Weight of Gravity

by Sheron Wood McCartha

  Richard exchanged a puzzled glance with Deuce. He decided patience would be best and held his tongue. He figured Elise would be amazed at this restraint. Elise… she was safe. She was all right. But… He must focus on Joel now. He turned to listen.

  Joel continued, staring into space. “I was really helpful on board the Seeker, though. I could sense when there might be a problem, and I would alert Braden. He would fix it before further trouble happened. My Talent came in handy there. Even better, people didn’t think I was a freak. We all were freaks. Read each other’s minds. Also, there were few emotional complications. Now, everyone wants their future told. Sometimes, it’s not so good, and they blame me. Some get really upset. It usually doesn’t end well.” He munched thoughtfully.

  Deuce laughed. “My telekinesis Talent means I carry the luggage or move the rocks. It’s not a comfortable Talent.”

  “Well,” Richard shifted in his chair. “My Talent entails getting impossible tasks dumped into my lap a lot.”

  “That doesn’t sound like fun.” Joel chewed a bit more on a second sandwich, which he had fished out of the bag. This one was tomato with a leaf and a white paste. The smile on his face indicated he liked that one, too.

  As he slanted a glance at Richard, Deuce said, “He can also travel in time, which is awesome, but like you, he doesn’t want a lot of people to know because …”

  Joel coughed. “They’ll treat him like he’s some sort of freak. I know.”

  Richard rubbed a knee. “Something like that.”

  “I guess getting a peek into the future is better than having to travel to it if it’s not the kind you, er, might want.”

  Richard nodded. “The problem is I have little control over where I go and when I get there. Also, I have to be careful not to change anything by doing something careless or stupid. It’s quite stressful.”

  Sighing, Joel said, “My problem is I only get flashes of stuff. I got an image of a space station blowing up, but no context.”

  “What!” Chills ran over Richard’s arm. “Did you really see a space station blowing up?”

  Joel’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Maybe I shouldn’t have mention that one.” He lifted his face. “It doesn’t always mean it will happen. The future is capricious. Like weaving a fine cloth, the end fibers flick around with possibilities until the present captures those in motion and ties it into the rest of the cloth and weaves a stable past. The future threads are only probabilities until woven into the fabric.”

  “But you can change the future.” Richard knew it could be altered, but unintended consequences made it dangerous.

  Joel’s gaze unfocused. “Ripping up the past usually damages the cloth.”

  “It may be necessary. Or taking action because of what you envision may bring about a better future.”

  Joel rubbed his face “At first, everything was fine here. Braden wanted me to go with the fleet, but I saw too much pain and suffering there. Also, so many in the fleet know about my visions, but only a few know about them here… at least at first.”

  He stopped to finish his drink and crumpled the bag. “But then, the dreams began to come again. Always screaming and explosions and ships and…” He rubbed his eyes. “I got awful headaches and wanted to be alone.” He threw the bag across the room. “Only they became more vivid when I was alone in the dark. Drugs helped, but not enough. No matter what I try, they won’t go away.”

  Richard’s hand patted Joel’s knee. “Can you describe any of these visions?”

  “They may not be true. You have to understand. But send me an artist, and I’ll describe what I can.” He eyed Deuce. “That is, if the person brings sandwiches when he comes, and isn’t too talkative or demanding, I’ll do what I can to help. But if I don’t like him, he goes, or her.”

  Deuce stood up. Across the room, the crumpled bag lifted into the air and flew into a trash can. “We all try to do what we can to make things better,” he said with a wink.

  Richard rose also. “We try our best.”

  Deuce's eyes widened, and he fiddled with an earpiece. An electronic button flashed on his belt. “We’re on our way back,” he said. “Be there soon.”

  After a pause, Richard asked, “When is a convenient time for someone to come back and bring an artist?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Come any time you want. I’ll know when they’re on their way.”

  Richard raised his eyebrows. “You will?”

  A shy smile appeared on Joel’s face. “I always know when something’s going to happen before it does.”

  Chapter 26

  Accusations

  “We’re not murderers,” protested a red-faced Tylin.

  “Nevertheless, you behaved like criminals, kidnappers to be exact,” Adrian retorted. “How can you deny it when your victim stands before you?”

  Eight Terrans crowded into Adrian’s office along with Elise, Merek, and Deidre.

  “Liberators.” Dazz stepped forward. “We believed we were releasing her from captivity.”

  Deidre rolled her eyes. “You expect us to swallow such lies?”

  His hands closed into fists. “It’s the truth.”

  Elise placed her hand on his shoulder. “No Dazz, it's not. I’m with Richard of my own free will. By my choice.”

  A sigh escaped from the young man. “We believed you were being held against your will.”

  “Did Elija tell you that? What were his exact words?”

  Their leader glared at her. “He said Richard was too controlling, and that you would be a strong and willing ally for the cause. So when the opportunity presented itself, we acted.”

  Elise frowned at the comment. She turned to Adrian. "They didn't hurt me. It was all just a misunderstanding."

  Adrian’s console flashed. He gazed down, pressed a button, and Carter entered.

  Surprised at the crowd in Adrian’s office, Carter’s eyebrows rose. “Tylin, Josh, Harry. Hello, everyone.”

  “You know these people?” Adrian straightened.

  Carter shrugged. “Some have worked with me.” He lifted his chin to peer among the group. “A few are from ships I’m not familiar with.”

  “Maybe a few could help you with the Earth2 project.” Elise turned to Carter. “Select who you think might work well with you. Pick only those you trust.”

  Now it was Tylin’s turn to frown. “No Alysian will let us arm Earth2.”

  Elise swung around to face Adrian. “Sure they will.” She shrugged. “None of the weapons will be aimed towards Alysia. They will only point outward toward any incoming comets, asteroids or aliens. I’ll convince them. It will be okay. Don’t worry.”

  At his console, Adrian choked and glared at her. “Richard is busy visiting Joel, and you are talking about comets, asteroids, and aliens. Why do I suddenly feel frightened?”

  Elise raised her hand to him. “Precautions, Adrian. It never hurts to take precautions.”

  Adrian pursed his lips, doubt plainly written on his face. He brushed the air. “Take these idiots and organize a team. Send me a report and keep me informed. Secure my station first, then see if Alysia will let you arm yours. I’ll be surprised if they do, but I’m willing to give your crazy scheme a shot if Richard supports it.”

  The panel opened, and the Terrans trooped out.

  “Wait,” Deidre protested. Looking at Adrian, she said, “We still have a dead girl and an unsolved murder.”

  Adrian rubbed his forehead. “I’ll have Deuce interrogate them in case they might know something … but I don’t think this lot did it. When the murder was taking place, they were on the other side of the station plotting a kidnapping.” Adrian waved to his guard who escorted them out, leaving Elise, Merek, and Deidre in his office. He faced the three standing before him.

  A smile curved Deidre’s mouth. She lifted an eyebrow. “That leaves her guard as the number one suspect. He could be part of a conspiracy to separate the Terran captain from Richard. To create a division between t
he two factions.”

  Merek stiffened.

  Elise put a reassuring hand on his arm. “No way. I trust Merek completely. He didn’t kill that girl.”

  Ignoring the comment, Deidre continued, “I have been told that he is augmented. A broken neck would be easy for him. Plus, we found him with her dead at the scene.”

  “Now, wait a minute,” Elise protested.

  Adrian’s lips tightened, and he nodded at her. “It might be a good idea to hold Merek, so we can watch him while you’re here.”

  Elise leaned forward. “You can’t do that. He’s my guard.” She pounded Adrian’s console. “That man’s job is to protect me.”

  Adrian leaned forward across the console to meet her face to face. “He may be your personal bodyguard, but this is my station, and I’m in charge here. I can do what I want, and I plan to keep him under observation until this is settled.”

  “What …” Merek’s head swiveled from Elise to Adrian and back. Then his gaze settled on Deidre who stood with a smug expression on her face.

  Adrian pushed the button again and three burly guards entered. He signaled to Merek. “Take him to lockup on module #4. Mrs. Steele will go with you to see him settled. He's to be treated with respect unless he resists. If he gives you trouble, use any means to take him down.”

  Merek’s eyes widened.

  So did Deidre’s smile.

  ***

  After leaving Joel’s unit, Richard was exiting the rail car on his way back to his area when Adrian appeared and caught his arm. “How did your visit go?”

  “He let us in, talked to us, and is willing to meet with an artist.”

  “Ah, then. A smashing success. That’s more than most visitors get.”

  “I give full credit to Deuce. I was impressed by Deuce’s handling of Joel. The kid has a bright future as an I.N.Sys agent.”

  Adrian nodded. “I agree. As young as he is, that kid has a way with people.”

  “I’ve noticed. How’s Elise?” Richard was still worried, even though Adrian had said she was fine. He didn’t trust the mostly Alysian personnel.

  “I’m afraid I wasn’t as successful with her. Your wife is very angry with me at the moment.” Adrian yanked on his arm. “Come with me quickly. I want you to observe something.”

  They ducked into a unit filled with plumbing and heavy equipment.

  “I told Deidre to wait in my office until the guards returned from locking Merek up.”

  “What! You locked up Merek? Whatever for?”

  “Shush.” Adrian held up his hand for silence. He pulled out a four by six-inch monitor and turned it on. A picture of Deidre sitting in Adrian’s office emerged.

  “She’s alone in my office. I told her I needed to check out a problem in the utility module that might take about twenty minutes. If she planted a tracker on me, she’ll see I’m here. I led her to believe Merek was my primary suspect so she would act more freely.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Watch. Not long ago, I made a point to mention to her that my office was secured from outside surveillance. But I lied,” he scoffed. “I put a camera in the picture frame and another one in the spine of a book. The microphone is in that pen by my coffee cup. Let’s watch what she does.”

  Richard saw Deidre spring out of her seat and check her wrist computer. She appeared to be setting a timer. After scanning the room, she slipped around to the other side of Adrian’s desk and shuffled through some papers while muttering. The microphone picked up, “I saw him hide that key. Ah, here under the cup.”

  Next to him, Adrian nodded. “I made sure she saw me slip it under that cup. She doesn’t miss much. She’s quite good at noticing what goes on around her. Makes her good at her job, among other things.”

  Now intrigued, Richard brought the small monitor closer. He observed as she unlocked a drawer and rifled through some papers. Laying them on the desk, she unlatched her wrist computer and took pictures. “Yes, yes,” she murmured. She looked around some more.

  Stuffing the papers back into the drawer, she locked it and slid the key back under the cup. A quick glance at the timer, and her brow wrinkled.

  With hurrying motions, she rooted through the rest of the drawers on the left, and finding a current station schedule, she took more pictures.

  “Where are the codes?” Her eyes landed on a wall safe. “Ah …” She glanced at the timer. “I need to find the combination. Somewhere easy but hidden.”

  She tapped her lips with a finger and narrowed her eyes. Then she reached under the desk. “Ha!” Her head ducked under the center drawer as she pried out a taped piece of paper. Quickly, she snapped more photos and retaped the slip of paper. Checking the timer again, she shook her head. After another quick scan of the room, and a smoothing of her top, she eased back into her seat.

  “Okay, let’s go.” Adrian gestured him forward

  “But she has your schedule, your safe combination, and top-secret papers,” Richard protested as he attempted to keep up with the fast-paced station manager. His legs had trouble coordinating in the unaccustomed lower gravity.

  Adrian noticed his problem and patted his arm. “It’s all right. Take your time. Actually, it’s better if you come in after me. Don’t say anything until she leaves, and afterward, I’ll explain everything.” The stationmaster loped into a connecting corridor and disappeared around a corner.

  Left behind, Richard feared he would get lost. Then he realized he would only need to head upward within the spiraling central cylinder. Adrian’s office, known as Central Operations, was near the bubble at the top.

  Huffing and puffing, he picked up his pace and used the handholds along the corridor when his balance became unstable. The whole time he thought over what had happened and tried to make sense of it. Fortunately, two muscular guards joined him as he rounded yet another module and fell in step alongside of him.

  “We’re here to escort you to Adrian,” one said.

  Relief washed through him. He slowed down to catch his breath. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I wasn’t sure I could find his office.”

  “No problem.” They slowed to his pace. “He asked that we mention your wife is safe.” The guards exchanged secret smiles. “But you must know she’s very angry at us. The station master ordered us to lock up Merek. It didn’t sit well with her.”

  Richard nodded. “Adrian told me. I’m glad I wasn’t around. You probably got an earful.”

  The guards exchanged more meaningful glances. They slanted a brief nod in his direction, along with poorly hidden grins. “She shouts some ear-burning words when she’s mad,” noted the blue-eyed guard, raising his eyebrows and shaking his head. His sandy-haired cohort at Richard’s right let out a snort.

  Within minutes, Richard spied Adrian’s heavy double-doored entrance.

  The guards’ faces turned serious as they stomped to a halt and stood before the station master’s office. One pushed the announcer, and Richard heard it chime. As the panel slid open, Deidre and Adrian could be heard speaking in reasonable tones, which surprised Richard. He decided it would be best if he kept quiet and simply listened. Nonetheless, it was difficult to contain his curiosity.

  However, as he entered, Deidre brushed past him, a triumphant expression on her face. He watched her exit, turn a corner, and disappear down the corridor.

  As the panel slid shut behind him, he regarded Adrian with astonishment. “You let her go.” His hand flailed out behind him as he swiveled to stare at the closed entrance.

  “I have no proof that she did anything wrong.”

  “We saw her…”

  “We saw her take a few photographs. That’s not a criminal act. She didn’t steal anything. She could make the argument that Trace ordered her to collect information.”

  “Trace wouldn’t …”

  “Oh, wouldn’t he?” Adrian cocked his head.

  Richard thought it over. “Okay, point taken.”

  “The point was that
I learned what I wanted to know.”

  “Which is what?”

  “She’s spying on me and wants the schedules and codes because she’s planning something.” Adrian drummed his fingers on his desk. “I just have to figure out what.”

  Brushing a hand through his hair in frustration, Richard said, “With those codes, she can break into any module on this station.”

  Why wasn’t Adrian more concerned?

  “What codes? The codes are locked in my safe.”

  Richard threw up his hands. “Okay, but she has the combination to your safe, which has the codes inside.”

  “Does she?” Adrian sat, shook his head, and gestured for him to sit too. “Why do you always underestimate me?”

  Richard pulled out the chair and plunked down as understanding dawned.

  Adrian leaned forward. “Don’t worry. For some unknown reason, the schedules will change. Also, that safe doesn’t have any codes inside it at the moment, and the other papers with top secret stamped on them are bogus. In fact, I’ve supplied misleading information which may disrupt, and possibly reveal, who’s she’s working with.” Adrian grinned at him. “I wasn’t sure if she was spying on me, but I had my suspicions. When I confronted Trace, he denied using her but admitted that he did have people who kept track of my activities. He said it was part of his job to keep an eye on critical installations. I believe that’s why Deuce hangs around with you.”

  Richard nodded. “Oh, I figured out Deuce a long time ago, and I’ve been glad to have him around. Deuce was Trace’s eyes and ears when we lived on the Terran station. Watched me like, what the Terrans call, a hawk. It’s a very sharp-eyed bird. Elise uses the phrase often. She has a whole number of confusing Terran phrases she likes to drop on me. Few of them make sense.”

  “You deserve watching.”

  Richard sent him a slow, wide smile. “I’m always in the middle of important events, so people better watch me.”

  Chapter 27

  Having a Ball