by Murison, J W
‘You sound like you would like to go with them?’
‘You got to be kidding; I’ve been a sci-fi fan since I was five. I’d give an arm and a leg to be up their right now.’
The Vice President shook his head, ‘I’m a cowboy fan myself. Still at least I know I’ve got the right man for the job. I want you to try and contact the ship without the President finding out. Let them know at least that we’re gathering support for them. Don’t forget to tell Colonel Howe we think he’s doing a great job we personally guarantee the safety of his family and that of his men.’
Chapter 30
Colonel Howe actually jumped when his cell phone rang. He picked it up off his bedside table, ‘hello.’
‘Colonel Howe, I hope I haven’t caught you at an inopportune moment?’
He thought he recognised the voice, ‘no, not at all, who’s calling please?’
‘This is the Secretary of Defence here Colonel, I hope you remember me?’
‘Yes sir I do, how can I help you?’
‘Well … we would like to know how things are going Colonel, how are you and your men making out up there?’
‘Very well actually sir, better than I would have believed.’
‘That’s great to hear. Will you give them my regards when you see them?’
‘Yes sir I’ll do that.’
‘Good … good, ehmm! I know things are pretty mixed up down here Colonel, but I would like to let you know most of us think you’re doing a damn good job.’
Howe took a deep breath, ‘you don’t know just how good it is to hear that sir, may I pass that down to the men too. Some of them have taken being branded a traitor to their country pretty hard.’
‘Yes please do, that was a … very unfortunate incident and I’m sure it is a mistake that will be rectified in time. Many of us here realise the hardship you have been placed under Colonel and would like you to know you are not alone. We are gathering support for your endeavours at this very moment.
However the President himself is not in agreement with us and I’m afraid I have some bad news for Mr. Gordon, which I would like you to convey for us.’
‘Go ahead sir.’
‘The President has ordered the death of MR. Gordon’s father if he doesn’t surrender the ships within the next forty-eight hours.’
‘Can’t you do something to stop it sir?’
‘No I’m afraid not, neither would I recommend a rescue attempt Colonel, I believe a trap has been set for anyone who tries.’
The Colonel smiled, ‘thank you for that sir but we are already aware of the situation.’
‘Ohh! I see. I never realised.’
‘There is something else I would like you to be aware of sir, the captain can’t hand over the ships. They have a will of their own sir and will not allow anymore poking or prodding. There is something else you should be aware of, if you aren’t already. When you become a captain of one of these ships there is a penalty to pay. After six months away from the ship a crew member would become very ill, maybe even fatally so, it would kill the captain out right.’
‘You aren’t kidding are you Colonel?’
‘No sir I’m not, it is a job for life.’
‘I will remember that Colonel, but I had better let you get on. Please remember none of you are alone up there and this comes directly from me and the Vice President.’
‘I will sir and thank you for your support.’
With a heavy heart Colonel Howe went to find Steven. He found him on the Bridge teaching some of the scientist’s new forms of mathematics.
‘Can I talk with you sir?’
‘Of course Colonel.’
‘In private sir.’
‘My quarters then.’
‘I think your Mother should be there too sir.’
Mary looked up from the pad she had been doing calculations on, the excited sheen in her eyes dulling quickly, ‘what is it Colonel?’
Howe indicated towards the lift, ‘please.’
Steven stood looking out at the View of Earth below, ‘what is it Colonel?’
Howe took a deep breath, ‘they are going to execute your father in forty-eight hours if you don’t hand over the ships.’
Mary gasped but kept her peace. Steven regarded the Colonel coolly, ‘please tell me everything.’
He omitted nothing and Steven was relived, pretending he wasn’t aware of the communication. He realised Howe probably knew he was, but he also knew Howe hadn’t informed the Secretary for Defence his call might be monitored.
Steven paced back and forth before the window. ‘Have you any recommendations, Colonel?’
‘I don’t think the President will be lured out by an exchange sir that leaves us only one option, a direct assault.’
‘We’ve already agreed that would be suicide.’
Colonel Howe shrugged, ‘I can’t see any other option.’
‘You’re willing to risk your life and those of your men to rescue one man?’
‘It’s what we do sir and we all know and respect your father.’
‘It may be what you do Colonel but I’m not prepared to risk your lives for one man, even that of my father.’
Howe’s eyes hardened, ‘give us a chance, maybe with the new weapons we’ve developed we can get him out.’
‘I admire your courage Colonel and the obvious respect you have for my father. But there are far too many armed men in that prison you, would stand no chance and then I would lose all of you. But neither am I willing to give up on my father.’
Steven paced some more and came to a decision, ‘we have in our charge an Alien craft whose offensive capabilities we barely understand. Maybe it’s about time we changed that. I suggest we return to the Moon and find out. We can also test those new weapons of yours.’
He touched his communicator, ‘listen in everyone we have a developing situation. Prepare to break our downlink with Earth. I want us back on the Moon in sixty minutes. All security personnel report to Colonel Howe in his briefing room when we arrive.’
He turned to his Mother, ‘I want you home and safe.’
She shook her head, ‘it isn’t safe at home.’
‘I don’t mean America.’
‘I’m not leaving you.’
‘If this goes wrong, we could end up losing everything. I won’t be able to prevent that but I can stop them getting their hands on you. The ships been able to reproduce computer discs that can be read on our computers. I’ll download enough information to keep scientists on Earth busy for the next century. I’m going to charge you with getting those discs into safe hands. Will you do that for me?’
A tear sprang out of the corner of her eye, ‘yes of course.’
He smiled and kissed her on the cheek, ‘thanks Mum.’ He turned to the Colonel, ‘I’ve got to make some calls, could you take my Mother up to Hammersmith, she’ll need funds when she gets home.’
Howe smiled, ‘of course, if you’ll come with me Doctor.’
Mary bravely forced a smile onto her face and followed the Colonel.
Steven sat down with a groan.
‘What's the matter my heart?’
‘Things are beginning to get complicated.’
‘I can ease your mind if you wish.’
‘How?’
‘There are chemicals that will induce a state of relaxation.’
‘No thank you, that’s the last thing I need.’
‘As you wish my heart.’
He inexplicitly found himself smiling, ‘and don’t offer them to the crew either. What I do need is to get in contact with the Prime minister of Scotland.’
‘I think he sent you one of those emails, I will search for it.’
His mind suddenly jumped onto another train of thought, ‘these chemicals you were talking about, what forms can you produce them in?’
‘I can produce them in solid form, liquid or gas.’
He sat up, ‘can you strengthen them to produce sleep.’
&nbs
p; ‘Yes but how much is safe for Humans and which is the best to use?’
Steven smiled and sat back, ‘have you found that email yet?’
‘Yes my heart.’
‘Then put it on my screen please.’
Forty-five minutes later they came to land in a shaded piece of woodland. A small cottage stood alone in an adjacent clearing a few hundred meters away, but it wasn’t big enough for the ship.
Colonel Howe’s head came up from his screen. There was tension in his voice, ‘sir I have thirty concealed and armed men surrounding the clearing.’
‘I’m expecting them Colonel, but I want two of your men at the ramp with weapons to cover us just in case anything goes wrong.’
He only needed to glance at Beaver. They met Steven and Mary at the door. Hammersmith was there with what looked like a canvas sack and another of Howe’s men to help him carry it.
Steven looked them all over, ‘we ready?’
Howe and Beaver stepped in front of him, ‘stay here until we give the all clear.’ He looked at Beaver who simply nodded. ‘We’re ready Babe open her up.’
The door slid open and the ramp went down but they didn’t wait. They simply stepped off the ramp and took up positions protected by it.
Beaver nodded towards the woods, ‘I see movement in my quarter, slightly right of the ramp.’
‘Got him,’ Howe confirmed.
A lone figure appeared out of the shadows. Steven detected the uniform and weapon straight away, but the man kept it above his head and crossed with his empty hand. It didn’t take him long to cover the open ground.
Steven was sure he heard a groan of dismay from Howe. The man headed straight for the ramp then swerved just before he reached it, ‘William old boy, how the hell are you?’
‘That’s Colonel to you,’ Howe growled standing up.
‘Got yourself a peach of a job old boy,’ he answered ignoring Howe’s warning growl with a big grin.
Steven stepped forward, ‘you know this man Colonel?’
‘Unfortunately, he’s a right royal pain in the ass.’
It never seemed to faze the man, ‘you flatter me old boy but I’m not royalty.’ He stepped up the ramp and offered his hand to Steven, ‘Major Daniel Forbes of The 1st Battalion The Gordon Highlanders.’
Steven shook his hand, ‘pleasure, are you Scottish?’
‘Good God yes.’
‘I’m sorry it’s just that your accents different to what I expected.’
‘Public school old boy.’
‘I see,’ although he wasn’t quite sure he did.
Howe filled in the gaps with a growl, ‘Tapper here, belongs to the Scottish aristocracy, they send their children away to public schools, that’s why they talk different.’
Steven nodded his understanding, ‘Tapper? Is that your nickname?’
‘On account that the Army put me through university. I studied Geology. After I had completed my terms of service I found myself in a dilemma, I loved both, so in the end I tossed a coin, become a geologist or stay in the Army, and here I am old boy.’
Howe still wasn’t looking very happy about his appearance, ‘he got his nickname because he runs around with a ridicules little hammer in his pocket, tapping at everything in sight, and he’s in the SAS, not the Gordon’s.’
Tapper smiled up at the Colonel tut, tuting, ‘really old boy, you should learn your Army protocol. I am only seconded to the SAS, my parent unit is the Gordon Highlanders, and that is to whom I shall return when my tour of duty is done.’
Howe bristled, ‘not my Army.’
Tapper rocked back on his heels, ‘true, true.’ Somehow he managed to make it sound like an insult. Howe squared off but the smaller man held his ground.
Steven cleared his throat, ‘gentlemen please. Major do you have the doctor I requested with you?’
‘Yes and more.’
Steven frowned, ‘more?’
‘I have the honour of offering you the services of myself and my brick.’
Stevens frown deepened, ‘what the hell’s a brick?’
Howe pushed forward, ‘it’s what the British call a four man team and we don’t need them.’
Tapper laughed, ‘I’ve seen the plans of the building you’re going to assault old boy. Don’t tell me you couldn’t use my help to watch your back while you’re inside?’ For the first time Steven saw Howe hesitate. Tapper drove home his advantage, ‘don’t worry old boy I have no intentions of running around your country shooting up your citizens. I will leave that dubious pleasure to yourselves. I will simply watch your back while you’re inside and cover the exits.’
Steven could see the Colonel didn’t like it but he didn’t want to overrule him and stand on his toes. ‘I don’t think we need any more security personnel Major, but if Colonel Howe can use you on this operation than I will leave that decision to him, and if he takes you then you will be under his direct command for the whole operation.’
It let Howe know he had an out. The Major didn’t seem at all phased, ‘It would be a pleasure to serve alongside Colonel Howe and his men again sir.’
Steven caught the byplay and so did Howe, he looked over at Beaver who had a hungry look in his eye. Beaver nodded, ‘we could do with the manpower.’
Howe bent over almost head butting the Major, ‘ok you’re in, but don’t get any smart ideas about hanging around.’
Tapper laughed, ‘delighted to be of service old boy.’ He turned to Steven, ‘I say old chap you would have any pieces of Moon rock lying around would you? I heard you’ve been in the vicinity lately.’
Steven laughed, ‘you'll be able to get your hands on plenty Moon rock very shortly Major.’
‘Oh good show.’
Beaver’s eyes were still gleaming and tugged at the Majors sleeve, ‘is cookie with you Tapper?’
‘My good man I never go anywhere without my personnel chef.’
Beaver rubbed his hands together, ‘great.’
Howe grunted, ‘now there's a man we could probably use.’
The Major merely lifted an eyebrow at him. He pressed the microphone attached to his top pocket, ‘all clear.’
Four figures detached themselves from the shadows. Three armed to the teeth surrounded a fourth. Steven could see from this distance it was a woman. They came directly up to the ramp.
Security forgotten Beaver stepped forward and shook hands with a small stocky man on the right. Even Howe smiled at the sight of him, but it was the woman who lugged a large medical bag who took up Steven’s attention. Her eyes flicked from man to man then settled on Steven.
He nodded and she approached offering her hand, ‘are you Steven Gordon?’
He took her small delicate hand in his, ‘yes I am, and you are?’
‘Amanda Freeling MD. I am a fully trained doctor and surgeon.’
‘To do the job that’s required of you Doctor, you have to be able to communicate with the ship. That means you have to become a member of the crew. Once you get one of these on your wrist there is no going back, you’re in the job for a bloody long time, would you like to reconsider?’
She surprised Steven with a throaty chuckle, ‘you have to be kidding right, where do I sign on?’
Steven grinned, ‘we’ll take care of that in a minute.’ Then he noticed Beaver hold something up to his nose and sniff deeply. He nudged Howe, ‘what's Beaver up to.’
Howe grinned, ‘you haven’t met cookie yet, he’s the only man I know that carry’s truffles with him into battle.’
Steven shook his head, ‘you people never cease to amaze me. Now can we get my Mother home?’
Tapper had been listening in with a smile, ‘of course sir, I’ll call her escort.’
This time five men appeared out of the shadows. Four armed and in the centre an older suited man. He walked boldly up the ramp and offered his hand. Steven recognised him immediately and stepped forward to take it.
‘Prime Minister, it’s an honour.’
&n
bsp; ‘The honour is all mine Mr. Gordon or should I call you captain Gordon. I’m sorry to surprise you like this but I just couldn’t resist the temptation to see a real alien space craft.’
‘Would you like a quick tour? I’m afraid you won’t be able to see much.’
‘Yes I’ve heard, some kind of glare is it.’
‘That’s right sir … although. Would you have a spare fifteen minutes?’
‘I am at your service.’
‘Could you tell your people not to worry and come aboard?’
‘Yes certainly.’
His escort came with him as Steven guided them to the bridge.
He sat in his seat and indicated to the one next to him, ‘please.’
A grinning Buzz guided him into it and gave up his own seat for Stevens Mother.
Steven rapped out orders, ‘prepare to engage planetary drive. Navigation take us to our home on the Moon.’
The prime minister wasn’t seated long. Steven smiled at the reactions. Then he let Babe take them on a close surface orbit. After that they returned to Earth where they orbited the planet once before landing again.
The trip took half an hour, but Steven regarded the time well spent. There were tears in the man’s eyes as he bid Steven farewell, ‘I had never in my life expected to see such wonderful things, Captain Gordon. Thank you for that experience. If you need anything, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.’
It was finally time to say goodbye to his Mother. She couldn’t stop the tears flowing freely down her face as she threw her arms around his neck, ‘take care son and return your father to me safe and sound.’
‘I’ll try my best Mum.’
She broke free and forced a smile, ‘I know you will.’ She turned to Buzz who was hovering near, ‘and as for you, you big fool look after my son for me.’
He stepped forward and gathered her in his big arms, giving her a loving hug, ‘I think it’s about time he started looking after me, but don’t worry about him, I’ll always have his back.’
She kissed him on the cheek and he flushed. An amused Steven turned to the Prime minister, ‘could you make sure my mother is given the proper funds for all the gold and jewels sir?’
The prime minister chuckled, ‘when its realised they’re the first from outer space, those bars will triple their value. Don’t worry about your Mother young man, I’ll make sure she comes to no harm and your father when you return with him.’