Starship X-15

by Alan VanMeter

  I immediately activate my channel. “Admiral Stephanie, this is Devon; it’s so damn good to hear your voice again.”

  “Ditto that Devon, damn I missed you. I thought I had sent you to your doom. That has haunted me for years woman!”

  “Just a slight glitch, that’s all Admiral.”

  “Ha, you always did scoff at danger. Now what’s this about a daughter?” She demands.

  “Her name is Haley Jane, and she is almost thirteen.”

  “Welcome to the home world of your ancestors Haley, I’m Admiral Romero.”

  Haley turns her channel on. “Hello Admiral, I’ve read quite a bit about you. It is my honor to talk with you.”

  “Oh I think the honor is all mine Haley. You are one of the first people who have been born off world.”

  I watch Haley cock her head to the side, and though I can’t see her face through the helmet, I know she is confused by the term.

  “Now what’s this about an infectious bacteria?”

  Rick explains to her what the Legacy had told us, and Stephanie assures us all that their best people will be on the problem right away. We will be quarantined on our ship until we can be cleared, hopefully that is soon.

  Our first visitors are doctors and nurses who stay in their pressure suits and helmets as they take blood samples from all of us. They shake all our hands warmly, and it is obvious that they feel privileged to meet us.

  “Mom, are we famous?”

  “Maybe a little bit dear.”

  Stephanie comes out on the next visit, within an hour, and though she also stays in her suit, she hugs us all with big warm welcomes. I see through Stephanie’s visor that she is bawling with tears as she hugs me. Along with her is another big surprise, Angela and Ed came to greet us also.

  “Where’s Alicia?” I ask Angela. She starts crying and shakes her head.

  Stephanie takes my hand. “There was a bad war on Earth six years ago. World War Three. Alicia was on leave in LA, when it was… obliterated. We don’t know for sure, but she hasn’t reported in anywhere.” She gives me a hug and then goes to Rick. “I’m afraid that your wife and children were last known to be in Dallas, and that was hit hard too. I’m so sorry.” Stephanie hugs Rick, as he starts shaking.

  “Mom, did dad have another family?” Haley tugs at my arm.

  “Yes, before we left he did.”

  She is silent and pouting.

  We are faced with the let-down of being home, but not being able to enter. So we play more games. I am heartbroken that my former lover, and fiancé is dead, but I try not to let it show, for Haley’s sake.

  “What is the most well-known, yet bizarrely abstract example of cut stone known to humanity?” I’m proud of this question, it isn’t an easy one.

  “That’s easy, Machu Pichu. The stones weren’t cut though, they were heated until soft, and stacked to morph into each other.”

  “Really? I didn’t get that in the Legacy history class.”

  “It’s in the database.” Haley smiles proudly. “And this isn’t the only place where this was done. Okay, my point. Now to you mom, “What’s the oldest known megalithic site?”

  “Oh, I know this! How do you say it? Gobekli Tepe!”

  “Point for you mom, nice job. Even though Gunung Padang is older, as well as Tiahuanaku, and Puma Punku… Machu Pichu…” Haley shakes her head.

  “I wonder if any of those places survived the nuclear war.” I muse sadly. My people have murdered themselves, though Stephanie said that there are billions of survivors too. Star Command is helping all they can with the three star colonies already started, by sending supplies to Earth. We are told that the colonies are all pretty much self-sufficient by now, and they are really helping to provide relief supplies to the survivors. I shake my head and wipe a tear away.

  “As soon as they find a cure for us, maybe then we can help out.” Haley tries to cheer me up, and it works.

  Rick is subdued to say the least since learning his family was killed. I hadn’t even thought about them. We are his family damn it! The last twelve years do count. Once Haley is sound asleep, I join him on his couch, and wake him gently, with stimulation. We make sweet gentle, quiet love. I tell him he still has his family, with us, and he hugs me so tightly, sobbing. Alicia’s face fills my mind, and I break down into sobs too.

  “Alright, what is the secret of the spiraling concentric rings carved into a very special wall in Chaco Canyon in New Mexico?” Rick poses the question to both Haley and I.

  I hit my channel switch first.

  “Devon.” He affirms, then waiting for my answer.

  “They mark the rotational axis of the Earth, meaning any severe changes in this could have been noticed, and the people would have been warned to prepare for severe climate change.” I am so proud I knew that.

  “And?” Rick prods me.

  “And what? That’s the correct answer period, mister.”

  “Haley, can you finish the answer for your mother for the point?” Rick encourages her.

  “Hey!” I protest.

  “They also have a marker rock that will show which of the nine elliptical aspects, or elliptical periods of the moon is current. It is viewed with the moon’s light on the summer solstice, and the moon’s shadow from the rock onto the rings will show the aspect.”

  “Haley gets the point!” Rick fist bumps her, and explodes his fingers like fireworks.

  I scowl at them both, in fun of course. “I’ll get you my pretty, you and your little dog!” I growl, and then look at Rick.

  Haley laughs up a storm. She loves the Wizard of Oz, and had seen it hundreds of times already, like many of the movies in the computer database. She has good taste though, and only re-watches the true classics. Rick is also holding his tummy from laughing so hard. They don’t realize that I’m serious, good.

  The date is June ninth, twenty, twenty six; the day the doctors have declared us non-infectious, and totally clear of the deadly bacteria. The cure was a simple antibiotic. We are taken to NET Nine, and receive a hero’s welcome from all the fleet personnel in full dress uniforms, standing at attention lining the main corridor. Admiral Romero personally leads us in the procession.

  “In case you haven’t realized yet, you are all pretty darn famous.”

  “Me too?” Haley asks.

  “Yes, you too Haley, just not for as long as your parents have been, but that’s only because nobody knew of you until just recently. Actually, now I think you are the most famous of your family.”

  She takes us to the cafeteria first, the same one I remember from long before, and it hasn’t changed much. It is also filled with personnel at full attention, in our honor. Stephanie walks over to a large wall with dozens of portrait photos hung on it. She goes to near the middle of it, and removes a picture of Rick from the many others. Then she goes down near the right end of the obvious memorial, and I see my picture hanging there also. She takes it too.

  “I hope you don’t mind if I keep these myself.” She asks.

  We both shake our heads, and she hands the pictures to an aide.

  Then she addresses the whole crowd in the cafeteria, and I quickly realize that we are instantly part of a ceremony. One where both Rick and I are each promoted to the rank of full Captain. I kind of feel bad, because right after the ceremony I tell Stephanie that we have to go see the Ambassador, to surrender ourselves to him.

  Of course Ambassador TKX is expecting us, and he simply tells us we are confined to our quarters until the tribunal. Stephanie is so very confused that when we get to our new quarters, I have to explain why we are to be tried for violation of the Prime Directive. I do not tell her of Haley sucking the soul of the Sucker into herself, just that Haley killed the being. Stephanie scoffs at the charges. “I’ll assemble your defense team right away, don’t worry about this. For one thing it was self-defense, which as you know is a viable exception to the directive. Secondly, Haley is not sworn to any law. The charges can’t st
ick, there’s no way.”

  It is only several days until the trial begins, and even though I know in my heart that we are innocent, I am still very apprehensive about the whole proceeding. So are Rick and Haley. The tribunal, which is our judge and jury, is comprised of five of the Legacy Chondeauxk type, and four high ranking Star Command admirals. It is unlike any other trial I’ve ever seen. The Ambassador is our prosecutor, and he simply reads the memories in each of our minds, and transmits this to all the judges, human included. Then he reads the defense proposed by Stephanie in her mind, and also transmits this. Next thing I know the jury is adjourning to deliberate. Not a word has been said.

  It only takes thirty minutes before they have reached a decision, and we are called back in to court. Ambassador TKX reads the results aloud, in English for the record’s sake.

  “We the aforementioned tribunal, have found the defendants… innocent of all charges against them.”

  The court room bursts with cheering, my gasping squeals included. I hug my family with joy. Suddenly a gavel is being pounded to bring order.

  The Ambassador goes on. “Though nothing punitive is issued from this tribunal, we do have a strong recommendation for one of the defendants. Haley Jane Hobart, we do find you to have characteristics that are requiring proper discipline. We therefore strongly recommend… that you apply to Star Command Academy with all haste.”

  The cheering erupts again, and court is dismissed. Stephanie hugs us all joyfully.

  Haley is confused by the whole thing. “All the damned worrying, for that? I don’t get it.”

  “It’s just how important the Prime Directive is to us. Even if there is the slightest chance an infraction has been made, it must go to full tribunal. It’s the only way to truly uphold the sacred law. You’ll learn all about it in the Academy though.” I grin at her, and very proudly so.

  “Where do I sign up at?’

  That makes both Rick and I laugh. “I’ll talk to Stephanie… um, Admiral Romero about it tomorrow.”

  Stephanie informs me that Haley will have to graduate high school level courses before she can enter the Academy. This worries me, as we are going to find out just how well we home-schooled her now. She will have a battery of tests to determine her initial placement level, and the instructors will go from there.

  My daughter’s reaction to this news is to full on pout about it. In the morning though, she surprises me by being in a very bright, and confident mood.

  “I need to learn more before I start the Academy, I know it. So let’s get me tested.” She’s ready to go.

  “At least have a quick bite to eat, to give you extra brain power. Here, we still have some ‘eesh’ jerky, and have a glow berry too, it can’t hurt.” I give her some of the last we have.

  Late that afternoon she bounces into our quarters, and proudly shows me her test scores on her new PDS tablet.

  “Holy mackerel Haley! You tested well enough to get college credit for calculus?”

  “Yup, that’s not all, read on.”

  “And also in Physics and Astronomy! Oh my goodness baby you’re so smart.”

  “And I tested out at the high school level in Biology, and Chemistry.”

  “So what is left of high school then, for your diploma?”

  “Oh there are a few classes that I still need to take, but I’m going to do better than anyone has before.” She is so confident.

  “Go show your father Haley, he’s going to freak.” I encourage her. She goes to his office, where he is writing our story, or a synopsis of it, for our debriefing beginning tomorrow.”

  The first day of debriefing is a full eight hours, and we must return the next morning as well. We both know this is going to take a while. There is so much to tell. Haley is already assigned her class schedule and has her first day of high school. She’s only twelve, and there are many colonist’s children taking the courses while their parents are busy with the Colonial Academy training. Most are much older than her, those of her age are in the middle school program. I guess we did alright in schooling her ourselves.

  Rick and I have cried each other to sleep many nights since our return. Sharing our misery of loss… of loved ones. Alicia is gone, forever. It seems like it’s hitting me more every day. I just disappeared from her life suddenly, though I still had mine, and a hot love life too I must say. I hope she found someone else. I know who to ask about that.

  The next few weeks Rick and I are debriefed every day, giving more and more detailed accounts of our life on Haley’s World. The glow-plant that we brought back with native soil seems to be of particular interest, especially the effects we report. It’s strange to me that the Legacy seem to be aware of everything that transpired, and have no questions for us, though they are present at the debriefings. They are tight lipped about things, unless you ask them specifically about them. Very strange.

  Haley brings a boy with her to meet us one afternoon. He seems a few years older than her.

  “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Jason. He’s in my ancient history class, that’s how we met.” She blushes.

  “Hello Jason, how old are you?” I can’t believe I’m so damned blunt, it’s like I’m not in control.

  “I’m fifteen Ms. Stanley. May I say that it is my extreme honor to meet you, both! When I read the story of your disappearance,” he frowns, “I was filled with sorrow, and pride. You are the very bravest sort. I mean people… sorry. And you Commander Hobart.” Jason’s voice breaks from nerves, “Oh god, I grew up wanting to be just like you sir!” he stiffens to attention almost.

  “I think maybe you are Jason, but that is entirely up to you.” Rick grins at him.

  “I will do my best Commander Hobart.” Jason has a gleam in his eyes. I still hate that name, Hobart… Ho-fart, Whofart? My poor daughter. I love Rick, and everything about him, except his last name… it’s just so crude sounding. Maybe I’m just a rude, crude bitch myself? So that’s for everyone else to deal with, that’s what!

  Jason has Haley back to our quarters by curfew, our own that we set, and she is awfully giddy. No, they couldn’t have… wanna bet!

  “So how was your first date baby?” I smile innocently.

  “Oh god, he’s so handsome mom, and he’s so smart about everything. He understands what everyone is up to!” She gushes.

  “Well it sounds like you two hit it off pretty good.” I sound enthusiastic. “So did he ask if he could see you again?”

  “What? Umm, no. He didn’t.”

  Oh did I just turn Haley’s smile upside down. That’s a shame.

  “What, didn’t you at least give him a kiss baby?”

  “Yeah I did!” she starts to giggle, and then stops, looking guilty.

  “Maybe a kiss wasn’t enough then. Look, next time the opportunity presents itself, I can instruct you on how to get him to want another date baby, okay?”

  “I did already. He should have asked for more though… right?”

  “You already did what baby?” I am soft and innocuous.

  “I touched him, and made him feel good, why doesn’t he want more?” Now’s she’s worried for all the wrong reasons.

  “Maybe you didn’t do it right honey, tell me how you did it, and I’ll correct your technique.” I smile again.

  “Well I pulled on him, and rubbed back down again, he told me how it felt best, and it worked.”

  “What do you mean it worked?”

  “His thing made cream. Oh, yeah, it’s called semen, and sperm. I remember from biology.”

  “Oh, and did he tell you to do this for him?”

  “Yeah, he said that it was purely natural, and I think he’s right mom. It felt… good.”

  Just then Rick walks from his office and leaves our quarters with a real mean look on his face. He obviously heard our conversation.

  “Oh no.” I go to follow him, but by the time I get into the corridor, he’s not in sight.

  “Mom, where is Dad going?” Haley sounds worrie
d.

  I don’t answer her, instead I go right for the communicator and tell security of the danger. It’s a good thing I did too.

  Within a half an hour Rick is escorted back to our quarters, by a hunter of the Legacy, with his blue flaming swords in each hand, ready to slay my love.

  “You need to calm down right now mister!” Are my first words.

  “Son of a Bitch!” he yells.

  The hunter goes back outside our door, but stays there we see as the door closes.

  “They will kill you baby! Leave it alone, just let it go baby. Let it go.” I hug him.

  “Daddy, what did you do?” Haley yells.

  He looks at her with a mean grimace, “You will NOT see that dirty little bastard ever again my love! NEVER!” He starts to cry.

  Haley screams herself into tears and runs to her room.

  So this is my daughters first love experience huh? I guess it could be worse. She could be pregnant. The time for the contraceptive talk is almost past due I see… shit!

  Rick is not home when we have it, and I try to be as honest and forthright as possible concerning all aspects of human pleasure. I even tell my daughter that I had a very intimate, and monogamous relationship with a woman; Alicia. She asks if it was sexual as well, and I tell her that it was indeed extremely sexually oriented, and that I really loved Alicia with all my heart, even still do. Haley is confused again, I can tell.

  “Look baby, who you fall in love with is your business, and what you do with them privately is also. I only hope you find someone who truly loves you baby.”

  “Then why did dad go try to kill Jason?”

  “Because you are not yet of the age to make that decision Haley. I know it seems arbitrary, but there really is a difference in wisdom that explains this.”

  “Then explain it to me mom!” She is still angry. Her crossed arms spell this even without the grimace on her face.

  “Ha! Wisdom cannot be explained Haley, it must be earned by experience, there is no other way.”

  “That sounds like an excuse to me.” She’s still defiant.