by Jim Laughter
“What’s the matter?” Agnes asked, placing a huge slice of steaming pie in front of Stan. “Aren’t you hungry?”
“Oh, give the boy a minute to shake that stew down his leg!” Robert said as he faced his own serving. “You’re putting pounds on these boys that some instructor at the training center will just have to work off.”
Agnes ignored her husband and cut a huge slice for Delmar as well. When they finished their pie, Agnes refilled their coffee mugs. Robert leaned back in his chair, patted his stomach and burped. The agitated look he drew from Agnes was not something on which Delmar cared to comment.
Robert quietly watched the boys interact with each other. He was happy that Delmar had brought Stan along on their leave. The two young men were obviously fast friends and would go far together. A credit to the service, he thought, considering how both were showing signs of the men they would become.
After lunch, Agnes allowed the men to help clean up. Delmar and Stan washed and dried while Robert took care to return everything to its rightful place. Agnes had her kitchen organized the way she wanted it, and her husband was not about to rock the boat by misplacing a bowl or serving utensil. With the last of the dishes put away, the men returned to the utility room to clean and service the guns.
“Boy, the powder sure loads up in the rifling,” remarked Delmar as he twisted a third swab down the barrel of his rifle.
“You should see it when we fire a heavier load,” Robert answered. “Then it loads up to where you need to soak it with cleaner before you can use the brush.”
“What if you switched to a hotter powder?” Delmar asked. “It might burn more completely and leave less residue.”
“I might try that on the next set of shells I reload,” Robert said thoughtfully. “I’m just so used to this grade of powder that I hadn’t given a thought to changing.”
“How do you break this thing down?” Stan asked, struggling with the weapon he had been using.
“Here, I’ll show you,” offered Delmar. With a twist of his wrist, the weapon opened and Delmar showed Stan how to clean it with a brush. For a time all three were silent, the only sound being the swish and splash of swabs and cleaning fluid.
“How’s it going?” asked Agnes as she joined them from the kitchen.
“Oh, pretty good,” answered Robert. “I think Stan might catch on one of these days.” Delmar grinned and watched Stan continue his struggle to clean the barrel of the rifle he was working on.
“Here, let me help you,” Agnes said, taking the weapon from him. With what seemed like undue ease, and to the amazement of Stan, she quickly cleaned out the barrel and reassembled the gun.
“Are you surprised that I know how to take care of my own rifle?” she asked when she saw his astonishment. Agnes handed it back to him and then returned to the kitchen. “Boy,” she said over her shoulder, “I’ve been cleaning my own weapon since before you were a twinkle in your daddy’s eye.” Delmar was about to add something when Robert caught his eye.
∞∞∞
Trooper George Citti stood up from the observation equipment in the control room of the Starduster. He stretched and reached for another cup of coffee. Actually, he didn’t really need to stand up to reach the pot on the one-man patroller but the physical exercise helped loosen muscles grown stiff by inactivity.
Ever since this morning when he detected the ultra high-frequency waves emanating from the planet below, George had been watching for further activity. His assignment to observe the developments on this closed planet had already gone on for eight months and had proven more interesting than he first expected.
According to Watcher records, this planet was barely industrial, so Trooper Citti expected the most interesting thing he would see would be the smoke from primitive factories. But instead he found a planet well advanced in technology; a planet that had harnessed nuclear power and advanced electrical power plants years ahead of the normal developmental curve. His reports helped determine that this planet was progressing at a pace many times faster than the norm.
Using their new progression rate as a guide, Trooper Citti projected they might develop out-of-atmosphere flight and satellite radio transmission sometime in the next year! Yet compared to Galactic Axia protocols, this planet was still decades from qualifying for entry into the galactic community. Their barbarous attitudes of nation-states and individual governments separated them further from the unified idea that held the Axia together. Still, the signals he intercepted this morning would be as advanced for this race as computers would be for a caveman.
Sitting back down at the console, George resumed his search. He again scanned for the frequency range, and just as he was giving up, he again found the signal that had previously eluded him. Turning on his recording equipment, he managed to gather several minutes of data for later analysis. To find signals of this type on such a backward planet was unexpected and would require further study by people better equipped for the task than him. Later he would compile his report and transmit it to his mothership, along with these recordings.
Historically, such signals indicated a civilization on the verge of serious space travel, for which the Axia always watched. The policy of gently guiding such effort had evolved over time in order to protect budding societies from their own excesses, and to prevent knowledge of the Axia from coming to the attention of the natives too soon, undermining their stability.
The signal began to fade and then ceased altogether. Trooper Citti listened for a couple more minutes and then shut down the recorders. That’s probably it for the night, he thought. He had managed to find a rough ground location of the source of the signal and noted that a major research installation was located within his triangulations. If the natives were capable of such signals, equipment able to detect Axia watcher ships could not be far behind.
Finishing his coffee, George stood up to put his cup away. Suddenly the sensor alarm sounded. Jumping quickly to his console, George noted that the signal had reappeared at a frequency more than a hundred times its previous strength. Just as he reached for the switch on the recorder, the detector showed a second signal of a different type apparently focused on his ship.
George felt the Starduster shudder as his geostatic orbit changed drastically. He glanced at his equipment and saw that his ship was rapidly being drawn toward the planet. He leapt for the control chair and strapped himself in.
The temperature gauges already showed the hull was heating up as he entered the upper fringes of the planet’s atmosphere. As he applied power, the detector showed yet a third signal from below reaching for his ship. Although he was unable to activate the recorder, Trooper Citti recognized it as a type of detector beam.
This is impossible! his mind screamed as the Starduster struggled to break free. A desperate twist of the axis ball allowed the ship to escape and move away from the beam. Safely free, George further accelerated until he and his ship were well out of range of the dangerous beams.
Obviously, the natives had spotted him, so he refrained from calling the mothership lest he disclose its location. Something was definitely amiss so he decided to deliver what little data he had gathered immediately to the analysis labs aboard the larger ship waiting in the adjacent star system. Adjusting his course, George pushed the throttle bar forward. With a flash of light, the Starduster leapt forward in response.
∞∞∞
The double-star primary had just peeked over the horizon a short time before the archaeological team met to plan their daily activities. Breakfast in the predawn darkness meant they could use the entire day for working on the dig. Although the dual sun provided nearly seventeen hours of daylight in which to work, the climate was relatively cool and dry, making the tedious work at least bearable.
“All right, here’s the plan for today,” Dr. Alfred Kelly, team leader of the Horicon research team announced when everyone had settled down around the main room of their compound. “The mapping is complete and today we start worki
ng downward through the central plaza. I want tractor beam supports set up to stabilize any potential shifting of those rock slabs during lifting. All personnel are to be suited. Any questions?”
“How far down will we go?” Mary Martin, an assistant with the research team asked. Her specialty was technological archeology.
“If everything is stable after removing the collapsed walls of the superstructure, we’ll take up the floor slabs,” Dr. Kelly answered. “All evidence has been collected on the first level down, so it’s safe to disturb things.”
“Then we’re going to start opening the lower chambers?” another team member asked excitedly.
“Yes,” answered Dr. Kelly. A murmur of approval swept through the small group. They had worked almost nine months on this dusty dig to reach this point. Early exploration of the main ruins on Horicon hinted that there might be a treasure-trove of artifacts buried deep beneath the rubble.
To test the theory, the first teams had excavated minor structures on the outskirts of the ruined, ancient city. Their efforts were rewarded by the initial finds, partially revealing the mysterious Horicons. That no bone fossils of the Horicons themselves were ever retrieved made everyone wonder what the elusive creatures must have looked like and where they might have gone.
The archeological teams had systematically leap-frogged into the city itself, picking sites at predetermined intervals. Again, their efforts bore fruit as more and more artifacts from the extinct race were uncovered. The teams also documented a strong correlation between distance from the center of the city and the quality and sophistication of the artifacts. Simply put, the closer they got to the center, the better the prize.
A larger team was prepared to tackle the central building in the ruin’s main plaza. The records sections made every effort to record and preserve all of the evidence they found, right down to construction techniques and the composition of materials.
Now they could begin clearing away the heavy stone slabs and explore the level recently discovered under the plaza. Earlier attempts to scan the area beneath the plaza was blocked not only by rubble, but also by some sort or shielding material. As it proved to be part of the natural material used in construction, the only way to continue the dig was by taking the place apart the hard way.
They were determined to gain access, and excitement was running high as Dr. Kelly dismissed the crew to their assigned tasks.
∞∞∞
The driveway and side yards were full of vehicles as evening settled on the Hassel farm. The house was full to overflowing with well-wishers from up and down Big Valley. Unknown to Delmar and Stan, Agnes had made the final calls for the surprise party while the men were out shooting. She and Robert decided that it would be best if such a party did not occur the night before Delmar and Stan left for their advanced computer training on Mica. In addition, a party on the last night was to be expected, so doing it a couple of nights early would ensure that it was a real surprise.
Agnes peeked in from the kitchen to see how the two guests-of-honor were doing. Stan was discussing the exciting field of communications and advanced computer technology with Robert and a couple of neighbors. Delmar was still talking to Daren and RoseMary Sabeti about their farm which they had purchased from Delmar after the death of his brother Dorn. Agnes was so glad they’d found the young couple to take over the Eagleman farm after Delmar had gone into the service. They had proven themselves and now had the joy of a baby boy who was with a sitter tonight.
Delmar was still engrossed in the subject of crop rotation when he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. He turned around and found himself staring into the face of a trooper-first. “Mike Azor!” he exclaimed as he grabbed the man’s arm. Mike Azor had played a major role in settling Delmar’s legal situation when he had run away from home to escape his abusive brother. Now Mike was like a member of the family. You never knew when he would pop in.
“How ya doing, Delmar?” Mike asked, his face split with a big grin.
“What are you doing here?” Delmar asked, his face still showing astonishment. It had been half a year since he had last seen the trooper-first.
“Oh, I was in this neck of the galaxy when Agnes’ invitation caught up with me. So I decided to drop in,” Mike replied with false boredom. “I’m just on my way to the Officers Academy.”
“That’s great!” exclaimed Delmar. Turning, he spotted his friend and called out. “Hey, Stan! Come over here! I want you to meet somebody!”
Stan disengaged himself from his conversation with a particularly lively, not to mention lovely, young lady and walked toward his friend, followed by Robert. Delmar introduced his friend to the trooper-first while Robert and Mike greeted each other.
“Thought I’d check and see what the training center is turning out these days,” Mike said as he winked at Robert. Agnes appeared at her husband’s side. “I’m on leave before I report in at the Axia Officer’s Academy.”
“That’s great!” Robert and Agnes both exclaimed. Mike winked again and then turned to face the two young men.
“All right, troopers!” Mike barked. “Drop and give me fifty!”
Before they knew what they were doing, Stan and Delmar dropped to the floor and started doing push-ups. They had already done three before they realized they weren’t in basic training anymore. Rising to their feet, Delmar and Stan both blushed while the other veterans laughed.
“Looks like they still turn out a pretty good product!” Mike remarked with a grin as he looked at the two men.
“Reaction time was a little slow,” commented Agnes dryly. She turned and walked back toward the kitchen. Robert stifled a laugh at the boy’s shocked expressions.
“I heard you’re both going to Mica for advanced computer school,” Mike continued, himself tickled at Agnes’ remark.
“That’s right!” Stan answered with enthusiasm. Delmar nodded his agreement.
“Well, you two clowns keep your noses clean while you’re there,” Mike admonished. “I don’t want to hear about you getting into any trouble.”
“Yes, sir!” they both said together.
“Oh, give ’em a break, Mike!” Agnes said as she returned to the room. She moved beside her husband and came between Mike and his two victims. “They’re here to relax.” She then led Delmar away toward the other side of the living room while Stan asked Mike what he knew about the school.
While Robert watched, Agnes steered Delmar right into the center of a gathering of young single women from up and down Big Valley. Robert chuckled to himself when he saw the red creep into Delmar’s face. Let’s see him get out of this one! Robert thought when he saw the females surround the young trooper.
The party broke up much later that night. A few of the neighbors surprised Agnes by cleaning the kitchen while Robert, who was in on the plan, kept her occupied with guests in the living room. Not to be totally left without something to do, Agnes had Delmar and Stan straighten the living room while Robert walked with Mike out to his parked ground vehicle.
“What do you think of our boy?” Robert asked when they were out of earshot.
“I think he’s going to turn out all right,” Mike answered truthfully.
“After all he’s been through, Agnes and I were a little worried,” Robert confided.
“Don’t be,” Mike said. “I know he had a rough home life with the death of his parents and then the abuse by his brother, but he kept his head on straight. That boy has a lot of integrity.”
“I’m still amazed that he didn’t turn bitter,” Robert said. “I know I probably would have under similar circumstances.”
“That’s where many people underestimate Delmar,” Mike said quietly. “He has the same steadfastness and faithfulness that both his parents had, and they instilled it in him early.”
“It’s reassuring to hear that,” Robert replied. “Agnes and I tried to help him the best we could.”
“You two did great,” Mike answered with a smile. “He’s a
credit to the service, and as far as I can tell, has good taste in friends.”
“We thought so,” Robert agreed. “Stan looks to be a good trooper, and they make a great team.”
“I think so too, and will say as much in my report,” Mike assured Robert. “What I worry about is what trouble those two might get into while in training on Mica.”
“You can say that again! They’re both good boys, but when you get that much talent together, there’s bound to be mischief.” Mike laughed his agreement and then clapped Robert on the shoulder.
“Well, you and Agnes take care, and I’ll be in touch,” Mike said as he climbed into his ground vehicle.
“You take it easy yourself,” Robert said and closed the car door. Robert stayed and waved while Mike pulled out and sped down the road toward Keeler and the spaceport beyond.
When the tail lights were finally out of sight, Robert walked back into the house. Agnes had already shooed the young men upstairs to bed and was sitting in her rocker waiting for her husband.
“You know,” she said, snuggling against his chest. “I think we did pretty well with him.”
Robert nodded his agreement. Taking one last look around to see the living room restored to its normal order, Robert reached over and turned off the lights. Hand-in-hand, the couple climbed the stairs to their room.
∞∞∞
Far out in the galaxy, a small patroller maneuvered into the docking bay of its mothership. The dock master’s face reflected concern while he watched the ship glide in.
He glanced at the sheet reporting its arrival. “Starduster,” he said to no one in particular in the dock control room. “Does anyone know anything about this ship?”
A round of ‘no sirs’ answered him. There had been no warning of its arrival and he sensed trouble. He looked out the window of his control room and could see steam pouring out of the ship.
When the ship crossed into shadow, he could also see a dull red glow radiating from the drive area. “We’ve got a hot one here,” he commented into his comm mic.
“I’m on it,” his assistant replied from his station on the docking bay floor.
