by Chris Hechtl
“Welcome to the club, I can't do it yet either,” Zek said. Horatio grimaced. “Hyperdrives and a lot of military grade hardware are on the constricted list for a reason. So, we need to make do without it. Now, you mentioned wanting to explore repairing the derelict ships though?” he asked, looking at Bailey. “The ones in B-102C?”
Bailey nodded. “Yes sir. I've got experience in repairing and rebuilding ships, sir.”
“How since you weren't in the yard?” the admiral pressed.
“Destiny sir. Also living on a ship that was held together by bubblegum and rigger tape,” Bailey said wryly. “Admiral Irons showed me a few tricks when he was with us on Destiny as well,” he explained.
The admiral nodded slowly. He looked up as a pair of lieutenants came in and hit the snack area. “I'd forgotten you were a chief engineer,” he murmured.
“Yes, sir. Galiet was also on Destiny for awhile before she decided to follow her college dreams in Pyrax,” Bailey said, shooting a brief smile to his wife.
“Understood. Well, I can't countersign the diversion. We're already behind schedule, and we can't stop. Nor can we risk the ship and personnel by boarding a derelict,” Zek said. “Sorry, that's the way it is.”
“I understand, sir,” Bailey said heavily.
“So, getting better quarters is out,” Galiet teased, poking him. He snorted. “You got too spoiled having our room and your office on Destiny for so long,” she teased.
The lieutenants seemed bemused by the discussion. Horatio noted them and then took a sip of his coffee.
“So, Galiet can look over the raw data but can't do much with it since we're in transit and every scrap of computer memory and processors are needed to helm the ship,” Bailey said summarizing. “And we're not going to stop in the Sargasso Sea. Okay. What else can we do while on board, sir? I was going to offer my services to Chief Grant, but it looks like he's got enough engineers.”
“Read. Study what we're going to do,” Zek said slowly, grappling with the idea himself. “That is what I was planning on doing. I honestly forgot about the limits on the computers though,” he said.
“Hold meetings and make sure everyone is on the same page. We can plot out outlines of what we want to do and plan contingencies,” Horatio said. The others looked at him. He shrugged. “That's part of our plan actually.”
Two more officers entered the room but stopped in the doorway at the tableau in the room. “Um, we'll um, come back later,” one said, poking the other to get him moving.
“I think that about covers things for the moment,” Zek said with finality in his voice. “Use the gym, read, plan, eat. All we can do,” he said as he rose.
“Yes, sir,” Bailey said. “Where we're going to meet though …,” he shook his head when the admiral scowled. “We'll figure it out I suppose, sir,” he said.
“Yes, we will. Dismissed.”
~<><{<^>}><>~
After the couple had departed and the two lieutenants had finished their snacks and moved on, Horatio shook his head and eyed Zek. He set his tablet down. “They've got a point.”
“About which subject?” Zek asked coolly, clearly unhappy about being second guessed.
“Not the proposals, though I wish I could be with Bailey to explore the wrecks. I know it's dangerous, but there is something there that hits me as an engineer,” he said. “And a sailor too I suppose,” he said.
Zek snorted and drummed his fingers on the edge of the tabletop. “I guess I'm in with you two there. But we know the mission. I think it's a bit ghoulish too though and well, tempting the fates and Murphy.”
“True,” Horatio replied with a nod. “But I was actually thinking they were right about the problems with meetings or at least holding them,” he said. He looked up as a steward entered. The Veraxin checked the snacks, made a note, then refilled the napkin tray, and wiped down the counters before he departed.
“I see what you mean. We've got this room for another …,” Zek checked the clock then grimaced. “Another twenty minutes before they need it to prep for the lunch rush.”
“Yes, sir. And the officer's wardroom is one of four places we can hold a group. Five if you include the gym but …”
“Pass. I'd rather not smell sweat all day and put up with people in and out there as well,” Zek said.
“Yes, sir.”
“You said four … here obviously, the boat bay …” he frowned.
“The main galley but that has people all day; the rec room but it too is also busy.”
“Damn,” the admiral said mildly.
“And VR is out once we're in the rapids for obvious reasons,” the commodore said.
“I … hadn't gotten that far or thought that one out,” Zek said, squirming slightly. He still wasn't comfortable with jacking into someone else's head and vice versa.
“I feel for them and the other married couple we have on board. Pity we couldn't put them both in the same compartment, but the bugs needed more room,” Horatio said thoughtfully. He shrugged.
“They'll make do I think,” Zek growled. “Meetings though …”
“I think we need to get as many as we can out of the way while we can, at least in VR or wherever we can find the room. Set into subgroups for smaller meetings, whatever.”
“Make-work. Keeping busy,” the admiral growled.
“Something like that, but also making sure we're all on the same page,” Horatio replied.
“A united front? This isn't us against them Horatio,” Zek replied.
Horatio snorted. “Hardly. And you are right in some ways … but not in others I think,” he said, looking up thoughtfully.
“Oh?”
“I'm wondering what we're going to run into in Bek. You haven't really gotten into describing it or the road blocks. I assumed you are waiting to outline them in the meetings? And ways to work around them?” Horatio asked.
Zek grimaced. “Yes, something like that.”
“I'm looking forward to hearing the plans then,” Horatio said. “Are you fixed on them or are you open to suggestions?” he asked.
“I'm open,” Zek said. He wasn't sure if any of their planning would matter. Something told him it wouldn't, but it would be nice to use some of it.
Not that he expected even that much to happen. Not with some of the problems they were going to face in Bek. He had a sneaking suspicion that their entire expedition was going to be a nonstarter. And unfortunately, he couldn't do a damn thing to fix it.
But, he couldn't tell Horatio that.
Chapter 13
Once the small convoy of three ships led by Caroline as their flagship reached the B101a1 jump point, they synchronized their hyperdrive fields and then jumped. The other two ships would remain behind in B101a1 to start construction of the Harbor Station there as well as work on platforms and defenses to protect it and the strategically vital passage.
Horatio didn't pay attention to the day-to-day running of the ship. He was supposed to have been in charge; however, Rear Admiral Zekowitz, Zek, had accompanied the group back so he had taken charge. That was fine. In fact, it was a bit of a relief. Less on his shoulders he thought.
Their initial mission had no ansible on board due to the rocky method to get into the jump chain through the rapids. Another ship, the Sally Ride, would be following with two at her best speed. She was a special Dora class ship built with triple redundancy and triple inertial dampeners. She had sailed into Pyrax around the time the latest convoy out of Antigua to Pyrax had arrived. She had passed through the star system only to pause to refuel at the B101a1 jump point before she'd jumped on ahead of Caroline's small convoy. She was still en route though and wouldn't get to B-102C for another four months at the plodding speed the ship was traveling at. It would be many months more before she arrived in Bek. They might not even see her at all.
Getting the shipyard in Bek squared away and producing was going to be a project. They only had so many industrial replicators on board. Fortunately, t
he team of officers had a team of experts with them to help transition Bek's industry over to modern standards. It was going to take time, but eventually they'd get it done.
Horatio and Zekowitz carried fresh orders, replicator keys, and implant keys within their implants to initiate other officers and enlisted into the Federation military on a probationary basis. A handful of instructors from the academy and the enlisted boot training center were on board Caroline to facilitate the update process. Hyperdrive techs and industrial techs were also on board. The ships seemed overcrowded.
Each of the Bek officers had passed the official tests and indoctrination programs before they'd been accepted. In fact, when they hadn't been attending virtual or physical classes, a few had taught guest lecture courses at San Diego.
One thing that kept coming up was Admiral Irons and his history with Bek. People seemed fascinated with the idea. He knew that the Bek delegation had been a bit disappointed that he hadn't been in Pyrax to personally greet them. That he had been alive had been a shock, but they'd taken the news in easy stride, even in enthusiasm some would say.
His troubles in Pyrax had been mentioned to a few officers in passing. That had soured some of the mood for a brief time before Admiral Irons himself had called the flag officers to get them to cool off their righteous indignation on his behalf.
That was all behind them. Ahead was the future. They wouldn't have many convoys shipping parts and personnel between the yards. Not for a long time, not with the limited water dweller pool of helmsman to draw from. No matter. They'd make do. He'd ship back finished ships with skeleton crews to Pyrax if necessary.
They had two hundred canned A.I.s on board. He knew the Bekians were fascinated by them. That was good. They had their own A.I. but none were as sophisticated as the ones they carried.
Once he was settled into Bek, Caroline would take a cargo plus officers from Bek to Nuevo. Once there they would unload, do what they could to help the natives, then take on some more of the army militia to transport them and the naval recruits they were to pick up in Bek back to Pyrax.
Undoubtedly they'd make a return trip. But each trip would take a year-round trip. That was fine, Horatio thought as he studied the Bek shipyard. Just fine.
He didn't have Admiral Irons’ skills or implant keys, but what he had he knew how to use. And he had ways to work around what he didn't have. They had a pretty good starting base … he rubbed his hands together. He was ready and eager to get started.
~<><{<^>}><>~
Horatio shook his head as he checked on the status of his fellow passengers. It looked like just about everyone had settled in. He felt for the crew they had displaced.
Then again, he'd heard that a few of the enlisted had taken up temporary quarters in the equipment lockers. The lockers were larger than the normal five-meter square bunks that most people were assigned as living space. You could also stand up in it, and if you ignored the curtain door, it was almost as good as having a regular room.
Noises sucked obviously as did the occasional “rack out,” when a tech came in to get a part out of the drawers and bins that made up the walls of the locker. But that was a small price to pay for some to have an extra bit of comfort.
He ignored the flag lieutenants and spot-checked the others. Bailey and Galiet were okay. The six other hyperdrive, fusion, and grav techs seemed okay. Since Bailey was making the rounds with them, he spot-checked the others.
There were four government delegates, but they seemed in some sort of conversation so he left them to it. He made a right and ducked under the hoses strung up against the ceiling as he made his way to another passenger quarters, the four industrial analysts and managers. Two were elves, they seemed to love the space they'd been assigned. He nodded and checked on the Centilian and the Veraxin. Both seemed okay, the Centilian though had decided to go into hibernation in order to wait the passage out. That explained why he'd eaten so much before he'd came on board and why the navy had been stuck with the bill.
At least they wouldn't have to put up with him at dinners for awhile. Centilian were messy eaters, he thought as he moved on.
Each of the civilian consultants was an expert in their field. They would help transition Bek's industry up to modern standards. Those who also had a double rating as a reserve officer had keys of some sort. Before their departure, he and Admiral Subert had made certain they were all up-to-date. They would come in handy when they were in Bek. Hopefully, once an ansible was delivered, they would be able to receive periodic updates via Admiral Irons and the ansible.
That was the plan at any rate he thought as he checked on the ensigns. They weren't in their quarters so he checked with Ensign Caroline internally, then nodded and swung by sickbay.
Caroline's sickbay was small but efficient. It was normally populated by the nurse and SBA on duty. The doctor held a shift, but since the health of the crew was rather easy to keep up with in the day-to-day operations of the ship, he was rarely needed.
Now though there were additions to the sickbay, and it had been turned into an impromptu class room. He watched from the hatchway as the two ensigns took turns teaching the Neosea lion Qilaq about some gory subject Horatio wasn't certain he wanted to know more about. He was thankful though that they'd kept the visuals to 2D flat screen images and whatever they had going on internally with their implants.
He grimaced.
Ensigns Jaroslaw and Weiss had been acquaintances in medical school. They hadn't been in the same class. Ensign Weiss had graduated before Jaroslaw, but he'd caught up to her in surgeon's school. Both had graduated with top honors from medical school in Epsilon Triangula. They'd gone on to advanced studies, exploring implant, nanotech, and surgical techniques, which had initially slowed their military careers. Once they'd been transferred, their skills had been tested and polished in Pyrax to perfection. They had impeccable records and were known for not only their prowess in surgery but also in trauma and bedside manner. Both had volunteered for the mission to Bek, seeing it as an adventure.
That alone told Horatio that they still had a little bit of growing up to do. But he knew it was in all of them to some degree.
There were three other officers on board: the hyper-navigator turned professor Lieutenant V'l'r, which was an odd name for a Veraxin, and Lieutenant Commanders Alice Walengrad and Weaver Thistle. Weaver Thistle was an odd sort, a meter-high brown and green camo Chimera who identified more with elves than any other race it seemed. He had a thin rat-like tail with a tuft on the end that he liked to whip about him when he was agitated.
Alice was his biggest headache surprisingly. She had been chief engineer on Cockatrice a Nelson class tin can before she'd been promoted and transferred. She hadn't been happy about being pulled from her beloved ship, she'd made that fact crystal clear, nor had she been happy about her ship being laid up and essentially mothballed due to trouble with her port and keel sublight engine pods.
Her crew had been picked over and gleefully transferred and promoted to other ships coming fresh out of the yard by BuPers. There was no telling when Cockatrice would see space again.
He hadn't been happy about that decision or similar decisions he'd had the displeasure to have to execute, but he'd had no choice and neither had the crew. Their priority was pushing ships out of the yard fast, and they needed experienced hands to crew them. Any ship that was laid up for extended repairs or refit was potentially going to be picked over for crew.
It was something he knew was a two-edged sword. Crews were going to start fudging their ship's records to keep that from happening eventually. Admiral Subert had disdained such practices and vowed to land feet first with a full investigation if they did.
A few examples might set the others straight … or might get them to go deeper and lead to something catastrophically failing at the expense of the crew and the mission. Hopefully, things would settle down and they'd get back to repairing ships, but he wasn't certain when. If they got their hands on the Bekians,
it should make a difference …
He shook such considerations off as he refocused on his passengers. He realized he was near a certain Neochimp duo's quarters and stopped himself from checking in with them.
He had known Chief Bailey and Galiet for nearly thirteen years off and on, though Bailey was just Bailey at this point he reminded himself. Galiet was also a doctor, well, double doctor with her multiple PHDs, but they were doctorates in hyperspace and high-end physics, not medicine.
The two of them were the leaders of the civilian consultants. Technically, they like many of the consultants weren't civilians at all. They like most of the consultants had a reserve commission. Both Bailey and Galiet had a lieutenant's pip. Bailey was a first lieutenant while Galiet was a lieutenant. Not that it mattered since they were serving in their civilian capacities.
Many of the civilian consultants had tech background or had been merchant sailors. One or two like Baker, one of the industrial managers, had been in the military before they'd had to switch to the reserve for one reason or another. In Baker's case it had been the death of his wife due to anti-Neo and alien violence on Anvil and his having to raise their two kittens alone. Horatio had felt the loss deeply in the yard and personally. He had managed to talk Baker into staying on as a reservist so he could keep his status and medical benefits. Now that the kittens were in college, he'd rejoined the fold.
Some had decided to teach or be consultants instead of continuing in their old life. They'd been at the college and had signed on as consultants and teachers in order to pay the bills.
The idea of going on the adventure had scared a few. But they were excited to make a difference and impact on the war. Now they just had to survive boredom and terror to get to that point, he thought.
~<><{<^>}><>~
After lunch Horatio found himself bored again. He looked over the updated blueprints of the planned B101a1 Harbor Space Station. The ships had some parts within them to fashion the core of the space station. It was all a modular affair, designed to go together easily and efficiently. There were transhab inflatable modules, thermal exchangers, inflatable fuel tanks, a small fusion reactor, and solar panels as well. But the plan was to form the truss backbone and docking arms out of native materials. Hence, the factory ship that had been assigned to come with them.