by G. P. Moss
Beta 2 is on its own.
Dumped by the rest of StarTapped.
It’s in big trouble.
Massive.
Chapter Nine
Beta 2 (Deep Milky Way, in BIG trouble)
“Can we talk our way out of this?”
Ariel’s voice is low, strangely calm.
Harry’s dressed for battle.
It’s appropriate but, well, is she being serious?
“I have a link-up with an AI helper on board the mother ship.”
Stevie’s jaw is set rigid in determined fear.
“Can you show us, Harry?”
The Oxford Comma leaves no room for jokes.
“No, Stevie. I can hear it though. It’s laughing at me.”
Ariel stares out the window. The spaceship is huge, the escort fighters sleek and menacing. And gun-metal grey. Proper serious battle colours.
2 fighters break away, speeding past Beta 2, turning then speeding back.
Stevie’s jaw looks set to turn to stone.
“They mean us harm.”
Ariel stares outside, whispers her reply.
“How do you know, Stevie?”
“Pardon?”
She raises her voice a little.
“How can you be sure they’ll attack us?”
“I can read minds, Ariel. Some, anyway.”
Ariel looks uncomfortable, like she’s wearing expensive French silk knickers with jeans.
“Can you read mine?”
Harry interrupts.
“Can we talk about this later, please?”
“No, Ariel. I can’t read yours. Something is blocking the signals. Emotional investment. Probably.”
Ariel raises an eyebrow.
As does Harry.
Ariel grabs her parka, feels the taser. She daren’t look away so speaks dreamily to Stevie. An ethereal whisper. Fit for space. But a bit louder so he can hear this time.
“How long do we have?”
“I’m not sure. They’re making us sweat. It appears the mothership won’t attack;
it’ll order the escort fighters in.”
Ariel finds Harry through her peripheral.
“Suggestions, Harry?”
“Ariel, if Stevie is correct, there is only one option. Our laser missiles can probably take out 2 of their fighters but there are 6. Also, if the mothership opens fire, we are dust in a second.”
“So, what’s the answer, Harry?”
“We run. And hope.”
Captain Ariel Hope knows her name. Believes in her name.
Stevie pipes up.
“One second. One of the fighter pilots is not happy. She’s decidedly unhappy. She’s waiting for a chance to escape her master. She thinks he is cruel. Their leader. They call him ‘The Whistler’.”
Harry looks alarmed.
“Oh. My. Giddy. Aunt.”
Ariel had already put 2 and 2 together. She came up with 4.5 but it was close.
“I know. StarTapped are trying to locate the source of the whistles. They’ll be destroyed.”
“Ariel, Stevie. Take a chair each, yes, the high-backed cream leather ones. Weapons systems are easy; point and shoot. I will guide the ship away, rolling and turning, up and down and all over the place. Shoot at will. Weapons are self-regenerating and there can be no friendly fire accidents as we are on our own. Just fire at will. I said that already. Ready?”
“I was born ready!”
Later, if they survive, none of them will admit to saying that.
*
Captain Ariel Hope and First Officer Stevie Lo are as ready as they’ll ever be.
It will have to do.
Beta 2 banks at speed as the fighters take chase. Harry spins and turns, making everyone’s hair a mess as a constant barrage of laser technology finds its way to less than fresh air. The new weapons shields are holding well as each strike from a fighter is deflected, some causing damage to their own ships. They’re not letting go though. One massive hit will turn Beta 2 into space junk.
Harry’s voice booms out. In a posh but authoritative manner.
“Hold on, everyone; I’m hitting the ‘stupid speed button’!”
Whooooshhh!
2 seconds of madness and they’re back to normal.
“Everyone okay?” Harry asks.
Ariel looks at Stevie.
He’s still Stevie.
“We’re fine, Harry. Looks like the fighters have bugged out, except one.”
Stevie’s concentrating.
“It’s the rebel fighter, the one that wasn’t happy.”
Ariel is sceptical. Like she’s just had a cheaper energy quote.
“It may be a trap. Designed to lull us into a false sense of security.”
Harriet sits upright.
“There’s a signal coming through.”
“She wants to dock with us.”
“She speaks English, Harry?”
“Ariel, she speaks whatever we speak; auto-translator brain.”
“I want to see her first. On the screen.”
“Okay. Trying to get visual.”
“And, Harry? How did you hit ‘stupid speed’ on your own?”
“I have override capability for everything. I will change it so you can do it alone, too.”
*
A young lady flashes onto the split screen.
Swirls of golden hair curl and wrap around a pretty, young face.
Probably early twenties.
“Can you see me?”
Ariel is transfixed.
“Yes, we can see you. I am Captain Ariel Hope; state your purpose.”
“You are a bit young to be Captain, aren’t you? Where is everyone else?”
“I graduated top of the class at StarTapped Academy; rapid promotion was inevitable. We have a full crew of fifty officers. Out the back. State your purpose.”
“I am Poppy from the planet Whistler, on the edge of the galaxy you call the Milky Way. I come in peace. I have deserted from Whistler Battle Command and claim asylum with you.”
Ariel raises an eyebrow.
As does Harry.
Stevie just stares at Poppy.
“That is impossible,” Ariel says. “It would take thousands of years to breach that galaxy, even with our own advanced technology.”
Poppy speaks calmly. Politely.
“Captain, I believe our technology is far more advanced; it’s possible. Time holes, warps etcetera. Except your deflector shields. They are better. You have an animal on board? Cute.”
Ariel looks indignant. She avoids eye contact with Stevie.
“No animals, I’m afraid. Prepare to dock; Harriet will handle the details. Do not try anything silly; we have a heavily armed mini massive military unit on board.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Poppy says, still smiling.
Stevie continues staring.
Is Ariel a bit jealous? She has no reason to be. Everyone is single here.
*
Ariel waits at the welcome door of the docking station.
Harry appears on screen to the left of the door.
“Docking is complete, Ariel. Poppy is stepping through.”
Ariel’s hand is on the taser.
The door opens.
Standing there is the most beautiful woman Ariel has ever seen.
Poppy bows, her long body bending effortlessly in respect for her host. As her head almost reaches her knees, she says, quite friendly like, “no need to taser me, ma’am; I am here in peace and at your mercy.”
Ariel is about to tell Poppy she can call her Ariel but changes her mind. She quite likes ‘ma’am’.
“Then you are most welcome, Miss Poppy. Actually, there are only 3 of us onboard. First Engineer Stevie Lo, AI Harriet, and myself.”
“I know, ma’am; my ship’s scanners detected as such. If there are no animals here, someone is a Shifter.” She says it matter-of-factly, not a trace of venom.
“We are who we are, Poppy. I grant y
ou asylum on my ship. Welcome.”
Chapter Ten
Milky Way (StarTapped, trying to locate ‘Whistling Way’)
“Any whistles yet, people?”
Important Captain Nicholls sends out an all-ship bulletin.
Captain Ed Hope tries his 2 cents.
“Faint, then stronger, then faint again, Sir. No consistent direction.”
“Thank you, Ed, very helpful. So, we gather from this, whoever is sending out these signals, they are not trying to lure us into a trap. If they were, they would give us better directions.”
StarTapped should not be trying to locate ‘Whistling Way.’
We already know that Mr Whistler is an unsavoury character, having set his escort fighters upon Beta 2.
Ignorance is bliss. Sometimes.
On this occasion, StarTapped knowing even the most basic of Mr Whistler’s personality traits would be very helpful. Indeed.
Ed tries another opinion.
“Sir, these signals, although occasionally a little stronger, are still not much clearer than when we were on Earth.”
“Suggesting, Ed?”
“Well, Sir, the evidence suggests the whistles are a vast distance from us. The sort of distance that would take many thousands of years to cover.”
A few seconds pause before Important Captain Nicholls replies.
“So, not in our lifetime, eh Ed?”
“No, Sir. Not in our lifetime.”
Nicholls has an idea. Let’s call him ‘Nicholls’ for a while as that’s his name and looks less like padding.
“You know my earlier speech regarding the speed boosters?”
You cannot hear the collective StarTapped groan but trust me, it is there.
“Yes, Sir.” A collective affirmation.
“Well, I think we should give it a go. I mean, we will not be able to leave the Milky Way, find Planet 9 and the beautifully perfect surrounding moons capable of sustaining life but we may find something else that is suitable. Perhaps even ‘Whistling Way.’
Beta 4’s Captain, Sandy Hoare, speaks up, boldly and some may say, quite unnecessarily. He is a jolly, medium sized fellow, hair the colour of a warm sandy beach.
“Sir. May I suggest that all that whistling will jangle the nerves? I mean, I heard a man whistling in the supermarket once, constantly. I rather wanted to wring his neck!”
Nicholls wastes no time in suppressing this young upstart’s rebellion.
“You, Hoare! ‘Whistling Way’ could be the breakthrough the human race, what is left of it, is looking for. If, when I interviewed you, I had the slightest inclination you could throttle a man for emitting a perfectly harmless tune, I would have rejected your application!”
Captain Hoare coughs.
“Sir, may I remind you we are on a shared network? All the other ships can hear this conversation.”
“Insubordinate pup!”
“Yes, Sir. Sorry. Just saying. The French and the Welsh have their doubts, too.”
Nicholls pops a pill. His ex wife swapped the real tablets years ago for tic tacs; he never noticed. He particularly likes the orange ones; the fruity flavour calms him.
Sandy Hoare is troubled.
Nicholls just lost an ally.
Gobby Johnny shouldn’t have heard this cockpit conversation but he does hear it, having found an interesting switch in his parents’ bedroom. He decides it’s the last time he goes looking for his Christmas presents. Nicholls’ words have surprised, even shocked him. At this moment, he resolves to become a better officer, a better Captain. An awesome leader.
He admires his new badge. He may be a Spacie now but the future has just been mapped out for Gobby Johnny Hope.
*
Francoise DuPont is leading the 4 ships of the French-Welsh Alliance. They didn’t have as much money as StarTapped as the European Union took most of it.
The cockpit intercom buzzed.
A side screen lights up as Stephanie, the AI, comes into view, looking magnifique in a Dior 2 piece.
“Captain, that idiot Nicholls from StarTapped would like a petit chat.”
Captain DuPont sighs.
“Put him through, Steph.”
“Chief Captain Nicholls, what a lovely surprise!”
Sarcastic, but not venomous. He isn’t like that. Usually. Except when watching rugby.
“It is Important Captain Nicholls now, Francoise; change of title.”
“Whatever,” DuPont mutters.
“What was that, Francoise? ‘Forever’ did you say?”
“Yes, that was it.”
“Ah good, let us hope so, for the sake of all mankind!”
“How can I help?”
“We are going to try some crazy speed stuff; you know, press the danger buttons, all that. We are not getting anywhere just coasting around. I wondered if you would care to join us. Strength in numbers, and all that jazz.”
DuPont is not surprised. All the cruisers are built by the same company so he knows the strengths and limitations and, also the possibility for stupid speed travel.
“Thank you, Captain Nicholls but we are quite happy to coast around for a while, perhaps find an organic route to salvation. I do not wish to push the envelope too far, too soon.”
Nicholls bristles, pops another sweet. Mint, this time. Serious medication. DuPont missed off the ‘Important’ part of his title. A diplomatic sleight. He decides to ignore the immaturity.
“As you wish, Captain.”
“Good luck and goodbye.”
“Don’t you mean ‘au revoir’? Surely we will meet again.”
Captain DuPont seriously doubts he will see StarTapped again.
Nicholls gives the order.
“A 2 second blast. NOW!”
Faces are pulled back.
All except for Captain Sandy Hoare and Beta 4.
Sandy disengages radio contact with StarTapped.
“Captain DuPont? It’s Hoare here, Beta 4. Can we join you, please?”
The French-Welsh Captain smiles.
“Of course, Sandy. Welcome.”
“Vive la France!”
Sandy is excited. So is Francoise. Beta 4 has some of the best engineers in StarTapped.
*
StarTapped comes out of its crazy speed trial.
They survived. All of them.
Nicholls’ excited voice comes through to all the ships.
“We did it! Hooray for us!”
There is no response.
“I said, ‘hooray for us!’”
Still no response.
Nicholls looks through the window.
They are just about to enter the biggest dust cloud he has ever seen.
Chapter Eleven
Outer Milky Way (StarTapped in a sticky situation)
Nicholls sends an all-ship bulletin, except to Beta 4, who’s done a runner.
“Hold firm, in formation.”
Beta 5’s Captain, Felicity Mint, asks a serious question.
“Sir, this dust cloud could go on for...well, centuries. We may never get out. Could we not...er...turn back, Sir?”
Nicholls shows no exasperation. He is as cool as a cucumber in a well-chilled fridge.
“Do not burden yourself with such negativity, Felicity. We shall be out the other side soon enough.”
3 days later.
The Beta crews are becoming restless. The dust has become thicker. Beta 6’s passengers are getting on the nerves of its Captain, Andy Oliver. He feels the need to bring this to the attention of Important Captain Nicholls.
“Sir, the civilians are becoming agitated. They are saying we don’t know what we’re doing.”
Nicholls bristles (again).
“While I accept, Andy, they may have concerns, do they think they can do any better? Without us, they would be stuck on Earth, helpless.”
“Sir, that’s exactly what they are saying, that they could do a better job themselves. Blindfold. With their hands tied. As for leaving them on Ea
rth, Sir, some have said quite clearly they would have had a better chance of survival.”
Nicholls skilfully steers the conversation away from incompetence.
“Nonsense, Captain Oliver. Another thing. Why do you have 2 first names? It is confusing. Lazy child-naming if you ask me.”
“It’s my name, Sir. My parents were industrious, actually. Dad invented a new cardboard box.”
“Did it sell well, Andy?”
“Well, not exactly, Sir.”
“Why not?”
“It kept collapsing, Sir. Whenever anything was put in it.”
Nicholls leans back, pleased with himself.
“Exactly, Captain Oliver. Which is why, I am the best and why I am in charge of StarTapped Beta Command.”
Nicholls’ easy, simple logic kills all concerns. Flat. Gone.
*
Gradually, the dust starts to clear.
The sight greeting Nicholls and the rest of Beta Command makes them wish for thicker dust. Lots of it. So, they cannot see the huge space ship and its surrounding escort fighters.
Nicholls speaks clearly.
“They may be friendly. Hold position while I attempt contact.”
A crystal-clear voice fills the cockpits of each Beta cruiser.
*
“So, you followed the folly of your colleague, with your pathetic attempts to violate our space? Your earlier ship danced in a ball of flame. My heroic fighter, Poppy, gave her life chasing and bringing your wannabe to permanent heel. I shall expect you will all suffer the same fate.”
Nicholls stays calm. On the exterior. His insides are right to be wobbly.
“I am Important Captain Nicholls of StarTapped Beta Command. Under gallactic space law, I demand protection and safe passage, either forwards or backwards. Or sideways.”
Beta Command have come up against Mr Whistler. He is not happy.
“Hahaha. There is no such law! We were here first. There is no room for you idiots from that inferior ball of rock you call Earth.”
Nicholls puts on his diplomatic hat.
“You speak English, Sir! That is good; at least we are communicating. What is your name, kind man?”