. We were in front of a modest farmhouse with a white picket fence around it. There was freshly tilled farmland as far as the eye could see. Turning back to Rick I told him, “not exactly. A really stupid officer disobeyed orders and took his ship into a minefield. I was responsible for the mines.” Gathering my things I stepped out of the cab. “Thank you Rick. I may call for you again.”

He took the money that I offered and told me anytime. I watched as he drove away.

The smells of roses and cherry blossoms filled the air. Someone here enjoyed flowers. Large beds of local flowers surround the front porch of the house. I took a deep breath it really was good to be home. I opened the garden gate and walked down the cobblestone path. Up three steps and I was on the porch. Ringing the bell I took a step back and waited.

Chapter 3