My figure has been my pride, and it has held me back. I was proud at being voluptuous yet still being a hard ass on the training floor and the best pilot in the feet. A naturally tan body, large breasts and wide hips with a nice butt. It meant I had to work harder than most to prove myself to those who assumed I got my rank by looking good. I proved those idiots wrong and I still look good. I fluffed out my blond curls and grimaced. Yep, I needed a shower.
These were new showers with a slot to put your clothes in and the shower would dress you afterward. It seemed strange but I programmed it and went into the vibra-shower. I sometimes wondered who came up with these ideas. It seemed a bit much even to someone like me, who enjoyed luxury on my time off. I stepped in and the door shut behind me and the shower started.
I was one of the four percent of people that had a slight reaction to the vibra-shower. The vibrations that cleaned your body and hair vibrated something inside me, and I became a little aroused in the process. Nothing out of control, just heightened feelings for about five minutes afterward. As the shower finished I felt a whooshing and tingling. I then realized I was being dressed before the doors opened so I could walk out. I had to admit to being impressed. Everything was where it was supposed to be.
I had chosen retro clothes as was my preference and so I wore a white tank top over my breasts’ support with suspenders and what we called jeans, but were actually a kind of form-fitting pants. My hair was loose and wild as I liked it too. I had no idea how the dressing process worked, but I could live with it. The after effects from the vibra-shower were fading too, so I grabbed a jacket that matched the jeans and headed out for dinner. The walk to the lounge was a few minutes and I wondered how the Captain was doing.
Captain Jake Merlock was the hardest working captain in the Fleet. While half of his staff had been running on quick naps and low food the past few days he had been doing the same, without the naps if I had to guess. I always had to make sure I was analytical about my Captain because I had something of a crush on him.
He was a tall, lean man with a strong intelligent face, and his brown hair always in a ponytail. His piercing green eyes could have penetrated a Martian shield wall with a glance. I also had enough respect for his abilities and rank never to mention my feelings to him. I was a subordinate and it would not be right, so I always tried to ignore it. I did not have a problem during duty hours; it was off duty when my thoughts would wander. As I entered the lounge I found myself a little relieved he was not there. It was tough for me to relax around him. There were a few people at the bar and Tara was at a table by the large viewing pane. She had drinks for us already, which was nice of her. Chief Engineer Labrowski was one of the people at the bar and waved.
“Looking good Loneway, will you need any help getting out of those,” he joked, probably about my tight pants.
“Bite me Labrowski, you wouldn't know where to start. Stick to engines.” That got a laugh and he grinned appreciatively at the insult. I said hi to the bartender Dugan and made my way to Tara. Tara had picked up my love of clothes to a lesser degree and was wearing a strange wraparound of red silk that left part of her white skin bare. I had to admit it looked good on her, but would probably look ridiculous on me.
“Hey, thanks for ordering. I didn't think I was late,” I said. She smiled relaxed in her chair looking out the viewing pane at the stars.
“You’re not, I am early. No worries, Jayne. I am just loving the view.” I had to agree and sat back sipping my drink. We had agreed that one of the wonderful things about this view was the possibilities it hinted at. They were endless out here on the Rim and the spectacular expanse of stars proved that. Dugan came over and asked us what we needed. We were about to order something to eat that wasn't a protein bar when the lights dimmed and a flashing green light went off.
“What the hell?!” I growled, getting to my feet. The light meant that silent running had been ordered. It was an extreme maneuver making me wonder if it was a drill. That did not feel right though, so Tara, Labrowski and I headed for the door. We almost ran down the Captain going out.
“There you are. Get to the bridge. The invasion is happening. Right now we are out of sight and hopefully out of mind. I will join you shortly!” The Captain turned and ran off. We began running to the bridge. Any questions from crew members were answered with a barked order.
“Stations! Now!”
We slid into our places on the bridge and as I looked over my board. I could see on the long-range scanner up on the main screen a massive force of unknown ships in the distance. To far to see us, but close enough to notice if we did anything stupid. I reached down and pressed a red button. A security drawer slid out and I pulled out my weapons belt. Strapping it on, I saw everyone else following suit. I was beginning to wish I had indulged in a bath. Or at least been able to eat. It was going to be a long night.
*****
“Status!” barked the Captain as he came through the bridge doors. He was in civilian clothes like the rest of us and looking highly irritated as he sat in his center command chair.
“Communications silent. I have runners positioned for any essential messages,” Katake snapped out. He was the communications specialist.
“Engineering silent. It is set for me to rev the Star Light up from here sir. If need be,” Labrowski said.
“Science department is silent, sir,” Jewel stated from her station. I was next in line.
“Silent, position holding so far sir,” I reported. Natural currents of space would slowly cause us to start drifting, without thrusters to correct us. The Captain knew that of course. I saw him nod to himself as I reported.
“Running multiple course projections, nothing locked in sir,” Tara reported.
“Weapons off line, security patrolling the corridors. Set silent running security level 2 sir!” Johnson reported.
“Ok then what do we know? Jewel, anything?” said the Captain.
Jewel nodded slightly. She was very dedicated to her job and providing information for the rest of us to use was her passion.
“Well sir, we cannot do any scans because they might be noticed. But the basic standard magnification can tell us a lot. I had the computer take a still from the images on the screen and enlarge it.” The Captain gestured towards the screen and the live shot of the enemy was replaced with a close-up of one of the ships.
“Firstly, these are not Mucusto ships. This is something new. Now, from the design, my guess is the whole back half is engine. I have not seen something like this before but it speaks to a waste of space, thus a lower technology engineering wise than the Star Light,” said Jewel.
I almost snorted. Of course it was not as good as the Star Light.
“Look at these shadows here, and here, on the hull,” said Jewel. She continued highlighting the sections she meant. Commander Johnson Tello spoke up.
“Am I getting old or are those weapons ports?” he said. “I have never seen them so economical.”
Jewel nodded in response to the engineer.
“That is the analysis I have so far,” she said. “The design of it and these other spots here and here, look like smaller versions of weapons ports. So if we are correct and those are weapons ports, they have a lot of them.”
Great, I thought sarcastically. Tara and I exchanged a nervous look.
“Thank you for your work Jewel,” said the Captain. “I know with everything on silent running we have very little information to go on. Let’s look at what we have: Their ships have cheap engines, but expensive weapons. Risky idea to us, but what could that mean?”
There was silence as we considered. I considered it stupid to have such uneven capabilities in a ship’s design. Katake cleared his throat.
“I see it a couple of ways Captain. They are either uninterested in how bumpy the ride as long as they can do some damage when they get to their destination; or they have had bad experiences with other races and have become paranoid enough to go around armed to the te
eth. Neither is a comforting prospect.”
The Captain looked at him a long moment.
“Like those ranchers on the Rim planets?” he said. “The ones who have been raided so many times they have built up armories for self defense?”
Katake nodded. It was an interesting thought. Unfortunately without more information we could not be sure.
“Katake I want you to prepare an information capsule back to the nearest star dock. Include everything we know and the packet I gave you,” said the Captain. Katake nodded.
“Of course sir. I already have it ready to go as soon as—”
Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted over the speakers.
“Captain! Captain! I know you can hear me. How dare you tell a diplomat of the Alliance to stand down. It is my job to diffuse any war footing situation and shutting me out of any alien contact is against protocol! Captain I demand you answer me!”
The voice was that of Ambassador Churlish, who was on board our ship to handle diplomacy with the Mucusto. Somehow, the pompous bastard had found some way to communicate with the bridge. We gritted our teeth. Captain Merlock muted the Diplomat and pointed at Johnson. He sent two security men out, presumably to shut the Ambassador up. We all looked at Katake and he had his hands spread staring at his control panel.
“What the hell!” I heard him whisper savagely. Then I glanced over to Jewel as did the Captain. Jewel was intently studying something on her screen. Suddenly she pointed to the main screen. I spun back to facing forward and saw the small ships on the screen looking bigger. Their course had changed, they were coming toward us.
“Captain, we just received a full scan. We’ve been seen. They’re arming weapons,” Jewel said.
“Light her up!” the Captain barked.
I began working my controls. The engine was starting up and it would be a minute before I could move us anywhere. Weapons too had a start-up time. I could hear the systems coming online with a comfortable hum. The bridge lights lit up, and the bridge was once again how I preferred it. Almost.
“Diplomat Churlish, you have just broken silent running and as result, we now have a very large number of alien vessels training their weapons on us. Please stand by, I am busy!”
The Captain muted the speakers again.
“Jewel, are they really training their weapons on us?”
“Yes sir.”
“Loneway? Talkner?”
“I am plotting several escape courses sir,” Tara told him. “I believe there was an asteroid belt not far back and we could be there in minutes at top speed. Routing navigational information to Pilot.”
Her figures reached my console and I studied them and realized there were few possibilities with that huge alien armada in front of us.
“Loneway?” the Captain questioned.
“Working on it sir. Engineer how long before I can have full power? Anything less won’t get us away in time.”
I heard him grunt in response.
“Ah...one minute until I can give you full power,” he replied. That worked for me although it was cutting things close.
“Loneway?” The Captain questioned again. “They are getting close Commander.”
“Yes sir. I can go as soon as the power is fully online, sir.”
I did my own course plotting and realized what I was going to have to do.
“Let me know Labrowski,” grunted the Captain.
I glanced at Labrowski. He was paying attention to his control panel, just like the rest of us. I set everything I needed to preset so all I would have to do is little bits of steering, hopefully. Glancing up I could see the ships on the screen getting bigger as they got closer. Those were not small ships. I could see the weapons ports clearly now and they looked deadly. I glanced at the countdown. It was almost time.
“All yours Lieutenant!” Labrowski called.
“Got it, going, hold on!” I called to everyone as I jammed the throttle controls to maximum and twisted the whole ship on its side, pointing down spatially speaking. The inertial controls were strained and we all jerked to the side and then back as we shot straight down. I did a slow count to three, keeping us corkscrewing, avoiding plasma fires an. Then I completely swapped the directional engines. The ship flipped, pointing back up, and shot straight at the bellies of the strange alien crafts. Those ships were frantically trying to get out of the way.
“Fire weapons!” the Captain yelled.
“Weapons firing!” Commander Tello returned. It cleared the way and we shot through the crowded space. They were now completely disorganized and unable to target us, so we continued spinning as I brought us to even keel, shooting back along our path. We soon were far ahead of any pursuit, and moving along Tara's course to the asteroids. I kept us steady for the few minutes it took to get there, as the other stations all were shutting down the alarm whistles that had gone off with my unexpected maneuvers. Engineer Labrowski was cursing.
“The engines are too new for that kind of stress. What were you thinking Loneway?”
I remained silent continuing my flight.
“Go down and check on the engines, Chief. Let me know how we stand,” the Captain told him in a firm voice.
I checked the screen and there was no pursuit close. I sighed and allowed myself to take a deep breath. Tara shot me a look and kept herself busy.
“Ok, we bought ourselves some time,” said the Captain. “I want to stay close enough to keep on eye on them without risking ourselves. We are the only ship out here and need to be cautious.”
I felt that last part was directed at me. I was just getting my heart rate back to normal, but I couldn't help smiling inwardly. I’d pulled off the Tornado Twist. Another thing off of my bucket list!
“Set up a tight wave to Star Dock HQ and relay all information and keep your ears open,” said the Captain. “We are going to partial silence. I do not want to get caught without power again, understood people?”
“Aye aye Captain,” we all answered.
“Good. Pilot I want a word. Tello take the chair. I will be going to have a conversation with the Ambassador. If anyone needs me, feel free to please interrupt.”
He got a chuckle out of most of the bridge crew. I kept my mouth shut. I sent for a backup and one came from the pilots’ ready room. I stood.
“Relieving Pilot,” I said meeting the new pilot’s eyes.
“Pilot relieved,” he answered.
I followed the Captain to his office looking at my feet. I was actually glad my hair was loose. It covered my face.
*****
The door shut behind me.
“Have a seat Loneway!” the Captain said. His voice was rough and sounded angry. This wasn't the first time. He paced across his office a few times. It was a nice office. Chairs in front of his desk and a couch with book shelves and a wide viewing pane behind his desk. I noticed several of his books had come off the shelf. Oops.
“Interesting maneuver Loneway. Is that the one they call the Twist?”
I shook my head.
“No sir, not completely,” I said. “The Twist would not have worked in that situation. It is called the...” I hesitated but I had committed myself. Someday I would remember to not open my mouth. “It is called the Tornado Twist, although I changed it somewhat because I was afraid they would still be a few who could target us when we blew through them.”
“Ah yes, if I remember right that has never been tried before, has it?” Oops again. I did not know he kept up on pilots, navigational manuals and simulation tests.
“Not in real time sir, only simulations, I did not see any other way out,” I told him honestly.
“That is because you think in extremes. Did it occur to you that if you had merely dropped us down and shot behind them with our superior speed we could have circled around and made it here with less stress and muss.”
I nodded.
“Yes sir.”
He was still looking out at the asteroids that were drifting past and then
I saw his shoulders shaking slightly followed quickly by him laughing. I had never seen him laugh so completely and freely. I smiled but kept myself from laughing. I still was not sure how much trouble I was in. When he calmed down he turned, and caught his breath smiling.
“Ah, much better,” he said. “I could not hold it in any longer. You should have seen the look on Chief Labrowski's face when you flipped us back up. I will remember that for a long time.” I allowed myself a grin as he sat at his desk.
“Ok then Loneway, I did not really bring you in here to chew you out. I would prefer, however, if you let me know before we do something like that again please.” I agreed since I was not in trouble.
“As I mentioned I have to go visit our resident Diplomat and I want you to come with me.”
The sudden, complete shift in topics threw me for a second.
“Me sir? Why me?” I said. He sighed and began going over his desk, looking over notes.
“I noticed at the reception we had for the christening of the Star Light that the Ambassador is, at least a little bit, smitten with you. I need a distraction for him. Despite our situation, he will be able to cause some problems for all of us.”
I was startled to say the least. The Captain looked embarrassed. He continued. “I do not like using these tactics but Ambassador Churlish is a man who firmly believes in his own righteousness and also believes our duties are overly violent and a waste of resources. I would not ask you to do this, but I need some breathing space. Especially with this situation.”
I sat silently thinking about it. The Captain had not given a direct order, he was asking for my help and that was a whole other thing. I was touched he would trust me with something as diplomatic as this, but I was not sure what I was supposed to do. As I thought about it he went to the food dispenser and had some coffee made. He got me a cup and gestured to the viewing pane. I got up and joined him. I accepted the coffee and began sipping it. The Captain always had the best coffee. We stood side by side and gazed out at the stars and asteroids together. It felt comfortable, calming and right. The warm fuzzies were building in me and I shoved them aside for a minute.
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