Article 23

by William R. Forstchen

  "So that's why I passed Petronovich going forward in an all-fired hurry," Justin whispered.

  "Yeah, off to squeal to the Captain, I bet," Madison said. "Uh-oh, looks like something brewing again."

  Madison stood up and pushed off, floating across the room towards Mart's group. Marissa Livollen was starting to get up as if ready to go over to the opposite table.

  "Maybe I should help," Justin remarked uneasily.

  "Maybe you should stay out of it for the moment," Leonov said quietly, eyes fixed on the chessboard.

  "Tanya, what the hell is going on with this ship?" Justin sighed. "This is nothing like I expected the service to be."

  "Maybe that's why Thorsson sent us out. Give us a harsh taste of things. Hell, this could all be a hoax for all we know."

  She leaned back and looked at Justin.

  "Tough in there with the Captain, isn't it?"

  "I think the guys a bit nuts," Justin whispered.

  "No fooling, Sherlock."

  Justin laughed softly. But her comment about Thorsson was troubling. Was this yet another elaborate test? An intricately designed simulation? There was no way of knowing if a solar storm was really on. That could be faked easily enough. Zhing could have just shown a few pictures taken from a storm that happened years ago, then had the transmit connection shut down from up front. That alone was test enough two weeks in an anti-radiation suit with the constant threat of getting fried would be a good examination of nerves. The dose meters could be doctored as well. Most of the cadets were already quietly complaining about how hot and sweaty the suits were. Justin shifted uncomfortably. The inner lining was supposed to wick off sweat, but after a day the system was all but swamped. Justin felt sticky all over, and as he shifted he could sense the unpleasant smells wafting up through his collar. Give us a week and some of them will be going nuts in these darn things, he thought.

  And then there was the Captain. Did the Fleet really tolerate officers like him? He couldn't understand how any such man could pass his fitness reports. Maybe MacKenzie was in on the game. Act weird, put some pressure on and see how the cadets reacted to his eccentricities.

  The thought was both calming and disquieting. In one sense it meant that none of this was truly real. It was just another test. Yet if that was so, then when would he know if things were real? And beyond that, what did it say about the Fleet, throwing plebe cadets into such a crazy game?

  The thoughts started to get even more confusing. But then again, he thought, if it was real, then something was seriously wrong on this ship and with a service that allowed it to happen. Looking around the room, the tensions that were building were frightening when compared to the stressed but orderly calm aboard the Academy.

  "Kind of an amusing thought, isn't it," Leonov said, her gaze still fixed on the chess pieces. "If this is a test, then our dear friend Mr. Colson isn't long for this service the way he picked that fight with Matt. Matt might be in a bit of hot water too, but at least he can say he was defending himself and not looking for a quarrel. Most people here, at least the ones not blinded by Colson's whispering, will defend Matt if a hearing is called."

  "A hearing?"

  "Sure. Do you think Thorsson's going to let one cadet call another one a traitor?"

  "He said that? In public?"

  "Sure did."

  Justin looked over at Matt. Madison, with her usual laughing charm was busy defusing the situation. Justin realized that in many ways she was like Matt, easygoing, always ready for a good joke, someone who had that indefinable something that just naturally made most people Hke her. But there were certain types who took offense, or were secretly jealous of how easy it was for someone like Matt or Madison to make friends and be the center of attention.

  The door back out to the lounge opened and everyone looked up. Petronovich stood glaring at the group.

  "All right, show's over, everyone back to quarters. You all got studying to do."

  "Guess the Tsar isn't going to make an appearance," Tanya whispered. "Come on, let's get our good Mr. Everett back to the room."

  "Remember, Colson is bunking with us," Justin whispered.

  "Damn all."

  Justin nodded, stood up and drifted over to where Petronovich was standing by the doorway to the forward section.

  "Sir, can I have a word?"

  "What is it, Bell?" Petronovich snapped, obviously distracted by all that had been happening, and none to pleased.

  "Sir. Mr. Colson was assigned to room with us."

  "So?"

  "Well, sir, Mr. Everett is in our room too."

  "Listen, Bell, in the service your personal likes and dislikes don't count. The Captain drew up the reassignments and there's no way I'm going to go back up there and whine that someone doesn't like his roommate. You're dismissed, now get to your room."

  Justin wanted to press the issue. Petronovich was obviously not doing his job to head off trouble before it started. Even though Seay could be a royal pain and an exacting taskmaster, he was always on the lookout for tension within his unit and found ways to ease it. That realization of command style suddenly hit Justin simply through the contrast. Seay seemed to have a sixth sense for when to drop into a room to put on a little heat, just shoot the breeze for a moment, or offer an impromptu game of falcon flying to the platoon to let off a little steam.

  Justin turned and followed the last of the cadets down the corridor.

  "Mr. Bell?"

  Justin looked over at the galley door and saw O'Brian.

  O'Brian motioned for him to come in. O'Brian held out a container and there was the faint whiff of hot chocolate.

  "Always take care of my kitchen crew. Hot chocolate's just the thing to settle the nerves."

  "Thanks," Justin said. He gladly took the container and sipped the brew through the straw.

  "How'd it go with the Captain?"

  Justin found himself wondering if he was going to be interrogated by the entire crew before he could finally get to his room and get some work done.

  "OK, I guess."

  "Ah, already the officer in training." O'Brian laughed. "All right, I won't pump you. But if you need someone to spill some beans to, know I've got a tight lip."

  Justin smiled.

  "Thanks, OBrian. I appreciate it. I better get into my room and try to get some studying in."

  As he slid open the door to his room Justin instantly knew that something had gone horribly wrong. Wendell was hunched over in the far corner, features bright red, hands clenched over his face. A trickle of blood was floating out between his fingers; a tiny globule broke free and floated before him. For a second the scene almost looked comical to Justin, the way Wendell's eyes seemed to cross, focusing on the drop of blood as it floated away.

  Matt was in the opposite corner, Madison on top of him, trying to hold his arms.

  "He hit me," Wendell cried, "damn it, he hit me."

  "like hell I did," Matt snarled. "You shoved me through the door and my foot caught you in the mouth as I tumbled so stop whining."

  Justin could see a look of panic in Mart's eyes. If Wendell's accusation was true, then Matt's career at the Academy was finished.

  "Madison, what happened?" Justin snapped.

  "It's like Matt said. We were coming into the room. Matt suddenly tumbled into me and then hit the locker. I turned and saw Wendell going up against the wall. It looked like Matt kicked him by accident after Wendell pushed him."

  "Where's Tanya?"

  "She went to the head, she didn't see it."

  "They're both lying," Wendell cried. "He turned and hit me as I came through the door."

  "You're a bloody liar," Matt shouted. "If I'd really hit you, you'd be out like a light."

  "Both of you, shut up," Justin snarled, surprised by the anger in his voice. Startled, both looked at him.

  "Wendell, you lost your footing, broke free from the floor and banged into Matt. Matt, you accidentally connected with him. Now that's it. D
o you understand me?"

  The three were silent for a moment. Justin was surprised at himself for attempting to seize control of the situation before it got out of hand.

  "I'm not going to ask you two to shake I think things are a bit too hot right now. But this is my room too and I want peace in it or I'll knock both your heads together and then all three of us can get kicked out of the Academy together."

  "What's going on here?"

  Tanya tried to slip into the room and stopped when she saw the blood.

  "An accident," Justin quickly said, "just an accident."

  Justin fixed his gaze on Wendell.

  "Maybe you better go up to Doctor Zhing and get that bump taken care of."

  Wendell opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He pushed off from the wall and went for the door. Grabbing the doorsill, he stopped and looked back.

  "You'll see," he snarled, "you'll see."

  Releasing his hold on the door, he disappeared.

  Tanya shook her head and sighed. "He's dangerous."

  "He's a coward," Matt snapped.

  "I don't want to hear any talk like that, Matt. It'll just make it worse."

  "Well, he tried to sucker punch me from behind, then make it look like an accident."

  "Maybe he did lose his footing. Not everyone's as good at bouncing around in zero-gee as you are. Besides, hauling these suits around only makes it more difficult."

  "I think it was deliberate," Madison announced. "He's still sore about the argument in the lounge."

  "Look, guys. We're on a real ship here, not safe in the Academy. We're expected to act like officers, not a bunch of quarreling kids. Matt, you've got to cool it."

  "Yeah, sure," Matt said morosely. "Look, I wasn't asking for an argument. He started it."

  "He did," Madison interjected. "Matt and the others were minding their own business."

  "Well, for the sake of everyone aboard, but especially you, I hope you end it when he comes back. Maybe the guy will cool down a bit by the time he gets back. Either way, just let him know you want to back off."

  "That's a tall order, buddy."

  "Matt, it's for your own good," Tanya said.

  "OK, I'll try, but I think I'd rather be mining rocks on Ceres."

  Justin slapped his friend on the shoulder and offered him the rest of his chocolate.

  He went over to the computer terminal, settled down and punched up Moby Dick. The other three settled into their sleeping nets, Tanya and Madison studying on hand-held units while Matt simply stared off into space.

  The loudspeaker, turned down for the nighttime watch, chimed ten o'clock, the signal for quiet hours. Justin looked at his watch. He was supposed to get up at four to help O'Brian prepare the morning meal. At least he didn't have to serve the Captain breakfast; that was Wendell's job. Browsing through the book, he got to the first sighting of Moby Dick and the pace picked up. He was surprised to find that he was actually getting into the story. The writing was a bit strange at times, but there was something about Ahab that was weirdly compelling. Finishing another chapter, he looked down at the clock at the corner of his screen. He suddenly realized that Wendell had been gone for over two hours.

  Justin looked over his shoulder. All three of his roommates were asleep. Madison was scrunched up, curled almost into a ball, floating inside her sleeping net. There was something about the way she looked that aroused a childlike desire to pull a prank, to disconnect her netting, roll her up and then send her floating down the hall.

  Matt, arms splayed wide, slowly tossed back and forth, rolling the netting in tight around himself so that he looked like an ungainly fly caught in a spider web. He mumbled something in his sleep and started to thrash around, then settled back down again.

  What a trying friend you are, Justin thought. Half the time lately I'm ready to kill you, but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. He remembered how, when they had returned to Earth after scrub summer, Matt had stood by his side when he had to confront some of the bullies who had made life a torment in school. It was good to know, at a moment like that, that your best friend was by your side. He thought as well about how they had rescued Tanya and Sue from falling off the cliff on the Moon. He'd have gone over the edge rather than give up.

  Strange how behavior in one place seemed innocent but here, aboard this sad ship, Mart's slightest utterances made him wince. Couldn't he sense that even the most idle comment about the separatists might be dangerous?

  Tanya, floating in her net, sighed and interrupted Justin's musings. A stray wisp of hair had come out from under the protective cap Tanya was wearing. He watched as the black strands gently undulated back and forth on the currents of air wafting through the room. There was a faint scent of her soap and he smiled watching her. At least now he could look at her without worry that she might notice and take offense.

  She stirred in her sleep; her eyes half-opened. She sighed, whispering something in Russian. For a moment he thought she was looking at him; her smile lingered, then her eyes gently closed.

  Justin enjoyed the moment of watching her and his friends, glad for the quiet.

  The door into the room slid open. Wendell returning, Justin thought. Maybe with the others asleep I can talk some sense into him.

  Justin looked up and was so surprised that he completely forgot to stand as Captain Ian MacKenzie came into the room. He was wearing a sidearm, hand resting on the grip of the blaster. Behind him stood Frank Petronovich, similarly armed and looking decidedly uncomfortable with the weapon nervously poised in his hand.

  "Matthew Everett!" MacKenzie barked.

  "Huh? It ain't four o'clock yet," Matt groaned, "let me sleep."

  MacKenzie stepped up to Mart's sleeping net and ripped it open. He reached in, grabbed Matt by the shoulder and tore him out of the net. Matt started to flail around, eyes half-open.

  "Get your hands off of me, you creep," Matt yelled, still not fully awake.

  "Hey, what's going on?" Madison cried as Matt bumped into her.

  Justin was on his feet, trying to reach for Matt to calm him.

  "He doesn't wake up easy," Justin shouted, "just give him a second!"

  MacKenzie slammed Matt up against the wall.

  "Colson, you creep!" Matt cried, and, flailing about, his left arm slammed against the side of MacKenzie's head.

  A roar of outrage greeted the blow. Pushing Matt away with such violence that he bounced against the wall, the Captain drew his pistol and aimed it at Matt.

  "Sir, don't!"

  Justin moved to get between MacKenzie and Matt.

  "Stay out of this, Cadet Bell," MacKenzie shouted.

  "Sir, it was an accident!" MacKenzie shifted his weapon, pointing it straight at Justin. There was A

  frightening moment when Justin saw the Captain's finger curled around the trigger as if ready to shoot. Justin held his hands up and backed away.

  Matt, now fully awake, looked around in obvious terror.

  "Sir, I'm sorry, sir," Matt blurted out, "I thought Colson was hitting me. I was dreaming it, sir."

  MacKenzie shifted his weapon back to Matt and looked at him coldly; then tie slightest of smiles creased his face.

  "Mr. Everett. I am placing you under arrest. You too, Cadet Smith."

  "Sir?" Surprised she looked at MacKenzie, her mouth open.

  "Sir, I didn't mean to hit you," Matt cried, and Justin could see that his friend was almost at the point of tears.

  "That only adds to it," MacKenzie announced. "Cadets Everett and Smith, you are under arrest for violation of Article Twenty-Three of the Fleet Code.

  "As for the other charge of striking an officer Mr. Petronovich, Cadet Bell, and Cadet Colson, you were witnesses to that as well."

  For the first time Justin saw Colson standing in the doorway, holding a pistol and grinning. Justin struggled with the urge to leap forward and smash the smirking grin off the cadet's face.

  "Cadet Everett, you are also under arr
est for striking a superior officer while he is executing his duty. Mr. Petronovich, take them away."

  Chapter VII

  Justin came into the lounge and looked around. All were silent, staring at him. Saying nothing, he headed for the door to the forward section where Petronovich was standing again. There was one difference, though, and Justin found it disconcerting Petronovich was fully armed, laser assault gun by his side, a heavy blast jacket and helmet layered on top of his anti-radiation gear. The combination of equipment made Petronovich look sinister.

  Justin stopped before Petronovich and formally saluted.

  "Reporting as ordered by the Captain," Justin announced.

  Petronovich pressed a communications tab on his collar and whispered into it. Several seconds later the door behind him unlatched and Justin stepped through. One of the enlisted men, armed and dressed like Petronovich, was on the other side of the door. He motioned Justin down the corridor to the Captain's cabin where yet another guard stood waiting.

  The guard opened the door into that sanctum and Justin stepped through, snapping to attention at the sight of MacKenzie, who was standing and looking through the forward view port. Justin saw Doctor Zhing and the other two officers on board, the pilot and co-pilot, sitting at a table.

  MacKenzie turned and looked at Justin.

  "Stand at ease, Cadet Bell."

  Justin did as ordered and waited nervously. He had gone without sleep for the entire night, trying to stay removed from the chaos that had reigned in the ship after the arrests of Matt, Madison, and all the other offworlders from the cadet unit. Wild talk had echoed through the corridors all night. Some of the cadets were stunned, claiming that MacKenzie was insane. Others, the circle who had followed Colson, argued back fiercely enough so that Petronovich, fully armed and under orders from the Captain, finally threatened to shoot anyone who set foot in the corridor for the rest of the night.

  This incident had shown Justin yet again just how out of control the ship was. The thought of a senior cadet having to threaten violence in order to maintain control would have been almost beyond comprehension before shipping aboard the Somers,