by James Palmer
“Welcome to Space Lab.”
The computerized greeting resounded in Dr. James Silver’s ears, but he really paid it no mind as his attention was focused elsewhere.
“Dr. Silver?”
The voice was soft and lilting. The body that the voice belonged to was nothing to sneeze at either. She was definitely a looker. He flashed her that trademarked Silverfox smile as he strode over to his escort. “Yes?” he said, introducing himself. “I’m Dr. Silver.”
“Follow me please,” she said, turning on her heel and walking away without introducing herself.
Nodding, he entered the elevator behind her. “Must be my lucky day,” he said through bright, perfect teeth.
“I’m here to escort you to your quarters, Doctor.” She was flirting with him. He could tell. There weren’t many women out there that could withstand the Silverfox charm, which was always working overtime.
“Really?” The smile widened.
“Don’t get cute, Doctor.”
“Can’t help it,” he replied casually. “That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”
The lift opened and the pair stepped into a long cylindrical tunnel. Several doorways dotted each side. A sign on the wall to his right read: AUTHORIZED STATION PERSONNEL ONLY. KEY CARD ACCESS REQUIRED BEYOND THIS POINT.
“Doesn’t look very homey,” he commented.
“This,” his escort began, “is the service entrance for all science staff. We keep them free of civilians for the convenience of our staff. It links the housing quarters and the laboratories on the next level.” She watched as he pretended to not pay attention as he watched her with those big blue eyes of his. She had been warned about Dr. Silver, of course, and by more than one of her colleagues. Apparently the man had a bit of a reputation as a ladies man. After spending just a few minutes with him she realized that they were right. His methods were damned irritating, but effective. Despite herself, she was flattered by the attention.
“You know,” he said as he stopped in the middle of the corridor. “I don’t know your name.”
“Oh, sorry,” she said, blushing despite herself. “Kendra Lord, head of the Human Resources Department for the station.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Lord.”
“Yes, well, my apologies for not introducing myself earlier,” she said playfully. “I don’t know what came over me.”
I do, Silver thought, but said nothing. He simply flashed her his perfect smile once more.
“No problem,” was what he said aloud. “Shall we continue?”
“Of course,” Lord said, motioning down the corridor. “We have several recreational facilities on the all access levels, the staff commissary is also on this same level. Of course, you will have full use of these areas. A public commissary is located on the promenade level.”
They turned a corner that lead to a nicely carpeted hallway with lights placed every few feet.
“This must be the living quarters,” he said.
“That’s right. You’ve done your homework, I see.”
A smile was his only reply.
“We also wish for all of our scientists and their families and guests to stay above level twelve unless absolutely necessary. We try to discourage anyone from going into those areas designated as off limits to all but authorized personnel.”
The man finally broke his stare. He loved a good mystery and his curiosity had certainly been piqued. “What’s down there?” he asked playfully. “Is that where we’re hiding the aliens?”
“Very funny, Doctor.”
“I’m not kidding,” he said, but kept smiling. “I read the newspaper. They claim you’ve got a whole mess of those little critters hanging out downstairs.”
“You can’t believe everything you read in the scandal mags, Doctor Silver. “You should know that.”
“Oh, I do. Still, the romantic in me likes to believe in the unexplained. That’s why I became a scientist, after all. I want to explore...” He let his voice trail off as he looked her over. “Everything.”
“I’m sure,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“So what’s really down there?”
“Reactor core, machine shop, supply station,” she said, counting each item off on her fingers before ending with, “things like that.”
“I see.”
“Maintenance keeps on top of things in those sections.” Kendra shrugged, her light brown locks bouncing playfully on lean shoulders. “There’s not really much call for scientists in those sections, Doctor so please keep your distance.”
This place has potential, he thought as he rehearsed the scenario that would best get his lovely tour guide to agree to have dinner with him.
“Sounds fascinating,” he said.
“Right. Anyway, it is dangerous and the chief says its off limits.” She tossed him a wry look, daring him to question the chief’s orders so soon after his arrival.
“Well. If the chief says it, it must be so,” he finally said, all the while never letting the sly grin leave his face.
“Of course you probably see that as a challenge.”
“You wound me, madam. We’ve only just met and already you think you’ve got me figured out?”
“I can tell you’re going to be trouble, Doctor.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he replied charmingly.
“I’ve got your number.”
“I bet you do.”
She feigned indifference. “Just don’t do anything stupid. Okay?” she asked.
“No promises.”
They stopped at a room with the doctor’s name emblazoned on a small placard above the locking mechanism to the right of the door. Taking the key card with Doctor Silver’s information on it, she swiped it once through the card reader next to the door’s edge. The light flashed from red to green before the doors slid open with a hiss, parting in the middle.
Ms. Lord handed the key card to Silver as they walked into the furnished apartment suite. “This is yours,” she said as she handed off the card.
“Thank you.” He took the card, allowing his fingers to brush lightly against her skin in the process.
“Don’t lose it,” she said seriously. “You are accessed to a level three security clearance. This card will allow you to any of those locations, but nothing above your clearance.”
“Thanks.”
“Any questions, Doctor Silver?”
He said nothing as he looked around the quarters.
“Doctor?” she prompted.
He did not answer and she knew why. He stared out into space through the transparent windows at the far end of his suite. The planet Earth hung outside the large quarters, seemingly just out of reach.
“This view is incredible,” he said.
“Yes. It certainly is,” she agreed, feeling for the first time since they met that he wasn’t trying to sweet talk her. Somehow, though, she suspected it was only a temporary lull and he would start back up his flirtations soon enough.
The apartment had everything. Living area, kitchen, sleeping room, bathroom, office, and entertaining area. Although sparsely furnished with the basics, bed, couch, table, desk, and chair, the place had potential. The decorating was entirely up to his taste and bank account. With his bank account being what it was, sparse would have to do for the time being.
“Are all quarters like this?” he asked.
Kendra grinned. “No, sir. You got one of the small ones.”
For once in his life, James Silver was rendered mute.
His escort eyed him, surprised at his reaction. “Speechless? I’ll have to mark this day on my calendar.”
He grunted a response.
“Anything else, Doctor?”
“Wow about covers it,” Dr. Silver admitted between whistles. “I would love to buy you dinner sometime, if you’re free.”
She shrugged. “I’ll think about it.”
Now who’s flirting?
“Well, I must be going,” Ke
ndra said as she opened the door. “If you need anything, just call the Operations Center. Comm panels are located in every room.” She turned to leave, but stopped. She looked back and with a wink added, “We try to give our staff every luxury.”
“Every luxury?” he asked playfully.
“Your happiness is my...” she caught herself and quickly amended her words. “...our business,” she concluded.
As she stepped out of the door and into the corridor, she offered one last bit of information. “Just call me if you need anything, Doctor.”
And then she was gone, leaving Dr. James Silver alone with his thoughts.
“Oh yes,” he said to the empty room.
“I am definitely going to like it here.”
8
Alliance Starship Ulysis
“This is quite a ship, Bill.”
“Thanks, Admiral. We’re pretty proud of her.”
Admiral James McKeen cordially accepted the seat offered to him by his colleague, Captain Bill Andrews, who walked around the large oak desk to sit on the other side. Andrews interlaced his fingers in front of himself, letting them rest on the desk before giving the admiral his undivided attention. Finally settled, he listened intently to his friend’s tale.
From the moment he stepped into the luxurious office, the admiral began taking mental note of his surroundings. His friend was quite the packrat. This he knew from long years of friendship. He had also noted the younger man’s almost preternatural need to have a memento from every adventure, every colony he had visited back in the early days when they were in the marshal’s office together.
Since then his collection had grown exponentially.
In the center of the room sat a large glass table surrounded by six plush, comfortable looking chairs. Large, thick windows filled one entire wall of the room with a beautiful view of space, the stars streaking past as the ship hurtled into the unknown. Since they were nowhere near the outer hull he knew the view of space was part of a projection screen that gave the illusion of a window. Such screens had become common on ships over the past few years. It helped minimize the claustrophobic feel of being cooped up inside a giant box for extended periods of time.
A large display case adorned the far wall across from the captain’s desk. Memorabilia decorated the case, which was nearly filled to capacity, several treasures behind a door of transparent durillium. In the event of evasive maneuvers or a pitched battle, the baubles of the captain’s past would remain secure.
“That must have set you back a pretty penny,” McKeen said, pointing to the display case.
“One of the advantages of not having to keep a home on planet,” he said, obviously very proud of his collection. “And worth every nickel, sir.” Inside were several treasures. More of the captain’s trophies, including his medals for valor and courage under fire. He also had the hook of the former leader of a Scavenger band, the Auroras. That little gem had been procured at a very large cost, but the downfall of the Aurora’s saved millions of lives, not the least of which were the colonists living on Aptiva 3.
Also in the case was a fragment from the soul cube, a crystal shard of indescribable power that had been the catalyst that ignited the Artificial Life Form uprising on Ganymede in 2180. Both McKeen and Andrews were working for the marshal’s Office at the time. They were part of the team sent in to quell the uprising.
Several other nick knacks and little treasures the admiral did not recognize filled out the remaining space. Each one probably collected from Bill Andrews’ various missions as captain of the Ulysis.
“Won’t be long and you’re going to need a new case, Bill.”
Andrews grinned. “I know it’s silly, but each of these items tells a story and most of them are unique. I like having them around. They make great conversation starters too.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Did you know I used to collect a soil sample from every planet we visited?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yeah. Back in my apartment on Mars I’ve got a shelf with these small vials of sand from all across the galaxy. Granted, my collection is much smaller than yours.”
“What can I say, sir. I like to do things big.”
“You’ve succeeded.”
Off to the left of the room was an open door. McKeen noticed a neatly made bed and refresher station inside a small room. Presumably for those all-nighters a starship captain was often required to pull. Another part of the job the admiral was all too familiar with.
“So what brings you all the way out here, James?”
Direct and to the point, he noted. Same ol’ Bill. The man would never change and the admiral liked that about him. There were few constants in the universe. Bill Andrews was one of them.
“Scavengers.” So simple an answer.
The captain straightened, drawing in a deep breath. This was a touchy subject for both of them. They had each lost much at the hands of scavengers.
“The raids have been stepped up and they are starting to hit close to home,” McKeen gestured. “Too close for our comfort,” he added for emphasis, using his hands to demonstrate. “We’ve intercepted some chatter that has the brass back home a little worked up. If the intel is accurate, we’ve identified a high profile target.”
“How close is too close?” asked the captain.
“Earth.”
The look on Andrews’ face told him that he had the captain’s attention.
“Earth?”
“Intelligence suggests that an attack on the planet is imminent.”
“But why? What could they hope to accomplish by going after Earth? Aside from the historical significance, there’s not a lot to be gained from an attack. I mean, come on, there are more people living on this ship than on Earth,” Andrews said.
“I know” McKeen said. “But our intel is solid.”
“This doesn’t make any sense.”
“You’ll get no argument there.”
Andrews drummed his fingers on the desk. “Well, they can’t be after supplies. There’s so few people on the planet that there’s no need to keep a fully stocked supply container.”
“We believe their goal is to retake the planet,” McKeen said plainly, as if talking about the conquest of a planet was an everyday occurrence.
Andrews couldn’t hide his surprise.
“You’re kidding!”
“No. Think about it, Bill. Just imagine if they were successful. For all intents and purposes, we would have a hostile nation firmly entrenched within Alliance space. Think about it, Earth is only a stone’s throw, relatively speaking, from several colony worlds, not to mention the shipyards, Space lab, and the hub of the Alliance’s communication network.”
“It would certainly change things back home,” Andrews added. Even though he had never once set foot on the planet where his ancestors had been born, like most humans, Andrews still thought of Earth as home. The thought of something happening to the planet was unsettling.
“Whatever they’re up to, we can’t allow it to happen,” McKeen said.
“Of course,” Andrews said. “You paint a rather disturbing picture, sir.”
“I know, Bill. It’s fallen to me to spearhead the investigation our intelligence gathering kick-started. It’s up to me to make sure whatever plot they’re hatching is stopped.”
“But…”
“As much as I hate the idea of a terrorist raid on Earth, I have to wonder if maybe opening the damned planet back up to settlers wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
“It would certainly solve some problems out here on the rim,” Andrews said.
“And undoubtedly create a whole mess of new ones.”
“Of that I have little doubt, but the fact of the matter is, Admiral, we’re running out of room out here. Our scouting missions have not turned up any new habitable systems in months and terraforming takes too long. We’ve got more people than space to put them.”
McKeen was not a man prone to exaggeration. As incr
edible as his information sounded, Andrews believed every word. If the admiral believed that the Scavengers were ready to make a play for the Holy Grail that was Earth, then he believed it. The bond between these brothers in arms was strong, forged in fire and tempered in war. These two men had bled together, laughed together, and cried together. They had looked headlong into the fiery pits of hell and laughed at the lord of that domain. Captain Andrews would willingly follow his friend to the ends of the Earth and back again as he had in the past.
“How will they do it?” he asked, knowing that the admiral was probably not at liberty to say, if he even knew.
McKeen looked his friend straight in the eye. His expression told Andrews the answer before he even spoke. “I haven’t a clue,” McKeen said, looking for something in the captain’s gaze, but apparently not finding it. “That’s part of the reason I’m here. You were always a good sounding board. I could use one of those brilliant ideas you seem to pull out of your ass to save the day.”
“Thanks,” Andrews said, smirking. “I think.”
“Trust me, I meant it as a compliment.”
“I’m sure, sir. Tell me what you know.”
McKeen leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “For the past few years there has been a small political faction calling for a free Earth. They believe that we should all have the right to go to the land of our forefather’s place of birth. No one has really paid too much attention to them or their claims.”
“Until now, I guess.”
The admiral got to his feet and began pacing next to the virtual window, taking in the view of the digital stars. “They call themselves The Earth Liberation League, if you can believe that. They feel that Earth is for everyone. Their mandate is to make the planet a free port, if you will, for any and everyone. No matter what the cost.”
“It is a nice sentiment,” Andrews said.
McKeen nodded toward the window, watching his distorted reflection mimic the action. He was intimately aware that it had long been a dream of Bill Andrews to visit his ancestor’s place of birth. To see and touch where they lived, where they loved, where they died.
“I imagine their views have become quite popular with many folks on the outer fringes,” Andrews added. “I’ve heard whispers of this group, but not much more. I wasn’t aware they had started gaining traction back home.”