by Jerry Aubin
“I need to speak with Sergeant Bailee, Zax, and Kalare, in private. The rest of you, please move over near the workstations.”
Aleron and the Waste Systems officers stood and walked away without question. Imair looked confused, but she gathered up Nolly and his box of nutripellets and followed the Omega’s instruction. Once she was well out of hearing range, the Boss spoke.
“The Captain just announced she will vent the Ship to clear out all of the civilians and end this uprising. We have 120 mins to reach a compartment near Primary Grav Control. The Omega safe room hidden there is the closest location we should be able to reach which will be among those spared from the venting.”
There was stunned silence after the Flight Boss stopped speaking. Zax worried about the officer’s mental state after his injury and the anesthesia, but there was zero chance of him questioning the man. Kalare eventually worked up the courage to speak up.
“I’m sorry, sir, but is there any chance you’re still feeling side effects from the sedatives? That’s the opposite of what the Captain just said.”
The Boss smiled. “I understand your hesitancy, Kalare. Yes, the Captain’s words were very different from what I just described, but I have accurately conveyed their true meaning. Civilians have mutinied in the Ship’s past, so the Omegas have long established contingencies for handling a situation like this. A key component of those plans is to warn the Omegas to move the Crew to safety if at all possible, and the civilian leader was kind enough to provide the Captain with that opportunity. She twice stated her clear intention to forcibly halt the revolt.
“In 119 mins the Bridge will utilize their emergency overrides to disable primary and secondary life support throughout the Ship. They will disable the emergency bulkhead system, override the local controls to force open all of the interior hatches, and then bypass the safeties to prop open every exterior airlock. Everyone and everything which is not secured will get sucked through the massive vacuum that is created and expelled into space. Once that is done, the Marines will fan out across the Ship to dispose of anyone who survived all of that.”
Zax was amazed such a plan was even possible and could be put into motion by a handful of Crew working from the Bridge. Then he remembered the stack of cases carefully arranged around the Engineering compartment.
“Sir, what about all of the civilians’ bombs?”
“You’re right, Zax, the bombs will cause some problems—particularly since they’ve been coupled to dead man switches. Maybe we’ll be lucky enough that a lot of the explosives will get expelled from the Ship along with the civilians they’re rigged to before they go off. Even in the best outcome, there will be a lot of Crew casualties as a result of this plan. With all of the bombs in the mix, we’ll likely face a lot of catastrophic damage as well. Regardless, the Captain has determined this is our only chance to end this uprising, and I know she would never make that decision lightly. We now have 118 mins to get to the safe room. The rest of the group can join us as well, but I wanted to keep the reason we’re leaving secret. Bailee—gather the officers and cadet and make up some story about why we are moving out. Zax—you do the same with the civilians. As much as I would prefer to leave them here, I have no choice but to bring them in order to prevent anyone from learning I’m still around.”
Zax stood and watched as Sergeant Bailee approached and said something quietly to the Boss. The Omega nodded in reply, and the Marine turned and walked away while mumbling. Talking to himself was extremely uncharacteristic of the Marine, but perhaps it was a sign that he was human after all and finally exhibiting the effects of fatigue and injury.
Zax called out for Imair and Nolly and gestured for the two to rush back. Imair apparently made a game out of it as they both came running up to Zax giggling like it had been a race. Imair leaned in to talk to Zax quietly.
“Sir—where’s everyone going? Shouldn’t we wait here based on what the Captain just announced? Especially since the Flight Boss shouldn’t even be up and moving yet?”
“That’s what I thought too, Imair, but the Boss has a different idea.” Zax sighed exaggeratedly to help sell the story he was spinning. “He thinks we’ll be safer in a different compartment. I think he’s just sick of smelling and looking at all of the crap. Doesn’t matter. I gave up trying to understand officers years ago.”
Imair smiled and bent down to explain to the boy how they would be heading elsewhere. Zax turned and saw the Boss was watching him. The officer caught his eye and motioned for Zax to come over.
“What did you tell her?”
“I gave her a line about how crazy officers can be, sir.”
The Boss genuinely smiled at Zax. “That’s good, Zax. Really good. I’m guessing it isn’t actually too far from what you see as the truth.”
“No comment, sir.”
The officer laughed, but then became serious. “Our destination is one level above Primary Grav Control. Can you describe for me the route you’re going to take to get us there.”
Zax closed his eyes as he visualized the journey and described it to the Omega.
“The first part will be similar to when we made our way up to Waste Systems Control, sir. When we get into the level where we found Nolly, we’ll have to leave the maintenance network for a short period so we can get into another network of tunnels. We can stay in that second network to reach the destination.”
When Zax opened his eyes, he saw the Boss was looking thoughtful. “Will we go by that ladder where the boy got upset?”
“Yes, sir, but we won’t have to go anywhere near that group of civilians he was worried about. Assuming they really existed and were actually in the place he thought they were.”
The Omega was quiet for a moment. “Thank you, Zax. That sounds like a good plan. I need you to stay focused on the end game here. Remember—keep doing what you’re doing to protect me, and I’m going to make sure you get taken care of when it’s all over. OK?”
After all of the time he had spent choking back vomit in the treatment cavern, Zax had warmed up tremendously to the notion of saving the Boss and getting his career back on track. He nodded and said, “Yes, sir.”
The Boss raised his voice. “Same formation as earlier, people. Move out.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I know exactly what I'm doing.
The group left the cavern and their trip upwards was similar to the first time they had made the journey. The biggest difference was having two injured members in their party rather than one. The Boss’s wound began bleeding again fairly quickly due to all of the exertion.
Eventually, they reached the portal where they needed to exit the first group of maintenance tunnels and make their way to a different network. The main passageways remained empty. Zax was about to lead them past the ladder where Nolly had earlier warned them about the group of civilians when the Boss called a halt.
“I’ve decided on a change of plans. Moving around with this many people is too unwieldy, so I want to split up into two groups. Group one is going to be Westerick and Salmea plus the Engineering cadet. I want you three to take this ladder and make your way to Waste Systems Control via the main passageways. Wait there until you receive further orders. The rest of us will carry on to our original destination.”
Zax was confused. “But, sir…”
“Leave this to me, cadet. I know exactly what I’m doing.”
The Boss’s tone made it abundantly clear he did not want any discussion of the matter, but Zax was left dumbfounded as he tried to make sense of the man’s order. The officer was sending three members of the Crew to a certain death. Either they would get killed by the group of civilians which Nolly had earlier warned were waiting between the top of the ladder and Waste Systems Control, or they would perish along with so many others when the Captain vented the Ship.
Zax was conflicted. If he had been presented with any reason to push back against the Boss earlier in the day, he would have done so without thinking twice
out of general principle. Now, with the opportunity to get his career on the proper trajectory again, his calculus was different. It wasn’t as if the man was trying to shed Kalare or Sergeant Bailee.
Zax looked over at Westerick and Salmea. The major appeared nervous at the idea of leaving the relative safety of the larger group, but there was no way the man was going to question the Boss about the matter. Salmea, as always, seemed indifferent. Zax tried to dredge up compassion for the officers and the fate he expected for them if they left the main group. After working with them for a year, however, he had a hard time putting himself at any risk only to help them continue their incompetent service. Zax was still debating whether or not to further question the Boss’s change in plans when Kalare spoke up.
“Respectfully, sir, I suggest the cadet stay with us rather than go with the officers. I understand your intentions, sir, but I believe keeping him close will prove useful later on today. Once all of this is over, we will need to get Engineering cleaned up and back to normal as fast as possible.”
Zax had been conflicted about Westerick and Salmea but hadn’t given a second thought to Aleron walking off to his doom. He was dismayed to hear Kalare jump to the bully’s defense. What could she be thinking? She was well aware the boy had tormented Zax his entire life. In fact, she had been attacked or threatened by the idiot herself on multiple occasions. What would possess Kalare to want to keep Aleron around? Then Zax thought back to some of the interactions he had witnessed between the two of them over the past few hours. If Aleron was getting chummy with Kalare, it must surely be yet another in the long list of ways the boy schemed to hurt Zax. He clearly deserved whatever fate awaited at the other end of that ladder.
A final glance at Aleron triggered different feelings. Zax took a moment to really look at his classmate, and even though it was nearly impossible to see past a lifetime’s worth of bullying, the boy was just that—a boy. An idiot boy, but still someone who was trying to figure out his place in life and the Crew just like Zax was. He didn’t deserve to get tossed aside and left for dead. Zax knew he would probably regret the choice some day, but decided he couldn’t watch the cadet get sent off to his demise.
“I wholeheartedly agree with Kalare, sir.”
The Boss’s eyes flared with anger at Kalare’s suggestion and Zax’s agreement, but the man’s expression softened once he took a long look at Zax and Kalare. He finally nodded his approval before addressing the Waste Systems officers.
“Major—you appear apprehensive about walking off on your own. I understand I’m asking a lot by splitting you from the rest of our group. Sergeant Bailee—hand the major your blaster.”
The Marine looked unfazed about giving away their only weapon and handed it to Westerick without hesitation. The major’s demeanor changed instantly once the blaster was in his hand. He stood up straighter and there was a glint in his eye. Zax could not understand why the Boss would put himself and everyone else in the main travel party at risk only to provide the major a little comfort. The Boss continued.
“We never saw any civilians in this part of Waste Systems, so I have to imagine things will be empty where you’re going, but I want you to feel safe. If you run into any civilians, though, your orders are to fire immediately. Is that clear?”
“Sir, yes, sir,” the major responded as his chest puffed out with bravado.
The last order made the Boss’s rationale in giving away the blaster clear to Zax. The Omega wanted to be certain that if Westerick and Salmea ran into civilians, they wouldn’t be tempted to take their chances and surrender. Once the major was armed, the Boss knew he would fight. The most likely outcome given the major’s incompetence would be the death of the two officers at the hands of the civilians with no risk of them being questioned and giving up the Omega’s presence in the area. Zax rationalized away his apprehension about the officers’ fate as this outcome was probably a more humane way for them to die versus being vented into space along with everyone else.
“Now I’m stuck getting dragged around on the Boss’s little adventure instead of waiting this thing out in safety with those two. Thanks for nothing, you useless oxygen thief.”
Aleron had approached and whispered in Zax’s ear while the Waste Systems officers received their final orders from the Boss. The bully then brushed past roughly, jamming an elbow into Zax’s belly and stomping a boot on his foot in the process. Zax found it amazing how he regretted the decision to save the boy’s life even faster than he could have imagined, but the choice was made and there was no going back. They all watched the officers disappear up the ladder and then the Boss spoke.
“Let’s move.”
Zax led the group through a series of turns until they reached the access port for the next set of maintenance tunnels. He was about to seal the hatch behind them when he heard a series of blaster shots off in the distance back from where they had come. Zax strained to hear if the noise repeated, but there was only silence. He shut the hatch.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
I'll carry the boy.
The smaller group moved through the next set of tunnels faster than they had been able to previously. As they went upwards towards Primary Grav Control, the air became tinged with the smell of something burning. The odor became more intense as they ascended and Zax eventually halted the group once its source became clear.
They had turned a corner and stared into the gaping maw of a blast hole. It appeared to have swallowed not only the control room but also the passageways and maintenance tunnels which surrounded it. The explosion had been so strong there weren’t any recognizable human remains in sight, but the fact many people had died here was abundantly clear from the overwhelming smell of cooked flesh.
The heat of the blast had been so intense that some of the surfaces closest to the center of the detonation still glowed red. The tunnel was sheared so it now opened up into a main passageway, but the path forward was on the other side of a five-meter wide fissure which was at least thirty meters deep. The Boss looked at Zax after surveying the situation.
“Cadet—what are our options?”
Zax visualized the layout of the nearby passageways and tunnels. “There aren’t any great ones, sir. There’s an access port a few hundred meters back which can put us into the main passageways, but looking at all of this damage, it appears we’ll just get blocked again when we try to reach our target.The only clear path I see requires going down a dozen levels and will add 23 mins to the journey.”
The Omega pondered Zax’s words for a few moments as he looked around. Eventually, he shook his head. “No—we can’t risk backtracking when we’re so close. Who knows what we might encounter along the way. We need to figure out something e6lse. I need ideas, people.”
There was silence as everyone looked around and considered what appeared to be an insurmountable obstacle. Finally, Aleron spoke.
“I got it, sir! Look at all of the fiber optic cable that got exposed by the blast. There’s some right over there, and another huge tangle of it above us. If we can figure out something to use as a hook, we can pull down the cable above us and if it’s still solidly anchored, we can use it to swing across this gap!”
Zax looked up and saw how the plan might work. Someone once told Zax there was enough fiber optic cable strung throughout the Ship to span the distance between Earth and its moon a dozen times. Its ubiquity in the wreckage had initially made the many tangles of cable fade into the background.
The Boss smiled at Aleron. “That may be the craziest idea I’ve ever heard, cadet, but it just might work. Keeping you around is already paying off. Grab that cable from over there—I see some metal over here which might work as a hook.”
The Boss walked over to what appeared to be the remnants of a workstation blown out of the control room. One of the drawers had been blasted into a hunk of twisted metal but was shaped such that Zax could immediately recognize how the Omega wanted to use it. A few minutes later the metal had been bent into a
rough hook and attached to a piece of cable. Aleron swung it in an arc next to his body and after three attempts he snagged some of the cable from the tangled mass above their heads. He gave a few tugs and eventually worked loose a long loop that he pulled down within reach. He gave a few hard tugs and then looked around.
“Someone needs to go first. Since it was my idea, it might as well be me.”
Without pausing, he walked back a couple of paces and then bolted towards the chasm. Zax held his breath as Aleron swung across the gap and then dropped to a perfect landing on the opposite side. The cable swung back and Sergeant Bailee grabbed hold and then looked at the group.
“Kalare’s going next, then I will go, then the civilians, and then the Boss and Zax.”
Kalare gulped as she approached the Marine and grabbed the cable. She backed up as far as the cable would allow and then took off at full speed. Her hands visibly slipped as she crossed the midpoint of the arc, but she held on long enough to fall into Aleron’s waiting arms on the other side. She smiled up at him and remained in his embrace a few beats too long for Zax’s comfort.
Bailee made it look easy as he used his sole good arm to hang on. Zax had taken his place at the edge and caught the cable as it swung back. He handed it off to Imair and she made it look even easier than the Marine had. Zax caught the cable once again on its return and motioned for Nolly to approach the edge.
“OK, Nolly, you saw how everyone else did this. Looks like a lot of fun, right?”
The young civilian trembled like a trip across the fissure was his worst nightmare. He stood at the edge and his eyes went wide and brimmed with tears as he stared into the wreckage below. Imair called out from the other side.
“You can do it, Nolly. I’ll be right here to catch you, OK? I know how strong you are. This will be super easy for you.”
The boy shook his head. Just once at first, but then repeatedly as he backed away from the edge. He kept backing up without looking until he crashed against the Boss’s legs. Zax had been focused on Nolly the entire time, and he looked up at the Boss expecting the man to be livid. Instead, the Omega had a warm smile on his face. He dropped to a knee and spoke softly to the boy.