Ghost Station (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  “Slow. Hardware isn't a bottleneck, it's the software. Replicators only keep firmware programs for basic equipment, and of course they tend to be out of date over the design life of the equipment. Prime's replicators were a few cycles behind on their updates.”

  “Lovely.”

  “So I'm patching and patching and patching,” Sprite sighed. “I've also had to write drivers since some of the equipment wasn't designed to work with each other. That's always fun. Throw in the other AI on the net and the cybers scooping up new space whenever it becomes available...”

  “Wait what?” Irons asked, pausing.

  “You didn't know about that?” Sprite asked.

  “No, but now I'm wondering why,” he said.

  “Oh, well, I might...” she paused. “Yes I did. I did tell you, you just weren't listening. It seems the cybers have virtual homes on the net. They use a lot of processing power and memory to support. Now that more processor banks and memory is coming online... they tend to fight over it.”

  He frowned. “Lovely. Not a council item?”

  “First come first serve. They ignore the council directives I assume. For a group of reputed pacifists they tend to get rather brutal and final when they battle over virtual turf too.”

  “Interesting,” he muttered.

  “Tell me about it,” Sprite sighed.

  Doctor Myers tended to pick an argument with Sprite, Gwen, and Riff constantly. He wanted to bring the science facilities online and restart old projects despite the council's restrictions on the effort. He had been shifting resources to the project, taking them away from more vital projects before the Taurens caught on and slapped his hand. They had tried to bring Irons in on it but he was busy. The council was out of session for the week and they weren't sure how to handle the situation.

  Sprite had to be called in to mediate the situation. They explained the situation in short blunt statements, radiating anger the entire time. She was exasperated with Doctor Myers and his timing. Finally she handed him over to Lieutenant Taylor Warner when they started to argue in circles. She needed to get back to work repairing the AI and attending to her own duties. Taylor needed a break from the heavy workload.

  Myers wasn't at all happy about being shuffled off to one person after another. He took his resentment out on Warner.

  Warner listened as Myers unloaded his resentment and then gave a heartfelt appeal to the advancement of civilization. It didn't fall onto deaf ears like he thought it would though.

  Lieutenant Warner pointed out that they do not want to stop scientific advancement, they just want to get the priorities straight. “It's more important to have a functional station now than to have tons of research data and everyone is dead doctor.”

  Myers scowled stubbornly. “But...”

  “We're not saying it won’t be done doctor. What I'm saying, what they are trying to say, is you have to crawl before you can run, walk, or in your case fly. It would be very bad if oh say an accident interrupted your work correct?” The doctor scowled but nodded grudgingly. “Or if there was an interruption to power or data right? The important thing is to lay the groundwork first, to get those things sorted out and then go from there. To build the network of computers and scientific equipment you need gradually over time. Can you focus on the data you do have? And the data coming in? Start there?”

  Myers was mulish. He glared at the organic. Warner cocked an eyebrow at him, ignoring the threat display. He'd seen it all before after all so it didn't faze him. Threats from a noncorporeal being didn't bother him in the slightest. “I know you have quads of data doctor. You are also getting data on the people on the station, material sciences from the material and how it held up over time and under load. You are also getting data on any asteroids we pick up; you can compare it to the initial survey. You will also have other projects. We're not saying it can't or won’t be done, we're saying prioritize,” he said. “In other words use what you've got.”

  Myers went into a speech about how the first space race spawned all sorts of scientific and technological advances. And how the search for the Higgs Boson by Cern in the twentieth and twenty first centuries spawned the first Terran internet, cloud computing, research advances in understanding and fighting cancers and a ton of other things. “Cern's investment was ten billion dollars over twenty years! Think of what we can achieve now!”

  “I know doctor. I know,” Warner smiled politely. “We're not saying it can't be done soon, just not right this second. Please focus on the station integrity and what data you have.”

  “But... but the data is corrupted! It's missing files and entire sections... it's next to useless with holes in it!” Myers said sounding pathetic

  Warner shrugged. “It is a starting point doctor. You can use it to work out a system correct? And you can use it and other small projects to train assistants correct?” Warner asked.

  “Assistants?”

  “You weren't planning on doing everything on your own right?” Warner smiled again. He spread his hands to indicate the station. He knew damn well that wasn't the case. Myers wasn't the type to do his own heavy lifting, at least not for long. Gathering data and processing it was grad student work. “I know a couple of people, who thought of themselves as amateur scientists, came over from Kiev. They couldn't do much research there and they are eager to work with you. There may be more like minded people in the gangs. And once we start up the schools again you can train and educate people. Nurture their interest.”

  “But... I was never into teaching,” Myers said sounding upset and off balance.

  “If not you than who? Someone has to take care of the next generation doctor, nurture the seeds of tomorrow as one of my science teachers told me a long time ago.”

  Myers blinked at him. Warner smiled. “No doctor I'm not one of those untutored hicks. I do have a college degree. I am, or was a sleeper.”

  Myers face cleared. “Sorry, I forgot,” he mumbled.

  “It's okay,” Warner said, smiling a little. “We all tend to do that over time. What's important is where we go from here. I suggest you think about it. Can you give me an initial plan? Start small?”

  “I guess I got excited,” Myers admitted sounding a bit sheepish.

  Taylor nodded. “Commendable enthusiasm doctor. But let's see if we can at least get you more computer space and memory. Maybe restore one of the science computer cores? You could recover some data there. Maybe there are some projects that are still on file but lost in the limbo of a flash drive?”

  Myers smiled politely. “I see what you are trying to do. Distracting me from my goal.”

  “It's not so much a distraction as it is a side trip doctor. Hopefully a worthwhile one. I can round up a couple of people to help out. I know a couple of the tribal kids are interested in science, I bet they'd love to play gopher. Then you can transfer your data to the cores freeing up space in the primary mainframes.”

  “I... see,” Myers said with a reluctant nod. “I'll think... no I think we should go with that for now. But the rest of the council will be told about this. Reestablishing our research is important.”

  “Indeed it is doctor. I can't wait to see you and other scientists hard at work,” Warner smiled. He picked up a tablet and made a note. “I'll go see if anyone is available. I think we've found a couple of science facilities.”

  “The nearest is a material science department,” Myers admitted. “I think the people that checked it out just did a cursory inspection though.”

  “Then we will need to go over it properly and set it to right,” Warner said with a nod.

  When Myer's consciousness had retreated Sprite appeared whistling softly. “You handled him well,” she said admiringly.

  “A little ego stroking and a sympathetic ear,” Warner said not looking at her. “I dealt with his kind on assignment a few times. It helped that I had a couple of college professors like that.”

  “Oh.”

  “Can we free up some people
to lend a hand with this project? I'm not talking about a lot. A couple of...”

  Sprite nodded. She had kept a bot near to listen in. “The amateur scientists and a couple of volunteers. A cleaning bot and a couple of other bots. I think we can manage that but I'll have to run it past the Berkhearts. Throwing hundreds of people and half the station's current resources at it no.”

  “Start small.”

  She nodded. “A seed like you said. Thank you. You are good at this.”

  “For now,” Warner sighed. He rubbed the small of his back. “I wish I had more time,” he said.

  “Time?” Sprite asked confused.

  Taylor looked away. “Doctor Numiria confirmed something in my medical record. I have a rare but terminal medical condition. A timed genetic disorder. It's why my health has been failing.”

  “I...” Sprite looked at him uncertainly. “I don't know what to say lieutenant.”

  “There really isn't anything to say. I've got six months. I'm going to do what I can in that time period. To help my wife, to help our son, and to help you and the admiral.”

  “You...” Sprite felt helpless all over again.

  He turned to her, eyes intent. “We do what we can for the ones we care about. And for the next generation. Remember that commander.”

  “I will,” she said softly and transferred out.

  Fabric extruders were found and were brought online with little difficulty. There were warehouses filled with material and of course many of the quarters on the station had clothing and other fabrics that could be recycled... A few had unfortunately been breached by animals and had been used as shredded bedding, but a few others had been stuck in vacuum. Running the material through the extruder again gave them new fresh bolts to work with.

  The crew received new uniforms over the course of a week just after the planet called back. They took pride in it, or at least the people from Kiev do. The people from the tribes like having new clean clothes but aren't sure about the loss of their identity. When the shuttle pilots bring word back to Kiev a trade ensued. At first it's low level, individuals wanting a new fresh outfit trading for one with a bottle of hooch, a book file, or some other good or service.

  Blur ignored the trade until the captain's family became involved. Toni was interested, but Cora was enthused. She asked for new material for everyone. The captain, resigned to being bullied by Cora into it allowed the project to proceed. They traded much needed fruits and vegetables plus seeds for the new uniforms. He was amused when she took pride in his newly tailored fresh uniform.

  “It is so much better to see everyone in fresh clean outfits! And ones that fit!” Cora said with a smile. The tailor nodded, equally excited albeit exhausted. She had been working flat out since the project started.

  “Now we need a set of formal wear!” she said when the tailor was finished with the last set. Captain Chambers groaned until she glared at him.

  “Yes dear,” he said in mock resignation, trying hard not to roll his eyes in front of her. Her hands had been smoothing his lapel; they froze as her eyes flashed. He knew what was coming and flinched. She poked him anyway, making him grunt.

  “Behave,” she growled.

  “Yes dear,” he sighed.

  “That's better,” she said; glare softening into a telling smile. “Since we're getting the clothing now I think we should just get the bedding and new drapes on the planet. Which reminds me, when are we going?”

  “Soon dear. Just as soon as the ship is ready,” he replied as she tugged on the hem of his coat. Not soon enough, Toni was still agitating to jump ship. So far he'd talked her out of it because it was too dangerous. That argument was now fading as more of the station came online. He wasn't sure what he could say to dissuade her. Every once and a while he wondered if he had the right to try at all. It was definitely something to talk to Cora about.

  ñChapter 26

  A month into getting the station online and things were looking up. Howi wasn't happy about his recent trip to the infirmary though. He'd learned the hard way to look away when grinding a weld.

  Ralph the machinist sleeper turned machine shop head steward on Kiev put in for more safety glasses and safety equipment after hearing about someone getting a shard in their eye while grinding a weld flat on the station. His delivery was received with mixed amusement and resignation from the crews on the station.

  His acid comments about safety that went along with the package percolated through the crew and then to the station. He'd done it before but it hadn't taken apparently. It took someone getting injured before they stopped being lazy and firmed up on discipline and safety. They would be firm for a while and then become lax over time when nothing happened he realized. Irons reinforced the safety lecture with his agreement and chagrin about not bringing it up sooner. Gwen and Riff grumbled but reluctantly agreed it was necessary. It was better to have people spend a couple hours learning to be safe over losing them for a period of time to recover from something avoidable. Or losing them all together if heaven forbid something even more serious happened.

  Ralph's intervention brought him to the attention of the station council. They tried to entice him over but he wasn't interested until they shifted their focus to Betty. Betty was interested in the job they offered, she had always been interested in becoming an entertainment director. When she has a pillow talk with him they both agree to make the move.

  Chief O'Mallory is seriously annoyed at the poaching. The competition for experienced personnel is starting to get to her. Ralph however has a fix; he had spent the past several weeks training up his replacement. O'Mallory grumbled but stopped objecting when she noticed Betty and Ralph holding hands on their way to the shuttle.

  “Have a nice life,” she told them with a nod.

  “We intend to,” Betty told her over her shoulder with a smirk and twinkle. “Right hon?”

  “Definitely,” Ralph replied with a smile to her.

  On Tuesday of week five since the station had come online there was a fire on the station. It was the second fire since their arrival, but much more serious than the first, involving several hundred meters of corridor this time. Only a handful of people were trained to handle fire fighting at the time so it was a dangerous situation. Not many fire fighting systems were online yet which complicated the situation and escalated the danger quotient. Without a way to contain it quickly Gwen had to evacuate the area and clear the atmosphere. Vacuum sucked the oxygen out, killing the fire. The investigation was conducted quickly to find out what went wrong.

  It turned out to be an electrical fire. Not really a surprise for most, the wiring in the station was a jumbled mess. Throw in the damage and animals chewing here and there and they were ripe for things like this. “We're going to have them, that's the problem,” Irons replied when he heard the news. “I was actually expecting more by now. We've been lucky.”

  “Lucky? Two hospitalized is lucky?” Gwen demanded. She didn't like it that they had an acetylene tank explode. Someone had left it there when the fire broke out. If she'd been on hand she would have yanked the damn thing. Four other people had been treated for smoke inhalation and then released. They were lucky no one had been killed.

  “They aren't dead right?” he asked. Gwen scowled. He spread his hands. “The best we can do is examine how it happened and do our best to prevent it from happening again. In other words learn from it. And yes I know, electrical fires are pretty common on a station of this age and size. We can still try, and we can still train our people on how to respond to one.” He was actually surprised they hadn't had a plasma breach. Io 11 had its share of them when he had been aboard.

  “We don't have...”

  “We've got the people. What about a mixed team?” Irons asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I'm talking about integrating some of the tribes into this. Tap a few. It's not that hard. We can sleep teach some who are interested. They can learn to read as well. It will socialize them
and show them that we think they are important enough to keep in important positions. Show them how to protect their home and community. Show them and others that they can do important jobs.”

  “I have been hearing flack about that. That they are pretty much useless,” Sid said. He'd obviously forgotten their last talk after that meeting with the tribal elders, Irons thought with a scowl.

  “And there you go. I seem to recall some of you cybers were human resource people. Do you think they can oh, say hunt around, find some jobs and match them up to those not busy with something to do?” The admiral said pointedly. He tried to keep his tone light and slightly teasing.

  “I can pass it along,” Sid said with a grin. He caught the pointed hint Irons was bashing over his head.

  “Please do,” Irons said with a nod.

  Kiev left six weeks after they moved in to deliver her goods and to pick up volunteers and materials from the planet. “Don't be long, it's lonely out here,” Gwen said in parting. She like some of the other Kiev people were a little anxious over the ship leaving. They now had no fall back point. Marlena had yet to return with that damn long range shuttle. She said it had barely made it to the planet and she wasn't coming back until it had been rebuilt. She knew how much bullpucky that was.

  “We won't,” M'runi replied. Gwen watched the ship leave with misgivings. She wished the station could follow. It would, but not for a long long time. She had an inkling of what Irons had in mind. But he wasn't talking for some reason so she didn't say anything either.

  “They'll be back,” Riff said, patting her on her shoulder. She reached up and gripped his hand for a moment. “We're here and we're family,” he said.

  Now that the station was semi functional most of the passengers on the Kiev had transferred over before the ship had left. Those that wanted off the cramped ship and steady employment anyway. Many were people who wanted to have more children, and the station offered plenty of room for their families to take root and grow.