Stepping Up (35 page)

I have one last task.  I go to my conference room and
activate the Ship-wide address system.  The camera opposite me interrupts every
non-critical holoCom and view screen on the ship.  “This is Captain Sonia
MacTaggert.  It is unfeasible for me to have the crew gather in one location
for this address.  Please forgive me, but I feel this, impersonal as it is, to
be the best alternative.  After what has turned into a very long, very strange
journey, we have returned to Atlas.  Captain Magus is on Atlas and has been
appointed as Captain of this fine crew.  I had hoped to be allowed to retain
command, but alas it does not appear to be in the cards.  So be it.  In these
circumstances, I cannot remain aboard.  It would be unfair to me, to Captain
Magus, but most importantly to you, if I stayed.  I therefore wish each and
every one of you open skies, fair winds, and for you to know that my love and
respect go with you all.  MacTaggert out.”  
That was a little harder than I
expected it would be.

Back in my cabin, I summon Clarisse, Bethany, Duncan,
Elizabeth, Frances and Taylor. “Please package my personal belongings and have
them moved to any rental storage area at the starport. I have several good-byes
to make in person. If I can’t ride down with the stuff, I’ll catch another ride
down afterwards.  I’ll carry a few things myself.  If you have any doubts,
consult the ship’s inventory for what stays and what goes.”

The women are openly weeping, even the men are tearing up. 
Duncan says, “We’ll handle it, ma’am.”

“May I say, ma’am,” Taylor’s voice catches. “You took the
sting out of slavery.”

I hug all of them. After they leave, I empty the safe,
putting the laser sword, the Tome of the Ancients, the Amulet, and any other
knick knacks I may have overlooked into a shoulder bag with a few of my other
belongings.
No reason that pompous ass should get what Captain Prowse wanted
me to have.

I go to the bridge.  Malcolm issues a report on the ship’s
status.  “Thank you, Malcolm.  Was it really less than two years ago that you
proctored my aptitude exam?”

“Yes, ma’am, it was.  I remember that day.  When you boarded
the launch, I knew you would be hired.  If you’ll forgive me, I never expected
you would command.”

“That’s two of us.”  I give him a hug. “Take care of these
people, Malcolm.  They deserve it.”

“Yes ma’am.  That they do.”  I walk around shaking hands
with everyone else, thanking them for their service and dedication.  After the
bridge I go to Engineering and find Viggo tending the engines.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, ma’am,” he
says.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for this ship and
crew.  It would have been understandable for you as a captive to refuse to help
anyone.”

He smiles. “Ma’am, the first time you talked to me you said
you didn’t employ slaves.  I never felt like a prisoner while in your employ.” 
We shake hands and I leave.  I start to ask where Ginny and Gorb are but I
think I know.

I walk to the Small Craft bay.  Practically everybody aboard
is there. Mine aren’t the only tear-streaked cheeks.

Avi is the first to speak. “Farewell, my truest love. I wish
you would stay.”

“Good bye, Avi. You know I can’t.  I could never be a
crewmember where I used to be Captain. I wish you success at school.  I’m sure
you will be a fine microneurosurgeon.”  I step closer to the launch.

Athena snaps to attention.  “Mission accomplished, ma’am.
What are your instructions for me? Am I to be returned to storage?”

“Do you belong to me or the ship, Athena? If you belong to
me, you are welcome to get in the shuttle.  If not, I suppose that will be up
to Magus.”

“I have no protocol tying me to this vessel.”

“Then it’s up to you.  If you wish to stay, I’ll miss you. 
If you want to come with me, I’m happy to have you.” As an answer she takes my
bag from me and turns toward the shuttle.  I take a few more steps towards my
ride.

“Captain Shownya, why are you leaving? I love you Shownya,”
Gorb says.

“It’s just time for me to be moving on.  I love you too,
Gorb.  You’ll help Ginny and Viggo, won’t you?”

“Gorb loves to help! Everyone says so!”

“And I know it to be true.  Take care, my friend.” I pull a
bar of chocolate from my sleeve pocket and give it to him.  He smiles and wraps
his arms around me.  I hug him back just as fiercely.

I’m waiting for the launch pilot to signal me for boarding
when Magus’s shuttle lands. He walks out with his hands on his hips. “Where’s
that stupid vaginal support system that I spoke to earlier?”

All motion ceases.  Every head turns, every eye bores into
him.

I speak first: “Now is that any way for a gentleman to speak
in the presence of a lady? Athena, I believe he needs a lesson in manners.”  I
hand Aria the Captain’s perCom as I get into the shuttle.

Aria tries diplomacy. “Captain Magus, this is Captain Sonia
MacTaggert, and...”

Nice try, Aria.

“I know who that stupid bitch is,” he thunders. “I recognize
her from the holoCom.  She just went from XO to junior janitor until I say
different.”

“My mistress has warned you about your insolent tone. Please
do not make me strike you.”  Athena has tossed my bag into the launch and
approaches Captain Magus.

“Athena, as soon as you’ve kicked Captain Maggot’s scrotum
through his cranium, we’ll be off,” Shawna says as she pushes past Magus and
boards my shuttle.

Freddie looks at Magus’s hardened expression.  He looks back
to Athena. “Go ahead Athena. Smack him a good one!”  He turns to one of his
subordinates and renders a hand salute.  “I stand relieved.”  He throws his cap
on the deck and grinds his heel into it.  Apparently, that’s his way of
resigning.  He’s also walking towards the launch.

This is fun, I wonder if I can get them to gang up on
him?
  “He called me stupid.  Shawna, do you think I’m stupid?”

“No, I think you’re smart and hotter than a two credit
pistol, honey.”

“You say the sweetest things!”  I beam at her.

Magus screams at the pilot of my shuttle: “Mister, if that
boat lifts, life as you know it is over! Shut down those engines and get out of
that seat and I mean right now!!”  The terrified crewman looks at me.  I nod at
him with as much of an “It’s going to be okay” look as I can manage.  He gets
out of the shuttle.  I look at Shawna and with a wink she slides into the seat
to continue the pre-launch sequence.

“Hey Athena!” I call to her. “Want to use my cutlass? I’d
recommend castration, but by that puff in his cheeks, I doubt they’re where
they should be.  Either pound him through the deck or get on the launch.  I’m
ready to leave.  Flip a credit, heads he walks, tails you bitch slap him.”

Aria doesn’t want to deal with the mess or the clean up. “Be
off, all of you. There will be neither physical confrontation nor interaction.
I will miss you all.”

“I’ll miss you, too.  Take care of everyone.  And don’t let
that arrogant bastard get away with anything.”  I wave at them all and board
the launch.  I hear him huffing and puffing as we seal the door to the
shuttle.  Everyone gets busy doing something other than following his orders. 
It’s not going to be a pleasant time on
Night Searcher
for a while.

The shuttle heads down. I hate leaving him there.  But I
can’t do anything about it.  The silence is overwhelming.  “You gals want to
partner up and see what kind of trouble we can get into?” Freddie says to all
of us but to no one in particular.

“I’m not opposed to it,” I answer. “Let’s do this:  I’ll
spring for a weekend here at the port, but then I’m going to Scotia on Earth
and spend some time with my uncle.  After I finish with the Academy of the
Ancients, of course. I’m sure they’re going to want a full debrief on our
mission. If you want to tag along, fine, it’s beautiful country.  But for two
weeks minimum, I want to sleep until I wake up.  I don’t want to be worrying
about who’s trying to kill my ship or me.  I don’t want...I don’t want to worry
period.  I’ve earned it.  Then we’ll sit down together and make some
longer-range plans.  Fair enough?”  They all nod.  “Now, unless anybody has a
better idea, I suggest we check into the inn, get ourselves cleaned up, put on
our ‘oh yeah you want me’ clothes, and go pick up some guys.  Any better
ideas?”

It takes me three days to debrief the Elders at the
Academy.  Fortunately, they had all the logs that had been kept on
Night
Searcher
. They admit to not being happy we couldn’t return Gwendolyn, but
in the same breath, they confirm that my course of action was the only feasible
one.   They also have many questions about Azazeel and Kretor.  I have to
confess to not being able to tell much.  It appears they are aware of both and
fear them. Not exactly comforting.  But then I am free to go back to the Inn.

We literally do nothing for a couple of days.  We lie
around, soaking up ethanol and attention from strangers.  Two days later, I
announce I’m going to Scotia.  All three of them want to go with me. I call
ahead to Mr. MacDougal to ask if he could make reservations at the Purple
Heather for us.  Instead, he reminds me how big and empty the house is.  I book
passage to Earth for the four of us. It’s odd, having to pay for a ride on a
starship again.

Riding a starship as a passenger is very different from
having the Big Chair, or even the engines to worry about.  And I hate every
second of it.  Now I understand why passengers often have their teeth on edge. 
When we get to his estate, Uncle Angus welcomes me with open arms.  He is
likewise happy to meet Shawna, Athena, and Freddie. Daisy welcomes Shawna and
Freddie, but she doesn’t know what to make of an android.  Fortunately, they
are able to reach an agreement.

The healing environment is more than a body could desire.  I
know I said two weeks, but I could make it two years and not bat an eye.

We’ve been in Scotia for a month.  At breakfast one
morning, I find a note that Freddie and Shawna have gone to the Moscow Starport
to check on potential employments and see what is buzzing.  I’m ladling gravy
over the scrambled eggs on Angus’s plate when my perCom bleeps.  My hands are
full and covered with a light film of bacon fat. Angus turns the speaker on for
me.

“Cap…I mean Sonia MacTaggert.” I answer.

“Hey, yummy girl. There’s a transport heading to Goliath. A
big company is hiring all kinds of crews for military science expeditions.  They
are looking for pilots, Troopers, and Engineers.  You want us to give them your
name?”

I hesitate.  Angus looks up at me, his eye twinkling
mischievously.  “Ye’re nae finished ute there, lass.  No’ even close.” 
That
clinches it for me.

“I’ll be there in the morning,” I say.

Not the End

Thank you for purchasing this book and taking a chance on
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Stepping Up
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Robert Culp

The characters and the Tenth Millennium settings of this
story are the creation of Jim Culp.  The story itself is mine, and the product
of countless hours of dialogue between the author and Jim.  Editing, guidance
and patient mentorship were provided by
G.
M. Frazier
.

Robert Culp is a graduate of Southern Wesleyan University
(MBA) and works in software development and testing at QS/1 Data Systems. 
After twenty-five years of service in the South Carolina Army National Guard he
retired with the rank of captain.  He is married with two children and lives in
the Upstate of South Carolina. 
Stepping Up
is his first novel.

STEPPING UP

Copyright © 2013
by Robert Culp

All rights reserved

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