Delphi Federation (Delphi in Space Book 6)

by Bob Blanton

“Everything’s been planned out,” Catie said. “Someone local could do a better job.”

  “Fred, what do you think?” Marc asked.

  “I’m already checking in on them,” Fred said. “It won’t be too much trouble to go ahead and handle coordination and reporting.”

  “Then it’s yours,” Marc said.

  “Now, how are things going on your mission, Captain?” Marc asked.

  “Everyone is settling in. We’re still over ten days out, so we’re just doing some training and review for now,” Catie said.

  “Okay, keep us posted,” Marc said.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “Sir, the Russian’s have made their third complaint to the U.N. about the treatment of prisoners in Ukraine,” said Janet Palmero, the U.S. Secretary of State.

  “What do I care,” the president replied. “Let Novak deal with it.”

  “But if we don’t deal with it, they may escalate before your term ends.”

  “They wouldn’t dare.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! HULL BREACH! PULL UP YOUR EMERGENCY HEADGEAR! EMERGENCY!” the ship’s address system blared, dragging Catie out of a sound sleep. She immediately pulled the hood of her shipsuit up and allowed it to seal into a pressurized bubble. That accomplished, she moved to her locker and extracted her helmet, squeezing it on over the bubble and allowing it to seal to her shipsuit. Then she pulled out the vest of her exosuit and put it on. It contained the oxygen canister and the CO2 scrubbers that would allow her to breathe until the emergency ended.

  She slipped on her pants and shipboots and then made her way to the bridge, where she found Lieutenant Payne sitting in the captain’s chair. It was 0300, three hours before she was to take the bridge for the first watch.

  “Situation?” she demanded.

  “Just a drill, Ma’am.”

  “Of course it is. What is the response time?”

  “Engineering reported ready within ten seconds. All other stations reported ready within thirty seconds. We’re now collecting the statistics on the off-duty crew and our civilians.”

  This was the seventh drill in as many days; fortunately, it was only the second night drill. Catie was appalled at the thought of how many days she’d led space missions without conducting any drills.

  Three minutes later, the klaxon stopped, and the PA announced, “THIS HAS BEEN A DRILL! PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR CABINS AND DUTY STATIONS. THIS HAS BEEN A DRILL!”

  “Did we lose anybody?” Catie asked.

  “Nope, one hundred percent got the emergency bubble of their shipsuit up in time, and they all managed to get their helmet on without assistance,” Lieutenant Payne said. “Sorry to disturb your sleep.”

  “It’s okay, I’m on duty in three hours. I’ll get a workout in and relieve you early.”

  “That’s not necessary,” Lieutenant Payne said.

  “I know, but I’m not going to get back to sleep now. Besides, maybe you’ll get into a nice sound sleep before the next drill,” Catie said. She waved off his protest as she left the bridge.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “Ma’am, Mr. Gaines is here to see you,” Petty Officer Dubois announced to Catie.

  “Show him in,” Catie said as she closed the file she was working on.

  “Hello, Captain,” Jimmy said. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

  “Not a problem,” Catie said.

  “We miners are feeling kind of antsy with all this waiting, and that got me to thinking. If we set up one of them Lynxes with some equipment, we could jet out ahead and start mining that asteroid while you guys are still coming up. We could probably get there four or five days before you,” Jimmy said. “I don’t know how big a hurry you’re in to get those platinum metals, but just saying.”

  “That is an excellent idea,” Catie said. “ADI?”

  “The Lynx would arrive 4.2 days before the Sakira,” ADI responded.

  “You have guys willing to live on the Lynx for six days?” Catie asked.

  “We sure are. Them boys are chompin’ at the bit to get off this here ship and do some work.”

  “I’ll talk with Lieutenant Payne, and he’ll set things up for you.”

  “Should I have gone to him first?” Jimmy asked.

  “No, this was completely appropriate to bring to my attention. I’m a bit embarrassed that I didn’t think of it myself,” Catie said.

  “Well, you’re pretty busy being the captain and all that. I’ve been sitting around being bored all day.”

  “Thank you, Jimmy. I’m sure everyone is going to be excited to be able to replenish the stock a few days early. In fact, we’ll send two Lynxes; one can go and find a methane asteroid and an iron one. That way, we can start construction as soon as we arrive. Thanks again.”

  “Not a problem,” Jimmy said as he got up to leave.

  “Petty Officer Dubois, please let the first mate know I’d like to see him when he’s free,” Catie said. “Also, ask Delphi Station to send our first resupply Oryx out four days early.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Catie was just getting used to having an administrative assistant. At first, she thought she could send the messages and such just as fast as she could ask her admin to do it. It took a while for her to realize that by asking her admin, she eliminated all the checking and clarification that some things required. And the more she asked her admin to cover, the more she knew how Catie would handle different situations.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  Catie was sitting in her chair on the bridge as the Sakira finally settled in to orbit around the asteroid. They had already circled it three times as they spiraled into the final orbit that would give one-G of gravity for the occupants of the Sakira. It had taken one day to complete the spirals, but now they were ready to set up an automated orbit.

  “Mister Chang, how’s our orbit shaping up?” Catie asked.

  “I’m making the final adjustment now,” Mister Chang replied.

  “Debris?”

  “Mostly dust,” Second Mate Sutherland said from the sensor station. “We had to use a plasma cannon on a couple of rocks; otherwise, the only things out here are the four asteroids.”

  “Four?”

  “Yes, it looks like they brought in an ice one as well as the iron and methane ones.”

  “That was nice of them,” Catie said. “It will be easier than separating the water from the methane asteroid.”

  “It looks like Jimmy and his boys have been busy,” Lieutenant Payne said, indicating the stockpile of material that was floating next to the asteroid.

  “You know there are a couple of female miners on this mission,” Third Mate Dèng said.

  “I know that too, but they aren’t on that Lynx,” Lieutenant Payne said.

  “I don’t blame them,” Catie said. “Men are such pigs.” Catie gave Third Mate Dèng a smile as the third mate tried to suppress her giggle.

  “I’ve never heard that,” Lieutenant Payne deadpanned.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “Alright, people, let’s get this equipment out of here,” Nolan Bishop yelled. He was in the crowded cargo bay of the Sakira. It had to be emptied out through Flight Bay One, so the pilots had flown all the spaceplanes out of the bay and had them parked next to the asteroid.

  Catie walked up beside Nolan, “How’s it going?” she asked.

  “You know this would be a lot easier if we didn’t have any gravity,” Nolan said.

  “I know, but then you’d have to clean up all the vomit from the kids and greenies,” Catie said. “Besides, you have powered pallet jacks.”

  “I know, Captain. Just saying it would be easier. But we’ll have that smelter up and running by tomorrow.”

  “Good. Jimmy has a lot of material stockpiled for you. And you’re going to need to get the material for the plasma guns if you want to print a few more of them.”

  “We definitely want to do that,” Nolan said. “If we get eight more printed, we’ll be able to start the r
ing while we’re still extruding the hub. Then when the hub is done, we can whip out those spokes quick like.”

  “I knew you were the right man for this job.”

  “Thanks, Captain. You just remember that case of scotch you promised me if I got it built in six weeks.”

  “You get it built in six weeks, and I’ll have your scotch in your cabin before the end of the day,” Catie said. “Plus, bonuses for the crew.”

  “We aim on collecting those bonuses!” Nolan said. . . . “Now move it to the left and don’t hit the separator coil!” he yelled.

  Nolan had his crew stage all the equipment and material he was going to need in the flight bay while it was still pressurized. It was just easier to work in pressure than in exosuits. Once everything was staged, he had the bay depressurized, and the doors opened.

  “Now, remember, once you’re out of the ship, you’ll keep going straight while the ship curves around that asteroid. Then you wait five minutes, so the ship is well clear of you before you engage your thrusters,” Nolan instructed everyone. “And don’t go telling me you’ve worked in microgravity before. I know you have; I selected every one of you. But being told twice is a lot less trouble than making a mistake.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “Let’s stop in here,” Catie told Morgan.

  “Are you sure, Captain? That’s the bar all the miners and construction crews like to use. There’s a much nicer bar up one deck,” Morgan said.

  “I know, but I’ve never been to this one. I should be familiar with all the facilities on my ship.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Catie and Morgan made their way into the bar; the noise level dropped precipitously as soon as the various patrons recognized Catie. Once she was settled at a corner table and mostly out of sight, the noise level climbed back to its previous raucous level.

  “What will you have, Captain?” the waiter asked. It had taken her two minutes to finally make it to Catie’s table.

  “What kind of beer do you have?” Catie asked.

  “We’ve got a nice stout we brought with us,” the waiter said. “We’re brewing some, but it won’t be ready to drink for another two weeks.”

  “I’ll have the stout,” Catie said.

  “Captain, are you allowed to drink beer?” Morgan asked.

  “ADI, am I allowed to drink beer?” Catie inquired.

  “Yes, Captain, you’re allowed one beer or one glass of wine per day,” ADI replied over both Catie’s and Morgan’s Comms.

  “Okay, I’ll have one also,” Morgan said.

  “Are you allowed?” Catie asked.

  “My backup just showed up,” Morgan said. “So, I’m officially off duty.”

  Catie waved to her new bodyguard for the day. “When did you call her?”

  “As soon as you said we were coming into this bar,” Morgan said.

  “Here you go,” the waiter said. She had made it back with their beers in less than a minute.

  “That was fast,” Morgan said.

  “Well, I heard that the captain was a big tipper,” the waiter said with a smile.

  “She is? Well, I’ve never noticed,” Morgan said.

  “Oh, sure you have,” Catie said. “I’m always giving you tips when we work out.”

  Morgan spewed her beer as she tried to stifle a laugh. “I guess I do get plenty of tips.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  About thirty minutes after they got their drinks, a group of construction workers came in. Catie recognized one of the security team with them, obviously off duty. It wasn’t but another ten minutes before an argument broke out between them and a group of miners. They were all yelling at each other, with a lot of pushing and shoving mixed in.

  Then one of the miners grabbed the security woman by the butt. That was a big mistake. She hauled off and slugged him in the jaw and then kicked him between the legs. But apparently, she was still mad, so she started whaling on the miner standing beside him. Pretty soon, everyone was joining in the fight.

  Morgan motioned Catie’s bodyguard to move over close to her charge. Then she walked over to the fight and started pulling people apart. If someone didn’t back off when she yanked them apart, Morgan slapped a stun patch on them and moved on. Finally, she got to the security woman who was making it a point to take on every miner in the joint. Morgan grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her away from the miner she was pounding on. The woman turned to Morgan, Morgan said something, and then the woman slugged Morgan. Morgan gave her a head butt, and then slapped a stun patch on her. About that time, a few constables showed up to take the miscreants to the brig.

  Morgan walked back to the table and downed her drink before sitting down and ordering another one.

  “I can’t believe you let that woman hit you,” Catie said. “You’re usually more aware than that.”

  “I can’t believe she hit me,” Morgan said. “She’s my girlfriend. I guess she was really pissed.”

  “I’d guess so. Is she going to be mad at you tomorrow?”

  “If she is, I’ll put another stun patch on her,” Morgan said with a laugh. “Damn, I’m going to have a black eye.”

  “If you put a med patch on it right away, it won’t be so bad,” Catie said.

  “But then I would have to quit drinking,” Morgan said as she accepted her drink from the waiter.

  “It’s important to have your priorities straight,” Catie said.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “Marc, we’ve been invited to one of the inauguration parties,” Samantha told Marc as she sat down next to him on the sofa in their condo.

  “We have?”

  “Sure, the one with all the dignitaries,” Samantha said. “President Novak wants to make it clear that the new administration will be taking a different tack with Delphi Nation.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. Do you want to go?” Marc asked.

  “As long as we don’t have to go to the inauguration.”

  “Call Kal,” Marc ordered his Comm.

  “Hello, Marc, what can I do for you?”

  “We’re thinking about going to Washington to attend one of the inauguration parties.”

  “You’re not serious?” Kal asked.

  “Pretty much,” Marc said. “Can you handle security?”

  “Well, other presidents and kings seem to be able to do so,” Kal said. “Let me check with the Secret Service to confirm things, and I’ll get back to you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Do you miss the days when you were just a college professor?” Samantha asked.

  “Yes, I definitely do,” Marc said. “I’m seriously considering having Dr. Metra change my appearance like Catie did. Then we could take a real vacation.”

  “Let’s do it,” Samantha said. “I could change my looks, and we could do a world tour. That would be so much fun.”

  “When?”

  “Paris in the springtime,” Samantha sang.

  “So, in May?”

  “I’ll get with Dr. Metra and figure out my new look,” Samantha said. “Do you have any requests?”

  “No,” Marc said, shaking his head and looking as innocent as he could.

  “Chicken!”

  “Bawk, Bawk,” Marc clucked. “But I will tell Kal about it, the next time we’re on Delphi Station and he’s down here.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  Marc and Samantha boarded the Lynx at Delphi City; they then flew directly to College Park Regional Airport in Maryland, just ten miles from where the inaugural ball was being held. They arrived at seven p.m. and made the thirty-minute drive in armored limousines that Kal had shipped the day before.

  “Don’t you think a ten-person security detail is a bit much?” Marc asked.

  “No I don’t,” Kal replied. “Besides, you want to make an impression, don’t you?”

  “I’m not sure this is the impression I want to make.”

  “Well, you don’t really have a choice. You definitely don’t want to make an impre
ssion on the sidewalk after someone shoots you or knocks you down.”

  Marc sighed, “I concede the point.”

  The limousines formed up and exited the airport, with the limousine carrying Marc in the middle.

  “You know this vest is a bit uncomfortable,” Marc said.

  “Don’t complain. It will stop a bullet; you’ll probably have a few broken ribs, but Dr. Metra can fix those,” Kal said.

  “I like mine,” Samantha said, “It takes care of my foundation needs. Although I am a bit exposed.”

  “You’re the one who wanted to wear that off-the-shoulder cross whatever dress,” Kal said. “I wanted you to wear one with a higher neckline like Queen Elizabeth wears.”

  “I’m not ninety years old!” Samantha said. “And it’s a cross-bodice dress.”

  The limousines pulled up to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and were immediately met by a group of reporters and onlookers. Kal waited as the security detail in the other two limousines exited and set up a perimeter. Once they had control of the situation, he exited the front of the limo and walked back and opened the door.

  Marc exited first, wearing a black tuxedo with a white bowtie.

  Samantha stepped out wearing a shimmering blue sapphire gown, with sapphire and diamond earrings and necklace. Flashes erupted as the photographers all snapped pictures of her; there were far more flashes than there had been when Marc emerged from the limo.

  “Did I mention how beautiful you are?” Marc asked.

  “Yes, but it’s fine to keep mentioning it,” Samantha said.

  Kal’s team formed a wedge and forced their way through the crowd. Reporters were yelling questions, which Marc and Samantha ignored. Finally, they reached the safety of the lobby.

  Kal’s team checked in with the Secret Service, then took up positions around the lobby. They were not being allowed into the ball; however, Marc had managed to acquire an extra ticket for Kal.

  “Good, we’re in time to see President Novak do the first dance,” Samantha said as she pulled her fan out of her purse. “It’s a bit warm in here, and we haven’t even danced yet.”

  The fan was made of elegant silk that matched her dress. The spines were made of fine polysteel and were formidable spikes. It was a weapon, whether folded or not. Kal had spent a week teaching Samantha how to use it.