“That’s not enough time,” Jeff cut in. “You’ll have to go EV. Mako, get down to the air lock. Skid on me, we’re gonna buy them some time.”
“Are you fucking crazy?” James countered. “We’re outnumbered fifteen to one!”
Looking up, Curtis saw his friend launch off the makeshift pylons and race off on a certain suicide mission. “Are you coming or what?” Jeff growled over the channel. “I’m not letting them have us without a fight. And I’m sure as shit not letting them take pot shots at Curtis if I can help it.”
A flurry of chatter chased the commander as he rocketed off, Curtis himself cursing, “Goddamnit Jeff! Laura’s right. You are a fool!”
“Then let her know that when you see her. And you can thank me by raising that boy of yours right.”
Silence blanketed a channel for a long moment before James broke it with a sour grunt. “Fuck!” he called out. “Gunsmoke. As soon as Spanky’s onboard you get the hell out of here.”
“You sure Skid?” the drawling pilot replied. “We ain’t gonna be able to come back for you.”
“If somebody doesn’t keep an eye on him nobody’s winning the pool. Besides, I don’t want to be the one telling Thomas we left him behind.” Outside his canopy, Curtis witnessed James take off. As the razor whipped around the Cortés he heard him add, “With any luck the Saratoga will show up before we’re dead.”
Craning his head, Curtis tried to follow the craft as it tore off into the distance. Offering a silent prayer for James and Jeff alike, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and grasped the ejection ring between his legs. “You ready for me Mako?” he asked.
“Jungle Man, I was born ready for your chocolate ass.”
Smiling weakly at her persistent advances, he pulled the ring. The force of the seat being jettisoned from the fighter drove the air out of his lungs and in seconds he was swiftly flying towards the Cortés. The hull of the survey ship was approaching fast and the man sized airlock hatch was a small target. If he missed, and was lucky, he’d only collide with the bulkhead and have to pull himself inside. He didn’t want to think of the alternatives. Releasing the seat harness, he pushed off of it with all his might towards the hatch. There was a buzzing in his ears and flecks of light danced in his peripheral vision. It felt as if an eternity had passed, but he somehow found himself crashing into the far side of the airlock. His helmet slammed hard into the hatch sending a spider web of cracks along the facemask before hitting the deck hard as the Cortés’ artificial gravity grabbed hold. Before he could pick himself up, the sickly sensation of an SLD jump knocked him out.
***
The flash of the Cortés' superluminal drive sparkled in Jeff's peripheral vision. It was shortly followed by James muttering, “She's away,” over the channel. Flexing his fingers on the flight stick, Jeff offered up a silent prayer for his friend while juking his razor about attempting to line up another target.
“Let's just hope the Saratoga decides to show up and bail our asses out,” Jeff called back through gritted teeth. Pressing down his guns, he tore apart one toad. Almost as quickly two more were swooping in on him. “What I wouldn't give for a bevy of missiles,” he said. Whipping the craft into a wide arc, he threw the fighter sideways raining down fire as the ship slid across space at the unnatural angle. The ships computer was blaring warning sirens as the razor took hit upon hit from the unwelcome odds.
Lances of energy narrowly missed his cockpit. Jeff could feel the heat of their all too intimate passage. “Why do I let you get me into shit like this?” he heard James cough.
“Because I'm persuasive,” Jeff tried to joke in reply. He was running dangerously low on ammunition, and the swarm of Drac fighters only seemed to grow.
A chuckle answered Jeff. “Let's hope you're as persuasive with the reaper.”
Soon after James quip crackled over the channel, a flurry of energy bolts ravaged the broadside of Jeff's razor. Instantly his controls lost power and Jeff was faced with the possibility of answering James' question far sooner than he'd have liked. Helpless, he watched a pair of toads wing around preparing to swoop in for the death blow.
***
Curtis awoke to the sensation of fingers caressing his cheek. “Jungle man,” he heard a soft voice purr. “Jungle man, are you okay?” Eyes popping open, he jumped remembering his rough landing into the airlock. “Easy there sugar,” Alison soothed, “You’re safe with little ol me.”
“Where are we?” he asked in a rush.
“The airlock sugar,” Alison said breathily running a finger under his chin. “I was worried I didn’t get to you in time. Gunsmoke made the jump before I could get the outer hatch closed.”
“Jeff,” Curtis said in a panic. “We have to go back for him.”
“You ain’t goin nowhere sugar,” the lithe lieutenant said straddling him.
“Get off me Mako,” Curtis growled pushing the woman away. “We can’t leave him out there.” Struggling to his feet, he wobbled a moment and had to catch the bulkhead to steady himself.
“You can’t even walk straight Jungle Man,” she said draping one of his arms over her shoulders. “You just went through an unprotected SLD jump. We need to get you to sickbay and start anti rad treatment.”
“But what about Jeff?” he asked as she helped him from the airlock.
“You can’t help him!” Alison said forcefully. “You can barely stand up on your own and the fact is I’m not sure where we are. With any luck Gunsmoke got us home and is reporting in right now.”
“He’s my friend Mako,” Curtis challenged.
“He’s my friend too,” she shot back at him. A look of pain radiated from behind her brown eyes. “He’s a tough man,” she added, “and he’s got Skid out there to back him up. They only need to last a little while. I’m sure Victoria knows what the situation is and is sending out an SAR right now.” Everything she said was straight out of the handbook. But something in her voice told him she didn’t quite believe it herself. After dropping him into a chair she trotted back to seal the hatch adding, “You stay right there while I find out what’s going on.”
As Alison rushed back down the passage towards the cockpit Curtis wrestled the gloves off his flight suit. His hands were shaking considerably and his palms sweating. Taking a deep shuddering breath, he buried his face in them feeling a pang of guilt at the sacrifice Jeff was making for him. It was compounded by thoughts of Laura, and his hopes of going home and seeing his son. The price Jeff and James were paying for his chance was far too great.
***
“Ship coming out of sup-loom,” Kami heard Tyler announce to the bridge. “No transponder signal.”
“What’s its position?” she asked stepping over to lean on the back of his chair.
“About ten thousand klicks. She’s coming in hot.”
“Scramble alert fighters,” Kami called to Emily before turning to Schwartz and adding, “Hail them.”
“Already have an incoming Sir,” Schwartz called back.
“On speakers,” Kami ordered returning to stand by the command chair.
“UES Victoria, mayday, mayday, mayday,” Lieutenant Bakers voice echoed through the speakers. “Medical emergency, request immediate landing clearance. Be advised, we may have company on our tail.”
“Flores, stand by SLD,” Kami barked before leaning over to seethe, “I told you this was a bad idea,” into the captain’s ear.
“Let’s find out what’s going on first,” Styles replied apparently ignoring her vexed comment. “Put us on a secure channel,” he called out. Waiting a moment for the radio operator to acknowledge the command he stood saying, “Cortés, you were supposed to rendezvous at lambda zero one point zero six. What’s the nature of the emergency?”
“Some Drac scout or corvette followed us to rendezvous point. Saratoga was a no-show and Knight ordered us to return to fleet.”
“And why are we not speaking with Knight?” Kami reproved with bile.
“Sir, Knight and Skid jettisoned at the scene to give us a chance to run.”
An icy pit threatened to tear a hole through Kami’s stomach as the words washed over her. It was the strangest feeling to her, similar to when she received the news of her brother’s death. She was briefly lost in thought over the confusing sensation when Tyler cried, “Drac corvette at twenty-five thousand klicks,” bringing her back to reality.
“Flores,” she began in a sudden stupor. “No,” she corrected herself. “Ranson, coordinate with fleet for intercept and launch SAR.”
“Belay that Lieutenant,” Styles overrode. “Grant Cortés priority clearance and bring in our birds.” Standing the captain then called, “Schwartz, send to Constellation, Langley, and Ranger, commence emergency jump to rally point alpha one.”
“Captain,” Kami said whipping her head around to look at him, “That’ll put us almost twenty light years from the rendezvous point.”
“I’m aware of that Commander,” he replied tightly. “It can’t be helped.” Turning his attention back to Schwartz he opened his mouth to continue.
Kami didn’t allow him the opportunity arguing, “We can’t leave them behind Sir! We can dispatch the Riverside—”
“Kami,” Styles shouted, “The information that ship is carrying is vital to our survival.”
Closing her eyes tightly a moment, Kami took a quick breath. “Of course Sir,” she said with a hint regret, “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Very good,” Styles grunted. “As I was saying. Schwartz, send to Essex, hold position for two hours and take all action necessary to repel any enemy engagement, but under no circumstances are you to follow Victoria to rally point.” The captain turned returning to his chair pausing above the seat. “And try to raise the Saratoga,” he added sourly, “I want to know where in God’s name that ship is.”
Crossing her arms, Kami stepped back from the command chair as Styles continued administering orders. Looking over a tactical display, she tried to make sense of the strange sensation that had overcome her.
***
“Mako!” Joanne called running across the deck. “What happened?” She’d overheard the distress call on the scanner when the Cortés returned from the recon mission. The flight deck was chaotic as the alert fighters were scrambled and another row of razors were being loaded into the catapults. She didn’t waste time finding out what was going on outside and instead sprinted to the hanger.
“Better question is what didn’t happen,” Alison grated storming down the ships ramp. “Where the hell’s the medical team?” she cried out to the hanger in general.
Joanne’s breath caught when she looked past Alison’s shoulder. Jason was practically carrying Curtis in her wake. She’d never seen the dark man looking so pale. “Spanky,” she said in a near panicked whisper. Alison was still shouting for the medics when Joanne turned back to her. “Mako, where’s Knight?” she asked. “Where’s Skid?” Grabbing a fistful of her flight suit she shouted at her, “Mako, where are they?”
Alison grabbed Joanne’s wrist forcefully removing its grip from her collar. “Back at G five one one five. Jungle Man’s razor came off the moorings when we came out of sup-loom. Drac weren’t far behind and Knight made a judgment call. Crazy son of a bitch charged the toads to give him a chance to get in this tin can.” She turned kicking one of the Cortés’ landing gear for emphasis. “Skid followed him. Gave us just enough time to collect Jungle Man and get the hell out of there.” What looked to be tears rimmed Alison’s eyes as she looked back on Curtis. Jason had laid him down on the deck and was squatting over the sickly looking lieutenant. “He took almost a thousand rems when we jumped.” Wiping her eye, she turned back to the bay shouting, “Where’s the Goddamned med team?” Joanne didn’t wait to find out any more. Turning on a heel, she set a brisk pace for the nearest search and rescue ship parked on the deck.
She didn’t get far before she heard Jason calling, “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To find James,” she snapped over her shoulder.
“No you ain’t,” he countered. She felt him grab her by the arm. So focused on her mission she didn’t even hear him catch up.
“Let go of me Gunsmoke,” she growled trying to break his grip.
“Darlin, we left a Drac corvette or scout or sumpin back there. And that sombitch is out there right now. Ain’t no way yer gettin clearance.”
“I have to do something!” Wrenching her arm free she took off for the search ship once more. And once again Jason was behind her, this time wrapping her in a bear hug and lifting her from the deck. “Let me go,” she shrieked before threatening, “I swear I’ll kick your ass if you don’t drop me this instant.”
“Apple, there ain’t nothin you can do. Soon as that Drac ship is rubbed out we’re jumpin outta here.”
“That’ll take too long,” she cried. “They’re alive. He’s alive. If we leave them out there we’ll lose them. If they ejected they only have two hours of air. I have to find him,” she shouted and said again more shrilly, “I have to find him!” Beginning to weep, her body went limp as she stopped struggling. “Please Gunsmoke,” she sobbed, “help me find him.” Hanging in his grip, Joanne sobbed, oblivious to the sensation of the ship jumping into superluminal.
INTERLUDE:
A MESSAGE FOR LAURA
Access: UECN Communications Network
Friday, 19 May 2277 19:20
From: Lt. Johnson, Curtis E.
To: Johnson, Laura M.
::Begin Transmission::
Laura baby, how are you holding up? I know it’s been a while since I’ve called. Seems I can never find the time to tear away from work anymore. I got your last message. Eldrick is getting so big. He has your mother’s hair and your smile. I just hope he gets my good looks too.
Things, uh…things out here are getting a little hairy. I just got back from a recon mission that didn’t go quite so well. I’m safe, but I don’t know about Jeff. We got separated at the rendezvous point. Been holed up in sickbay for radiation treatment the last few hours and haven’t heard a thing. Don’t go worrying about that. We’ve got a great medical staff and I’ll be out of here in no time.
I’m told we’ll be putting into Earth orbit in a few weeks for repairs and crew rotations and have been promised leave time. I haven’t seen you in so long and I miss you baby. I miss the smell of your hair and that way you seem to massage out muscles I didn’t even know were tight. I can’t wait to hold you and Eldrick. A boy shouldn’t grow up without his father. And you shouldn’t have to shoulder this burden alone.
I know, I know. Your family is big and they’re helping out with everything. Just one of the many reasons why I fell in love with you. And I’m happy they’re there to pick up the slack. Your dad raised the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. I’m sure he’s being an even better grandfather.
Take care of yourself, and I’ll call again soon.
I love you Baby. And give my love to your family.
::End Transmission::
CHAPTER 30:
WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR
“I'll say one thing about all this,” Jeff said throwing switches in a vain attempt to bring his razor back to life, “it's pretty relaxing.”
“You didn’t' seem so relaxed when that pair of toads was bearing down on you,” James said with a touch of sarcasm.
“There's a difference between looking down the barrel of a gun and being adrift in deep space Skid.”
“Whatever you say Knight. But I wouldn't call floating dead in space, light-years from any kind of help, waiting on the Drac to come back and finish the job relaxing.”
“Bah,” Jeff scoffed, “You worry too much.” Letting his arms relax he tried to look about his surroundings. “Just appreciate the view. Styles will send a ship soon enough. Probably sending the Drac in circles right now so they can transmit the data we captured on that planet killing douche dispenser.”
“Well,” James sou
nded as if he agreed, “they better hurry it up. How's your o-two?”
“Jesus you worry too much,” Jeff sighed.
“Just humor me you prick.”
With a groan Jeff checked the gauge on his flight suit. “Three bars,” he said.
“That's not much Knight.”
“If I breath shallow I can probably stretch that out for two hours.”
“And if someone doesn't come pick us up in that time we're in real trouble.”
“Christ Skid,” Jeff scoffed, “When the hell did you get so damned serious? You remind me of Spanky when I first met him.”
A solid chuckle answered him. “Spanky's about as serious as you are.” He sounded as if he didn't believe Jeff. “Well...A bit more...Maybe.”
“It was, six, maybe seven years ago now,” he said leaning his head back to stare out the canopy upon the endless field of stars. “He was assigned as my bunk mate at the academy, and was so focused on his studies I thought he'd give himself an ulcer. You see, he barely passed the entrance exam. By one point as a matter of fact. So the man just wouldn't relax, always worried about the next tests, the next class. Making Swany approve of him. No interest in living his life.”
“Sounds like dedication to me.”
“Dedication my ass,” Jeff cried, “he was a class A bore. Didn't want to go to the bar, didn't want to go to the game...” Jeff trailed off a moment before adding quietly, “Not until he met Laura anyway.”
“So,” James laughed, “it wasn't your corruption that changed him?”
“Well, it was...kinda.”
“Jeffery Grant played match maker?” James asked in shock.
“No.” Jeff defended, “Well, yes, I guess, in a way. It was during our second year and Spanks took upon himself to try and forcibly remove me from a local bar. Mister junior MP was flagged down by some busybody outside.”
“Busybody?” James said, his voice dripping with disbelief.
“It was Jessica. It was the night I met her as a matter of fact.” Jeff sat quietly a moment thinking about how odd fate had worked that night.
In the Blink of an Eye Page 31