Paravoid (Rust Bucket Universe)

by Atk. Butterfly

  Each of the Academy crews could see each other again as they converged on the naval base. Each crew kept itself apart from the others for control purposes. Otherwise, they all had the same intentions of being the first to get aboard their ships. Only the larger size of the cruiser's crew gave it a disadvantage. For that reason, they were given the most direct route and the front position as the crews entered the naval base.

  The scramble alarm went off early just as the Dust Bunny crew cleared the gates. Dave realized immediately that it was the wrong time and not a drill. He shouted out, "This is not a drill! Scramble!" and ran fast for the hover following the formation. He leapt in and said, "Drive back to the other formations, quickly!" As he reached the others, he shouted, "This is not a drill! Scramble!"

  If any of the cadets needed further proof, regular Navy personnel were scrambling for their own ships at other parts of the launch field.

  As soon as Admiral Oden was sure that all his cadets were scrambling, he instructed his driver to head for the cruiser where his cadets were already getting on board. The driver turned the hover back to the launch field and covered the distance quickly, getting Admiral Oden to the ship before the last of the cadets got on board.

  Dave leaped out of the hover which then turned and left the field. He got in back of the line for the entrance and waited his turn. When Dave reached the entrance, he saw John Christiansen on the ground where he had been knocked down by the cadets who didn't show him any respect as a reporter since they were responding to an alarm. Dave bent down and checked the man over.

  "Well, I tried to warn you not to get an interview at the entrance," said Dave. "You want to go on board or seek medical attention elsewhere?"

  "You're not getting rid of me. I'll go on board," John managed to spit out.

  "Then move it or you'll become a cinder. When that hatch closes, anyone in the way is on his own. No one's going to stop the launch while you get out of the way," Dave said with an authoritative, no-nonsense voice. He then grabbed John by the arm and lifted him to his feet.

  John Christiansen somehow managed to make his way up the steps and into the ship. As soon as Admiral Oden came in behind him, the admiral slammed the hatch shut, latched it, and pressed the intercom switch. "Outer hatch secured! Launch!" Dave stated.

  A voice over the intercom replied, "Affirmative."

  "Get down on the deck!" Admiral Oden said as he sat down on it, himself. Dave then reached up and pulled John down onto the deck, just in time to keep the man from falling down as the ship's engines suddenly kicked into action and the ship made a quick ascent to space.

  "Hey! You don't have to be so rough!" John exclaimed just before the g-forces hit him.

  "What? You'd rather I let you fall and get hurt some more?" asked Dave, almost oblivious to the g-forces he was used to taking.

  As soon as the ship was in space, Dave got up and left the entryway. He made his way to the bridge, leaving John to fend for himself. Dave figured that the man would probably continue to sit there some more with the bruises he now had in addition to the apparent sprained or broken wrist he got from the cadets. Dave made his way onto the bridge and was satisfied to see that the cadets were already handling themselves professionally as he wanted them to. They hadn't waited for him to arrive before coordinating with the Navy ships and each other to find out the cause of the alarm.

  "Admiral on the bridge!" one of the cadets said loudly.

  "Continue as you were!" Dave said as he took his seat.

  Captain Manning turned and came over to Dave. "Sir, it's a request for assistance from the Navy to a pirate attack."

  "Very well. Proceed with our mission. The Navy has enough ships to handle the situation without us this time," said Dave.

  "Yes sir. I'll notify the Navy squadron that we are resuming our mission and will stay out of their way," she said.

  Dave nodded, then remembered the injured reporter. "You better have the ship's medic take a look at Mr. Christiansen. He's probably still at the entry passage."

  "You brought him on board? Yes sir," she responded.

  ***

  The Academy squadron soon tested their weapons as part of standard procedure for any Navy warships entering space. After they completed their first tests, they performed coordinated maneuvers as a squadron formation, again while firing their weapons. Close to half the day was spent on maneuvering and gunnery practice until all the ship captains were satisfied with their results.

  If anything, the cadets were rougher on themselves than their instructors would have been. They seemed to strive toward achieving an elusive perfection in everything they did. Such was the quality of the personnel who entered the Space Academy in the first place.

  ***

  John Christiansen was first taken to the medical area and then permitted to go to his quarters where he decided to lie down. His left wrist was bandaged to prevent more damage to the broken bone he suffered. He suffered the pain, refusing any pain killers that might impair his mind. Truthfully, he was afraid that if he accepted any, the cadets would try to keep him off his feet for the entire training voyage and away from the admiral.

  As he lay in his quarters, he recorded what happened to him in the worst light possible to the Academy and the admiral. It was one of his typically slanted reports and sure to raise some eyebrows among the public. He wasn't aware that he had already provided the first newsworthy incident of the voyage and that the other four journalists were already taking advantage of the first transmission opportunity to transmit news reports back to their offices. Had he realized that, he would have been aware that he was only making himself out to be even more of an ass with his own report to go out later. The public would already be aware of what happened to him and how.

  None of the other reports was favorable to him in the least. Of course, it was partly because none of the other journalists respected him, either. He wasn't in their league when it came to professionalism, honesty, and integrity. That was mostly because he worked for the Daily Bread. It wasn't respected for much the same reasons. That only made it harder for the other journalists to put up with him.

  ***

  John Christiansen didn't bother looking at any of the news inputs to the squadron before sending his own report. He didn't notice that the other journalists were deliberately permitting him to send his report out first and were hastily changing their own reports slightly before they submitted them for transmission. The other four journalists had no compulsions against knocking someone like John about. He was the type of person who deserved everything he got and often made it too easy for himself to receive.

  John got up from his seat beside the transmission officer after he was satisfied that his story went out properly and was received by his editor. He smirked as he looked at Admiral Oden who seemed not to be worried nor concerned about the vitriol that was plainly evident in John's report.

  John listened to the next journalist, Marcia, go over her news report with Captain Manning. His face began to pale as he heard himself mentioned in an unflattering way.

  "The Daily Bread reporter is apparently suffering from worse injuries than we first suspected and reported. Perhaps he struck his head when he fell during the scramble aboard ship by cadets who responded like true Navy veterans in an emergency. Not once has this reporter heard the Daily Bread reporter thank the admiral for helping him into the ship ahead of launch or for sending medical personnel down to take care of him. I've seen many people who failed to thank someone for something important, but usually there was something important still going on to interrupt the normal gesture of politeness and civility. The Daily Bread's reporter acts as though he truly has it in for the admiral who has done nothing to that reporter that wasn't deserved."

  Marcia went on with her description of the day's maneuverings and gunnery exercises. She was overly impressed with the attention to detail by the cadets as they ran the ship themselves and tried to do better than anyone before had ever run a ship. W
hen she finished sending out her story, she yielded the seat to the next journalist and turned to John.

  "You really ought to be on time for all the news transmissions. Wouldn't hurt if you read something besides the Daily Bread, too. You might do wonders for your mind. It could use a little common sense. Not to mention, you wouldn't come off looking like the asshole you are," she said.

  John left the bridge and went to the recreation area. There he called up the net and looked at the earlier posted news stories that were sent out to all the various news services. Immediately he realized he would look like a bigger fool and an ass because of the story he just sent in. John hastily left the recreation area and hurried back to the bridge where the last journalist was transmitting. John got back in line and composed a new story as he waited.

  The communications officer began to shut down the system when John sat beside him. "Yes, Mr. Christiansen?" the cadet asked.

  "I'd like to send out another story," John said quickly.

  "I'm sorry, but you've already had your turn and the transmission period is over."

  John replied, "Please, I want to retract my earlier story and say something different. I wasn't aware of what transpired in the last few hours due to my injury."

  "I can't make that decision, sir. You'll have to speak with the captain. If Captain Manning approves, then I'll gladly transmit your report."

  John quickly stood up and went over to Captain Manning. "Please, I need to transmit another story and retract the garbage I sent out earlier. I was in pain and didn't know what I was doing."

  Captain Manning looked hard at the reporter and said, "You didn't look to be in much pain to me. Aside from your bandage, I'm finding it hard to even think of you as being hurt."

  "Please, I'll even say something nice about the admiral," John said.

  She said, "It doesn't matter to me whether you say anything nice about him or not. He's a big man and quite capable of taking care of himself. I would also like to remind you that we don't play favorites on board this ship. However, since you were injured and missed the first transmission period, I am going to make an exception just this once. Don't ever ask me to accommodate you again like this. Communications, go ahead and send out Mr. Christiansen's report."

  John hurried back to the communications panel where it was quickly set back up. Within a minute he was transmitting his new report after it was quickly scanned by Captain Manning for material that shouldn't be included.

  ***

  Only the Daily Bread followed up on his second transmission by not using his first transmission, since that report made both John and the Daily Bread look like idiots. The other news services, which received everyone's reports, used everything, sensing that there were fireworks going off on board the training ships. It was good for subscriptions and it made interesting reading.

  It wasn't over for John. The other news services wanted more interviews with him to know how he felt about having his life saved by someone he attacked routinely in the press. Of course, they wanted interviews with the admiral and got those easily. John was at first reticent until he received instructions from the Daily Bread on how to handle himself to their satisfaction. They didn't want a repeat of John's previous impromptu interviews where he made them both look foolish.

  ***

  "The admiral didn't do anything for me. He certainly didn't save my life and he threw me down on the deck after we got on board the ship. If anything, he should be apologizing to me," John said.

  Marcia asked, "Then you would rather have been roasted to a cinder when the ship took off or suffered more injuries by being thrown down on the deck by the launch? Seems rather foolish for someone to deny assistance and then blame the person who helped him. Regardless, I'll report it this way if you want. Admiral Oden's interview is already public record and the people can make up their minds for themselves. Frankly, I believe his version more than yours especially since he had a recording to back up what he said."

  "He did?" John exclaimed. "Well, he didn't have to be so rough!"

  "I didn't hear any roughness when you were picked up or pulled down, John. In fact, the difference between you hitting the deck and the engines kicking in full was less than a second. If he hadn't pulled you down when he did, you'd still be laid up with injuries. Frankly, if I was you, I'd start re-evaluating my position in regards to the admiral. He didn't go gunning for you in the first place. You went after him. Seems to me that you picked on someone who's in a class by himself. You're not even near his league, let alone in it," Marcia stated. "You want to start over again in a few moments after you've had time to think things through or do you want to keep going from here?"

  "Give me a few moments. I think I better read the other interviews for myself," John answered as he recalled his latest instructions from the Daily Bread.

  ***

  John's subsequent interview was a lot less filled with condemnation and even acknowledged that the admiral might have prevented him from suffering further injury. With that interview, the fireworks died down somewhat. John went back to his usual questions to the admiral about the upcoming elections and what he was doing about the pirates.

  ***

  "Admiral to the bridge! Admiral Oden to the bridge!"

  Dave heard the call over the ship-wide intercom and excused himself from the casual conversation he was having with some of the cadets. He made his way directly to the bridge and stopped beside Captain Manning.

  "Admiral, we've discovered what appears to be an old Malakin warship drifting along. Unless you have any objections, I intend to have the squadron investigate the derelict and mark it for salvage," she said.

  "Carry on, Captain," Dave said while looking at the sensor screens with her. "It would be wise to notify the journalists of what's about to take place. It would be good for them to know ahead of time to show them our full cooperation is still in effect. It'll also take the sting out of anything going wrong. Remember that. Never try to hide anything. You'll find that they won't condemn you as harshly if everything doesn't work out all right. Sometimes they'll even defend you since they're more knowledgeable of the real facts."

  "Yes sir. Including Mr. Christiansen?" she asked. Then she saw the admiral's face and said, "Yes sir, Mr. Christiansen. I don't know why you don't boot him out the hatch without his suit, especially after everything he's done so far."

  "Captain Manning, he hasn't done much of anything so far. I intend to let him do a lot more before I end his tirade," said Dave.

  "But why, sir?" she asked.

  Dave replied, "Sorry, but I can't divulge that information right now. Later on I'll be happy to tell you what else was happening. But for the time being, treat him just as if he was one of the other journalists."

  "Yes sir," she replied. "I'll inform them all immediately. First Officer, take over the bridge while I personally notify our war correspondents that we're going to mark a derelict for salvage. Take care of notifying key crew members to make ready for the task."

  ***

  The Academy Squadron matched speeds with the drifting Malakin warship. For safety reasons, the support ships took positions behind the warship where they would be safest in case it was manned by still active robots.

  "First Officer, assemble an inspection team and prepare to board the Malakin warship," Captain Manning ordered.

  "Yes ma'am. Standard procedures for inspection of an enemy warship?" asked First Officer Garrett.

  "Uh, I'm not sure," she answered. "We're not at war with them right now."

  Cadet Springer spoke up and said, "If there's any chance that it was manned by robots, it has to be assumed that the danger is still present. That's Navy SOP on the subject, Captain."

  "Hmmm. . . I guess we better follow that assumption since most of the Malakin warships were manned by robots. First Officer, get the reg's out on screen. Let's double check ourselves on the proper procedure for boarding an enemy ship with danger still presumed to exist," she said.

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p; Garrett replied, "Yes ma'am. Be ready in a moment." He pressed some keys and looked at the screen. After a few moments, he announced, "Got 'em, Captain."

  She walked over beside him and looked at the procedure as outlined by the Navy for the situation. "Well, we did one thing right so far. We're in the right position."

  "Two things, Captain. You selected me to board her. You're not allowed to go," he said.

  "I thought I remembered something like that when I gave you the task," she replied.

  "I see that we'll have to cut our way in to avoid booby traps. So be it, then. Okay, I'll have to expand my team first before I take them over," he said.

  "Yes, you do. I'll have to notify the other ships' captains to have them man their battle stations in case this wreck is still alive. You go ahead and reform your team while I get the rest of the gears in motion," she said. "Communications, notify the other ships to have their crews man their battle stations. Signal our own personnel to do the same."

  A moment later, red lights switched on and off several times. A chilling alarm sounded throughout the ship at the same time while the communications officer's voice stated calmly, "Man your battle stations. Man your battle stations. This is not a drill. Be prepared to give covering fire for our inspection team when they board the wreck."

  Off to the rear of the bridge, Admiral Oden smiled proudly as his cadets caught their own mistakes in time and issued the proper orders while making the right preparations.

  Captain Mary Manning said, "Are the fighters ready?"

  "Yes ma'am," the communications officer said.

  "Launch four of them. The fifth is for the inspection team," Mary said.

  "Bridge to hangar, launch fighters one through four. Fighter five is on standby for inspection team use."

  There was barely a vibration as four fighters left the cruiser's hangar. "Fighters away and moving into position, Captain," the communications officer said.

  "Excellent. Keep me advised. Thanks, Gene," she replied. Only then did she think of looking back at the admiral in the shadows. She wasn't sure, but she thought she could discern the trace of a smile on his face. Mary turned back to her tasks.