Stepping Up (20 page)

The water is cool but not cold.  The deck hands
are—thankfully—scrubbing down the launch.  Someone hands each buddy pair a bar
of soap, a bottle of shampoo, and a washcloth for each person.  Aria squirts a
quantity of shampoo into my hands, then Gwen’s, then her own.  The soap stings
the scalp and would surely irritate the eyes.  I look over to see Gwen with her
face turned up to rinse the soap from her head, her eyes closed, but not
squinting.  After we all rinse, Aria and I kneel to wash Gwen. As Gwen rinses,
Aria turns away from me.  I wash her back from her neck to her knees.  I turn
around, and she returns the favor. This soap also stings. We take extra time
rinsing to be sure we get all the soap off.

We go from the showers to a warm forced-air drying system. 
I think it’s Needa (there’s no way to know for sure) who leads us through what
the casual onlooker would think is a tai chi or yoga class.  It’s purpose is to
blow away all the water and any cleaner from us.  The fans stop blowing and
we’re given towels to finish. 

She waves us to the supply people, who hand us each a clean
set of underwear, flight suits or other outer wear, socks and boots.  I’m
surprised.  Gwen has been given a decorative long sleeved shirt and a pair of
denim overalls.  She has slippers on her feet.  I’m optimistic she’ll have
clothes more to her size when I can take her by Supply to get fitted. 

Once we are dressed, I take Gwen to the Medical section. 
Doc Traynor is expecting us. “Hi, Chief MacTaggert. Who is this young lady?”

“Dr. Traynor, this is Gwendolyn. I suppose she’s
my…‘Charge,’ for lack of a better word.  Aria told her I’m her ‘new mommy.’
She’s going to be with us for awhile.  We found her in a TMOD, and I have no
idea how long she’s been there.  We’ve fed her a FieldRat and tried to get her
hydrated.  Gwen, this is Dr. Traynor.  She’s going to examine you, and she may
give you some injections, or any other help she decides you need. You can count
on her taking a blood sample.  It only stings for a little while.  I have to go
check on my engines, but I’ll be back as soon as I can. Gwen, I want you to do
whatever she tells you, please.”

“We’ll get her all checked out, Sonia. Go to work and don’t
worry.”

“I will do whatever she tells me,” Gwen says.

“Okay, girls, I’m off to Engineering.  Call me if you need
me.”  I look around for Avi, but don’t see him.  Doc smirks and winks at me.

On the way to Engineering, Aria tells me there is to be a
meeting with the Captain, as soon as possible after we are in Transit.  She
also gives me the Transit warning order.  I guess we have a destination.  I’m
to meet the Captain in the same conference room we used for the mission brief. 
I acknowledge.  I also call the Purser and ask if family quarters are
available. The clerk says she thinks some are, but she will verify and get back
to me for sure. Everything is operating superbly in Engineering. Gorb acts as
though I was gone for three years.

“The engines are working good, Shownya. ‘Gorb always helps!’
Everyone says it, so it must be true.”

“Yes, you do always help.  I think you do even better work
when I’m not here.” I make a show of breaking a chocolate bar in half and
giving the larger piece to him.  I toss the other to Ginny. 

Gorb is one happy camper.  Aria calls, asking our status.  I
look over Ginny’s shoulder at the board.  She turns, our eyes meet, and I clap
her on the shoulders. “Kick this pig,” I tell her.

“Bridge, Engineering.  You have a green board for Transit.”
We don our helmets and prepare for Transit.

Night Searcher
speeds away, bound for our next stop,
wherever it is. The navigational data must have helped the beady-eyed
map-readers on the bridge.  “Okay, kids, I have another meeting to attend. 
Call me if you need me.”

At the meeting, Aria briefs the Captain on the planet
mission, including finding Gwendolyn.  He turns to me. “Watch her carefully,
Sonia. I will interview her in the morning. About this disk, I believe it to be
a vessel or probe of some kind. I don’t know why, but that is how it strikes
me. We are headed for BaineRa’ah IV, a planet with intelligent life in this
region. I persuaded the Captain of one of the attacking corsairs to give me
information. The planet should be able to provide us with four things we
desperately need: Resupply, Rest, Relaxation, and a star map. We’ll be there in
seven days. Bring Gwendolyn to my office tomorrow at 0800.”

“We’ll be there, sir. Was the information we brought from
the searched ships of any value?”

“It has yet to be completely processed. Dismissed.”

I check in with Gorb on my way back to Medbay, explaining
I have some errands to complete.  He assures me all is well.  Doc is finishing
her notes, while Gwendolyn slides on her slippers.

“Find anything worthy of worry?” I ask.

“She’s fit as a fiddle. I don’t know how her eyes function,
but they clearly don’t work like ours do.  She is technically blind, but her
mind is so psionically advanced that she doesn’t need eyes. She has telepathy,
clairvoyance, and some other abilities that I don’t know how to spell.  I
wouldn’t be surprised if she uses something similar to echolocation or LIDAR. 
Her blood work is perfect.  I didn’t see the first antibody, so I gave her a
round of standard vaccines. She may have some mild reaction, lethargy, fever,
nausea— that sort of thing.  If you need me, call me.”

My perCom bleeps with a message from the Purser. My room
change was granted, citing the Captain’s orders to make us as comfortable as
possible. Excellent.  I’ll move my personal effects in my copious free time.

Doc Traynor turns to Gwen as she hops down from the exam
table.  “And for my extra especially-patient patient I have a gift.  I don’t
have any lollipops, so I hope this will do.” Doc gives her a personal data pad.
It looks like a notepad or clipboard. It displays its contents when Gwen
touches the screen.  “It has movies, a draw/paint program, and full school
lessons for first grade through sophomore in most colleges. That should keep
her amused when you’re at work, Sonia.” Personally, I’m curious how she can be
sightless and use it, but that doesn’t appear to be an issue.  I see her
scrolling through the menus, rapidly learning what the device contains.

“Thanks, Doc. Gwen, do you know what to say?”

“Thank you, Dr. Traynor.”

“You are welcome, Gwendolyn.”

“Ow!” I yelp. Someone pinched me.  It’s one of those good
ones too, right on my left triceps. I turn around to see Avi grinning like he
just got the last cookie from the jar. 

Between guffaws, he says, “Just seeing if you’re awa—oof!”
He slides back into the wall. Gwen is scowling at him.

Doc Traynor says, “We can add ‘telekinesis’ to that list.” 
She updates her findings in her notebook.

I intervene quickly. “Everything is okay, Gwen.  He’s a
friend of mine.  He didn’t hurt me; he just surprised me.” 
That’s not
exactly true, he
did
hurt me but I’ll get over it
.   That eases the
tension in the room. “Gwen, this is Dr. Took.  Avi, this is Gwendolyn.  Avi, can
you join us for chow this evening?”

“I’ll be there. Hello, Gwen. I look forward to getting to
know you better.”  She continues to frown at him.

I pull him to one side for a relatively private chat, “I’m
not making any promises about tonight, but you and me getting together is
definitely high on my list.  We’ll make some firmer plans at, and after, chow. 
Here’s my new stateroom assignment.”  I hand him a slip of paper with the new
room number on it.

“Get a room, you two,” Doc says.  I’d forgotten she was still
here.  Avi and I both look sheepish.  “I meant you and
Gwendolyn
,
Sonia.”
Okay, that was embarrassing
. I laugh nervously as we leave.

Gwen and I go by our new place, and I show her where
closets and bureaus are and how things work, particularly the holoCom and the
appliances in the ’fresher.  “I’ll be in my office. If you need me, push this
icon, the one labeled ‘Sonia.’ Can you…find it?” She nods and points right at
it. “I’ll be back and we’ll get something to eat in a bit. You have your
notepad that Doc gave you.  I’m sure you’ll be okay.”  My perCom bleeps, it’s
Aria.  Talk about timing.  I show Gwen where the “answer” button is.  She
presses it expertly and answers “MacTaggert residence.”  I choke trying not to
laugh.  It isn’t funny, just novel.

“Good afternoon, ladies. The time for your meeting with the
Captain has changed to 0930. Sonia, have Gwen dress appropriately, please.”

“Roger.  As far as ‘dressed appropriately,’ I’ll do the best
I can.  I understand there are other children aboard.  Is there an alterations
shop?”

“There are actually two other children aboard: A girl who is
eight, a boy who is four.  Supply should have a range of sizes.”

I go to the LEO.  While I’m there, I call supply. “Hi, this
is Sonia MacTaggert, Chief Engineer.  I need clothes for a six-year old girl. 
Can you help me out? Maybe the smallest jumpsuit you have, or something
spandexey that won’t make her look like she’s a ragamuffin? She has an
interview with the Captain at 0930.  I’ve eyeballed her measurements.  I’m sending
them and a picture to you now.” 
I’m also going to have to spend some time
with her hair. Didn’t I see a salon in the directory?

“No worries, Chief. I think Amber Bennett is about her
size.  I’ll have three sets of clothes delivered to you. Including, but not
limited to, overalls, dresses, jeans, shorts, shirts, nightgowns. The works.”

“You are a life saver!” 
I spent more time with Da in the
garage then I did Mum in the sewing room.

After my shift, I go to collect Gwen from the stateroom. 
The clothes are here. Gwen has taken it upon herself to slip into a tee shirt,
jeans, and athletic shoes.  The powder blue tee shirt has an appliqué of a
butterfly on the front.  She takes my hand, and we walk to the chow hall.  Avi
waves at us as we walk in.  We take seats at his table. “I am pleased to see
you again, Dr. Took. You are in love with Sonia. That is nice. I like her,
too.”

Avi’s face flushes. “I am pleased also, Miss Gwendolyn.
Um...yeah...umm, yeah, I guess I am.” I try not to laugh at Avi’s discomfort.
He is so cute when he’s befuddled. 

I come to his rescue: “As you can see, she’s either
telepathic or empathic.” I focus my gaze on her, “And I can see we’re going to
have to discuss candor and privacy.”

After we eat, I get a status update from Engineering just to
make sure everything is working then suggest we adjourn to the lounge.  Avi
goes to the bar for refreshments.  I use the time to teach Gwen that not
everything known must be spoken.  “Sweetie, I’m not upset with you.  It’s
important to me that you understand and believe that.  But as your guardian, I
am responsible for teaching you how to function in our society.  Your mind is
capable of learning things about other people without their knowing you have
done so.  I know it isn’t something you do, it’s something that just happens,
and that’s okay.  I obviously have no idea of what things were like where you
came from.  But in our culture—especially on a starship—privacy is at a
premium.  Do you remember that our stateroom is not very large? And we don’t
always want other people knowing what we are thinking.  For example, you saying
Avi loves me made him uncomfortable, for a variety of reasons.  One of which is
that he may not be exactly certain of that himself.  What’s done is done, it
can’t be undone.  We’ll talk more about this as we go on, but for now, just
don’t say what you know about people that you haven’t heard with your ears. 
Will you do that for me?” I take her in my arms and hug her ferociously.  “Now,
I think Avi got us some ice cream. Ooo! Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough! Someone
wants me waddling to work!”

Gwen looks at the bowl and spoon before her.  Her face
twists and she squeaks. Her white eyes begin to glisten.  “But I must speak
truths! I am punished if I do not.  That has always been the case! I risk death
from the gods if I don’t speak truths! I must disobey you on this matter! Will
I be punished here as well?” Tears stream down her cheeks, and her chin
quivers.  “I’m s-s-s-sorry, Sonia, but I can’t do what you ask!” Sobs wrack her
body.  Avi is uncomfortable; I am crestfallen, but I’m also befuddled by her
riddles.

I pull her to me, her face into my shoulder, and I rock her
gently. “You’re okay, Gwen, I’ve got you.  No one is going to hurt you.  Sshhh.
No, sweetie, I’m not going to punish you.  I’m not asking you to lie. I’m
asking you to not speak everything you know.  It’s called ‘discretion.’ 
There’s a difference.  I’ll look up a lesson on your teaching unit for you to
do tomorrow.  Perhaps there’s a happy medium:  Before you say anything about
someone, ask me.  Chances are good it will be okay.  And we can spare
unfortunate occurrences if not.  I’m not asking you to lie, just to wait.  Can
you do that for me?” She nods.  Avi hands me a napkin, and I dry her eyes with
it.  She composes herself and tentatively dips her spoon into her ice cream. 
The three of us chat until the last spoon drops into an empty bowl.

Avi and I decide that it’s been a long day.  I take Gwen to
the stateroom, and we both get ready for bed. Our stateroom is actually more of
a suite.  We each have a small room of our own.  Mine, as the “master” is
marginally larger, probably in anticipation of a couple living in it.  I make
Gwen’s bed. While I do so, she changes into a nightgown from her clothing
package.

“What’s this?”  The supply people—I will never call them
‘pukes’ again—included a teddy bear.

“That’s called a ‘teddy bear.’  Children often sleep with
them.  You can also carry it with you, if you wish.”

“Oh.  Why?”  She asks questions, but she’s already accepted
him.  She air dances him while I finish the bed.

“I’m not really sure, but it’s been happening for
centuries.  It’s probably because they are soft, cuddly, fuzzy, quiet, and
portable.  It’s a security issue.  Emotional security, not physical of course.”

“Did you have one?”

“I did.  I called him ‘Mr. Snuggles.’”

“May I use that name also?”

“He’s your bear, sweetie.  You may call him whatever you
like.”

“I like ‘Mr. Snuggles.’” After assurance that I will be only
a shout away, I tuck her and Mr. Snuggles in and kiss both goodnight. I set the
alarm for 0700.

In the morning we review how the appliances in the ’fresher
work.  While she bathes, I look through the clothes now in her closet, and
select a pale pink dress for her.  I’ll pretty her and myself up as much as
practical and be standing outside the Old Man’s office ringing the buzzer by
0929.  I teach her the courtesies she’ll need for the Captain.

When we get to the Captain’s office, Aria answers the door. 
“Come in, ladies.  Gwendolyn, you look very nice this morning.”  His clerk,
Friday, is nowhere to be seen.

“Thank you, Grandma.” 

I have to bite my lip and look away to keep from laughing,
but Aria only smiles. She directs Gwen to a chair in front of the Captain’s
desk. Aria and I sit off to the side.  I give Gwen a reassuring smile, which
she returns. The Captain comes in.  The three of us stand and drop into
curtsies.  He directs us to chairs and sits behind his desk.  His cowl is
pulled forward, covering most of his face. 

“Hello, young lady.” His voice is unusually pleasant.

“Good morning, Captain Prowse,” Gwen replies.

“Gwendolyn, I want you to relax and close your eyes, and
think of something nice, like butterflies or ice cream.”

“Yes, sir.” She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and
folds her hands in her lap.

The Captain leans back, his elbows on the arms of his chair,
and his fingers steepled before him.  His head leans to his fingertips.  I can
hear his breath catch from time to time.  No one moves for five minutes. 
Without warning, Gwen’s eyes snap open.  The Captain slaps his hands flat on
the desk and leans forward. He makes no other movement.  Gwendolyn is likewise
immobile, meeting his gaze. After another three minutes, the Captain stands and
says, “Thank you for coming.  Ladies, you are dismissed.  I have much to
ponder. Aria, see me in three hours.” He walks out.

I look at Aria.  She’s no help. “Ok, girls, have a good day.
Sonia, I will conduct an Engineering walk-through in six hours. I want to hear
purring engines and see clean floors!” She motions us to the door.

“What just happened? What does he need to think about?” I
ask her.

“I do not know,” Aria says. “He must have sensed something
in her mind that disturbs him. Now go clean the engines with an old
toothbrush.”

“We’ll be ready, Aria.”

We leave and head back to the stateroom. “I have to go to
Engineering,” I tell Gwen.  “There are two other children aboard.  Would you
like to look them up this evening?”

“It makes no difference to me. I am having fun with my new
computer pad.  It keeps me occupied.  Do you think there may be more
educational programs? I finished all the ones I have while you were in the shower
this morning.”

“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.  It’s up to you. I just
thought I’d mention it.  I set a link to the ship’s library on the holoCom last
night.  You can’t get to the classified stuff, but anything else is fair game. 
But all school and no play makes Jane a dull girl.  Believe me, I know what I’m
talking about.  You need social interaction, and not just with adults. But I’m
not going to push them on you. I have to go to work; I’ll see you later.  I’m
going to lock the door behind me.  Not to keep you in, but…well, I’m just going
to lock it.”  I really don’t want to get into the whole “stranger danger”
thing, not right now anyway.

Before the door closes, Gwen asks, “Why is the Captain
afraid of me?  I wanted to ask earlier, but you said to ask you first about
other people.”

“I think it’s more that the Captain doesn’t understand you,
sweetie.  And—well, he’s had some bad things happen to him.  Things he doesn’t
understand frighten him.”

She ponders.  “That makes sense.  Thank you.  I hope you
have a good day at work. Oh, you may want to have Ginny check the transducer in
power conduit A9 in the vicinity of junction 327.”

Why would she say that?
“I will thank you.”

I get to Engineering and announce we have an inspection
at 1545. “If it isn’t working, get it fixed, documented, or both,” I say. Ginny
informs me that all the damage we suffered in the attack is fixed, aside from
some minor cosmetic things.  Ginny recommends she and Gorb grab mops and touch
up the deck plating.