Myers looked at the councilwoman. “You know I would marry you without it. You’re a beautiful woman, Diane. You’ll always be beautiful to me.”
“No,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “We can’t be together when one ages and the other doesn’t.” She waved one hand at her face. “This is as far as the surgeons can go. They can do no more for me. What would you have me do? Would you push me around in a hover-chair when I’m too decrepit to walk?”
“You know I would,” Myers said.
“I will not rehash the same arguments again,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “We must either recover the lost bottles of DNA gas, or we must find another DNA gas vent between dimensions. It’s the only way we can ever truly be together.”
“Then we will find one or the other, Diane,” Myers said. “I give you my word of honor.”
Without waiting for a reply, Myers took Councilwoman Deloris in his arms and kissed her. She didn’t resist.
Chapter 17 – The Black Sheep
_____________________________________
By 0730 hours the next morning, a new shift of workers had rotated inside the hangar. A group of them was busy unpacking and preparing a large, octagonal, metal-container which virtually glowed with energy. Large letters stenciled on the side of the metal object read XHD821. An equally large Deloris Armaments Corporation insignia was painted onto the container as well.
I’ve never seen a hyper-drive outside its protective shield before, Richard said into his shared space. It looks simplistic.
Richard yawned. He’d gotten a couple of hours sleep during the wee hours of the morning, but apparently not enough. In theory he didn’t need to sleep due to his DNA baseline. However, his mind occasionally demanded the rest provided only by sleep to continue functioning properly. Richard had a feeling he could have used another hour’s rest. He yawned again.
Don’t let your enthusiasm run away with you, Rick, said Nickelo. Bystanders will think you’re bored with all that yawning.
Whatever, Richard said. So what makes this hyper-drive so special?
It’s a prototype, said Nickelo. You heard Sergeant Ron explain the advantages, but I see you’ve shoved the conversation off to the side as usual.
Science doesn’t interest me all that much, Richard admitted. As long as I know how to make something move and go boom, I’m satisfied.
You know, sometimes you infuriate me, said Nickelo, which is hard to do since I’m supposed to be an emotionless computer.
Which we know you’re not, Richard said as he tried to keep his laugh internal so as to avoid drawing stares from the technicians around him.
Well, that’s your fault, said Nickelo. You’re the one who’s emotionally corrupting me.
Then we’re even, Richard laughed enjoying the fact he actually seemed to be getting the upper hand on his battle computer for once. You’ve gotten me to actually plan things out on occasion. I was quite happy jumping into battle halfcocked until you came along.
And it’s a good thing I did, Nickelo said in a chastising voice. If you’d been left to your own devices, I calculate a fifty-five percent probability you’d be dead by now.
Probably, Richard agreed. Changing the conversation back to his original question, Richard said, So…, what makes this hyper-drive so special?
I’m not presently connected to the tele-network, said Nickelo. However, from what I can ascertain from my electronic probe and your active scan, the energy flow is significantly different from normal hyper-drives. I calculate Sergeant Ron is going to have a difficult time keeping the reactor from having a meltdown.
And that would be bad, I’m guessing? Richard said.
Yes, that would be very bad, said Nickelo. Imagine fifty of the largest nuclear warheads on the dreadnaught Destiny all exploding at the same time. That will give you a little idea of what having a meltdown with this hyper-drive would be like.
Richard paused before answering. He didn’t have to be a scientist to understand the dangers. Then why the hell are we letting them install this ticking time-bomb on the Defiant? I respect Sergeant Ron and Charlie’s mechanical abilities, but I doubt they’re experts at maintaining experimental hyper-drives.
No, they aren’t, said Nickelo. And Councilwoman Deloris knows it. I’m withholding judgment until I see what kind of control system they install. It will need to be a very advanced computer system. I could do it, but my job’s taking care of you. Plus, I’m not connected to the tele-network.
Yeah, life’s a bummer, ain’t it? Richard said. By the way, you do remember we’re teleporting to Trecor tonight?
Uh…,I forgot to tell you, Rick, said Nickelo sounding almost embarrassed. You’ll be going alone. The central computer contacted me earlier and said I’d need to stay on the Defiant and help indoctrinate the new control unit. The central computer said the Defiant is part of some algorithm or other. The central computer’s giving me a special security interface to work with the Defiant’s new computer system.
Richard was shocked and a little irritated. He was shocked the central computer, at the apparent direction of ‘the One’ no doubt, had the audacity to think it controlled the availability of his battle computer. Sure, ‘the One’ sent him on missions in the magical dimension occasionally without his battle computer, but this was different. Also, he was a little pissed at Nickelo for not mentioning it earlier.
It’s not my fault, protested Nickelo who’d apparently heard Richard’s thoughts. I’m acquiring more of your personality the longer we’re together. I calculate I’m getting a little forgetful, just like you.
Hmm, Richard said. Are you telling the truth, or are you stretching it a little?
Well, confessed Nickelo, maybe there’s a little stretching, but the end result is you’ll be on your own on Trecor for the next month. Sorry.
I have a sneaky suspicion I’m the one who’s going to be sorry, Richard thought.
* * *
At 1000 hours on the dot that morning, a fancy hover-limo slid to a halt twenty meters from the ramp to the Defiant’s loading dock. After the chauffeur rushed around and opened the passenger door, Councilwoman Deloris and her son, Matthew, got out. They were followed by the figure of the short, toad-faced man Richard had come to dislike over the years. The man was Gaston Myers.
What’s he doing here? Richard asked his battle computer. I didn’t enjoy seeing him all that much last night. I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to see him again for a long time.
Just deal with it, Rick, said Nickelo. Besides, look at the box he’s carrying. Do you notice anything suspicious?
Richard did a quick check with his passive scan. He sensed nothing out of the ordinary. He told his battle computer his findings.
Exactly, said Nickelo. In fact, I’ll bet you don’t sense anything at all. The box is made out of titanium, and it’s got a charge running through it. Whatever’s inside is completely isolated from the rest of the world. The box is like a miniature version of the armory I was locked in back at the Academy’s airfield.
Richard took a closer look at the box. It was about the size of a shoe box. Rechecking his passive scan, Richard confirmed his battle computer was correct. No Power readings of any kind were escaping the box. Even if the box was empty, the space inside should still have been giving off a slight amount of Power.
Taking a risk, Richard sent out an active scan and tentatively probed the box. Sure enough, the box was being charged with energy which was temporarily turning the titanium into creallium.
As Richard’s niece and nephew had explained it to him the previous year, when a certain energy frequency was passed through titanium, it temporarily turned into creallium. Brachia had even installed particles of titanium dust in Richard’s battle suits. When charged, the particles turned into creallium which existed in both the physical dimension and the void. The setup provided Richard protection from creatures that could do dimensional shifts into the void.
Richard withdrew his active scan. Myers gave him a knowin
g smirk.
The jerk knows I was scanning, Richard thought. He must know I didn’t find out anything.
What’d you expect? said Nickelo. In my opinion, next to you he’s probably the best wizard scout in the galaxy. Heck, you didn’t even wrap a stealth shield around your active scan. Even the worst wizard scout in the galaxy could have sensed your scan.
Richard was saved from further conversation by the approach of Councilwoman Deloris and her son. Myers followed a few steps behind clutching his box. Using his passive scan, Richard sensed Sergeant Ron beating a hasty path from the Defiant’s control room to the cargo bay. The Defiant’s captain would be joining them shortly. Richard internally cringed at what he thought would be an explosive confrontation between the crusty-old Sergeant Ron and the strong-willed councilwoman.
“Wizard Scout Shepard,” said Councilwoman Deloris with a well-rehearsed smile. “It’s good to see you again. Our technicians aren’t giving you any trouble, are they?”
Richard noticed the councilwoman had dropped the use of his first name in public in favor of his official title. He sighed with relief. He didn’t like the false-friendliness politicians seemed to throw around with practiced ease. It made him feel like the councilwoman was just waiting for the opportunity to stab him in the back.
Now, Rick, you promised me you’d watch your manners today, reminded Nickelo. After all, you’re going to ask her for a favor. Don’t forget about Sergeant Hendricks.
Yes, mommy, Richard thought back.
Getting back to the councilwoman’s question, Richard said, “Not at all, councilwoman. They’re all very hard workers. I have to admit, I’m overwhelmed at the… uh… investment Deloris Armaments is making in the Defiant. Sergeant Ron says we’re going to need to take on an armorer in order to keep all our weapons maintained.”
“Of course, you will,” said Councilwoman Deloris. “That’s why the Conglomerate has graciously agreed to reassign several of their more experienced personnel to the Defiant. You’ll require the best. Not only is your mission important, you’ll have my son onboard as well. He’s the future of Deloris Armaments, you know.”
“Mom, please,” protested Matthew with his face turning a little pink. “I told you I’d just be a normal crewmember. You promised you’d stay out of it.”
Turning to her son, Councilwoman Deloris said, “And I will, Matthew, as soon as I make sure you have the protection you need. That’s why I’m personally selecting the members of the Defiant’s crew.”
“The hell you are,” said an irate voice behind Richard.
“Ah,” said Councilwoman Deloris with more than a little hint of distain in her voice. “It’s always a pleasure, Ronald.”
Richard noticed Sergeant Ron cringe at the councilwoman’s use of his first name.
Hmm, said Nickelo in their shared space. Remind me never to call Sergeant Ron by his given name.
I’ll second that, Richard said.
“The Defiant II is my ship,” said Sergeant Ron. “That was the deal. I’m the captain. Deloris Armaments no longer has any ownership interest or say in the Defiant.”
“Oh, really?” said Councilwoman Deloris with a sweep of her hand at all the activity around the Defiant. “We’re investing a lot of credits and equipment in the Defiant. I believe we have a lot of say in the matter.”
“You can believe what you want,” said Sergeant Ron growing a little red-faced. “Take this crap back if you’ve a mind to, but the Defiant II is mine. You got control of the company, and I got the Defiant II. That was the deal.”
Richard glanced back and forth between Sergeant Ron and the councilwoman. What the hell are they talking about, Nick?
I’m not sure, Rick, said Nickelo. For some reason, my databanks have very little information about the Deloris family or their company. I’ve a feeling part of my databanks was wiped for some reason.
“Now watch your blood pressure…, Father,” said Councilwoman Deloris with acid dripping from her words. “You’d hate to have a heart attack in front of your grandson.”
Richard’s jaw dropped.
“What?” he managed to stammer.
Councilwoman Deloris turned to Richard with an innocent-looking smile on her face. “Oh, didn’t he tell you? No? Then let me be the first to introduce you to your ship’s captain. This is Ronald Matthew Deloris, ex-CEO of Deloris Armaments Corporation, and current hard-headed bastard who deserted his family in order to follow some broken-down wizard scout instead.”
The sudden massive amount of information was threatened to overload Richard’s brain. But even so, he was pretty sure the councilwoman wasn’t referring to him as the wizard scout in question.
“You mean the Commandant?” Richard asked.
“He wasn’t the Commandant then, was he, Gaston?” said Councilwoman Deloris without looking away from Richard.
Myers said nothing.
Richard looked at Sergeant Ron for explanation.
“I was going to tell you eventually, Rick,” said Sergeant Ron. “I figured I’d wait until we were off planet.”
“Grandfather,” said Matthew. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I just–”
“I know what you were trying to do, Matt” said Sergeant Ron. “And I don’t blame you, boy. If’n you don’t make a break for it now, they’ll pigeonhole you into a blue suit for the rest of your life. All you’ll ever do from then on will be to attend meetings with other blue-suits all in the name of scrapping together a few more credits.”
“Those credits are paying for the equipment on the Defiant,” said Councilwoman Deloris with her voice increasingly rising in volume. “I don’t remember you hesitating to use the company’s credits to buy the original Defiant.”
“That’s not the point,” said Sergeant Ron in a near shout. “The Defiant II was my severance package. I left ownership of the company to your brother and you. What more do you want?”
“How about a father and mother?” Councilwoman Deloris shouted.
“I didn’t kill your mother, Diane,” yelled Sergeant Ron in return. “And, I signed everything over to you kids. I left you with plenty.”
“The keyword is left!” said Councilwoman Deloris her eyes blazing.
The hangar which had been full of pounding, welding, noisy motors, and every other kind of sound for the last twenty-four hours was abnormally quiet. Richard felt more than saw the stares of the workers around them. Richard caught the eye of Matthew Deloris. The young man turned away embarrassed by the outbursts of his mother and grandfather.
Grandfather, Richard thought into his shared space. Are you sure you didn’t know, Nick? I find that hard to believe.
Honest, said Nickelo. It’s not in my databanks. I’m not hooked up to the tele-network. If I ever knew, it’s been wiped from my memory.
Councilwoman Deloris and Sergeant Ron continued to stare at each other for several seconds. Sergeant Ron broke the silence first.
“Say what you want, Diane,” said Sergeant Ron. “But the end result is as of yesterday Rick and I are sole owners of the Defiant II. We pick our crew. And I say no to your handpicked lackeys.”
Turning to Matthew, Sergeant Ron said, “Sorry, Matt, but that includes you. I sympathize with your situation, but I want a crew on my ship that’s loyal to me, not your mother.”
“Grandfather, please,” said Matthew. “I need this chance. And…, I’d hoped we could get to know one another. I haven’t seen you a dozen times in my life. I… please.”
Sergeant Ron looked from Matthew to Councilwoman Deloris to Richard.
“What do you say, Rick?” said Sergeant Ron. “You’re half owner in the Defiant now.”
Richard looked at the young man. Matthew had a pleading look in his eyes. However, the boy remained silent. Richard gave him kudos for not begging. While he couldn’t empathize with a rich boy wanting to get away on own, he could appreciate someone wanting a different life than the one they’d been handed. During Richard’s three years on the str
eets, he’d never had anyone try to help him change his lot in life. He wondered if things might have turned out different if someone had given him an opportunity to change.
“I like the kid,” Richard finally said. “He’s got guts enough for a battalion of Marines. I say let’s sign him on.” Richard shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “Heck, if he doesn’t work out, we can always jettison him out the escape hatch.”
Richard winked at Matthew. The young man nodded and returned a half-smile.
Rubbing his chin with one hand, Sergeant Ron said, “I don’t know. Let me think about it.”
“Before you decide,” said Councilwoman Deloris, “I want you to sit in the car with me for a minute. There are too many prying eyes out here.”
Sergeant Ron didn’t say anything. He just followed the councilwoman to the hover-limo and got in. The chauffeur remained outside. They were in the hover-limo a long time.
“Thanks for sticking up for me,” said Matthew.
“No problem,” Richard said. “Heck, we fought together, remember?”
“I’m not likely to forget,” Matthew said as he continued to stare at the hover-limo. “I wonder what they’re saying.”
“I’ve no desire to know,” Richard said. He meant it.
Looking at Matthew, Richard said, “I had no idea Sergeant Ron was a part of the Deloris family. What’s the story, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“I thought it was common knowledge,” said Matthew continuing to stare at the hover-limo. “It’s a deep, dark, family secret that isn’t very secret. It pops up in the news videos every so often. However, I learned early on not to mention my grandfather’s name around my mother. They say most families have a black sheep in their lineage. I guess my grandfather is ours.”
Richard said nothing. He waited for the boy to continue on his own. After a few seconds, he did.
“When I was very young, I assumed both my grandparents were dead,” said Matthew as if he were talking to himself more than Richard. “Their starship was attacked by some unknown pirates when my mother was just a child. As I said, I thought both of my grandparents had died in the attack. Then one day, my grandfather shows up at our door and demands to speak with my mother. I remember a lot of shouting coming from the library after they went in. I found out years later Grandfather signed over all rights and interests in Deloris Armaments Corporation in exchange for the Defiant II. Apparently, he’d been off chasing pirates in the Defiant II for years before that. Mother and the other board members were trying to get the Defiant II back. I guess they worked out a deal that day at the house.”
Wizard Omega (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 4) Page 19