by Jeri Dion
“How come your here on Questa, are you passing through?” Tayce asked curious.
“Would you believe, looking for employment,” he replied.
“Your looking for a position, well look no further, I’m looking for team members for Amalthea, I’m starting to gather together what is hoped to be a crime fighting team, I know it will be a come down for you, but would you be my Navigationalist, if you want the position?” she asked hoping that he would accept.
Marc stood in silent thought teasing Tayce as he often use to. He stood keeping her in suspense, then when he figured he’d kept her in suspense long enough, he wholeheartedly agreed, exclaiming that he couldn’t think of a better person to work alongside of. Tom welcomed him to the team. Marc then continued.
“I’m going to need time to gather my stuff together, is that okay?” he put to Tayce.
“Of course, but before you go I’d like you to officially meet Tom Stavard, Tom this is Marc Dayatso my good friend and Father’s aide from my old world Traun that I was telling you about,” introduced Tayce.
“Hello so your the person behind Midge, he’s quite a computer, there isn’t anything he can’t take care of,” said Tom outstretching his hand for Marc to shake, impressed over Midge.
“Tom! Pleased to meet you, yes we made sure Midge was Tayce friendly and could do almost everything that was thrown at him, when we designed him, he is quite extraordinary I must admit,” replied Marc.
Marc excused his presence, exclaiming he’d catch them later, just as soon as he’d gathered his belongings together. Tayce agreed. With this Marc walked away off to collect his gear from his accommodation. Tayce watched him go, still not believing that he was alive after all this time, but glad he was back in her life again. Tom sat down, as did she, continuing on with the meal, that they were half way through. They sat talking whilst eating, discussing on the future of the new Amalthean Team, and what they might undertake during the future of the crime fighting in the Universe. When finished they left the Refreshments Hall heading across the square to wait for Marc by a cascading fountain, that flowed through the centre of a chrome and stealex letter ‘Q’. Both watched the various sorts of people go back and forth including some strange looking aliens, which made Tom and Tayce exchange wondrous glances.
Marc Dayatso entered the sparsely furnished room, he called home for a while. It was nothing to write home about, nothing luxurious. Bare just the plain essentials, in a cold grey shade. A bunk, Cleanse Centre that was almost like a cubbyhole. An eating surface with one old shabby stool underneath. It had been all he had been able to afford. He’d escaped Traun almost penniless. He soon packed his holdall and silver Attaché case. Once finished, he picked up the holdall by the strap, placed it over his shoulder, picked up the Attaché case, gave one last look at the hovel he’d called home for the last time and walked out the entrance. He realised it may have been a hovel, but when he arrived he was just glad to get any kind of shelter. Passing people he often exchanged a few words with in the past, seeing he was packed to leave, wished him luck. Marc acknowledged them with a nod and thanks. He paused to hand in his de-locking device at the main desk and signed out for the last time gladly in silence, with the serious looking Desk Attendant. Marc continued on out of the Complex, walking to the Vacuum Lift. He followed some other people inside as the doors drew apart and stood silent as the doors closed. The lift descended to the square ground level. Marc had a swarthy face, but the kind that would make any female fall for him. His eyes were the kind of warm and inviting eyes, in a shade of bluey grey. His complexion was flawless. He was the ideal man for any women who admired him, but he was no Romeo. Sure enough he liked women, but no more than the next man did. His nature was the kind easy to get along with type but he could be protective at times. He could turn mean however, if the situation arose. He had no secrets to be ashamed of left in his past. Marc was as clean living and proud as he always had been, this is what had made Commodore Traun, Tayces Father take him on as his aide. He exited the Vacuum Lift behind the others and walked away to meet up with Tayce and Tom. In no time they were all walking on back to Jonathan Largons Officette.
“Tayce you said the Amalthea, you still haven’t got the same cruiser?” asked Marc in surprise, he thought she would have lost it in battle, or had it stolen by pirates.
“Yes it’s still as good as the dayon it left Traun,” replied Tayce, wondering what he was getting at.
“I would have expected for all the pirates there are out in the Universe, Amalthea One would be fit for scrap by now,” he said surprised at Tayces reply.
“I’ll tell Midge what you just said, he’ll be quite interested,” replied Tayce giving as good as she was getting, she could see Marc was trying to wind her up in a teasing way like he use to.
“I think you’ve just hit a raw nerve,” whispered Tom to Marc.
Marc smiled amused, he knew Tayce too well and he would be surprised if she took his words seriously.
All paperwork was ready when they arrived at Jonathan’s Officette. Jonathan was somewhat surprised to see Marc, but glad he was all right. When Marc informed him he’d been living on the base, Jonathan reprimanded him, demanding to know why on earth he hadn’t gone to see him sooner, as he could have helped him. Tayce signed the voyage documents, collected the items her Father had left her. She listened as Jonathan explained that the emblem of Questa was on the outside hull of Amalthea One. Uniforms were at this moment, already being loaded on board. All that remained was for him to ask her, to be ready to work for Questa in the new future capacity of Questas first crime fighting team, under the new title of. ‘The Amalthean Quests Team’. Upon this all three shook hands with Jonathan and Adam, then walked from the Officette. The doors opening and closing behind them. Jonathan looked on. He felt this proposed new venture was going to be a good one, and much needed, in the kind of galaxy they lived, in the present.
Later once at the walkway the three new Amalthean Quests team members took one last look for the present time at the impressive sight of Questa, then walked on board, as the Docking Bay doors opened. The familiar warm interior atmosphere rushed out to meet them. Once on board Marc started feeling a feeling of deja vu. It all came back to him, the fateful night he’d helped launch Tayce in their present surroundings and for a few moments it felt hard to comprehend. Tayce could see it and fully understood.
“Tom will you get us under way, I’ll show Marc to his quarters,” ordered Tayce she could see Marc recalling the past and she could see that it hurt him, just as much as it did her at times she wanted to help.
“Yeah sure! You go ahead, see you in a while,” he replied walking off.
Both Tayce and Marc walked along down to the Quarters Level. Marc enquired how did she come to meet Tom? Also how did she know, she could trust him considering all the vagabonds there were in the Universe? Tayce began explaining that Tom had been the victim of pirates himself. He and his wife Alenea and their craft had been used for a pirate target practice. His wife sadly had died through her injuries. Marc raised his eyebrows not surprised by what she was saying.
“What’s he like to work with?” he asked, so he would have an idea how to handle him.
“He’s a good man, he single handedly took on one of Vargons Warriors, when they boarded, yes, don’t look so surprised, she’s still out here,” said Tayce.
They came to what were to be Marc’s quarters. He entered seeing the vast difference to his last residence. He crossed dropping his things on the soffette. Turning saying it was good to be back in space and with a good friend and almost like sister. Tayce walked to meet him and hugged him, glad he was back in her life also. She handed him his quarters de-locking key, then suggested he see her up in Organisation. Marc agreed beginning to unpack. Tayce walked from the quarters which were a shade of navy blue floor carpetron tiles and grey smooth furnishings.
O
n the walk back to Organisation Tayce Wristlinked to Midge, to inform him that Marc was back and had taken up quarters ‘3’ on the Quarters Level. Midge accepted the fact, exclaiming he would materialise him a Wristlink and talk with him. Tayce agreed lowering her Wristlink, she continued up the steps.
Tom was busy in conversation with Jonathan Largon, when Tayce returned to the Organisation Deck. She walked across to her seat. Just in time for Jonathan to order Tom to take good care of Tayce. She silently sat down hearing Tom assure him he would.
Amalthea One began to manoeuvre out from the Docking Port, with Questa. Once free, it turned to position itself ready to take off into the Universe slowly. Once in position, it travelled forward. Questa disappeared into the distant past minons by minons.
On board Tom was keying away on the console, running constant checks. Tayce stood up as Marc came into Organisation, a while later. He’d brought a bottle of Stavern, (champagne), and three disposable glassenes, glasses. Marc opened the bottle. Midge took control. Tom stood up and walked around the Co-pilot seat to join both Tayce and Marc. Even though he liked this Marc, he had a feeling he was going to be in contest with him for Tayces affections. Marc poured the drinks, handing one to Tom and one to Tayce. He set the bottle down after he’d poured his own.
“I propose a toast, to all of us coming together and more team members joining us and the successful future of the Amalthean Quests crime fighting team,” said Marc.
All three held their glassenes in the air, and chinked to mark the start of the new life of the Amalthea One Cruiser and the hoped Team.
Amalthea One travelled on into the Universe.
Exhaustion
It was night hourons on board Amalthea One. One weekon later to be exact. The three team members were in their quarters in what was suppose to be contented sleep. But, all was not what it should be. Marc Dayatso for some strange reason woke in his quarters in alarm, why he had no idea, he sat bolt up right. Something was telling him, something was wrong. He sat in his bunk listening and looking around his immediate surroundings. Nothing was present and all that could be heard was the distant sound of the cruisers fission engines gently running. Midge who was monitoring everyone’s vital signs, picked up Marc’s agitated state, he came online enquiring what was the problem? Marc began that something was bothering him, though what he couldn’t put a finger on. Something was giving him strong uneasy feelings, that something was happening to someone he knew close by somewhere on the cruiser. Then if by some strange coincidence he found himself asking if Tayce was okay. Midge offered to run an immediate scan on his mistress. Marc waited ready to spring into action. Midge came back with urgency. This didn’t surprise him.
“Hurry Marc, it’s Tayce, she’s having trouble breathing, she’s laying on the living area floor of her quarters, hurry!” said Midge getting desperately worried.
Marc threw back the coverlet of his bunk and reached for his black silkene ‘D’ gown, slipping it on, sliding from the bunk in urgency he ran across the quarters tying up the tie belt as he went. He soon reached the entrance doors and they opened before him on approach, with the sound of gentle compressed air. Slipping out into the corridor of Level 4 he headed along to Tayce’s quarters. The doors were locked on night security mode.
“Midge bypass night security system immediately, let me in,” said Marc in urgency.
Without further word, Midge put into operation the releasing of the locking system on the quarters doors. As they slid back, the sight that greeted Marc was of Tayce laying on the floor, on her side, half propped up. Her right hand to her throat and her left reaching out to him in a pleading gesture, gasping for breath. She was also wheezing. Something was not right thought Marc, but he’d seen this before many yearons ago on Traun and he’d helped her Mother the last time. So he knew what to do. He immediately crossed and crouched down, carefully, picking her up in his strong arms.
“It’s all right baby, I’ve got you, your going to be fine,” he reassured her softly.
“Marc why now?” she asked in strained tone still trying to breath.
“It’s just one of those things, we’ll get you help, don’t worry,” he promised
He had a feeling though, that she had been pushing herself to the limit, and this had been the consequence of her actions of doing what she use to do, push herself beyond endurance without any rest. He recalled the last time this had happened, she had to been flown to the Intergalactic Medical Colony. This would have to happen again and he had a feeling she was not going to like it, but it had to be done, so that she could see her specialist Dr Paclan Sellecson. A man Marc knew, she didn’t much care for. He was bossy and straight with her. Marc raised the alarm immediately ordering Midge to put in an emergency course for the Intergalactic Medical Colony. Midge agreed.
Upon hearing the on board emergency alarm. Tom in his quarters fell out of his bunk, literally, at the sudden sound that meant something dangerous was unfolding on board. He unravelled himself from his coverlet on the floor and was soon on his feet heading towards the entrance. Upon reaching the doors and them opening before him, he focussed in the brightness of the corridor and tried to shake the feeling of grogginess and focus on what might be in hand before him. He looked both ways up and down the corridor. Nothing! He was far from impressed, if this was Midges idea of ‘ALERT’ practice, he’d picked one hell of a time to hold it. Then he heard strange noises as if someone was trying hard to get their breath somewhere. He listened intently and it seemed to be coming from the direction of Tayce’s quarters. He ran up the corridor coming to an open doorway, where the sight of Marc comforting Tayce on the soffette greeted him.
“Midge thought he’d get your attention,” said Marc trying not to laugh at the half asleep Tom leaning on the wall, trying to make himself fully coherent, as to what was unfolding.
“What is it, what’s happening to her?” asked Tom in true concern, looking at Tayce trying to breath.
“It’s all in hand, I’ll remain with her, you go and get dressed, then get up to Organisation were on course to the Intergalactic Medical Colony, I want you dressed to take command when we arrive,” said Marc taking charge of the situation.
“Sure, right, okay,” replied Tom seeing the urgency to take Marc’s orders.
Without further word, he raced away to get cleansed and changed. Marc stayed comforting Tayce reassuring her that everything was in hand. She looked up trying to manage a small weak smile at him. He rested her carefully back against the soffette high back. Standing to his feet, he crossed to retrieve her coverlet from the Repose Centre Bunk. He hurried back and draped it over her, to keep her warm. Then remembered the last time she’d been in this state, her Mother had placed an air mask over her mouth with portable breathing container of oxygen to help her breath a bit easier. Crossing to the Emergency Med Store, that withheld some emergency items, he took out the mask and portable oxygen container. Putting it altogether he walked back to where Tayce lay. He sat on the soffette, placing the mask over Tayces mouth, turning it on enough so that she could breath a bit more comfortably. After a few cencrons Tayce looked up at him thankful. Marc smiled kindly.
“Take it easy, you’ll be all right,” he assured softly.
“Thank you,” said Tayce struggling a little easier, as she breathed in the oxygen.
There was little more Marc could do until they arrived at the Intergalactic Medical Colony. He sat down beside her, figuring that him being present was a help to her in itself, just knowing he was there. He studied her knowing this wasn’t easy for her, but if she’d taken breaks, it needn’t have happened.
Two hourons had lapsed Tom was dressed and on duty on Level 1 in Organisation. They were nearing the Intergalactic Medical Colony. Midge contacted the head Emergency Control Centre. Tom explained what the problem was to the operator and that Dr Paclan Sellecson was needed. After a few minons, it was con
firmed Dr Sellecson and his team would be standing by, ready to board, when they docked at the colony. They did however request that Colonel Traun be ready on a Hover Trolley, for immediate transfer. Tom agreed wholeheartedly. Midge took back control. Tom glanced at his Wristlink time display, it read 00:300 in the mornet, he hadn’t planned his nights sleep being interrupted like this, he thought. Standing he headed back across Organisation, hurrying on out down, to get a Hover Trolley from the on board Life Ability Centre, to take along to Tayce’s quarters, to prepare her for transfer to the team, that would be waiting for her on arrival at the colony.
In Tayce’s quarters she had managed to drift off into a deep natural sleep. Midge was monitoring her vital signs, whilst she did so. Marc sat wondering what had brought on the latest attack, besides her not taking a break. Was it the fact of what had happened all those yearons ago, on that fateful night on Traun? Had she kept it bottled up and seeing him had brought it all back to her, hence the attack. He also noticed that since he had been on board, she hadn’t taken many duty breaks. Tom soon entered the quarters, bringing with him the Hover Trolley. Marc gestured for the fact Tayce was sleeping, as he stood to his feet.
“The emergency controller on the Intergalactic Colony has advised that we prepare Tayce for transfer into their hands,” explained Tom.
“Right let’s do it,” agreed Marc eagerly.
Marc stood to his feet and started to spread the Heat Sealant Blanket over the Hover Trolley. Then both he and Tom lightly lifted Tayce up onto the surface, Tom at her feet. Marc lifting her under the arms. She moaned, as they lowered her gently down. They worked quickly to seal the Heat Sealant Blanket up to her neck, to keep her warm and comfortable.
