by Dave Lemel
Todd shook his head and turned back to the drink dispenser. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
“Well, after you finish with everybody’s drink order, I’ll take a water by the way,” added Simon.
“As will I, please,” said Foggen.
“Then if you could, head back over here and grab the cheese, guac, and sour cream.”
“And sriracha!” yelled Ben
“Yes, chef,” replied Todd, following with a salute.
Simon added the strips of beef back into the pan before walking a hot pad and two plates sandwiched together stuffed full of warm tortillas to the table. He placed them both down on the middle and returned to the stove. As Simon tossed the contents of the pan a few final times, Ben devoured chip after chip dragged through the salsa bowl.
“I swear, if we ran out of chips, I would drink this salsa,” Ben stated before shoving another smothered tortilla chip into his mouth.
“That’s not hard to believe considering the bizarre concoction presently in your cup,” said Todd.
Simon laughed as he placed the hot pan on the waiting pad before handing a pair of tongs to Ben. “Here, Ben, you can go first if it’ll keep you from drinking the condiments.”
“Thank you, kid. I’m not really sure salsa is technically a condiment though. It’s more of a dip or side dish. Well, I suppose it’s both. Delicious and flexible. A true champion of the pantry.”
The spot right between Todd’s eyes twisted itself into something resembling a pug’s nose. “Ben?”
“Yeah, kid?” Ben replied as he overstuffed the two tortillas on his plate.
“You have slept, right?”
Ben laughed heartily while passing the tongs to Foggen. “Yes, kid, I slept. Like a baby.”
“I hate that expression,” said Simon. “It makes no sense. Babies sleep like crap. Well, at least mine does. She’s been practicing almost nine months now and still sucks at it. Slept through the night a couple of times at best.”
“Well, then I slept like an old man with a wicked hangover once we got back up here. If I hadn’t set my alarm for seven hours, I probably coulda slept for at least three more.”
Todd took the tongs from one of Foggen’s outstretched hands. “After we eat, why don’t you take a nap and get your head a touch clearer before continuing with your work.”
“Eh, I’m fine. I wasn’t planning on doin’ much else tonight. Just a few more things to finish up in the garden.”
“I’ll head down there with you when we’re done. You show me what’s left, and I’ll take care of it. Captain’s orders.”
“Oh, well.” Ben squirted a healthy dose of his favorite hot sauce over both his fajitas. “If it’s captain’s orders, I suppose I’ll comply.” He took a huge bite and chewed loudly as cheese fell from his mustache. After a big swallow, he continued. “You guys pumped for goin’ through the port? Always pretty cool going to a foreign solar system.”
Todd nodded and put the finishing touches on his fajitas. “Very.”
“How many times have you done it?” asked Simon as he started concocting his dinner. “Left the solar system, I mean.”
Ben chewed the remainder of his first fajita and took a large swig of his drink. “This’ll be my fifth. Waaaayyyyy back at academy was my first. Then three times with his old man.” Ben nodded in Todd’s direction.
“I suppose I don’t need to ask if you’ve ever been out of the solar system,” said Simon as he turned his focus to Foggen, “seeing as you’re from another solar system.”
“Correct,” replied Foggen as he meticulously rolled his fajitas very tight and thin. “As you already stated, I am from another solar system. In addition to being born and raised in another solar system, I have visited numerous others through travels for work and otherwise over time.”
“Either of you ever end up in the Montice system? Or on Gleeb specifically?”
“Not me,” poured out of Ben’s mouth along with what appeared to be hunks of tortilla and some peppers.
“I have,” replied Foggen. “In fact, I was stationed there for a short time.”
Todd’s eyes snapped from looking up through the domed ceiling to Foggen. “Well, that may come in handy.”
“I suspect you may be proven correct with that hunch. Lombargnor felt the same way. His hunches tend to be proven correct from what I have experienced in my time working with him.”
Todd swallowed a gulp of his seltzer. “What’s it like?”
“Which part are you referring to? Gleeb or the Montice system in general?”
“Both, I guess.”
“The Montice system is quite similar to your system. Earth’s, that is. There is a yellow sun similar in size to yours. Four rocky planets on the interior with three gas giants on the exterior. There is no asteroid belt.”
“We got most of that info from Lombargnor at our briefing,” said Todd.
“I’m interested,” said Ben. “I have to be honest—I wasn’t very focused for my briefing.”
“I’m shocked,” Todd smiled. “How ’bout if we go back to the system overview later. I really want to hear more about Gleeb.”
“I’m cool with that.” Ben pushed the last bite of food from his plate into his mouth and grabbed two more tortillas.
“There’s not much more to add to the system overview. Unless you would be interested in a more detailed description of all the planets and their moons.”
“Maybe save that for other meals and when we’re working.” Ben squeezed another dose of bright red sauce on his seconds. “We got plenty of time, and I love hearing about stuff like that.”
“I look forward to it, Ben. As for Gleeb, I did not spend much time on the planet surface. It is quite attractive terrain, geographically. Mountainous with rocky coastlines stretching as far as the eye can see. Particularly less attractive, however, is the relatively high level of violence.”
Simon’s brow furrowed. “War?”
“No, it is not a war, exactly. More like a very aggressive disagreement.”
“How do you mean?”
“The land on Gleeb wraps the planet a bit like a belt from pole to pole. Long ago the planet shifted on its axis. Prior to that shift, the land was easily traversable all the way around the planet. Afterwards, the new angle of axis separated the planet into two distinct land masses. These land masses were now divided by two oceans and two ice-covered poles, leaving them essentially isolated from each other. The intelligent beings that had at that time just begun to form the beginnings of what would later become societies continued to evolve, but now completely independent of each other. Eventually, they began to explore their planet and inevitably interacted.”
“And that’s when the fighting started?” asked Todd.
“Not at first. Over time, however, there were skirmishes. As they continued to evolve and their societies continued to advance, there began to be competition for resources. This led to wars. They have had many, but technically, at the present time, they are not at war. I would not call it peace, exactly. Violence flares up frequently.”
“Great!” exclaimed Simon in a tone dripping with sarcasm. “As if we don’t have enough on our plates this assignment. Lombargnor conveniently neglects to mention the occasional battles breaking out in the streets where we’re going.”
“No,” Foggen shook his head. “It’s not like that. Maybe I should not have even said anything. It’s more like occasional terrorist attacks. Quite rare and most commonly carried out on public transit or in popular recreational areas at night. You will only be using public transit to head up and down for the mountains. You have no reason to be in any of the areas typically targeted at night. Once you are headed into the mountains from Jandor, you will be at almost no risk of these types of situations. They do not occur outside of the major cities.”
Todd reloaded his plate and stood up to reach for the cheese. “See, nothing to worry about. The man says we’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, I guess. Still, I’d prefer if he described it as a lovely vacation spot with white sand beaches and drunk tourists flooding the boardwalks and over-paying for silly trinkets.”
“It is actually a very popular vacation destination, but the sand is more silver than white.”
“See!” Todd pointed at Foggen. “Nothing to worry about. Gorgeous silver sand beaches and everything.”
Simon grabbed his water and paused before taking a sip. “Except the occasional bus blowing up as you walk down the street.”
“Stop it, you worry wart.” Todd turned his focus back to Foggen. “What are the mountains like?”
“Very nice to look at, but I did not spend any time in them, so I cannot offer much more than you already know.”
“Mountains I’m comfortable in,” said Simon. “That’s a situation I’m very familiar with.”
“That’s right,” said Ben. “You’re from Rado, aren’t you? I had a brother who moved out there for a year or two to be a ski bum when we were in our twenties. He never moved back. I’m a fan. Almost moved out there myself a few times but never pulled the trigger. Had so many friends and family I felt I’d have missed too much. Still wonder sometimes how different my life might have been if I had gone for it.”
“Sasha and I occasionally talk about retiring there one day. The mountains outside Denver, that is. Well, we used to. Now I’m pretty sure we’ll just want to be close to wherever Penny ends up. Who knows. That’ll depend on so many things, and honestly we’ve really grown attached to Wisconsin.”
“Well, I’d be sad if you guys left. I don’t like many people all that much, but I love you guys.” Todd took a handful of chips from the bag. “Plus, if I’m being honest, I’m not sure many people can take too much of me.”
“I like ya, kid,” said Ben. “’Course, the way I treat myself, I’m probably not gonna be around forever, so you may wanna start making some new friends sooner rather than later.”
Todd chuckled. “All right, grandpa. I’ll start playing nicer with others. At a minimum, I’ll need someone to play golf with.” He took a big sip of his seltzer and looked up and out of the domed ceiling. “And a travel companion would be nice. I suppose maybe, just maybe, I could settle down one day.”
“Whoa!” Simon nearly dropped his plate as his head snapped up from clearing dirty dishes. “I never thought I’d hear those words leave your mouth. You got somebody in mind? Do I know her?”
“No, no, not like that at all, calm down. I’m just saying maaaybeee, a long time from now, like a decade or so, I could start possibly seriously considering it.”
“Well, I’m considering that a crack in the armor. I’m going to start the search for the one that can force her way through the crack.”
Ben slid toward the end of the booth. “I hate to break up this high school cafeteria–level conversation, but if you’re heading down to the garden with me, I’m goin’ now. My bed is screaming for me.”
“Sounds good. I want to hear more about Gleeb later, too, Foggen.” Todd slid out behind Ben.
“We have plenty of meals between now and our arrival at our destination. I will be glad to expand on what I have described so far.”
“Can’t wait.” Todd clapped Ben on the back. “Come on, old man, we gotta get you to bed.”
Chapter 9
The Henrietta garden was something Todd had never been quite able to wrap his mind around. The contrast between all the green and natural with all the artificial was something his brain did not process well. Buried in the belly of the ship, it was one of the largest areas aboard the Henrietta, fighting for top spot on overall square footage with the garage.
The garden was partitioned into smaller regions by alternating glass and bright white panels that reflected the artificial light at the hungry plants more efficiently. Each partitioned area was a different climate specifically controlled for the species of plants or trees that lived there.
Todd followed Ben through the maze of rooms to the back. The ceiling height tripled as they reached the largest room in the garden. Stretching across the entire rear wall was the fruit tree room. Ben tapped a button next to the glass doors at the center of the wall.
As the doors slid open, Ben turned to Todd. “So, like I said, just a few little things left. Obviously, all the extras are aboard already. I just had to do a little rearranging so these smaller ones don’t get blocked out by the more mature trees in the fight for light.”
“Where’d you hide the hover dolly? I know you weren’t just throwing these on your back and hauling ’em around.”
“Bet I still could.” Ben stood up a little straighter. “You know us Wisconsin farm boys are country strong.”
Todd grinned. “I have no doubt. Now where’s it hiding?”
Ben looped his way to a back corner. A cluster of seven orange trees stood about eight feet tall. The bases of their trunks were in bright white boxes that were locked into clips on the floor. “I left it over by these fellas here. Gotta work them in with their bigger siblings down this row, and then when you finish that, there’s just a few more apple trees down at the other end that need to be worked in.”
“Got it. That’s it?”
“Yep. Just don’t forget to hook ’em into the grid so the auto-botanist can do its job and keep them thriving.”
“You got it. Now go get some shuteye. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
A baggy-eyed Ben lazily half-saluted and shuffled his way out the door.
A few floors up, Simon finished rinsing a pan and put it on the drying rack. He spun with a big smile on his face and made his way out of the lounge and down the stairs to the hol-call room.
The door closed behind Simon. “Call Cain household.”
A familiar feminine robotic voice responded: “Calling Cain household now.”
After a few seconds, Sasha appeared. She was looking toward Simon’s feet where a little rug rat was rapidly crawling around the room with purpose and vigor. Penny stopped suddenly as a pair of feet had appeared in front of her out of thin air. She looked up and smiled a huge open-mouthed smile.
“Hi, pumpkin! Is that…” Simon looked back up at Sasha. “Is that the tooth I said I felt the other day?” He crouched down to inspect closer. “It is. I knew it!”
“I’m glad you’re so excited. We had a pretty rough night back here on Earth.”
Simon sucked in through clenched teeth as he rose back up. “Pretty rough, huh? Was she really wailing?”
“At the start. It took me almost an hour to figure out what was going on. I felt kinda stupid when it finally hit me.”
“Aw, no way. First kid, first tooth, that’s not easy to piece together at all. I think an hour’s pretty impressive. You give her anything for the pain after that?”
“Yes, which wasn’t all that simple alone, but once I finally got her to take it, it didn’t take all that long to kick in, and then she passed out hard. I think she was exhausted from all the crying.”
“Oh, honey, I wish I could pick you up and squeeze you.” Simon crouched back down by Penny’s face. “You take a break now before you push another one through, okay?”
“Yeah, listen to your father. Although as red as her cheeks are again today, I have a feeling you’re going for the doubler right away.”
“Are they?” Simon looked from one side of her little face to the other. “It’s so hard to tell in here. The color is just not that true to life.”
“Well, trust me, they’re red as roses. How’s it going so far out there? I mean, obviously I’m getting my regular updates from mission control as commander, but how are you ?”
“I’m good.” Simon stood back up and made his way closer to Sasha. “Really good, actually. It’s good t
o be on the way as opposed to sitting around thinking about it.”
Sasha grinned. “That’s nice to hear. Both as your wife and superior officer.” The grin faded from Sasha’s face. “I have to admit, now that you’re out there, my anxiety has been slowly rising in tandem with you closing in on the port.”
“Well, it’s a whole ’nother level of distance apart when we’ll be in different solar systems. It’s almost impossible to comprehend the actual distance.”
“It’s not that. Well, I guess that’s part of it, but more specifically, the fact that you guys are going to be so far away and isolated when Todd confronts his father. I can’t even imagine the cocktail of emotions he’s going to be dealing with if he ends up face to face with him.”
“I can handle him. We’ve been through a lot together.”
“I know, hun, but this is different. You two are thick as thieves for sure, but you’ve never been through anything like this. Hell, I’m not sure anyone’s been through something like this.”
Simon inhaled slowly through his nose. “Look, I’m by no means saying I think this is going to go smooth as silk. I’ll be shocked if it does, in fact. But I know Todd. He’s a good guy. Deep down he’s rock solid. I mean, sure, he’s got his faults. Who doesn’t? But I have a hundred percent faith in his character. We’ll get through it.”
“All right. If you think he can handle it, I know he can handle it.” Sasha glanced at her wrist. “Sorry, hun, I wish I could talk longer, but I have to pack up Penny and go pick up my dinner from Dos Amigos. I ordered half the menu plus chips and guac. I have been absolutely starving since you left. I’m telling myself it’s nervous eating over your assignment to accept the total the guy said after reading back my order.”
Simon laid on the floor next to Penny and laughed. “How much was it?”
“Don’t worry about it. Hurry up down there; I don’t want the food to get cold.”
“Okay, peanut, Daddy’s gotta go.” Penny craned her neck and found the source of the voice again. A huge open-mouthed grin followed. “Look at that little tooth. I love you, sweetie, and I’ll come home soon. Be good for your mom till then.” Simon’s eyes welled slightly as he stood up. “Enjoy your feast, dear, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing your face again sooner rather than later since we’re finally working together.”