The Lieutenant finally spoke up, "I think she's right. It's entirely possible no one would ever find her adrift in deep space, but then it's also possible that a number of them did. Now we know what happened to them."
"Paula was the key," Sami said. "Without her, we'd all be dead by now."
ΔΔΔ
"Chief, I'm coming back now," Argentine's voice came over the bridge speaker. "I want you and Lieutenant Stark to form a small team and be ready to head back to the Roosevelt with me."
"We'll be ready… Can you tell us what you found?"
"I'll brief you when I get there," came the response.
"Roger that… We've got some things to fill you in on too…"
"You're not going to tell him about the other ship?" Sami asked.
"He'll be here soon enough," said the chief. "I imagine he's got enough on his mind at the moment.
"Now, Lieutenant. How about getting that team ready?"
ΔΔΔ
Mandi and Sami hadn't been too keen on the idea that he’d left Paula aboard the ship.
Argentine had assured them that she was resting comfortably in her own bed and had insisted that she'd be fine; that she was just going to rest there for however long it took him to grab the others and return… And he was bringing both Sami and Mandi back with him, right?"
The two women had been somewhat mollified when they'd learned that they would be in the next group to shuttle over and they were anxious to get going. But first, Argentine had a hundred questions concerning the Tarcarrian ship…
"Is there any chance at all that they had discovered the ship before us?" he asked.
Marco and a couple of the others had stayed, but the rest of the Petulengro family had left the bridge. Argentine had given up on the idea of using his day cabin for these conversations; he'd simply have to repeat everything discussed for everyone else anyway…
"Not bloody likely," Barry responded. "Except for its flashing light response to us, that ship wasn’t emitting much of anything – it wasn't even reflecting much starlight.
"If you ask me, that Tarcarrian ship tracked us and we led them here."
"Are you sure you can get back on board?" Mandi asked for at least the third time.
"Yes. Paula walked back to the airlock with me and basically introduced me to the ship. I had to go through the same spit in the cup - stare the camera in the eye procedure that she'd gone through.
"I couldn't read what she was typing in, but apparently the ship will recognize me as her guest."
Changing the subject Argentine said, "Chief, everyone is going to need to carry hand lights and I think we should all be armed."
"Is there something we don't know?" the lieutenant asked.
"No, I just have a gut feeling that we need to be very cautious. I think the ship can be very dangerous to us if we’re not…"
He went on to explain that, except for Paula's cabin, the ship was still on emergency lighting. Paula had also emphasized to him that the ship was still running in autonomous Defensive Mode.
They were going to have to take this step by step; the last thing he wanted was a bunch of crewmembers running willy-nilly through the corridors of that ship…
"Like the Petulengros," muttered the chief.
"Like anyone," Argentine said sternly.
"Paula’s cabin is actually an apartment and it’s large enough for us to use as our base of operations… And besides, I know where it is.
"Everyone needs to be aware that I didn't notice any markings on the walls or doors; it would be incredibly easy to get lost on a ship that big."
He turned to the lieutenant…
"I want you to give a briefing to everyone that's going over in the next wave with us… Put the fear of God into them. Make sure everyone understands that we’re taking this slowly. Step-by-step…
"Also, make sure everyone's got a personal communicator. Rory will need to carry at least some of the pressure suits back to the Pelican with him after he flies us over in the shuttle.
"Once we give the word, he can carry over a second group."
"Are we all going aboard then?" Sami asked.
"No, not yet. Not until we can figure out a way to pilot that ship."
"Who are you going to leave in charge of the Pelican?" the chief wanted to know.
"For now, let's leave Rory in charge."
Argentine turned his attention to Marco…
"I need you to round up a handful of your people that will promise to follow the lieutenant’s orders. Have them at his briefing and they can go over in the first wave."
Marco nodded emphatically.
"Also, Marco… and this is important; make sure your people that are staying behind behave themselves. Rory is in command while we’re gone; make sure your people understand that."
"Not to worry, Captain. We will be the perfect soldiers for you!"
"Hopefully we don't need soldiers… But I don't want anyone getting hurt or unintentionally tripping some defensive trigger on that ship. Understood?"
"Absolutely," he said while straightening up and giving some kind of salute that Argentine had never seen before.
He couldn't help but notice out of the corner of his eye that the lieutenant, who was always stoic and poker-faced, was grinning…
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Salute The New Officer
Aboard the Roosevelt
When Argentine and his team returned to Paula's cabin they found her sleeping comfortably on her bed… Dressed in a strange uniform. She was also wearing a golden circlet upon her head, much like a tiara.
Glancing around, Argentine saw the pressure suit crumpled in a corner.
Sami and Mandi both immediately went to her bedside. Paula opened her eyes and smiled.
Argentine couldn't be sure, but it seemed that decades of age and worry had faded from her face.
"Thank you," she said softly. And then more strongly, "Thank you so very much!"
Mandi returned the squeeze of her hand and for a brief moment Argentine witnessed almost his entire crew smiling like sentimental idiots.
"Ah," he said… hating to break the moment. "We need to be sending out search teams so we can get an idea of the layout of the ship. Paula, we really need to know everything you can remember… Especially about the defensive mode the ship's in...
"How do we turn it off?"
"Of course, you're right Captain. If you girls will help me to my parents room I'll see what I can learn from the ship."
Apparently, every bedroom had computer access. Paula felt that since her mother had been a ship's officer she might have better luck using her terminal. At least that was the theory…
In the meantime, Argentine authorized the lieutenant to take one small group to explore the hall corridor in the direction of starboard, and for the chief to take another small group and explore to port. They could go as far as they wanted in a straight line, but were not to turn any corners – there was no sense in getting lost.
At any rate, they were to meet back here within an hour.
Most everyone was in high spirits and they seemed very close to accomplishing their goals…
Why then, did Argentine feel so uncomfortable?
ΔΔΔ
"Where did you get the uniform?" Mandi asked softly.
The others had left her and Sami alone with Paula in her family’s cabin.
She had let them seat her in front of a small desk and a seemingly blank wall. Paula had laid her palms flat on the desk and a holographic keyboard had appeared around them.
At the same moment, a portion of the wall in front of the desk came alive.
"I'm home now, Mandi. Did you really think I wouldn't want to wear my old clothes?"
"It's just that your uniform fits so well," Sami interjected. "I can't wear the same things I wore when I was sixteen, and that wasn't that many years ago for me!" she said with a small laugh.
Paula, focusing on the screen in front of her, responded with
a laugh of her own but said nothing further.
After a few moments, "Okay, that's kind of what I was afraid of."
She turned in her chair to look at the two women…
"The ship has confirmed that I'm the last known surviving crew member," she said with only a slight tremble in her voice. "Command would normally fall to the highest ranked surviving officer… But I was only a junior officer."
"So, what does that mean?" Mandi asked.
"It means I only have partial access and limited authority," responded Paula. "And before you ask, dear… I don't know what those limits are."
"There is, however, one bit of authority that I'm certain I do have… Sami, I need to ask you a very important question…"
Sami and Mandi glanced nervously at each other…
"Will you," Paula continued. "Swear to never use the powers, technology, or knowledge this ship possesses for anything but the betterment of mankind?"
"Well, yes. Of course," Sami said, somewhat surprised.
"No, I need you to say it all. Out loud. And I need you to place your palms on my desk, just like I did…"
Sami moved beside Paul and placed her hands on the desk…
"Why am I doing this, Paula?"
"Just repeat after me, child…"
Sami did.
The computer screen filled itself with that strange language and Paula, with renewed familiarity, typed several responses.
When they were done Paula sighed…
"Okay, Sami. You are now officially the Lead Astrogator on the Terran League Ship Roosevelt.
ΔΔΔ
"Because Paula was the senior surviving astrogation officer, she had the authority to vet and appointment me as a ship's astrogation officer," Sami explained.
"Once she’d done that, it was simply a matter of her explaining to the ship that I was senior to her."
"But why would she do that?" Argentine wondered.
Sami shook her head as Mandi spoke up…
"I think she realizes that she's just not up to it anymore. I think maybe it's as simple as that."
Paula had returned to her bed for another nap and the three of them were in the main living area of the cabin waiting for the others to return.
"So what does it mean?" Argentine asked. "What can you do? Do you need a pilot, or can you navigate the ship through Dreamspace all by yourself?"
Sami was again slowly shaking her head…
"Captain, I really don't know. Paula said once we located the bridge she would take me there and introduce me to the astrogation computer. I'm assuming I’ll find out what I can do then."
Turning to Mandi, Argentine said, "And how do you feel about this?"
"What do you mean?"
"You expect me to believe that you are content to sit there and let your friend hand over control of the ship to someone other than yourself?"
"Well… Okay, I was a little miffed at first. But the bottom line is, I'm not an astrogator."
"But if we can get the ship to accept some officers, we might be able to get her to accept others, right?" he prodded.
"The thought had crossed my mind…"
"And which officer’s slot did you have in mind for yourself?"
Mandi glared back at him…
Argentine felt silly. He liked this redheaded woman in front of him, and he didn't think she was evil or wished them harm in any way… Still, she was ambitious and had spent her entire life following her own agenda.
Why would he expect anything different from her now?
"Mandi," Argentine said slowly. "You need to understand that you're not the Captain of this ship."
Mandi pursed her lips and eventually said, "I think Paula may have something to say about that."
She’d said it calmly and matter-of-factly, without emotion.
"Oh, Mandi…" Sami said.
"You need to understand," Argentine said just as calmly. "That even if you gain the greatest access to the ship, this is still my command. The crew will not follow you without my blessing… And if you're going to be part of us you need to accept my authority too."
Mandi seemed at least a little surprised to see Sami nodding her head vigorously.
Or maybe she was just chagrined that this part of her plan had been exposed prematurely?
She exhaled heavily...
"Whatever you say, Captain. But you can't blame a girl for trying."
After another moment of thought she said, "I'll make you a deal… I won't do anything to actively subvert your authority, but if Paula and/or the ship wants me to take command I won't fight that either."
"The ship?" Sami asked. "You really think the ship will have an opinion?"
Mandi shrugged…
"I really don't know. Paula has said some things that make me wonder…"
Argentine was just getting ready to explain that that kind of deal wasn't acceptable when they were interrupted…
The lieutenant's team had returned and they came straight to Argentine.
"Find anything?" he asked.
"The lieutenant raised an eyebrow and blew out a breath…
"Yeah, we did."
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Discoveries
Aboard the Roosevelt
"The corridor stretches on forever… About 100 yards down we found some cabins with their doors open.
They were close to a T-intersection and what I assume were elevators and stairwells.
We entered the cabins carefully and searched them thoroughly. Just like the rest of the ship they were all incredibly clean, and these didn't look lived in. There were no personal effects whatsoever, other than…"
"Other than…" Argentine prodded.
"Except for clothing," the lieutenant said. "Neatly laid out on the bed of each room."
"And what would be unusual about that?"
"Well, they certainly weren't uniforms. We decided to check the pockets and found several of these," he said while handing Argentine a small card.
Argentine held it up and looked at it. It was a photo ID that said, Paladin III Security Force.
ΔΔΔ
There wasn't anything else to be done so they continued their explorations of the ship.
Paula had mapped out what she remembered of the layout; giving them more an idea of general directions rather than specifics.
One interesting aspect of the ship was its tram system.
While there were elevators spaced evenly throughout the ship, there were actually shuttles or trams designed to carry crew down the vast length and breadth.
Paula remembered that the ship was basically divided into six sections; three of which were intended to be occupied on a full-time basis…
The front of the ship extended forward like a massive beak; a long beak that was a full twenty-six stories high. Most of the ship's infrastructure, as well as the crew villages, were located here. Each village contained its own small shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The two lateral shuttle hangers were attached to this section as well as every ship-centric scientific department from hydroponics to environmental quality control.
Immediately behind this front section, the ship split into the four parts that made up the majority of the ship's length. Spaced equidistantly around a relatively open center, upper scaffolding held humongous chambers that Paula knew nothing about.
A long stretch of smaller scaffolding ran the length of the port and starboard side. Paula seem to think they had something to do with the ship's engines, but wasn't even sure about that.
The bottom section, or keel, was the most interesting. It was a massive eighteen-deck section that housed most of the research-centric scientific personnel, their labs, and their villages. In addition, Paula believed this section had the capacity to carry thousands of additional passengers.
She claimed that at the time the ship was hijacked the ship’s complement was only about twenty-seven hundred people. She was certain, however, that she remembered times when they'd housed o
ver four thousand – and that had still left entire sections of the ship unused.
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