by Olson, Ry
“Really!” Swain’s eyebrows shot up, then he frowned. “Why would you want to?”
“Umm, I don’t know.”
Swain leaned forward toward Martin’s container. “Seriously, this is like nothing I’ve ever worked on before. I’ve read all the specs and how-to’s, but a lot of it is totally foreign to me. So this transfer may take a little while. But I’ll tell you this, my friend, who ever designed the inside of this thing was good.”
“I hope you’re right. When do you want to do this?”
“I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be.” Swain shrugged.
“Ok, let me contact Maria and Reese, then let’s do it to it.”
. . .
Oh not again. Martin thought listlessly as he shook the cobwebs out. He opened his eyes and stared at his surrounding, not quite comprehending. What the hell! He blinked his eyes trying to mentally sort out his thoughts through the after effects of the anesthetic. Why am I floating around in space? With a surge of willpower he blew out the last of the grogginess. The main fleet was no where in sight and there was a tinman light fighter floating next to him. “Hello? Anybody home?” Reese and Maria both requested a hardlink instantly. A moment later he was looking at both of them.
^Dammit Martin, are you ok?^ Maria’s question was somewhere in that gray area between anger and worry.
^Martin, call Doc.^ Reese interrupted before Martin could say anything.
^Whoa, whoa, wait a second.^ Waved them both quiet. ^Reese what’s going on?^ Maria started to say something and he waved her quiet, knowing it was going to piss her off. But he needed an objective, clear explanation.
Reese sighed. ^The transfer didn’t go too good. You’ve been coming and going for two days.^
Maria couldn’t stand it anymore. ^Martin, Doc’s in a real state thinking he may have damaged, or even killed you.^
^What? Oh hell. Maria would you get hold of Doc and tell him I’m ok. I’ll contact him in a couple minutes after Reese brings me up to speed.^ She nodded and disappeared. Martin sighed. ^You were saying.^
^It’s that dang bucket you’re in. Doc had one heck of a time getting you physically transferred and had to use a hell of a lot more anesthetic than he usually does.^
^He was a little worried about the transfer, I guess he was right.^ Martin heaved a sigh. ^Poor guy. But that still doesn’t explain why I’m out here.^
Reese glowered. ^You’re out here because of the damned single digit IQ’s that designed that container.^
Martin was a little taken a back, it was rare to see Reese ever get upset about much of anything.
^I don’t know what all happened exactly, but when Doc activated your container it went nuts. The failsafes wouldn’t let him power it back down and your micro fusion reactor was coming online. So he grabbed a bunch of guys and they threw you out of an airlock.^
^Jesus, what a mess. Is everyone all right?^
^Yeah, nobody got hurt.^ Reese gave a rumbling laugh. ^A little bit of dark humor though. Major Major commented that finally somebody got to throw you out of an open airlock after all this time.^
Martin felt more than a little embarrassed. ^Does everybody know about this?^
^Oh, you bet. You’re the talk of the fleet with the show you’ve been putting on over the last couple days.^
Martin withered. ^Oh God.^ He knew he wasn’t going to hear the end of this for a while.
^Hell, we’d probably have lost you if one of the guys who tossed you out didn’t think to hang an emergency locator beacon from a suit in the airlock on your sorry butt. You’ve been bouncing all over creation with that little pulse light drive . . . not to mention taking an occasional shot with your cannon. That sucker may not be very big, but it has a nasty punch.^
Martin sagged even more. I might as well not EVEN go back to the base. ^Well, at least you’re out here with me.^
^What . . . oh hell, that ain’t me. I’m back at the fleet. That’s one of the new troops. Briton’s had a couple volunteers trying to keep up with you the whole time. Actually, you’ve been quiet for a couple hours so I figured you was either dead or coming out of it. In fact, hang on a second.^
Someone signaled for a hardlink. ^Hello.^ Martin responded automatically. A pleasant looking young black girl in a lieutenant’s uniform appeared next to Reese. She snapped a salute.
^Lieutenant Rose here, Sir.^ She stared at Martin for a moment before regaining her composure trying to comprehend she was talking to THE Major Morgan.
Martin snapped a return salute. ^Nice to meet you Lieutenant.^ He smiled. ^Thanks for keeping track of me, sorry ‘bout that.^
Her face lit up with a huge smile. ^No problem Sir. It’s been . . . interesting.^ She giggled a little when Reese grumbled, ‘Interesting?’ in the background. ^Just glad to have you back, Sir.^
^Glad to have you back . . . Sir!^ Reese’s gravelly voice grumped. ^She obviously doesn’t know you very well yet.^ He sighed. ^I’ve got to get my lug nuts tightened or something. Lieutenant try to get this reprobate back to the fleet in one piece, and Martin, call Doc.^
Martin nodded as Lieutenant Rose snapped a salute at Reese and chirped, ^Yes, Sir.^
Reese answered with a relaxed salute. ^I’m getting too old for . . . ^ He faded out.
^Lieutenant,^ Martin contemplated the girl. ^Just call me Martin.^ He smiled. ^Where the hell are we?^
A grin lit up her young face. ^Ok, if you call me Mercy. We’re about one point eight light units from the fleet. Does that little thing have a nav system in it?^
Almost two light years? ^I’m sure it does Mercy, but this thing don’t look anything like the spec sheet or simulator. There’s more gizmos in here . . . man it’s like waking up in Disney World. There just so much crap you don’t know where to start. Ahhh . . . found it.^
^Take your time, Sir.^ She shook her head slightly trying to equate this friendly, laid back man with the vicious fighter who’s stunning simulations were used in training.
^There I think that should do it. I’ve got most of this thing figured out and safed the cannon. Mercy would you upload the fleets location to me?^ She nodded. ^Thanks, got it.^
^Do you feel up to starting back?^ There was a slight worry in her voice.
^It’s ok Mercy, I’m fine.^ He reassured the girl knowing she was apprehensive about a relapse. ^Any idea how far this little drive will take me in a pulse?^
^Well, the longest we saw you jump was about one twentieth a light unit, otherwise you were all over the spectrum.^
^Hmmm . . . looks like it was only partially energized.^ He picked an arbitrary point in the general direction of the fleet and uploaded it to Mercy. ^Well, let’s see how close this thing is calibrated.^ Her only response was a quick nod with a huge grin and sparkling eyes. Martin realized just how shy his companion really was. He triggered the drive as he called Doc.
19: A New Tincan
Martin felt a swell of pride as he puttered around his new ship floating silently beside the base ship in his container. There was quite a crowd watching, mostly warborgs, but a couple manned ships were hanging around too.
“That, is a thing of beauty.” Reese mused from the co-pilot’s seat aboard Martin’s Yacht simulation.
Martin just nodded studying the subtle curves and graceful lines of his new ship. It was so strange, just floating peacefully the dull charcoal finish was hard to see even with his canister’s advanced vision. And Reese told him from his ship, even close by with its advanced instruments, it was just a hole in space.
“Are you ready Martin?” A fully uniformed Commander Briton asked from one of the cabin lounge chairs.
Martin swung his seat around and nodded. “I think so Commander.” He gave Maria a sad smile knowing this wasn’t easy for her. He shifted so he was wearing his uniform.
She shooed Prowler off her lap and he stalked off toward the rear of the cabin. “I guess I’d better go.” She was torn. While she was so proud of Martin and his incredible new ship its implications t
errified her.
Martin stood up and gave her a hug. “It’ll be ok, Sweetie.” He whispered in her ear.
Her only response was to crush him to her for a second while she tried to believe it was true. She stepped back with pinched lips and disappeared.
“I just don’t know what that pretty gal sees in this no account.” Reese raised his eyebrows and rumbled at Briton.
“Your ship is ready to go Major. And I had them load the modified type three Mark Seventeen missile.” Briton hesitated. “Major Reese, would you excuse us for a moment.”
“Of course, Sir.” He winked at Martin and faded out.
“Martin, did you get the required intelligence upgrade for Prowler?” Briton asked.
“Yes Commander, he’s a full level nine now . . .” Martin answered then queried, “off the record Sir.”
Briton cocked an eyebrow and nodded.
“A couple of the engineers at Cyber Pets had the proper clearances and were briefed.” Martin laughed, “I guess it took some convincing that we really did want a military grade intelligence in a cat simulation.” He shook his head remembering the reaction to that request. “Anyway, they pushed the envelope pretty hard, Sir. Prowler is now a level ten with the exception of speech.” Martin grinned at the Commander. “I’m sorry, but a talking cat would be just a little much.” He grew more serious, “but they added supersoft logic and illogical behavior recognition and propagation.”
Briton nodded. “And his integration with the ship?”
“It went very well.” Martin gave Briton a toothy grin. “I’ve run the little guy through some simulations and he performed magnificently.” A momentary sadness ran through Martin’s eyes. “I guess I can’t think of him as just my little guy any more, he’s one tough nut in a battle simulation.” Martin heaved a sigh. “I have no doubt he will be able to control the ship in any foreseeable situation, Sir.”
“Very well.” Briton replied and softened. “I understand.” Sometimes the small changes are the hardest to take. “Are you ready to take your ship Major?”
“Yes Sir.” Martin stood facing Briton and snapped a salute. “Major Morgan reporting to take command of the combat scout ship, Sir.”
“Very well, Major. Command granted.” Briton answered Martin’s salute. “Continue Major, and God speed.” He took a step back and his form shifted to civilian dress. “Have you named her, Martin.”
Martin’s uniform faded. “Yes Commander.” He held his hand out toward his new ship. “Let me introduce you to the Federation ship, Star Panther.”
“Silent, invisible, fast and deadly with the mind of a cat. I think I approve Martin, I really do.” Briton nodded.
Martin gave a sheepish smile. “Thank you, Sir.” He straightened up. “I think I’d better shutdown all these simulations before I mate with the ship.” Briton gave Martin one of his few full smiles and faded out.
. . .
A moment later Martin was floating beside his new ship looking out from his container. He maneuvered under the ship, conscious of all the eyes observing his every move, but the mating proved to be anticlimactic. He relaxed as his container was pulled into the ship and a few seconds later was rewarded as he watched and felt the ship welcome him with its power up sequence. Home sweet home. He thought with a stinging pride. He looked out from his new perch at the ships around him. “Star Panther to control.”
“Go Star Panther,” came the instantaneous response.
“Ship is online and requesting departure to rear area for acclimation.”
“Departure granted for downloaded quadrant.” There was a short silence then a very human voice came back on, “Good luck Star Panther,” then a general broadcast, “Control to all ships,” a short laugh, “give him some room guys . . . you remember what happened last time we turned him loose out there.”
Martin felt himself go beet red. Not very professional, but bless you for breaking the ice. Who ever you are. ^Ready, Reese.^
Reese’s relaxed image appeared. ^Sure . . .^ His eyes glinted. ^Just let me get out of range first.^ He laughed and his fighter headed out through the departing ships.
^Dang it Reese, just how bad was I out there?^ Martin fumed. It had been a conspiracy of silence; no one would tell him what he did. They all just commented it was bad, really bad.
20: Back at Charlie’s Place
Reese glumly studied Martin’s sad face as they sat at a table in the nearly deserted Charlie’s Place. “It’s getting rougher out there, Martin.”
“Yeah, I know.” Martin sighed. “The Koth are getting better at handling us warborgs . . .” His voice tapered off.
Reese gave a sad nod. “And these new kids, I just don’t know what to say.”
Martin leaned back in his chair. “Awww, there’s more to it than that. They managed to jump those guys. Mercy bought it without ever getting to fire a shot.” Martin gritted his teeth remembering the shyness and the brightness of her smile.
Reese knew Martin was taking this one personal.
“Ya know Reese,” Martin pondered quietly, “I think the sponge heads have another new toy. There’s no way they should’ve been able to get that close without our guys seeing them coming, I don’t care how green they were.”
Dottie wandered in and sat down at the table. “Hi guys.” Her normally bubbly personality was subdued. “Did you hear the news? Fleet Command ordered us to pull back a hundred units. I guess they don’t like what’s going on either.”
Reese shook his head. “Briton figured that was coming, due to his smarts we’ve been holding our own. Some of the other groups have been getting hammered.”
Dottie’s face pinched up. “We’re losing this war, aren’t we?”
The two men just studied their hands, why else would they give up a hundred light years of space.
“It just don’t seem right,” Reese growled. “We’re better fighters than they are.”
“True, my friend,” Martin sighed. “But their technology is better, whether we want to believe it or not, and there’s just too many of ‘em,”.
“When are you leaving Martin?” Dottie quietly asked.
“I figure I’ll spend a little time with Maria then head out. I’m going to take a cruise down the line, so I should be able to maintain communication for a while. But once I head into Koth territory . . .?” He gave a fatalistic shrug. “I’m going to have to run silent.”
“Running silent,” Dottie shuddered. “I don’t thi . . .”.
. . .
“Attention crew. This is Commander Briton. All warborgs go active. All crews to your ready rooms. All ships readying for launch you have fifteen seconds to launch or hold. This is not a drill, I repeat, this is not a drill. We have just been scouted by a group of Koth fighters. The fleet will be departing in thirty seconds. Commander Briton out.”
^Martin.^ Briton’s voice was harried in an audio only hard link.
^Go, Commander.^ Martin was already back in his ship still in the training quadrant.
^The entire fleet is pulling back, but I want you to stay in the area.^
^Copy, I’ll stay put here.^ Martin snapped back.
Briton’s voice lost its edge. ^I managed to convince the Admiral to disperse the ships over a wider area when we fall back.^
^Good idea Commander. I was set to leave anyway so I shouldn’t need anything from the base ship.^
^Copy Major, check in before you go silent.^
^Copy, will do, Commander. I’m going to make a run down the front line first to wring out this ship, so that should be in a few days.^
^Very well, Briton out.^
Several seconds later the fleet vanished from his sensors. Martin gazed at the solemn emptiness as the old awe crept back into his soul, and a slight pang of loneliness. He started his yacht simulation and Prowler jumped into his lap bumping the top of his head under Martin’s chin. He set his ship to run silent.
Less than a minute later Prowler stopped treading his leg, laid his ears
back and gave a low growl. Almost a hundred Koth fighters erupted from nowhere into the area where the fleet had been, followed by several dozen mixed heavy ships. That was really close, too close. He thought, studying the Koth fleet while it disappeared, never coming near his position. Prowler’s tail stub lashed as Martin absently scratched him between the ears. “I saw them fella.”
21: Cat and Mouse
Martin sighed as he thought about Maria. After the unsuccessful Koth attack he reported what he had seen to Commander Briton and uploaded all his sensor data. Everyone at the command level was stunned at the sheer massiveness of the assault. Had the fleet been thirty seconds slower it could have been a disaster with the Koth following them. The gravest concern was how the Koth got that many ships to one location so quickly. The consensus was that the Koth did indeed have a new technology and the Federation better figure it out quick. Then with nothing left to hold him there he headed out and contacted Maria.
She was so quiet and sad about his going. She didn’t say anything, but he could tell the fact that he was going to be running silent in Koth space terrified her. Not about the fact that they wouldn’t be in contact for long periods of time, but never knowing from day to day if he were still alive. This is just so damn unfair to her. Martin thought sadly.
He set out in a zig zag course that cris-crossed contested space taking a day for each leg, constantly scanning space around him and randomly dropping into normal space for a few minutes to perform high precision sensor scans. So far nothing had shown up except some debris and a couple derelict Koth ships. The Koth never retrieved any damaged ships leaving any surviving crew to die; why, the Federation could never fathom. They were a goldmine of information. It’s almost as if they want us to have their technology. Martin had thought so many times. It just don’t make any sense. Go ahead, try to apply human logic to an alien mind, that’s a sure way to drive yourself crazy.
Martin looked down at Prowler grooming himself it the co-pilot seat. “Last night was rough on her.” Prowler stopped grooming momentarily to look up at Martin and blink a couple times in seeming agreement before resuming with one back leg stuck up in the air. “Couple more days and we’re going to have to head out.” Last night was tough on me too. I just don’t know what to say to her, it all sounds so trite. The memory of the last fifteen minutes with her still burned in his mind. She just laid there on top of him, straddling him in a kneeling position with her legs up along his sides and her arms around his chest and her head lying on its side under his chin. No tears, not saying anything just every so often she would crush herself to him for a few seconds. The feel of her smooth skin, with the underlying subtle curves in her back of muscle and bone, added to the sensation of closeness as their bodies pressed together, haunting him. It wasn’t sexual; it was something way beyond that. I’ll be back girl. He gritted his teeth. I don’t care if I have to row myself clear across the universe in my little bucket, I’ll be back. He lost himself in wandering thought, watching the quiet emptiness flow around his ship.
