New Title 1 (The traveler)

by Robin Marienus Miller

  I disengaged the docking clamps and backed us out. Turning toward the Star gate, I moved over to it slowly. Taking a large gulp of spice dew I pushed my mind to the bottom of the gate and turned it on. I was then pulled back to my body as the ship was pulled through the gate. Safe in hyperspace and on course, I went down to the mess hall to talk to the men.

  I tried to think of what I would tell the men, but it seemed before much of a thought came into my head I was there.

  A man stood at the hatch to the mess hall and said, "there are 17 of us Captain."

  This was more than I thought would come, ran through my head, as I looked at the thin ragged men that have gone silent waiting to hear my words.

  I said, "you are on the freedom ship. Starvation and thirst is behind you. In less than a day we will be on a green world with lakes of water for you to swim in, and the CM has no say there. More of you will join us from station two. Don't worry about the CM ships, we have arranged for them to be somewhere else and deaf to the stations. Feel free to eat or drink whatever you like. For your own safety, please stay in this room. I will return to talk to you before we reach Station two."

  I turned to leave as many said thank you and bless you.

  The one that had been standing at the door said, "Captain, may I be your liaison between the men and yourself sir?"

  I said, "well, you'll need to know how to find me, this way to the bridge."

  As we walked, I ask his name and he said, "they call me Gripper sir."

  I said, "well Gripper, how long have you been stuck on the docks?"

  Gripper, "only three months sir."

  I said, "well that explains why you are in better shape than the rest of them."

  Gripper, "are all the stations as bad sir?"

  I said, "I'm afraid so, at least the ones run by the CM."

  Gripper, "I don't understand sir. They pay the mine workers well enough, why treat the dock workers the way they do, sir?"

  I said, "the mine workers have the Guild to stand up for them, the dock workers have nobody."

  Gripper, "but it would not cost them much to see to it that the dock workers get enough water."

  I said, "that’s true, but you are not men to them. You are an allotment of water and water is credits. That is why they use the CMA’s, because they are so hated. They don't dare send the men that do this to you, they send their androids instead. Some even believe there is no top man, just another android."

  Gripper, "I can see why some may believe that sir. It's hard to believe that a man would cause so much suffering for so little profit. Plus water shortages cause the black market. This must cut into their profits as well. And trying to stop the market cost them even more credits. Not to mention the loss of productivity by men that can’t think of anything else other than their thirst."

  I said, "that's all true. Well here's the bridge, have a seat."

  Gripper, "thank you sir. This is not like any bridge I have ever been on. It's more like an observation lounge sir."

  I said, "you're right, that's why I like it so well myself. And it can be run by one man and the computers."

  Gripper, "it must have taken a lot to automate a ship this size."

  I said, "it took the owner a good 20 years for some of the parts."

  Gripper, "this is not your ship Sir?"

  I said, "not yet, I'm still -- let's say making payments on it. I have a large favor to do before I can call it my own. You worked on ships before have you?"

  Gripper, "oh yes. I was the first mate on the cruiser Decon. After its last trip to the sector, I decided I wanted to live off ship for a while. The contract for dock workers seem to be a fair one. No one warned me they would not live up to it, or that no one would help me get off the station. When I was young things were not like that, and our ship had been in another sector of space most of my life. We have had very little news about what has been going on around here. I guess I picked a bad time to leave the ship, or at least a bad place."

  I said, "yes, that's how they get their workers."

  Gripper, "well I’m very glad you came along, some of the workers have been there for years sir."

  I said, "yes, well I feel bad for the ones that did not come. It's only going to get harder for them until they can get a new crew. I can only hope I will be able to go back to free them next month."

  Gripper, "you're planning on going back sir?"

  I said, "if I can come up with a different ship and a new plan. I'll keep on going back until they have an open port and workers have it so good they don't want to leave."

  Gripper, "well sir, if you need a crew on your next ship please consider me available."

  I said, "you know the danger?"

  Gripper, "I understand we may not make it through this day sir."

  I said, "I was hoping to find men like you among the workers, that would help with the movement to free other workers, have a drink."

  Gripper, "oh no sir, I'm much too dehydrated to drink anything but water today sir. But your pipe smells rather good."

  So I let him have a few tolks then he went to get something to eat.

  I knew it would not be long before we got to station two and I hoped the jammers were in place. I put some fire powder in my rum, and a splash of juice, and drank it down.

  I wondered if I would see the black ship again. It seemed to only show up near star gates. I would like to go overboard again but I knew the gray would not like it, and I had to respect that. How did he know I was there? He must be a natural telepath, which meant he knew a lot more about me than I did him.

  I started thinking about what I would do when I got to the next station. We needed to make it up fast stop. What would I tell the workers to get them to come? Maybe I should ask the ones onboard what the Ranger said to them. And then there was the question, in the not so back of my mind, about leaving my ship with a bunch of desperate strangers on board. That just didn't feel right, I had a hard enough time trusting the Ranger.

  Time went by, as it does when you're talking to yourself, and Mr. Gripper came back.

  He said, "Captain Sir, I would like to report that there are five of us willing to go ashore, at station two, in order to tell the workers that the freedom ship stands ready to take them away sir."

  I said, "well now that will certainly be helpful Mr. Gripper."

  Then it caught my eye, the black ship, just a glimpse of it.

  I said, "look sharp Mr. Gripper, tell me what you see."

  A few moments later he said, "I see nothing sir."

  I said, "keep looking." And it passed our bow.

  Gripper, "a large black ship that shimmers in the dark as if it was not all their sir."

  Then it was gone and I said, "make ready, we will be docking soon." And we dropped out of hyperspace.

  He said, "I'll tell the men sir."

  I said, "take this bag of fruit and tell them that this is the taste of freedom."

  He said, "yes sir," and took the bag.

  As I headed for the station, I could see three ships not in dock just setting off to one side. I turned on the transceiver to see what I could hear. There was the normal chatter. Then as I got close to the dock, the three ships moved to different sides of the station and the jamming began. I made dock and went down to the port hatch to find it already open, and the workers coming aboard asking if this was the freedom ship. Others were welcoming them, and showing them to the mess hall. In a matter of minutes Gripper came running back saying, "that's all that are coming sir."

  I said, "secure the hatch, prepare to depart."

  Gripper, "aye, aye, sir."

  I went to the bridge in a fast pace and got us on our way. With the help of some spice dew, I worked my magic on the gate and we were gone.

  After a short time Gripper came to the bridge and said, "we have another 13, that's 30 in all sir."

  I asked him to sit down and told him that was fine work back there. He said thank you. Then I asked him why they call
him a Gripper.

  He said, "well my birth name includes 30 generations of names and it just takes too long for most conversations. They call me Mr. Gripper because of my grip. When I first started to work cargo on my home planet, I had an accident that tore off both of my arms. We have some of the best doctors in the sector and they gave me new arms, bionic ones, and a support frame across my back and chest. I can rip a hatch off its hinges or snap a cargo lock with one hand. So they just call me Gripper, sir."

  I said, "well remind me never to arm wrestle you. Tell me, why do you think some of the workers would not come?"

  Gripper, "Sir, I think it is because they think we are going to get caught and sent to jail, or spaced to teach the others a lesson."

  I said, "so if we make it, next time they may take the chance to be free."

  Gripper, "yes sir, that's the way I see it."

  The CM will make up stories about our capture or destruction. We will need to counter their propaganda, with voice notes and transmissions about how we are doing. Tell them you have been swimming and working on your tan while eating fruit right of the trees.

  Gripper, "yes sir, that sounds like a very good idea sir."

  I said, "listen Gripper, you're going to have to cut down on the calling me sir all the time."

  Gripper, "I'm sorry sir, would you prefer Captain?"

  I said, "I am your captain on this trip, but you are not enlisted on this ship. Try to feel like a passenger."

  Gripper, "yes sir, I mean Captain. But I would feel more at home and relaxed if I was in your service, at least for this trip."

  I said, "okay Mr. Gripper. I hereby give you a field commission of first mate during this trip. Your pay shall be transportation as well as all you can eat or drink."

  Gripper, "aye, aye sir, thank you Captain."

  I said, "now for your first duty, see to the comfort of the men. There are 20 rooms below, with a number of beds in each of them for the ones that need rest. The one just under us is mine, use any other."

  Gripper went to see to the men as I wondered how long the ships behind me could keep up the jamming. If a ship from station three went to station two they could scare away the jammers and station one would be waiting for us. We already knew there may be a CM ship there, though there was a plan to draw it away. But if it knew about the freedom ship, it may not fall for it. And even if the decoy works, as soon as the workers get on my ship the station will alert the CM and it could be after us. I would just have to fly in there as if there was nothing to fear, and hope they don't blast us. Then wait for the decoy to make my move.

  I was not sure how far it was between station one and two, as I sleep part of the way, and I wondered if I would see the black ship again. Maybe it will show up just before the gate.

  I tried to think of the fastest way to get in and out the dock. By the time Gripper came back, I had an idea.

  Gripper, "Sir, all the workers have been taken care of, and the same five men stand ready to rush the station and give the call to freedom."

  I said, "good, but I will need you on the bridge at the next station. You are going to fly the ship."

  Gripper, "me sir? I thought you would do that."

  I said, "this ship has only one weapon, me. With my telekinetic abilities, I can be of some help. However, I can't fly and fight at the same time. You will also need to pick one man to stand ready at the hatch. As soon as the last man is a board he must close the hatch, and blow the locking seal. This will show up on your screen here. At that time, you must hit the locking clamp release. Then back us out and take us to the gate. After the gate opens you take us through, it's all draw and tap, do you understand?"

  Gripper, "yes sir, it's a very easy system to use. I have flown much harder and less responsive ships."

  I said, "good, then pick your crew to hit the dock and a man that's going to stand by the hatch, then come back here. You will have control the moment we come out of Hyperspace and approach the station."

  Gripper, "you want me to dock as well sir?"

  I said, "you got a problem with that first mate?"

  Gripper, "no sir, I’ll tell my men to be ready and be right back sir."

  And so Gripper went to brief his men as I sat there half in and out of sleep for a moment. So I started using the fire powder to become more awake. I knew it might be just a split second that made the difference between whether or not I could save us. It was starting to take a toll on my body. My heart was pumping and my hands were not steady, but we were going into battle and I would be ready.

  I took off my cloak and stood in the middle of the room, looking out into hyperspace.

  With my Elvin ware of silver and gold from neck to boots, I look like a knight standing there ready for battle.

  When Gripper came back, he stood at the door for a moment and said, "Sir?" As if he was not sure who he was addressing.

  I looked over my shoulder and said, "take the controls Mr. Gripper."

  Gripper, "yes sir."

  I said, "I may not speak to you again until we are away from the station and back through the gate again. Do you understand?"

  Gripper, "yes sir. The men stand ready as do I."

  I said, "very good, steady as she goes and forward to freedom."

  I took a sip of the spice dew just to get my senses ready, then another. My third drink would give me an extended time and reach. I had not seen the black ship but I felt we were getting close to the gate. Then we were there, the ship came through the gate, and I could see the station.

  I said, "dock us on the far right side Mr. Gripper, you have the com."

  He said, "aye, aye, sir." As I took another drink of spice dew.

  There were five ships at the dock, plus a CM enforcer class control ship on the far left side with an extended dock to it.

  All five of the small ships left dock just as we pulled in. Then one fired at the extended dock to the CM ship. It all came loose with a flash of light. Another ship fired at the big ships communications array and flew off as one more ship fired at the station’s antenna. Both then join the other ships that were moving off.

  The big ship slowly moved out and after them.

  By this time we were dock and men were running to get on board. I took another drink and sent my mind after the big ship. I went on her bridge and destroyed the computer chips to its navigation and weapons control. When I was pulled back I saw we were leaving the dock. As we headed toward the gate the other ships were firing upon the enforcer ship over and over again. Then it blew apart from the back end and again in the middle. I took a drink of the spice and opened the gate, our ship went through.

  In my mind I stood there at the gate, and watched as the other ships keep firing at the parts of the CM ship, as if it was just too much fun to stop. Then my mind started racing across hyperspace to catch up with my body, what a rush.

  I turned around and said, "report."

  Gripper, "steady on course, next beacon locked on, no one in pursuit. Should I see to the men and sir?"

  I said, "please do Mr. Gripper."

  Then the black ship was back, darting back and forth in front of us, but just far enough away that I could not get a good look at her. Soon it was gone again. Was he trying to say good work or was it like a fish that plays with a ship just because it is in its waters?

  Anyway I felt we were safe for the time being. The only ship that may be after us would have to come from station three. I just hoped it was far enough behind us that I could get us home safely, without any more fighting. “It's not over yet,” I told myself as I sat down for a smoke and a drink, then went right for the rum.

  I was feeling so very tired I just wanted to go to sleep until we got home. But I knew I had to hang on until we got there. I had to be sure there was no other ships out there after us. You could never be sure in hyperspace, because you could not see another ship until they were

  right on top of you. It's an easy place to lose things in, including yourself, if y
ou don't keep a lock on a start gate beacon.

  I rested my eyes, knowing Gripper would be back in a little while. I must've nodded off, I'm not sure how long. But next thing I knew Gripper was saying, "the black ship is back sir."

  I open my eyes trying to see. Gripper was next to me at the controls.

  "The black ship is back sir," he said, "are we near the gate?"

  I said, "I don't know." As I tried to focus my eyes on the ship ahead of us. I had no fear of it anymore, but I wished I knew more. I figured the ship would be gone in a few moments and we would be out the last gate.

  I asked, "how many from the last station?"

  Gripper, "20 sir, that makes 50 in all."

  I said, "50, that’s a lot of men to relocate."

  Gripper, "they are all very glad to be here sir."

  “Gray play”

  Then a large ship passed right over us, it was a CM enforcer, and dropped right down in front of us. I only had one good drink of spice dew left, I hoped it would be enough. But then the black ship side bumped the enforcer, knocking it out of our way. The black ship then went after it again, knocking it farther off course.

  My ship went through the gate and dropped out of hyperspace. I was not quite sure what just happened. We were alone and I set course for our new home at best speed.

  I walked around the bridge a bit, expecting the CM ship to show up at any moment, then I finally sat down.

  Gripper said, "do you think the enforcer will be back sir?"

  I said, "I don't know, I hope not."

  Each moment that went by seemed to take longer than it should, as we got closer to the planet. When the planet was in view I showed Mr. Gripper the home button to push when we got there.

  Then the black ship came out of nowhere, and was on our side keeping pace. A holographic transmission was then sent to our bridge. It was the gray I had seen before.

  He said, "ship with robot men fun to play with but it broke. Me fix and give back?"

  I said, "no fix, bad ship. Bad men make us slaves."