“How are they doing?”
“Really well. The new technology isn’t nearly as hard to grasp as the Admiral was telling us. It’s just new, and so streamlined and well put together that it feels familiar after a few minutes. Crewmembers love it, and they take to it fast.”
“How was the mock-up? Was it really different from the Runner Class?”
“It was only a simulated mock-up, not something that was actually built anywhere, so it was accurate, and now that you mention it, a lot of the layout for the corridors were about the same. A lot of the technology is bleeding-edge new though. I think that’s what we’ll end up training a few crews on, but not for long.”
“Welcome to Lezomo’s, would you like something to drink while you look at a menu?” asked a waiter in a classic black vest and white shirt.
“Just water for me,” Alice said.
“I’ll have the same.”
“Anyway, I think assigning us to bridge crews to train people on the new systems is just a holding pattern. Captain Sima told me no one in fleet expected us to get through Apex Phase One with scores over ninety. Everyone who scored under ninety but passed is getting rushed through their final qualification testing soon and they’ll be snapped up by captains as soon as they’re done. What’s happening to us, I don’t know, but Captain Sima wished me luck today. Most of her staff have already passed their qualification tests for the new computer system. Did you hear anything about where we’re going?”
The question surprised Alice, it shouldn’t have, but her mind was wandering back to Noah Lucas and his experiences on Iora. “I don’t, but I guess it makes sense. Most of our fellow ninety-pointer officers went past the curriculum into the advanced stuff, finishing qualifier tests that are a few years ahead of us. Most of the people who scored lower spent a lot more time with their cadets, trying to get them into shape.”
“But your little crew didn’t require much attention, neither did mine,” Titus said as ice cold water was delivered to the table. He scrolled through the parchment style, flexible screen that had images and descriptions of different dishes. “I did physical training with mine and answered questions as they came up, and there weren’t any discipline issues with my squad.”
“My squad were mostly experienced people, so they really only needed technical questions answered,” Alice said as she found an image of crab cakes with steamy broccoli covered in cheese on the side. She selected it and handed them back. “I pushed them through the physical training hard.”
“I saw. You lead from the front and dare everyone to keep up with you, it’s impressive.”
“Thanks, but there were a lot of things we weren’t given the chance to train them on, like tactics, mission simulations, and a few other things. After basic rescue and evacuation drills, training officers took over. I wish I went through that with them.”
“You were a ranger, and you’re qualified on search and rescue to level seven. They’ll have to create new tests for you to take if you want to advance.”
“But that’s why I should have been there.”
“None of us were,” Titus said. “I have experience with working with a squad, and I wished I could have been there to guide them through too, but I think they wanted all our cadets to get the same training. I’m sure my methods would differ from yours and everyone else in our class, it could be chaos out there.”
“That makes sense,” Alice said. “I suppose we’ll be seeing that working for us soon enough.”
“You really don’t know what’s up next for us nineties,” Titus said, surprised. He selected something on his menu and handed it back to the waiter, who smiled, bowed and retreated silently.
“I have no idea. I haven’t thought about it since I got here. When I’m not working on my report, I’m wondering where the Revenge and the Triton are. If I seem distracted, that’s why, sorry.”
“Not at all,” Titus reassured. “I’m sure the Revenge and the Triton will be back with Freeground in tow any day. Moving a station takes time.”
“I know,” Alice said. “Still, I’d rather distract myself than dwell. I’m glad Fleet dumped a huge chunk of data in my lap, I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I wasn’t trying to put a concise report together.”
“You know we can talk about those now, our clearance level is high enough. Maybe I can help? I finished my report in five days. They had me go through passive scan data for satellites around Chermal over the last year. Haven Fleet suspected that there were a few pirate and raider bands using the planet and its moons for bases and warehousing. They were right, I found real evidence of nineteen different groups, all of them independent. The trick was to create the right data filters, to look at the scans along a timeline using filters to exclude anything that didn’t help me find what I was looking for.”
“Something like that would speed things up with my report,” Alice admitted. “They gave me all the records collected by a pilot with Samurai Squadron before he joined up. He used a toy lizard to record most of it, but he narrated a lot of detail afterwards using still images and whatever else he could find. It’s pretty amazing.”
“Wow, that’s pretty personal,” Titus said.
“I know. Something about it, the way he tells his story, it keeps drawing me in so I have trouble skipping parts. So far there’s a lot of data that could help fleet if they go to Iora, and even more evidence against a couple corporations that participated in the holocaust, at least in the way that their higher level employees were spared because they paid into the Order of Eden. There’s more coming, big stuff, I know. Noah got his hands on some important data along the way, I just have to keep going through his records to find it.”
“You could always just make a filter and search. Skip ahead to what you need.”
“I could, but I have feeling I’d miss a lot if I started doing that. I feel like he’s speaking to me, not narrating your average after action report. It’s like we’re sharing a table in some media pub and he’s showing me all his videos, his pictures, and he makes me feel like I’m there. What’s happening – I mean – what happened to him there seems important.”
“Well, at least you know the ending already. He survived and joined Samurai Squadron,” Titus said, raising his water glass then taking a gulp.
“I know, but it’s like I’m really getting to know him. I didn’t get to have a childhood, but he grew up in a travelling carnival and he tells stories about that. I don’t just have a feeling for who he is, but I know how he became that way. His callsign in the squadron is Carnie, so I know he still holds his memories of being raised by the carnival close. There’s a sentimentality there that I’ve never felt, but I get to through all these stories he’s telling me. It’s addictive.”
“So you’d rather listen to every minute instead of creating a filter,” Titus said. He looked to the kitchen. The sounds of frying and lovely smells began to drift through the pass to the dining room.
“Exactly,” Alice said. “His record starts when they enter orbit around Iora, and the machines are disabling ships,” she started. Without a second thought, she began telling Carnie’s story to Titus, who offered few remarks as his linguini arrived, her crab cakes and broccoli was delivered, and they had their entire meal. The crab cakes were delicious, savoury and crispy with a touch of lemon.
They were finished dinner and sitting back when Alice finished telling him everything she’d experienced through Noah Lucas’ records in what she thought were broad strokes. “So, he starts to wander here with Theo,” she said. “And that’s a problem, because he includes a lot of video of them breaking into places for supplies after their first two months, avoiding people, killing a few bots without too much trouble. I mean, he says a few things about the hundred or so buildings and other sites they visit, but for about nine months not much really happens. He gets to know Theodore, his bot, and answers a lot of his questions, but it’s mostly wandering. He grew to a little over two metres tall in that time
too, but that’s not much to sink into.” Alice finished her second glass of water. “I noticed I’m into the last twenty or so percent of the narrated record, so I’m coming to the end. I’m worried about the report I’ll put together, whether it’ll be too long or personal.”
“Just keep it to the facts that you think will help fleet and to what people really might need to know about Carnie. Keep it simple,” Titus said with a shrug.
“I guess, but I’m also afraid of what I’ll feel like when I get to the end of the record. I mean, I already feel like I know Noah, like I’ve spent hours and hours with him in the same room, talking to me. What happens when he gets back, if I meet him? What if I have to interview him?”
The waiter came with two slim display slips in hand. “Would you like to look at the dessert menu?”
“No thank you,” Titus said, waving him off. The waiter stopped abruptly and left.
“Are you all right?” Alice asked.
Titus wiped his mouth with his napkin and dropped it into his plate. “I think you’ll be fine if you meet Noah in person, it’s felt like he’s been sitting with us at the table all night.”
“Oh,” Alice said, feeling terrible. “I’m sorry, I’ve been going on about it for a while.”
“A couple hours. Did you notice that I ordered a salad after finishing my pasta, but you talked so much that it took you just as long to eat five crab cakes and some veg?”
“No, I’m sorry, Titus,” Alice said. “My brain has been filled with this for a few days now. I’m happy you invited me out for this break.”
“You’re welcome,” Titus said. “I’m sorry, I’m probably overreacting, but I was looking forward to this. I mean, I haven’t dated for a couple years, since my wife passed away, and I was worried about what you’d think when I told you I’m a rollback.”
“I didn’t know,” Alice said. “Rolling back doesn’t matter much to me, I’ve restarted a few times.”
“So you didn’t know?” Titus asked, chuckling dryly. “I looked at your public file before I came.”
“I don’t really do that,” Alice said. “So, sorry I didn’t know much about you in advance, I thought I’d get that privilege tonight.”
“Well, I rolled back forty-nine years for the Apex Program, have been married twice, and am twice a widower. I was really nervous that I’d tell you, go to the bathroom, then see an empty chair when I got back, but I’m not so worried any longer. You and Noah would make a great couple though, trust me, from the way you talk about him, I can tell.” He sighed and smiled weakly. “You really are a fine woman, Alice, but I think you’re a little too socially young for me.” He stood and she joined him. “I really do wish you all the luck.”
“We could try this again sometime,” Alice said, not sure why she was trying to get him to agree to another date, she didn’t want the one that was already crashing.
He gently took her hand in both of his. “Let’s have a great friendship,” he said with a tired smile. “Because I think anything else would end with a sad, quiet whimper. Have a good night.” Titus let her hand go and started for the door.
Alice let him go, watching quietly with a little relief. Even though she felt bad for him, and regretted letting him down, the pull of Noah Lucas’ narrated adventures were already luring her back home.
Part Twenty-Four
Alice was still shaking the embarrassment and guilt off when she walked into her living room. Embarrassment because she completely burned any chance that her date could have been at least a good time, and possibly the beginning of something. She thought she was a social animal, but evidence was starting to indicate otherwise. Thankfully, there was a chance that Titus was mature enough not to spread stories of her social fumble across the fleet.
The feeling of guilt was less keen, but she hated the notion that she not only bored but deeply disappointed someone who she liked. Titus seemed like a decent man if nothing else, and she had to admit that he seemed too old for her, but as things stood she would probably never find out for sure. For all she knew, someone more mature was just the kind of companion she needed. Before the Order of Eden tore the galaxy apart with the Holocaust Virus, it wasn’t uncommon for people of vastly different ages to have romantic relationships. Longevity wasn’t much of a problem in some parts of the universe, a person could be two hundred and look thirty five, eager to experience the new tastes and interests of people fresh to that age. No one would have given her and Titus a second glance since he was fresh from a rollback and looked about twenty years old. Regardless of how he looked, and he was fit, attractive, she felt bad about letting a nice man down when they could have had a relaxed evening trading stories.
With a sigh she said; “Night lighting, please.” The dim night mode lighting activated smoothly. The main room felt too large, too empty. “Welcome back, Alice,” Roomie, the stock hospitality program said cheerily.
“Oh, shut up,” Alice replied under her breath. Titus was one of the nicer, more interesting people in her class. His hidden years probably explained part of that, and she wished she’d known before, not that it would have made a difference. She had the feeling that she would have rattled on about her new fascination with Noah Lucas anyway.
The worst part of their disappointing encounter was that she would probably have to work with him. Worry about awkwardness bothered her more than the embarrassment at seeming so self-centred. “I miss Lewis,” she said, thinking of the artificial intelligence aboard her ship, the Clever Dream. She went to the bedroom and slipped out of her dress. “He might not know what to tell me, but he’d know how to cheer me up,” she said as she tossed the green dress into a hamper. “Off with the dating uniform, on with the ‘I’m not leaving the sofa until I’ve finished my report’ uniform,” Alice said as she retrieved the comfortable, long dress from the closet. “And I’m never wearing heels again.” The shoes were flung from her feet, into the back of the closet. “Even one inchers.”
A static image of Ayan and her friend Lacey appeared in her mirror with a question beneath it; “We heard you were out with Titus tonight! How did it go?” The pair were looking relaxed, but a little done up as though they were having a night out or a night with visitors in.
A few rude responses crossed Alice’s mind, but she let them pass. “Response to message; ‘You and Dad make it look easy. Going to bed early, see you soon.’ Now, send and mute further messages until tomorrow morning.”
Alice sat on the edge of the bed. “Look up the status of the Revenge and Captain Jacob Valent. Does Haven Fleet have an expected time of arrival on them yet?”
Writing on her mirror appeared; Only previous departure information is available. It was a message that Alice was getting used to seeing. There was so little information available, that it was easy to suspect the worst. “This is my Dad I’m thinking about, and he has his best people with him. They’ll be back.” She hadn’t seen him since she started training, and she felt like a completely different person with so many stories to tell. More than anything, she missed having time with him alone. Everything seemed simpler when she was with him. Even though she was biologically related to Ayan, and already began to accept her as her mother, Jacob was the one she pictured whenever she thought of family, and no one knew where he was for sure.
She flopped back onto the bed and closed her eyes for a moment. A storm of worry and unanswerable questions started to gather in the quiet. “Nope, not going to do this to myself,” Alice said to herself, sitting up. “Back to the sofa! Roomie, bring up the Noah Lucas Iora File.”
After ducking into the kitchen to retrieve a bag of rice cheese puffs along with a peach and orange slush drink, Alice fell onto the sofa. It was surrounded by an organized timeline of Carnie’s ordeal on Iora. “Is there a narration that covers this section of time? It seems fragmented.”
By looking at a range on the timeline, she enlarged it. The hover car they were using broke down over a hundred kilometres away from White Gull Spaceport.
A text notification appeared with the system’s response to her earlier question; No singular narration describes the time frame you requested. Then she realized that her house software wasn’t responding through the audio system because she told it to shut up when she walked in.
“Re-enable audio responses, Roomie,” Alice said.
“Thank you, do you have another request?”
“Yes. Is there enough narration in the record to describe this time frame succinctly? I have to get through this in the next two days, less if possible. I think it’s affecting my mental health.”
“Would you like me to begin assessing your behaviour?” Roomie asked.
“No. What’s the answer to my question?”
“I can compile an accurate narration of events from Noah Lucas’ narrated record and combine that with visuals from his logs.”
“Okay, go ahead and do that for this time frame,” Alice said, holding her hands up so they held a span of Noah’s records starting with the hover car breaking down and ending months later.
“Compiling and authoring,” the computer replied. “Ready.”
Alice took a sip of her fruity drink and got comfortable. “Let’s get started.”
* * *
There was some kind of flying bot out there, looking for something to blast. Theo and I didn’t notice it until it was too late, and it blasted our hover pads, leaving our car with three to try to balance on. I’m a good pilot, I know it, and all the practice I put in shows, but I don’t know if I could have gotten us under cover and on the ground as fast or as well as Theo did. We really should have eaten dirt and rolled a few times with that kind of damage.
We got out of that car like it was on fire, and ended up in an upscale shopping mall. We got behind an emergency door and heard our hover car get pierced by a few dozen explosive rounds from that high flying bot. “We’re walking from here,” I whispered to Theo. “Do you detect anything moving in here?”
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 10.5: Carnie's Tale Page 15