by Dan Worth
The Mark Antony was currently docked at Euphrates Station in the Vega system to take on supplies. They were due to return to their patrol route tomorrow. Chen ruefully wondered if she could contain her excitement at the prospect as she slouched in the small couch in her cabin. She got up, smoothed down her blue naval uniform, then walked over to her desk and pulled up the itinerary for tomorrow on the embedded screen for the fourth time that evening.
09:30GMT. Depart Euphrates Station and return to patrol route. Meet with convoy of ore transports at Watson orbital mining facility in the Garnet system (ship IDs and co-ordinates enclosed), at 14:45GMT. Escort to Lonsdale factory orbital in Wolf 1373 (co-ordinates enclosed). Proceed to Fort Charles in Ross 145 (co-ordinates enclosed) and await further orders.
Wolf 1373 and Ross 145; two systems so boring and inconsequential that even after being settled for over a hundred years no-one had bothered to rename them with more interesting titles. She looked at the cargo manifests of the transports; refined metals and a few sundry items, certainly nothing worth pirating in any case. She wondered just why they had requested an escort. Paranoia most likely, there had been several attacks on ships carrying more valuable items by small-time freebooters. The Mark Antony had apprehended a few. They were pitiful people in Chen’s estimation.
Chen stretched, got up and walked to the single small window in the cabin. The view outside was admittedly quite spectacular if you hadn’t seen it before. Euphrates Station was situated within the disc of dusk and gas that comprised much of the Vega system. It served as a processing station, maintenance depot and agricultural growing area for the gas mining operations in the disc. A few of the mining vessels were visible outside; clusters of tanks and engines fitted with horn shaped ram-scoops, they resembled a collection of outlandish musical instruments. The dust disc itself glowed a soft blue in the light from the parent star. The view rotated slowly as the Mark Antony was docked directly to the spinning station’s midsection.
They were to be docked here until 09:30. It was 22:30 now; that gave them plenty of time before departure. Chen could have killed for a drink. She had allowed any crew members not on duty to go over to the station and take advantage of whatever meagre entertainments it offered, as long as they behaved themselves and didn’t annoy the locals. She didn’t think it would do for them to see their captain getting drunk in some seedy dive, but she had insisted that her first officer, Commander Ramirez, go and keep an eye on them. He enquired several times whether she might like to join them on shore, but politely, she had declined.
Ramirez had been a great help to her these past few months. He had been posted to the Mark Antony as her new First Officer to replace his predecessor, killed at Highpoint. He was efficient, intelligent, and popular with the crew and he got good results from them. Personally, she felt it was a little unfair that he had been posted to a vessel serving out a punishment for an act he had had no part in, but he never complained and seemed to throw himself into the task of keeping up the morale of the crew and maintaining discipline. For that she was intensely grateful. Chen was not a people person. She might command a star ship, but she wasn’t very good at small talk except when it concerned her job. She knew that the crew respected her, but she wondered if they regarded her as being too remote, aloof even. It was something that concerned her greatly. If current events came to a head and war broke out, she would need their absolute loyalty.
With that thought in mind she switched the desk screen to a news feed the Mark Antony was currently receiving from Euphrates. The headline was again gloomy: ‘Arms Talks Fail As K’Soth Base Discovered.’ She read on: ‘The Elysium Arms Negotiations were abandoned today with the discovery of a major K’Soth naval base only twenty light years from the demilitarised zone. The base was discovered by a Commonwealth deep recon mission yesterday, having been constructed in the shadow of a gas giant in the Shafar system (-35, 280, 45) and thus previously hidden from detection. Defence minister Mannheim described the discovery as ‘Evidence of K’Soth duplicity,’ adding that ‘they see fit to carry a concealed weapon whilst we talk to them of peace.’ The minister then left the negotiations after further angry words were exchanged with K’Soth War Leader Sharptalon who denounced ‘Commonwealth spies and treachery’ and also criticised the recent Commonwealth naval activity in the region of space adjoining the DMZ. It is hoped that the talks can be re-convened at a later date but the prospect of agreement at this time seems remote.’
There was more but Chen had read enough for now. She’d explain the situation to the crew tomorrow; say it was business as usual but that they’d step up the drills and training just to be sure. No doubt instructions would come from Naval Command soon enough, but she’d like to pre-empt them and make a good impression as to the readiness of her vessel.
The prospect of war filled her with a perverse thrill. She might actually get the chance to lead her vessel against the K’Soth. It had always been an ambition of hers after the stories her parents had told her of the last war, stories they had told her after she had asked why she sometimes heard her Grandfather calling out in his sleep or the time she caught him holding his old medals and weeping. She hoped she’d have a chance to pay them back.
She could really use that drink. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to show her face at one of the bars just for one drink and show the crew she was at least partly human. She’d see where Ramirez was and join him. She called him from the desk console. He answered with a speed that surprised her.
‘Ramirez here,’ he was shouting over the sound of music in the background.
‘It’s Chen. I thought I might show my face on the station. Where are you?’
‘Are you sure Captain? It’s pretty loud in here, didn’t think this was your sort of thing.’
‘Well it can’t hurt, Commander. Lieutenant O’Rourke is on watch on the bridge.’
‘Okay, well we’re in a bar called Harry’s Rock City, you come out of the dock via lift number four and head straight ahead along Muldoon Street for about a hundred yards, it’s on your right, you can’t miss it.’
‘I’ll be there in a couple of minutes, Chen out,’ she replied and broke the transmission.
Chen checked her appearance in the mirror before leaving, informed the bridge of her intended destination and then took the lift down a dozen levels to the middle deck. It was a short walk to the port midsection docking point. The ship was quiet. Only a skeleton crew from its compliment of two hundred and fifty remained on duty and the only real sound was provided by the background hum of the vessel’s systems. The docking point was guarded by two armed security officers who saluted smartly as she approached. She returned the gesture as she strode past them.
The short umbilical that mated the Mark Antony to the station was lined with grab handles and footholds, and was labelled with garish warning signs that indicated the limits of the ship’s gravity field. The fat doughnut shaped Euphrates Station spun to provide internal gravity around its circumference, and hence there was none at its hub to which the Mark Antony was attached.
Chen took note of the warnings and made sure she had firm grip on the grab handles before proceeding. She was glad she had no intention of getting drunk; negotiating this in a state of anything less than total sobriety would be unpleasant, and possibly rather messy. She pulled herself to the end of the umbilical and into the station.
Where the umbilical ended, she found herself in a deserted drum shaped chamber that contained the entrances to the station’s four lifts that ran down the spokes to the floor of the habitation ring. Chen pushed herself over to number four and strapped herself into one of the padded chairs situated around what would become the floor once gravity took effect. Sensors in the lift took note that she was no longer floating freely, the doors closed and the lift began to descend.
The journey was brief, during which gravity increased to something resembling one gee as the lift travelled outwards towards the floor of the station. Thirty seconds later Chen stepp
ed out of the lift and into the tattered looking spaceport lounge, which was quiet save for a few bored looking staff and a number of the ship’s security complement with whom she exchanged salutes with as she passed.
Remembering Ramirez’s directions she walked quickly along Muldoon Street. The interior of the small station was rather claustrophobic and had a noticeable curve. The buildings were largely scruffy prefabricated affairs, and the street had its fair share of drunks, hookers and vendors selling fast food of questionable quality and origins. The stale air stunk of frying food, faulty sewage re-cycs, spilled beer and vomit and resounded to the thudding music coming from a number of bars.
By now, Chen was starting to wonder if coming here was such a good idea. She managed to find Harry’s Rock City. It was a little smarter than some of the others, but strangely it seemed quiet inside, she pushed open the door and went inside. There was a rowdy cheer from the assembled members of the crew inside, Ramirez was standing in the middle of the throng with a pint of beer in each hand and led them in a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday to You.’
It was her birthday, and she’d completely forgotten. Ramirez though obviously hadn’t. Somewhat taken aback and grinning bashfully she accepted her drink from Ramirez and the present they had all bought her that he triumphantly thrust into her hands; a small antique telescope on its own stand. She’d no idea where they could have got it from, it was beautifully made from wood and brass and incredibly old, she guessed eighteenth century. The ice queen melted slightly.
‘I’m glad you came of your own accord Captain,’ he said above the noise. ‘I was starting to think I was going to have to come and drag you down here.’
‘Well I… I don’t know what to say, thank you all, it’s wonderful,’ she could feel herself blushing slightly as she clutched her gift. ‘Now, how about that drink?’ Her crew cheered as Ramirez produced a drink from the bar and handed it to her.
Four hours later and Chen was a little drunk, she had felt compelled to stay for more than just one drink with her crew. She hadn’t wanted to disappoint them and besides, she had found the affection they had shown her quite touching. In an attempt to maintain some of her composure she had drunk slowly, but she wasn’t used to alcohol and she was definitely feeling its effects.
Ramirez had finally managed to extricate her from the bar after she had stayed for what seemed and appropriate length of time and he was now escorting his captain through the bowels of the ship, back to her quarters. Chen swayed slightly as she walked, the telescope clasped in her hands.
‘I’m glad you liked your present Captain,’ said Ramirez. ‘Singh and I saw it when we docked in Altair on our way out here. We thought it was very you, I’ve had it stashed in my locker for a two weeks. We got loads of the crew to chip in.’
‘It was very thoughtful of you, I love it. I shall put it on my desk so everyone can see it. I must admit I had no idea the crew were so fond of me… I’m afraid sometimes I’m just not a people person. I knew they respected me as their captain, but I was quite touched by this evening.’
‘The crew are right behind you. They know how hard it’s been these past few months.’
‘They don’t blame me for what happened? For us being relegated to nannying transports?’
‘No, not at all. They all know what happened and that there wasn’t anything you could have done to avoid it.’
‘Thank you, that’s a great comfort to me.’
They had reached Chen’s quarters. She punched in her code and opened the door. Chen turned to face Ramirez, the telescope clasped to her body.
‘You know you’ve been a great help Alvaro, these past months have been so difficult. I lost several of my most senior staff, including your predecessor and I’ve to cope with a huge stain on my record because of those bloody Vendiri. But you come along, and you never complain about our situation, you’re efficient, you give intelligent input and you’re good with the crew too - much better than I. I mean, you organised tonight as well which was wonderful. In all honesty I’d be lost without you at the moment, I really would.’ She stared at him intently.
Ramirez had never seen this side of his Captain before. She was normally such a cold authoritarian figure on the bridge, as though nothing could touch her. Now she seemed smaller and more vulnerable. Frightened, even. He suddenly felt rather protective towards her.
‘Thank you Captain I…’
‘Oh Michelle, please. We’re off duty and the crew aren’t around.’
‘I always try to give my best, Michelle.’
She took hold of one his hands. ‘I know you do Alvaro.’
Chen leaned forward slightly and Ramirez heard alarm bells ringing in his head, the Captain’s body language was suggesting all sorts of things to him. She appeared to be making some sort of clumsy, drunken pass at him. He couldn’t take advantage of this situation could he? He wondered if it would help his real mission on the ship at all. Still… kissing the Captain was a severe breach of the rules. He hesitated.
‘I, well. Thanks Michelle,’ he mumbled.
She was attractive though, and young for a captain, at thirty-five she was only three years his senior. But, no. Not now. There were too many unknowns. He’d have to think about this.
‘Well, goodnight then,’ said Ramirez hurriedly. ‘Up bright and early in the morning to meet those miners eh?’
‘Goodnight Alvaro,’ said Chen softly. ‘Thanks again.’
Ramirez smiled nervously and saluted, turned on his heel and left. Chen gazed after him for a second, before retiring to her cabin and to her bunk.
It was almost nine-thirty. Chen sat in her ready room nursing a cup of what alleged to be coffee to combat her mild hangover. The Captain’s ready room was situated just behind the bridge. It was fairly small but it suited her needs. A portrait of the ship’s namesake hung on one wall, as did several of Chen’s service citations and a photo of President Rheinhold. Her birthday present stood in pride of place on her desk, along with a photo of Chen with her brother and parents, taken on a holiday to Earth some years previously. There was a polite knock on the door.
‘Come.’
It was Ramirez. He too looked a little hung-over.
‘Good morning Captain.’
‘Morning Commander, come in and shut the door would you?’
He did so.
‘I just came to inform you that the ship is ready for departure and that we have clearance from Euphrates Station.’
‘Very good, I’ll be along to the bridge immediately, and ah… one more thing.’
‘Yes ma’am?’
‘Some of the things I may have said to you last night. I’d appreciate it if they stayed just between you and me.’
‘Of course Captain, I understand.’
‘Thank you Commander,’ she said and finished the last dregs of her coffee. ‘Now, let’s get going shall we?’
The bridge was alive with activity as Chen strode onto it ahead of Ramirez. She exchanged salutes with her officers and sat down in the command chair, situated in the centre of the wide pristine bridge, then attached and adjusted her HUD monocle. Projecting an image directly into her right retina, its display appeared to spring into life before her. Ramirez sat at his console to her left and likewise donned his own device. The constant upwardly rolling view out of the windows showed the shifting blue clouds of the disc.
‘Good morning everyone,’ said Chen brightly. ‘I hope we all enjoyed ourselves last night?’ There was a murmured agreement. ‘But it’s back to work now I’m afraid. The Commander has informed me that the ship is ready for departure. Helm, retract docking tunnel, move us away from the station and correct our rotation.’
‘Retracting docking tunnel, aye. Engaging thrusters and reducing rotation to zero Captain.’
Ensign Goldstein was at the helm, Chen was glad of that, she was fresh out of Naval College but very able. The rotation of the view outside slowed as Chen felt the ship shift beneath her.
‘Rotati
on has been halted Captain.’
‘Very good. Engineering, power up the shields to full. This disc is full of all sorts of floating debris; I have no intention of denting this vessel.’
‘Shields active aye,’ Came the reply from Chief Sohal over the ship’s internal comm.
‘Helm, ahead one third. Take us out.’
‘Ahead one third, aye.’
There was a barely perceptible vibration through the floor as the Mark Antony eased forward away from Euphrates. Looking forward over the gun decks, Chen could see the normally faint shields revealed to her as a bright bluish shell around the ship as the gas of the disc ionised against them, leaving a swirling wake behind the massive vessel.
‘Captain we are clear of Euphrates traffic control jurisdiction.’
‘Thank you Ensign,’ Chen called up a map of the system on her display. She rotated and zoomed it out to get a better look. ‘Let’s get out of this debris disc, plot a course three hundred by zero degrees.’
‘Changing course, aye.’
The Mark Antony turned slightly then its nose swept slowly downward to face directly away from Vega’s ecliptic. Chen’s display illustrated the course change.
‘Ahead two thirds. Lieutenant Singh?’
‘Yes ma’am?’
‘Keep a watch for any large chunks of debris on those instruments of yours.’
‘Yes Captain.’
The almost subsonic rumble of the ship’s engines increased as it powered out of the dust disc with a steadily increasing velocity. Ten minutes later and the ship was clear of the disc and out in open space, rearward facing cameras showed the flat circular cloud, tinged with a blue glow that built to a blinding white glare at the centre.