“The hell ah will ya carpetbaggin’ scallywag.”
“Sam, do what they say,” Jim said. “I have a feeling that thousands of lives depend on our cooperation.”
Ben shut one eye and looked down a pointing finger aimed at Jim. “Quite right, my people control the switches that shut off the cryo chamber maintenance computers. Now that you know our power, I think we can dispense with the firearms. Bill, Fred, put them away.”
Bill hesitated, glancing nervously down at his pistol. “But Mr. Stutch...”
“Put them away! I don’t want myself shot by accident you moron!” Ben settled back in his chair and a smile returned to his face. “That would be a tragic loss to mankind.”
Both armed men immediately thrust their guns inside their jackets.
“Mr. Young, your party’s all under house arrest for illegal intrusion into our territory and interference in our legitimate governmental system. You can have your cabins and the lounge on deck three. I know you’re going to plot your petty plots so just remember, I’ll be listening. We know quite a bit about the security systems on this ship.”
* * *
Jim fell heavily on the bed in their cabin. “Shit, why did I bring Karla along?”
“You had no way of knowing she was that far gone. Don’t blame yourself,” Carol said, taking a seat next to the dressing table. “What was all that about the fifth angel and a pit?”
“I have no idea. Something from her past I guess.”
“Think Jim. That may hold some sort of...”
She was interrupted by the tinkling sound of the doorbell.
“Come in,” Jim said.
The door opened. Chris and Celia walked into the room followed by a short dark woman. Jim flashed Chris an inquiring look. In return, Chris shrugged.
“There’s a few things I’ve got to go over with you,” the woman said. “First, food. I’ve heard that the supplies on this ship will last another month. Remember, we have no desire that all of you starve to death.”
“You’re Jennifer Falvy I take it. The computer guru,” Jim said.
“I think that’s a little obvious,” Falvy said. “Now about the food situation.”
“Ah... yes...” Jim said, “A month, but with the added people, it’d be cut to a week. Any longer and you’ll have to transfer some from the freighter that arrived yesterday.”
“So, how long will that last.”
“A couple of years,” Jim said. “It’s for the colonists as well.”
“On the manifest there are eleven non-colonists. We can only account for ten. I hope the extra one hasn’t got himself into any trouble. We don’t want to cause the death of a foreign citizen, bad for international relations.”
“Your people killed one of our crew, remember,” Jim snapped.
“The crewman’s accounted for,” Falvy said. “It’s your limp wristed Commonwealth friend we can’t find.”
“Peter?” Jim said as he settled back with a satisfied smile. “If he doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be found.”
“We’ll give him an hour to surrender. If he doesn’t, there’ll be hell to pay.”
“How the hell did you get into the computer system so quickly?” Chris said.
Falvy laughed. “I love this modern stuff, so simple to use. All I needed was an entry code then I just asked it how.”
“I should have put more security on the system,” Chris said.
“Your fault,” Falvy said. “Just remember, we can listen in on anything you say.” She then took a step toward the door which opened then a step back. “Computer, code six,” she said as the door closed.
“Code six confirmed,” the computer replied.
“We have to talk fast,” Falvy said. “Ben’s now listening to a recording I spliced together from listening in on your communications system for the past two weeks. It’s just general sounds of footsteps and people moving around etcetera. He’ll assume you are writing notes to each other.”
“What?” Jim said.
“I’m on your side,” Falvy said.
“So, you were sent to tell us that so we’ll trust you and tell what we know about Peter,” Jim said then raised his voice. “It won’t work Stutchman.”
“I don’t want to know where he is. I just want to see them all dead. You and your friend Karla ruined my plans. I rigged the computer to wake me up first. Instead, she went and woke Ben up first. I was going to kill them all then wake the rest of the colonists. Now I don’t know what the hell to do.”
“Give us some background,” Chris said. “How did this situation come about?”
Falvy folded her arms and leaned back against the wall. “Ten years ago Charles was a financier, he dealt in money and stock manipulation...” she smiled and paused for a moment, obviously confused.
“We know what you mean by ten years ago. Please continue,” Jim said.
She smiled nervously before proceeding. “…Charles, by buying and selling the resources that were needed for the Exodus program, became one of the wealthiest men in the country. Then, the weather went bad, money became worthless and the government forcibly nationalized resources. Charles and his moronic son hadn’t prepared for that. He became useless as well as powerless along with the rest of the money merchants, advertising executives and professional politicians. So he used what was left of his influence to raise a private army from others that were low on the Exodus list. He’s personally quite charismatic.”
“And his son? I take it that he was in the same position.”
“Slightly different. Do you remember a song about someone that was so vain?”
“‘I bet you think this song is about you.’?” Jim chuckled. “Yes I remember it quite well.”
“Well that was him all over. Partied his life away on his father’s money. When a government team arrived to rip all the metal and plastic from his mansion he tried to bribe them into leaving it alone. They just laughed in his face.”
“I would too.”
“Within a few months he had gone from head rooster to a plucked duck. You have probably noticed his attitude toward women. Charles is a highly intelligent manipulator that made a mistake. Ben is insane.”
“What’s your part in all this?” Chris said.
“I made the mistake of going to Charles and asking for help. I have a master’s degree in computer science but was low on the list. I’m diabetic.”
“Dia what?” Carol asked.
“She isn’t any more,” Celia said. “Dr. Chin corrected that through the cryo system. Karla pointed it out on the computer passenger information and insisted that the Doctor correct her pancreatic problem before putting her in the hold.”
“Shit, Karla again,” Jim said as he leaned back.
“What did that woman want?” Falvy said, shaking her head. “She talked about Charles as if he was some sort of God until she met him.”
“You were awake when they first met?” Jim said.
“Yes, she woke Ben up first. He insisted they wake up some of the bodyguards next, then me. When we woke Charles up twelve hours ago she took one look at him, screamed and ran out of the room. It was obvious she thought he was a different person. People look a lot different through the view port of the cryogenics chamber and there was no picture of him in the database.”
“Is she a prisoner?”
“Ben ordered his bodyguard to chase her down and kill her.”
“Did they?” Jim said.
“They said they did, but I didn’t see a body.”
“So, what now?” Jim said.
Falvy raised her head. “Computer, authorize voice print Jim Young, full command and control.”
“Authorization confirmed,” the computer replied.
“So, you want us to just cut them out and take over,” Jim said.
“Don’t,” Falvy said. “They just planted explosives throughout the colony ship. Do that and thousands will die.”
“Again, what now?” Jim said.
/> “I’m sure you’ll figure something out. I’ve heard you are all quite capable, especially your Commonwealth friend. On the colony ship he got away from two of our men a while ago. Killed them both.”
“If we do something, won’t you be in trouble.”
“I keep emphasizing the fact that I know little about this system and take no responsibility for things going wrong. At least Charles seems to understand that. I hope he just thinks that it was you alone that figured out a way to beat the system.”
“How do we stop them listening in on us?” Jim said.
“Code six turns it off and plays the recording, code seven turns it on again. I’d better get back up there before they realize I’ve been gone so long.” She raised a finger to silence all present. “Computer, code seven.”
“Code seven confirmed,” the computer replied.
Falvy beckoned to Chris and Celia and they all left.
* * *
Jim and Carol settled back and continued with trivial conversation for the next hour.
“Computer, code six,” Jim said.
“Code six confirmed,” the computer replied.
“I wonder if the Stutchmans hear me give that command.”
“Probably not,” Carol said. “Falvy appears quite intelligent. It’s logical that she’d put in a delay in transmission. When the code is executed it cuts the command from the audio.”
Jim leaned back and thought for a moment. “Computer, open a direct private line with Dr. Redmond on Batalavia.”
“Line open,” the computer replied, “receiver on automatic answer.”
“What the hell is going on up there, Jim?” Redmond said. “I have been trying to contact you for two hours. Sam called Rossetti and threatened to secede the C.S.A. from the Commonwealth.”
“It was not by choice Doc.”
“That’s what we figured. Stress analysis on his voice showed that he was not at all pleased. Is this President Stutchman one of the ones you told us about five weeks ago?”
“That’s correct. They got out of the hold and are now in control.”
“Chairwoman Rossetti is on this line and would like to speak with Peter. Is it possible to put him on?”
“We have no idea where he...”
“I’m right here dishy sweets. Just waiting for someone to open the private line I tapped into.”
“Where are you?” Jim said. “We were told you were last seen on the colony ship.”
“Deck two hold, in your spare excursion vehicle. I’m getting hungry, so if you can get me some food, I would appreciate it.”
“Mr. Harvey,” Rossetti said, “this situation is classified as piracy, so the Commonwealth can intervene. What are your recommendations?”
“Looks like we’re on our own out here. I watched them planting explosives on the colony ship. One Commonwealth cruiser shows up and it’s all over.”
“Shit,” Rossetti exclaimed.
“We have to wait until most of the colonists are on the planet’s surface before we act,” Peter said. “And we, ourselves, have to be out of the way in the meantime. If we’re gone, then they cannot intimidate the governments into continuing to educate the colonists and possibly supply them with modern arms.”
Jim looked up and frowned. “Gone, where? We can’t all hide in that excursion vehicle.”
“Down on the planet.”
“Oh yeah, we just ask the Stutchmans if we can borrow the shuttle for a joy ride.”
“We don’t ask them, we just take it. Last time I saw it, it was parked outside waiting for another load of technicians to take to the surface. Get everyone down here and we’re on our way.”
“We’ll be unarmed.”
“There are six laser pistols in a locker on the shuttle.”
“How do you know that?”
“I put them there a week ago.”
“What if they start executing colonists to convince us to come back?” Jim said.
“Listen sweets, if they can’t talk to us, it’d be pointless. We wouldn’t know about it. That Falvy woman will point that out I’m sure.”
“You know about her?”
“She’s the one who distracted the guards and let me ah... work.”
“I guess we can trust her then,” Carol agreed.
“Then that’s the plan,” Peter said. “Meet me here in one hour and distract the guards at the door please.”
“Guards?”
“Oh yes, big ugly brutes. I can see them from here.”
“Ok, if we...”
The door opened and Ben Stutchman strode into the room followed by an older man. Jim instantly recognized him as Charles by his description as having piercing brown eyes.
“Get out,” Ben Stutchman said in a matter of fact manner. “This is my father’s room now, he has to rest.”
“Can we collect our clothes first?” Jim asked as he slowly rose from the bed.
The younger Stutchman flew into a rage. “When I give an order it will be obeyed instantly. You trash will learn...”
The older man stepped forward. “One moment son. These people are different. You might say, they’re one of us, wealthy and in command so to speak. We have to extend the courtesy of fellowship.” Charles Stutchman turned to Jim and smiled. “We’ll have your things taken to the spare cabin by one of the crew. I hope this isn’t too much of an inconvenience.”
Without a word Jim and Carol left the room and headed for one of the two spare cabins. Twenty minutes later, Captain Mull appeared at the door with an armful of clothes. Behind her Marie had a similar pile.
“Now we know Rick was the one they killed,” Jim said.
“Yes,” Captain Mull said, “they wanted the main code to the system. When I refused, one of them walked up behind Rick with a rope and started to strangle him. I immediately told them I’d give the code but he would not stop until Rick was dead. They’re all psychos.”
“Hear that Stutchman. Aren’t you a little nervous about your own troops? Computer, code six.”
“Code six confirmed,” the computer replied.
“Don’t say a word,” Jim said. “Just meet us at 23:50. Corridor three, deck two. Computer, code seven.”
“Code seven confirmed,” the computer replied.
Captain Mull nodded then turned and left.
During the next half hour Jim went from cabin to cabin asking the others about their condition and telling them to cooperate. With him he carried a hand written note. It contained the same message he had given the captain. In each cabin, he surreptitiously flashed it after a quick finger to the lips to ensure no verbal reaction. All nodded in response.
At the appointed time, they all met at the small staircase at the rear of the ship leading down to the designated deck. At the bottom of the stairs Jim looked up to see Captain Mull and Marie at the other end of the corridor walking toward them.
“Earl, follow me,” Jim whispered as he walked to the cargo bay door and peeked in.
“Hey,” said a gruff voice from inside. “We have orders to kill anyone walking through this door.”
“Ah... we’re just taking a stroll,” Jim said as he stepped into plain sight of the men inside. “The observation deck is out of bounds to us,” Earl joined him. “We were told that we could go anywhere else though.”
“Not in here,” said the larger of the two men, “one foot inside that door and you’re dead.”
In the half light of the hold Jim vaguely saw a human figure silently appear behind them. One man’s head suddenly snapped to the left and a foot whipped out slamming the second man against a bulkhead. Before the first man had a chance to fall, a hand flashed past the second man’s neck with just a hint of a light blue spark. Jim heard the sizzle of burning flesh as the man’s hands leaped to the seared gash in his throat.
“Holy shit,” Earl said quietly as both men hit the deck.
“It’s a talent,” Peter said as he looked down at the limp bodies in front of him. “We’re going to h
ave to rearrange my original plans. Ten minutes ago someone came in here and collected a handful of pressure suits then exited through the airlock. We’re going to have to take three trips and someone will have to bring back the suits from the first groups.”
“How many left?” Jim said.
“There are seven suits, that’s a first group of five and two to stand as lookout. I suggest you and me. One will return with the suits.”
“Four suits for five people. That means one will be left behind for a third trip.”
“Unless there’s a spare suit in the shuttle,” Peter said. “It’s a pity we can not take that Jennifer with us. I like her.”
“Don’t tell me you’re changing your orientation Peter,” Jim said, sounding amused.
“No, no, we make a good team. She swishes her hips and attracts their attention then I, ah...”
“We get the picture,” Carol said, reaching for a suit. “Who’s in the first group?”
“You, Dr. Chin, Captain Mull, Sam and Mort. Mort brings the suits back for the rest.”
“And the one left behind for the third trip?” Jim said.
Peter reached into the jackets of the two bodies in turn and retrieved their handguns. He then walked over to Earl and presented the two pistols. “We need a rear guard. If we’re discovered, then someone has to hold them off in the corridor until the others get away.”
Earl took the pistols and nodded. “They won’t get past me. I’ll hold them Nazis off like we did at Baston”
“Oh Earl,” Celia said as she ran over and grasped him by the shoulders.
“First group suit up,” Peter said, grabbing one for himself. “Not enough jet bars for everyone so we’ll have to pair up.”
“Ah... one problem,” Halbert said. “If we go down there, I’ll have no booze and no pills to keep me straight. Within a week I’ll be a screaming mess.”
Jim slapped his side. “Oh shit.”
“The Montoya freighter,” Peter said. “One person could get over to it and hide out in the cargo bay until it leaves tomorrow. They all have a small passenger section. When it gets underway, just call the company and they’ll adjust its acceleration for comfort.”
To Wake the Living (The Time Stone Trilogy Book 2) Page 20
