“Yes. Not only do they have to face the original challenges they were expecting, they have to master new technologies.”
“As Sam would say, this here thaing’s gotta be larned ‘bout.”
“Good heavens, not you too Chris.”
* * *
“Got it,” George said as Jim met him at the airlock.
“Are you sure it’s got that section on it.”
George waved a small flash memory stick in Jim’s direction. “According to the catalog it has. It was a two hour class so they put it on this with twelve others.”
“A twenty four hour video drive?” Jim asked in surprise.
“Oh yes, the ones you were used to were only one hour DVDs weren’t they?”
“Two actually.”
“Well this was under the D classification. It was in a batch that was first to be recorded over if needed. All the video and audio we have are full. They did that just in case we could come up with another method of recording and not have to use them.”
They walked to the 3V room on deck three and inserted the flash memory into a slot that Levin had hooked to the 3V system. Within seconds, a flat screen image floated halfway down the room. George pushed controls moving it back and forth until he located the desired section.
“Even more baffling was the case of Sergeant James Young, United States Army,” a commentator said. “On a routine transfer from Fort Hood Texas to Fort Lewis Washington his disappearance has triggered more theories than any other in the history of missing persons in the United States.”
“Pause it,” Jim said. “I think I’m going to need a beer before watching this.”
Chapter 10
Jim searched through a packing case. “Two more weeks and we can leave them to handle things themselves,” he said with relief. “Then we can have a real honeymoon.”
“What was wrong with our trip to Jim and Carol?” Carol said while holding open the lid as he searched.
“It was just fine, but I want to get away from everyone.”
Carol’s face broke into a broad smile and she laughed. “A whole moon to ourselves and you didn’t feel like we were alone?”
Jim felt the irony over his change in perception of size. A year before, he’d have considered a drive through the mountains as getting away from things. Now he had to make an interstellar excursion to more than one new planet.
“It wasn’t the distance and space; it was the fact that, at any time someone I knew could talk to me and vice versa. Could we go somewhere where there’s no parallel space communication and I’m not interrupted by having to make a million G decision?”
“Sure. There are resorts especially set up to cater to communophobes. They’ll only let you know of a call if it’s an emergency. I’ve seen advertisements for resorts where you can live in a tree or a cave and cook over open fires.”
“I’m not scared of the instant communication, I’m just sick of it. Knowing that at any time someone can call and say hi from hundreds of light years away threatens my feelings of privacy. But I think that living in a cave is going a little too far. I’ve got used to the comfort.”
“A couple of words to the computer and you’re disconnected from the system,” Carol said.
“If that happened, I’d be worried that I would miss out on something important. I have to be available for emergencies and such.”
“You want it both ways, don’t you? How about hiring a private secretary like Santiago has, that way your calls are dealt with without continually bothering you. You can select only the people you want to talk to.”
“Computer, V mail to Amy Harrington on Batalavia. Amy, this is Jim. Please interview people for the position of my private secretary. I’ll make a final selection when I return. Thank you. End of letter.”
“V mail sent,” the computer replied.
“I think you made the right decision there. You’re drowning in details in your present situation. There are calls you personally answer that you have no need to answer.”
“Ah, found it,” Jim said, retrieving a small object from the case. “Now to get this to the ship.”
Carol watched while Jim checked the object’s power charge. “What does that geologist want with a recorder? Don’t they have every network channel in the galaxy hooked up to receivers inside their storm tents?”
“Yes, but the first thing she’s going to do when she gets down there is head off to the nearby hills for a ground survey. Their alcohol powered ground vehicles only have a two way radio. She wants music for the trip. Computer, this room only, gravity to ten percent.”
Seconds later Jim lifted the large case with ease, replaced it on top of the stack and activated the magnetic anchor in the base. It snapped into place.
“Computer, gravity normal.”
“V mail from Amy Harrington on Batalavia,” the computer announced.
“Read mail.”
“Jim this is Amy. I just registered the position on the job net and have three applications already... oops, ah... make that five. When you get back I will have picked out about fifteen that I recommend for you to interview. Have fun on the rest of your honeymoon. End of letter.”
Jim shook his head as he walked toward the door. “I must have a word with her about speed. It took her a whole three minutes to reply. Care to take a space stroll over to the ship with me madam?” Jim said, holding out a hand.
“I guess I can keep you company sir. We don’t want you getting lonely.”
They walked to the lift tube and went one deck up to deck two. At the door to the cargo hold a large man appeared. Jim didn’t recognize him.
“The corporeality room shuttle pilot’s class is the third door on the left in that...” Jim momentarily went silent as the man raised an Old Earth type handgun. “Who the hell are you?”
A short, slightly overweight man appeared through the cargo bay door behind the first. His broad smile and casual manner was in marked contrast to the serious expression of the larger man.
“He has the gun,” the second man said. “The question should be, who the hell are you?”
“I’m Jim Young, owner of this ship.”
“Correction, former owner. You’re in my space interfering with my colony so I have confiscated it. From what I saw coming across, I think it’ll do me just nicely. Now show me the way to that observation deck. I’m in the mood for a drink and a bit of relaxation.”
The man continued to walk forward as if he was accustomed to having people step out of his way as he approached.
“Fuck you!” Jim said defiantly while standing his ground.
The man stopped and his smile disappeared. He raised one eyebrow in annoyance. “Now, now, we wouldn’t want to put a hole in the pretty lady with you, would we?”
The gunman pushed Jim down the corridor and into the lift tube. A quick glance over his shoulder found two more men and two women exiting the hold door. The lift tube could only take four at a time so they left the last four behind.
The observation deck was unoccupied as the man casually walked to a chair and nonchalantly sat facing the outer wall. “Beautiful, just beautiful. I’m definitely going to like it here while they build our mansion down on the planet.” He swung the chair around to face Jim and Carol. “So, how do I get a drink? I have a lot to learn about this modern convenience. For a while at least, you’re going to have to be my instructor in the finer arts of mastering current technology. The sooner I learn, the sooner I can be properly at ease.”
Jim jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Beverage dispenser, over there.”
The man snorted with indignation. “You expect me to walk for one? Come now Mr. Young.”
“Computer, bar autoserve to the observation deck.” Jim waited a moment for the confirmation. “Computer?”
“Disconnected. Had to turn it off while Jennifer figured out how to reprogram it to suit our needs. Looks like you’ll have to get me one yourself.”
Jim gave the man a condes
cending smile. “The dispenser’s voice activated. Without the service module of the computer online it won’t do a thing.”
The man slapped the arm of his chair and stuck out his bottom lip. “Oh hell, life’s little trials. I haven’t been having a good time at all. Looks like you’re going to have to get me some from somewhere.”
“Hold three is where we keep the bulk stuff.”
“Bill, would you escort Mr. Young to hold three, wherever that is. He won’t run off with his lady up here. I just don’t want him to come back with anything sharp.”
The first gunman pushed Jim in the direction of the lift tube just as the door opened and the remaining four appeared. They walked nervously into the room looking around in amazement.
“Hold three is a small one in this direction,” Jim said, making a left turn and walking toward the rear of the observation deck. “What do you want?”
“A high ball. Just get the stuff; Sandy here can mix it for me. She knows how I like it.”
Jim walked down the narrow corridor at the rear of the deck. Touching a control pad to the right of the first door on the left had no result.
“The utilities circuit’s also dead,” Jim shouted back along the corridor. “I can’t get in.”
“For... ..et how does thi....” came a broken up female voice over the system.
“Mr. Young,” the man yelled, “you’re inconveniencing me and I’m much too important to be inconvenienced like this! People don’t give me lame excuses, they just do what I tell them! I won’t tolerate any more of your delays! I want my drink and right now!”
“Fuck you,” Jim muttered under his breath then glanced back at the glaring face of the gunman he now knew as Bill.
“Ben, can you hear me now?” asked the same female voice through the system.
“Yes darling. I’m in a bad way up here,” the man said in a petulant voice. “The beverage dispenser won’t work. Can you do something about it for me?”
“It’s coming online now. The crew are cooperating. They didn’t when we first got here so Danny had to kill one.”
“Oh shit,” Jim said as he reentered the observation deck and looked up at Carol’s horrified face.
“Hope the one wasn’t essential to the running of the ship,” the man chuckled as he pointed to the beverage dispenser. “Be a dear Sandy, get me a drink. The last few weeks have been most trying. I need to find some way to relax. If I have to drink one more glass of that dehydrated crap again I’ll be nauseous.”
The tall redhead walked over to the machine, looked it over, then shrugged.
The man exploded. “He said it’s voice activated stupid! Just talk to it!”
“Dispense one high ball!” Jim shouted across the room.
The girl looked back at it extending a hand toward the opening in the middle and waited. Nothing happened.
“Voice print access, I like it,” the man said with a broad smile. “Sandy, you will have to ask it. It seems that Mr. Young’s print has been removed from the system.”
“Ah. Dispense one highball?” the redhead requested. Again nothing happened.
“What the hell, you incompetent bitch! I’m surrounded by incompetence!” The man then turned his attention to Jim. “You’re an important man too Mr. Young, you probably know what I’m going through.”
“She stated it with an upward inflection like a question. The computer didn’t recognize it as a command,” Jim said.
“I knew that of course,” the man snapped, “but these idiots can’t comprehend technical things like this.” The man turned toward the machine. “Dispense high ball! Do I have to do everything for myself? This situation definitely has to change.”
“Who the hell are you and what the hell do you want?” Jim demanded.
“You are not in a position to demand an answer Mr. Young. I will let it go this time but never again. You’re acting like those idiots back on Earth. I told them I was getting on one of those ships and they said I had to wait in line. They asked me questions like, what can I do to benefit a colony. They asked me if I wanted to retrain as a food technologist. A Stutchman does not answer ridiculous questions and a Stutchman does not wait in line. I am too important a man to do either. The only question you should ask is ‘what can I do for you Mr. Stutchman?’.”
Jim straightened and fought to control his temper. “Ok, what can I do for you Mr. Stutchman?”
“That’s better. Now take a seat and we’ll discuss the future of my father’s colony.”
Jim walked to a seat and beckoned Carol to sit next to him.
“No!” Stutchman shouted. “Women do not sit in my presence unless I give them permission!”
Jim held his breath for a moment in order to prevent the term fruitcake from entering into his next statement.
“That’s all right Jim, I’ll stand,” Carol whispered. “Do what he says.”
Jim turned and sat. “What do you want to discuss?”
“When can they finish a house for us down there?”
“I think that’s up to them, not me. I don’t know when they could possibly fit something like that into their tight schedule. I guess you’re going to have to ask them yourself.”
“They’re people,” Stutchman snapped. “I don’t deal with people; I deal with important men who tell them what to do. They are too stupid to understand how important I am and they cannot possibly survive without me.”
Jim thought fast while framing a question that did not upset this obviously psychotic man. “It would help me better if I knew why they can’t survive without you.”
The man slowly frowned and gave Jim a questioning look. “You, of all people, should know the answer to that. It’s leadership of course. I was born to command. I was born to be wealthy. A society cannot survive without its leisure class, people to look up to, people to envy and wish they were like. People to have stories told about their lavish antics. It makes them work harder and strive to gain the benefits that come with money. That’s why the communists fell apart. No financiers to make something out of a buck, no patrons of the arts who have the time and money to promote the esthetics. The Russians could only take so much of those worker inspired paintings of peasants marching through wheat fields waving red flags. It takes people like me to inspire art for the pure purpose of art and enjoyment as the ultimate goal of life. I’m surprised at your ignorance Mr. Young. It looks like you need an education.”
“I didn’t know you were that indispensable,” Jim said, trying not to sound too sarcastic.
“Did you know that those morons back on Earth actually asked me if I could drive a truck? That’s totally demeaning even suggesting it. I am meant for a higher purpose.”
Stutchman reached up to receive the beverage from the girl who had been waiting patiently by his chair for some minutes. He took a long drink then returned his attention to Jim. “I don’t usually rave on this way. Ignorant people that have no idea of the way things should be have been totally rude to me and my bad mood’s partially your fault.”
“My fault?”
“Yes, if you hadn’t turned up, we’d have continued with my father’s plans, uninterrupted.”
“If we hadn’t turned up, all of you would have died sooner or later. The ship was in bad condition. The automatic systems couldn’t have woken you up at all. You would have remained asleep until the systems slowly failed due to age.”
“In that case you should have recognized the natural order of things and left us in charge. Your immoral meddling has jeopardized this whole colony. If you think about it, you’ll know I’m right. That’s why I am confiscating your ship. You are in orbit around our planet, interfering with our people. In the past two weeks since I woke I have learned a lot about your illegal operations.”
“How...?” Jim paused trying to figure out how to gain information without asking a question. “Should I order you something to eat? I know there was nothing in that hold where we put you.”
Stutchman smiled a co
ndescending smile. “We were well supplied. Your amateurish efforts to contain us overlooked an air vent.”
“So, you had one of the colonists sympathetic to your cause. I suppose they were promised a feudal title and a small section of your empire.”
Stutchman shook his head. “No, she did it because she said she was in love with my father. Kept calling him Charlie and insisted that she knew him at a time twenty years before he was born. No one is that familiar with my father and gets away with it.”
“Good heavens,” Carol muttered, “it was Karla.”
“Tell your woman to keep her mouth shut Mr. Young. I hate female chatter when I haven’t asked for it.”
“Carol, I think we had better do what he says.”
Stutchman took another drink then sat swirling the contents of the half empty glass. “Totally insane, that woman. It runs in the gender you know. We males have to keep a constant watch on them. She kept telling me that she knew he was Charlie, the fifth angel from the bottomless pit that would rise to put things straight in the universe. Kept insisting that she was part of our family. I know of no one by the name of Brett even remotely related.”
“Is she all ri... ah... I suppose she’ll be a great help to you in coping with current technology.”
“What? Her, remain alive to breed and produce more insanity in later generations. I should say not, we have to have a healthy community to serve their masters. At a later time I may tell you our plans for selective breeding. It’s pure genius. The quality of our workers will be greatly improved.”
The lift tube door opened and Sam was pushed into the room by another armed man. “Ah can tells ya where ta shove that gun,” Sam said.
“President Sam,” Stutchman said, “or should I say, soon to be ex-president. You will announce to that Commonwealth government that an election has taken place. The new president Charles Stutchman and the new Vice President Ben Stutchman, that’s me, have decided to consider secession from the Commonwealth. I have an idea that we may now be joining the Independent Alliance. I have heard they are a lot less nosey with internal affairs.”
To Wake the Living (The Time Stone Trilogy Book 2) Page 19
