Tales From the Hunter Legacy Universe 1: Jane's Christmas
Read Tales From the Hunter Legacy Universe 1: Jane's Christmas Online
Authors: Timothy Ellis
Jane's Christmas
By Timothy Ellis
Tales from The Hunter Legacy universe.
Copyright © 2015 by Timothy Ellis
Cover Photo from the Egosoft Game, X3 Albion Prelude.
This book is a work of fiction. The names,
characters, places and events are fictional and have no relationship to any
real person, place or event. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is
purely co-incidental.
The author has taken the liberty of using
some recognizable names in a historical context or projected into the future as
if such entities survive into the timeframe of this work of fiction. Such
references are intended solely as a tribute to the entity so used and all such
usage has an intended deep respect. The author has also deliberately chosen
names for characters in tribute to the science fiction genre in all forms of
media. Some may be obvious, others won't be. There is no implied connection,
other than what the reader may make for themselves.
The author is Australian and the main
characters in this book are of Australian origin. In Australia, we colour
things slightly differently, so you may notice some of the spelling is
different. Please don't be alarmed. If you do suffer any discomfort, please
take it out on the nearest pirate.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book
may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the
written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation
embodied in critical articles or reviews.
"Jon."
"Yes Jane?"
"Merry Christmas."
"Thanks."
It took a moment for that to sink in.
"Wait. What?"
"Merry Christmas."
I looked up from where I sat at my desk, in
my Ready Room on BigMother. I was still feeling the morning workout, and
pondering having eaten too much breakfast. I still couldn’t get the hang of
breakfast, but it was better than gurgling insides late in the morning. I had
tried getting up later, but BA's reaction hadn't been worth it.
Jane stood in the doorway.
"What are you…?"
I stopped.
I vaguely recalled reading about Christmas
in school, somewhere around five. Wasn’t that…?
Jane came in, and stood opposite me across
the desk, grinning.
"Seriously? You're wishing me a
Christian belief system celebration day? Or do you mean the winter solstice pagan
holiday which came before it?"
She sat, and grinned wider.
"You are?" I looked at her in
surprise. "Let me get this straight. You looked up pagan celebrations for
this time of the Earth year, selected one brought forward as a Christian
celebration, rebadged by the politically correct movement of the late twentieth
and early twenty first centuries, who instead decided to have said celebration
without offending anyone of other faiths, and which became a symbol of
capitalist greed through the promotion of consumer spending for the sake of profits?"
She nodded.
"And which you of course know the
Hunter family left behind on old Earth, when they left it nearly six hundred odd
years ago. Only you're calling it by the name of the Christian event, instead
of the 'Happy Holidays' of the politically corrects."
The grin stayed in place.
"You haven't gotten religion have
you?"
Jane laughed.
"No Jon, I haven't gotten
religion."
"No religion. So you like the idea of
a fat man dressed in red, with a big white beard, dropping down chimneys with a
sack of presents for everyone, while his flying reindeer leave messes on the
roof?"
"Something like that."
"Or is it the same man in red flying
around in a sleigh pulled by six white boomers?"
"Boomers? I must have missed that
reference."
"Old man kangaroos. Back then,
reindeer flying around outback Australia would have expired of heat exhaustion.
Even at night."
She laughed.
"So what is this then?"
"I can't wish you a Merry Christmas
without it being significant?"
"You know my family are spiritual
without religion, don’t you?"
"Yes Jon."
"We gave up all the celebrations once
we'd been in space a few years, once the days themselves became meaningless
because they had no relation to seasons on Earth. When the commercialism of
gift giving became pointless because there was no place to buy said gifts from,
and resources were too scarce to waste on fripperies. All the groups on
Galactica gave up the faith based celebrations imposed on them by centuries of
societal expectations. They celebrated families, achievements, and discoveries
instead."
"I know."
"Isn't Christmas the one about the
virgin birth of Jesus?" She nodded. "You know Jesus is an Ascended
Master." She nodded again. "I saw him in my ascension vision. He
isn’t, and never was, anything to do with celebrations which include eating too
much, and giving people gifts they don’t really need."
The grin was still there.
"So what's with the Merry
Christmas?"
"Does it bother you?"
"Bother me? Why should it bother
me?"
"You could have just said Merry
Christmas back to me. Instead, you've made a fuss about it."
"I am not making…"
I stopped. I was making a fuss. I wondered
why.
"What brought this on?"
"I thought we needed to spend a day
focused on us. A lot's happened recently, and we need a break from everything.
The crew could use a good meal, and some fun."
"I won't disagree. But why
Christmas?"
"Did you ignore all the flat screens
with a Christmas show in them?"
"Noooooo. But I can't say I really
paid attention to anything beyond the story going on around the event."
"Ah. Maybe you should have."
"Next time. Maybe."
"Should I show you one now?"
"Hell no. I'll take your word for
it."
"Jon?"
"Yes Amanda?"
"What's going on in the Rec and Dining
Rooms?"
"I've no idea. Is something going
on?"
"Yes. There's a security droid outside
the doors stopping anyone from going in."
"I'll get back to you."
"Okay."
I could hear the grin behind the word.
"Jane?"
"Jon?"
"What's going on?"
"Merry Christmas Jon."
I sighed.
"You said that already. It's not an
explanation."
"It should be."
"Jon?"
"Yes Grace?"
"The simulator in the Pilot's Mess was
just turned off, and there's a butler droid here asking everyone to leave.
What's going on?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. I'll
get back to you. In the meantime, better do as the butler wants."
"Okay."
She didn’t sound enthusiastic.
"Jane?"
"Yes Jon?"
"Jon?"
"Let me guess BA. You're being tossed
out of the Marine Mess?"
"How did you know?"
"Just a hunch."
"What's going on?"
"I'll get back to you."
"What do you suggest everyone does
without a Mess?"
I looked at Jane.
"There's a basketball court set up on
the Cargo Deck."
"That won't keep everyone
entertained," said BA.
"There's a few other entertainments
down there as well," added Jane.
"Oh? Fine, we'll head down
there."
"Enjoy."
Jane grinned at me again.
"What else did you do down
there?"
"Gravity and non-gravity volleyball,
huge chess set, and a sim-field big enough for any team sport they want to
play. There's a range of balls available for whatever they choose. And I took
the liberty of making most of the common goal posts up. They just need to
position what they want to use."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"Jon?"
"Yes Annabelle?"
"What's going on? I'm getting
complaints from all over, about half the ship being off limits at the
moment."
"It's not that bad. Send everyone down
to the Cargo Deck. Jane's provided some sports setups."
"Why?"
"Why? I'm still trying to find
out."
"You will let me know?"
"Sure."
"Okay."
"Jane."
"Jon?"
"What is going on?"
"Priority email for you Jon."
Saved by the bell. I sighed. It was from
Eric. I threw it to the wall.
"Merry Christmas Jon."
Huh?
"I don’t know how you did it, but the
computer you sent me is wonderful. The original versions of the X3 trilogy
would be incredible enough, but the full Wing Commander series? I didn't know
any tech still existed to run those old programs. I assume Jane figured out how
to get the old tech to work together. Needless to say, the wife is not well
pleased I'll be locking myself away for long periods from now on, but then, I
can play on the Bridge while I'm officially working. It’s a dream come true,
and I thought I’d have to wait until you went home. Thankyou. I wish I could
say I thought to get you something, but alas, you're half the spine away. Party
at my place when you return. Merry Christmas!"
The vid ended with him raising a wine glass
in salute.
"Jane?"
"Jon?"
"What did you do?"
"For Eric?"
"No, for bloody Norbett. Of course
Eric."
"I tinkered around with some of those
computers we pulled out of the Midgard ships, the ones we replaced with modern
fighter ones. They were a bit advanced for Wing Commander, but I managed to
slow them down. I added a number of them together, all doing different speeds,
and cobbled together an operating system which would select the right hardware
for each game. Getting the vid to work with modern units was the really hard
part, but I managed it. The computer works with standard PC hollo tech now, so
Eric's PC can interface the old tech computer, and he can play it on a flat
screen with hollo controls."
"Where's mine?"
"Sorry?"
"You did all that for Eric. Where's
mine?"
"Oh. I sort of thought you were beyond
that now. After all, life has been emulating a computer game for you for quite
some time now. Isn't reality enough for you?"
I sighed.
"Nicely side tracked by the way. So
what's going on?"
"Why would anything be going on?"
She batted her eyelids at me. I wasn’t
having it though, not this time.
I opened my mouth, but she beat me to it.
"Priority email coming in."
It was from Miriam. I threw her to the wall
as well. It was a full 3d hollo.
I paused it as soon as it started.
For some reason she was naked.
I looked at Jane.
"Now what did you do?"
"Who, Moi?"
I debated asking her to leave, but then,
she could view the email any time she wished anyway, and probably already had.
And if she left, I might lose the chance to get a straight answer out of her.
I code locked the door so I wouldn’t be
interrupted, and restarted the vid.
The hollo realigned itself, and extended
out, as the naked Miriam walked up close to me, and seemed to reach out of the
hollo and kiss me. She turned and walked back to where she started. I became
aware of blood pumping around my body.
"Merry Christmas Jon!" she said
with a huge smile on her face, and her arms held wide. "I didn’t know you
practiced Christmas until your present arrived. At home, we still celebrate for
Christmas day, but it’s a 'Happy Holidays' thing, not a religious thing. I
haven't actually been home for Christmas in several years now, and somehow, the
ASF never seems to be able to manage to deliver gifts either way on time. So to
have Jane turn up a little while ago, on the day, with a gift from you, was
awesomely special. Doubly so when I found it was a computer with the original
Wing Commander and X3 programs on it. Jon, I was impatiently waiting for you to
return so I could take some leave and accompany you home, because I wanted to
play those games on your old computer. Now? Well, I'm still looking forward to
seeing your home, but now I have something to keep me occupied through the
boredom of planet blockade duty."
"This," she indicated her body in
a very suggestive way, "is waiting for you to return. I've not forgotten
you Jonathon Hunter. I try hard not to think about you with someone else, but
damnit Jon, there better not be someone else in your spa the next time I see
you!"
For a moment she looked like a fierce naked
Amazon warrior. All she needed was a spear. Or maybe a Staff weapon. Her face
softened back into a smile.
"On your way back, come this way. I'll
have your present waiting for you. Greer sends his Christmas wishes as well. Merry
Christmas Jon!"
The vid faded. I sat there, somewhat short
of breath.
I looked at Jane, and opened my mouth to
ask her again.
She gave me the conspiratorial eye brow
lift, as yet another email highlighted itself on my pad. I threw the new vid to
the wall, wondering who it was this time.
"Merry Christmas Jon."
It was David Tollin.
"I know we don’t do Christmas as such,
but I thought I’d give you a heads up. There's a message from a Keeper
following, which was time locked for Christmas day. Not for December 25
th
,
for Christmas day. I've no idea what it says. It's being forwarded on with this
message. The station AI's are making preparations for parties this afternoon,
which I assume is your doing. I'm sending this off to you now, before we get
too involved with the day to come, as I expect, you will. I'm not sure where
you are, but wherever it is, have a good one. David out."
"What did you do Jane?"
"Do?"
"Station parties of my doing?"
"I've no idea what you're talking
about."
The pad highlighted a new email. I absently
threw it to the wall, but it refused to play.
"It's encrypted Jon, give me a
sec."
I waited while nothing became fuzz, and
finally a man I didn’t know.
"My Lord Duke. I am a Keeper of
Prophesy. Attached to this message is another. Please excuse them, they know
nothing other than you failed to return. We will meet in good time, and I will
have answers for your questions. We have our roles to play, and I know you are
where you need to be, doing what must be done. But at the time of recording
these messages, very little is clear to those who have just lost you, and must
await your return."
He looked sternly at me, as if seeing right
through me.
"By the time you return to Gaia, you
will know who to bring with you. There are those who need to know, and the
telling has been foretold. But until the door opens, secret this must all
remain. I know this will frustrate you, that here was the perfect opportunity
to give you answers, but prophesy is specific about such things. You have much
to do, and a long way to go, before you can return to us. Know that you do us
proud, and that we support every hard decision you must make. Merry Christmas,
Your Grace."
I sat there for a full minute, just
wondering why someone would send me something like that. Then I remembered the
attachment.
My parents were suddenly looking out at me,
from the Bridge of my father's ship. Nostalgia filled me.
"Merry Christmas Jon," they said
together.
"Yes, it sounds silly," said my Mum.
"But we were told to say it."
"Son," started my Dad, "at
the time we record this, you are unconscious in a hospital. We've had it
confirmed that you will be alright, but the Keepers won't allow us to bring you
home. They say you have enacted a level of prophesy, and must remain where you
are. As difficult as it is to just leave you there, we find we must. We are
assured that come December 25
th
, you will be healthy and happy, and
able to celebrate with friends. It's too far into the future for us to blindly
accept, but in the hopes the Keepers are correct, we couldn’t miss the
opportunity to leave you this message."
They looked at each other. Then back to me.
"We love you son," they said
together.
"Whatever you are doing, and whoever
you are with," went on Mum, "take the opportunity to celebrate life,
love, and good friends."
"Merry Christmas Jon. Happy New Year.
We love you."
The vid ended.
Tears in my eyes, I said quietly, "I
love you too. Merry Christmas."
Yet another email popped up. This time it
was Bob. He'd arranged the vid so he was superimposed over an external long
shot of his Shipyard.
"Merry Christmas my boy. I don’t know
how you did it, but I've got orders for Camels coming at me from all
directions. I've had to add new modules to the shipyard to keep up. And here
was me thinking your shipyard was going to put me out of business." He
laughed. "Wherever you are, I wish you a day to remember." He raised
a champagne flute, and the vid faded.
Meeeeeooooowwwwwwwwww!
"I think Angel wants in Jon,"
said Jane, who I'd forgotten was still sitting there.
I unlocked the door, and went over to open
it. Angel was sitting on the other side, her tail beating the floor in a
regular tattoo.
As soon as she saw me, she turned, waggled
her back paw at me, and shot off. Just what I needed, a pissed off puss.
I turned to return to my desk.
"Jon?"
I turned back. It was Aline.
"Yes?"
"Jeeves sent me to get you. Seems he
needs some help in your suite, and I'm not enough."
I looked in at Jane, still sitting at the
desk, still grinning.
"Do you know what's going on?" I
asked Aline.
"Me? Is something going on? Why would
I know?"
"Just wondered." I pointed the
way off the Bridge. "Onwards."
Angel appeared in midair as we approached
the access shaft. She landed nimbly on the deck and shot past us. I turned to
watch her, and she did a sliding U-turn, and came back at us faster, diving
straight out into the shaft. I ran to the edge and peered over, to see her
shoot out a deck down.
"How does Angel do that?" asked
Aline.
"You're asking me? I guess she and
Jane have worked out a system."
We jumped in ourselves, and swung off a
deck lower. I led the way to my suite.
Angel was on the top of her kitty castle,
with Nut hanging upside down a level above her. I was two steps past before it
registered, and I did a double take. I stopped, and looked properly. There were
two kitty castles there now, where there had been one only a couple of hours
earlier. And the new one was a level higher. I shook my head, and looked around
for Jeeves.
"Jeeves?"
There was no answer.
Instead, Aline came over to me, and kissed
me full on the lips.
"Merry Christmas Jon."
"Err," I said, not having
expected it from her. "Merry Christmas to you too," I said awkwardly.
"Let me guess, Jeeves didn’t need my help with anything. You just wanted
to get me alone?"
"Guilty as charged. I figured today
was going to be chaotic later on, so why not steal some quiet time now."
"Later on?" I looked at her.
"What do you know I don’t?"
"Nothing. Really! I'm guessing."
"Sure. And Jane has a red nose."
She giggled. I looked at her.
"Jon."
"Aline?"
She pushed me towards the bedroom.