"Check," Captain Raleigh said. "Over and out."
Batar turned to speak to Jeff. "Why don't you two suit up and depressurize, while I get the ship into hovering position," he said. "Lori, I'm counting on you to hold the ship steady, using these two buttons here." He pointed to a black and red button. "The black controls lift, and the red thrust. Once I go into a trance, you will not be able to wake me until I'm done. I have to place the seven man crew into unconsciousness and keep them there for a half hour, which won't be easy. I will begin, as soon as Captain Walker and Lt. Wilson are ready."
Lori hugged and kissed her man tightly, and knew if things didn't go as planned, she may never see him again.
"Goodbye, Honey," she said. "I love you, and be careful."
"You'll see me again, I promise," he said. "Batar, take care of her, will you?"
"I will," he answered. "You better get down to the airlock."
Jeff nodded, and Wilson and him headed towards the chamber, leading to the exit.
Before they entered the lock, Wilson turned toward him.
"When was the last time you went on a space walk?" she asked.
"I have to admit, it's been quite a while," Jeff joked.
"Let me do the walking, just hang onto my waist," Wilson replied. "And you'll need to change into one of their suits once we get over there."
They placed on their helmets, turned on their oxygen supply, unlocked the chamber, and closed the door behind them when they entered. "We're beginning to leave the ship now," Wilson relayed by radio on the small bridge.
"Very well, we're in position," Batar said. "I'm turning navigation over to Major Walker, and beginning the mind probe."
Wilson opened the lock to space, and Jeff followed behind her, floating out the door. He grabbed Wilson around the waist, as she turned the airlock to the closed position. She glided towards the entrance lock of the ISS, which was positioned about twenty feet from them. She maneuvered herself into position to open it, and they floated inside. Wilson closed the hatch beside them, they went through five minutes of pressurization, and then entered the station itself.
A crew member floated through the air, unconscious, next to the
hatch, in the Unity section. Jeff noticed his name tag said Jack Barkley;
totally unfamiliar to him, but there were over one hundred astronauts who worked on the ISS during those years.
"Looks like Batar's mind probe was successful," Jeff said. "How come there's no gravity?"
"The early stations like this one had no gravitational control," Wilson answered. "The jettison module is left down the hall to the next right. I
have to go to the right to operate the controls. Take this guy's flight and external suit. You look to be about his size. You'll have to find your own way around the base, I don't think there's any floor plans in here."
"I'll manage. Better sabotage their communications panel as well," Jeff said. "We don't want Ground control to know we're here."
"Agreed," she said, and put her hand on his shoulder. "Good luck, Sir. Captain Carver would have been proud of your bravery."
"Thanks, Wilson," he said. "That means a lot to me. Tell Lori I love her, and not to worry."
"I will," she said. "Talk to you in a few minutes."
Jeff took off Barkley's flight suit, while Wilson worked herself towards the communications panel. She turned on a lower frequency than the one NASA used, and relayed back to Lori, on the scout ship.
"Lori, this is Wilson, come in if you read me," she stated.
"I read you loud and clear," she answered.
"How's Batar?"
"He's sitting here shaking, like he's having a seizure or something."
"It's not a seizure," Wilson said. "That's normal for Andronians in this form of transcendent state. Do not intervene."
"I'm doing all I can to keep the ship steady," Lori answered. "How's Jeff?"
"He's fine, and on his way out. Right now, I need you to help me. I'll be sending some data over to your memory banks. The computer will assimilate as it arrives. As soon as it's done, I'll be back over to the ship. When I'm on board, you'll immediately set course for the moon at full speed."
"Roger," Lori said. "Anything else?"
"No," she said. "I have two more things to do, and then I'll be back. Give me ten minutes or so. Out."
She then switched communications back to Jeff. "Captain Walker, can you read me?" she questioned.
"Loud and clear, Wilson," he said.
"Are you in the jettison ship yet?"
"I'm getting in right now." Jeff climbed into the tiny mid-section of the craft, where there were seats for two astronauts only. He strapped himself in, lowered the visor to his helmet, and turned on his oxygen. "All set."
"Now listen carefully," she lectured. "Your life may depend on it. The engines will burn for four minutes and forty five seconds. After thirty minutes, the craft will automatically detach itself into three sections. At
30,000 feet, the parachute should open. If it doesn't, press the emergency manual override to eject it manually. At 8,000 feet, the main parachute should open. At about 4500 feet, you'll feel the frontal heat shield jettison off, venting the fuel and oxygen. The retrorockets will fire just above the ground, and hopefully, you'll land in one piece."
"Take care, Wilson," he said. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck," Wilson said. "Contact us when you can, but don't get yourself in trouble."
"I'll contact you as soon as I can, once I get on the base."
She laughed at his suggestion.
"You'll be off your feet for a least a day or two. The G force on your body will weaken your muscles, as well as the increased gravity on the surface. You've been in space for a while."
"Well, when I can then," Jeff sighed. "Goodbye, and tell Lori I hope to be with her in the end."
"I will," Wilson said. "Enjoy the ride. Engaging jettison rocket-now."
Jeff felt a jerk, and the ship propelled forward, and began its trajectory around Earth. NASA, of course, spotted the craft on their radar, but couldn't contact the space station. He could hear them on the radio, as they first addressed the station, and then Jeff.
"Descent vehicle, please come in," they said, as Jeff began to panic from his lack of control of the vessel.
The small module broke into three sections; the orbital and instrument compartment flew away, and the vessel began to twist, flop, and turn through the air. Jeff became nauseous, as he felt the enormous pull of gravity. He opened his visor for air and wiped his mouth clean with the arm of his suit after he vomited. The parachute opened at 30,000 ft, as Wilson said it would, and the craft began to slow down slightly.
About 10,000 feet, he noticed the chute began to deteriorate into pieces, although he wasn't sure why, and the descent module began to speed up again. About 8,000 feet, the main chute opened, and he felt easier when the ship began to glide gently towards the desert below him.
After the heat shield jettisoned, and the vessel pressurized, it landed on its side, as a cloud of white dust flew in the air around the vessel. His head fell to the right, and as it did, he wanted to do nothing more than
sleep.
As he drifted in and out of slumber, he could feel someone unbuckle him, drag him from the vessel, and place him into a vehicle with wheels. He saw three men in the back of the jeep-like vehicle place different medical apparatus on him while he lay on a stretcher. They were all wearing thick, white radioactive suits and gloves.
They traveled what seemed to Jeff to be a couple of miles from where he landed. He could faintly see the large metal doors which opened into a mountain side. Once they were inside the complex, he saw several people moving about with the same suits on, until they lifted his stretcher up and carried him away from the vehicle. He looked to his right side, and saw a room with a sign named decontamination. It was at this point he completely faded out.
When he awoke two days later, he was faced by an older gentleman, who was
in his seventies, and two military police.
"Good Morning, Mr. Barkley," he said. "How are you feeling?"
"A little queasy," Jeff said. "I'm dizzy, and my stomach hurts."
"That's just the effect of the flight, and the mild radiation dose you received. "You'll be fine in a day or so. I'm General Carver. Can you tell me what happened up there on the space station?"
Could this be his friend John's grandfather, and if it was, how was he involved in this mess? Was it possible he was the carrier of the Andronian virus Varloo possessed that was passed on to John, and injected somehow?
"I don't remember," Jeff said, as he tried to not reveal his real
intentions.
"Well, tell me the last thing you do remember. Why did you leave?
We had no scheduled return flights."
"We all passed out," Jeff said. "I barely made it into the descent ship."
"Is that why no one answered?"
"Yea, I believe so," Jeff lied. "Like I told you, I don't remember."
Carver turned toward one of the MP's. "Get down to the control room, and have them try to raise the ISS again."
"Yes, Sir," he answered, and left the hospital room.
"Did you notice anything unusual or out of ordinary, say a problem
with the life support systems or any other controls, such as the radar system?"
"No, not that I know of."
Jeff rubbed his forehead, which pounded from a massive headache. His muscles in his arms and legs were very weak, and all he wanted was a little sleep. He was getting hunger pangs, not having ate for a day or two.
"How about outside? Did you notice any bogies?"
"A UFO?" Jeff laughed.
"Yes, if you want to call it that."
"No."
"How long have you been with us, Barkley?"
Jeff felt he was already suspicious of him, and needed to be careful how he answered the question.
"Quite a few years," He answered.
"What base were you deployed out of?"
"I seem to have forgotten," Jeff stated. "I think it was in Oregon."
"Oregon? You're sure of that?"
"I said my memory was a little fuzzy."
"That base has been destroyed for years."
Jeff was at a loss of words, and really didn't know what to say. This whole situation was going to be tough. How was he going to get through without any knowledge of this Barkley guy?
"I'm not sure then."
"Capt. Raleigh reported seeing a craft several weeks before it actually came near the ISS. You can't tell me you have no knowledge of this?"
"No, I don't."
"All right," Carver said. "That's all the questions I have for now. I'll let you build up your strength, and we'll talk again."
"I'm not in any kind of trouble, am I?"
"No, no, not at all," Carver laughed. "The questions are only preliminary. Just get some rest."
He carefully watched the general leave the room, suspicious of his further actions. He wanted to see what he was up to, but the fact he was still hooked up to an IV, and was still too weak to stand prevented him from any investigate work. He figured he better rest until he was ready,
and hopefully they wouldn't find out he didn't belong there right away.
He slept for at least five hours, until the nurse brought in his dinner. As he lifted his head, she reminded him of his wife, Lori, due to her curly blonde hair and pretty blue eyes. He already was missing her, and really just wanted things to go back to the way they were before this whole mess began.
"Are you hungry?" she asked, and placed the tray of vegetables and fruit in front of him.
"Where's the meat?" he asked bewildered.
"Meat?" She seemed puzzled. "You know there hasn't been any meat around for almost twenty years. Are you sure thirteen months in space hasn't affected your mind?"
"What about protein?" Jeff asked.
"Capsules, silly. But until today, they were going through the IV, until I took it off. Boy, you are a strange one. Do you mind if I take your vitals?"
"Of course," Jeff said, puzzled himself.
She took his blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate, which turned out to be a little off, but of no real concern. When she was done, she returned to letting him eat.
"Do you have any kids?' she asked.
"Why do you ask?" Jeff questioned.
"I was thinking it must be hard to leave them here on Earth while you're up there so long."
"I wouldn't know,” Jeff answered. "I seem to have amnesia of some kind. I don't know if I have kids or not. But from what I remember-no."
"I do, and I know I would miss them."
"I do have nephews, from what I remember, however. They're a bit mischievous, if you know what I mean."
"Oh, I can relate to that!" she laughed.
"What about you, do you have a husband?"
"Yes, he's a wonderful man."
"Good, I'm glad for you. What does he do here?"
"He's a research scientist, in the propulsion laboratory."
"Really?" Jeff said, seeing an eye of opportunity. "What kind of rockets does he work on?"
"Well, I'm really not supposed to talk about it."
"Come on," Jeff coaxed her. "You know I have a high security level. I
won't tell anyone. Besides, some day I may be flying it."
"Well," she said. "The team is working on some sort of warp drive that's able to bend space or something. It's kind of technical, and I don't understand that sort of stuff."
"That's okay," he answered. "Sounds interesting."
"What sounds interesting?" General Carver asked, as he walked into the hospital room. Jeff was afraid he heard what she said.
"Oh," Jeff lied. "She was telling me about a film she saw."
She smiled, thankful he didn't turn her in.
"I don't know how interesting it could be," Carver stated. "They're all at least thirty years old, except the computer generated ones. Which one was it?"
Jeff began to see how sly, clever, and determined this man could be to find the truth; he had to be more informed to get past this guy.
"Mission To Mars," the nurse blurted, returning the favor.
'How appropriate,' the former Martian thought to himself.
"Yea, that was okay, but nothing great," Carver sneered. "Do you mind if I ask Mr. Barkley a few more questions?"
"No, but not for long. He still needs a little more rest." The nurse left the room, and General Carver shut the door.
"Mr. Barkley," Carver began. "Something you said earlier didn't make sense to me. You said that the crew passed out, and you barely had time to get into the descent vehicle. Why didn't you try to help your fellow crew members to the capsule as well?"
"There wasn't enough time," Jeff answered.
"There was enough time for you to escape. I don't mean to be a little picky, but I would think you would have at least tried to get the others to safety."
"I did, but they passed out, and I really didn't know if there was a danger of us all getting killed. Haven't they talked to you yet?"
"No," Carver said, puzzled. "There's no answer yet from the ISS. All systems are operating but communications. Is there anything else you can
remember that might be helpful to us?"
"Not really," Jeff answered.
"If I didn't know better, I would say you're being deliberately uncooperative."
"What are you insinuating, General? That I'm lying?"
"I never said that. I just meant that you're holding back something you're not telling me."
"If I could remember more, I'd tell you. I've got nothing to hide!"
"We'll see," the General said, scratching his gray beard. "Once you're feeling better, I have some tests I'd like you to do, if you don't mind?"
"What kind of tests?"
"Just some physical and mental tests, that's all. I just want to make sure the radiation and cosmic rays didn't
affect you somehow."
"Well, okay, I guess. Your nurse seems nice."
"Yea, Kaleigh is a very nice nurse, and daughter in law. She's given me two wonderful grandchildren, Laura, and John. My son John's been a good husband to her as well."
"John, huh?" Jeff asked. "Sounds like he'll grow up to be just like his dad someday."
"I hope not," Carver remarked, as he chuckled. "I don't want him to pick up any bad habits from him."
"Yea, I know what you mean!" Carver looked at him, as Jeff realized what he just said.
"Oh, do you know my son?" Carver asked.
"No, not personally," Jeff lied. "I've heard of him, though."
"Yes, he does have a little bit of a reputation for the flamboyant around here," Carver said. "So you remember hearing about my son, but you can't remember what happened up there, huh?"
"Some things are coming back to me. With time, I could probably tell you more."
"That's something I don't have a lot of. I'm a busy man, Mr. Barkley! Just what things are coming back to you?"
"Wait, I do remember something about a little green man from Mars."
"That isn't funny," Carver reiterated. "If you get smug with me again, I'll have you thrown in the brig."
"Sorry," Jeff said. "But like I told you, everything's still kind of fuzzy."
"Well, you have your secrets for now," he said. "But I'll get to the bottom of the truth sooner or later, even if we have to use more archaic methods. We'll talk again."
Carver left the room, Jeff gradually lifted himself from the bed, and then limped to the door. He opened it a crack, and he saw a man with black hair come up to Carver. They stopped in the hallway, and Carver put his hand on the man's shoulder.
"Check out all you can on Jack Barkley, will you," he told him in a
low voice, but not so low Jeff couldn't hear it. "And have Lieutenant
Moore send another crew ship up to the ISS. We gotta find out if the rest are even still alive."
Dimension Lapse III: Dimensional Breakdown (Dimension Lapse Series Book 3) Page 6