Fool's Gold (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  “Put it up on the main holo but keep the camera tight on me. Everyone quiet.” The exec ordered then nodded to the tech. He tapped a code and then turned to watch the show.

  “I say, what's going on up there. Do I need to come up and bash some heads?” The portly port Admiral wiped his jowls with a napkin.

  “I'm sorry sir can you be more specific?” The exec replied obviously stalling for time while he put up his best confused look.

  “Enrique I am getting word that we have a power problem? Do we need to cut off those lazy louts in engineering? Shut down a few decks?” The Port Admiral replied. “We've had a serious problem sir, our remaining reactor became unstable and Mr. Logan was injured trying to repair it.” The exec explained.

  “That ass Logan?” The Port Admiral grunted a few times. “That old man is still around? I thought he died?” He looked at the camera with beady pig eyes.

  “Ah no sir, that was his wife.” The exec tried not to sweat as he faced his boss.

  “Harrumph. Very well. My condolences.” The Port Admiral waved his napkin. “Jacob send some flowers to the family.” He waved it off. “Now, the power, what do we need? Should I seize the Io?” He looked at the exec. Faith stiffened. Irons put his hand on her arm. She looked down and then at him. He shook his head slowly then nodded to the exec.

  “That won’t be necessary sir; we have set up a trade agreement with the Io for the parts and materials we needed.” Enrique quickly tried to divert his boss.

  “Are you sure? I have plenty of guards...” The Port Admiral replied.

  “No sir, Io has been a tremendous help to us. As I was saying we've rebuilt one of our nonfunctional fusion reactors and it is now powering up with their help.”

  “And just what is this going to cost us?” The Port Admiral stared. “Mostly rocks sir. And we had to wave the port fees.” Enrique sighed.

  “What? Well I never!” The Admiral grunted face turning red as he turned to face away from the camera. “Did you say rebuilt one of our reactors?” He turned back to the camera.

  “Why yes sir. It's functioning at forty five percent and climbing.” Enrique smiled.

  The Port Admiral grunted. “I didn't know we had more than one. Are you sure it's good? Make sure it works and get some of our money back. I don't want to waste it on lazy incompetent freighter bums.” He shook his head. Faith's lips rippled in a suppressed snarl.

  “We've already made the trade sir; in fact they are almost finished with the last load.” Enrique replied.

  “Well, make sure I do not have any more power fluctuations or disturbances. I am planning my evening party and I do not want to be disturbed.” The Port Admiral's fat finger tapped a link and the holo went dead.

  The exec stared for a second then shook himself. “Sorry about that.” He murmured to Faith and the Admiral as he straightened his uniform.

  "I don't understand, why not replace him?" Faith asked pointing to the holo. The natives of Anvil each looked away.

  "We can't he's encoded into the AI." The exec replied.

  The Admiral nodded. "DNA encoded into the kernel of Smithy right?" He looked over to the exec who reluctantly nodded.

  "Yes he's the AI. If anything happens to him, the computers shut down." He threw his hands up helplessly.

  "Wait, does each successor recode the DNA pattern? Otherwise it would drift over time..." The Admiral pointed out. The doctor looked up.

  "Well, he's a clone." The Admiral spun.

  "You’re kidding me! That's illegal!" He growled.

  She nodded. "After the war the Port Admiral set up a system of government. He's actually the fourteenth." She jerked her thumb down. The Admiral shook his head.

  "Wait, he's the fourteenth? With anti-aging treatments... well, maybe the cloning limits things..." He looked at the Doc who shook her head in disgust.

  "No, plain living in excess. Each clone lives a seditary life style filled with gluttony and foods that clog the arteries in next to no time. Throw in a complete lack of exercise and..." She shrugged. The exec nodded.

  "I can't do anything Admiral, as the staff pointed out I am encoded to him." Smithy looked apologetic. Sprite had repaired what she could but had been forced to release the AI during the crisis for more pressing tasks. Obviously they needed to do some more work.

  "If the Port Admiral passes unexpectedly his clone automatically decants." Smithy pulled up a holo of a body in stasis.

  "Isn't there a problem with a copy of a copy? Something about errors creeping up in the DNA over time?" The Admiral asked.

  The doctor shook her head. "They are all cloned from the original." She sighed and sat down.

  "Well, I have control of the rest of the station now." Irons growled. "I'm not too keen on hacking your kernel access programs Smithy." He gave the AI a look. “At least not while we're in a crisis and while we need you to run the life support.”

  The AI shrugged. "And I would be forced to resist it while the Admiral is on station." He shrugged.

  Faith's eyes lit. "What about if he left?" She asked.

  "There is a contingency. If he removes himself and his clone is not ready I am programmed to self destruct." Smithy replied with a dry voice.

  "Okay that's out. What about a kid? Descendant?" She waved to the holo.

  "The Admiral has a policy of destroying any unwanted offspring to not cloud the title." The exec replied as a tech handed him a tablet. He looked it over for a moment. "There is one living offspring unaccounted for, Juanita Valdez." Smithy replied. The doctor and Exec looked up sharply.

  "You’re kidding. That piece of..." Faith snarled waving her hands. "You mean to tell me he tried to rape his own daughter?" She asked.

  "No the Admiral did not know of her biological origin. Had he known she would have been aborted or killed." Smithy replied looking away.

  Irons cleared his throat. "Right, well, that leaves an opening. I believe you have the Federation Constitution and local star system laws embedded in your kernel correct Smithy?" He looked at the holo studying the gaunt gray whiskered apparition. The AI nodded.

  "Admiral I am a level one AI, it is, was required when I was brought online." The Admiral nodded. "I predate the last conflict and fall by nearly a century." Smithy sighed. He was hunched over. His left arm held his hammer loosely. "So many years. Even I know I need a rest." He shook his head.

  "We'll see if we can get you another reboot. At least a refresh and new hardware." The exec said softly. Smithy nodded.

  "Perhaps I should not be here, that way I cannot report anything I shouldn't hear. Good luck." He nodded to each then left.

  The Exec sighed and set his tablet down on the table. "As hard as it is on us, it must be a nightmare for him." He shook his head. "We can leave. He can't." He responded to the doctor's questioning look. She nodded.

  “Admiral I'm getting a call from the captain of the Io.” Sprite informed him as he worked.

  “Put it through.” He replied.

  “Admiral? This thing working?” The gravelly voice asked.

  “Here captain. What can I do for you?”

  “You wouldn't have fuel would you? The damn fuel here has gone up ten times more than my last visit. The docking fees too even though you got them waved. I stay here much longer I'll lose money.” She sighed. “I'm glad you rebuilt my ship, we'd be in a world of hurt if you hadn't.” He smiled.

  “Then again, stocking up with fuel on our last stop was a good thing too.” She said smiling slyly. He chuckled.

  “Yes ma'am. That it was. I'm sure the electrolysis machinery has paid for itself.”

  “Oh it has, it has. And this current crisis has inspired some of the more wealthy people here to leave. They're paying through the nose for it, I've got to make up some of this damn fee. Vanessa is filling every nook and cranny of the ship with people. Vanessa even tried to get me to give up my wardroom.” She laughed.

  “What did you say?” He asked smiling, knowing the answer.

&n
bsp; “What do you think? A captain has to have some privileges.” She said chuckling herself.

  “Yes ma'am. It goes with the job.” He replied with a knowing smile.

  “All right, I'll get to the point. I've caught a lot more scuttlebutt that this station is about to fall apart. She's on her last legs and it isn't very healthy place to live. In fact word is that it is about to shut down for good.”

  “Yes ma'am, I know, I'm working on it now with the others. We've got the crisis under control. I'd prefer that your passengers don't know that though.” Irons answered patiently.

  “Somehow, I thought so. If you still need a ride, let me know Admiral.” She cackled. “I think I have a spare broom closet around here, or you could warm my bed. I'll make you work your tail off for passage one way or the other though.” He chuckled with her.

  “I wouldn't be surprised in the least captain. I hope you don't mind if I do my best to disappoint you in this instance.” He replied with a smile and a slight bow. She chuckled.

  “Good. I'm glad you’re on it.” She said. He nodded. “Very well. Let me know if you need more help. You've got about two hours now that you've finally finished with my AI. Out.” He smiled fondly.

  “Well, that was interesting. Who would have thought of a polite how do you do from the likes of her?” Sprite sniffed. He shrugged. “Back to work I suppose.” The AI said with sniff.

  “And you have something better to do?” He asked with a laugh.

  Chapter 8

  “Admiral you’re needed in the Valdez compound.” Io's voice had a distinctive hint of suppressed humor in it. He looked up tiredly. Irons had gotten less than an hour’s sleep in the past five days. They were finally out of the woods though. Four's bottle was stable and carrying the stations load.

  “Is it important?” he asked wearily.

  She laughed. “Very. Get going Admiral. I'm leaving port in less than an hour.” He nodded.

  "So what did you need me for? One last good bye?" The Admiral leaned over smiling at Jen. Her eyes twinkled. She had met him at the front door.

  "Now why would we want to do that? Some are glad you’re gone. Hell, after the past couple days you put us through..." He laughed. "Not naming any names of course." Her smile turned into a grin.

  "Right." He smiled back. She waved.

  "Since you've set up shop with the Rodriguez-Valdez family we should go there."

  He shrugged. "Okay." They entered the room and she took the lead, moving with obvious foreknowledge to the shuttle bay. "What are you up to Jen? Junior and Jorge took the tugs out on runs this morning." She smiled over her shoulder as she entered the lock. "Okay. Not going to tell me," he sighed as he looked down to step over the knee knocker.

  He looked up on the other side of the lock to the fleet launch and a crowd of techs. "Surprise!"

  He shook his head in wonder. "When did you do this?" He admired her graceful curves and lines.

  "Oh we were working on it with the hospital stuff after we left Gaston. She isn't quite finished, but I think you had a hand in that right?" Faith smiled as she clasped his hand. He chuckled.

  "Yeah, well, all for a good cause," he replied.

  She nodded. "If you can get the rust and crud out of this place and make it halfway decent again, yeah. Worthy effort in anyone's book."

  He chuckled. Jen smiled. "Just another challenge right Admiral?" He looked over the craft.

  "Yes." Sprite's handshake protocol bounced back. "Still needs a lot of work," he smiled.

  "We managed to give the sub light engines and life support an overhaul. As you can see, the hull too." Faith patted the newly painted and restored hull. "She's missing some of her electronics, and interior furnishings." She shrugged. "Power plant has been rebuilt, but this beauty preferred antimatter, tissant a stitch or molecule to be had between here and the void though," Faith waved despairingly.

  "We pulled her antimatter core and swapped it for a fusion core from one of the etops," Deidra came over smiling. He shook hands with her. "She flies like a brick right now with her electronics messed up, but I bet you can fix that." He nodded studying the ship once more.

  "Yeah, I think she will come in handy," he said. Deidra chuckled.

  A jingling sound made Faith curse and grab at her hip. "Damn." She flipped her communicator open. "Yes?"

  "Faith, the captain says that if you girls want to stay on board you better hurry, we're heading out now," Leandra could be heard by all. Faith grimaced.

  "Be there in ten." She waved to the girls. Several paused on their way out to give the Admiral a hug.

  "Take good care of her," Jen said as she passed. She hugged him briefly.

  He nodded. "I will." She smiled.

  "See that you do or we'll come back and haunt you." He laughed and waved.

  "'Twas a good thing you did fixin' my ship." Faith hugged his side. "And not to mention auld me, Clarissa, and the rest of us Popsicles." He smiled. "'Twas the least we could do," she said, patting his arm. He nodded.

  "Thanks Faith, I will treasure her always."

  She chuckled. "Just treat her like a lass and she will treat you right. Step wrong and you'll know it right smartly."

  He chuckled as she stepped out of the hatch. "Okay, this is unexpected." He looked the ship over.

  "But a good thing right?" Sprite asked amused.

  He shrugged. "Maybe, it will definitely come in handy," he answered Sprite. "So, no handshake protocol, I am guessing the communications are down..." He went over to the cockpit door.

  "Admiral, your needed in... oh me oh my, what is that!" Mrs. Valdez stopped and admired the ship.

  "Fleet launch. Actually, she is a Fleet Etop, a short ranged atmospheric to orbit shuttle craft."

  He ran his hands down the side near the lock. "She is a gift from your daughter and her crew mates to me," he explained. Mrs. Valdez nodded.

  "She told us a little about how you changed things on her ship." She studied the ship. "Well, we'll need to move her to the other bay so Sergio can get in later; he is on his return now," she said looking at the hatch then the launch. He nodded.

  "You were saying someone needs me?"

  She nodded. "Shelby called; they received the last shipment from the Io, and are ready to install them in the reactor core at your convenience." He sighed tiredly.

  "She'll keep Admiral."

  He smiled. "Well she will after we move her. I think Sergio will have trouble parallel parking with this in the way." He chuckled with her. She waved then brushed her apron.

  "Okay, I can see you want a look." She turned to leave. He smiled as he climbed in.

  "Tell Shelby I'll be there as soon as I move her."

  She turned around. "I'll do no such thing, first you'll move that craft, then you’re eating a meal. No telling when you ate last, or when you'll remember to eat again!" she glared back fiercely at him as he laughed.

  "Okay, okay, you win. How I got people to chase me around to eat I'll never know."

  She waggled a finger at him. "Promise?"

  He held up a hand over his heart. "Promise."

  She smiled. "Good, I have just the thing to fill you out, quesadillas!"

  He returned the smile then chuckled softly shaking his head. "Be there in a minute."

  Within the cockpit he looked around and noted the absent chairs. "When they said it was missing stuff, they weren't kidding.” The dashboard control panels were almost nonexistent. Wiring hung from the ceiling and draped out of holes in the dash. "Okay, let’s see here jack, jack, jack, where did they..."

  Proteus highlighted a control panel, zoomed in and put a caret around the universal port. "Gotcha." He felt his ring finger morph into his jack and then inserted it into the port.

  "No viruses for once Admiral," Sprite reported. He felt the ship boot then waver a little as it rose. "Antigrav initiated." He nodded. "Moving her to port now, twenty centimeters per second." He felt the ship drift to the side as the view changed.

&n
bsp; "Inertial dampeners are out of sync," he sighed.

  "I've got it on the list already," Sprite reported. After a few minutes they drifted into the open bay then down to the deck. "Contact. Shutting down. Post flight check engaged... completed."

  He watched as a log flashed over his HUD. "I'll have to check it later. Good flying for a jumped up toaster," he teased as he exited the lock.

  "Thanks, coming from a bag of water and protein I guess that means something." He chuckled at her rejoinder.

  "Okay, let’s go eat and then go check out the parts. How goes the net repairs?"

  He passed Mrs. Valdez and moved on to the sink. She started to object then sighed as he smiled and started washing his hands. "Well, it isn't as bad as the Io, but close enough. Repairing the firewall and restoring the AI has sped recovery of the systems. Defender, Proteus, Io, and I have been busy squashing viruses." He nodded.

  "I am glad you kept that copy of the Io archive, its driver database I compiled has come in handy," she said. He nodded.

  “Docking clamps released. OMS primed. OMS starboard one second burst.” The helms woman smiled as she tapped the controls. “We're clear of the station.” She looked over her shoulder to the captain who grunted.

  “Bring up the plasma drive. Five percent power until we're outside the danger zone for the station,” she nodded.

  “Ready,” the Helms woman acknowledged. “Think he will be all right?” she asked softly.

  “I hope so,” the ops girl whispered back.

  “We all do,” the captain replied. “Move us out. When we can put the wedge up let me know.” She sat back in her chair and picked up her cup of tea. She took a sip and then eyed the holo of Io.

  “You going to put your sentiments in too I suppose?” she asked, amused.

  “I think they will be okay. With the Admiral and his AI...” The AI shook her head then smiled impishly. “As well as all the effort we tossed in... He'll be fine. I wouldn't be surprised that the station isn't fully restored by the time we get back.” She turned to the view screen. The captain grunted.

  “So how did we make out?” she asked leaning over to the purser.