by Jeri Dion
Tom continued asking questions, and Midge was quite happy to go on an answering as best he could. He was realising, as they communicated, there was more than a casual interest growing between his mistress and Tom Stavard. Time would tell whether there would be anything in it he thought. He hoped so.
Amalthea One came within a two milon orbit of Orge Midge began clearing communications for docking to repair the problem that had occurred. The head Flight Control Commander listened to the problem and soon granted the Amalthea permission to dock for a duration, to enable repairs. Tom asked Midge if the Travelsport system was operational? Midge went silent while checking. He confirmed it was operational. Tom informed him he was going over for the parts and to tell Tayce if she woke where he’d gone. Midge agreed. Tom walked from Organisation Deck, heading on down to the Travelsport Centre to journey across, via spot vaporization technique, removing him across to the port. Midge decided to watch Tom to make sure he was okay, the whole time from the cruisers scan.
Down in Tayce’s quarters she was still in a deep peaceful sleep. Midge was monitoring her, as she slept, as he always did. As the time approached for the Repose Centre Alarm to sound, it had been five hourons since Tom had left. Midge had decided it was time to wake his mistress, as he was growing concerned. Tayce woke to the familiar soothing sound and stretched expecting to find herself still in the Control seat in Organisation Deck. As she focussed on her surrounding, she realised where she was and sat quickly bolt upright thinking and wondering what on earth had happened? How had she become where she was? Midge informed her he was concerned Tom had been gone five hourons, he’d promised he’d be back with new components, but as yet he hadn’t returned. On this Tayce wasn’t amused, how long did it take to get replacement parts? Also who did this Tom Stavard think he was taking her job and cruiser over. Once she had freshened up, she briskly began on the way up to Organisation Deck.
Tom returned, and walked into Organisation Deck a while later. He’d brought with him the replacement parts to repair Midge. He came to an abrupt halt, as he found Tayce standing waiting for him hands on hips in the middle of the deck looking far from pleased at his lateness to return.
“Enjoy your jaunt Mr Stavard I’m waiting for your explanation of why you thought you could take my place in going over to the port for the parts, and the time it’s taken you,” she said displeased.
“I’m sorry,” he replied he could see she was angry.
“We have a policy aboard this cruiser, you should have let Midge know or me know, you were going to Orge in my place, you left this cruiser unattended, we could have been boarded by any unscrupulous being and his merry band, also with Midge working on temporary repaired operations, he could have failed and this cruiser and I would be prisoners of whoever, do you understand what I driving at?” pointed out Tayce plainly.
“For your information I did tell Midge I was going in your place, the supply vessel that had the repair parts had only just docked, so I had to wait for the cargo to clear, and book it out to you, I was in constant contact with Midge I guess he didn’t pick it up,” retorted Tom.
“I take it that’s the right parts we need?” said Tayce glancing to the items in Tom’s hands.
“Quite! Now I’ll do the job and we can get up and running,” replied Tom.
He said no more. He felt Tayce had said it all, he did not want to argue with her further, it would be pointless. Right now she was a typical overreacting female and this was her cruiser that no one else, not even him who had tried to help her must interfere with. Women he thought. But deep down he also could see her point, he probably would have acted the same way, maybe he did act irresponsibly, but he wasn’t letting her know it. He got down under Midges console and removed the panel. Removing the broken makeshift repaired board he replaced the old one, for the new improved one. Once everything was running smoothly and in full power they could get under way. He soon stood up meeting Tayce. She suddenly caught his calm look at her, and it make her feel wrong. He didn’t say anything, just passed her and climbed into the Co-pilot seat. Tayce awkwardly crossed to join him, in silence. Concentrating on the future and what it held.
Tayce was no longer the young woman alone travelling the Universe, and she realised it. It was taking time to adjust to. She now had a space partner and the first of a hoped new team, that’s if he decided to stay.
Questa
Amalthea One was running a lot more smoothly with the newly installed components. Tayce was at the controls, under the usual assisted control of Midge. Tom Stavard had been on board almost two weekons and had decided to stay as part of the crew and possible proposed new team. This idea Tayce had discussed with him to form a crime fighting team. He liked it. But he wanted to think about it. The frosty reception between the two of them had gone, they were almost working as a mini team.
Tom was currently down in the on board Technical Centre. He managed to retrieve his dented and damaged small intelligent mobile robot named ‘Cargo’ so far he wasn’t having much luck. He was beginning to wonder if he would ever get the little Robot to work again. The occasional blaspheme filled the air every time something failed, in trying to get the system to boot up. Midge was trying his best over head to advise Tom on what he should try next. So far both were being left speechless as to what to try.
Back in Organisation Deck Tayce was watching the Spacescape, for anything untoward, or unusual.
“Midge latest scan information of the immediate sector please,” she requested.
“We have a port in this sector, and it’s sending out a distress signal, do you want to investigate?” he put to her.
Tayce thought about it, as Midge considered the possibilities of a trap, or running into danger. Both were silent for a cencron. They’d been through so many near misses from set up distress calls before in the past, why should this one be any diverse, as any other.
“Proceed with precaution for diverting, in case it’s another elaborate trap,” ordered Tayce.
“Very well, will do,” replied Midge.
“Let me know the moment everything checks out, and we come into orbit,” suggested Tayce.
“Where will you be?” he asked.
“I’ve heard Tom’s expletives long enough, I’m going down to the Technical Centre to see what he’s trying to put together,” she replied leaving her seat, she walked across to the entrance.
She began on the walk down the corridor in thought about the distress call. Suddenly from below decks there came an agonising cry from Tom in the Technical Centre. She froze for a cencron, then broke into a sprint. Upon reaching the Level Steps, she began down. But half way down she caught her high heel in the silver steps, and ripped it from her cream boot, which threw her head long down the steps. She tumbled all the way down coming to a halt on Level 5. She screamed, wondering where she’d stop. Finally she impacted with the wall on Level 5, and knocked herself out cold. Her slim form rested in an unconscious sprawl. Her head tilted on one side.
Tom alarmed at the commotion of Tayce falling down the steps, put down the silver slim probing instrument and broke into a sprint, running out of the Technical Centre, into the corridor. He paused looking down the corridor towards the Level Steps to see the lifeless form of Tayce laying silent. He quickly ran along the corridor in urgency and alarm, wondering what the hell had happened. He knelt down upon reaching her, not knowing quite what to do for the best. Which bit to move first, in case she’d broken anything. A cold shiver rushed through him at the sudden thought, maybe she was dead even! No! he thought.
“Midge, can you scan Tayce here, is it safe to move her?” he asked extremely concerned via his Wristlink.
“Everything’s in hand Tom, scanning now stand clear,” informed Midge calmly.
Out of nowhere an orange energy glow materialised around Tayce. It hummed whilst it scanned her where she lay. Once don
e Midge suggested Tayce be moved to the Life Ability Centre. Tom carefully slipped his hands under Tayce in a supporting manner and climbed to his feet, picking her up in his strong arms. Once up he headed straight along to the Deck Travel. The doors opened on him pausing just before them. He slipped inside and managed to push the button for the required level, with Tayce cradled in his strong arms out cold. The Deck Travel ascended to Level 2. No sooner had the doors drew open, Tom hurried out and along and into the Life Ability Centre. The doors opening on his approach.
“Okay. Midge take care of her,” said Tom crossing to the Exam Bunk placing Tayce down gently.
He then stood back, while Midge did another more thorough body scan, for internal injuries.
“It’s all right Tom, she’s only got what we term, impact bruising and she’ll have a headache from hitting her head tumbling,” assured Midge seeing Tom’s concern.
“Thank God for that,” expressed Tom much relieved.
“What happened?” asked Tayce beginning to regain consciousness.
“Take it easy, you fell down the steps hit your head, Midge said you’ll have a headache, but you’ve no broken bones,” he assured her softly.
Tayce lay looking up at Tom, listening to what he was saying. She felt her head still spinning. Midge overhead advised she should remain in the Life Ability Centre for at least forty-eight hourons, just as a precaution. He ordered Tom to administer a ‘Select’ pain relieving injection, it was especially for the kind of pain Tayce was enduring owing to her injuries and it incorporated a sedative for her to sleep and to restore her health back to normal levels, ridding her bloodstream of the shock. Midge showed him how to administer the Inject Pen. It hit Tayces bloodstream quickly and painlessly. She soon closed her eyes, and drifted back into deep sleep. Tom left her in Midges care. He did however, before walking out, fetched a Coverlet to drape over Tayce. He then turned, leaving. On the way he began to wonder if he was a jinx, as everything that happened lately had occurred since his arrival on board, maybe it would have been better if Tayce had left him in space.
Tom returned to the Technical Centre. But just as he entered, Midges voice stopped him, mid way back to the Tech Bench and ‘Cargo’. Midge began that enemy fighters were closing in fast. Firing as they came, Tom spun on his heels and ran back on out heading up to Organisation Deck. As he ran up the steps Tayce had fallen down earlier in an uncontrollable fashion. Fire power from his surroundings was already being unleashed upon the oncoming enemy fighters. Upon his arrival on deck, Midge briefed him on what was happening.
“They appeared from, the 2nd North sector, and they mean business, believe me,” announced Midge sending back retaliating Slazer bursts.
“Who are they Midge?” said Tom, crossing, dropping into Tayces seat, as he reached it.
“Our worst enemy, the race that destroyed Tayces home world, the Vargon Warriors, Tayce has encountered them before, they never give up, last time we outran and out fired them,” pointed out Midge.
“Looks like they won’t take no for an answer, would you like me to take control?” asked Tom helpfully.
“No, I have everything in hand, these guys make their own rules and so do we in retaliation,” replied Midge.
Tom raised his eyes in surprise at the character of this Midge computer, he was certainly something else, he’d like to shake the hand of the man who designed him. He was impressed at how Midge retaliated in weapon fire on the oncoming enemy fighters. The cruiser seemed to manoeuvre this way, and that, just to stay ahead of the game, so to speak.
“Midge this is getting too dangerous, hand controls over to me now!” ordered Tom.
“Handing over now Tom, give them hell!” said Midge releasing the controls to continue firing.
A Slazer burst flew from one of the front cannons of Amalthea in the control of Tom. It hit home on the nose of one of the enemy fighters, blowing it into an array of debris and sparks. Amalthea suddenly jolted as another passing fighter unleashed a shot, which bounced off the cruisers protection shield. Tom quickly retaliated, returning a quick succession of firepower, blowing it to smithereens. Tom waited till the group of enemy fighters were in formation, then released an Energy Disintegrating Missile. There was one massive explosion of immense magnitude. Then nothing, but clear calm dark space. Tom sat in silence.
“We won again! Your quiet Tom, are you all right?” asked Midge not hearing any comments from him as to what had just happened.
“I’m fine Midge, it’s just I’ve never seen firepower like that before, it was awesome!” replied Tom thinking about what he’d just witnessed.
Out of nowhere came a lone enemy fighter. The caterpillar shaped black fighter hovered, then thought better and turned tail and flew off out of sight. Midge had the idea he had gone back to report to his chief what had occurred and informed Tom so. He sat poised ready.
In the Life Ability Centre, Tayce had been jolted from the sedative induced sleep. She opened her eyes to a sight she thought she would never have to endure again. On the far side of the centre, stood the illusion of none other than the woman who she hated in all the Universe, the woman leader who headed the attack and destruction on her world. ‘Countess Vargon! Upon seeing the illusion, Tayce sat up in alarm. Something was wrong. Badly wrong! This illusion of the Countess laughing in all her black dressed evilness conveyed one thing, she was back once more to take the cruiser. She forgot all about her aches and pains from the fall and slid from the bunk. She ran for the entrance, the pain still hitting her occasionally as she went. She began thinking to herself, the bitch was not going to get her hands on her cruiser, not now or ever, if she could help it. As she ran from the Life Ability Centre, she realised that she was still wearing her broken heeled boot. Pausing she pulled both boots off and discarded them against the corridor wall, going on. Tayce pushed her aches and pains to the back of her mind, as they quickly continued to remind her of her sustained injuries. Pausing at the Slazer Emergency Cabinet and tapping in her master code, the door slid open and she retrieved a handgun, checking it was at full charge, she let the door slid shut. Heading on cautiously to Organisation.
Up in Organisation Deck, Tom was having trouble with an on board uninvited guest, in the form of one of the Countesses men, a Vargon Warrior Pilot. Who had returned to carry out his mistresses wishes, to take the Amalthea. Midge had control of the cruiser, while Tom was beating the hell out of the intruder. But he was finding he was more than an equal match for him, in brute strength. Eventually Tom managed to grab hold of the Green Platex (plastic) shielded Warrior and hurtle him across the deck. Where he sailed up against the wall with a thud. One that was not occupied luckily by computer functioning panels. Tom didn’t let up, as the Warrior looked like he was coming back for more, he went straight for him. He forced him back against the wall and held him there with an angry glare in his eyes. He was angry beyond control now.
“What’s your business here, tell me before I take you out permanently?” demanded Tom holding the Warrior by a broken piece of his armour
“I have orders to destroy this cruiser,” replied the Warrior full of resisting anger and hatred for Tom.
“Oh really, you’ve got orders, well you Green armoured jerk I’m giving you one, get off this cruiser before I tear you apart and send you back to your leader in a sealed container, gift wrapped,” said Tom getting fed up with this big built barbarian.
The Warrior managed to reach for his hand weapon. He drew it aiming it in Tom’s midriff. Tom looked down. For a moment he saw his whole life flash before his eyes. Then he heard a welcome sound behind him. Tayce stepped into Organisation. Her Slazer set to kill and she was prepared to use it to save Tom and Amalthea.
“Drop it, don’t think for a moment that I won’t use this because I will,” said Tayce coldly behind the warrior.
“A female! Me afraid of you, you forget where the g
uns aimed woman,” retorted the Warrior over his right shoulder.
“You should be, I never miss, ask your Countess, now get off my cruiser and go back and tell your leader she better start praying because this little girl from Traun, is ready to take her on,” said Tayce continuing her hostile tone.
“And,” replied the Warrior not moving.
“When we meet, it will be her last meeting with me, forever!” said Tayce aiming the Slazer more precisely.
He was not prepared to back down. Tayce pushed the Slazer in a armour vacant space in his midriff and fired. Midge travelsported him off the Amalthea at the same time. The last Tom and Tayce saw of him was his agonizing look of pain. As he vaporized away, leaving Tayce and Tom to look on in relief.
“Thanks for a moment I thought I’d had it,” expressed Tom gladly.
“Are you hurt, another cencron and you would have been in eternity,” replied Tayce casually.
“Where did you learn to shoot like that, nice aim?” he said with a warm smile.
“My Father taught me once, you wound someone enough to send them home with a cold reminder to who ever sent them in the first place do this again and there will be repercussions for you, you have been warned and if you can’t send them back to where they came from, you just kill them, watch them disintegrate or jettison them into space,” she replied recalling her Father’s words.
Both she and Tom stood for a moment, then Tom reached out and gently pulled her in towards him for the first time. He hugged her in a warm embrace thankful for her actions to save his life. Tayce for some strange reason felt she didn’t want to resist him in doing so. He asked her if she felt better. She answered with a slow nod against his warm chest. They released each other. Tayce advised him to go and get cleaned up. He did as suggested and began over to the entrance. He paused in the doorway. She looked at him questioningly wondering what was wrong. He winked at her in an affectionate way, then carried on out the entrance. Tayce walked over to her chair and sat down in thought about how she and Tom were becoming real good mates.
