The Apprentice Starship Engineer: Book One The Link (18 page)

With the communication, I was faced with the reality of my situation. In a few days, I’d be separated from the woman I loved for years, at least three or four. Maybe I’d never see her again. I remembered our conversation about having a dream. She’d said those people who had a dream were the strongest. I thought about being a farmer on Mars with Sandra and six kids. It was a hard life. It’s always a struggle to keep everything running. I could buy out the Jacksons and we could live right next to Mom and Dad. Great, I thought. I’ll share this dream with her. We’ll make it a reality together.

Sandra and I spent the last four days talking about our dream of farming on Mars, even picking out the names for our children. We laughed together and talked about everything. It was a wonderful time.

A few hours before we docked with the
Armstrong
, Sandra pulled me into our cabin. “We might not have another chance to talk alone. If something happens, I hope you make our farm a reality. I just wanted you to know that, and I love you.” She gave me a hug. “I have something for you.” She walked across the room. “Tasori gave this to me. He thinks that by studying it you’ll find a way to stop the Link.” She pulled out a ball. It was silver and dull black, and didn’t look marred, although I clearly remember hitting it with the rail gun. She set it in my hand. “This,” she said, holding up a fake tooth, “will attach to your back molar. It has a receiver that appears to be made from the same material as the core. You’ll be searched. We got you a new bag to hide the core. Put Margret in the bag also. I’ll attach this to your molar for you. Keep it safe. Now sit and open wide.” She scraped around and attached the fake tooth. “That molar has a memory chip in it. Also any IR device can access it, but you have to stick it into your mouth.” She laughed.

“Where did you learn this stuff?”

“I was a spy. I can’t tell you any more than that.”

“You’re a scary girl. I’ll miss you.” I pulled her to me. We held each other desperately, as if by doing so we could stop the inevitable, but the call came. We’d docked with the
Armstrong
and would begin the transfer of personnel.

She pulled away, wiping her eyes. “I have to go now.” She turned toward the door.

“Sandra, don’t.”

“I can’t go over it again. You’re leaving. That’s final,” she said over her shoulder as she continued walking toward the door. She stopped and leaned her head against the doorway. “Drake, I love you. I have to do this. I’ll make it right with you when we’ve won.” She left the room.

“What the hell can you do with one ship? At best it’ll be suicide,” I said to the closed door.

“Mike made Octella CO of Tangent. Maybe she knows,” Margret said.

“Where is she?”

“Main control.”

It was hard to make my way through the ship. Everyone was going someplace in a hurry. I placed my hand on the reader for the control room and was denied entrance. I requested an escort, and Tamal arrived, letting me inside.

“You should be on your way to the
Armstrong
,” he said as he led me into the control room.

Seeing me enter, Octella rose from her command post and waved me to follow her into a side conference room. “Surprising to see you. I thought you’d be spending these last seconds on your knees, begging Sandra to help you stay.”

I frowned. “Thanks, that was nice. No, I came here to give you Tangent’s code. I don’t know what Mike’s mission is. We should all run. I’m giving you Tangent’s code so you can prevent Mike from committing suicide and protect Sandra for me.”

She laughed. “You’re asking the woman who loves you to save another who you love?”

“Yes, I am. I love you too. Please take care of yourself.”

“Drake, you’re killing me. Give me the code. I’m so sick. I’ll do anything you ask of me.” I handed her Margret, who displayed the code.

After taking Margret back, I paused and touched her hand. “Thanks, Octella. Take care,” I said as I left.

I grabbed my bags and joined the other pilgrims filing off Tangent. Near the door Bachnon grabbed my arm. “Drake, I’ve been waiting for you. I have a present for you.” He pulled a necklace out of his bag and then placed it over my head. “It’s a custom of our women to make a charm when young men they love go on a trek. The women of my village have adopted you, and made this for you. The three jewels have meaning and are magic. The green one is for your protection, blue for strength and perseverance, red for success. We know you’ll find a way to defeat the Link. Our hopes and prayers go with you.” He gave me a quick hug and then disappeared.

Chapter 14: Journeyman

Walking off Tangent, I felt depression descend upon my shoulders. Everything was lost—my wife, my future. I looked around. We had no way to defeat the Link. It had a thousand ships. We should run.             

I saw Jenny first. She stood by a nice-looking guy in a way that spoke volumes. She gave me a hug that my mom might. She acted awkward at first, then settled as we continued into the
Armstrong
.

“So aliens, battles, adventures and pretty natives. You’ll have to tell us everything,” Jenny said.

“Oh, you know me. I have my studies, no time for romance,” I said with a laugh. She scowled. Her boyfriend just grunted.

Jack stood next to Kathy. She had an arm around his waist. They looked happy together. She gave me a motherly hug. It was wonderful to be back.

Jack reached out his hand. “Glad you’re back. Looks and sounds as though you’ve had a rough trip.” I took his hand. He was one of my best friends, and I was glad for him that he had Kathy. “Let me get your bag,” he added.

Margret interrupted us. “Drake, the captain called. She wants to see you in her office now, honey.”

“Go ahead, Drake. I’ll get your stuff. Oh, you have a new cabin near engineering. Margret can give you directions. Margret, will you let me into Drake’s room with his bag?” Jack asked.

“Oh, course I will,” she said.

“Thanks, Jack. I’d better get going. Oh, how is Bob doing?”

Jack frowned. Kathy squeezed his waist, giving him a protective look. He looked down. “Ah, he’s having a tough time.” His eyes sparkled. “Vivian, of course, is at his side. He’ll be better. It’s just he snapped and isn’t himself. Doc says Bob may never recover, but, shit, that guy is a quack. What the hell does he know?” He turned his head to hide his tears. Bob and Jack were close. I resisted an urge to give him a hug. Better to leave that to Kathy.

“Shit. I’ll go see him after I’m done with the captain. Damn, I have to go. Thanks for the help with my bag, Jack. See you in the morning.” I glanced at Kathy. She looked at Jack with concern. “Thanks for meeting me, Kathy, Jenny, and nice meeting you, Richard,” I said.

Hurrying on my way to the captain’s office, it felt nice and familiar to be back on the
Armstrong
. I nodded to people I knew. A few tried to stop to welcome me back, but I fended them off, promising to meet up with them later.

As I entered the captain’s office, my brain did a complete reboot. Two stern-looking types were standing by the door in military uniforms. Captain Ramon, a good-looking woman, looked hot in her military uniform. I wondered if I should salute or something. She motioned for me to take a seat next to Diane.

“You’re on, captain. Ship wide,” a young uniformed woman said.

“Due to the threat of hostile alien beings I’m taking military command of this ship under provisions of the second new Parliament Universal Charter. I’m declaring a state of emergency. All private citizens are required to follow any lawful order given by any member of the military.

“An extraordinary event has occurred. Humans have met aliens, and they’re hostile. My orders are to destroy ourselves rather than lead a hostile enemy to our home, but we have valuable information the fleet needs, so we’re going there.

“At this time, inactive fleet personnel aboard ship are now activated. Please wear your uniforms and report to number three.” She waved to the young woman, closing the communication. Captain Ramon stared at me. Her eyes were steel. “The two of you set up a council of sorts and took command of the landing party. You have a lot to explain.”

“Yes.” I looked around the room. “And so do you, captain. You left us with no command structure. That’s a violation of union contract,” I said.

She looked around the room. “Okay, Drake, stay here.” She pointed at the young woman. “Sonny, make sure he’s comfortable.” The young woman nodded as the captain left with her entourage.

I was soon bored. To amuse myself I asked Sonny for water, then watched her get it. She was an attractive girl with a great walk, fun to watch.

She set it next to me, giving me a smile. “You wouldn’t be the first man to get in trouble with the captain by looking at her daughter that way,” she said.

Taking her hint and feeling embarrassed by getting caught looking at her, I pulled out Margret and started studying. I’d caught up to where I wanted to be on Tangent, and in a few weeks, I was sure I’d pass my final test.

“Young man, I hope for your sake you aren’t watching porn in my office!” Captain Ramon said as she entered the room.

Surprised, I turned off the lecture on sting theory. “No… never.” I sputtered. Sonny giggled.

Marcel raised her hand to stop me. “Of course that’s what everyone says. You’re straight ridged and dull. You were studying so you can take your final exams in a week?”

Now I could feel my face flush. “Yes, captain. That’s right. I’ll pass them with honors in a week.”

“We’re alone. Call me Marcel. My daughter, Sonny,” she said.

“Ah, okay, Marcel.”

She smiled. “So you set up a command structure of your own with yourself in charge. You’re a gutsy young man.”

“No, nothing like that.”

She frowned. “What do you mean? The report from Professors Jackson and Hinton charge you with leading a mutiny.”

“That isn’t what happened.”

“Tell me, why should I not throw you into the brig, young man?”

I pulled out Margret and sent the captain the legal file. “Before you do, you should review this file. The professors might want to review parts. Also they’ll want to drop all charges against any action taken on the planet 9732.”

She looked at her assistant. “So you’re saying you acted within your union contractual rights then?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, Sonny, you’re excused. Wait outside.”

After the door shut, Marcel got up and went to the counter and then poured two drinks. She handed me one. She sat. “We have a problem. Can we work it out?”

“Hope so. I don’t want to go to the brig.”

“You and Sandra are you still together?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Good, she might be away for a time. Don’t get weird about what happens when you’re away from each other. Give her and yourself extra slack. Bit of advice. I’ve been married for twenty-five years, and have been away for years at a time. We love each other, but that doesn’t mean we’re dead. You must love her to have busted my chops over her. Seems every time you and I get together I lose and you win.”

I sipped my drink. “Captain, what do you want?”

“Ha, those two professors off my back and you out of my life.” She laughed.

“May I show you something?” She nodded. “Margret, show the captain the massacre.”

On the wall the scene at the base camp was displayed. I took a long sip of my drink. The captain gasped, then swore, and before the video was over, she called security, ordering them to lock up both professors.

She looked at me. “Charges won’t stick to the bastards, but the publicity could ruin them.”

“So the two professors are off your back.”

She continued to look at me as she sipped her whiskey. “Now how do I get rid of you?”

“I want to join fleet as an officer, and be allowed to study at Rodriguez Academy of Science.”

“Good dream. My daughter wants to go there.”

“It’s a large place. I doubt we’ll run into each other.”

“One can only hope. So, what do you want from me?”

“Your recommendation for officer’s school.”

She shook her head. “I’ll write you a recommendation, not because I like you. I do, by the way. I’ve never met anyone who deserves it more. God help the fleet. They’ll need it.” She took another sip of her drink. “Drake, please keep my ship running, okay?”

“Thank you, captain. We’ll keep it running, Jack and me.”

On the way to my quarters, I stopped by medical to see Bob. He sat on the couch in his room. Vivian was at his side.

“Ah,” I said as I sat, “how are you doing, Bob? They treating you right?”

“I’m doing well, and they’re treating me good. I heard rumors about you getting married and having to leave your bride.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” I said, not really wanting to talk to him about it.

“Spacers are always leaving their lovers behind. Don’t worry about her having a fling when you’re not around. Cut her slack. She loves you. Be easy on yourself too.” I nodded, thinking about Octella. My life was a mess. “You do that, boy, and always remember crazy Bob. I’m crazy but happy.” He patted Vivian’s hand. “Don’t worry, Vivian, I’ll get well for you.”

“Bob, Vivian, I have to go. It has been a long day. I’ll come back and visit soon.” I excused myself.

Following Margret’s directions, I found my new quarter’s right across the hall from engineering. Compared to my old ones on the
Armstrong
it was wonderful. On one end of the room sat a desk with a bunk built in above it. On the left side was a huge locker with four doors. Across from that sat a small couch. Beside that was a narrow door that led into a private bathroom with a shower. It was a suite.

As I put my clothes away, I thought about the quarters on the
Tangent
. The best part of that was Sandra. I missed her.  I fondled my necklace. If I don’t find a way to stop the Link, Sandra would be captured, a fate worse than death. Firming up my resolve, I continued unpacking. If I made any other decision, she’d suffer a horrible end. I had to stop the Link for her.

The next day I stopped in and got donuts and coffee. I caught Kathy and Jack kissing next to the maintenance door. Kathy gave my donuts a disapproving look, but said nothing as she headed off to her duty station. Jack tried to wipe her lipstick off his face as he walked into the shop. I followed him into his office and set what I carried onto his desk. After taking a seat, Jack joined me. We were both quiet, enjoying our coffee.

“Everyone has been telling me what a great job you did planet side. Good work on that force field. That was tricky,” Jack said.

I was still thinking about Sandra, and just grunted an acknowledgement.

Jack tapped his console screen. “Hmm, more of the same hot sections need cooling adjustments, and it’s time to check the air system. We need to check power bus two. We’re getting power loss. Might be loose connectors. Let’s split up these cooling complaints, knock them out and meet back here before lunch. Then check out the bus and air system.” He tapped the screen. Margret chirped at his incoming message.

I grabbed my tools and then headed out. The first call was to dining hall three. Just another day in maintenance. One day followed the next, and I found myself always looking for Sandra.

Kathy stormed into the shop. She wasn’t happy. “Drake, we know you’re smart, but the final test covers everything you’ve studied. You’re doing it early so you have to score better than a ninety percent. If you blow it, you’ll have to wait. You won’t be able to retake the test before your four years of hands-on training is finished. Two years and three months to be exact.” She paced across the shop floor. I watched her. She is still beautiful, I thought. “At least take the pretest and study guide and look at it.”

“Kathy, I know you mean well, but I have my own way of studying, and I never cram. Don’t worry.”

Kathy sighed. “Okay, you’re, of course, right, but we aren’t going to celebrate by drinking Jack’s piss water. We’re going to go to a bar and drink real drinks this time.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Jack shook his head. “My stuff is better and cheaper.”

* * * *

Stepping out of the shower, I said, “Margret, don’t be angry. I have to leave my eye behind too. You know the rules. No electronics in the test. We’ve been through this. Look up how I can gain twenty pounds of muscle and get ready for officers training.”

“Well, you should put on forty pounds. You’ll need lots more self-defense training,” she said.

“I’m serious. Find out the best way. Get me scheduled with the good doctor. I’ll need his help.” After I pulled my clothes on, I looked at Margret. “I hate leaving you behind. I’ll be back soon.” I shut the door behind me.

I walked down the hall. I passed someone. They let out a gasp and stared at me.

“Sorry, I had to leave my eye.” I covered up my empty eye socket. Stopping by a first aid kit, I took a bandage and covered it.

Entering the testing room, I stopped in midstride. Captain Ramon was seated in the proctor’s chair.

She smiled. “Close your mouth and take a seat. People have suggested you’ve cheated on your tests so I’ve come to see. Take your seat.” I sat. “What’s that on your eye? Take it off.” I pulled off the bandage. “Oh, of course.” She looked at the empty socket. “I’m not offended. You may leave it off if you wish.”

I slid the bandage across the table and smiled.

“This is a four-hour test with one break. You’re allotted two hours for each section. If you finish early, the time can be used on the other section. Do you have any questions, Drake, and are you ready?”

“One moment.” I rolled up my sleeves, then rolled my arms over so she could see each side. “I don’t cheat. I work hard. That’s how I do so well. I’m ready.”