Freedom

by Maureen Toonkel

CHAPTER TWO

  June 18

  There was a tap on the door. Josh was running late. He had tossed and turned all night. When he had finally fallen asleep the alarm clock sounded shortly afterward. He hit the snooze button several times; so now, he was almost an hour behind schedule.

  There was another tap and someone shouted, “Laundry.” Josh recognized the voice. He pulled open the door. Keith Hampton was standing outside. Over his uniform top he was wearing the usual grey cobbler apron worn by the ship’s janitorial and housekeeping crew. The large red L embroidered on the left shoulder of the garment identified him as a member of the Laundry Division. He looked embarrassed.

  “I am sorry to disturb you, sir,” said Keith. “I didn’t think you would still be in your quarters.”

  “I overslept. Please come in.” Josh held the door open and Keith stepped in.

  “Keith, I am sorry about this,” Josh said.

  “It is not your fault, sir.” Keith glanced around the room. It was the first time he had ever been in the Captain’s private quarters. His eye caught the canvas patch with the number 1191 C pinned on the bulletin board.

  “I kept the whole shirt,” he told Josh.

  Josh smiled, “Yes, you would do that.” Then he looked straight into Keith’s eyes and softly asked, “Do you think you are having any issues because of being held captive as a slave?”

  “No, sir, not for being a slave.”

  “You are having other issues?”

  “Well…it’s nothing, sir.”

  “Are you talking about the treason?”

  “That certainly is an issue, but no, not that.”

  “Then what?”

  Keith stared at the floor. He could kick himself. How do I get myself into these situations?

  “Please, Lieutenant, you can tell me.”

  “It’s just that, I’ve lost my best friend,” Keith blurted out. “There’s some stuff going on with Beverly that I need to talk to someone about and Wayne’s not here.” I can just image what the Captain must think of me now.

  “Keith, I can empathize with you. You know that I have also lost my best friend. I would give anything to be able to talk to Paul right now and ask his advice on dealing with Dr. Berg.” Josh walked over and placed his hand on Keith’s shoulder. “I am here. You can talk to me.”

  “I appreciate that, Captain, but you are my superior. I wouldn’t feel right talking to you about my personal problems. They have nothing to do with my job.”

  “I guess you are right. It probably wouldn’t be proper. Perhaps I can get you promoted, and then we can be on more equal footing.”

  Keith sighed. “With all the trouble I am in right now, it is highly unlikely I could get a promotion.”

  Josh laughed. “You are right. It is more likely that I could get a demotion.” He took his hand off of Keith’s shoulder. “We better get to work or we’ll both be in more trouble.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Keith. He turned to leave and then turned back. “Do you have any dirty laundry?”

  “Good morning, Captain,” greeted Dave Andrews as Josh stepped out of the elevator. “We are approaching our destination. I estimate that we should reach Lexter in approximately 12 hours and 18 minutes.”

  “Thank you, Dave,” answered Josh. He slid into his chair and busied himself with his tablet, catching up on the UGC news for the day. He was aware that his Bridge crew were all looking at him, wondering why he was late, and waiting for an explanation. Well, they weren’t going to get one. Not because it wasn't any of their concern, but, well, he didn’t really know himself what had kept him up all night.

  “Captain,” said Dave after a while, “why is Lieutenant Hampton not at his post?”

  Josh looked up at Dave but did not answer.

  Diane Pearson piped up. “I believe that Keith is ill. Apparently he picked up some rare disease when he was down on Brisula.”

  Bonnie Shea, who was seated in Shasta’s usual seat at the helm, spun around. The quick movement made her silky, straight brunette, hair which barely touched her shoulders, flap across her face.

  “Keith is not sick,” she exclaimed as she shoved her hair back into place. “He has been demoted. He is working on the Laundry Crew. Yeoman Perez told me that someone saw him knocking on doors on Deck Nine early this morning.”

  “Lieutenant Shea,” said Captain Stoner sternly, “you need to be very careful before you spread around unconfirmed rumors.” He looked over at Lieutenant Pearson. “And that goes for you too, Diane.” He took a deep breath and then addressed Dave. “To answer your question, Commander, Lieutenant Hampton is not ill and he has not been demoted. He has temporarily been reassigned to the Laundry Crew. I expect that assignment to last for about a week.”

  “May I ask why?” inquired Andrews.

  “Orders from UGC.”

  “I assume it has to do with the sensitive matter we discussed yesterday.”

  “No. Ensign Glenna has similarly been reassigned to the Galley.”

  Diane broke in. There was an incoming call from Brisula. It was from Wayne Shasta.

  “Captain Stoner,” said Wayne. He sounded quite anxious. “Things are not going very well down here. The slaves are still locked up. They are still being fed fish. They are still sleeping on hay and—”

  “Lieutenant Shasta,” interrupted Josh, “I know that you want to help the slaves, and I do sympathize with their plight, but you need to be patient. Help is on its way. I am sure that UGC is doing everything it can to expedite the rescue mission.”

  “Sir, there is something wrong here,” insisted Wayne. “I can’t put my finger on it. It’s just a feeling. But it’s a bad feeling.”

  “Wayne, the whole time we were down there I had a bad feeling. It was not a very nice place. Being confined underground is an unnatural environment for most humanoids. Maybe you need to go up to the surface and get some fresh air.”

  “Yes, sir. But I don’t think it’s the air. I think some of the slaves are—” The line went dead.

  “Captain,” said Andrews. “Do you think there is a problem on Brisula?”

  “No,” answered Josh. “When we were in captivity Wayne became quite in tune with the slaves. Of all of us, he was the one who actually became one of the slaves. He felt their anguish and their hopelessness. He became their leader and promised to show them the way to freedom. He’s just anxious to make good on his word.”

  Josh grinned. He heard himself talking, and on the surface he believed what he was telling Dave, but there was another part of him that was worried. Wayne seemed pretty wound up. Was there something else going on? But what? The Gladiator had continued orbiting around Brisula for four days before leaving for Lexter. During that time the Gladiator crew had assisted Victor Torgenson and his team with setting up a camp on the planet’s surface. A small space pod with three mechanics from Space Station 16 arrived, and after settling into the campsite, they assisted Torgenson’s team in blasting a hole into the earth alongside the Boulder Entrance. Captain Torgenson had wanted to blow up the Boulder, and Josh had entered into a heated altercation with him. From his discussion with Salton, Josh had surmised that the Boulder Entrance held a sacred and historical significance in Brisulan history and therefore should not be destroyed. Captain Torgenson argued that boring a hole through the Boulder was the easiest way to gain access to Brisula City. And while it probably was, Josh held fast that the Boulder should not be demolished. Eventually, Josh won out, and a large shaft was created on the right side of the Boulder using several canisters of Composition C-4. It was a very delicate operation as they had to be careful not to disrupt the Zoo further to the right and not to go too deep for fear of entering the Graveyard below the Boulder Entrance area. The explosion was a success, and a temporary pulley dumbwaiter elevator was installed. It would do until the UGC Naval Architectural Engineering crew could arrive with an electric elevator. Once that elevator was in place, the plan was to use the space pod from Space Station 16, the Brisu
la 4 craft, the Architectural Engineering shuttlecraft, and Captain Torgenson’s space pod to begin evacuating the slaves to nearby Space Stations where they could receive medical attention, counseling, and relocation assistance. Josh thought that the process should have begun by now, but perhaps there was a delay in getting the elevator installed.

  “Lieutenant Pearson, please have the following personnel report to the Conference Room in two hours. We will be reviewing our assignment on Lexter. Dave Andrews, Dennis Pearson, Jackson Greene, and Dr. Marlana Berg.”

  The curtain was pushed open and a good-looking, dark-skinned man wearing a digital stethoscope around his neck entered the cubicle.

  “Good morning, Dr. Loring. How are you feeling today?” he asked.

  Paul Loring turned off the sound on his music player with his free hand. “Hello,” he said. “Are you the new chief medical officer?”

  “No. I am Dr. Tobias Carter. I have been assigned to replace Dr. Nancy Bartow, who has been permanently reassigned. Your replacement is Marlana Berg. She should be by to meet you later on today. I have gone over your chart, and I must say Nurse Rugan has done an excellent job.”

  “You will find that Amanda is an exceptional nurse.” Paul felt a pang of pain in his heart at the mention of Amanda. He hadn’t seen her since he told her that he loved her. Nurse Jill Mann had been the one carrying out all of Amanda’s orders. He longed to see her smile and hear her soft laugh. He missed just watching her sitting at her computer working on her reports. He wondered if she missed him also.

  “Can you tell me where we are?” Paul asked the doctor.

  “I believe we are approaching Lexter,” answered Dr. Tobias. “We should be stopping here for a while on an assignment.”

  “So, I will not be leaving yet.”

  “According to the orders in your chart, you are to be transported to the jail facility on Space Station 17. That would be another three days travel from Lexter.” The doctor flashed him a smile. “Now doctor, I need to do a complete physical exam. Dr. Berg will perform a psychological exam when she visits with you.”

  Paul shook his head and closed his eyes.

  Ensign Glenna backed into the Conference Room pulling a cart loaded down with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and bottles of soda, lemonade, and juices.

  Captain Stoner stopped talking and watched as the Ensign carefully transferred everything to the marble center of the large table. He had not gotten to know her very well during their time on Brisula. There was very little time when they were able to actually converse with one another. But with the little he had observed he was pretty impressed. She had withstood without complaint being tortured with electricity and digging in those dreadful pits.

  “Thank you, Ensign,” said Josh as Ensign Glenna began pushing the now empty cart out the door. Suddenly a thought came to Josh. I never actually apologized for calling her a slut. “Um, Beverly.”

  “Yes, sir?” She turned around to face the Captain.

  “I owe you an apology, which is long overdue. I am sorry for what I called you when we were on Brisula. It was not meant to be personal.”

  “I appreciate that, sir.” She blushed then gave the Captain a slight nod and left the room.

  “What did you call her?” asked Dennis, his curiosity getting the best of him. “It must have been something bad. She looked mighty embarrassed.”

  Josh chuckled to himself remembering the punch to his jaw that Keith landed. “Yes, it was pretty awful. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, the repairs to the telescope on Lexter. The high-powered telescope was damaged in a severe wind storm. This particular scope is considered very vital to the security of this region of the galaxy. Observation photographs and videos are sent continuously through the device to Earth. Due to our detour back to Brisula, there has been no surveillance of this section for nearly a month. It is, therefore, imperative that we complete these repairs as quickly as possible. Hopefully the damage is not too extensive, as making the repairs can be tricky due to the extreme conditions on the surface of Lexter. As you are aware, Lexter is an uninhabited asteroid with an average temperature of minus forty degrees Fahrenheit.” He turned to Dr. Berg who was seated on his left. “Dr. Berg, with that outdoor temperature what clothing do you recommend the landing party needs to wear, and how long can they safely be exposed to this environment?”

  “You will be outfitted in thermal snowsuits with hoods and face masks. However, it is also advisable to wear additional layers of thin warm clothing including heat retaining socks and leg warmers. Mittens are better than gloves, but since you need your hands to do repairs, that will of course not be practical.” She grinned and all in the room except for Josh laughed. “I suggest keeping the mittens on over some gloves when you are not using your hands. It is best to have no flesh exposed. Exposed flesh will freeze and result in painful frostbite. We want to avoid hypothermia at all costs as this is a very serious and often a fatal condition. And for that reason I am restricting outdoor exposure to only one hour every three hours.”

  “Thank you, doctor,” said the Captain. “This means that we will need to do as much of the repairs aboard ship as possible. The repairs that have to be completed on the surface will need to be done in one hour shifts. Dave, once we arrive I would like you, Denny, and Officer Greene to convey down to Lexter and analyze the damage. Prepare a report with recommendations and present it to me. I will then form a repair team. Any questions?”

  “No, sir,” answered Dave.

  “Good. Let’s eat, and then you can start preparing for your assignment.” Josh reached for a roast beef sandwich. The satellite phone on his belt pack sounded. He pulled back his hand and instead reached for his phone.

  “Captain Stoner,” he said.

  “Sir, I am sorry to bother you, but Wayne Shasta would like to speak to you. He said it was very important,” Diane Pearson said hesitantly.

  “It’s OK, Lieutenant. Transfer the call.” Josh pushed the speaker button. “Are you there Lieutenant Shasta?”

  “Captain!” shouted Wayne. “Something strange is going on here. Captain Torgenson is treating the slaves badly. The rescue effort is being stalled.”

  “Lieutenant, you need to be patient. These things take time. UGC is committed to this project. I assure you the slaves will be freed.”

  “But sir, Captain Torg— OWWWWWWWW!—”

  “Lieutenant! Lieutenant! Wayne! Wayne!” The line went dead.

  Josh dialed Diane. “Lieutenant, try to get Wayne Shasta back on the line.”

  Josh looked at Dave Andrews. Dave stared back at him for a few seconds and then shifted his gaze to the wall alongside the doorway.

  “We need to go back to Brisula,” stated Josh.

  “What did you say, Captain?” asked Dennis Pearson.

  “You heard me, Denny. We need to go back to Brisula,” repeated Josh.

  “Captain, are you sure?” asked Dave.

  “Absolutely. Didn’t you hear Lieutenant Shasta? He’s in trouble.”

  “We don’t know that,” inserted Dr. Berg. “He could have tripped on something or stubbed his toe.”

  “He has been calling for a couple of days saying that something’s wrong.”

  “Yes, but he hasn’t been able to tell you exactly what’s wrong. It’s probably some residual psychological stress from the ordeal he suffered as a result of being in captivity,” responded Dr. Berg.

  Josh stood up. He was furious. “Dr. Berg, you can take your—” Josh caught himself. “I don’t believe Wayne suffered any psychological damage. He is in trouble. We are going back to Brisula.” Josh flipped open his phone and dialed his navigator.

  “Ensign Saad. Please set a course—”

  “Captain,” interrupted Dr. Berg, “you are forgetting that you do not currently have the authority to make that decision.”

  “Ensign Saad, please stand by.” Josh snapped his phone shut.

  “Sir, should I summon Lieutenant Pearson to join us so that she can assist in pre
paring a priority request to UGC for approval to return to Brisula?” asked Dave Andrews.

  “No, Dave. That’s not what Dr. Berg is referring to,” answered Josh. He slumped down in his chair. Now what? How did things get so crazy? Wayne is in trouble. I know it. We have to go back. Something is wrong. How am I going to get Dave to turn the ship around?

  “Until I submit to a psychological evaluation and I am found psychologically sound, I am restricted from making critical decisions without the approval of both my first and second command officers. So, it looks like we are going to have a problem.”

  “I don’t see that there will be a problem, sir,” said Dennis. “Andrews and I have full confidence in your decisions. Whatever you want to do, we will back you.”

  “Thank you, Denny, I appreciate your faith in me. Unfortunately, you do not have a vote in this matter.”

  “What? I am third in command,” exclaimed Dennis.

  “Not any more,” said Josh. It was something he had meant to tell Dennis last night, in private, as he knew it was going to be painful for him to hear. Denny was very proud of his rank aboard the Gladiator and he valued the times when he was able to assume command. There were still going to be times when he’d be able to command but it would be far less often. It is a shame, thought Josh. Denny is a good leader. Damn her! “Dr. Berg has 31 days more seniority as a lieutenant commander than you.”

  Dennis Pearson’s mouth hung open in disbelief. He couldn’t believe it. He had just been bumped down a notch. He had worked very hard to get where he was and even had ambitions of rising to commander. This was a step backward. He looked over at Commander Andrews and he was certain that he saw a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. Now he would have to be subjected to taking even more crap from him.

  “Well, I guess I am no longer needed here,” he announced and headed for the door.

  “Please return to your seat, Dennis,” ordered Captain Stoner.

  “What for?” replied Dennis as he continued moving toward the exit.