Operation Omina

by Roland Starr

  “I never want to be again,” he retorted. “I don’t want you erased from my thoughts. It’s going to be a tough time the next few days. I shall need the thought of you to give me strength.”

  “That’s very nicely put.” She smiled as she came to his side. “With a little practice, you’re going to be the Max Vonner I knew back on Earth.”

  “Was that good?” he demanded, smiling.

  “Very good,” she admitted.

  He sighed, nodding slowly. “What we have to do for duty,” he commented. “But if all goes well, we’ll be standing on solid ground again in a few days.”

  “Then a month’s stay on Omina before the return flight. I really think you should be completely processed for the next two years, Max. It will be too much of a strain on you otherwise.”

  “I’ll think it over,” he replied. “But let me get back to duty. How’s Bardo?”

  “I gave him full-strength processing, and he’s asleep now in the security ward, under a strong guard.” She glanced at her watch. “He’ll be coming to soon. I suppose you’ll want to talk with him.”

  “Will he remember anything at all about the mutiny?”

  “No. He will remember the things that were done, but not that he was a mutineer. None of the other men can recall this. If you are wise, you’ll just tell him he was taken ill and has been unconscious and delirious. He won’t know what to believe about the thoughts in his head, and tomorrow he will be able to return to duty.”

  “I don’t want him back on duty until after we are in orbit around Omina,” Vonner said firmly. “Can you keep him under sedation?”

  “It won’t be necessary! He’ll be as sane as you when he comes to.”

  “I’d rather not have him to worry about.”

  “All right; I’ll keep him under for a few days.”

  “Have you talked with the nurse who was helping him?” Vonner queried.

  “She’s been reprocessed, so she won’t remember anything about it now, but I did have a few words with her. It seems that when Bardo was being processed a month ago, the terminal that I loosened for you today was disconnected, and he didn’t get the full treatment. The nurse noticed this, but was afraid to report it, and she also disconnected the same terminal when she was due for treatment. After a week they both began to regain their normal minds, and they got together. It went on from there.”

  “We must take steps in future so that a similar incident doesn’t occur.”

  “Don’t worry about that.” She smiled slowly. “It won’t happen again, I promise you.”

  “That a relief!” He patted her shoulder. “I wouldn’t want to experience another situation such as I’ve been through during the last few hours. I’m certain now that there can’t be anything worse on Omina. Anything that happens after this will be in the nature of a picnic.”

  “Do you remember what a picnic is?” she demanded softly.

  “No.” He shook his head. “I don’t even know why I used the word.” There was a wistful smile upon his face. “I’ve been missing a lot since this trip commenced, haven’t I?”

  “You have, but that won’t matter so much if we get the chance to make up for lost time,” she told him.

  He nodded and took her into his arms. “At least I’m learning about this part of it.” He kissed her gently, and when she clung to him with surprising strength, he was reluctant to break her grip. “I’ll come back and see you soon,” he promised. “When I’m off duty, we’ll go into this more thoroughly. But now I have a ship to run, and the problems confronting us are enormous. This is one situation the space planners on Earth didn’t allow for. They didn’t think this could happen.”

  “Let’s hope we’ll get back to tell them,” she said, and Vonner felt strangely protective toward her. She kissed him again and again before he could get away from her, and her mouth against his felt strangely warm and exciting. But he had his duty to do, and departed reluctantly to throw himself back into the thick of the problems confronting them. He had barely left the sick bay when he was called over the general address system, and he hurried back into Adah’s office to the communicator. “It’s Wayland,” she said, making room for him at the desk. “He sounds very worried about something!”

  “That’s unusual for Wayland,” he commented, tensing as he opened the line to the engine control room. “I hope it isn’t something unpleasant that Bardo has left for us.” He raised his voice slightly as he spoke into the communicator. “Vonner here, Dalus. What’s the trouble?”

  “It’s as bad as it can be, Captain,” came the terse reply, and such was the tension in Wayland’s voice that it was almost unrecognizable. “The main drive has been stopped almost twenty minutes now, and I’ve recorded some sort of activity in the nuclear pile. It can only be an explosive device, probably fitted with a time fuse. I’m getting to work on it, but there may not be a lot of time. If you’re not too busy elsewhere, will you come down and lend a hand?”

  “I’ll be right with you, Dalus,” Vonner replied, and tried not to notice the sick feeling which assailed the pit of his stomach. “Alert the ship for me, will you? Emergency alert, and the crew had better get into space suits, just in case.”

  “It isn’t space suits we’ll be needing if my fears prove correct, Captain,” Wayland retorted drily, despite his nervousness. “There’ll be nothing left of anyone or anything if we have an explosion in the atomic pile.”

  But Vonner didn’t need to be told, and he closed the line and paused only to pat Adah’s shoulder before hurrying on his way to the engine control room.

  CHAPTER NINE

  When Vonner entered the engine room, he found technicians busy donning space suits, and Wayland was consulting a chart spread out on his desk. The chief engineer looked up at Vonner, and there was relief in his eyes as he got to his feet.

  “Well?” Vonner demanded. “What can you tell me, Dalus?”

  “My fears are correct, Captain. Bardo rigged a time bomb in the pile. I don’t know what fuse he used, but if we don’t do something quickly we’re gonna end up like stardust.”

  “When did you notice anything unusual?” Vonner asked.

  “The controls showed something was amiss as soon as the engines went off.”

  “What happens if we put on the main drive again?” Vonner was thinking hard. “If Bardo rigged this so the bomb would explode if we stopped the engines, then it’s in the cards that he arranged for a neutralizer to work if the engines kept at top speed.”

  “I’ve thought of that,” Wayland said wearily. “I can start the main drive immediately, and we won’t feel the difference, but if I do that I shan’t be able to get into the radioactive area to deal with the bomb. We’ve got to fight this thing now. If we maintain speed until we reach Omina, then cut the engines, as we’ll have to do, we’ll provide a firework display for anyone inhabiting the planet.”

  “So you’re going in there to tackle the bomb.” Vonner narrowed his eyes. “Why can’t it be done with the main drive in operation?”

  “It’s impossible to live in there even with protective clothing. You know that, Captain.”

  “What makes you think the bomb is inside the works?” Vonner was almost holding his breath.

  “The detectors indicate that it is.” Wayland shrugged his shoulders.

  “Then how did Bardo get it in there? The main drive was in action when he planted the bomb.”

  “So it was!” Wayland frowned. “But wait a minute. We must remember that Bardo knew as much about engines at that time as I do. He processed himself with my cassette, remember. I imagine he must have used the induction port. He could open that for a short time if he put on a suit. But we’d have to shut down the main drive and go inside in order to get it out.”

  “Well, try it!” Vonner tried to disguise his tension. “Can you manage alone? Shall I come with you?”

  “No. I’ll need to take a man who knows the inside like I do.” Wayland grinned. “Better wish me luck, Ca
ptain. If I don’t make it, then everybody will have to get out and walk.”

  Vonner smiled. “Do what you can, Dalus. I’ll get back to flight control. Or better still, I’ll go and have a talk with Bardo. He might be able to tell me something.”

  “I’ll keep in touch.” Wayland returned to his chart, and Vonner left the chief engineer.

  Ed Bardo was conscious in his cell when Vonner looked in on the man. He sat up slowly when he saw Vonner and smiled wearily.

  “Glad to see you, Captain, he said steadily, and it was obvious that he could not remember anything that had happened to him. “I’ve been ill, so the doc tells me. Space madness!”

  “That’s right, Ed.” Vonner spoke gently. “It happens to us all at one time or other. But you’re doing all right now. In no time at all you’ll be back on duty.”

  “I feel okay now, Captain; just a little tired but I can resume my duties.”

  “No, Ed. I want you to rest up.”

  “How long have I been ill?”

  Vonner consulted his watch. “You were on duty twelve hours ago when it struck you, Ed. Can you remember anything at all about your actions during that time?”

  Bardo thought for a moment, then shook his head. “I seem to remember relieving you in the control room, but there’s nothing after that.”

  “Well, don’t worry about it. You’ll be all right in a day or two. I’ll have to go now. I’m busy, but I just had to look in on you.”

  “Okay, Captain.” Bardo relaxed and passed a hand wearily across his eyes. “Was I violent?” he demanded. “Is that why I’m in the security ward?”

  “It was a bit tense while you were unrestrained, Ed.” Vonner smiled thinly. “But it’s nothing to worry about. We’ve all had crewmen come down with space madness.” He moved to the door, then paused. “Have you everything you need?” he demanded.

  “Sure, Captain. The doc is taking good care of me. There’s even a guard outside the door. But I’m okay now.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, Ed. I’ll be by to see you again shortly. But we do have something of an emergency on our hands at the moment.”

  “Anything I can do to help, Captain?”

  Vonner smiled. “I think I can handle it, Ed,” he said, and departed, pausing only to make sure that the guard locked the door of the small ward.

  As he went around the ship, Vonner was aware that tension was growing in him. He was expecting an explosion, but realized that if it came he would not know anything about it. He returned to the engine room to discover that Wayland and one of his assistants were in the midst of removing the explosive device from the reactor room. Wayland was in communication with one of his men, keeping up a running commentary on what he was doing, and his words were being recorded. Vonner took over the communicator and spoke to Wayland, asking for a progress report, and Wayland laughed before replying.

  “I’ve got it taped, Captain, but the darned thing might explode before we can remove it. I’ve asked for an ejector capsule to be made ready, and the sooner we blast this thing clear of the ship, the happier I will be.”

  “I’ll check to see that everything is ready for you,” Vonner promised. “Now I’ll let you get on with it in peace.”

  “You’ll know if I’ve made any mistakes,” Wayland said, and Vonner felt tension closing in on him again.

  There was nothing to do but wait, and time passed all too quickly, cutting down whatever margin of safety was left to them. Wayland appeared from the reactor room with his assistant; between them they carried a lead-lined box clipped to a transit rod. Vonner went with them to the nearest ejector port and could see Wayland trembling as they made ready to discharge the deadly cargo. Within two minutes the ejection had taken place, and Wayland stripped off his gloves and helmet. His dark eyes were narrowed and bright as he looked into Vonner’s face.

  “I wouldn’t want to go through that again for anything in the world,” he said. “Let’s hope Bardo didn’t cook up any other unpleasant surprise. Have you seen him, Captain?”

  “Just talked to him, Dalus, and he can’t remember a thing about the mutiny. I’m keeping him isolated for a few days, at least until after we are in orbit around Omina.”

  “If we ever get there.” Wayland shook his head slowly. “We’ve got a lot working against us now. How are they making out with the computers? Has Marr found us a new course?”

  “I haven’t had time to check, but I’m on my way to see him now. You’d better stand by in case we can start moving again.”

  “We’re traveling pretty fast at the moment,” Wayland said, grinning.

  “Free flight!” Vonner nodded. “But we shall need the main drive to put us back on course.”

  “I’ll be in the engine control room,” Wayland told him.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Vonner retorted. “Thanks, Dalus, for a good job well done. Let’s hope that’s the last of the unpleasant surprises.”

  “It would be as well to check over your control room,” Wayland said. “Bardo was in there for a considerable time.”

  “It’s being checked out,” Vonner told him.

  They separated then, and Vonner went back into his control room. Aaron Marr was seated in the chief astrogator’s seat, his head bent over whatever he was doing, and Vonner went to stand at the man’s shoulder to peer at his work without interrupting. Marr glanced up at him, his face grim, but he did not speak, and bent his head again to resume his concentration. Vonner nodded slowly and went to supervise the work being done on the computers. But there was nothing he could do but wait, and he moved to his own control seat and sat down.

  A glance at the forward scanner screen showed him Omina almost out of view, and he didn’t envy Marr the complex task of preparing a fresh set of figures for the computer. He carried out some checks of his own, and was satisfied that when the computers were reset the ship would be trouble-free.

  Lieutenant Hanton came into the control and reported to Vonner. “You wanted to see me, sir,” he said. “Colonel Curran told me.”

  “Yes, Hanton!” Vonner dragged his mind from the worries nibbling at him. “I want you to take over Commander Bardo’s duties. He’s unfit for duty.”

  “Right, sir. It’s time you went off duty. Commander Bardo should be on duty now.”

  “I’ll be standing by until this present emergency is over,” Vonner told him. “You can carry out a check through the ship on all personnel. They should be at their emergency stations. I think they can be relieved now. Give the necessary order, will you?”

  Lieutenant Hanton nodded, evidently pleased with his promotion to second in command, and Vonner watched him as he went about his duties, hoping that there would be no repetition of the trouble that had come to the ship through Bardo’s actions.

  Time had no meaning aboard the ship. Events were the milestones rather than the passage of time. But the human system had its own clock, and Vonner found himself in a daze before Aaron Marr reported that they could follow the new course. When Marr had worked out his figures, he explained them to Vonner, pointing out that the adjustments to be made could easily be added when the computers were ready to accept the data.

  “How long before the computers are rectified?” Vonner demanded.

  “Several hours yet, I’m afraid,” Marr replied. “There’s so much to do.”

  “Is there anything I can do?” Vonner was beginning to feel the severe strain of the past few hours.

  “No, Captain.” Marr studied Vonner’s face for a moment. “You ought to get some rest. I’ll call you if anything breaks.”

  “I think I will. There’s a busy time ahead of us.”

  “If we ever get there,” Marr said grimly.

  Vonner was relieved by Hanton and went to his quarters. Almost twelve hours had passed since the mutiny had ended, and he needed to sleep. He stretched himself out on his built-up couch, closed his eyes and, notwithstanding the pressures and worries in his mind, drifted quickly to sleep and lay mindless until a h
and touched his shoulder. Then he came back to full alertness, to find Hanton bending over him. He sat up quickly.

  “Mr. Marr asked me to call you, Captain,” Hanton said. “The computers have been fed with the data concerning the new course, and Mr. Wayland wants the order to activate the main drive.”

  “Thank you.” Vonner got to his feet and glanced at his watch. “How long have I been asleep?” he demanded.

  “Ten hours, sir.” Hanton smiled. “I stood two watches. You needed the rest, Captain.”

  “You’re going to spoil me, Hanton.” Vonner smiled in his turn. “But let’s get back to normal now, shall we?”

  “Yes, sir!” Hanton grinned as he departed. Aaron Marr was waiting in the control room, and he looked as if he hadn’t slept since they’d left Earth. But the chief astrogator was cheerful now, his complications behind him. He saluted Vonner perkily, and Vonner returned the motion.

  “You can get into the main drive whenever you like, Captain,” Marr reported. “I’ve already informed Wayland, and he’s standing by.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ll start the time running now and switch in automatic, shall I?”

  “Yes, please!” Vonner moved to his seat and dropped into it, opening a communication line to the engine room, and Wayland spoke in his ear.

  “Everything ready at this end, Captain.”

  “Thank you, Aaron. We’re switching over to automatic, and your orders will be through in a moment.” As he spoke, Vonner operated his command computer, feeding in the necessary data, and saw from the corner of his eye that

  Marr was busy at his console. A few moments passed, and then Wayland reported that he had his orders and was preparing his program. “Thank you, Dalus.” Vonner was beginning to tense, and he forced the thoughts of what had happened during the past twenty hours out of his mind and concentrated upon his sequence. He flipped some switches and opened up the general address line, moistening his lips before speaking. “Attention! Attention! This is the captain speaking. Stand by for the main drive. Repeat. Stand by for the main drive. Five minutes to ignition.” He caught Marr’s eyes, and the astrogator nodded his agreement. Five minutes! Vonner now lost himself completely in his work and checked the switches on his panels. Lights were flashing and the computers were whirring, sending impulses throughout the ship. There seemed to be a gathering of power about Vonner, although it was intangible. It was like a tiger tensing before its leap upon some unsuspecting prey. Lieutenant Hanton, standing by a bank of instruments, began calling the minutes off. Wayland came through on the communicator to report that his controls were set and locked upon the computer. Marr was still busy at his console, feeding data to the computer, for each passing second added to the stream of adjustment necessary so they could find their true course.