Freedom

by Maureen Toonkel

  The Captain was less pleased with some trivial reports from Dr. Tobias Carter. After dismissing Diane, Josh called the doctor to his office and openly shared his displeasure. Understandably, Dr. Carter vehemently defended his actions but eventually relented when he realized the Captain would not budge. Once the doctor had calmed down, Josh explained that the Gladiator resembled one big family who were all living under the same roof. They needed to respect each other and extend leeway for minor infractions of the rules; otherwise the Gladiator could become a very miserable place to reside. The reports on Amanda Rugan and Neil Chase were petty and unnecessary.

  “It is all right to remind crew members of policies and rules such as being timely, but filing disciplinary reports is going beyond normal protocol,” Josh told the doctor. “I know you are new aboard the Gladiator and not yet used to my system of command, so please just take this as a learning experience and not a reprimand. A small apology to the two officers in question would probably go a long way.” Josh hit the delete button, and the reports from Tobias disappeared off the computer screen. “By the way, I want to commend you on your fine work on Brisula.”

  Josh stuck out his hand. After some slight hesitation, Tobias unclenched his fist, and the two men shook hands. He invited Dr. Carter to stay and have a cup of coffee. Tobias accepted and the two spent some time getting to know each other better. Josh learned that like himself, Tobias had been a gifted athlete excelling in basketball, baseball, and track at Texas A&M. Yet,the former Aggie passed up the opportunity to join a professional sports team, choosing instead to pursue a medical career. Tobias confessed that one of the criticisms he often heard from his coaches was that he was too self-centered and not a very good team player. He admitted it was still something he needed to work on. Then he busied himself for the next few hours with completing more UGC reports, reading and responding to email, and reviewing and updating the daily log entries. He also spent time catching up on the latest news and tidbits by accessing The Celestial Bulletin, the interplanetary newscast published by the intelligence division of the Amalgamation of United Planets and Solar Systems.

  After Dr. Carter left, Josh sent electronic messages to Nurse Rugan and Seaman Chase informing them that Dr. Carter had decided to withdraw the reports he had filed and as a result, those reports had subsequently been discarded. Then he busied himself for the next few hours with more UGC reports, reviewing and updating the daily log entries, and catching up on the latest news and tidbits by accessing The Celestial Bulletin, the interplanetary newscast published by the intelligence division of the Amalgamation of United Planets and Solar Systems. Glancing at the time display on the monitor, Josh was surprised at how late it was. He had worked through breakfast and lunch, and now it was approaching the dinner hour. No wonder my stomach has been doing flip-flops, he thought. I suppose I really should get something to eat. And I am due for my next antibiotic shot which, as I was advised, works much better on a full stomach.

  The video intercom on the desk buzzed and Diane Pearson’s image came into focus.

  “Good evening, Lieutenant,” greeted Josh after depressing the talk button.

  “Same to you, sir,” replied Diane. “I am calling to notify you that the divers have just returned from Brisula. They are in the Conveyor Port awaiting your orders.”

  “Thank you, Diane. Please tell them to change into their uniforms and then report to my office.”

  “Oh, and Dr. Loring asked me to remind you that you are overdue for your antibiotic injection.”

  “Yes, Lieutenant, please inform the doctor that I have not forgotten and will be there shortly.”

  Twenty minutes later there was a knock on the Captain’s door.

  “Come in,” called out Josh.

  Lieutenant Robinson, Ensign Ahn and the other three divers entered the office.

  “Sir,” began Shalonna Robinson, “we have completed our assignment on Brisula. I will be preparing a report for your review.”

  “That is very good, but I would like a verbal report now,” requested Josh. “Did you recover the missing item?”

  “We searched the entire Headquarters facility including the main room, medical lab, computer center, cages, and living quarters. We also combed the elevator shafts. Unfortunately, we did not find a vial or container holding a pharmaceutical agent,” Shalonna told the Captain. “The rest of our assignment was more successful. The flooding had interrupted a lot of the electricity on Brisula. While Lieutenant Commander Pearson was repairing the system he discovered the switch that controls the electric fence in the Lake. The switch was hidden inside the Greenhouse elevator, labeled ‘For Emergency Use Only’. With the switch turned off, we were able to enter the Lake and recover Seaman Scott’s body.”

  “That is good news. Her parents will be glad to hear that Paula will shortly be on her way home,” said Josh. “What about the aquarium?” Josh had been curious as to how Wayne and Keith had managed to survive in the aquarium, hence he had asked the divers to investigate the fish tank.”

  “Oh, yes, sir, I will have Ensign Ahn present that information.”

  “It is a very large aquarium,” began Kyung Ahn.

  “Yes, I did see it,” interjected Josh.

  “Of course, sir,” said Ahn. “The aquarium was manufactured by Tanks Galore, which is actually a company housed in Seattle, Washington. It is model number 56-9781. The aquarium is made of acrylic glass. It stands 2.44 meters by 1.83 meters or eight feet high by six feet wide and holds 25,618 liters or 6,768 gallons. The top of the tank is fitted with an airtight hood. The aquarium is equipped with a battery operated air pump, which keeps the water oxygenated. When we found Keith and Wayne, there were fish and turtles in the tank, but now they are loose swimming around the Headquarters.”

  “Very interesting,” said Josh. “Thank you very much. I appreciate the fine work the diving team has been carrying out. And Ensign Ahn, I am sorry I was not here to witness your piano recital. I hear it got rave reviews.” Josh flashed a smile at the red-faced young diver. “I am sure you are all tired, so you are dismissed. Go get some rest.”

  Finally Josh grabbed a cold roast beef sandwich and sugary lemonade from the Messdeck vending machines. Eating and drinking while making his way to Sick Bay, his thoughts turned to Keith Hampton. Images of the handsome lieutenant flashed through his head. Keith holding a bloody pair of scissors after stabbing the Brisulan guard. Keith digging into his boot and removing a hacksaw. Keith wrapping banana peels around the splinters in Shasta’s fingers. And Keith rushing down the Tradian Headquarters hall on his way to rescue a trapped slave. Will that be the last image I will have of a healthy and vibrant Keith?

  Arriving at Sick Bay, Josh tossed the reminder of his sandwich and lemonade into a wastepaper basket in the lobby area. Nurse Mann greeted him.

  “Dr. Loring has been waiting for you. You may go to his office. Er, I mean Dr. Berg's office.”

  Josh nodded. He was about to knock on Dr. Loring’s door when it opened and the doctor poked his head out.

  “Josh, I am glad you finally decided to come in for your shot. You are several hours overdue. Have you eaten today?” said Dr. Loring.

  “Yes, I had a sandwich and some lemonade,” responded Josh.

  “Is that all? How long ago?”

  “Five minutes.”

  “Oh dear, you know that since you are past the nausea stage, the medication works faster and more efficiently on a full stomach,” admonished Paul. He looked worried.

  “I can come back later.”

  “No, you are already overdue. Some antibiotic on an empty stomach is better than none at all. But you really need to eat more. You are recuperating from Legionnaires’ disease, exhaustion, malnutrition—”

  “I get the picture,” interrupted Josh. “Let’s get on with it.”

  Paul sighed. He led Josh to an examining room. He filled a hypodermic needle and plunged it gently into the Captain’s upper forearm.

  Rolling down his
uniform sleeve, Josh addressed the doctor. “I have not gotten any updates from you all day. Can I assume, therefore, that there has been no improvement on either of my officers’ condition?”

  “You are correct, there has been no significant improvement, but there has also been no regression. The encouraging news is that they made it though the night. They both remain in stable but critical condition. I am going to be removing them shortly from the heated oxygen chamber and see if they can hold their own. If not they will need to go back in. But I do have some good news for you.” Paul paused. Getting no reaction from the Captain, he continued. “I will be discharging Dave Andrews tomorrow morning. Also Bess Tremont is progressing well. She should be able to return to limited duty in about a week.”

  “Thank you,” was all Josh said as he turned to leave the examining room.

  “Um, Captain, I was just about to get some supper. Like you, I haven’t eaten much today. Since you need to eat also, perhaps you will join me in the Messdeck?”

  Josh started to open his mouth to decline the invitation. I can’t let him rope me into renewing our friendship. I don’t think I can ever again call him a friend. But he is still a fellow officer and innocent until proven guilty. We’ve been lucky these last couple of days to have his brilliant medical abilities at our disposal. I do owe him that much. And I should show him the respect I would any other officer.

  “Well,” prompted Paul.

  “Fine.”

  CHAPTER FORTY

  June 30

  Captain Stoner was up early. After his late night meal with Dr. Loring, he had returned to his quarters. He made a phone call and then he tried relaxing by playing Scrabble against the computer. But he wasn’t able to concentrate and the computer kept winning game after game. He was having mixed emotions in regards to Dr. Loring. It had actually felt good to spend some time with Paul. He didn’t realize how much he had actually missed him. While their conversation was mostly polite and non-personal, Josh enjoyed Paul’s sense of humor and lightheartedness. However, Josh also reminded himself that Paul was a traitor. A spy. He sabotaged the Gladiator and leaked confidential information. And he was willing to abandon a fellow shipmate to a life of slavery. Could there ever be a way that Paul could make amends for those misdeeds?

  Having supper with Paul turned out to produce some helpful information. Josh was speculating that there had to be a recording device planted on the Gladiator since he and Keith had witnessed a live view of Ensign Saad on the Bridge. He casually brought the subject up just as he and Paul were leaving the Messdeck. Paul responded graciously and confessed that he had hidden a micro recoding device under the helm where Keith Hampton normally sat. Upon returning to his quarters, Josh had immediately alerted Dennis to this revelation.

  Josh had a busy agenda planned for the day, most of it on Brisula. Giving the conn to Dave Andrews who was back on duty, the Captain assigned Dennis Pearson to accompany him back to Brisula.

  Ensign Beverly Glenna had also been up early. She had freshened up and then told Jackson she’d be back soon. She scooted out the space pod door and down the path leading to the other side of the Lake. Reaching the Architectural Engineering Team’s camp, Beverly ducked into Colin Evans’ tent without announcing herself. The Lieutenant was in the midst of getting dressed and hadn’t noticed Beverly’s presence. She tiptoed over to the cot, tapped lightly on his bare shoulder, and placed a wet kiss on his naked chest when he turned around. Colin bent down, scooped her up in his arms, and returned the kiss with another one. Placing her on the cot, Colin proceeded to finish dressing. Slipping into his pants, he questioned her visit.

  “What brings you here so bright and early?”

  “I came to say goodbye,” she told him.

  “Goodbye? You mean like you are breaking up with me?” asked a stunned Colin.

  Beverly giggled. “No, silly. Why would you think that? I got word this morning that I am being ordered back to the Gladiator. It sounds like our crew will be shipping out for our next assignment.”

  “Oh,” said Colin. “I thought you were leaving me to go back to Hampton.”

  She laughed again thinking that Colin was teasing her, but the look on his face said otherwise. Colin was dead serious. “Now that is ridiculous!” she exclaimed. “You know how much I love you.”

  “You are sure you will be able to resist your old feelings for Hampton?”

  “Really, Colin. I hate it when you act like this. Stop being so jealous.” She stood up and gave him a hug and another kiss, this one on the cheek. “Besides, Keith is unconscious and not expected to live.” She didn’t know if that was still true. The last that she and Jackson had heard was that Keith and Wayne were in critical condition, and the odds of a recovery for either one, were slim.

  “I hope he doesn’t make it.”

  “Colin, what a horrible thing to say!” She stepped back and stared at him. He wasn’t joking. “You can’t possibly mean that.”

  “I suppose not. I just can’t live with the idea of him sniffing around you, and me not being there to set him straight.”

  “You really have nothing to worry about.” Beverly reached out and grabbed his wrist. “Let’s not argue. We only have a tiny amount of time left to be together; let’s make the most of it.” She smiled at him lovingly. “Come, shall we go for a farewell walk?”

  Colin nodded and allowed her to lead him out of the tent and down the path leading back toward the James K.

  “Where is Lieutenant Glenna?” Captain Stoner asked Jackson Greene. He and Dennis Pearson had just landed on Brisula aboard the John Glenn. On the walk over to the James K, Josh had filled Dennis in on the plans for the day. The Gladiator crew needed to wrap things up on Brisula as best as they could. It was imperative that they finish their mission on Lexter, and then proceed to Space Station 17 for the conference where Admiral Wilcox was being honored for his excellent leadership, and Josh was scheduled to give a speech.

  “She went for a walk,” responded Jackson. “She should be back soon.”

  “Call me when she gets back. I have some questions for her. Denny and I are heading over to talk to Commodore Naper.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The two men left the pod and took the trail leading to the other side of the Lake. They were deep in conversation when Josh spied a man and a woman obviously necking under a shade tree alongside the edge of the pathway. As he got closer, Josh saw that the woman had her uniform top scrunched up around her shoulders, and the man was touching her breast.

  “Uh, Ensign Glenna,” said the Captain with clear annoyance in his voice.

  “Sir,” responded Beverly. She quickly removed her arms from around Colin’s neck. She tugged his hand off her breast and swiftly pulled down her tunic. “Colin and I were just saying goodbye. We are not sure when we will see each other again.”

  “In the future Ensign, I would suggest making your farewells in a less public setting.”

  “Yes, sir,” said an embarrassed Beverly.

  “I need some information from you. Please prepare a report on what environmental factors need to be taken into account for the rebuilding of Brisula. Include data and recommendations for preserving the forest and Lake while constructing modern facilities on the planet’s surface. How will this affect the underground city? What suggestions can you give for restoring the Lake so it is once again vibrant in all sections? I thought Captain Torgenson had ordered this study, but apparently he had other business to attend to. The report needs to be completed before we take off for Lexter, which should be at 2300 hours. So, you have your work cut out for you. Finish saying goodbye, and then have Ensign Saad convey you back to the Gladiator aboard the John Glenn. Any questions?”

  “No, sir. Er, yes I have one question, sir.” Beverly gave a quick look at Colin before blurting out, “How is Keith?”

  “His condition remains critical, although a little more stable,” answered Josh. “Anything else?”

  “No, sir.”


  “Fine, you have your orders. Lieutenant Evans, we are on our way to confer with Commodore Naper. You may want to join us.”

  Colin Evans nodded. Without another word or gesture to Beverly, he turned and headed back down the walkway, leaving a dejected fiancée standing alone.

  He obviously didn’t appreciate her concern for Keith, thought Josh as he indicated his departure to Ensign Glenna and followed behind Lieutenant Evans.

  The meeting with Naper lasted for about an hour. With the passing of Captain Torgenson, Josh was leaving Naper in charge of not only the Architectural Engineering Team but of overseeing the evolution of Brisula City itself. Josh laid out the idea he had for forming a governing body for the city that would be instrumental in carrying out the transformation. He planned to approach Colonel Flax with the details of his idea.

  “The first order of business needs to be the elevator,” said Josh as he and Pearson prepared to take their leave. “I am quite tired of those ropes.”

  Commodore Naper chuckled, “I agree. I will put Lieutenant Evans on that right away.”

  Marlana Berg tried to hide her yawn, but Amanda Rugan saw it.

  “Dr. Berg, why don’t you take a break. Get a cup of coffee. I know you were up working through the night. I can finish up here,” said Amanda. They were giving a final round of antibiotics to all their patients. The Brisulan medical staff under the guidance of Dr. Maxine Campbell would continue treatments once the Gladiator crew departed.