“The light’s fading,” Trajan said through static, “and the temperature’s dropping. We need to wrap this up.” Switching to an all channel, Trajan broadcasted, “Everyone finish up. We’re leaving soon.”
The ground gave another shudder, causing Jacob to stumble. He swayed awkwardly in the cumbersome suit, barely catching himself in time on an outcropping.
“Ayaiai!” A shout filled his helmet.
Jacob looked up to see Trajan tip forward, lose his balance, and catapult down the steep ridge, arms flailing in all directions. Seconds later, he reached the bottom where he lay still.
Worried, Jacob scrambled over to the crumpled form.
“Arrgh.” A leg flexed.
The man was certainly durable.
“Trajan, are you all right?” Jacob peered down.
The rest of the team converged on the fallen man.
Another slight movement confirmed that, indeed, Trajan was alive. Peering up at them from within his round helmet, he gasped, “I didn’t plan to go sliding today.”
“Well, don’t expect to win Olympic gold for it. Your form sucks.” Jacob put out a hand to grab an arm and lift. Sam pulled up from the other side as Trajan managed a shaky stand.
“No higher than a six or seven,” Jeff agreed as he joined them, dragging a cart piled high with rocks.
“Quit jabbering and help me limp to the shuttle.”
“Sure, old man,” Jacob quipped.
“Shut up.”
The ground shook again. Nearby, a deep crevasse cracked open. Men from other teams started yelling. A scramble for ships commenced.
“Let’s get out of here,” Trajan ordered.
The crew stowed equipment in record time.
The New Found Hope retracted its water ducts and the shuttle crew scrambled to pack its gear and lift off. As they left the surface, a teeth-rattling quake opened a deep fissure directly below them.
Jacob could only stare at the deadly rift and think of his narrow escape.
All around men shouted and ran as Snowball, tired of visitors, shook them off.
***
On the bridge, Jensen scratched his head. “Look, Jazz, metal expands and contracts when subjected to extreme temperatures changes. That moon contained metal that contracted when the temperature dropped, causing underground plates to shift. The world isn’t alive; it’s simple physics. Ask our geologist, Jeff.”
Jazz’s bright green eyes widened. “You sure? Sam said it felt alive to him.” She rubbed her palms on her knees as she sat at the comm position.
“I’m sure.” He swung back to his board. “Commander Reardon wants to wait for the temperature to cool off again before he drops the next group. There’s a window when earthquake activity is lowest. We’ll snatch what we need and get out. No one wants to fall down a big fissure into freezing water due to earthquakes, but we have no choice. We have to replenish our resources.”
“We’ll be swinging around that monster with a full load.” Jazz jerked her head toward the starboard viewport where the spinning, multicolored, gas giant loomed not far away. She nibbled nervously on a fingernail.
At her gesture, Jensen glanced toward the view. “The added weight will make it harder to hold the course, but there’s no other way. Hey, this will be a lot easier than a black hole. But, stay alert.” He tried to offer a reassuring smile, but his eyes darted back and forth from board to the hulking planet outside.
Elise strode in and joined Jensen, peering over his shoulder. “Once we’re out of here, how far away is our target system?”
Rubbing his face, Jensen answered, “At least fifteen light years away.”
“Reardon will want to jump.” She traced the route displayed on his board.
“Most likely.”
Jazz slumped in her seat at her console. “I hate jump.”
Elise grimaced and peered out the viewport. “Not anyone’s favorite pastime, but we’ll have to get around that big gas giant first, and it won’t be easy.”
Jensen swung to check a monitor and then swung back. “Okay, the last reclamation team has just finished. The ships are packing up and almost ready to leave.”
Elise nodded. “Let’s get ready to loop-de-loop.”
***
“Tango sat at the helm, his face a picture of concentration. Unconsciously, he kept brushing back wavy brown hair from his face, but it kept falling forward until he grabbed a handy cord and secured it into a ponytail. Course figures sent over from Tate via Commander Reardon lighted up his console. It would swing them around the large gas giant, enabling them to pick up speed through centrifugal force, and then exit them to head out for the next star system.
At ship’s comm, Elise prepared her travelers. “Attention ship’s personnel. We’re entering orbit of the planet in order to increase speed. This will result in mounting external radiation. Please secure all possessions against sudden, unexpected shifts and report to your designated radiation shelter. Do not exit until I sound the all clear. Until then, remain safe. Captain Elise Fujeint out.”
Elise let out a breath. “I hope they get secured.”
Shrugging, Jazz answered, “They’ll be fine. Commander Reardon has given out instructions, loud and clear, on protecting against radiation, and you’ve explained numerous times what’s going to happen. If they don’t know what to do by now, they’re idiots.”
While they prepared on the bridge, the rest of the ship hunkered down, fearful of exposure, memories of the black hole still etched in their minds.
As Tango explained, the trick was to stay away from the rubbish that comprised the rings while getting close enough to take advantage of the planet’s gravity.
Elise studied the monitor for any space debris that threatened, while Lisi’s face pressed against the viewport, looking out for larger asteroids.
“We’re at half light speed,” Tango announced.
In her earphone, the Commander’s voice ordered, “At one-half rotation, each ship should kick out and follow their designated route.”
“Copy that. One-half rotation and follow prescribed course,” she answered.
“Asteroid!” Lisi shouted. She tapped the viewport.
“Already programmed in.” The ship swayed slightly as it swerved to swing wide. Out the viewport, less than a mile away, a large icy asteroid tumbled by.
“Wow!” Lisi pressed her nose to the glass, fogging up the view. “That one was big.”
“At half point and heading out,” Tango said just as Elise heard the Commander order an exit.
“Head out, helm. Take us away.” She leaned back as the monitor cleared, and all she saw was small points of light, denoting distant stars. The way finally stood open.
“It’s going to get boring again, isn’t,” said Lisi turning from the viewport.
“Thank the stars, yes,” Elise answered.
Chapter 36
Fifteen Years later
Lisi was right. Life settled into a more peaceful routine with an occasional life-threatening interruption. Fifteen years slipped by before Elise realized it. Lisi and all the clones matured and took over a large number of tasks on board from piloting the ship to cooking the food. The overall age of the fleet matured.
They located another promising star system and headed in that direction. It just took so long to get anywhere with the vast distances they had to travel.
Buried in the bowls of the ship in his lab, John kept busy perfecting his computer implant that aided memory and mental functions. Often Elise felt abandoned in lieu of a lab but reminded herself that it was her choice. She could visit him anytime she wanted or invite him to dinner, and often did. He just seemed constantly preoccupied, and lately, the conversation centered on his projects and his current activities.
She didn’t have to stay exclusive to John, of course, but no one else on board interested her. Carter had stayed for awhile, then moved to the Explorer and then to the Storage Locker. She should have paid him more attention. She wis
hed him back, but couldn’t bring herself to beg. With him gone and John so busy, she felt isolated and restless.
Lisi, now full grown, had assumed a lot of the responsibilities of captain, and since their minds were aligned, they often performed tasks together without the need for spoken words. But Lisi had her own social circles. During her free time, she frequently visited Trajan’s family or hung out with Jennie and John Luttrell’s clone who called himself J.J. or just Jay.
Jensen also brought his clone onto the bridge. They called him Dane to avoid confusion. Together they mapped the universe and coordinated with the fleet’s flagship. Often their white blond heads could be seen almost touching as the two filled in unknown areas of the Milky Way and beyond.
“Commander Reardon online,” sang out Jazz. Still single, the once flamboyant comm officer no longer prowled the wild social circles of her past. Her fiery red hair had a layer of ash gray underneath that had grown out to dust the edges of her temples.
Satisfied that her bridge was in order, Elise answered, “Commander, how are you?” She wondered what was up.
“Getting more aches and pains every shift, it seems.” A short coughing spell grabbed him, and she waited until he could speak again.
“I’m sending you gifts.”
She mentally rolled her eyes and stifled the feeling of misgiving that rolled over her. “Oh?” was all she could manage.
“They’ll arrive this shift, so see if you can clear out a closet or two for them to stay for a while.”
“Them?”
“Years ago you sent Tate over, and I admit that has proven very helpful … but two Tates are too much. I’m sending his clone to you.”
“Aw gee, thanks. I’m sure the bridge will be thrilled.” Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on the commander.
“Well, you know what they say about payback.”
She ignored his jibe. “And, the other?”
“A treat. Carter has built a probe with a telescope attached and wants to have Jimbo take a look at the devise before he launches it. I approved the move.”
“Carter? Carter is coming back?” A thrill skittered up and down her spine.
“To hear John tell it, you’re his girlfriend and taken. But I’m inclined to think you might not agree with that assessment. Am I right?”
“I don’t belong to anyone, sir. You’re right there.” She put heavy emphasis on the words.
“A little competition will be good for the mad scientist. One or the other needs to make an honest woman of you.”
With a feeling of irritation, Elise said, “I’m already an honest woman, sir–just not a married one.”
“Well, don’t abuse Carter. He’s a nice man who has a crush on you that he has been dragging around for a long time. Treat him well and keep me informed about this probe project. I want a closer look at this system before we enter. Don’t want any surprises like the last time.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of them, sir.”
Not soon after, the New World’s shuttle arrived. Elise waited with two eager young crew members who had volunteered to stay on the commander’s ship in order to get a change of scenery. She suspected the desired scenery was more of the female variety rather than any part of the ship’s interior.
The bridge certainly didn’t shout with glee when she announced the arrival of Tate’s clone. Their reaction consisted more of moans and groans.
“You can’t be serious,” Jazz complained.
Tango put his head into his hands and shook it. The clones looked puzzled. They hadn’t worked with Tate and didn’t understand the problem.
Elise admonished her bridge, “We need to be professional here. He has valuable communication skills that he has graciously offered to provide. Treat him well.” She left for the shuttle bay to make sure that the two new arrivals were welcomed properly. Practically skipping through the corridors, she found it hard to maintain a captain’s decorum and arrived just in time to watch the shuttle’s hatch open.
“Elise!” Carter hopped down and put out a hand to shake. She pulled him into a fervent hug.
He aimed a perfunctory kiss on her cheek, but a quick turn of her head let him find her lips. Startled, he managed a reasonable effort at a kiss and struggled to regain his composure as he looked around to see if anyone noticed. He gave her a confused look. Then, a smile joined the gleam in his eyes. “Did you miss me?”
“Stars, yes,” Elise responded, squeezing his arm. “Welcome back.”
In the background, she heard Tate’s clone rattling on about something with the crew.
She stepped back and studied Carter. As handsome as ever, his face was more chiseled, but dark eyebrows, and serious ebony eyes warmed as he smiled at her. His hair was longer and curled just a bit at the back of his ears. A touch of gray now slipped through its wavy strands. He wore a loose, navy blue, turtle-neck sweater and casual tan pants. He looked fit.
“Well, I missed you, too.” He smiled down at her.
Tate hopped out, full of energy and a ready greeting. “It’s great to meet you, Captain Fujeint,” he gushed. “Commander Reardon thinks you’re terrific.”
Time regressed as she saw a younger Tate with brown wavy hair and sparkling amber eyes. Layers of bygone days flashed through her memories. First, her time at NASA with the original Tate, and then his time out of cryo with her on the bridge, and now this cloned version. She blinked, trying to assimilate all three individuals into the one who stood before her.
The two young men waiting with her hopped on board the now outgoing shuttle. The crew unloaded her visitors’ bags and boarded their new passengers.
Elise turned to her newcomers. “Let’s get you settled, and then you can join me for dinner.”
“Super!” Tate exclaimed. She winced at his brimming enthusiasm.
Finally, they congregated on the bridge where Elise introduced Tate’s clone and let them welcome back Carter. She ordered the other clones to join them: Tango’s clone, Tag; Trajan’s clone, Merek; Jensen’s clone, Dane, John’s clone, Jay, and her clone, Lisi. All were now in their thirties. The usual bridge crew was there for Carter more than Tate’s clone, but since she had promised that the clone would pick up shifts on the bridge, they should get to know him.
“So, what do they call you on the New World?” she asked as she went to introduce Tate’s clone and realized that she didn’t know what to say.
A mumble came from the normally loquacious young man.
“What?” asked Jazz leaning forward.
“Chatter. They call me Chatter because my last name is Chattam and…”
“You’re verbal,” Elise added, knowingly.
“Yes, I talk a lot. It serves my father well as communications officer for the flagship. But…” The clone paused and took a deep breath. “Captain, I request you call me Tate. With my father on the commander’s ship and me here, there shouldn’t be too much confusion. Tate is my official name.”
Tango chuckled. “Can’t stand being called Chatter?”
The clone scrunched up his face. “Purely hate it, but it’s better than what they called me when I was little.”
Tag grinned as if he might have more than a passing understanding about nicknames bestowed on young clones. “And what was that?” he asked.
Chatter squirmed and stared down. “Tatertot.”
“Oh, stars!” Dane exclaimed as he nearly fell out of his seat laughing. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were. Never call me that.”
“Oh, never,” Tag lied.
Elise put a hand on the blushing clone’s shoulder. “We’ll call you Tate. Most likely, I’d look at you and call you that anyway.” She glared at her bridge.
Finally, she shooed all the young clones out, telling them to take Tate out for a drink and get to know him—captain’s treat. With an enthusiastic whoop, they all scrambled out.
Tango raised an eyebrow and nodded in Carter’s direction. She nodded back. “In honor of his ret
urn, I feel it only fair to buy Carter a drink as well. Tango, you have the bridge.”
“I have the bridge,” Tango announced, clapping his hands in delight.
A smile curling her lips, she escorted Carter to her stateroom. Settled at a table there with drinks of a special Medlab blend and a hastily catered dinner, Elise smiled at Carter. “You’re looking well.”
His dark eyes turned serious. “I’ve missed you. I can’t think why I’ve let us be apart for so long. Time just slipped by so fast.”
“I know. Good friends like us should get together more often.” She sipped her wine and admired his finely chiseled face and slender hands. What a fool she’d been to wait around for Luttrell.
He noticed her scrutiny and self-consciously pulled out an electronic tablet. He placed it on the table, his hands trembled slightly. “So, I have an idea.”
She rolled her eyes. “You usually do.” He still had that shy manner that charmed her, but why did she always pick job obsessed men?
He paused, gave her a quizzical look, and then continued, “Commander Reardon is excited about this new star system, but he doesn’t want to go through another fiasco like what happened on Poseidon.”
“Neither do I.” She sipped her wine and pushed around some green beans with a fork.
Tapping his Etab, he said, “My idea is to create a robotic probe that houses a telescope. That way we can observe the system before we enter it. Hopefully, this new design will eliminate surprises. I have a prototype I brought with me for Jimbo to evaluate and make alterations if needed.”
He sipped his drink and stared at her with twinkling eyes.
She smiled back.
He continued, “Our scientists used gravitational lensing to locate two planets orbiting this binary sun system and because they are both smaller and dimmer than Earth, we think the temperatures of the planets are within a range that could support life. We want a probe to go in and take a peek. There are a few other star systems farther out, but this is the closest possibility.”
“That’s an excellent idea. I’ll instruct engineering to give you all the help you need.” With a sigh, she reached across to him. “It’s good to have you back.”
A World Too Far (Terran Trilogy Book 1) Page 21
