Destiny's Choice (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  Irons had wanted to launch the satellite from a utility airlock but the captain had nixed that idea after his last one had misfired and cooked some of the hull. From now on all satellites were to be launched from a shuttle or from the boat bay.

  “Move your end left, no your other left...” Bailey grunted, tugging on the yoke to the push pull. It hovered nicely, fully charged and not having nearly as much trouble as it's operators did manhandling it and it's cargo.

  “We're getting there chief,” Irons said maneuvering the bulky load. “And what about the reserve posting?”

  “Well, I was, well, thinking about it again.”

  “What about it? More about the cybernetics? Or rejuv?”

  “No, those things are interesting, but I kind of like the extra pay and stuff.”

  “You have to earn it chief. You have to train a bit too you know.”

  “Which gets me to my question, how much training? I checked online. There was something about a test? I hate the damn things.”

  “Minimum basic standard test. There is also a background check and others. Medical, etcetera.”

  “Who says etcetera these days anyway?” Bailey joked.

  “You just did. So did I,” Irons grunted as they swung the giant satellite around a corner. He winced as they came close to scraping a folded solar wing. “By millimeters,” he muttered.

  “Next time leave em off till we get the damn thing in the lock.”

  “Smart,” Irons agreed. “You point that out now though...”

  “Hindsight.”

  “True. But as I was saying, the background tests and checks are to make sure you're a stable person and not a psycho. We need someone we can count on when the fur flies.”

  “In my case literally?” Bailey snorted. “I get it.”

  “I'll upload you the application and requirements chief,” Sprite informed him. He grunted.

  “Right. Also a check for a criminal history, patterns of behavior related to relationships with terrorist or organized crime, things like that.”

  “The other testing?” Bailey asked.

  “Oh, a test of what you know. Since you're a reservist you can jump the basic course and start with only a minimum of training if you pass it.”

  “Ah? Just my luck. Some test about tactics and stuff right?”

  “No, specialized to position and rank. We lowered the bar since education is substandard right now. When general education picks up we'll raise the bar.”

  “Okay. So you're now saying I'm stupid enough to get in?” Bailey mock growled.

  “Cute chief. But if you want an officer's commission, and I assume you do, you've got to pass the minimums. Even we have standards.”

  “I think my last date said something along those lines,” Bailey snorted.

  “I have no idea,” Irons said with a smile.

  “So, I mean stuff on it... all paper crap I suppose? Nothing about hands on?”

  “I wrote it chief,” Irons admitted.

  “You? God the engineering sections...”

  Irons shook his head as they waited for the final lock to iris open. “It's not that bad. Basic engineering know how, leadership skills, teamwork, things of that nature. I can leave a reference for you if you want,” he said as they pushed the hovering satellite into the bay.

  “What good will that do?” Bailey asked.

  “It'll cut through some of the crap faster and get you to the head of the line.”

  “Call me a crap buster, okay. I'll think about it some more and get back to you.”

  “Sure thing chief, let's get this locked down and then go get a beer.”

  “Now your talking!”

  “What's going on in here?” Irons asked, slowing at the hatch to the hold he had rented. People were standing around holding beers and talking. Now that he had the satellites off and running he wanted to get started on a few other projects. Apparently some people had other ideas.

  “Oh hey man, Admiral, whatever,” a short male human tech said, saluting him with a stein.

  “Beer?” Everette offered. He shook his head. Alcoholic or any intoxicating substance was strictly regulated in space. Well, mostly. Unfortunately every spacer had a habit of creating or maintaining an illicit still, it was something of a tradition stretching back through time to the very roots of space travel in most cultures. Hell it went even further back than that, to the time when ships had plied the oceans.

  Spacers needed ways to unwind, to decompress without fear of reprisal. Therefore they did so on their off time, usually only once or twice a standard week. The captain had declared a dry ship when they had been delayed in making the jump. Apparently he'd lifted that order a few days ago and it had taken this long to get the party kicked off into full swing.

  “What's going on?” he asked looking around. There was a crowd around the open hatch and people were yelling and cheering.

  “Well, the purser got a volleyball tournament going after the captain ordered it,” Everette said. “Sure you don't want a brew? It's cold.” he held up a bottle. Irons grimaced and set his load down. “What's all that?” the kid asked.

  “My next project. Which I see is now on hold,” he frowned, trying hard to not be pissed. Crew morale was important, and he really needed to stay positive to keep his image up. The timing however could have been better.

  “Coming inside?” April asked, leaning out the hatch. She caught sight of the Admiral and her impish smile widened into a full grin. “Coming?” she waved imperiously.

  “I guess so,” he said coming in. He blinked as he entered. The hold wasn't that large, but it was fully involved. Spectators lined the walls, sipping beer and talking or cheering. Apparently someone had thought to hand out counter grav hand braces. Some of the spectators had taken to the walls, sitting on anchored hover pallets. One of them in the corner had a set of chairs set up on a large cargo pallet. The people on it were sitting there chatting away, oblivious to the fact that they were two and a half meters above the deck.

  A veraxin with a tray of refreshments climbed onto a lower pallet, startling a couple there. He didn't stop when they turned, just leapt from the pallet to another closer to the corner one, and then onto the corner one.

  The center of the hold had an improvised net strung from one wall to the other. The captain and bridge crew were on one side. Bailey and his engineers were on the other. “Banzai!” the captain yelled, spiking the ball. Bailey got under it, popped it up, and then Harry spiked it back.

  Clarke got under it, but hit the deck as he got it up. It went off wildly to hit a wall and rebound. “Out,” Harry said, high fiveing his boss.

  “Your ball,” the captain agreed, catching it, bouncing it a few times and then throwing it to them. He patted Clarke on the shoulder. “Keep your chin up son it's early.”

  “Yes sir, Clarke said with a nod.

  “You like?” April asked, watching the game.

  “Um...” damn it this wasn't fair. He was torn. Mostly because of the rather fetching yellow sundress she was wearing. She looked gorgeous he thought, and watched as his reaction was caught by her. Gratification over his attention made her preen slightly in response.

  “Yeah, we usually do this in the boat bay or rec deck but Mister Givens insisted we have it here.”

  “Ah,” he nodded in sudden understanding, catching sight of the purser. The man was looking entirely too smug.

  “It's not really big enough for a proper game though,” she said, raising her voice over the cheering. He nodded.

  “I can think of one reason why he did it. I've rented the space for the trip here,” he said. She looked at him in surprise.

  “You going to do anything?” she asked warily. He shook his head. “I don't think so. I bet he knows it too, the jerk.”

  “Now I'm not, but I think we'll fill this space up just as soon as the party is over so he doesn't get any more bright ideas,” he said, watching as the teams broke to water down and cool off.

>   They exited and she grinned as they made their way to the replicators. With most of the crew enjoying the festivities there was only a skeleton watch on duty. He used the time to replicate some materials for his projects and then moved them to the corridor outside the hold. Of course all that activity drove them close to each other, with the occasional frisky horseplay as a consequence. Frisky and somewhat naughty play. When the party broke up the two of them sprang into action, immediately getting into gear as they moved the gear in.

  The captain waved as he took the net down. “Sorry Admiral, forgot you had this space.”

  Irons shrugged. No harm. April had been a big help... and they'd taken the time to canoodle and play around in their own fun way in between trays. “No problem captain, I'm glad the crew had a good time.”

  “Another project?” the captain asked, nodding his chin to the loads of crates. Everette was a little snookered but he helped out anyway. Irons wasn't sure if it was because he wasn't sure he could find his cabin in his inebriated state or if April had charmed him into it.

  “I want to work on a care package for Briev and Triang.”

  The captain nodded in understanding. That was something they had left out in his briefing. Oh they had a small package, but nothing like what they had given Agnosta. He wasn't sure why that was.

  “Ah. Good. Sounds good. Keep me up to date. Let me know if you have any problems or need anything,” Ferguson said as he walked out. He patted the purser on the shoulder as he passed. Givens ducked his head in, saw the gear they were unloading and scowled fiercely. April smiled sweetly at him but didn't say anything.

  “Coming through! Clear the way!” Bailey said, pulling a load. Givens stepped aside with ill grace as the cart came through. “Where do you want it?” Bailey asked, slurring only slightly.

  “Right there chief, that's just fine.”

  “You make a better door than a window Givens. Either pitch in or push off, we've got work to do,” Bailey growled rubbing his biceps.

  Charlie gave him a dirty look and turned, storming off. Everette grinned, glad they had gotten one over on the purser.

  “What a jerk.”

  “Thought he'd pull a fast one and it backfired. Gotta love cheating a cheater.”

  He stroked April's gorgeous red hair. She nuzzled into his shoulder, hugging, pressing herself to him. He rubbed his cheek against the sensual touch of her hair, enjoying the tactile sensation.

  “Something on your mind John?” she murmured. He chuckled. She'd gotten better at reading his moods, and getting close to reading his thoughts. Slowly they separated so they could look into one another's eyes.

  “You're getting good at that you know?” She smiled at his gentle tease.

  “And you're dodging the question,” she said.

  “Your reporter instincts tell you that?” he asked, amused. She poked him in the ribs. He oofed obediently then spread his arms as she turned in his lap. She caught his wrists and wrapped them around her like a blanket. “Better?”

  “Yup,” she said smugly.

  “Your'e impossible you know that?” he said chuckling. She responded with an elbow and kissing sound. He snorted.

  “So, spill. You're worried about the future aren't you?”

  “Just wondering what's in store... What tomorrow brings. I'm going on, and you've got to go back to Pyrax.”

  “John...”

  “No, seriously. You've got a career. A good one. We...” his voice roughened with emotion. “We need you where you are at. Doing the most good for as many people as possible.”

  “Who's we? You and Sprite?” she asked, voice distant.

  “We the people,” he said softly, nuzzling her hair once more. He felt her stiffen and he sighed. He didn't want a fight, didn't want a nasty break up.

  “John...” his hug tightened for a moment. She gasped and then seemed to relax. After a moment he relaxed and she turned in his grasp to face him once more. “Look, I... I know what you’re doing...”

  “April, if it was just us two I'd...” He paused as she put her fingers to his lips.

  “Hush. My turn to talk,” she said, eyes locked on his. He nodded and kissed her fingertips. She smiled and dropped her hand slowly. “I, I don't know where the future will take us. Honestly, I don't know,” she looked away, biting her lip. “I don't want us apart, but I...”

  He waited patiently as she gathered her thoughts. “I don't want to lose you,” she said softly after a long moment. He hugged her and stroked her hair.

  “You won't,” he murmured.

  “Sure you say that now...”

  “You won't. I'm a past hand at long distant relationships remember? If anything I'll lose you to some dashing young buck who will come in riding a cycle...”

  She threw her head back with a laugh, and he chuckled with her. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled his head down so their foreheads were touching. “No matter the time or space between us, we'll always have today. Remember that John.”

  “Of course,” he murmured.

  “Then live for today, let tomorrow take care of itself when it comes.”

  “Yes ma'am,” he murmured, watching her eyes twinkle and her inviting full lips part. They enveloped his and he let his worries fade away with the moment...

  “Admiral, I have a suspect for you,” April said, coming over to him. He looked up, welcoming smile quickly forgotten.

  “Suspect?” he asked, a thread of concern in his voice. He knew he couldn't stop her, her inquisitive mind was something he cherished, but this was... hell, just being around him was dangerous! What was he thinking?

  “For the assassin. Or assassins in this case. I did some digging and well...”

  “You did some digging?” he asked. He wasn't sure if he should be amused or appalled. She could easily get herself killed if she turned over the wrong rock at the right time.

  “Hey, it's my hide on the line too you know!” she punched his arm. He rubbed it.

  “Ow! What was that for!”

  “For thinking that I was getting into trouble.”

  “I didn't say that!”

  “No but you were thinking it!”

  “Okay, mind reader, what's the story?” he asked, firmly getting a lid on his exasperated temper. She punched him again. He grimaced, rubbing his arm. “And that one?”

  “For thinking I'm not a big girl and can't handle myself.”

  “Off the mark that time,” he said shaking his head. She shrugged. “Close though.”

  “Then you deserved it,” she sat down, straddling a chair and smiled politely to the waitress who came over. She took their order and then retreated.

  “I...” she leaned conspiratorially closer. “I heard some interesting things and did some digging in the pursers records. The Neo's remember them?”

  “Which? Chief Bailey?”

  “No, no, the cats.”

  “Um... Cheetahra left...”

  “No the lionesses. Well, them and the boys they took with them here. We don't see them that often, well the lionesses, but the males are lazy and like to sleep most of the time. We see them at night on grave.”

  “Okay...”

  “Well, when someone asked them about how they could afford the trip the male just pointed to the leader, Asia.”

  “Um...” He tried to think. Come to think of it, how had they afforded tickets for all the adults? Cheetahra had told him she'd been saving for years and had taken extra courses to help work her passage. But the others were only doing menial tasks so...

  “So how come they are here?” she asked, staring into his eyes.

  He blinked, surprised. “Reading my mind again?” he asked amused.

  “Like a book. I dug into the computer records. All they say is that their tickets were paid for. By, get this, the Pyrax ruling council.”

  “Interesting,” he said, nodding as the waitress set their order down in front. He waited until she had left before he picked up the drink and took
a sip. “And you think...”

  “That they were paid their passage with your death.”

  “Huh.”

  “They get a two-fer. A paid trip, and revenge for killing what's his name. Leo.”

  “Interesting,” Sprite said. “Ask her for the evidence.”

  “Can you give me the files you mentioned? Sprite doesn't have access.”

  “I didn't say that!” Sprite said. He raised an eyebrow. By now April recognized the signs of his talking with his AI and sat back, toying with her fork. Sprite grimaced. “I meant I don't have access to those records. They aren't on the main net.”

  “Oh. Okay, Sprite doesn't have access to them.”

  “That's because they are on a chip. I got my hands on it by other means,” April said with a smirk.

  “Oh?” he asked. “Dare I ask how?” The smile widened into a predator's grin. He snorted.

  “You can ask, but I'm not telling. Here.” She slipped a chip over to him. He put his right index finger on it and then pushed it back. She blinked at him. “What? What's the matter? Don't you want it?”

  “I just got it. Sprite downloaded it and is checking now.”

  “You...” She blinked at him in confusion. He wiggled his right fingers. She shook her head, brows knit again. He always thought she looked cute befuddled and annoyed.

  “Implants dear.”

  “Oh.” She shook off the confusion and tucked the chip into her breast pocket, looking around to see if anyone saw her. Then she picked up her drink and sipped. “So?”

  “So, it is a lead, and it does make for an interesting hypothesis. One that fits the circumstances. We eliminated some of the pride because they weren't in the vicinity of the incidents or didn't seem to have the technical know how. But a concentrated effort from multiple sources is a different matter that bears investigating.”

  “True,” he said nodding.