Along the Watchtower: A Gritty Space Opera Adventure (Frontier's Reach Book 4)

by Robert C. James

  “It looks impressive. The question is, can it be made to work?”

  “It’d want to. I’ve staked my reputation on it. Not to mention a lot of DestinyCorp’s money.”

  “Well, let’s see if we can’t keep your name in check.”

  “Come.” Jonathan directed him over to the inner workings of the telescope. “This is what we call the underbelly.”

  The great expanse reminded Javier of the engine room of a small ship. Large pylons connected the resonance telescope with the outpost’s outer hull, while power conduits weaved between the telescope and the power systems of the station. Around the various maintenance junctions were Jonathan’s staff, who busily went about their work.

  “You were saying you were having trouble channeling the power from the station to the telescope?”

  Jonathan nodded. “Our first trial sent a surge through the telescope that nearly blew the thing to kingdom come.”

  Heads popped up from the junctions and followed the pair walking through. My cover’s been blown.

  “Well, we don’t want a repeat of that, do we?” Javier stopped and touched one of the insulated conduits. “At least you’re using the best equipment.”

  “Have you ever known me to skimp?”

  Javier chuckled, and they continued toward a maintenance junction where a team of three were working on the telescope’s computer components.

  “Professor Petit,” Jonathan said. “I’d like to introduce you to Mister Caruso.”

  The young team leader stopped what he was doing, and his eyes lit up. “Professor Petit! It’s such an honor.” He put out his hand and shook Javier’s.

  So much so, Javier thought the excited technician would shake it off. The others followed with equal jubilance.

  “Professor Petit’s here to help us with our problem.”

  The trio looked at each other with wide smiles. While under normal circumstances most people would be insulted at someone coming in at the eleventh hour, these awestruck youngsters didn’t seem to care in the least.

  In the past, Javier enjoyed having his ego stroked, but with all that had happened of late, there were now more important concerns in life.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to it,” Jonathan said. “Lunch at twelve-thirty in the crew lounge?”

  Javier nodded, and Jonathan left him and the team to search for a fix to their issue. “So, tell me, where are the power overloads occurring?”

  Caruso led him over to the main conduits and eyed him like he was a big-time sports star. Javier tried not to be rude, but the thought of spending the next few days with starstruck technicians straight out of college didn’t appeal to him.

  He thought about Alyssa Rycroft. She needed no degree. She had to be good at what she did, otherwise her ship didn’t fly. What I wouldn’t give to have her here right now.

  *

  UECS Repulse

  Jason had never met Admiral Kostecki, but his first impression peering into the cold blue eyes of the man, told him he wasn’t someone to be messed with.

  Hariri escorted Jason into his office, which wouldn’t have looked out of place on an old naval vessel on Earth’s oceans.

  “Mister Cassidy for you, Admiral.”

  Kostecki nodded at Hariri. “Yes, thank you. That’ll be all.”

  The commander turned and exited, closing the door behind her. Kostecki put his hands together on his desk and considered Jason.

  “You know I was talking to Captain Kaufman a few days ago? We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember.”

  Jason furrowed his brow. Nice icebreaker… “I hardly believe I’ve been called here to discuss my past transgressions, Admiral. At least I hope not.”

  Kostecki continued to study him like he was an insect to be squashed, but Jason stood his ground, not letting the Admiral intimidate him. “No, I guess I didn’t. Sit down, Mister Cassidy.”

  Jason sat on the chair opposite the desk.

  “Command and the Ministry of Defense finished checking over your statements this morning.” Kostecki read from his data tablet. “They’re satisfied with everything you’ve told us.”

  “It would’ve been difficult to lie with a PLD-4000 pointed at our heads.”

  “You would realize more than most their use is standard practice in situations such as these.”

  Was that a dig? “Well, I suppose you’re right.”

  “Now, you’ve all signed binding nondisclosure agreements. I assume I don’t need to remind you of the importance of upholding them.”

  “No.”

  “Or the penalties for breaking the agreement. While you may have got away with your last misdemeanor in the service, if you step out of line this time…” Kostecki paused before continuing. “Suffice to say, treason isn’t looked upon favorably with the current administration.”

  He doesn’t like me much, does he? “Got it.”

  The admiral glanced back at his data tablet. “Now that’s understood, your ship has been repaired, and you and the rest of your crew are free to leave.”

  “That’s very generous of you, Admiral.” It sounded more sarcastic than he would’ve liked, considering he was doing his best not to antagonize Kostecki.

  All Jason wanted to do was get off the damn ship. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

  *

  Cargo Ship Argo

  Jason stepped into the engine room to find Aly and Kevin standing over the maintenance console.

  “All right, how did our friends go repairing the old girl?” he asked them.

  “It’s amazing. They’ve replaced all the parts that needed fixing with newer designs. Look at this.” Aly pointed at the console. “These energy converters were giving me trouble for years. I had to rebuild them because of how rare and expensive they are. They’re now the top-of-the-line models. They should last at least five years if serviced regularly.”

  “Well, I’m glad someone’s happy.” He walked closer to them. “Make certain you go over all the changes they made. If there’s something here that shouldn’t be, let me know.”

  “What am I searching for exactly?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure. But you know this ship back to front. If there’s something out of place, you’ll find it.”

  “Okay.”

  Kevin followed Jason out. “How soon can we be out of here?” he asked the Argo’s helmsman.

  “Give me an hour to do the preflight checks, and we’ll be on our way,” Kevin told him. “Has Outpost Watchtower given us clearance for docking?”

  “We’re not going to Watchtower.”

  “I assumed you’d want to see your old friend from the Raptor.” They walked on to the bridge where Althaus was checking over the workstations.

  “I talked to him over a commlink when they let us out. But since we’re unable to discuss what happened with Nash and anything else, I didn’t see much point cutting into our travel time.”

  “What course do you want me to plot?”

  “Vesta III. I’m going home.”

  Kevin’s face went pale.

  “I’m sure you’ll be able to find some business along the way,” Jason said to Althaus, who appeared to do everything to hide his glee.

  Chapter 10

  UECS Repulse

  Scans, scans, and more scans.

  Since coming aboard from the Argo and being taken into custody, Kione had been poked, prodded, and probed by every medical instrument imaginable. The Repulse’s Chief Medical Officer had instructions to give TIAS updated studies, with all that had happened since being with the Seekers.

  Unfortunately, Doctor Chang had no expertise with his biology. She’d never worked on a member of his species before, let alone any other form of extraterrestrial life.

  She seemed fascinated by him, but her bedside manner was cold and uncaring. Kione felt like something from a petri dish instead of an intelligent living being. She’s no Doctor Tai.

  Being strapped down in an enclosed tubular bio-chamber in da
rkness was something he hadn’t missed since leaving the Institute. His thoughts drifted to Tai. If he’d requested what she had, she’d have flat-out refused. So why am I considering it?

  Is it because I’m not human?

  He didn’t know whether it made a difference. He wondered if there was something in his DNA that made him think ending one’s existence early was acceptable. Or has the sphere done something to me?

  Kione already struggled to comprehend the powers he’d developed when with the ancient device. And why those abilities were now gone. Maybe it’s just another question I’ll never have an answer to.

  The bio-chamber lit up around him, bathing him in light. The conveyance slid outward, and in moments he was back out in the infirmary with Doctor Chang standing over him, yanking off his restraints.

  “You can get up,” she told him.

  Kione pulled himself upright and swung his legs off the chamber bed. He looked at the monitor above to check over the scans, while Chang filed them into a data tablet, preparing them for someone a little more qualified to review.

  She pointed to the bed in the center of the infirmary. “Sit down, please.”

  Kione walked over to it, and a voice rang out over the speakers. “Doctor Whistler to Doctor Chang.”

  She activated the intercom on the bulkhead panel. “Doctor Chang here.”

  “Those lab results have come in.”

  “Already?”

  “The clock’s ticking. We’ll have ten minutes to review them before the sample disperses.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right there.” Chang placed down her data tablet and a small medical probe on the bed next to Kione. She marched out into the corridor, telling the guard outside the door to lock it behind her.

  Not even a goodbye? Kione stared around the sterile infirmary. He stopped when a closed cabinet caught his eye. On it was a label in bold text: PHARMACEUTICALS.

  He stood from the bed and sauntered over to it. He glanced at the door to make sure the coast was clear and opened the cabinet. Inside were row upon row of medicines. All in small containers and tubes.

  The names seemed to blur into one. He refocused and worked his way from the top shelf downward. Luckily, it was in alphabetical order. When he reached the drugs beginning with C, he found what he was after. There were only a few vials, but the label was clear as day: Cyclotrol.

  While he hadn’t decided yet whether he’d grant Tai’s request, if he did, it’d be unlikely another opportunity would arise to procure it.

  The door to the infirmary clicked, unlocking from the outside. Kione grabbed the vial and stashed it inside his pants pocket. With a flick, he closed the cabinet, and Doctor Chang walked in.

  Kione put both his hands in his pockets and stared at the ceiling as casually as he could. Chang eyed him suspiciously and then gestured toward the bed.

  “Let’s continue.”

  *

  Holden City, Mars

  Marissa Caldwell finished her bowl of cereal and placed it in the dish recycler. Through the kitchen window, the stars of the dark, early morning sky shone through Holden City’s domed enclosure.

  She loved her work but hated the hour she had to be out of bed. However, someone had to write the news, and there was nothing else she’d ever wanted to do in her life.

  “What are you still doing here?”

  She turned to find Marcus staring at her, wearing only a pair of shorts. She never got sick of looking at his chiseled physique in the morning. Or any other time of the day.

  “My alarm went off late. I’ll be there with plenty of time.” Her boss wouldn’t care. With the amount of extra hours she worked, she hadn’t earned the nickname Super Woman for nothing.

  Marissa grabbed Marcus by the buttocks and pulled him in close. They kissed, and she glanced toward the bedroom. No, I can’t be that late. She sighed and picked up her bag.

  “When do you think you’ll be home?” he asked.

  “Five at the latest.”

  “So, six then?”

  Marissa never got home early. She hated lying to him. “I’ll do my best.”

  They kissed once more, then she slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out of the apartment.

  She hurried at a brisk pace to the Beenleigh Street Station, not wanting to miss the four fifty-three service into the city center. The train stopped on the platform just as she jogged up the steps. She flung her bag through the doors, stopping them from closing. She pulled them open and threw herself inside.

  With the near-empty carriage practically all to herself, she had her choice of almost any seat she wanted. Of the two people with her, one was asleep stretched out over a row of three seats, while another sat across from her patting what was once a frozen chicken meal with a leash tied around it.

  Marcus hated her traveling to work on the train. Marissa’s excuse was that she wanted to gauge the people of the large Martian city. Unfortunately, in the initial hours of the morning, the only thing she could glean was Holden City still had serious homeless and mental illness problems. So much for a new world…

  She stepped off the train at the City Center Station and walked down to her work building. It was one of the highest on Mars, except for a few glitzy apartment towers, which housed the wealthy.

  “Marissa, it’s not like you to be this late,” Janine, the early morning receptionist said when she entered the office. “Did that man hunk of yours want to keep you all to himself?”

  Marissa loved Janine. She always made her laugh. “Yes, but that’s not the reason I’m late. Have there been any calls for me?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Okay.” Marissa knew there’d be plenty of messages waiting for her when she logged on to her computer.

  She walked past the reception area and into the giant bullpen that housed the news reporters of the Martian Tribune. The most read paper on Mars, and one of the most influential in the entire commonwealth.

  Through the banks of empty cubicles, she approached her work domain and threw her bag down on her desk. Her computer autoloaded with her presence. She’d been right. There were seventy-three messages waiting for her.

  Marissa scrolled down the list. Most were appointments with interviewees she’d organized days earlier. Some were messages from sources. And others were tips from random individuals.

  Her eyes stopped at the bottom of the list. She did a double take. It wasn’t a name she’d seen in a very long time. What could you want after all these years?

  She read through the message and opened the hefty data file that came along with it. What the hell?

  She pressed the intercom. “Janine, how long until Sandra’s in?”

  “She’s not due for another hour.”

  “Let me know the moment she walks in the building.”

  “Okay.”

  She’s not going to believe this.

  Chapter 11

  Cargo Ship Argo

  “Cargo Ship Argo you’re clear to depart.”

  The communications officer of the Repulse gave Jason the permission they’d needed. He wasn’t going to let them change their mind.

  “Get us the hell out of here,” he said.

  Kevin nodded. “Course plotted for Vesta III.” The Repulse, Outpost Watchtower, and Delta-Hera IX rapidly disappeared into the distance.

  Jason tapped the intercom on the console beside his chair. “Buckle up, everyone. Prepare for FTL.”

  He allowed a few moments for Althaus and Aly to get settled in below deck and directed Kevin to hit the gas. With a push of the large lever on the helm, the Argo erupted beyond the speed of light.

  Finally…

  Jason unclasped his harness and left the bridge in Kevin’s capable hands. He walked to the stern, toward the engine room. Aly glanced up at him from the maintenance junction.

  “How did you go with your search?” he asked.

  “I’ll let you know if I find anything,” she said without looking up.

  “Thanks.” He m
oved to the exit before spinning back around.

  Something’s not right.

  Jason put his hand on the hatchway. “What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Seriously?”

  “I’m fine.”

  He stepped toward her. “Aly?”

  She slammed a spanner down beside her and jumped out of the junction. Fire filled her eyes.

  Ah, crap.

  She shut the lid firmly on her toolbox. Its sound echoed around the engine room. “Remember when we were heading to Frontiers Reach, and I asked you to stay?”

  Jason vaguely remembered the conversation.

  “You may not have said it, but you made me believe you’d think about it,” she continued. “I knew you were lying, of course, but with everything that happened at Psi-Aion… With Tyler dying and him handing the ship over to you, I thought maybe there’d be a chance you might reconsider.”

  Jason tried to open his mouth to say something, but Aly cut him off. “Don’t you feel some responsibility?”

  He attempted to speak again.

  “Well?” she pressed.

  “Are you going to let me talk or not?”

  Aly relented and crossed her arms. “Go ahead.”

  “Wouldn’t you rather this ship was run by someone who wants to be here?”

  “What’s stopping you from wanting to be here?”

  Jason leaned back on the maintenance console. “Aly, my family’s gone. My mom, my dad, and now my brother. You guys were going along fine until I came back. Look at the havoc I’ve wreaked.”

  “But we’re still your family. Perhaps not by blood—”

  “And what’ll happen to you if I stay?”

  Aly rolled her eyes. “What do you think, you’re some voodoo curse on us or something?”

  “Well, it’s as good an explanation as anything I’ve heard so far.”

  “Such a moron.” Her voice softened, and she stepped closer to him. “I think you’re just afraid.”

  It was Jason’s turn to roll his eyes. “Afraid of what?”