Colossus

by John Ricks

  Tammy—what a person. Her specialty is drawing men’s attention. Well, not really. It’s empathy, and she’s strong. She can spot a lie before the first word is out of your mouth, and she has no problem letting you know not to say it. It’s just that she’s so shy and pretty and kind and very easy to talk to that I’m jealous when she’s with other men. Yet I love Becky! So why am I always thinking of Tammy, just like the rest of the men on this base? That’s it! I’m just as bad as the rest of the men on this base, and I’m only thirteen years old. I can’t stop thinking about Tammy, and when I’m not around her, I get upset. She has to be the reason why all the men are running around, ready to fight all the time. Even I’m upset, other than when I’m in the shop where I’m shielded or when I’m with Becky.

  “Shop.”

  “Yes, Freddy.”

  “Please inform Susan that Tammy is to be removed from the base and all projects relating to me immediately. I don’t want to be anywhere near her. Tell Susan that I think Tammy is unconsciously transmitting a craving for her to all the men. Let Susan know that I believe Tammy transmits all the time and that without her being present, the men still receive the transmissions, even over distance. They’re getting irritated because they still feel the craving, but she’s not there to relieve it.”

  “Do you wish me to give Susan this message upon waking or immediately.”

  “As soon as she wakes.”

  “Consider it done. You know this is going to cause some personnel problems. My files show that eleven men transferred in with her. If they have withdrawal symptoms, they could become angry.”

  “Figures. Please inform Susan. Besides, any personnel problems this generates are the captain’s problem, not mine.”

  Now that I knew what was going on, no wonder I felt better when shielded in my shop. Actually, it was the only time I thought of Becky. I’ll bet the reason Becky was so mad at me on my last visit was because I brought Tammy along. My goodness! I talked about nothing else except how well Tammy was doing with her studies, I thought. Becky is probably furious with me. For some reason that brought a tear to my eye. I absentmindedly wiped it off. “Shop!”

  “Yes, Freddy.”

  “What time is it?”

  “0326.”

  Not good. I can’t contact Becky now. That would make everyone at the inn upset with me. “Shop, please send a message to Patricia when she wakes up. Tell her what I found out about Tammy and that I’m worried about Becky. Tell her I would like to see Becky so I can apologize about Tammy and explain things.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “Thanks.” Patricia will take care of things. She likes Becky and the Crain family. Now that I’ve figured that out, let’s get the show on the road. I almost have the AD (AutoDoc) completed, and if it works, it’s one less thing on the road to surviving on a new planet. Then I can start working on my newest project. Susan will eventually find out about the new ship, but it’s just a screen to cover up my real work—the “Colossus.” It will do what can’t be done. I only have one shot at completing it. I can’t fail. I just can’t.

  Gray asked, “What is a Colossus?”

  Green said, “I have no idea, but I would expect that as he works on it, we will find out.”

  Blue said, “It is interesting that he gave up this Tammy person for a Becky. It seems to me that Tammy would be a better choice. She is close to him and works in his labs. This Becky has thrown him away before and is now upset with him. Why continue to pursue her?”

  Little Yellows said, “Love. We feel it in him.”

  Big Yellows said, “We have already seen that they love. Our many exploits into attempting to understand this species has shown us that they have a great passion and ability for the higher emotions.”

  Gray said, “Love? Love is not a higher emotion. It is destructive. It destroys from within. It is uncontrollable and therefore makes you weak.”

  Blue said, “Gray is right and wrong. Love also makes you strong, gives you the passion to continue when no other would, and causes you to fight to the death for others.”

  Gray said, “Fear does the same thing.”

  Green and Yellows looked shocked.

  Blue lowered and shook his head, sadly saying, “Green, please continue.”

  Chapter 2

  Explosion

  Captain Susan James was not one to lie in bed all day, and time was wasting. She spoke aloud to herself. “How am I going to get Freddy to release information on that new project he’s been working on? Darn it, he showed us the aircraft carrier just last month. We have eighty people working on the moon project, over a hundred on the carrier, and only one—Freddy—on some new project. The little snot is up to something; I can feel it. I just don’t know what. All the probing from the team has gone nowhere, and the clairvoyants have no clue. And what am I going to do about the fighting that’s been going on? The men are getting upset over nothing. Patricia had to break heads during the last fight. I wonder when we’ll get that new complement in. Being the base commanding officer is not all it’s cracked up to be. It’s extremely hard work. I should have kept it simple, like Freddy asked. Any bigger and it will be out of control. Well, stop feeling sorry for yourself, Susan. Get up out of this bed, and go to work.”

  As she started to climb out of bed, Home computer said, “There are two messages waiting for you Captain James.”

  “Who from, Home?”

  “One priority message from Chief Henry Peters and one relayed through Shop from Freddy.”

  Susan headed to the bathroom, remembering that Freddy had insisted that she take the other large bedroom. “You are the commanding officer, after all,” he’d said. The child is kind to a fault. Nearly got him killed twice last year. She dressed in her jogging outfit and started her stretching “exercises.” Half the team would be waiting for her to come out. Today, she had to cut the run to only five miles, with a thirty-minute defensive practice in the middle. Still, she thought that Freddy was coming along well with his self-defense training, and Maggie, his instructor, said that he could take brown in another six months. “Belts! What a farce,” Susan muttered. “The training the team gets is for one thing and one thing only, and that isn’t play-fighting for trophies. If he is ready for a brown belt, in Maggie’s estimation, then the kid could probably take any brown on the face of the earth. In the last attempt on his life, he ducked much faster than we did. However, he still refuses to learn anything except defense. He will not contemplate harming anyone.”

  “Captain James, the messages are urgent.”

  “Very well, let’s hear the first one.”

  “‘Captain, this is Peters. Your reinforcements are coming in tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. I have cleared your calendar for their arrival. They have been screened, and only eight were removed.’ End message.”

  “Good,” Susan said to herself. “That will take the load of security off my back. Our own recruit instructor will oversee things. Well, ladies, expect some real workouts now.” Then, to Home, she said, “Acknowledge the first message, and give me the second message, please.”

  “Good morning, Susan.”

  “Good morning, Shop. You have a message from Freddy?”

  “Yes. Here it is paraphrased: ‘Tammy is to be removed from the base and all projects relating to me immediately. Susan, I think Tammy is unconsciously transmitting a craving for her to all men. I believe Tammy transmits all the time, and that without her being present, the men still receive that transmission, even over distance. They’re getting irritated because they still feel the craving for her but she’s not there to relieve it. Remind Susan that eleven men transferred in with her.’ One more thing that Freddy did not add, but I feel it’s important—Freddy’s love for Becky helped him recognize this problem, and he is very worried about what Becky thinks of him. I feel it would be very good if someone let Becky know that Freddy personall
y sent Tammy away because of his love for Becky.”

  “Thank you, Shop.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  How did Freddy figure that one out when the rest of the specials could not? Susan wondered. Oh well. Love can work wonders, and now that we know Becky is a special, we may have a chance to put the two of them together again. Becky was very angry after Freddy’s last visit. “Home, get me Commander Morgan, please.”

  “Working.”

  Over the intercom, Susan heard, “Good morning, Captain.”

  “Good morning, Daphne. Please have Tammy transferred out. Do it within the hour, along with all eleven men who transferred here with her. Then have every man on this base screened and watched for signs of withdrawal from Tammy ‘craving.’ Freddy says she’s transmitting and can’t help it. Send her to the special ‘kids ranch’ in Texas. Give them warning she’s coming and why. Please inform her parents, and make sure that Tammy knows that we would be glad to accept her back when she has worked out this problem. I don’t want her feelings hurt or her thinking that she is being rejected. Let her know that we’re going to help her as much as possible so that she can control this issue and return to us. Transfer the men to someplace remote. They’ll need time to get over it.”

  “Aye aye, Captain. I’ll put the team on alert. I think this move could cause some repercussions, especially if anyone finds out that Freddy asked for the transfer. Tammy was very popular with the men. Now we know why.”

  “You may be right, but with the specials on board the truth will get out anyway. Better we tell everyone the truth and make it look like Freddy saved them again. Especially let it out that it was Freddy’s love for Becky that caused him to figure out the problem and immediately send Tammy away.”

  “That’s going to draw some tears from the little girls. They all love Becky. In addition, it may get them back together again. Consider it done, Captain.”

  “I’m going out now. How many are going with me?”

  “Only twenty, Captain.”

  “Why so few?”

  “It’s past 6:00 a.m., ma’am.”

  “Are you saying I’m late, Commander?” Susan asked with a laugh in her voice.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “All right. I’m on my way.”

  That’s when it happened. The entire building rocked with the blast.

  Gray said, “They are under attack! Now we get to something less boring”

  Green said, “Shut up, you fool! Yellows, he is trying something. I feel it, but I do not know what it is.”

  Gray would have attacked Green, but Blue placed a tentacle on his head and lifted him up. Blue said, “Green, you watch your tone, or I will find another Green to do this reading and allow Gray to have you as his for a full day.”

  Green nearly turned white with fear.

  Big and Little Yellows wrapped me harder, and I temporarily stopped just to let them think they were in control.

  Green said, “That is better. Did you catch what he was doing?”

  Little Yellows said, “We don’t think he actually did anything. He was just testing the control we have on him.”

  Green ordered, “Double-check the controls on the tank!”

  Another Green said, “The tank is working normally, and the indicators show full power.”

  Blue said, “Green, it is still working, so please continue.”

  I thought, Won’t they be surprised?

  Chapter 3

  Teasing

  Susan ran down the stairs to the screens. “Report, Chief.”

  Chief Mitch Hollingsworth was new to the team but had proven himself capable, both in combat and in his duties.

  “There was an explosion in the shop, Captain.”

  “Freddy’s area?”

  “Can’t tell, ma’am. My scanners won’t penetrate the shop.”

  “Not good.” Susan ran outside and saw that the entire compound was headed toward the mountain entrance. When she reached it, she asked, “Shop, what’s going on? Shop? Shop!”

  No answer. The doors were closed. She looked up, and the camera moved to look right at her. She grabbed the outside line and called the watch inside.

  “Hello, Captain, sir … ma’am.”

  “Who’s this?” Susan asked.

  A little girl’s shaky voice answered, “Seaman Apprentice Alice Jefferson, Captain, ma’am. I have you on my screen. At least the cameras are still working.”

  “‘Ma’am’ will do, SA Jefferson. Now listen to me. First, calm down. Second, is there any smoke in your area?”

  “No, ma’am, but the shop isn’t responding.”

  “Do you have a portable scanner with you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Get it, and turn it on.”

  Only seconds passed, but it seemed like an eternity before Alice responded. “Okay. I’m back, ma’am.”

  “What does the scanner say about the shop’s air supply in all areas?” Susan asked.

  “Air supply looks good, ma’am.”

  “Check for contaminants, Jefferson.”

  “No contaminates beyond normal parameters, ma’am.”

  “Okay. Now check for people.”

  “One hundred fifteen people, including me, ma’am.”

  “What are their general conditions?”

  “One hundred and ten are physically well, but five are seriously wounded, three terminally, and in need of immediate medical attention.”

  “Very well. Where are they located?”

  A few seconds went by. “Wait. Only four are wounded, ma’am.”

  Captain James said, “Explain, Jefferson.”

  Several more seconds went by before SA Jefferson came back on. “Now it’s three, ma’am. Something’s happening. They’re being … repaired? Now my scanner reads that only two need attention.” Fifteen seconds later, Jefferson said, “Ma’am? I don’t know what’s happening, but everyone seems to be okay.”

  Susan turned to the crowd. “Any medical specials here?”

  A teenager with long curly red hair came forward. “I am, Captain.”

  “You’re Stacy Michaels, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Do you know Freddy’s abilities toward healing?”

  “Yes, ma’am, and he could heal all five, but it would literally kill him.”

  A little redheaded boy came up and took the girl’s hand. “He no do it. He would if haft to; he so nice. But no haft to.”

  “Who are you, dear?” Susan asked.

  “This is my little brother Bobby,” Stacy said. “He’s able to sense through this shield. Freddy adjusted it so that he could.”

  “We play game ’gether when he work sometime. I hide; he find. It fun. He say increase my mind shield that way.”

  “Can you talk to Freddy right now?”

  “Yep.”

  “Please ask him if everything’s all right.”

  “He already tell me. Say not worry. He new toy fix people. Say people be out soonest.”

  “Captain, this is Shop.”

  “Shop! It’s nice to hear your voice.”

  “Thank you. Freddy will have me completely connected again in just a few minutes. I’m opening the doors now. Please make room for people to exit. Freddy wants everyone out until you make a complete investigation.”

  “Tell Freddy that I’m here, and I will start as soon as I can get inside.”

  “There. That’s better.”

  The doors opened and out came the crew, except Freddy. No one looked harmed. They were all talking about how Freddy saved lives. The captain grabbed one petty officer with torn and bloody clothes and said, “Report.”

  The petty officer snapped to attention. “The new modification that we made to the laser cannon works bet
ter than expected but takes a lot of power, Captain. I think Freddy’s original design was better. We blew a generator.” With eyes as big as moons, he said, “Captain, I was torn to shreds, and so were several others. I knew I was going to die, but Freddy ran a device over me, and I was completely fine, except for loss of blood. Freddy mumbled and complained that he hasn’t worked that part out yet. You know how he gets when he has to use something before he’s ready, and it doesn’t do everything he wants.”

  “Petty Officer, you and the others who were hurt are to report to the infirmary,” Susan said. She turned to the special girl Stacy. “Please make sure that they don’t go back to work until they have a clean bill of health from Dr. O’Brian.”

  Stacy took hold of the petty officer’s arm and said, “This way.”

  “Young man?” Susan said. “Bobby, is it?”

  “Yes, ma’am. You really famous, Cap’n Jam.”

  “Yes, I’m Captain James. Do you know where Freddy is?”

  “He in the top. He look at mess. He know you come him. He berry, berry upset. He say I not be ’fraid of you ’cus you nice person.”

  Susan smiled and said, “I’ll bet he’s upset. Thanks.” She ran inside after giving orders for a complete investigation.

  When Susan reached the tower and the second generator site, there was Freddy. They were high up the cliff and could see the entire home base. What a beautiful sight, Susan thought. Yet the small room where the generator was located was blackened and pitted, as if a large bomb had gone off. The waterfall was loud, and Susan realized that although she nearly had to yell to be heard, Freddy’s quiet voice was somehow instantly heard, even over all the noise.

  “It’s a total loss, Susan.”

  Susan had to agree. “Yes, it is. Why did Shop loose communications? Was she powered by this generator?”

  “No, she has her own power source. However, her external communications and some controls were running along that wall.” He pointed to a wall that was pitted from the explosion and had bits of metal sticking throughout it. “I had to reroute them through another channel. Luckily, I had a backup set in case I needed a second computer. I haven’t needed one, as Shop’s been great.”