by Ryk Brown
“We have already dispatched Falcon One on a cold-coast recon through the Sherma system,” General Telles replied. “Once the system is clear of the Dusahn, we will send a boxcar back to retrieve any pilots who survived.”
Lieutenant Commander Sistone nodded his appreciation.
Connor and the general both turned their attention to Captain Gullen of the Glendanon.
“I believe I made myself clear,” Captain Gullen said.
“Nevertheless, I should formally ask for your help, Captain,” Connor replied. “Will you join us?”
“On one condition,” Captain Gullen replied. “You must promise me you will shave off that ridiculous beard of yours. Not all of us can pull off that look.”
“Soon,” Connor promised with a grin.
“Very well, gentlemen,” General Telles said. “Captain Donlevy, Captain Tobas, I believe you need to meet with your crews.”
Both captains voiced their confirmation and quickly signed off.
Connor suddenly seemed to relax a bit, breathing a sigh of relief. “I wasn’t sure I could pull that off,” he said in a heavy exhale.
“You did well,” General Telles said.
“Well?” Deliza exclaimed. “I wouldn’t have known the difference!”
Captain Gullen looked puzzled. “Now I’m confused again.”
“I’m afraid things are a bit more complicated than we led Captains Donlevy and Tobas to believe,” General Telles admitted.
“I do not understand.”
“The original body of Nathan Scott died in that cell,” the general explained. “We were only able to rescue his consciousness.” General Telles put his hand on Connor’s shoulder. “This man is the clone of Nathan Scott, but he is not yet Nathan.”
* * *
Doctor Chen exited exam room four, closing the door behind her as she left. “Four will need interior scans of the left arm and shoulder,” she told the nurse who met her in the corridor.
“I’ll get started on it, Doctor,” the nurse replied. “Five is female, mid thirties, lower right abdominal pain times forty-eight hours.”
“Thanks,” the doctor said, noticing a man standing just past the door to exam room five. “Who is that?” she asked the nurse under her breath. “Husband of five?”
“If so, he sure doesn’t act like it,” the nurse replied, shrugging as she entered the exam room the doctor had just exited.
Doctor Chen headed down the corridor to the next examination room, nodding politely at the serious gentleman standing quietly near the door. She opened the door and walked inside as she read the next patient’s chart on her data pad. “Miss Everson, I’m Doctor Chen. What seems to be the problem?”
The patient waited for the door to close. Without speaking, she pulled a small electronic device out of her purse, set it on the side table, and activated it. Two seconds later, the indicator light on the device turned from yellow to green.
“I assure you that these rooms are private,” Doctor Chen promised, as she pulled up a stool to sit in front of the nervous patient. Miss Everson wasn’t the first patient who had brought a surveillance protection field generator into the exam room. “Even the man outside the door cannot hear anything we say.”
“I apologize for the precaution, Doctor Chen,” the patient began, now satisfied that no one would be able to hear them. “Before I begin, I must confirm that you are Doctor Melei Chen, former chief medical officer of the Aurora, at the time under the command of the late Captain Nathan Scott?”
“Uh… How did you… Who are you?”
“Again, I apologize, but please, I must confirm your identity before I say anything else.”
“Well, I suppose you already know that I am, otherwise you wouldn’t be here,” Doctor Chen said.
“What year of your EDF training were you at the time?”
“Uh, fifth year, I think. Yes, fifth year.”
“And the rotation prior to the Aurora?”
“Surgical. And my mother’s maiden name was Liang, if that helps,” she added sarcastically, tired of the incessant questioning.
“Thank you for your patience, Doctor,” the woman said. “I’m afraid I’m rather new to this cloak and dagger stuff.”
“What’s going on?” Doctor Chen wondered. “Who are you?”
“My name is Miri Thornton,” the patient revealed. “Miri Scott-Thornton.”
Doctor Chen suddenly put two and two together. “The President’s aide… You’re Captain Scott’s sister, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I don’t understand. Why are you here? And why are you pretending to be a patient?”
“I needed to speak with you, in private, which is not an easy task in my position.”
“I imagine not.”
“You’re still in the reserves, right?”
“For two more years, yes. Then, I’m finally free.” Melei suddenly became suspicious. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m afraid I have a very big favor to ask of you.”
“What kind of favor?” the doctor wondered, one eyebrow going up skeptically.
“I need you to volunteer to return to active duty.”
Doctor Chen laughed. “Why the hell would I do that?”
“Because I need you back on the Aurora,” Miri explained.
“Have you been watching the netcasts, Miss Thornton? We’re on the verge of another war with the Jung. Being a doctor aboard a warship is not exactly a smart career move right now.”
“What if I told you that the Alliance was going to be activating you anyway, and that by agreeing to help me, I can make sure you end up on the Aurora instead of some other ship?”
“Which ship hardly makes a difference,” Doctor Chen said, unimpressed. “They’re all going to get shot at, sooner or later.”
“But if you are assigned to the Aurora, then you can deliver a message to her captain for me. A message of vital importance to the security of the entire Alliance, and perhaps even the entire galaxy.”
Doctor Chen looked her, squinting in suspicion. “Why do I get the feeling that I’m not going to like where this is going?”
“Trust me, Doctor, if what I think is about to happen is in fact what is about to happen, then you may very well prefer to be on the Aurora. And if not, I can see to it that you get transferred back to surface duty as soon as possible.” Miri opened her hand, revealing a small data chip. “Will you deliver the message to Captain Taylor?”
Doctor Chen looked at the data chip for a moment. “Fate of the galaxy, huh?” She sighed, picking up the chip. “What is it with you Scotts? You’re always in the middle of it all.”
“It is vitally important that no one knows about this,” Miri warned.
“Am I doing this for you, or for the president?” Doctor Chen wondered.
“Neither,” Miri admitted.
“Then for whom?”
“I cannot tell you,” Miri said apologetically. “But, if I could, I believe you would agree to help. For now, let’s just say you’re doing it for all of humanity.”
“Oh, is that all?” Doctor Chen put the data chip into her pocket. “I don’t suppose you really have abdominal pain, do you?”
“No, but it might be best if you put me through the usual examinations, just for the sake of appearances,” Miri suggested.
“Of course,” Doctor Chen said, picking up her medical scanner to begin the examination. “You do realize you’ve just ruined what was shaping up to be a pretty good day, don’t you?”
* * *
“But, once the transfer is complete, he will be Nathan Scott again?” Captain Gullen asked, trying to make sure he understood the general’s explanation correctly.
“If all goes well, yes.
There may be some memory loss, such as incomplete, or fragmented memories, but both Doctor Sato and Doctor Megel are confident that the fifth generation clone will be successful.”
Captain Gullen looked at Deliza. “And this process has been going for seven years? It must have cost you a small fortune.”
“A small price to pay, considering,” Deliza replied. “Captain Scott did save my life on more than one occasion.”
“Yes, as he did for us all,” Captain Gullen said. He took a deep breath and sighed, then looked at Connor. “Do you truly understand the responsibility you are choosing to accept?” the captain asked him. “The risks you will be taking? If you become Nathan Scott, you will become the most hunted man in the galaxy. The Jung will not rest until they can hold your severed head high for all to see.”
“You’re not exactly helping, Captain,” Connor replied.
“I’m not trying to,” Captain Gullen admitted. “I just don’t understand how any man can willingly accept such a challenge.”
“Didn’t you offer your ship, knowing full well that doing so might condemn those you love to execution at the hands of the Dusahn?” Connor asked.
“Yes, but…”
“Both are difficult things to do. Most would say that yours is even more difficult. I am only putting my own life at risk.”
“And the lives of those willing to follow you,” the captain pointed out.
“Only if they choose to do so. I’m not making the decision for them. You, on the other hand, are making the decision for your wife and daughter.” Connor could see the anguish on the captain’s face. “I realize you are doing what you believe is the right thing to do…not for them, but for everyone. That was a difficult decision to make, just as mine was.”
“It is what men such as us do,” General Telles added.
Connor squinted a moment, as a memory flashed in his mind. “That which other men cannot do.”
General Telles looked at Connor, a wry smile on his face. It was not the first time that one of Nathan’s memories had found its way out of the depths of Connor Tuplo’s mind.
“And the procedure must be done in the lab on Corinair?”
“Yes,” Deliza replied. “To rebuild and regrow the clone, using DNA from Captain Tuplo, would take another five years, at least. And because of the Dusahn, we will not have access to the markets that created the revenue streams that funded the effort. The clone is waiting in that underground lab, along with all the equipment necessary to complete the transfer.”
“Although the lab is secure, it is only a matter of time before it is discovered,” the general explained. “The Dusahn have already started searching every technology company and manufacturing facility on the worlds they have seized. We must reach that lab before they discover it.”
“How do you intend to get onto Corinair, and into that lab, without being detected?” Captain Gullen wondered. “And how do you plan to get off Corinair once the transfer is completed?”
“Getting to the lab is not as difficult as one might think,” the general replied.
“We can’t jump in there like before, not even into a cave,” Connor warned. “It didn’t take them long to find us. Next time, they’ll just bomb the entire area and be done with it. We’ll never get out in time.”
“I do have a plan,” the general replied, “not only to get you into that lab and out again, but to rescue your wife and daughter, Captain Gullen. However, without a warship, our chances of success are somewhat limited.”
“Perhaps we should wait for word from Captain Taylor?” Connor suggested.
“Every day that we wait we run the risk of losing Nathan Scott,” the general said. “Quite possibly forever.”
* * *
“I’ve been hounding command for more personal time for nearly a week now, and this is what I get for it,” Commander Kaplan complained, as she entered the Aurora’s ready room and plopped down in the chair across the desk from Cameron.
Commander Kaplan had always been a bit on the informal side. It was something Cameron had come to accept about her. Although she normally did not prefer such informality among her officers, there were times when she appreciated the ability to talk openly with someone. And, as long as the informality took place in private, it did little harm; although, at times, she did wonder if push came to shove, if the commander would carry out an order that she did not agree with, or if she would argue the order. She hoped she would never have to find out.
“Executive Officer: Aurora: Fleet Command: Blah blah blah… The immediate transfer of Commander Caro, Megan H., M.D., serial number blah blah to the ESS Chennai at earliest. Replacement CMO to arrive shortly, blah blah blah… Can you believe this?”
“They’re taking our chief medical officer?” Cameron said in disbelief. Commander Kaplan handed Cameron her data pad. “Did they say who will be replacing her?”
“Someone named Chen,” the commander replied. “This is unbelievable.”
“Melei Chen?” Cameron asked, scanning the data pad. “Oh, yes, there it is.”
“Wasn’t she the newb who took over as CMO when the rest of the medical staff was killed, back during the Aurora’s super jump?”
“Yes, she was,” Cameron said. “She did a pretty good job, too.”
“Well, at least she should be fully trained by now. But that’s going to leave us without a doctor for half a day.”
“As long as we don’t go into battle, we should be all right,” Cameron comforted her. “If anything serious comes up, we can jump shuttle the patient back to fleet medical.”
“I suppose,” the commander reluctantly agreed. “I thought the Chennai wasn’t due for launch for another month?”
“I guess they moved it up,” Cameron surmised. “Can you blame them?”
“The early launch of the Chennai means it’s just going to be that much more difficult to fill out our crew. We’re going to be working double shifts till Founders’ Day!”
“It’s not like we’re the only ship working doubles, you know.”
“I just hope this Doctor Chen of yours has a better bedside manner than Caro does.”
“I assume you haven’t told the commander yet?”
“No, I wanted to tell you first, in case you wanted to protest it to Fleet.”
“Not interested,” Cameron said. “Besides, Caro will like life on a destroyer better. Smaller crew, fewer staff to manage. She’s not exactly a people person.”
“I’ll tell her to start packing, then,” the commander said, rising from her seat. “Let’s just hope they don’t swap anyone else out,” she added on her way toward the hatch. “With all these doubles, who has time to break in someone new if we don’t have to?”
* * *
Connor walked through the boarding ramp from the Glendanon to the Seiiki, wondering how he was going to pitch his idea. He had asked a lot of them over the last ten days, and yet they had stuck with him every step of the way. They truly were his family.
He got to the Seiiki’s outer hatch and punched in his security code, stepping into the Seiiki’s airlock once the outer door was open. It was standard practice never to allow the ship to be directly open to another ship’s environment, when docked, for the simple reason that docking collars were never one hundred percent reliable. The fact that his crew had been left with no choice but to do so, while quickly transferring passengers to the Glendanon during the evacuation of Burgess, made him shudder.
The inner hatch slid open, and Connor stepped inside and activated the mechanism, causing it to close behind him. He followed the sound of his crew, a few steps aft in the Seiiki’s compact galley.
“Cap’n,” Josh called out in greeting. “How did your meeting of the minds go?”
“It went well, thank you,” he replied, pulling an
empty water bottle out of the cabinet. “You guys finish running all the diagnostics?”
“Yes, sir,” Dalen answered. “Other than a few burnt-out relays, and a slightly singed port shield generator, we’re in pretty fair shape, all things considered.”
“That’s good to hear,” Connor said as he filled his water bottle from the cold tap in the refrigerator door. He took a long drink, then turned to face his crew sitting at the booth in the corner. “Listen, I wanted to thank all of you for sticking by me the last couple weeks. I know I’ve probably made some questionable choices in your minds, and I appreciate that you always put your faith in me, even if you don’t necessarily agree with me. It means a lot.” Connor swallowed hard. “I just thought you deserved to hear it from me.”
“Wow,” Neli said. “That’s the most emotion I’ve heard you use since that time you came home drunk off your ass back on Perinorimo.”
“No, it wasn’t Perinorimo,” Josh disagreed. “It was Little Bastone.”
“No, it was Perinorimo,” Neli argued.
“You’re both wrong,” Marcus interrupted. “It was Barklin. That little dive bar around the corner from the spaceport. Finny’s, or something.”
“You’re all wrong,” Connor told them. “It was the Morrisay Inn, on Hondori. And for the record, I wasn’t drunk off my ass. I was under the influence, I’ll admit…”
“Port security brought you back in a shopping cart, Cap’n!” Josh reminded him. “You were singing some song… What was it?” Josh turned to the others. “Something about lost loves and sunsets?”
“The sun has set on love,” Marcus started singing.
“Yeah! That’s it!” Josh agreed excitedly. “Oh, man, it was pitiful! Singin’ is not your strong suit, Cap’n!”
“Enough,” Connor insisted, embarrassed. “Enough.”
“We’re just giving you a hard time, Cap’n,” Josh grinned.
“Enjoy it while you can,” Connor told him. “Once I become Na-Tan, you’re all going to have to bow down to me whenever I walk into the room,” he joked.
