Fool's Gold (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  "Knock it off folks, I think my ego can stand a little less bowing and scraping. You all have duties to perform, you don't need to jump to every time I come in." He shook his head. "Thanks anyway. Report," he turned to the watch commander. He looked nervous.

  "Admiral, um ah, should you be here?" Irons gave him his most patient "That's a stupid question," look until the man dropped his gaze with a mumbled apology.

  "Report," Irons said again.

  "Life support and power looks stable. We're still tracking down problem areas in the lower decks and industrial areas that were abandoned but it looks good. We've even started repairing the gravity plates in some of the more commonly used areas," a tech reported. He nodded. He turned to the tech manning the sensors.

  "Um ah, nothing on sensors Admiral. The tugs are both in for the night. They worked together to bring in a one kiloton rock." The bald man shook his head. "Monster, don't know why we need that much." He looked up blushed then went back to his console.

  "Communications are clear, there is some system chatter and that news guy Knox, but nothing new," another voice behind him reported. He nodded.

  "I'm fine, if anyone cares," Smithy's avatar turned in place. "I'm feeling a lot better since your AI and Io's AI made some repairs to my kernel."

  A tech looked up startled then went back to her work. The Admiral nodded. "Security has no problems. We have a scheduled sweep of the lower decks later tonight," a burly guard said. He turned to him.

  "Sweep?" He asked.

  "Um, well, we still have issues and we don't really need all these people so we're getting rid of the dregs." He gave the Admiral a look.

  The Admiral froze then his face hardened. "No. No you’re not. You’re going to leave them be. Log their location for me I will handle it. Stick to law enforcement on the upper decks." He glared.

  "Um, that's outside your authority..." the watch commander started. Irons turned to the commander.

  "If you have a problem with my authority you're more than welcome to talk to the exec. I think he's a bit busy though, and Smithy here knows I have a blank check where my authority rests." He turned to the AI. "Of course if you would prefer I can declare martial law and take personal command of the station," he said softly, too softly for anyone except the AI to pick up.

  "The Admiral is right, he has a standing agreement with the station to do whatever he needs to repair and restore the station. We're to aid him in any way possible," the AI replied after a brief hesitation. "Besides, I think if the engineering staff found out about these sweeps then there would be hell to pay." He stared at the security man. He tried to hold the glare, but after a moment mumbled something and looked away. "Right then. I have a recruiting drive started. If you know of anyone with skills, or who wish to learn, tell them to contact Smithy. The AI will direct them to the staging areas." He nodded to the AI.

  "Learn?" a voice asked.

  "Learn. We're going back to school and reactivating the college campus. Once we have the critical materials covered we're going back to the beginning, I understand there are several schools on the station, including an ad hoc affair in one of the day cares but we're going to set up a trade school and a basic education training center, along with an elementary for the children. The childrens' attendance will be mandatory." He looked around.

  "I'm still getting a feeling for how things used to be run, and I am not at all happy about a few things. Those things are changing now. It's past time we took advantage of the population and started repairing and expanding." He nodded to the watch commander. "Send a memo to the teachers to set up a conference with me in two days. If anyone wants to teach or work in the schools let me know. I am setting up a dorm now." He nodded to the life support tech. The tech looked startled then nodded back.

  "Carry on people," he finished and left without another word.

  "That put them on notice," Sprite said smugly. "You do realize that this will get back to the Port Admiral right? If not through the AI then through one of his lackeys or cronies, whatever you want to call them." Sprite sniffed. Irons sighed and leaned against the car's railing.

  "Yeah, I know, but we don't have a choice. And to be honest, I hope he does make a move," he replied.

  "Reluctant to squash him without him actively opposing you? You always did hate to take over completely when someone was this messed up. A single character flaw I wish you had grown out of," Sprite observed. He smiled.

  "Give a man enough rope..."

  The AI interrupted. "He's had enough trust me, if you knew half the things I did, you'd put a pulser through his skull in a second. Why I've half a mind to cut the life support to that ballroom and let them all asphyxiate," Sprite snarled. “You do realize they are taking credit for the work you, me, the crew of Io not to mention all the engineers did? There is even a jerk in there claiming HE did the software repairs! He's even charging for them!” Sprite was incensed. He sighed.

  "Unfortunately, we need them. For now," he said as the door opened. "What the hell is that ball about anyway?" he asked. Sprite chuckled.

  "It's a combination celebration for the engineers' repairs, and a welcoming ball for you," Sprite informed him. He paused on his way to the hospital.

  "For me?" he asked eyebrows raised.

  "Judging from past experience I didn't think you would like going so I sent your regrets," Sprite replied. He chuckled.

  "Good. I hate suck up parties anyway." He shook his head and entered the hospital.

  "I have a list of teachers by the way, there are several here. A basic instructor, more of a babysitter and nanny who teaches proper comportment and how to suck up than anything, several dance teachers, one coach, and a trio of art teachers. There are quite a few art critics to go along with them." Sprite reported.

  He shook his head. "Give me the list later." He waited as a couple spoke with the desk ogre. She waved them in then smiled to the Admiral.

  "The doctor will see you in her office." She waved him in and pushed the button. In a moment a side door opened, he gave her a polite nod and walked through the door.

  "To your left Admiral, third door down this corridor," Sprite informed him. He entered the office and paused to see the couple waiting with the Doc.

  "I see you've met. How are you Sara?" he asked looking at the pregnant woman. "Other than malnutrition and in deep pucky with me for not coming in sooner, she's okay. The twins are developing slower than they should, but that should pick up soon." She nodded to the Admiral to have a seat. He sat and smiled.

  "Twins huh? Congratulations!" the Admiral smiled to the couple. The couple looked surprised.

  "A boy and a girl actually, if I am reading the scans right. Sara is going to finish her schooling here. Now that things are improving I need all the skilled hands I can get. We're going to open another clinic soon, maybe more than one." The doctor waved. "Also a medical school Doc," the Admiral replied sitting back.

  "A medical school!" The doctor looked at him amused.

  "College really, combined paramedic, nursing, and doctor program. We can spin off specialty training as facilities are made available. If you play your cards right Anvil will be the first college to open since the war," he smiled to her. She nodded.

  "Well, that's in the future. I understand you've arranged quarters for them?" She indicated Matt and Sara. He nodded.

  "They are in the new college dorms. The entire sector needs TLC.. or hazmat." The doctor chuckled with him. "I've got a pair of cleaning robots working on their quarters now. Once we get them sorted out we will springboard around them. So you want Sara up here?" he asked.

  The doctor nodded handing Sara a tablet. "Three hours of training, five hour shift in the clinic. Get some better footwear, I guarantee you’re going to regret it if you don't. I suggest Spurgetties in the mall." She waved. "Tell him it's on me," she smiled. "Call it an early nursery gift. Once those two are born they will keep you on your toes more than I ever could." She smiled at Sara who tentatively smiled
back.

  "Thanks Doc," she said softly.

  "No problem," she waved it off. "Go, I'll see you first thing in the morning Sara." She waved them out. She sat back as they left.

  "I'm shocked you’re not at the ball?" he half teased, half asked.

  "I didn't have a proper date. Besides, your charges gave me the excuse I needed to get out of it," she half grimaced, half smiled.

  "Between you, me, and the bulkhead, I hate parties too," he chuckled."I'm glad you’re going to open another clinic or two. I think that will help a lot. There are several old ones that were closed on the lower decks. I can get them cleaned up for you or we can renovate some other space if you would like." He cocked his head as he brought up a station diagram on his HUD.

  "No, the old facilities will work, at least they have the right power and plumbing connections. Hell, they might have some gear there. Not that I would dream of using anything that's not clean or functional." She shook her head. "In fact, I do have a free clinic I open monthly a few decks down. We can start there. It's functional," she nodded. "Right, I've put in the work order Admiral. We need more manpower though," Sprite informed him.

  "The order has been logged Doc, I'll see if I can scare up some bodies to get things sorted out. I suggest looking into opening the college medical clinic as well. It's not as big as this facility, but it's close." He nodded to her getting up.

  "You do that. I'll see if I can send down an RN and a couple trainers tomorrow. I may even have Sara there so she doesn't have to walk so far. And Admiral, thanks," she smiled. "You've given me hope that we really can change."

  "Good. But this is just the easy part Doc, wait till we start getting to the hard stuff like oh, politics or cybernetic augmentation..." he smiled at her from the doorway. "Implants!" She looked startled. His smile widened. "You are not... you are. Damn you.. you’re going to have me so wired I won’t be able to sleep tonight. Get out of here before I have us both sedated," she waved dismissively. He chuckled and left.

  "Admiral your two wayward waifs are bringing in more," Sprite seemed amused as the AI pulled up footage from a security camera. He smiled as he watched the duo explain to a group of people. there was no sound but he could just imagine how it was going. A few looked wary but several peeled off to tell others. "What do you want to bet each of them will tell two or three others and so on and so forth? You’re going to be inundated with recruits Admiral. I think we're in trouble," Sprite laughed. He shook his head.

  "Ask Logan for a couple volunteer life support techs to report to the dorms with some basic parts and tool kits. Let’s get this show on the road." He nodded to the guards at the lift.

  He made it to the dorm corridor just as a crowd descended. "Ladies and gentlemen, if I can have your attention!" He raised his hands and volume as the crowd slowed to a stop. "All right, thank you for coming here. For those of you that don't know or who are not sure what is going on, this section is now the temporary dorm of the Anvil trade school and community college. Those of you that volunteer will be assigned quarters and will receive food, clothing, medical care, training, and later, pay for your services."

  Matt and Sara made their way through the crowd to their door. He nodded to them. The cleaning robot had finished one side of the corridor, he indicated it. "Here is a start. As is this." He nodded to Matt who palmed the door open. The robot inside floated out, spun, then began working on the dirty side of the corridor. Several people ducked in and exclaimed. Apparently some had known what the rooms looked like before hand.

  "For those who don't know, a few hours before it was like this." Irons tapped a nearby door control and stepped aside. Several looked in then looked at him. The faces ranged in gender, age, and race. There were several Tarq in the group, and a pair of elves. More elves were hanging around the Tarq' s hindquarters. He smiled. "I know you've had it rough, but with some elbow grease and time we'll get things turned around. Matt can you get a crew together working on a couple of the quarters while I check on the rest?" he asked. Matt nodded. Sara smiled.

  "I'll get the food and drinks." She ducked into her quarters. A moment later she ducked out and grabbed a girl's arm. "Come on Keisha, you can help." She dragged her into the room.

  The Admiral chuckled. "Okay, I know a few of you would like to freshen up, but since we're dirty already, we might as well get this mess sorted out." He felt a brush of air as another pair of cleaning robots floated in.

  "Courtesy of Chief Logan," a tech said following them. She wrinkled her nose. "We really do have our work cut out for us." She sighed shaking her head. "These the volunteers?" she asked. Her partner looked around.

  The Admiral nodded. "Yup, with more to follow. You've just been drafted as a teacher and tech," he smiled at her startled look.

  "Me?" she asked surprised.

  "You. It comes with a promotion and pay upgrade. Grab a couple of people and get started." He waved to a trio of people. They looked nervous.

  "Where do we begin?" the woman asked.

  "Best to start at the beginning. Work on the basics. Power, lights, gravity, life support, the food replicators, and refreshers. We'll worry about admin and paperwork later." He waved down the darkened corridor. She nodded.

  "Right, all right you lot, follow me." She palmed a door. It failed to open. She shook her head and took a pry bar tool from her belt and then pried the doors open. She pulled out a flash light and then entered the room. The trio followed. Her partner picked out another trio and entered an adjacent room.

  "Do you wish to leave your baby with miss Sara for now?" he asked the Tarq. The six legged hammer headed alien shook its head. two eyes focused on him while another pair rolled back to eye it's pouch on its back. "All right. What about you two?" he turned to the elf pair.

  The elves were a bipedal race, small arboreal primate descendants. Like most sentient species they were omnivores. They had large widely separated black eyes with horizontal white or green irises. Each long arm ended in a three fingered hand. They had little fur like the Tarq, most of it in a mo-hawk that extended down their backs. Their skin was olive shade.

  Above each eye thick whiskers projected out. Their ears were long and pointed, with whisker hairs on the tips. They constantly twitched at the noises around them. Their legs were short much like the stocky Tarq, making them hunch over and sometimes knuckle walk. Unlike the Tarq they had a prehensile, rat like tail. It was curled up in a vertical spiral ready for action.

  Elves were the common human name for their species. Their species native name and tongue were completely impossible for unaugmented humans to reproduce. They spoke in ultra high frequencies. He opened his universal communicator and tapped it. "Do you two have a job preference?" he asked in their native common tongue. The two looked startled. Wide eyed they stared at him. The female reached out and touched him tentatively. He tried not to smile, a show of teeth was a threat to both the elves and the herbivore Tarq.

  "My name is Fleet Admiral Irons. I am a sleeper from the distant past. I have implants." He slowly raised his right arm. He ran his intro sequence, watching as the group stared as his arm morphed then returned to normal.

  "We can sweep, or clean air ducts," the male said after a moment. He looked at his mate.

  "You can do much more than that if you’re willing to learn. Menial tasks for now to get the quarters sorted out. Robots will take over when they become available. I know you have great potential." He bowed to each of them. Slowly they each bowed in return.

  "We thank you for your hospitality and generosity. It is much appreciated and will be forever remembered." The male pointed to an unused room. "May our clan use that room?" he asked.

  "Your clan is welcome to use that room. We can change it to better suit your needs in time." He nodded to them. The elves and Tarq entered the room. Several other Elves broke from behind the crowd to join them.

  "Um, we need a new bed Admiral?" The female tech came out. "This one is shot, the foam has been chewed." She tosse
d the ragged mess into the corridor.

  "Right, new bed foam coming up. Also bedding and other materials, I'm putting in an order now. Tutorials as well," Sprite said. Several more people started to come in around the corridor. "A very large order," Sprite amended. He chuckled.

  “Pitch the old gear out. We'll get garbage bins. Matt, get someone to run garbage to the nearest replicator so they can recycle it.” Matt poked his head out the door waved and went back to work.

  A little while later they had the groups sorted out. One pair was keeping watch, introducing any newcomers and setting them to work. Sara made the rounds, handing out food and drinks. She surreptitiously checked each, and informed him of several problems. He nodded. Several of the people were medically unfit, some were limping with withered limbs. There were several entire families, and over a dozen children. He knew he was quickly becoming swamped. The head count so far was over two hundred and climbing rapidly. "Sprite..."

  "We need cavalry. Got it. I'm calling Shelby, she'll send a couple more techs and more bots. The first load is coming now." He turned to see a worker pushing a floating cart.

  "Load is here," a girl called, excited. He smiled. Sara had made new outfits with the food replicator and had managed to get some of the folks into clean clothes. The elves looked relieved. They had been wearing scraps, human infant clothing, or cast off doll clothing. Some had not been amused at wearing tattered frilly outfits. Now they were in their traditional togas.

  He turned as one came out, then another and another. He peeked into their room to see over a dozen of them. Wiring had been pulled from the ceiling and reworked into a network of hammocks. "Right, hopefully none of that is live." He shook his head.

  "No, it’s okay," one elf replied in basic while passing him. He looked startled then nodded.

  "Right, genie?" he asked. Elves, or at least natural Elves couldn't handle basic speech. Their vocal cords weren't designed for it. She looked confused then her face cleared into a mischievous smile.

  "Oh, no, we're descendants actually. Most of us anyway." She waved to the others. Several newcomers had infants they carried on their backs. One had a pack of material tightly wrapped in his tail.