Not With A Whimper: Preservers

by D. A. Boulter

  She had never trusted Sidney in that way. She never would.

  Kiera put on music, and Sidney found her dozing on the couch when he returned home. He smiled at her, and gave her a familiar slap on the butt.

  As she dutifully headed for the bedroom, she went over the plans she had made to leave. She had money tucked away in that secret bank account; she could pack her things in ten minutes if it came to that – she had practiced – and she had a place to go in the city, so could catch her breath before doing whatever needed doing.

  “Take it off, Kiera.”

  The only reason you’re getting this is because of Pierre.

  She dutifully stripped, all the while both hoping and dreading an imminent call from the Frenchman. What could he think worth her staying with Sidney?

  * * *

  FTL-1

  Saturday 21 August

  Owen shook Ben Paxton’s hand, and they – along with the others – held up their certificates and Detector Pins for the photographs. Smiles all around.

  “Well, Owen. Congratulations. Have a nice leave.”

  “You’re off already?”

  “I have to pack, and then ship out.” He pressed his lips together, and shook his head. “Wish I could stay to join you in zero-g at least once.”

  Owen laughed. “Join me? Or someone else?”

  Ben grinned. “Well, you know how it is. Take care, Owen.”

  “I know how it is. Take care, Ben. I’ll pass on your regards.”

  “Owen!”

  He looked over to see his father approaching. “Dad.”

  “Congratulations. Did better than eight percent, I hope.”

  “Came in second,” he replied, voice even.

  His father’s expression went bland, then the smile reappeared. “We’ll have to celebrate. I’ll spring for lunch at Darcy’s. Late lunch? Meet you at two? I have something I need to attend to, first.”

  “No thanks, Dad.”

  “Look, Owen—”

  “No, Dad, it isn’t that. I already have a lunch date. With Sharon.” His stomach clenched. Might as well have it out now. “I’ll be spending my leave with her.”

  “No!”

  Owen considered his father. “No, as in ‘I forbid it’? Or no, as in ‘I don’t believe it?’ Well, Father, you’d better believe it. Now, do you forbid it?”

  His father looked to the ground, and shook his head. “If I forbade it, you would simply ignore that. So, no, I don’t forbid it. I will not tear the family apart for something like this. However, you are making a mistake.”

  Owen sneered. “And you never made a mistake?”

  To his astonishment, his father laughed out loud, attracting attention. To his further surprise, he reached out and put his hand on Owen’s shoulder. “Son, I’ve made so many mistakes. You want to get a rise out of your Uncle Matt, ask him about Tina Laurence.”

  “Who’s Tina Laurence?”

  “One of my mistakes. Just before I met your mother.”

  “And Uncle Matt knows about her?”

  “Uncle Matt despised her. But I have to warn you.”

  “Go on, then, warn me.” Owen waited for his father to tell him how anything between Sharon and him would end badly, how she used him – or whatever.

  “If you ask Uncle Matt about Tina, be prepared for at least an hour-long diatribe.”

  “Um, that’s it? That’s your warning.”

  “That’s it. Go make your mistake.”

  Owen walked off, fuming. Sharon wasn’t a mistake.

  * * *

  Lack of sleep made looking at the screen difficult. The waiting made everyone tense. Johannes had just come back from a putative nap next door, but he hadn’t really slept. Just as well Owen had his own plans. He probably wouldn’t get out of here on time, anyway. Owen and Jaswinder. He’d made another call to Jaswinder. At least this time she had answered before cutting him off and telling him she couldn’t talk at the moment. At least she had made a promise. He didn’t know if he believed in her promises any more. Not any of them. Not ‘until death us do part’, not even ‘I’ll call you at the end of my shift.’

  “Shouldn’t we have had word by now?” Helen asked.

  “Patience,” Jill counselled.

  “No trains there,” Johannes said. “They’ll be sneaking across the border on foot. Then it’s five kilometres to the pick-up. A car into the city, and then onto the shuttle. A sprained ankle, like with ‘Ms Smith’ in Nigeria, and the schedule goes into the toilet.”

  Jill left the room to them. Helen and Johannes sat quietly, never taking their eyes from the comm board for more than a few moments at a time.

  “Tea, anyone?”

  Jill returned with a platter. Three cups of tea, a pot, and cookies festooned it. Helen and Johannes both accepted a cup. Jill put the platter down, took the third cup.

  “They’ll be okay,” she said. “Have a cookie.”

  “My nerves are shot,” Helen stated. “I don’t think I can do this much longer. And Connie is a wreck. Why did I start this, anyway?”

  “The last hard one,” Johannes said. “After this, it’s all fluffy kittens.”

  “I could use a good cuddle with Hurricane.”

  Johannes took a bite of his cookie, looked over at Jill, and said. “Perhaps that’s not a bad idea.”

  When the indicator light came on, Jill pounced on the control board. “Paxton,” she said, and picked up the receiver, cutting out the speaker. “I understand. Yes? How are they? Good? Good. Yes, I understand.”

  Johannes saw the tension enter her body. And Helen must have, too, for she tensed as well. Then Jill disconnected. She turned to face them.

  “They made it! Good health. You can both turn in, now. It’s over. They’ll be up as soon as the shuttle finishes loading.”

  Helen sagged in relief. Johannes smiled for her benefit, but knew that Jill had left something out. And then Helen knew it, too.

  “What happened? What aren’t you telling us?” With no answer forthcoming, she added, “I have a right to know. I have a responsibility to know.”

  Jill closed her eyes. “One of ours didn’t make it back. Shot crossing the border.”

  Helen’s hand came to her mouth. “Oh, no! Who?”

  “One of the Nakamura boys,” Jill said. “Hey, no tears. It’s not your fault. We all agreed that we had a duty to finish this mission, no matter the cost. The Nakamuras, too. They knew the risks, but went across, anyway. Hey, they volunteered.”

  “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.”

  “Not your fault. You guys go get some sleep. I’m going to pack it up.”

  After a moment’s silence, Johannes spoke. “I’ll take over, Jill. I’m expecting a call of my own.”

  “You got it.” She stood up, stretched, coming to her toes, and then relaxed back down. “Worst’s over, anyway.”

  Johannes didn’t believe her casual attitude for a moment. Her orders had sent the Nakamuras across the border. She would suffer from this for a long time – as would he. But Johannes had learned to appreciate the toughness of the Paxton woman – and the kindness within her. First the sister business, now this: trying to reduce the amount of damage Helen would think her operation had caused. If she and Johannes showed no ill effects, Helen couldn’t blame herself for their pain, too.

  Helen remained seated, dabbing at her eyes. “From your wife?”

  “From Jaswinder, yes. She promised she call me at the end of her shift. That’s in five minutes.”

  “I see.” Helen picked up her reader, hid her face behind it as she scrolled through the list. “I can’t believe you did it. All the questionable ones, all the difficult ones. You brought them up, and most of them are out of Sol system already.”

  “We’re on the final lap,” Johannes agreed. “And the data, the knowledge, you’ve passed it all on. We have copies on every ship that’s come in lately, on Haida Gwaii, here. And each ship will pass the packet on to others that they meet, to the FT
L offices on the colony stations. You’ve done your job. Professor Preston will be proud of you. You’ve passed the baton. We’re the Keepers of the Knowledge now. Time for you to go.”

  “Me? I still have people down on Earth.”

  “Yes, you do. But they won’t be a problem. Jill sent word to Connie to come on up as soon as she’s passed instructions on to all who are left. They don’t need her, and she can’t hold on any longer. She’ll be coming up tomorrow. And you leave for Venture tomorrow with her.” He scrolled through the remaining names.

  “Jill and I can handle the rest by ourselves. Surely you trust us to do that.”

  “Trust you?” she blinked back tears. “I’d trust you with my life.”

  “And that’s my cue to depart,” Jill said. She picked up her reader, caught Johannes’ eye, and motioned towards Helen. Then she walked out the door.

  “I’m glad you put it that way. Then, in order to keep that trust, I need to see you gone.”

  “But why?”

  Johannes sighed. “We’ve been upfront with each other, so I’ll tell you. The USNA sent another group of soldiers to FTL-1. Supposedly, they had come here to replace Major Temple’s liaison group, who had received orders to go to Topside Two.”

  “What’s wrong with that? Soldiers change billets.”

  “They do, but an accident at Topside Two made their putative quarters uninhabitable for the moment. So they asked to stay here longer. Surely you’ve noticed more of them around.”

  She looked up to the corner of the room. “I suppose I have, come to think of it. Sometimes in the cafeteria.”

  “Yeah, well, if these new ones are liaison material, I’ll eat my survival suit. They’re here to take control of this station.”

  “Did Major Temple tell Owen that?”

  “No. We don’t need anyone to tell us. Bill checked – quietly. No accident on Topside Two. We’re quickly shifting every operation we can to Haida Gwaii. You must have noticed less people around as well.”

  “Then why not order them off?”

  “We don’t think they will go quietly. If the station survives what’s coming, we’ll reclaim it eventually. However, one way or another, they’ll get it – at least temporarily. Why get our people killed over a few days’ possession? That goes against everything that you and I – and Jill – have been doing these past weeks. There’s a possibility that, once they go active, they will try to prevent us from leaving. So, you go. Tomorrow. No question about it. I’ll carry you out, myself, and dump you on a shuttle if need be.”

  She smiled. “I would find that very undignified. I’ll walk by myself.”

  They sat contemplating the lights on the console for a time. Helen laughed – at nothing Johannes could see.

  “I’m going to miss this room.”

  “Why? You and Jill nearly killed each other in here.”

  “We’re friends now. Surely you noticed.”

  Johannes looked at the chrono, and felt something inside him go cold. A glance to the comm board showed everything serviceable. No blinking lights signifying faults.

  “I’ve noticed less blood on the floor,” he said.

  “She should have called by now,” Helen said, reached out and squeezed his hand. “And it never got to the ‘blood on the floor’ point.”

  Johannes had no answer. She should have called by now. But he would wait.

  “I’ll wait with you. No need to say anything.”

  She sat back and relaxed. He couldn’t relax. He felt his world crushing him. She had promised, assured him that they would have this time to talk. Promised. He watched the chrono as the minutes passed.

  At the two-hour mark Helen rose to her feet.

  “I’m sorry, Johannes.” She walked to the door, touched the pad, and watched it slide open. Then she turned around. “And not sorry.”

  He looked up at her from deep in his misery.

  “I’m going to my quarters, now. I’ll wait for you there. If she calls, she calls. All good. If she doesn’t, or if it turns out badly, come to me. No one need see us together. And tomorrow I’ll be gone – perhaps never to see you again. Come when you are ready.”

  She took a step backwards, out into the corridor, turned and walked away. He heard her footsteps receding. Another half-hour passed. He began shutting things down.

  The door slid open, and Jill walked in.

  “Closing down. Nothing to worry about any longer, Jill. Get some sleep. You deserve it. We all deserve it. It’s all downhill from here. Schedule’s made out, rest of the researchers have it. A few more days and the operation is over. We did it.”

  “We did it,” Jill repeated. “I’ll close down. Go to her.”

  His eyes snapped to her face. “What?”

  “I heard it all. I’d almost reached the door when she opened it. When I heard what she was saying, I backed into our little cubbyhole next door. But I heard it all. Face the facts, my friend.”

  “Friend?”

  She chuckled. “Yes, a Paxton and an Yrden can’t be friends. So, comrade, face the facts. And know that we all need a little joy in our lives. Even an Yrden. Go.”

  Johannes closed the screen, and stood. Without looking at Jill, he walked out.

  He navigated the hallways until he came to Helen’s room. He stood outside it a long time, and then pressed the announcer.

  The door slid open.

  “Johannes,” she said.

  “Helen.”

  CHAPTER 23

  FTL-1

  Saturday 21 August

  Sharon stood as Owen walked through the door of Darcy’s. He looked angry, but that expression faded as soon as her saw her, replaced by the smile of joy that she had begun to love. She smiled back at him as he wended his way through the tables to the booth she had reserved.

  “Congratulations,” she said, turning her face up for his kiss. “Top of the class?”

  He laughed a sincere laugh, one with joy. “Second. Couldn’t quite catch up. But I get the biggest reward for passing.”

  “Oh?” her eyebrows went up. “What is that?”

  “A week with you.”

  “That’s sweet,” she said, meaning it. “However, you do know that I still have a job to do, right? You may have a week off, but I don’t.”

  “But you do have the weekend off.” He sat across from her, reached out his hand, and took hers in it.

  “Unless something else comes up, yes.” And too many something elses seemed to come up. Tensions on Earth had just about reached the breaking point. Her new orders had not yet arrived from General Wingrove, but she expected them any day or night. And they would probably consist of taking over – or aiding in the take-over – of FTL-1. Where would the reinforcements come from? The military’s own small station, or one of the Topside stations? Or would they come directly from Earth?

  “Pardon?” she asked. Owen had said something.

  “Did you want to order?” He looked amused. “Your thoughts seemed to go elsewhere.”

  “Just thinking of two days without duty,” she lied. Why spoil it for him. Soon enough, the relationship would end on less than salubrious terms. She couldn’t see any way around that – not even if she deserted her post. The Yrdens wouldn’t accept her. Speaking of that...

  “You looked pretty grim when you walked in, Owen. Problems?”

  His face went emotionless. She had hit something, and she figured she knew just what.

  “My father.”

  On the nose.

  “You told him about us?”

  “Yes.”

  “He objects?”

  “Strenuously.”

  Sharon winced. That didn’t bode well for young Owen. When the shape of her perfidy became clear, he would come in for some hard times in his family, in the Family Trading League. She should let him go, now, before she did irreparable damage to him. She didn’t actually need him any longer. The general had ceased caring about the Yrdens – for whatever reason – and she had comp
leted all the tasks set for her. Her career didn’t depend on Owen for anything.

  “Hey, don’t look like that. I’m my own man, and I can deal with my father.”

  Sharon hadn’t realized that her face had reflected her thoughts. Fortunately, Owen had mistaken the source. She put on a smile for him.

  “Let’s order. On me, to celebrate.” She could wait. It felt good having someone with her who had no guile, no hidden agendas to keep. And, she rationalized, he’d return to Venture, and be off in the wide galaxy before the end of the month and whatever that end meant to Wingrove and the USNA.

  * * *

  “I’m glad you showed up,” Helen said, stepping back, inviting him in.

  He didn’t step forward. “I showed up because I feel you deserve to be told in person why I will not show up.”

  A smile split her face. “You came here to tell me you won’t be coming here?”

  He pressed his lips together, and then nodded. “That about sums it up.”

  “She called. I understand.”

  “No, actually, she didn’t. May I explain?”

  “Please do. Step in.”

  He did, and the door slid closed behind him. She indicated the dresser’s chair, and went to seat herself on the bed. She looked lovely. He told her so.

  “Thank you. It’s nice to hear, but you haven’t come to say such, have you?”

  “A moment.” He’d thought he had his speech ready, but he had erred. “We’ve been under great pressure, these last few weeks.”

  “Yes, we have,” she answered. “And it has been hard on all of us. Time to relax, let it go.”

  “Yes. But that’s just it. You completed a job that means a loss of Earth’s resources will take hundreds of years less to make up for in the colonies. The pressure you’ve felt during these last few years, and last couple of months in especial, well, I can’t imagine. Knowing that on your shoulders lay the fate of the colonies as well as your people all across Earth.”