Fool's Gold (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  “Okay I had that coming,” she sighed sitting back in the chair deflated. “So what do we do?” she asked. “I need those meds! I took a tour of their sickbay, it's incredible!” She waved. “Can we do that?” she asked suddenly excited. He chuckled.

  “Yes, but not for some time to come. First things first.” He waved to the reactor. She looked over to it and studied the techs frantically installing parts.

  “Right; power.” She shook her head. “It all comes down to hardware getting first priority over people.” She sighed shaking her head and not looking at him.

  “Well, since that hardware is what is keeping people alive at this moment, I don't see the problem. They aren't mutually exclusive Doc. Once we get surplus power, things will change.” She looked up at his dusty dry reply.

  “Okay, I deserved that too.” She grimaced. “What does it take to get through to them?” Shelby came in and threw herself into a chair.

  “Who?”

  The Doc asked confused. “Them! Io! I don't get it! Their engineers are okay, the ship's AI is awesome, but the captain and purser!” She shook her head.

  “What's wrong?” the Admiral asked.

  “Negotiations that's what. And the damn Port Admiral is no help!” She sighed. “Bastard stuck his nose into it and now they have theirs out of joint.” She sighed in frustration pulling at her hair the messing it up. “I'm running out of material to trade. I've cleaned out deck forty four C and Liam's electronics, but damn it...” She slapped her hand down. “I don't know what to do!” She sighed in frustration.

  “Let me take a crack at it.” The Admiral looked up. “Accessing. Link open.” The newly repaired holographic projector sprang to life with the captain's gnarled face.

  She grinned. “Admiral! If I didn't know better I'd say you've been busy.... Are you finished with my AI now?” she asked tartly. He chuckled.

  “Well, as soon as we get the next two loads of parts we will be ma'am.” He nodded to Shelby. “I understand you're having trouble coming to an agreement over the containment parts?” he asked. She nodded eyes narrowing.

  “You could say that. The damn things take forever to replicate and the power and material costs...” She sighed. He nodded.

  “We can supply you with the basic matrix material and I can get the exec to give you free docking privileges for your remaining time here.” He smiled to her. “I suggested it before since Io is helping out, but that might have been forgotten,” he smiled. She nodded rubbing her chin.

  “I've got four used superconductor batteries past shelf life to throw in, plus parts from a Smythe series five plasma jet and an Iron's plasma injector as well. If you could sweeten the deal.” He held up a tablet.

  “Do they work?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Jet and injector need to be cleaned, and the head of the injector may need to be rebuilt, the plasma has corroded the tip, but it should serve,” he replied. She smiled and leaned back.

  “All right, that will get you that first shipment of parts you wanted...” She grinned and waved someone away that was off camera. He nodded keeping his poker face. He was pretty sure that had been the purser.

  “Can we sweeten the deal with some antibiotics, some more medical nanites, and some replacement tissue?” He caught the doctor's sharp intake of breath.

  “Maybe. Who's it for?” The captain asked. “Not some piece of shit who wants another nose job is it?” she grumbled. He shook his head.

  “No another sleeper like me,” he replied. Her eyes went wide.

  “Another like you?” she asked.

  “Power tech Horatio Logan. He is a fleet noncom who was found nearly a century ago and is the station's chief engineer. I served with him briefly.” He shrugged.

  She nodded. “He's the one who's been keeping that bucket of bolts together?” she asked. He chuckled.

  “He has help, but yes he's been trying. He's old though, the past century hasn't been kind to him.” He sighed looking away.

  “Him and me both.” The captain muttered looking away as well. She cleared her throat and looked back at the camera. “All right, you've got a deal. I think you're nuts to stay there though Admiral.” She shook her head. “I must be getting old if I am being this soft,” she muttered. He chuckled.

  “You are not old, just... mature and set in your ways.” He smiled. “Remember, you’re younger then I am.” He smiled as she gave him a sharp look. Her eyes seemed to glitter then she smiled.

  “Flattery will get you much more with others Admiral,” she said with a cackle. He chuckled. “You’re not known for buttering an old woman up so I'll toss in an extra robot so you can get things going faster. That way I can get my AI back sooner.” She waved.

  “Why thank you captain, it's been a pleasure doing business with you.” He nodded as she waved dismissively and the link was cut.

  “You’re amazing,” Shelby chuckled. “She threw in an extra robot? I couldn't get a used lug wrench out of the old goat!” She exhaled, nostrils dilating in annoyance and exasperation. He smiled.

  “She's not really old, well, compared to you young whipper snappers maybe, but not to me.” He chuckled at the sharp look both women gave him.

  “I'm a Fleet Admiral remember? They don't give those out over tea and crumpets; you've got to earn it. It takes decades to get flag rank. Nearly a T century of service. Or at least it did in my time.” He shrugged. “Besides, I took the long route, I mustang-ed from enlisted.” He looked away in thought.

  The doctor stood and cleared her throat. “I'll just be going...” she muttered and left. He looked back.

  “Oh, sorry, wool gathering I guess.” He nodded to a tech that was patiently waiting nearby. “Yes?” he asked.

  “I heard that happens with you old folk,” Shelby said dryly, smiling. He mock glowered at her.

  “Liam has cleared the last control run; we're running new cable now. We've almost run out of cable from stores though,” she said after a moment. He nodded.

  “What we don't have we will beg, borrow, or steal from other sources. Check the junk logs for used cable. Splicing it will be a pain though,” he said with a grimace, then shrugged. Hopefully not his problem. Hopefully.

  Shelby nodded. “Four hours to clear the control runs, you've done what we would normally do in weeks.” She shook her head. “Is it just the implants or training?” she asked. He chuckled.

  “A bit of both. Plus lots and lots of practice and a need to get it done.” He smiled.

  “Speaking of which, I have some parts to dig up. Get back in there; we're all rooting for you.” She nodded to the interface then patted his shoulder and left. He exhaled softly, then rolled his shoulders.

  “Right Sprite?” he asked.

  “Valdez family has been informed, I've sent an order list to a nearby work party to take care of the transportation, and the first parts are being fabbed now,” Sprite reported. “The exec is not happy about losing the income from Io, but he'll get over it,” Sprite finished. He grunted.

  “He'd better if he knows what's good for him.” He sent the mental sequence to jack back in.

  “With an extra robot and additional computer core time Proteus or I could pilot it Admiral,” Sprite reported. “For that matter Defender could as well.” She pointed out. Defender lit a red light.

  “My duty is to protect the Admiral,” Defender's bass voice replied coldly.

  “And you would be doing that by helping him stay alive right?” Sprite riposted. The admiral grimaced.

  “Okay kids, break it up, I'm trying to concentrate.” He felt his awareness of the outside world recede as his cybernetics overlaid the neural feeds from the robot.

  “How are we doing?” He asked Liam.

  Liam waved. “We're doin'. We're doin'.”

  “Dad's out of the tank for now. He's fighting with the doctor to come back. She is pretty firm about him not getting out of bed though. Do you want to go see him with me?” Shelby asked. The Admiral gave her a look.
“You’re about the only person he'll listen to. He'll sneak down here the moment she's got her back turned,” Shelby said disgusted. Irons chuckled.

  “Sounds familiar. Doctors aren't the only ones who make terrible patients.” He got up slowly. “Well, since we're waiting on the emitter delivery from Io, sure.” He got up and stretched as his right arm un-jacked.

  A woman smiled shyly as she took his seat. She wriggled a little. “Thanks for keeping it warm,” she murmured putting her virtual gloves on.

  He chuckled. “You are welcome.” She dimpled and blushed as she put the helmet on and laid back.

  “They'll be fine. You've explained the steps and we've been watching you. I've even got teams tearing apart the other reactors. If you're a good boy I'll even buy you a bon-bon on the way back.” Shelby shrugged. He chuckled as they made their way to the lifts.

  “That reminds me; get someone to fix a couple of wireless links so I can jack in without having to be connected. That way my AI can keep working while I am doing something else,” Irons instructed. Shelby froze, scowled, and then her face cleared.

  “It will be an encrypted link Admiral. I'm giving only you access,” she replied. He nodded.

  “Prudent. Use your father's access system. He has a good firewall set up,” he replied. She nodded then murmured into her wrist com.

  The lift jerked to a stop and the doors ground opening. Sparks flew off to one side. “That could cause a fire,” he said. “Where are we? No guards?” he asked as he looked around. Sprite pulled up a map.

  “We came in through the back entrance.” She waved. “One the guards think is closed for repairs. Come on this way.” He followed her down the dark corridor into the light. She paused in the doorway.

  He came up behind him and growled as he looked around. The mall concourse was brightly lit with neon, holograms, and various visual effects. “What the hell, do they think this is a party?” Shelby snarled. He shook his head.

  “Damn fools.” He looked up. “Sprite...”

  “I can't Admiral, this area is covered by the station AI, and he is perverse in his power use,” she replied.

  “Then cut his power allotment from the reactor and keep firing requests at him a thousand a second or more until he gets the point. And cut the gravity down as well, half grav for the entire station.” He looked around. A group of women were milling around a holo of a pole dancer.

  “Hey sailor, want me to show you a good time?” one cat called. He shook his head bemused.

  “Perhaps another time ladies, we're in the middle of an emergency.” He waved. “Hookers?” He stage whispered amused.

  “Oldest profession,” Sprite responded. Shelby curled her lip.

  “Come on hun, we'll do two for one!” one girl called, giving her miniskirt a bump and grind. She started to walk over but Shelby stopped her with a cold glare.

  “With looks like that he won't be with you long sister. You just come to us when you’re ready sugar, we'll treat you right.” She smiled at the Admiral. He tried not to sigh. His olfactory sensors were going nuts. She had enough perfume and pheromones to send an adolescent male into a melt down. Shelby gave him a dirty look then led him off by the arm.

  “Men,” she muttered darkly. He had to smile tiredly at that.

  She led him down the mall and into the dim but packed sickbay. “At least someone is conserving power.” The Admiral shook his head. The dragon at the front desk waved them on.

  “He's trying to get past Ben now,” she motioned them to hurry.

  “Thanks.” Shelby picked up the pace. They stepped over several people lying on the floor along the walls then turned a corner hearing voices. Shelby homed into them and picked up the pace.

  They turned a corner and Shelby stumbled into the broad shoulders of the orderly. He turned to look at her as she righted herself. “Dad?” she asked looking around the man. “Dad get back in bed damn it!” She pushed the orderly aside to stand and glare at her father with her hands on her hips.

  The old star sailor was defiant, but some of his defiance ebbed when he saw the Admiral. “Admiral on deck!” He stood at parade rest.

  “Drop it you old fart,” Shelby growled.

  “I'm afraid he can't its part of our training,” the Admiral replied coming to attention himself as people in the room stopped to look and see what they were doing. He acknowledged Logan's salute with his own then broke it with a grin. “Good to see you up and about Horatio but I think the doctor told you to get some down time to let the healing set in?” He motioned for the man to take a seat on a stool. Reluctantly Logan allowed it.

  He settled into the stool with a noisy exhale. “We've got it from here Ben, thanks,” Shelby nodded to the brawny man. The orderly nodded.

  “I'll be over here with the Doc. Don't let him leave or she'll skin me,” he said giving the old man a look.

  “Yeah? You could use to lose some skin you Neanderthal!” the old man growled. The orderly laughed and waved as he walked off.

  The Admiral studied Horatio. Logan was obviously tired, he still had bags under his eyes, but he had a lively spark. His skin practically glowed with renewed health. He was hunched over however, and seemed to wince when he moved. His coverall was clean, and he set his cane on his thigh with a sigh.

  “I'll be right back,” Shelby patted her dad on the arm, kissed his cheek then went over to the doctor for a moment. They started to walk back after a moment.

  “Since you’re so determined to leave, and I don't have the time to strap your mangy hide down to a bed, Shelby has talked me into letting you go to your quarters after a check on engineering.” She shook her head.

  “HA! You don't have a bed to strap me too anyway!” Logan grinned.

  The doctor's face puckered. “Don't remind me. Io was good enough to take our overflow. We're swamped. I've even tapped several stores to act as temporary trauma wards.” She shook her head.

  “We'll take care of him Doc,” the Admiral assured her. She nodded. Shelby looked a little reluctant.

  “But.” The doctor held up a finger under the old man's nose. “You so much as think of jacking in and I will come down there and sedate you myself you got it?” she growled. He reluctantly nodded. “Yes ma'am,” he replied meekly. Shelby nodded.

  “I'll make sure Doc,” she murmured. Her dad gave her a dirty look. The Admiral chuckled.

  “Although it would be nice to have your help Horatio, right now we're stymied until we get the next shipment from Io.” He shrugged.

  “If you’re up here who's minding the reactor? Not that ham handed twit Liam?” Logan asked suddenly concerned.

  “Io is.” The doctor and Logan looked confused. “I rebuilt the Io's AI. She's a smart AI and she is using her links and mine to control the bottle. In fact she will control both bottles once we get the second reactor up. At least until we overhaul the AI and train some people.” The Admiral shrugged. “Let's just say we're working on it.” He nodded to the orderly who came up with an old fashioned wheel chair.

  “What's this?” Logan asked dangerously looking at the offending thing.

  “Get in it dad,” Shelby pointed. “Now,” she growled. Logan gave her a look then looked at the chair and started to climb in.

  “Don't look at me, I didn't teach her that,” the Admiral said chuckling.

  “No her mother did. Rest her soul,” Logan said with a hint of humor. He shook his head as he settled with the cane propped across his lap.

  “I'll take him.” Shelby stepped behind the wheel chair and started pushing her father, maneuvering around the bodies. “And you will behave or I will lock you in your quarters,” she stage whispered in his ear as she leaned forward. He grunted.

  “Thanks for the help Admiral,” the doctor said with a small smile. “Keep me informed.” He nodded and suppressed a yawn.

  “No problem, I needed an excuse to stretch my legs anyway.” He shrugged.

  “You coming Admiral?” Shelby's voice called. He shoo
k his head and waved as he left.

  “So, how did you get here?” Irons looked over to the old sailor. Logan was sitting on a stool in main engineering, propped up by his cane. His shoulders were hunched. He shook his head.

  “We were coming out of hyper. Ship was a wreck after our last battle in Albuquerque. We'd ridden her as far as she could take us. She dropped out of hyper about seven light years out from Pyrax.” He looked away for a moment then cleared his throat.

  “Captain Fox helmed her himself. He knew the translation would most likely break her so he ordered all hands to the life pods before we crossed.” The old man's voice was awash in sorrow.

  “How many?” the Admiral asked softly. The old man looked down. His hands shook as did his voice.

  “Eighteen.” He looked up. “Twenty two of us got off, but four were cooked by the ship when she blew apart. Rogers got a piece of it, we listened as his atmo leaked out and he died. We could at least do that so he wouldn't die alone.” The old man looked away. Irons grimaced in familiar pain. He felt his own feelings of helpless fury at the loss of a ship, being trapped in a life pod... being helpless to do anything...and tried to put them aside to listen.

  “We tried to daisy chain but the life pods were damaged by the radiation and debris. Only a few managed to cluster. The rest of us went shot gun, spreading out in hopes that one of us would be picked up by a ship.” He shook his head.

  “We took a vote after a couple hours, we were going to draw straws, keep one or two of us awake, but we all decided to go under. I woke up ninety three years ago on an Oort colony. Hogrite picked me up in the Oort cloud. Sold me and my pod to the Port Admiral.” His lips writhed.

  “Spent nearly sixty years working in this place. Long years, even for those of us with nanite and gene therapy anti-aging treatments. I only received the basic orientation treatments, I never got the rejuv boosters.” He sighed and shook his head. “ninety years and none of the other pods were ever found.” He looked up as Shelby came in then away. She walked past quietly.

  “And Shelby?” The Admiral asked, hoping to draw the man out some more.