Wanderer's Escape

by Simon Goodson

“Yes, but you aren't thinking still. You can't control any more, why don't we?”

  He stared at her for a moment then frowned.

  “You'd need a full set of inserts like mine. The ship won't do that.”

  “No. The ship won't let us have the link with it that you've got, won't allow more than one captain. Can it give us enough of a connection to control the shuttles, drones and robots though?”

  Jess's frown grew deeper.

  “I see what you mean. That's a pretty hard question to ask, let me try... no. The ship won't accept the idea.”

  “Are you sure? You said it was tricky to put across. Try changing the way you ask.”

  He nodded then did as she asked. Another two efforts met the same refusal. Disheartened he tried once more. This time he got a strange reaction, not a rejection but a blip of interest. He pushed the idea again and the ship's mind seemed to shimmer against his for a moment. When it finished he was aware of a difference to the connection, a whole area of information was available that hadn't been there before. Accessing it felt like walking through a long forgotten museum. In some strange way there was a sense of neglect and disuse, though that sense was fading quickly as the ship integrated the new knowledge.

  “Something's happened! I seem to have triggered some extra functions. Yes, it's possible to do what you want. In fact I think it's how the ship was first designed, or how it was configured long, long ago. It feels like the ship hasn't accessed those areas for thousands of years. Somehow it feels more complete now though, I'm getting a stronger sense of personality from the ship now.”

  “Are we safe?” asked Sal. “How much has it changed?”

  “Completely safe. It's still the same personality but more... complete. It still requires a single person in overall charge, the captain, which is me. There's much more knowledge here than just how to link others in to control drones and remote ships. It's going to take days to work through it all.”

  “You've got the time,” said Elizabeth. “We're gonna be stuck here mining for at least another couple of weeks.”

  “Right. Well the process seems to be quite simple. It is similar to what happened to me, but a little less complex and with much more restricted access to the ship. You'll get the same ability to accelerate your thoughts and the ship assures me it is all one way – nothing will be able to control or influence you through the link. Not even me.”

  “Great, when can we start?” Ali asked, eyes bright. “I'm fed up of feeling useless every time we get into trouble.”

  “Straight away, if you're sure. Having control of more drones will speed up the mining. You're absolutely certain?”

  “Yep. Absolutely. Besides, I can get rid of it in the future can't I?”

  Jess quickly checked with the ship. He realised that in all the time since his own implants were inserted he hadn't once asked that question, hadn't once considered the possibility of being separated from the ship voluntarily.

  “Yes. Yes you can. It takes a few days for the structure to dissolve and be flushed out but the process is painless.”

  “Right then – count me in.”

  “You can count me out!” Elizabeth said firmly. “Sorry, but I don't want nothing messing with my head. Don't care how safe it is, it's a no. Not in a million years.”

  Jess was surprised by the strength of her feelings but didn't feel he could argue. The idea of the implants had become normal to Sal, Ali and him while to Elizabeth it was a new and shocking concept.

  “Sal, how about you?” he asked.

  She didn't seem to hear him, lost deep in thought. He was about to speak again when she looked up, meeting his eyes.

  “It's hard. It reminds me of the control collar. Something artificial intruding into every part of my life. I know it's not the same at all but...”

  She trailed off helplessly, unable to put her thoughts into words. Taking a deep breath she spoke again.

  “Is it safe Jess? Really? Will I be free still? Will I be me?”

  Jess stood and walked over to her, kneeling on the floor and taking her hands in his. Her obvious uncertainty stripped the years from her, made her seem much closer to his own age.

  “Sal, I would never, ever do anything to hurt you. You're like family to me now. We've been through so much already and we share memories of life as prisoners. I promise this is safe. You will be completely free. If anything more free than you are now, you'll have the power to control shuttles, drones and robots.”

  She stared at him for a while, eyes roving his face, looking for something. Whatever it was she must have found it.

  “OK Jess. I trust you. Let's do it.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes, now. Where do we need to be?”

  “You'll be stuck in place for ten to twelve hours, though you'll soon be able to start controlling drones so you won't be bored. I think the medical bay would be best.”

  “Right, let's go.”

  Once Sal and Ali were comfortable the ship started to build the interfaces to their minds. It was strange watching the web building, not only on the outside but viewing the strands penetrating deep into their brains through the ships senses. A shiver went down his spine at the thought that he'd been through the same process.

  Once he was happy both were taking the implants without complications he left the room. Elizabeth had begged off watching the process, saying the idea made her feel queasy. She was sat on a sofa studying the plans to transform the ship. Jess gave her a quick update on the situation then started working with the ship to create enough drones for Ali and Sal to control.

  Not long after he was surprised by a tickling feeling running through his mind. Following the source he felt another presence alongside that of the Wanderer. He reached out towards it pushing a sense of comfort and safety, the reply nearly sent his mind spinning. It was Ali and a deluge of feelings from excitement to wonder to fear crashed over him. After a few moments his experience dealing with the ship allowed him to filter out the worst extremes and send a message back asking her to calm down, stop sending so much. The answering reply had a strong tinge of ruefulness but was much more controlled. Then another presence appeared, broadcasting tension and worry, and Jess went through the same process with Sal.

  With suggestions from the ship's mind they were soon communicating rapidly using a mixture of speech, images, sensations and ship built structures such as scans, charts, flight plans and more. It wasn't telepathy but it was far more than simple conversation. Emotional overtones tinged their communications. Sal's often carried a protective feel, a desire to look after Ali and Jess. Ali's messages to Jess varied – sometimes amused, sometimes caring, often with a warm element he could only interpret as a hug. Occasional flashes of something stronger and far more intimate, something he knew he was leaking the other way too. Each time it happened Sal's messages gained a deep sense of amusement while Ali leaked embarrassment.

  After twenty minutes or so Jess reluctantly left them to it. He needed sleep and they had the mining operation well in hand. He would take over when he woke up, giving them a chance to rest.

  “How's it going?” asked Elizabeth when she saw him stretching and blinking.

  “Fine. Good.” He yawned. “Sorry. They are both handling it very well. I'm going to get some rest, leave them to it. They'll be stuck in the medical bay for a good few hours yet so the other cabin's free if you need to sleep.”

  “Sounds good. I don't sleep much these days but I'll grab three or four hours.”

  Jess went to his cabin. He expected to fall asleep immediately but instead found himself worrying. Memories of Matt's betrayal flashed across his mind mixed with concerns over Elizabeth. If she was going to try something this would be the time he realised. Sal and Ali were stuck where they were and he'd be asleep.

  Feeling disgusted with himself he locked the door to the medical bay and sealed his own door, adding alarms to each. Elizabeth had done nothing to warrant his suspicions, but he couldn't help himself.
Memories of waking in a cell after Matt had drugged him kept returning, despite the monitoring his implants now ran to warn him. Locking the doors helped but didn't erase the worries. He finally fell into a restless sleep.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Jess woke to a blow on his head and a deep voice shouting at him. Another blow was accompanied by more shouting to get on his feet. He rolled over to get up only to get a kick to the stomach. Winded and dizzy he collapsed back to the floor. Suddenly hands grabbed him, dragged him and helped him to stand.

  He gasped his thanks to the other prisoners, warily watching the guard to see if the beating would continue. Not this time, he'd seen another prisoner who hadn't stood up yet. A boot to her side made her roll over. Jess stared – it was Ali. His brain was sluggish from the blow it had taken but the sight of Ali being assaulted poured molten fire through his veins. Screaming at the guard he rushed forwards, tackling the man just as he was about to deliver another kick. Dragging him to the floor.

  The rest of the prisoners scattered to the edges of the cell, crouching down with hands on their heads. Desperately trying to avoid the punishment they knew was coming. Three other guards ran over and grabbed Jess, dragging him off then laying into him with the heavy clubs they carried. Then two of them held Jess, partly restraining him but mostly holding him upright. The beating didn't hurt as much as he knew it should have, he wondered if his skull had been cracked.

  The guard he'd attacked stepped in close, drew his gun and pointed it at Jess's head. Then, shaking his head, he lowered it, pointing it at where Ali still lay on the floor.

  “No! No, don't!” Jess screamed out. “Please... shoot me, don't shoot her!”

  The guard grinned at Jess then pulled the trigger. Once, twice, three times. Each shot stuck Ali in the chest, making her body writhe. Jess felt as if each shot had hit him instead. Ali's wounds hurt him far more than his own beating. Then the guard fired once more, into her head. Jess screamed as the shot rang out...

  He jerked upright, scream still echoing around his cabin. The bedclothes were in a tangled mess around him, dripping with sweat. His heart was pounding and his breathing ragged. Desperately he reached out for the ship, checking the status of Sal and Ali. Both were still safely in the medical bay, busy controlling the mining operation. Elizabeth was in the living room watching a vid.

  Checking the time he saw he'd been asleep a little over five hours. Knowing he wouldn't get to sleep again he left his cabin and used the shower, washing off the nights sweat and then putting on clean clothes before heading into the living room. Despite the time and the shower he still carried a huge knot inside his chest, the dream had been so real and far too close to his fears.

  “You look terrible,” Elizabeth said. “What happened?”

  “Bad dream,” he muttered, heading for the food dispenser to get a strong coffee. “Really bad dream.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  He got his drink then sat on the sofa beside her. Uncertain whether to share his fears or dismiss them. He realised he couldn't keep quiet, that he needed to talk. In a quiet voice he started to recount his dream, his voice growing strained and cracking several times towards the end. When he finished Elizabeth pulled him into a hug. That was the final straw, he burst into tears. The horror of the dream overwhelming him.

  She held him until the tears subsided then he pulled back, feeling embarrassed at having let himself go. She smiled at him gently.

  “It's easy to forget how young you are,” she said. “You carry off being captain so well. You really care for Ali don't you?”

  Jess just nodded, surprised by her words.

  “Can't say I blame you. If I was, I don't know, much younger you'd have some competition. Fine looking girl.” She studied him for a moment. “You don't seem shocked?”

  “Why would I be?”

  “Really? There's a lot a people out there who'd disapprove of two women together.”

  Jess shrugged. “It wasn't unusual amongst the prisoners. So long as no one is getting hurt what does it matter?”

  “Blimey. Imagine that. Anyways, you're safe. She's way too young for me. Tell me, was there ever anyone for you before? Anyone you got close to?”

  “No. Ali is the first person I've met who I've felt this way about. I think I might be in love with her. When she's around she makes me feel so... well... really...”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Don't worry. Far better people than us have stumbled over describing love. I'm guessing the two of you haven't... err... spent the night together.”

  Jess flushed and shook his head, not trusting himself to speak.

  “And by now I'm sure you've been through the vids we intercepted and watched some of the pornographic ones, the ones with sex in?”

  Now Jess felt like his face was on fire. He froze, not knowing what to say or do.

  “Good for you. I'd be damn worried about a teenager who didn't. I'll put odds on the fact she has too. Take a bit of advice – when the time comes forget all that, it's all fake. Just go with your feelings, take it as slow as you can, enjoy yourselves and remember that like anything worth doing it takes a lot of practice to get really good. The practice is damn good fun though!”

  Now Jess was nearly choking, certain his skin would catch fire if it got any hotter. Laughing again Elizabeth stood.

  “Normally I'd tell you to take your time. Take it real slow, be completely sure. We might not have that long though. If it feels right, to both of you mind, then grab your chance with both hands. Otherwise if something happens you'll regret it the rest of your life. I do.”

  The last two words were so soft he hardly heard them. She walked off leaving Jess wishing the floor would swallow him with half his mind while the other half was feverishly thinking about the advice he'd been given. He wouldn't realise for several hours what a great job she'd done of distracting him from his nightmares.

  Evening saw them working on the sixth asteroid, this one much larger than those before. The speed of the mining had greatly increased. Jess estimated they'd be finished stocking up on the supplies they needed within a couple more days, three at the outside.

  As they finish eating he told them he had news – the first two robots were fully refurbished. He downplayed the event to avoid another embarrassing failure. When the two robots walked into the room the other three were amazed. Gone were the bulky combat robots, in their place were gleaming sleek machines with no obvious weapons. However they were actually far more dangerous than before, not less. Hidden under their smooth skins was a powerful shield generator capable of protecting both the robot and one person. Lethal weaponry emerged from their sleek bodies at a moments notice. They were fast and agile and, as they were controlled through the ship, unusually flexible in what they could do. Despite appearing to be unarmed they carried with them a sense of danger far beyond their previous incarnation.

  “They scare the pants off me,” Elizabeth said. “I think we need something more than them though. Body armour for a start, a lot of it. When we take on the station we're gonna need help from the first batch of prisoners to get the others out. They'll know the layout, know where to look. We can't send them back in without protection. We'll need basic medical packs too – to deal with any wounded in the complex and the less badly injured once we get them clear.”

  “And guns? Do we arm the prisoners?” asked Jess.

  “Definitely not! We want an evacuation, not a battle. Give them guns and some of them will go looking for revenge. We need the guards to feel safe too, at least safe from the prisoners. If they start getting shot at it'll be a bloodbath.”

  “Right. Sorry.”

  “Don't be daft. How could you know? This is what I'm here for, planning the stuff you don't know, can't know. We will need to buy guns actually – the only place to get this stuff is from an arms dealer. They'll get suspicious if we just buy armour and medkits, and the one thing they're happier to sell than arms is information.”

  �
�Makes sense,” said Sal. “We need to be careful though. We can't have a repeat of the trouble getting the robots.”

  “No, but it's different this time. We'll take Robby Robot and his pal over there along. Those shields can protect us from a lot of damage, get us well clear of trouble. And we'll have the equipment loaded into a sealed off section of the ship, use the sensors to scan it and one of the robots to check through it all.”

  “Only two of us can go then,” Ali said. “Which two?”

  “Definitely me,” replied Elizabeth. “None of you could carry it off. And I think Jess. He can be my son, though it pains me to say I'm that old. Out on his first business trip with me, learning the ropes. That way they won't be suspicious if he makes any mistakes.”

  “Are you sure? What if something happens?”

  “I'll be fine,” Jess said. “The robots can shield us long enough to get clear, and you two can have plenty of combat drones nearby. I'm pretty sure the ship can make some that are really small too – small enough to fit a couple into each robots bodywork. That'll give a really nasty surprise if anyone tries any dirty tricks.”

  Ali and Sal asked more questions before agreeing with the plan, relieved that they would have a direct influence on keeping Jess and Elizabeth safe if things went wrong.

  Jess had another piece of news. The remodelling of the ship was advancing well and crew quarters had been completed. They now each had a reasonably sized bedroom complete with an en-suite. The big news though was that each included a deep bath, something Ali had talked about wistfully a couple of days before. The news was met with smiles all round.

  Later Jess and Ali sat together on a sofa talking, Ali snuggled against him. Sal was in the flight deck supervising the mining and Elizabeth had gone to her cabin to soak in the bath.

  Their conversation reached a pause and Ali pulled back a little, studying his face.

  “You know the idea of a bath sounds heavenly. I think I might go have a soak too.”

  Jess gulped as an image of Ali lying naked in a hot bath came to him. Quickly pushing the image away he searched for something to say.