Karla sank back in her chair. “I guess all the hippies left and formed their own country somewhere to get some peace.”
“No, they either died from drugs, burned out and went insane or became executives in advertising companies.”
“You’re full of shit,” said Karla who had tightened up, folded her arms and looked straight ahead.
Earl let out a half hoot half laugh. “So Jim, we won out in the end?”
“Not exactly,” Jim said, sitting on the backrest and leaning back against the seat, “the authoritarians of your age either changed or became bitter old men unappreciated by anyone younger. It was a different style that ruled in the later years.”
“One thing before you all continue,” Dr. Chin said. “Sitting like this with the higher G force tends to compel blood to flow from the brain and the content of this can makes it worse. I suggest we have a quick one and return to our former position.”
“Will do,” Jim said.
Earl peeked over the backrest. “I take it we might black out like them test pilots in the movies.”
“Earl, with you that’s a permanent condition,” Karla said.
“Stop bugging Earl or you’ll get out and walk,” Jim said.
“Sam,” Chris said, looking up, “what’s your opinion on all of this?”
“Don’t rightly know. Never heard fancy talk like this bafore. We had people a arguin’ ‘bout the tariffs, taxes, ‘n states rights. Never owned slaves so ah never listened ta talk ‘bout them. Thought them there negras should be free ta do what they wants anyways. Mostly jest worked on the farm and ma father taught me that.”
“A much simpler time,” Karla said, breaking her short lived silence, “we would’ve all been better off living back then.”
“Hell no,” Sam said, this time it was his turn for anger. “Ma, wife ‘n children died of the fever. Ma brother died from a wound in the laig he got at Fredericksburg. It made me mad when Dr. Chin told me they wouldn’t have died if’n they was here. The doctors could have saved ‘em.”
This time all went silent. One by one the drinkers returned to their positions and called for the computer to secure them.
* * *
“Acceleration reducing to point one G,” came the voice of captain Mull. “Mr. Young, we have a minor problem.”
They felt the direction of their weight slowly change from straight back to down. “Go ahead Captain, what is it?” Jim asked.
“The Commonwealth ship had to leave. Things are heating up at Rennes. The court looks like awarding the planet to the Japanese confederation and the Bund has threatened to leave the Commonwealth and declare war. The Secret Service agent was set adrift in a life pod for us to pick up.”
Chris shook his head. “Those special branch guys tend to be rugged.”
“Will there be any difficulty with the pickup?” Jim asked.
“A slight one. The pod’s not powered, so maneuvering to pick it up will waste time and we have to get to the second rendezvous with the freighter.”
“I understand, thank you Captain.”
As the safety arms retracted, Jim made a movement to stand.
“Everyone wait,” Dr. Chin said.
“What’s the problem Doc?”
“Do you want to be the demonstrator? If so then just stand up and be careful.”
“Ok.” Jim slowly stood and slid a foot forward. Having the sudden feeling that the deck was tilting and he was starting to slide, he rapidly took his seat again. “Oh shit, vertigo.”
“Yes, your head’ll take a short while to figure out which way is down. Just sit for five minutes while it resolves the dilemma.”
“What’ll happen if that there Bund country leaves the Commonwealth?” Sam asked, swinging his chair to face the rest. “Will they go to war to bring ‘em back?”
“No,” Chris replied, “anyone can leave the Commonwealth whenever they want. It’s in the constitution. The war would be between the Bund and the Japanese. Both have legitimate claims to Rennes from before the Empire but the Japanese have a slight advantage.”
“What about the Commonwealth,” Earl said, “Jim told me they got a big army too.”
“By the constitution, they have to support the court’s decision. They’ll be on the side of whoever wins in court.”
Earl sat back and folded his arms. “I have no love for either the Japs or the Huns but I don’t want the rest caught in the middle. Why’s this Bund government going to fight anyway if they have so many against them?”
“It’s a growing sense of nationalism. The people of the Bund were the last freed from the French Empire and still equate nationalism with freedom and prosperity. They found out that they contributed more to humanity than the French Empire told them they did.”
“Blame my encyclopedia. I wish I’d never brought the thing,” Jim said.
“Damn nationalists,” Karla said, “why can’t they learn that love, peace and international brotherhood should rule. Looks like I have a lot of teaching to do.”
“With that,” Chris said with a smile, “I’ll have to agree with Earl, you’re quite uneducated in the way people think. It seems that whenever humans are involved there’ll be division. With division there’ll be conflict.”
“Bullshit.” Karla said.
“It’d be nice if that wasn’t so but it’s a fact. Your movement, back then, resolved very little. Radical departures from the standard seldom do. It’s the slow changes that transform humanity.”
Jim sat thinking for a moment. “You said I show only the start of current thinking. Could you expand on that?”
“Yes, in your day the general consensus was that education was for the young. When you became older, you put that knowledge into practice in either work or teaching the younger. Here we consider learning a life long routine with young and old teaching each other. Dr. Redmond told me that he was astonished when you first arrived and were worried that you were left behind by modern technology. To us that’s a strange concept at any age.”
Earl poked a finger in Karla’s direction. “But this young woman couldn’t possibly know as much as Jim or me. We’ve had years more experience.”
“She probably doesn’t, but with knowledge so vast, no one can know everything. There are probably many things that she knows that you don’t. There are other things that neither of you know and could learn together.”
“You saying I’ve gotta go back to school?” Earl said.
“It’s not uncommon these days for up to four generations of a family to take the same 3V university course at the same time. The main contributions of the older are not the facts and concepts themselves but how to learn and organize them. From what I can gather, that was the biggest problem with Karla’s society. The division disadvantaged both generations.”
“Speaking of knowledge,” Earl said, “I’ve been too busy learning how to work these computers to figure out the government.”
Jim smiled. “Took me a while to figure it out myself. To start with each planet is autonomous with regards to internal matters and from what I’ve seen no two governments are alike. Groups of these planets are united mostly on linguistic lines, and some aren’t. The Spanish and South American planets are under the La Raza Conference Confederation. The Turkish speaking planet, Izmir, is a member of the Arab league and I have no idea how it came about but the Greeks are part of the Scandinavian union...”
“It’s proximity,” Chris interrupted. “Greek colony ships, Norwegian and Swedish ones landed on planets in the same system.”
“Ah, that explains it.”
“So, what is Batalavia part of?” Earl asked.
“It’s a member of the largest confederation, the Union of English Speaking Planets. The two smallest groups are the Gaelic Federation made up of Irish, Welch and a few smaller ethnic groups such as the Britons from Brittany. The other is the single planetary system of Israel.”
“So, how does this all come together in the Commonwealth?”
“There are basically two councils in the Commonwealth. The more important one has one representative from each planet. The other has three members from each of the fourteen federations.”
“Are any of them communist?” Earl asked.
Jim shrugged and Karla threw up her hands in frustration.
Chris smiled. “Some are socialist but none are true communist.”
“Chris, I feel sick,” Celia said over the voice system.
Chris stood and walked toward the lift tube. “Next time don’t mix beer and wine, dear.”
Chapter 4
The ship lurched slightly as the deceleration minimally exceeded the three G that could be handled by the compensators. The final maneuvering for the rendezvous with the life pod caught Jim and Carol at breakfast in their cabin.
“Oops,” Jim said, his hand chasing a spoon as it scooted across the table. His coffee sloshed in a cup specially designed for the inevitable minor movements of a relatively small passenger ship.
Carol caught the spoon just before it left the table. “Well,” Carol said. “I still think it’s a very nice honeymoon,”
Jim gave her a half smile. “But sitting through briefings, updates and arguments wasn’t exactly my idea of a romantic trip.”
“Don’t worry,” Carol sighed. She sat back to gaze out the large bay window that covered most of one wall of the cabin. “We’ll have a chance to get away. I kind of like that little excursion craft you bought. Can it land on either of the planet’s two moons?”
“It can land on the planet if necessary. Taking off again is the problem, and it can do that from both moons but not the planet. The largest is point one seven G at the surface. It can easily handle up to point two for take off.”
“There you have it,” Carol announced, cocking her head to one side. “We have those pressure tents. While the doctors do their part, we can go camping.”
Jim broke into a broad grin. The thought of trying to start a campfire, let alone cooking hot dogs on the airless surface amused him.
All of the cabins on the ship emphasized a view of space. The beds were similar to ones found in any home and a breakfast area with table and chairs sat next to the large window.
“Life pod in the airlock,” Captain Mull announced over the voice system.
“Be there in a minute,” Jim said, standing and walking toward the door.
“I’ll be there too, in a few minutes,” Carol said. She stood and walked toward the bathroom. “You need someone to sidetrack Karla when she gets insulting. Every time that government agent comes up in conversation she looks like she’ll kill him the moment he steps on board.”
“If she does, she’s walking home,” Jim said.
As he entered the corridor, Jim thought of the shower that Carol was headed for. It amused him as it also had a window to the outside that covered one wall. Appearing naked to the universe was at first disturbing, so he had commanded the computer to turn the window opaque. For this morning’s shower he didn’t bother and casually watched the stars as he bathed naked.
Earl, Chris and Jim stood at the door to the maintenance airlock in the deck two cargo bay. Twenty minutes before, Marie Hadly, the third member of the ship’s crew had exited through the airlock to physically retrieve the occupied life pod. Earl stood with arms folded and a confident smile, expectantly watching the door.
After a few minutes the door slid open. Inside the airlock the deflated gray, rubbery sphere that was a standard ship’s life pod lay next to the outer door. Marie was in the process of removing her pressure suit and the Secret Service man stood just inside the entrance. His apparel was the very latest in current fashion from Gato on La Raza, the fashion capitol of the galaxy. The billowing shirt was similar to the preceding styles, only the colors had changed. Instead of the plain white or off white, bright, swirling tones formed intricate patterns. The quantity of lace at the cuffs had been reduced to a few centimeters. The dark brown pants were no longer bell bottomed, they were heavily pleated and gathered at the ankles.
“Peter?” Jim said in surprise.
“Well they had to pick someone who had liaison experience with Old Earth men,” the G man said in an effeminate voice.
“Welcome aboard,” Jim said as his hand shot out. “Haven’t seen you since that night on Tranquility.”
“Busy, busy, busy,” Peter said, reaching back and hauling out one of the two large bags on the floor. “With all of the intrigue going on these days there’s a lot of work for one with my talents.”
“I’m very happy they could spare you,” Jim said, picking up the first bag while Peter reached for the second. “I’d like to introduce you to...”
“Mr. Brevis and Mr. Benner,” Peter straightened with the bag in his hand while extending his other in Chris’s direction. “I understand that it’s soon to be Dr. Brevis when your thesis on social relationships of the late twentieth century is complete. Am I correct?”
“Uh... yes...” Chris said, mildly surprised that he knew so much detail. “That’s if the university panel accepts it. They’re pretty tough on applicants.”
After shaking hands with Chris, Peter then turned and extended a hand to Earl. “Mr. Benner, your description really doesn’t do you justice, you’re so good looking. Such a muscular dork...” Peter paused, as he saw Earl’s face drop and turned to Jim. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Earl, a dork now means a good looking person. Remember the language has changed slightly, especially in the field of slang. I should get you one of the new slang dictionaries that’ve come out.”
“Ah...” Earl said, reluctantly extending his own hand. “Dork… Uh… Yes… Uh…”
Peter shot Jim a glance with a raised eyebrow. “Is...?”
Jim slowly shook his head trying to conceal a smirk. “No, just like me, women only, he’s heterosexual.”
“Oh darn,” Peter said. “Just my luck. Oh well, may as well find my cabin and take a rest. Nineteen hours in that uncomfortable life pod left me worn out.”
“You can have cabin eight. I’ll show you the way.”
Peter reached for the bag in Jim’s hand. “No, no, I know how to get there,” he said. “Oh, by the way, congratulations on your marriage. It’s just too bad you like women darling. You’re a good looking guy.” Peter tweaked Jim’s cheek.
“Thank you.”
Carol chuckled. “Hey, hand’s off, he’s mine.”
“And there is the new Mrs. Young,” Peter said as he took a pace in her direction and gave her a hug. “And Karla Brett. The only one missing is Mr. Carlisle.”
“He’s in a 3V class at the moment,” Jim said. “Are you sure you can find your way? This ship’s been redesigned to my specifications.”
“Oh yes, I’ll be just fine,” Peter said before shaking hands with Karla.
“I’m very pleased to meet you,” Karla said with a broad smile. “I love your outfit. Where did you get it?”
“It’s a copy,” Peter said. “I got in on Ploshard. We government employees can’t afford the real thing from Gato.”
* * *
Jim entered the small lounge on deck two followed by Carol. Sam, sitting in one of the six armchairs, looked up from the data pad he was reading. “That there government man git aboard?”
The pleasantly decorated ship’s lounges were generally used for individual reading or private contemplation. The observation deck was the center for socialization.
“Yes,” Earl said before Jim could open his mouth, “and he’s a raving, limp wristed fag, a queer.”
Sam appeared confused. “Ah thoughts he was somthin’ like a Pinkerton agent. Don’t know what this here faig is.”
Earl took a seat next to Carol. “He does it with other men.”
“The term is now ‘Family’,” Jim said, obviously amused by Earl’s reaction.
“Does what?” Sam asked. “What does he do with men?”
“Sex,” Earl said in a confidential tone while giving Car
ol an embarrassed glance.
“Oh, ah heard of fellas like that, but ah never met one. There was a rumor that a fellah in Merton county did it with goats but ah thaink that was a joke more’n anythin’ else.”
Karla entered the room.
“How do you like our G man?” Karla asked, grasping the back of Earl’s chair and leaning over to see the side of his face. “I think he’s one of the beautiful people,”
“It’s a damn disgrace,” Earl said furiously while thumping the arm of his chair with a clenched fist. “J Edgar Hoover would role over in his grave.”
Jim forcefully assumed a serious expression. “Earl, from what I’ve heard, Hoover was homosexual too. He lived with the assistant director of the F.B.I.”
“Never heard that! It’s a damn lie!” Earl said.
Karla walked across the room and flopped into a chair. “I, for one, am pleased. Here I was thinking that he’d be a tough asshole in a suit and sunglasses and he turns out to be quite the opposite. Jim, I didn’t think you were that progressive and into expanding your horizons.”
“I hope you’re not saying what I think you’re saying,” Jim said, looking up with eyes opened wide.
“Well, if it feels good, do it,” Karla said with a smile.
“Yeuck,” said Jim and Carol in unison, Jim’s face appearing as if he had just sucked on a lemon. “He’s just a good friend. I’m not into that sort of thing. Even seeing it would make me nauseous, but that doesn’t affect my relationship with him as a person.”
Karla’s smile disappeared. “He has the right to express himself when and where he wants. If he feels like kissing another man in public, he should be able to do it.”
“He’s a friend, but please, not in front of me.”
Earl grimaced. “He does it in front of me and I’ll shove him in that airlock thing and blast him into space.”
Karla’s face brightened again. “I’ve often considered fucking another woman myself, just for the experience.”
“In that case,” Earl snapped, “there’ll be two nymphomaniac degenerates in the airlock, and cut the bad language young lady!”
To Wake the Living (The Time Stone Trilogy Book 2) Page 7