I shook my head, afraid to speak in case I just made things worse.
Jack sighed. He rapped on the door.
"Julian, you need to come out now. Important issues need to be discussed with regard to Williamson and what we do next. We need your input." For a moment nothing happened, but we heard the lock click and the door swung open. Julian stood staring and immobile in front of us.
I wished I could melt into the floor.
Without waiting to be invited, Jack pushed past him saying, "We need to talk." He pulled out another bench from the wall and motioned for us to sit.
We did.
"Since I'm in charge, I'm responsible for any action we take. So, you three will be just following my orders. Are we clear?"
I didn't like where this was heading. Without hesitating, I decided I couldn't and wouldn't let Jack take the blame for any actions we all agreed on.
"No, Jack. I think we should all share responsibility for any decisions made. Julian, Tiani, do you agree?"
"Absolutely," Tiani said, "we're a team, Uncle Jack."
"Hey, I second that," Julian answered, quietly but firmly.
"That's settled, then," I said.
"Thanks for your support, guys." He looked relieved. "Let's review our options––and hold the questions until I've finished. We have three; option one, we do nothing. We put him back to sleep, put ourselves back to sleep, and deal with it when we reach our destination. Option two; I put him in Virtual to keep him quiet. I access the chips, if I can, to see what's on them. Option three; we wake Dr Kariba, get him to surgically remove the chips, enabling me to access them. What do you think?"
"There is another option you haven't considered, Jack. We could force him to tell us what's on them by some means," I said.
"You mean torture him?" Jack held my gaze and frowned then turned and regarded Julian and Tiani, "How do you two feel about that?"
Tiani jumped in with, "I say we force it out of him."
"You're being too emotional, Ti," Julian said.
"Of course, I'm being emotional; it's our mother we’re talking about." She scowled at him.
"As well as the loss of my body," I added.
"While I understand how you feel, I can't condone that course of action. We're human beings. We have certain obligations––standards and morals to maintain." He frowned and folded his arms.
"Am I?" Julian asked, his expression poignant, earnest and sorrowful.
"What?" Jack raised his eyebrows. "Still human?"
"Yes. Are Tiani and I still human?" His expression held pain and uncertainty.
"Don't be ridiculous," I said, "you're still the sum total of all your memories, your beliefs and your culture."
We sat there in an uncomfortable silence, until I broke it with, "I have my doubts about Williamson though––he's an animal." But did I really believe that? His recent inexplicable emotional duality raised questions in my mind. Questions I couldn't answer.
"Animal or not, he still has rights, Luke. However, I would support trying a bluff using minimal force. If it doesn't work, we'll have to choose one of the other options, so you might as well make up your minds now. Let's vote on it. Those in favour of option one––we go back to sleep." None of us moved.
"All right, option one is out. How about option two––I try Virtual"
Tiani raised her hand, followed by Julian.
"I'll add my vote too," Jack said, "so, three in favour––Luke?"
"You know my feelings. But out of the three, I'd prefer to wake Dr Kariba."
Julian and Tiani exchanged glances then raised their hands.
"So, you've changed your minds?"
Julian and Tiani nodded simultaneously.
"Traitors." Jack, after giving them an exasperated look, sighed, and with a pained expression said, "Okay, let's try our bluff first. If it doesn't work, I'll go and wake Dr Kariba. Now, who's prepared to play the bad guy?"
"I will," Julian jumped in enthusiastically before I had time to speak.
"How?" Jack cocked his head to one side.
"I'll apply a little arm-twisting."
Julian glanced at me. Was he seeking my approval? I gave him a slight nod, and he acknowledged with a single nod back.
"You'll have to be careful, Julian. Remember you're super strong now."
"I'll remember, Uncle Jack."
Chapter 42
Jack removed the earplugs he had shoved in Williamson's ears to stop him overhearing our conversation. He unlocked the handcuffs, took them off, and motioned to Julian.
Julian stepped in and hauled Williamson upright.
Williamson started to babble, but Jack headed him off with, "Shut up! This is how it works. You will answer questions, but otherwise you will remain silent." Jack's voice held menace, "If I wasn't injured; I would whack you myself. Julian, help me get this bastard over to the terminal. Let's see what's on these chips."
Before Williamson could react, Julian had stepped behind him, grabbed his arm and twisted it up behind his back. For a split-second fear rippled across Williamson's face. He rapidly replaced it with a calm, sneering mask.
"Hey, unlike Uncle Jack, I'm in fine form," Julian said, nonchalantly, pushing him forward with his left hand while keeping Williamson's twisted arm firmly in place with his right.
"How's life as an android?" Williamson smirked.
"Julian, shut him up," Jack said, from behind us. Julian obliged by pulling Williamson's arm further up his back. I had the satisfaction of seeing him grimace in pain.
"Easy," Jack said, "let's get him into the chair."
Williamson began to look genuinely frightened. "No! You can't put me in the chair. Luke? You can't, it will wipe the chips." The colour had drained from his face. This time it was my turn to smile.
"Uncle Jack?" Julian, uncertain, turned to Jack.
Jack leant forward and pressed the button to prevent the headband from engaging. Julian let go of Williamson's arm, and he sagged into the chair, curling up like a frightened child.
Jack stood in front of him, his arms folded. "Out with it."
"You'll damage my chips," he pleaded. "Please don't do this."
"You're lying, Williamson. Chips can't be damaged by going into Virtual. It's standard procedure for checking faults. We've accessed other people's chips without causing any problems, why are yours different?"
"Because…" Williamson, close to breaking down, stared at the floor.
Questions tugged at my mind.
"Yes?" Jack said, angrily.
"He's stalling, Jack." I stepped forward.
Williamson smirked, the confident mask now firmly back in place, and said, "You can't afford to take the risk, can you?"
Julian pushed him forward and, taking hold of his arm, bent it up behind his back again. He whimpered with pain.
"All right…All right…I'll tell you." Julian eased the pressure slightly. "The chips are prototypes, experimental prototypes. They're encrypted and protected by firewalls, but they could be damaged, so please…" His eyes were pleading again.
Jack interrupted, "Stop mucking us around. Tell me now what's on the chips, or I'll let Julian break your arm, and then I'll let him break your other arm. Is that clear?"
"They haven't been put through rigorous testing yet. Outcomes could be," he hesitated, "unpredictable." He still managed to look smug.
"Julian, go ahead."
"All right…All right, they contain my research files, all my patents and designs, many lifetimes of work; I didn't trust the ship's computers, so they're my insurance," a rattled Williamson shouted.
"I'm still not convinced. You wouldn't need two chips; your data would have easily fitted on one, so what's on the other chip?"
"I've already told you, and you're wrong; I couldn't fit all my data on just one chip."
"You're lying," Jack and I said, simultaneously.
Julian didn't wait to be told, he exerted more pressure on Williamson's arm and he screamed.
I was surprised she had lasted this long, even though she had originally been in favour of leaning on him.
"Walk away, Ti," Jack said.
"Uncle Jack, please."
Jack took her arm and pulled her a little way away from us, out of Williamson's line of sight. I watched as he whispered something in her ear, resulting in her trotting off to the bathroom. When he came back, we stood behind Williamson, and I raised my eyebrows. Jack placed a finger on his lips and walked around to face Williamson. "This is your last chance. What's on the chips?"
Williamson's face took on an expression of defiance, and he simply said, "Go to hell."
Julian turned to Jack, but Jack shook his head. Williamson had called our bluff. He had temporarily won.
"Take him back to the living unit, Julian, cuff him and gag him."
Julian hauled Williamson up and frogmarched him away. I walked over to where Jack and Tiani were just emerging from the bathroom.
"Well played, Tiani." I took both of her hands in mine.
"I wasn't…" Tiani trailed off.
"I know, but well done anyway." I gave her a kiss on the cheek. "And I'm glad you couldn't handle it. I would have been upset if you had. Your mum would be proud of you."
She beamed up at me. "Thanks, Dad."
Julian, back from dealing with Williamson, grabbed Jack's arm. "Hey, Uncle Jack. What about I go and get Dr Kariba, using the same route I used to bring you and Dad back here. I know all the protocols now, and I'm sure I can handle it."
I was surprised when Jack said, "Good idea, Julian, but don't carry him. Let him walk down the stairs with you."
"Okay, Uncle Jack. Can you start pressurising deck thirty-five please, Tiani? I'll go and grab the communicator and head off once the pressurisation is complete."
"Can you wait a minute, Julian? Please? Uncle Jack?" Tiani said, using her best wheedling tone.
"Yes, Tiani."
I could tell by his expression he knew what was coming.
"Could I go with Julian, please?"
Jack sighed. "As long as it's all right with your dad."
"It's okay with me, but Julian's in charge, so what he says goes, okay?"
"Yes, Dad." All smiles, she threw her arms round my neck and hugged me. Turning to Jack, but remembering Jack's condition, she leant forward and gently patted his cheek. He suddenly stared at his feet. When he looked up, his face had flushed a brilliant red.
Three quarters of an hour later, with the pressurisation of Dr Kariba's section almost complete, Tiani and Julian were set to go. I lined them up for final instructions outside the airlock that exited our section.
"Please don't tell Dr Kariba anything other than we need his help. Let Jack and me explain the situation when he gets here, okay?"
"Will do, Dad," Julian said, grinning from ear to ear, while Tiani nodded enthusiastically.
"Have you left us one of the communicators?"
"Yes, Dad, on the console," Tiani answered.
"Off you go. And be careful."
Several minutes later, after they had disappeared, Jack said, "In some ways, Luke, they're still kids, but they've taken a huge leap into adulthood in the last few days."
"Gigantic leaps."
"Okay, let's get to work." He sat down at the nearest terminal. "How about fixing us both a cup of tea."
"Right, good idea." I padded off towards the living unit.
"Luke," I turned, "we'd better give Williamson a drink. Can you handle it, or do you want me to do it?"
"No, I can do it. We probably should remove the gag too."
"I think we should shift him to the bathroom, because we don't want him glaring at us while we're explaining to Dr Kariba what we want him to do. And I think we need to give Dr Kariba the right of refusal."
"I agree. I'll go and move Williamson now."
Williamson appeared sullen and white faced. I unlocked the cuffs, pulled him to his feet, and re-cuffed him before guiding him out of the living unit and into the bathroom. I sat him on the bench and unfastened the cuffs. I placed one around his ankle and snapped the other around one of the bench's support legs, leaving his hands free. "I'm going to get you a drink of water."
When I turned around with the cup of water, he was still sitting bolt upright, almost like he was frozen to the spot.
"I'm taking the gag off, and if you keep quiet I'll leave it off." Julian had tied it on loosely, so it came off easily. I handed the cup to Williamson. He took it and guzzled the water down, but there was still defiance in his eyes. When he'd finished, I took the cup, picked up the gag and waved it in front of him. He shook his head. "Okay, but one word, and it goes back on." As I turned to leave, I imagined his eyes focused on my back like a laser gun and had the unsettling feeling that any moment he would fire. After all this time, even restrained, he still had power over me. One part of me wished he was dead.
Chapter 43
"Hey, Dad." Julian emerged from the airlock, followed closely by Tiani and Dr Kariba.
Dr Kariba rushed forward, "My heart is happy to see you again, Kiera." He gently took both my hands in his and shook them. His grip was surprisingly delicate for a man of his size. He let them drop and faced Jack "So you are the father, Jack?"
"Not exactly," Jack's face coloured and he cleared his throat, "I'm their Uncle."
"I…" he looked at each of us in confusion, "I must have misheard, my mistake…"
"I think we'd better explain, Jack."
"Over to you, Luke." I watched in amusement as Dr Kariba's eyes went wide.
"Luke? You are the father?"
"It's a long story, Dr Kariba." I glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's 6:05 p.m. It would be a good idea to get back to normal eating and sleeping times, so let's have some tea. We can eat and fill you in at the same time. Are you hungry, Dr Kariba?"
"It is a long time since I have eaten; I would be delighted to share a meal with you. Please, call me Nguma." His face lit with an expectant smile.
"Good thinking, Luke," Jack said, "after you Nguma." He indicated the living unit door.
Julian and Tiani watched as the three of us ate, while I recounted all the events that had led up to our present situation. Jack jumped in when necessary. I was warming more and more to Nguma, as I watched his open, readable face range through disbelief, sadness, horror and finally, outrage. Nothing was hidden from us. I knew he would be a wonderful doctor. His patients could look forward to warmth and understanding along with a high standard of care.
When we'd finished our account, he contemplated us for a moment, "Judging by your observations, this Williamson, he is not a man, he is a monster."
"Are you comfortable with removing the chips, Nguma?" I asked.
For the first time since we'd woken him, Nguma's expression became serious, and he frowned.
"You're under no obligation to do what we want, and we'll respect your decision," I added, firmly hoping he wouldn't decline our request.
He reached out and touched my arm, "It is not a problem for me, I am happy to be of service, but," he held up his finger, "I am a great supporter of the Hippocratic oath. I would like to talk to this Logan Williamson myself, to make my own assessment. You are aware are you not, that as well as being a general physician, I am a fully qualified psychiatrist?"
"Yes Nguma," Jack said. "We thought you would probably want to talk to him."
"If he will not speak to me, I cannot do as you ask."
I groaned inwardly.
"We understand," Jack said, with a resigned expression.
I nodded in agreement. Guilt tugged at me––should we have told him about the episode of apparent empathy, even sympathy, Williamson had displayed? It would just add to the confusion. I decided Nguma could make up his own mind.
"I'm glad you agree. I will go and speak with him now, so we may sleep tonight without having to wonder what his answer will be." He
stood and disappeared out the door.
"He'll be back in a minute." I rubbed the back of my neck.
"Probably, but you never know," Jack answered.
When Dr Kariba didn't reappear, I filled in time by showing Julian and Tiani how to turn on the table display that showed our ship's location. After we navigated through the menu, we located actual footage of the various planets in the Kalgarin system.
About an hour later, Nguma re-emerged. Although his expression displayed calmness, his usual demeanour had vanished. I turned off the display as he sat down.
"What happened, Nguma?" Jack asked.
"I will need to spend tomorrow morning conducting a series of psychological tests on Gregory." With a troubled expression on his face, he continued, "He is terrified of you all, especially you, Luke. While, under these difficult circumstances I realise there is some justification in you resorting to violence that is not how Gregory has perceived your actions. He is frightened you will harm him further." He paused, to let us digest his words. With a grim expression, he added, "He has asked me for help, and I cannot refuse him."
"Hey, Nguma. I was careful not to injure him," Julian exclaimed, defensively.
"Julian is a gentle person, Nguma," Tiani said, twisting her hair around her finger.
"It was only ever going to be a bluff," Jack added. "He wasn't injured."
"A bluff that didn't come off," I said.
"You may not have harmed him physically, but I am worried about his psychological state. He is extremely distressed, and I am concerned for him." He frowned before continuing, "You are not going to like what I am to tell you next." He paused.
Great Zarking Universe! Anger rose in my throat––not anger at Nguma, but anger at myself for believing enlisting his help would be simple. So, what now? I noticed my fingernails were digging into my palms. With effort, I released the tension and stared at the table waiting for Nguma to continue.
"By asking for help, he has become my client. Unfortunately, anything he reveals to me is entirely confidential. I cannot discuss it with you." Like a bomb exploding, his words hit the table and splintered outwards, spraying us with fragments.
"Bloody hell." Jack stood up. "Bloody hell," he said, again, as he began to pace up and down like a caged tiger.
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