Ghost Station (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  “What gets me is that they aren't real. Not in our way. It's like everyone else doesn't really matter to them unless it's to benefit them. Did you see the look on that guy's face when he was told our people aren't working with a contract?”

  Warner snorted. “Which will probably be remedied soon,” Warner replied, getting up. He headed over to the coffee pot with his cup. It was stained with coffee. He dumped the cold dregs into the recycler and then rinsed the cup out before pouring himself a new cup. “I can't wait to see the look on some of our eager volunteers when he started to pester them about it.”

  Chambers snorted, pausing in his pacing to reflect on that. After a long moment he smiled a little. “Yeah, that's not going to go over well. Gwen's smart enough to go over whatever he hands her before signing it.”

  “She'll make sure everyone does the same. Which will cause a problem for them. A work slow down as they try to read and assimilate it. I wonder if they'll have contract negotiations? Unions?” Warner mused. He took a sip of coffee as his captain stopped and snorted.

  “I am so glad we do not have to deal with that crap here,” Chambers said. Warner cocked an eyebrow at him. Chambers sighed. “Yet.”

  The XO nodded. “Right. Yet. When this hits the grapevine and people hear about it they will want in as well. Some sort of compensation package in writing.”

  “There goes the neighborhood. I'm starting to regret finding that damn station,” Chambers growled.

  Warner smiled politely. “I think we should get a copy of that contract and go over it. Revise what we don't like and then hang onto it in case our own people take an interest.”

  “They're our people. Well...”

  “If they are staying they are our friends and little more. We have to cut the ties,” Warner said, feeling his heart twist a little. His parents were over there after all. “Friends and family.”

  “Agreed,” Chambers replied with a short nod. He knew how painful that was going to be for some on both the station and the ship. “I guess there is some good in that, getting rid of some of the... excess weight.”

  He was polite enough not to say dead weight Warner realized. He nodded in response. “I'll get with Blur and have him look into it. Also have him look into what we can sell to the station. Maybe he's got something tucked away.”

  “Do we have a formal contract?” the captain asked. He rubbed his chin. “Come to think of it we don't. Not in writing. Just what the admiral promised. No specifics though.”

  “Then I think I'll get with Sprite and Blur and we'll hammer out the details then,” Warner said, draining his coffee and then returning the cup to the dirty dishes pile. “With your permission captain?”

  “Dismissed with my compliments Mr. Warner. Please check in with the bridge before you get into that mess of paperwork though. I've got a late dinner date with an angry Cora.”

  Warner smiled. He was lucky to be a bachelor right now so he didn't have to deal with the occasional irrational spouse. “Good luck with that captain.”

  “Trade you?” Captain Chambers asked as Warner got to the door.

  Warner turned back as the hatch opened. He placed one hand on the jam and turned with a smile. “Not on your life,” he said and then exited to the sound of the captain's chuckle.

  ñChapter 24

  With the volunteers, cybers and sleepers, the admiral managed rudimentary repairs to the life support and power supply systems in the core and occupied sections of the station. Things were getting better daily as more and more systems were repaired and brought online. The tribes were trying to integrate, but there were a great deal of teething issues to work through. The sleep teaching headsets and virtual reality rigs were interesting to a few but also scary. They have to take it one day at a time.

  Fortunately there had been remarkably few deaths from the influenza outbreak. Doctor Trask's efforts had cemented a bond with several of the tribal healers including her own descendant Marion Trask. She took them under her wing, showing them step by step. It's like opening up a door to a whole new world for some. They were both awed by it and overwhelmed.

  The captain had been against the idea of salvaging the station, but when hundreds and then thousands of his population stepped forward to emigrate, he accepted the idea of using the station as a base of operations. Now he was looking forward to the ship's lessening passenger load.

  “Want us to contact Antigua for you admiral?” The captain asked at their next meeting. He was speaking with the admiral and Fu through the radio link Sprite had set up. It was a measure of how far they had come that they now had holo projections to go along with the audio.

  Irons frowned and then nodded. “If you could. I'd like to make the broadcast.”

  “That sounds about right. What about you?” the captain asked, turning to the holo projection of Fu.

  “I would prefer to do the projection,” Fu said.

  “Radio only,” the captain said. He still wasn't sure about the cybers. They didn't feel right. Old yes, they felt old, terribly old, burdened by age and the station. But for some there was an... aloof feeling. Like even though they had fallen so far they still thumbed their noses at Kiev and others. Even the admiral. He hadn't really realized it until he'd seen Irons and Fu together. Fu ignored Irons. It would be interesting seeing them trying to work together on the station, he realized with a pucker of amusement.

  “I believe we can both do the transmission Mister Fu,” Irons said. “I can do the introduction and then you can finish. If that sounds good to you?”

  “I...”

  “A compromise?” The captain asked and then waved a hand. “I don't care how you do it just get it done,” he said brusquely.

  Fu didn't say anything, just stroked his virtual beard. Finally he bowed. “Very well then. We will work together,” he said. He disappeared.

  “He doesn't sound all that happy about the idea,” the captain said, turning to the holo of the admiral. This one at least was of a real person.

  The admiral frowned. “No, he doesn't. I'm not sure if it's because I'm stealing his thunder or what. He hasn't been very helpful so I don't see why I should let him get any of the credit,” he said.

  “Really?” the captain asked. Irons nodded. “Huh. Well, fine then. Screw him. I agree.”

  “I've got a prepared speech admiral,” Sprite informed him. Irons snorted. “What?”

  “Good. Nice job,” he said smiling and nodding to her.

  “You haven't seen it yet,” she said testily.

  “If it's anything like you're previous work it will be fine Sprite. I trust you,” he said.

  “Okay,” the captain said with a nod. “Ready?”

  “What now?” Irons said. After a minute he shrugged. “Sure, fine whatever. Let's get it over with. It will take a day or so to get to the planet.”

  “I know. Might as well get it done.”

  Irons nodded. The captain pressed a key as the admiral straightened, placing his hands behind his back. “This is Fleet Admiral John Henry Irons of the United Federation of Sentient Species Navy. I have been a sleeper for the past seven centuries until I was picked up by the Io 11 several years ago. I recently arrived on the good ship Kiev 221.” He nodded to the captain as his eyes went back and forth reading the script. The captain nodded.

  “I've been helping the captain and his crew rebuild the ship. Upon arrival in this system we stumbled across the derelict space station Antigua Prime. I am aboard her now. I am happy to announce that the station is alive once more and will soon be ready for business,” he smiled slightly.

  Words appeared in front of the captain. He read them quickly and then snorted. “This is the captain of the Kiev 221 speaking, Robert Chambers. I can vouch for the admiral and the current fortuitous turn of events. My ship is currently sitting near the station and we are rendering assistance to the station.” He wondered if Fu was on hand but Fu's voice immediately answered that question.

  “This is Yan Fu, director of
Antigua Space Station Prime to our home world Antigua. We are here. We are awake once more from our centuries of slumber. We are with you in mind and in spirit. Soon we will be with you in body as well. This station will soon return to its place in the heavens and will once again be used for its intended purpose. Go in peace and joy. Antigua prime out.”

  “Nice,” the captain said with a nod to Irons as the channel closed and the signal was sent. Irons shrugged.

  “It's a start anyway,” he responded.

  “I'm sending them still images from the Kiev and from the station just in case they can receive them,” Sprite interjected.

  “I know they can't but you can try,” Captain Chambers said with a shake of his head. “We sold them their last radio system years ago. It's an obsolete piece of crap. Audio only,” he said wryly.

  “Oh,” Sprite said and then shrugged. “It's still worth the effort,” she said.

  “That it is. Good thinking Sprite,” Irons said with a nod.

  “Now what?” Gwen asked, looking at Irons as he signed off from the Kiev. “Are we going to get the other reactor online? We're having issues balancing the power demand. But that means...”

  “We need fuel. Myers?” he asked, looking around admin.

  Doctor Myers appeared behind him. “Yes admiral?”

  The admiral turned to face the avatar. “Do you have any contact with the long range sensors? Tie into the Kiev's to get a better look if you can. Do you know of any rocks around? Ice?” He'd planned for this but had gotten swamped by other things. Now he had to act.

  “A snowball? It's a possibility that I know of a few. I've mapped a couple that have dinged us if that's what you mean.”

  “I mean any nearby right now. Ones that we can give a push to send them over to be eaten.”

  Doctor Myers frowned thoughtfully. “Oh. No, in that case... no but taking a look...” He pulled up a hologram of the surrounding space and then a carat picked out targets around the station. “Will these do? They are in the one hundred thousand ton range. I think that's at the edge of a shuttle's ability though,” he said.

  “The maintenance boats could handle one together but I don't think we can tie up both boats for that long of a haul. Anything smaller?” Gwen asked.

  He highlighted two others. “Both are smaller. One is only a thousand tons. It is about one hundred thousand kilometers from here.”

  “Sounds about right,” Gwen said looking at the admiral.

  “Contact the ship. See if the captain is amiable to sending a shuttle. We'll split the fuel fifty fifty.”

  “Bet he'll want more of a cut,” Gwen said.

  “I'm talking processed fuel,” Irons replied with a slight smile.

  “Oh? Oh!”

  The admiral's smile widened slightly. “Right. He can take his pick of what kind. Hydrogen or deuterium, his choice.”

  “Oh.” The Tauren nodded thoughtfully. It would be interesting to see which the captain would choose. Deuterium was better but the ship currently had hydrogen in her fuel system and was plumbed for that. They'd have to replicate separate pods to store the slush deuterium... she put the thought aside. She had enough to think about as it is.

  “Which means while they get out there we need to iron out the bugs in the system and get the fuel processing system back online.”

  “Not my area of expertise. Do you think they can get me samples?” Myers asked.

  “I'm sure it's possible,” Irons said. “How goes the water plant?”

  “They are having a lot of issues. Growth, stuck valves, broken pipes, it's a mess. I think the Stewards underestimated the job involved. Or overestimated what support we could give them with everything else going on. I've got two memo's here asking for more support,” Gwen replied.

  “Lovely. I'll take a look,” Irons responded, tugging on his outfit. He'd finally changed out of his skin suit after a few pointed hints from Gwen yesterday. “In the meantime if you could ask someone to take a look at the processing for fuel Gwen?”

  “Sure thing admiral,” she said. “Just as soon as I figure out where the heck it is in the station and what's involved,” she muttered.

  He grimaced and then nodded as he left.

  “Is he serious?” The captain asked, turning to Warner. Warner shrugged and looked at Barry.

  “I can do it. Sure,” Barry said slowly. He'd simmed it with the admiral on their way out. “I'd like to give it a shot anyway. Something to do other than all these milk runs back and forth. They are getting old.”

  “You're getting plenty of stick time though,” Warner said.

  “And putting some more wear on my babies. Not that I'm complaining or anything. It's better than going atmo at least. And we've got promises of support if we need it. The station's already given us some parts. By the way the other set of nodes are ready to lift. Do I move them first or go for the ice?”

  “Captain?” the exec asked, turning to Chambers.

  “Huh? Oh, the ice. I'll send someone else for the parts,” the captain said.

  “Righty-o then. I'll get on it. Back in a jiff,” Barry said with a tip of his head to his hat and a jaunty salute as he left.

  Warner snorted. “Wonder where he got that one?” he asked.

  “Who knows,” the captain muttered, looking down at the tablet in his hands. “They want the smaller snowball. Why?”

  “To get our feet wet? Trial run maybe?” Warner asked.

  “Find out please,” the captain said handing him the tablet. He paused and then locked Warner's eyes with his own. “I want sixty percent though.”

  “Okay. Will that be straight water, hydrogen, or deuterium?” Warner asked in return taking the tablet.

  “De... um...”

  Warner nodded. “Deuterium is the best captain. We don't have a separate storage system though. Right now everything's running hydrogen.”

  “Um... Which is... wait, Irons said that deuterium is the best...”

  “Aye captain.”

  “But we'd have to set up a separate fuel system?”

  Warner nodded. “Or run all our hydrogen through processing to turn it into deuterium as well. Which will take time but can be done. We'd be able to store a lot more and we'd get a great deal more energy.”

  “Not to mention less wear and tear,” O'Mallory said coming into the room. “Am I missing something?” she asked.

  “Barry's going out ice fishing,” Warner said turning to her with a small smile.

  She nodded, face clearing. “Ah. Good. I was going to suggest it,” she said smiling. She had a knot on her chin.

  “What happened there?” The captain asked, pointing to the welt.

  She grimaced, hand raised to the bump. “Breaker bar slipped on me. Caught me just right. I probably have a fat lip too,” she grimaced.

  “Valve?”

  “Yeah. Damn bolt sheered too.”

  Warner winced. “Ouch.”

  “In more ways than one apparently,” she replied, touching the sore again. “How are we doing otherwise?”

  “I was going to ask you the same thing,” the captain said with a snort. He looked at her hands. They were cut up and bruised.

  “I've been up to my elbows in rebuilding things. We've got the nodes online. All but the ones we're waiting on I mean. Any eta?”

  “We were about to work that out right now,” the captain said as Barry called for permission to depart. The tech manning the communication console looked up to the captain. He met her eyes and nodded. She touched her hush mike and passed on the assent.

  “If Barry's doing that...”

  “I was going to send over one of the boats,” Warner said.

  “That would make it easier. We wouldn't have to drop and swap boats. I like it,” she said nodding. “Scarab's a bit small though.”

  “Okay. We'll pass the order chief.”

  “Sublight drive is back up. I want to work on the fuel system. If we've got the time I want to rebuild the reactor too,” she said
. She wanted to finish what the admiral had started.

  “Not a problem chief,” the captain said. Both Warner and the chief stared at the captain and his suddenly complacent change in attitude.

  “What?” he asked amused. “It's going to take another week to get everyone who wants off over to the station.” Over three thousand had indicated they wanted to go. Fifteen hundred had transferred over. Another two thousand people seemed on the fence about the whole idea.

  “Are we really going to move the damn thing?” Warner asked suddenly.

  “No way are we having a hand in that,” the captain replied, shaking his head. “That's Fu's bright ass idea. I don't envy Irons for having to figure out that headache. Or dealing with the jerk who caused it,” he said firmly.

  O'Mallory grimaced and nodded. “Yeah,” she murmured.

  Sprite felt the others join her in the cyber chat. She turned, furious. “Are you serious?” she demanded. “Are you out of your little mind? Do you have any ideas what's involved in moving this station?”

  “Yes,” Fu said simply, hands in the folds of his robe. “More so than you little AI since we've done this before,” he said patronizingly, tucking his arms behind him.

  Sprite reared back in surprise. She looked around to the others. “And you all think we should do that first?”

  “Not at first,” Myers said shaking his virtual head. “But soon definitely,” he said.

  “Did you think about talking about it with anyone else before making that statement?” Sprite asked. “Anyone else? Anyone at all? Like the people you are asking to make it happen?”

  “I have no need to discuss it with the others. I know their minds on this subject,” Fu said simply.

  Around the virtual room the others looked uncomfortable but nodded under Fu's gaze. A few were reluctant to nod though Sprite noted.

  “Did you even think about the logistics involved? About asking the organics their opinion?” They were oblivious though. She can tell, the decision had been made.