by T J Bryan
As they pulled away from both the habitat and R76 Farn remained silent but calm. She was looking out the window to the void. The black hole of Obsidian would pass by every minute or so. Abel heard Farn through the suit comm say quietly to herself, "A man devoid of hope and conscious of being so, has ceased to belong to the future." Farn was turned away from Abel and he could not see her face, but in her voice he heard the steel that would make the navy survive in the peril of the void.
As they drifted further and further, and their air supply diminished, Abel found himself calm in the presence of Farn. They both now sat on the deck of the spinning pod and began slow breathing exercises and the meditation exercises that would prolong their air supply by reducing their metabolic need. Then Abel felt the pod lurch. He stood. Ragnarök stood only ten meters from the pod and already a grapple had attached itself to the pod and they were being drawn into the cargo hold. Abel felt neither relief nor happiness at being saved. Instead he now understood in a most profound way that the Obsidian Commonwealth Navy would survive well beyond his own death or the death of others. Farn was the future. And the future of the OCN was Farn.
Soon Ragnarök docked with R76 and Helen met them at the main hatch. Abel had never seen Helen so concerned, but he set about assuring her that all was well. Helen said that the trainee crew at the comms had seen the plasma fire and the pod break away, and had notified Ragnarök, which was making a morning 'milk run' to the supply ship. A short diversion later under the able piloting of Lennie Karrlson and they were captured and delivered to R76. All in a days work thought Abel knowing that Helen undoubtedly thought otherwise.
Helen led Abel up the ladder, through the super cargo area, and onto the bridge. The bridge was crowded with faces Abel recognized and others he didn't. I need to spend more time working on faces he thought. A lot more time. Soon they entered the mess which was just then emptying from lunch. Abel went to the food station and ordered up a ham sandwich and a near-beer. Helen simply sat and waited for Abel to sit.
"Some entry," commented Helen.
"We aim to please," Abel responded. "How long to get the highline repaired?"
"An hour or so. Not much longer. We should probably load a few of the Singleton Race runabouts in the hold. Just to move between ships rather than moving the whole ship and docking." Helen commented and then asked, "Why the sudden visit Admiral?"
"I needed a break," Abel responded. "I needed some ship time. I'm afraid that sometimes in the Habitat with all the politics and chaos I loose touch with why we are here. I have objectified our mission to the point that I have lost my inspiration, my passion for our work. I needed to breathe ship air and to watch a navy crew about their assignments."
Helen responded, "Abel sometimes I wonder about you. But I'm glad you came. The crew will appreciate this visit."
With the mess empty Helen and Abel discussed several details of the training schedule before Abel spoke of the Marine armour and the injury to Nieve Vilulf. Helen explained her directive that all crew know every bit of the ship and that any injury to Nieve was Helen's and Helen's fault alone. Abel was not interested in fault, rather he was interested in the Marine armour.
"Who on this ship might be able to take a look at that armour? Any electro-mechanical or cybernetics folks on our crew?"
Helen thought a moment. "Yes, if I remember Wain Peters was trained as a cybernetics apprentice before he joined the crew. So was his girlfriend Jerry Renner. They made up a team in setting up the CTS at the gymnasium. Remember?"
"Yes, I remember. They mastered the CTS systems in their 'test' shifts and overcame any physical obstacles that would have disqualified them if they had applied given our now poor selection criteria."
Helen took a moment to think, "They are now both fully qualified. Renner as a pilot and Wain as a pilot and defence specialist. After a moment Helen continued, "It's funny about Wain. He is so unlike his father. You would think they were totally unrelated. Kind of the opposite of Piet. Wain is cheerful, trusting, even funny where Piet is ..." Helen trailed off not wanting to continue her description of Piet.
"How about the loss of his legs? Any resentment there?"
"I don't see how he is free of regret. He certainly knows his legs could have been saved. But he seems to have accepted his fate. And now he and Renner are very close. They are bunking together. Yes, yes. I know that traditional navies disapprove of such, but as you said Abel, we are free to establish our own traditions, and love and commitment are about to become one in the OCN."
"It's your ship Captain Rebbah. So it's your rules. But can we forbid all this saluting? At least while on the ship. You can't fly a ship if every time I enter the pilot stands and salutes. I don't care if they want to salute on shore, but on duty it's a distraction."
"Consider it a new tradition," Helen said.
Abel continued, "Now, can we have Wain and Jerry look at those Marine armoured suits. I hope we never need such a thing, but since the destruction of that ship at the portal I am having very different thoughts about our offensive and defensive capabilities. And that extends to a few crew so heavily armoured that they can repel boarders or ensure peace if all hell breaks loose on the surface of Girots.
Helen replied, "Now that they are fully certified as crew I can ask that in their off-duty time they look at the suits rather than just spend all of their time looking at one another." Helen smiled.
"Oh," Helen added. "The crew has decided on a name for the R76."
"And?"
"R76 is to be called after the mythic land of half our founders. Unsinkable and stone cold determined. She is now called 'Iceland.'
Abel thought a moment. "A fine name Helen. A fine name is Iceland."
Chapter Twenty Nine
Jamon System - The 1044 Mess - Year 3245. September 30 ET: 12:22
Abel had taken to holding daily staff meetings on the training frigate 1044. Silvi attended only two days a week as the Ragnarök ran either milk runs or ventured far into the Jamon system training her crew. The Iceland herself would depart every four days for a three day training mission. A replacement had been found for Emmitt and Emmitt attended the meetings with Abel even when Helen and Silvi were away. Emmitt had proven a capable administrator and Abel had put Emmitt in charge of the training program. The tiny handful of qualified crew soon blossomed into a full complement for Ragnarök, Iceland, and 1044. Abel was beginning to think of commissioning the other armed freighter the R71. A backup freighter had been thought of as a luxury only months ago, but Emmitt promised to make it a reality by the time Ragnarök sailed for Girots.
At today's meeting Abel met with Emmitt, and Helen since the Iceland was in port. They had no personnel matters on the agenda and most of the discussion was on very minor issues, so Abel let the crew eat while they discussed non-critical navy matters.
Abel found comfort in the enthusiasm of the training crews that surrounded him on the 1044, and he worked hard to remember their names and different aspects of their lives; their hobbies, siblings, their interests. If these crews were to venture into The Dark the least Abel could do was increase their confidence and to support their efforts. Abel was surprised to discover that many of the crew were related. Brothers and sisters were surprisingly common. Perhaps 20% of qualified crew were from the same families. In one case there was a father who had qualified as volunteer in the gymnasium and his granddaughter who had been recruited under the old now discarded system. Abel found the father granddaughter combination comforting but told Emmitt to ensure that they served on different ships. Bad things happened in The Dark.
Abel was finishing his lunch as was the rest of the crew. The mess was full and for a break the vid-screen was tuned to the mid-morning news. Stephen Klein began the broadcast late which was not unusual and he began by announcing that Piet Peters would be making a brief statement in his official capacity as Auditor and Fiscal Controller of the Commonwealth. This announcement caught Abel by surprise. What can Piet be up to now he w
ondered. Stephen began with the usual bulletins and as had become the practice in the last month he read the names of those qualified to serve in the OCN. Today there were six new names, two pilots, two ES officers, one defence officer, and a MS officer. In another bulletin he congratulated the Ragnarök on completing her 50th training voyage since her recommissioning.
Abel was glad to see the OCN receiving favourable recognition, but his worry was that these announcements would only add to the growing cries for the Ragnarök to leave now with no further delay, even if she was unready.
Other bulletins followed, there had been a minor vac leak on the Telford Wall that was quickly caught by EmVac, the sewerage system had experienced a brief leak in District 2 but had been repaired, and that Taylor Godfrid had passed both his written and practical tests for the Emergency Medical Service and had been provisionally admitted to the service.
"And now we shall hear from Piet Peters of the Auditing and Fiscal Control Bureau of the Commonwealth. Mr. Peter's has requested that he read his statement uninterrupted and that he will take no questions today. Piet."
Piet sat opposite Stephen and the camera panned to a full view of Peters. The camera angle was poorly aligned and Piet was limited to the lower left corner of the vid-screen frame. It appeared that whoever had set up the camera was paying little attention.
Piet held in his hands a few sheets of paper. Abel assumed it was his pronouncement. Having heard nothing from the Chairman about any official announcement Abel was certain that once again Piet was acting on his own, but this time under the official cover of his office.
Piet began in his reedy thin voice, "My fellow citizens. Today we face a crisis in the Commonwealth. The spectre of starvation faces our entire community as those who could alleviate this suffering refuse to take action. I speak here of our navy. While I am proud of the accomplishments of our navy in such a short time, I attribute these accomplishment to the dedicated men and women who work our ships, and not to the sluggish and incompetent leadership that has created delay after delay."
Piet paused a moment, Abel assumed, to let the gravity of his statement sink in.
The camera jiggled a bit as if someone were trying to correct the framing, but the effort was half hearted and only made the framing worse.
Piet continued, "Since our navy refuses to bring us relief in a timely manner we must take drastic internal measures to ensure that the Commonwealth survives. Therefore today I am instituting a new rationing regimen that, given the complete failure of our navy to secure foodstuff, is necessary."
Abel thought it odd that Piet could dictate a new rationing system, when the Assembly had not met to approve any changes. He wondered if Piet was out on his own, or was this simply another attempt to criticize the navy?
"Today we shall divide the population of the Commonwealth into two groups. The first group is those who are productive such as our government officers, managers, and public servants. The second group is those who, often by no fault of their own, or by unemployment, or who work in non-critical functions, are not productive in meeting our critical needs. Those in the productive category are to have their rations increased from 2,000 calories a day to 3,500. This increase in food consumption will provide our most productive citizens the energy and stamina to work diligently to carry us through this crisis. Our elected officials and the heads of our many departments need the vigor and energy to get us through this horrible and unnecessary crisis. Unfortunately in order for our Commonwealth to survive we must have strong vigorous leadership, and in order for our leaders to perform to their utmost we must all make sacrifices. To that end those of the population who are unproductive will have their rations reduced to 1,500 calories a day. As a humanitarian gesture children under the age of 12 will receive an additional 200 calories."
"I know that these are drastic measures, but given our Navy's refusal to act and provide succour to our people, we have no choice. Our leadership must remain strong and active if we are to survive this crisis."
"Thank you very much for your time." Piet stood and disappeared from the vid-screen frame.
Abel reached immediately for his vid-com and pinged the Chairman. The vid-com replied that the Chairman was unavailable. Abel activated the emergency override that would interrupt the Chairman with his urgent call. Abel waited there was no response. In frustration Abel pinged the first executive committee member on his auto-dialer and a similar message appeared - the member was unavailable. Abel continued down the list but he could not get through to anyone who might know about Peters' pronouncement.
Abel sat for a few moments unable to fathom what Piet was up to, except that his actions were clearly intended to embarrass the navy and to apply the maximum pressure possible to force them to leave for Girots.
A few moments later Abel's vid-com chimed. It was the Emergency Service line. Looking at the screen he saw Captain Winton with a worried look upon his face. Before Winton could speak Abel said, "Yes Terry. I don't know who, if anyone, authorized this crazy stunt, but it won't stand."
Winton spoke before Abel could continue, "It's far worse than that Abel, we have a full blown food riot at Food Distribution Center One. I have dispatched every officer I have and some EmVac folks as well, but it is out of control A mob, a very large mob has looted distribution center and have set it ablaze. I need some help here Abel. I cannot control this with the men I have. Can some of your navy types help?" Abel saw Terry turn as someone addressed him from out of view. "Shit!" Terry said "Distribution center two is now under attack. Able I need help."
Abel asked, "Where is the Chairman or the Executive Committee. Why have they not intervened and overridden Piet."
"I don't know where they are, but we must do something and fast or the Commonwealth is dead."
Abel looked about at the crew in the mess. They had clearly overheard Winton's call for help.
Abel stood, "Helen, how many crew do you have on Iceland?"
Helen responded, "56, all at various levels of training, but none trained to deal with a riot."
"We have 11 here on the 1044 and Helen you have 56. Where is Ragnarök?"
A young pilot who Abel only knew as Vidar responded. "She is out beyond Dios, that's two days out. Shall we call her back?"
"Yes contact her immediately. Have her return to the Habitat and inform her of our current status."
Vidar stood "Yes sir," he responded without saluting and headed for the command comm.
"Helen get your crew onto the dock. Emmitt get this crew to join them. We need to act fast."
Helen asked, "Will we need weapons? I know the marine barracks have some plasma rifles."
Abel thought a moment before responding, "No, Helen. Our folks have no training in weapons and with plasma rifles they are certain to do more harm than good. Hopefully our sheer force of numbers deployed in a disciplined fashion can bring this idiocy to an end." Abel wanted to curse Piet Peters for inflaming the citizens into this stupid action, but he held this thought to himself. Time to deal with Peters later he thought. First we must quell the riot and restore confidence in the food delivery program. Without confidence if our government we are nothing less than sheep among wolves.
Soon Helen and Emmitt had the full complement of 67 crew and trainees lined up on the Habitat deck. Abel saw that they were a varied crew and although they wanted to look military, the ragged lines and lack of bearing made it clear that they had a lot to learn.
Abel stood and addressed the crews. "Crews of the Obsidian Commonwealth Navy. Dangerous criminals have attacked your families, your brothers and sisters, and our free institutions. At this moment criminals and thieves are stealing the food from the mouths of children, the old, and the infirm. It is up to us the OCN to stop this madness and bring those who seek to destroy the Commonwealth to justice."
Abel paused a moment concerned that perhaps he was engaging in a bit of hyperbole, but then again madness was reigning within the Habitat and it had to be stopped.
/> He stood as tall as his five foot two frame allowed. "You will face madness in restoring order. You will face violence. You may well face old friends and acquaintances who have fallen under the influence of greedy power hungry politicians. To our friends and neighbours, as you find them, exercise love, kindness, and restraint. But if they persist and they threaten the lives of our citizens in their cowardly acts, then use all the force needed to bring about peace."
"Now I want you to divide up into ten man squads. Pilots you are to assume leadership of the squads. For those squads without a pilot leader, your defence officer will assume the role of lead." Abel saw Farn Mayer organizing one squad that seemed particularly confused and disorganized.
Abel watched as the crews tried to sort themselves out into squads. It was all chaos and confusion with Helen and Emmitt pushing and shoving crewmembers in various directions until six squads had formed. Some of nine and others of 12. Rather than try to sort them out further Abel ordered them to follow him as he set out to Food Distribution Station Three. Distribution center three had yet to come under attack and Able thought it best to secure the still stocked center and then proceed to center two which had only recently come under attack. As they passed the old berthing station of the now long gone Quark Abel saw that the cradle was half was dismantled and iron and steel pipes and flashing littered the deck. He paused a moment and lifted a heavy steel pipe.
Abel shouted, "I want every other crew member to find a bit of pipe or steel among this mess. I don't want you to hit anyone with this pipe, however I want you to brandish the steel with every threatening face and motion you have. Take even the big pieces than would be of no use in a real fight. Intimidate. You need to scare the rioters into fleeing the scene. Our purpose is to restore order not to bash heads unless forced to. So grab a bit of iron so that the mob will listen to our OCN persuasion." Several crew reached for and raised above their heads six foot weld cut stanchions that must have been too heavy to use as weapons, yet the very appearance of the iron bars was intimidating. Exactly what Abel wanted. Abel looked about at the confused crews. "Farn," Abel shouted. "Farn Mayer you and your crew are with me." Abel remembered that Farn had been a police cadet and right now he needed someone with a hint of police methodology on this race into anarchy.
