by Ricky Sides
The Peacekeeper would be leaving in an hour. The ship was taking aboard supplies and personnel. Namid had promised to report for duty by the time they were ready to take off, and then she’d gone to speak to Jeff about the option. She walked toward the small officer’s club that Jeff frequented on his time off.
As she opened the door to the officer’s club, she saw one of Jeff’s friends sitting at a table drinking iced tea. The man dropped his glass when he saw Namid. “Namid,” he spluttered, spewing a quarter mouthful of his tea. “Jeff isn’t here today. I think he went to the motor pool,” the man said.
Namid didn’t even hear the man’s attempt to divert her attention. She was staring transfixed as she watched Jeff kissing a young woman who was sitting in his lap in the corner booth. “I’ve been a fool,” Namid said quietly to herself as she turned and walked away.
“I’m sorry Namid. You deserved better,” Jeff’s friend said. He cursed under his breath as she walked out the door and softly closed it behind her. He started to get out of his chair to go inform Jeff that Namid had finally caught him in the act, but then he shrugged and resumed his seat. Jeff had told him several times that his romantic life was none of the man’s business. Jeff rushed past the man, and out the door. Apparently, he’d seen Namid as she was leaving.
As she walked back toward the Peacekeeper, Namid remembered several instances that she’d seen hints indicating she wasn’t the only woman in Jeff’s life. But she’d trusted him when he’d smoothly explained away every instance. She was half way to the ship when Jeff caught up with her. He grabbed her arm and spun her around. Namid reacted just as she’d been trained to react to such an attack during her training sessions. Her right palm shot up and out striking Jeff in the nose.
“I’ll say this just once, Jeff, so listen and listen well. Don’t you ever touch me again,” she warned, then turned to walk away.
Jeff was stunned. He wasn’t really hurt. He’d had the time to pull his head back, taking much of the power out of the blow. But he was surprised. Namid had never behaved violently outside the cockpit of her fighter in his presence. He ran after her again, calling to her as he ran.
Namid ignored him and continued walking at a rapid pace. Her knee ached from the pace she set, but she didn’t care. She was on the verge of tears, and she was determined not to let Jeff see her cry. She just wanted to get back to the ship and lock herself in her room for a while.
Jeff caught up to her again but didn’t touch her. Instead, he said, “Namid, please stop and let me explain.”
“I’ve got eyes, Jeff. I don’t need a description. Now leave me alone,” she said.
Jeff reached out and grabbed her again. This time when Namid reacted violently, he ducked under her strike, and then grabbed her arm. He pulled her toward him and wrapped her in a bear hug, holding the struggling woman with her arms pinned to the sides of her body.
“That’s enough, Jeff. Let her go now,” Lieutenant Wilcox said.
“Stay out of this, Jack. This doesn’t concern you,” Jeff said.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but if you don’t release her right now, you and I are going to have a problem,” the lieutenant stated unequivocally. He reached out, grabbed Jeff’s wrist, and twisted it free of Namid’s body. Taking a step toward Jeff, the lieutenant shoved the man away from Namid. “I said that’s enough,” the lieutenant said loudly.
“You’ve been after her for months. I guess it was you that told her I was cheating on her,” Jeff said accusingly.
“He didn’t say a word to me, Jeff. I had to catch you red-handed. We’re through. Stay away from me, and don’t ever come near me again,” Namid reiterated. She turned and walked hurriedly toward the Peacekeeper bay door.
“This isn’t over, Jack. Not by a long shot,” Jeff warned.
“Unfortunately for you, yeah it’s over, Jeff. You were a damned fool, and you blew it with her. Don’t add stupidity to the list,” Lieutenant Wilcox stated with a hard-eyed gaze.
“Is there a problem boss?” Sergeant Thompson asked. He’d seen the altercation and walked over to intervene if necessary.
“No problem, Sergeant. Jeff was just saying goodbye to Namid, weren’t you Jeff?” the lieutenant asked the pilot, giving Jeff a way out with at least some dignity, if he wanted it.
“Yeah,” Jeff said. He turned and walked away angrily.
“Sergeant, get two men on the bay door. No unauthorized visitors are to enter while we are taking on supplies and men,” the lieutenant ordered.
“Yes, sir,” the sergeant responded.
***
The ship was in flight for Texas when Namid walked into the control room and volunteered for service as escort fighter pilot for the new ship. But to her surprise, Jim said, “See me in a week if you still want to volunteer, Namid.”
“What?” she asked in confusion. “I thought you’d be pleased,” she said.
“I am, just see me in a week and if you still want the job, it’s yours,” Jim said.
“Yes, Captain,” said Namid, and she left the control room.
As she was walking past the original Peacekeeper mess hall, Namid saw Lieutenant Wilcox sitting at a table nursing a cup of coffee. On impulse, she entered the room to speak to the lieutenant. Stopping in front of him, Namid asked, “Did you tell the captain about the altercation with Jeff?”
“No, I didn’t,” the lieutenant responded.
“He didn’t need to tell me anything. I was standing on the cargo ramp, when the incident occurred,” Jim said from behind Namid. He entered the room and helped himself to a cup of coffee. He took a careful sip then turned to look Namid in the eyes. “Namid, you’re a fine officer, and the best fighter pilot in the peacekeepers. I’d love to have you as an escort for the new ship, but not under these circumstances. I won’t accept your volunteer status until you’ve had time to cool down and settle your personal problem with Jeff.”
“Sir, with all due respect, my personal life is my business,” she said angrily.
“Not when it affects the safety of my ship and crew,” Jim countered. “Just calm down and wait. If you still want the job in a week, it’s yours. I don’t want you to join me today and regret it tomorrow. If you join me at the citadel, I want you to be as happy as you’ve been since you’ve been assigned to the Peacekeeper, and for the record, I hope you do decide to reapply in a week. I’d feel much better about the safety of the new ship and crew if I knew you were watching our backs, but that’s true only if your heart is in it,” Jim said and then he left to return to the control room with his coffee.
“Coffee, Namid?” asked the Lieutenant, breaking the uncomfortable silence as he got up to pour himself another cup.
“Yes, please,” responded Namid. She felt uncomfortable about the discussion, which had just taken place in front of the lieutenant, and felt she owed him an apology. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I should have known you wouldn’t interfere.”
“Actually, I would if I thought an issue endangered the crew,” the lieutenant said honestly.
“That’s fair enough,” replied Namid soberly.
He handed Namid her cup of coffee and gestured for her to have a seat with him. When they were both seated, he said, “Jeff’s a good man. He’s just one of those people who never really seem satisfied in a monogamous relationship,” the lieutenant said. Shrugging his shoulders, he added, “Maybe you can change him.”
“I’d rather not even talk about him, Jack,” Namid said. She noted that the lieutenant had added cream to her coffee, even though she’d neglected to state that preference, and she wondered when he’d learned that she liked cream in her coffee. “Can I ask you a personal question, Jack?” she asked.
He looked up in surprise and said, “Yes, you can ask me anything you like.”
“That night in the starlight outside the tunnel, when Clarissa had gotten away and we were waiting for the Peacekeeper to land and pick us up, I noted a look you gave me. I had the feeling there
was something you wanted to say, but you didn’t. What was on your mind at that particular moment?” she asked.
“Namid, if I answer that question it would just complicate your life. Why don’t you ask me in a week? If you still want to know, I’ll answer your question,” responded Jack.
“Is that the same response I will get from you too?” Namid asked.
“I really don’t want to make things any harder for you than they already are,” he answered and smiled at her.
“I’m a big girl, Jack, so out with it. I don’t like playing games. Life is too short for that,” Namid said.
“Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Jack said. Leaning back in his chair, he looked her in the eyes and said, “You were standing there holding that little girl you’d rescued from Clarissa. There was dirt in your hair from the cavern system. You had a smudge on your cheek. I remember it well. At that particular moment, I thought you’d never looked more beautiful. For a moment, I was tempted to tell you that, as well as how I feel about you. But you were interested in Jeff.” Shrugging his shoulders, Jack said, “I saw no reason to complicate your life.”
“I thought it was something along those lines,” Namid responded in the awkward silence that followed.
“I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable,” Lieutenant Wilcox said.
“You didn’t, but you’re right, it would have complicated things back then. Hell, it complicates things now,” she admitted.
“I tried to warn you,” he replied with a wan smile.
“Yes, you did warn me. But I wanted to know,” she said. Looking up into his eyes, she added, “You’ve given me a lot to think about. I noticed the way you treated me that night. Taking your shirt off and wrapping it around us when we were cold was another incident I recall. That was such a thoughtful and caring gesture. But I’d just initiated the relationship with Jeff a few hours earlier, so I told myself it didn’t mean anything special.”
“It meant I cared about your comfort and that of the child as well,” Jack stated.
Smiling at him, Namid replied, “I think I’ll take you up on that offer to see you in a week and continue this conversation. The captain’s right, and so are you. I need some time to make sure I’m not rushing into anything.” Pausing, Namid grinned at Lieutenant Wilcox and added, “But just so you know, I’ve always thought you were a great guy.”
“That’s a good place to start,” the lieutenant stated, returning Namid’s smile.
Chapter 10
When the Peacekeeper arrived at the citadel, the peacekeepers found everything exactly as they’d left it. The moment the ship landed, Lieutenant Wilcox and his old strike force team exited to scout the area. He was taking his old team on the mission because they had recently visited the site, and would more readily know if anyone had been there in their absence.
The new strike force team, which would be serving under Lieutenant Wilcox at the base, handled the security detail for the grounded ship. Namid flew a spiral search pattern, scouting the area for any sign of people. Both drones hovered protectively near the mother craft.
Thirty minutes after they landed, the strike force team returned and reported that there was no evidence that anyone had been here, beyond the crew of the Texas who had brought the geothermal generator crew in to visit the site the day before.
Namid radioed in that she had completed her search perimeter, and there was no sign of human presence. She confirmed that she was on the way back to the ship, and should arrive within minutes.
Jim ordered the Peacekeeper separated from the battleship module. There was no way the module could be flown through the tunnel, but Tim was certain that the Peacekeeper would easily fit.
“Do you want me and the boys to go open the doors?” asked Lieutenant Wilcox.
“Yes, Lieutenant, that will be fine. Just remember to stand well out of the way when we fly the Peacekeeper into the hangar bay.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll do that,” the lieutenant replied.
Minutes later, the lieutenant radioed in that both doors were open and the lights were on, so they could proceed when Tim worked up the nerve. Laughing, Tim said, “He must be kidding. I’ve been looking forward to this all day. I want to see if we can hit top speed before emerging inside the hangar.”
“He is kidding, isn’t he Patricia?” Pol whispered nervously.
“Of course he is kidding, Pol. He’d never risk the ship so recklessly. Besides, he can’t. That particular computer safety protocol cannot be overridden,” she said reassuringly.
“But it will still be fast enough to make your heart thump faster, Pol!” Tim said excitedly. He’d heard the exchange, and couldn’t resist teasing Pol.
Pol rolled his eyes in mock exasperation.
Noting the exchange from the captain’s chair, Jim experienced a melancholy moment. He’d miss these little exchanges on the part of the crew of the Peacekeeper, but he’d be glad when he no longer had to serve aboard the ship.
Earlier during the trip from Base 1, Jim had entered their old cabin aboard ship to retrieve some personal possessions. Evan had found him sitting on the bed in tears. The young man had cried with him for a while, and then they had gathered their things and left the cabin for the last time. That night, they would be sleeping in the new base, and so would the new security detail.
As Tim lined up on the entrance, Jim snapped his attention back to the windshield. He watched with interest as Tim gingerly entered the tunnel. He knew that they had several feet of clearance all around the ship, but that flight through the tunnel was one he didn’t think he’d ever come to consider routine. The flight through the tunnel was intense, but it was also brief. Soon they emerged inside the massive hangar of the complex.
Namid radioed in that she was about to fly her fighter into the tunnel. She requested clearance to proceed. Jim nodded to Patricia and said, “Tell her to proceed when ready.”
Tim flew the ship to the area directly in front of control room, spun it on its axis to face the tunnel, and then set it down on the floor of the bay with a feather soft landing. They’d just settled to the ground when Namid’s fighter entered the hangar section. She set the fighter down near the Peacekeeper. As Tim had done before her, she parked her aircraft facing the entrance to the tunnel.
“Patricia, please order Lieutenant Wilcox to seal the two doors so we can test the battleship drone,” Jim requested. Pol wanted to test the remote controls to the drone to ensure that it could be flown and operated from inside the base. Twenty minutes later, Pol reported that the drone was responding to all controls. Jim ordered the drone parked for the night. They weren’t worried about anyone getting inside the vessel. It was secured so that it could only be accessed by the Peacekeeper controls, short of someone operating a cutting torch. In that unlikely scenario, the proximity alarms would notify the Peacekeeper that the ship was under assault.
The cook came forward and requested to be taken to the base mess hall, where he needed to get organized so he could begin meal preparations. The Peacekeeper was carrying an additional strike team, so feeding that many personnel without the benefit of the larger galley of the battleship module was problematic. Lieutenant Wilcox had two men go with the cook. They were instructed to stay with the man and help him get organized.
Pol and Patricia headed up to the control room to activate the control system that would permit the giant access doors to be opened and closed from the control room.
Pete escorted Jim and Evan to their new quarters, which would be the first and second rooms on the right, just down the hall from the control room respectively. Pete and Maggie would have the first room on the left and Lisa was assigned the second. Lieutenant Wilcox, the fighter pilot assigned to escort the new ship, and the pilot assigned to the new ship would all be assigned rooms that could be accessed from the hall adjacent to the control room. So would the duty staff.
As soon as he had his gear stowed in his new room, Jim checked on Evan, and then h
e went to the control room. He found that Pete had already arrived and was being familiarized with the control system that operated the tunnel doors. He joined them and soon both Pete and Jim could efficiently operate the controls.
“Where are we currently getting our power?” Jim asked. Then to clarify his question, he said, “I know we’re getting it from a portion of the southwestern power grid that has been restored. I mean, does it pass through a city where it might be diverted, thus leaving us vulnerable to a form of attack from miles away?”
“There is that possibility,” Pete answered. “The line could be cut from anywhere, which is why I want us to get the geothermal system up and running. It won’t take the men long. In a month they’ll have the generators working.”
“What are we paying these guys, Pete?” Jim asked curiously.
“They get the transformers from here to the main road. You know how hard it is to find good transformers for replacements these days. They are getting the better end of the deal and they know it. But they get nothing until they get the generators going.”
“Is that wise, Pete? I mean what if the generators fail?” Jim asked.
“The generators are tough, with a life expectancy of twenty plus years, and we have backups available,” Pol said.
“Already?” Jim asked.
Pete said, “Courtesy of the designers. They had three set to operate the facility, and two spares are located in storage here on the base. Remember, this base was built to operate in the wake of a nuclear war, when spare parts of any sort would be difficult to locate.”
***
Jim toured the base with Pete, Maggie, Evan, and Lisa. The teenagers had never visited the facility; so naturally, they wanted to see it all. Lisa wanted to see the base during the original trip the Peacekeeper had made, but Maggie had balked at letting her go inside while the smell of decomposition lingered so heavily in the air. Maggie had visited the facility, but she wanted another look at everything. When they’d last visited the base they had not planned on moving to it. Now that they were planning to move in, everything about the base was of much greater interest.