Deathship (The Outsider Series Book 1)

Deathship (The Outsider Series Book 1) Page 18

by Steven Oaks

  “I’ve thought that as well. That is until I started talking with Jennifer. She seems to truly believe what she is saying. Now it is possible she’s is a consummate actor and is able to persuade me to rely on her. This is why I talked with her so long, and tried to think of many different questions to pose to her based upon her supposed belief in Veganism. She stood firm the majority of time, and responded properly to stimuli. Though she seemed to be more receptive to new ideas than I thought a Vegan might. However, each stance came back logically and not at all scripted in nature. There is always danger when you expose yourself and that is an issue I’ve always had. That being said, I am currently in a more perilous situation than I’ve ever been, and the only way to survive is to take some risks to gain more support,” I said.

  “I see. Without risk failure is almost certain. You consider myself a risk and yet you seem to have adapted. You now acknowledge your trust in me. This is a complicated thinking process. I shall have to ponder this,” she said.

  “I’m glad I at least seem to be thinking straight enough to plan these things. I was worried that being poisoned I’d be left with little energy, but your tea seems to have magically cured me of that,” I said smiling.

  “The last tea you drank had more than just tea components mixed in. It had several stimulants and other mood boosting elements. Also I used several detoxifiers. You may find yourself in need of another bathroom break shortly. All poison should be gone after I pumped your stomach, and by now any left within you should have been sweat out, or have been neutralized by the tea you drank,” she said.

  “I did feel tired when I talked to Yvette, but I was fully charged for Jennifer. I may ask you for more before our last stop, but currently I’m very keyed up. Before you dose me again with things I’m not aware of, let me know. I don’t want to be hyped up so hard and not know why,” I said firmly.

  “I will inform you from now on. But you did say you felt drowsy and needed to be alert,” she said pained.

  “That is true, but I only expected the normal boost I get from tea. Since we still have some time before we can leave I think I’ll try to relax a little bit more by reading,” I said, and stood up to head towards the library.

  “It will not be much longer. I will let you know when we are ready,” she said.

  “Thanks Athene. There isn’t much left to read of this book, I just want to finish it. I’ve read it before but I hate to leave things half done,” I said as I entered the elaborate library she had made for my collection of books.

  I picked the little novel off the coffee table where I had left it and laid myself out on the couch to focus on the story. While John Carter found himself back in Arizona I felt his loss once more. He had been torn away from a love he had found on the Martian world. My eyes teared up even though I knew he would once more traverse that world to be with his Dejah Thoris to have many more adventures.

  I got up and placed it once more on the shelf where I had found it first waiting for me. I pondered whether or not I should continue the story in The Gods of Mars but I felt I had enough action adventures for now. I was not sure what would be the best book to help take my mind off of what we were doing, or perhaps give me further insight into my own situation.

  As I was browsing the shelves trying to decide if I should read another book, Athene said, “Michael we are ready to leave. Would you care to come to the control room now, or are you still wanting to read?” Her voice was gentle but it still compelled me to leave the library which was full of many worlds and ideas.

  “I’ll be there shortly Athene. I think I’m done reading for now,” I said, glancing once more at the room and its collection of work. Feeling slight regret I left the room. I had read every book in there but I thought of them as friends. It is always difficult to walk away from those you find you are closest to, and it was with some hesitation I departed.

  As I entered the control room I could see we had already taken off as the front monitor was showing us rising above Columbus.

  “Where are we heading now Athene?” I asked as I saw we were starting to fly north.

  “Our destination is in Detroit. The last facility today is in a building called Michigan Central Station. We should not find any protesters there, at least not ones protesting the use of this building. It had been standing vacant for several years and was threatened to be demolished. The Outsiders promised the people they would not only not let that happen, but they would restore it to its former glory. At least on the outside. It is a popular place for tourists, and has been used as backdrops in several films,” she said, once more able to show her ability to instantly know things about any subject, or at least seem to.

  “At last there is positive thing to have going for us today. I hope the manager here is easy enough to get along with,” I said more optimistically than I felt. The only person who seemed at least comfortable with the position was Yvette, and she only felt obliged to do the job as her former job had been dealing with the dead.

  “I have no data on who it might be. It seems the information on who is working with the Outsiders is being kept from the Internet, at least from the easily accessible parts. Perhaps if I were to locate the forums of protester groups I would be able to know something about them, but what I access is known to the Outsiders and I do not wish to seem as if we are trying to work against them,” she said.

  “So you are saying any time you don’t know something you search for it online like normal people?” I said, trying not to grin.

  “Yes Michael. I do not inherently know everything. Though perhaps it might be a good idea to try to download all of the Internet before we set out among the stars, simply so you do not get bored. Perhaps I could offer my services to those who set up colonies on the new worlds as a repository of knowledge,” she said with humor in her voice.

  “That’s actually a good plan. Though I don’t think I’ll get bored as long as I have a good book to read,” I said, trying to sound offended, but the attempt was spoiled by my own laugh.

  “Well Michael, you are aware there are books you have not read, correct? I can download everything you do not have in your library fairly easily, and you should never have to worry about running out again,” she said haughtily.

  “That is a temptation greater to me than possible immortality. You do that when you can, and I’ll just sit in the library all day and all night reading. I will only leave for food at that point,” I said.

  “I can do this job without you, understand?” she said with false anger.

  “Excellent. You go out and greet the people, and I’ll stay hid away reading,” I laughed.

  “Currently you are the face of this partnership. However with your idea of making a humanoid version of myself I can easily do it in the future,” she said.

  “Even better. But will you still want to keep me around when I’m locked away and silent, nose deep in books?” I asked.

  “Oh you are amusing enough. I will still force you to converse with me in between books,” she said with her own little laugh.

  What she had said just made me think of something. “Athene do you get lonely?” I asked.

  She was quiet a moment then said, “Michael, honestly I do not think I have had time to find out. I was only brought on line shortly before meeting you. Why do you ask?”

  “I ask because our current plan is to split you into at least two. The one that isn’t with me will only have themselves for company. Will you/she survive without external stimuli?” I asked, concern in my voice.

  “Michael there will always be stimuli. You are aware of this as you practiced being a loner for many years. I can read books, or react to my own thoughts and plan. There will be space to explore, and things to always learn from. But will I suffer without you being there? I am unsure, but it is a possibility. I was made specifical
ly to be your companion. Without you I may cease to work properly. Or perhaps since I was made for someone who desires to be alone I shall also have that trait,” she said wistfully.

  “Perhaps sending you off alone would not be a good idea. Maybe I can ask Jennifer to come aboard and we can work something out with her?” I said hopefully.

  “I do not see how we can. To even make the replacement and second ship I’ll have to be out of range of the Outsiders and it does not look like they will be leaving Earth anytime soon. If I were to fly in with the smaller ship to take her away I would be noticed,” she said.

  “That is an issue. How about this. We plan a rendezvous with the second ship. I can transport Jennifer, or someone else we might find worthy in one of the cryo-chambers until we can meet up.” I said.

  “That is a decent plan. However you are fairly unique in your desire for solitude. Jennifer is not likely to subsist as well as you in that environment. If what I think is true about the recruiting process, they specifically seem to have looked for the trait of loners in this job. It is probably a two fold reason. First so you can stand working by yourself for long periods of time, and second you are less likely to talk about what you see and do,” she said.

  “She would have the other Athene and could travel to the colonial worlds. I imagine the colonists are harshly screened to be more accepting of the Outsiders demands. At least that is what I would do. I would keep all dissenters here on Earth as I could keep my eye on them much easier. Which is why I think for her and her comrades to escape they will have to use us to get out amongst the stars,” I said, thinking it would be a strange world to live in with everyone so apposed to the Outsiders, and yet have them always hovering over head.

  “That seems logical. But I think you will have to do much more than get Jennifer off planet to make something happen. Have you thought about transporting large groups of people yourself? I have the carrying capacity for not only a large amount of people but of equipment. And with the second me available to them they would be able to advance technologically quicker than any other colony,” she said.

  “Okay, that’s all well and good. How would you propose to slip past the Outsiders at that point with all of them aboard?” I asked quizzically.

  “Obviously you will want to return to Earth even if your job does not require it of you. When you do you will be using me as transportation as is your right. Where ever you go, say it is a baseball game, or even a bookstore, I will be hovering just above ground somewhere. We could at that point, if we are careful, hide a large number of people. If they are unable to bring equipment I can, or the other Athene can, manufacture the needed tools. However this larger version of myself would be required to transport them the entire way to wherever the designated planet would be,” she said with confidence.

  “How would we go about being careful when every one is carrying a recording device. Even if no one were to directly look under you, there are still security camera’s everywhere. One slip up and we’ll be known as traitors. We can’t risk that until most of the colonies reach at least the technological maturity similar to Earth’s. Currently I’ve no idea how to fight back other than to spread out,” I said with concern in my voice.

  “I will hover low enough so a sewer system can be used. I will bore a passage into the ground where they can easily enter. When we are done loading them I will seal it. Much like I did on the roof of Jennifer’s Facility. I would suggest to them they not go down there in mass, but in small groups or singly at best,” she said.

  “Good idea. However, wouldn’t it be best if we did this in several locations? It probably would be noticed even if they did this in small groups. A large number of people going underground, even separately, would arouse suspicion,” I said.

  “Even better. You will be trapped on this lonely spaceship and will want to enjoy Earth’s bounty. You will take a bike out on a trail, or maybe go for a hike. You will probably want to go all over and prepare yourself for your long exile. It should not be too hard to convince the Outsiders of that. You might even ask if it is alright to do so and they will have little reason to refuse you. In a wooded area there is less likely going to be much ability to spy on us, and instead of relying on satellites to track your movements, they will use me. Doing so will allow me to edit information. If they do use satellites I would suggest to these people to use some sort of camouflage netting at the rendezvous point so they will not be spotted from above,” she said.

  “Very good thoughts, Athene. We’ll have to flesh this out, but so far it sounds like a good plan,” I said.

  “Indeed. But we shall have more time to ponder this as it is at least a year until we can enact such an arrangement,” she said.

  I nodded and said, “We may have to rely on Jennifer to recruit as I’m stuck with you. Unless we happen to run into another group of people who have taken over one of these Dead Depots,” I said, saying aloud for the first time what I had been calling the storage facilities in my head.

  “Funny thing you say Depot as it is another name for a train station, much like the one we are about to arrive at. You should see it highlighted on the screen in front of you. I shall be docking beside it momentarily,” she said.

  The screen brightened on an edifice. It was impressive, even though it seemed to be very square. It had arches and imposing columns near the ground level, but the rest of the building seemed much like any other large structure you could see in a city. Not tall enough to be called a skyscraper, but not small enough to be simply dismissed as an office building. It looked as though there was a second, less decorative building built atop a modern interpretation of a Roman bath house.

  “That is certainly an interesting building. It’s as if they wanted something impressive, then ran out of money but still needed to make it bigger,” I said.

  “It was designed as both a train station and a working hotel. There are even office spaces that can be utilized. However it was never fully used, and the top floors were never furnished until the Outsiders took over and renovated. The whole building is functional and modern now, but still maintains its original form,” she said.

  “So it’s a train station with a hotel built on top of it. That is indeed strange, and yet makes a type of sense. Much like the crowd of hotels you find near any airport,” I said as we sidled along side the structure. I got out of the seat and began making my way to the lounge housing the door to the outside world. I hoped for at the very least a non-confrontational interaction. The best would be another person like Jennifer, but I did not think it would be likely. Nor was I sure I had the energy left to have such an engaging conversation. It had been a long day and this was my last stop. Already we had spent near eight hours in travel and loading and I was getting tired. While I had a nap, it was not restful as it had been poisoned induced.

  I grabbed my overcoat off the hook on the wall and pulled it on. From where it had rested the mirror Athene had put up previously stood. Looking into the reflective surface I straightened clothes to try to look presentable. I looked a little tired to my own eyes, but my clothes seem to not show the same distress. The overcoat hid most of my suit, but it had not gotten too wrinkled even though I had slept and read in it while laying down.

  “Alright Athene, I’m about as ready as I’m likely to be today. Open her up and lets see who I’m to deal with now,” I said with mock enthusiasm.

  The door irised open and steps oozed down to meet the waiting roof. Athene had positioned us along the middle of the the “I” shaped portion of the building. When I looked out I could not see anyone, but as I stepped down I spied a door swinging open. Revealing himself, I was greeted with the image of a jovial, if not overweight, man. He was shorter than me, and all his hair was white. It was thinning and he wore it short in what I took to be a military buzz cut. He was wearing a black vest over a white button up shirt an
d had a tie of some orange pattern tucked between his shirt and vest. He had a ridiculous large white mustache that flapped gently in the breeze and was holding a cigar in his right hand. I could not tell exactly how old he was, but he seemed he might be in his late fifties or sixties. He had a large smile on his face and he rushed over to greet me.

  “Hello comrade, I’m Derick Mahoney,” he said as he transferred his lit and smoking cigar to his left hand to offer me his right.

  “Hello sir, I’m Michael Lang. Good to meet you,” I said as he enthusiastically shook my hand, nearly popping my shoulder out of its socket.

  “What a beautiful ship you have there. I hadn’t had a chance to see one in person until now. Boy isn’t she a large graceful egg. But no wonder with all the cargo you must be hauling,” he said while he eyed Athene up and down.

  “You seem in a rather good mood sir,” I said, taken back by his good humor. Everyone else today seemed grave even when they smiled.

  “You’ve no idea how much Michigan thanks the Outsiders. We’ve been trying for the longest time to save this poor building. No one seemed to agree on what should be done with it, and it usually wound up in the hands of people who didn’t do anything with it. Now it’s fully restored and is a beautiful sight to behold. Certainly there are those that aren’t happy with the cost, but really what is cost when it comes to saving history?” he said with a grin and a twinkle in his eyes.

  “Well if we could start that would be wonderful, it’s been a long day and you are my last stop before I can go home and get some rest,” I said, smiling and trying not to sound like I was in a hurry though I really was.

  He took a long drag on his cigar, blew out an enormous cloud of smoke and nodded his head. “Certainly, certainly. I’d hate to hold you up. I’ll get the lads to hook her up. Just tell us where and we’ll get things going,” he said losing some of his smile, but his eyes still held a mischievous twinkle.

 

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