Dixon and two nurses entered the room pushing another examination table. This one held an old woman. The captain pointed to her and Dr. Rivers gave her an injection, also.
Captain Rivers turned Dixon. "We need to record everything they say!"
"Yes sir!" Dixon replied. The man stepped over to the console that held the room's monitoring controls and set the cameras and microphones in the room to 'record'. When they were operating, Dixon nodded at Captain Rivers.
The captain turned back to the man on the table who now appeared relaxed and no longer struggled against his restraints. "Are you Emil Stine?" the captain asked.
The man answered slowly, "Yessss. I'm Emil Stine?"
Rivers leaned in closer to the man. "Why are you aboard the TCV Conestoga?"
The man's face tightened, as if he was trying to resist answering the question. Then he replied, "To fulfill Dr. Johanson's wishes...to stop Humanity's expansion into space."
"How did you plan to do this?" Rivers asked.
Stine stopped struggling against the effects of the drug. He responded, "Dr. Johanson wanted us to start small and escalate our attacks, as needed. Serious problems among the crew and colonists at first. See if you would turn back. If we were not successful...then minor sabotage attacks. Destroy the ship, if necessary."
"What were you planning to do next?
"We have weapons stashed aboard the vessel. We were going to fan out, kill as many as we could and take over the ship. If that couldn't be accomplished then we would use explosives to destroy critical ship's systems," said Stine.
A number of emotions played across Rivers faced. He took a deep breath to calm himself before continuing to question Stine. "How many personnel do you have aboard the Conestoga?"
Stine answered, "Twenty-six. There are ten among your crew. Eight among the colonists, and eight of us who were brought aboard and hidden by our comrades."
"Are Angelique and Jean-Pierre Delacroix part of your conspiracy?"
"Yessss..."
"Dereck and Christina Wofford?"
"Yesss."
"The ship's stasis technicians?"
"Some...not all," replied
"Give me the names of your conspirators!" said Captain Rivers forcefully.
Emil Stine's face contorted. Part of him tried to resist the drug.
"Tell me their names, Stine!" ordered Rivers. "NOW, damn you!"
Stine began to recite a list of names. Dixon compared those names to a list on his tablet that identified which suspects were in custody. When Stine stopped talking, Dixon told the captain that there were still three people unaccounted for. Rivers ordered Dixon to contact Security and tell them who to look for.
Rivers leaned closer to Stine once more. "Where are your explosives cached? Are they rigged for detonation? Tell me, Stine!"
Stine struggled to resist but the drug in his system was too strong. He told the captain where the explosives had been hidden and that they were not yet ready to be detonated.
Captain Rivers turned away from Stine and towards Jessica French. He asked her the same questions. French's responses were the same as her co-conspirator's, corroborating his answers. When they finished questioning her, Rivers looked over at Dixon who flashed a smile in response to the captain's unasked query. "I just received an update from Lieutenant bin Kattan. He reports that they've captured the missing suspects, sir!"
Captain James Rivers took a deep breath and released it slowly, sighing with relief. He quickly contacted Bradley's second-in-command and ordered all of the conscious and uninjured conspirators moved to the brig as quickly as possible. He also ordered the woman to have all of the saboteurs' weapons, equipment, and supplies rounded up and locked away in the Security's armory.
"Do you think it's finally over with, James?" Charlotte asked.
"I certainly hope so, Honey!" James Rivers replied. Then a look of shock appeared on his face and he exclaimed, "Hey!"
"What? What's wrong, James?" Charlotte asked, suddenly concerned.
"We still have the rest of the colonists sitting in the dining facility! Stay here...I'll be back shortly!" James said as he raced from the room. In the corridor outside of the Med Center, he signaled a passing Security transport. The driver halted the vehicle and the captain jumped aboard. "Take me to the main dining facility!"
The driver pressed the accelerator and the transport raced down the corridor. Moments later, it stopped next to an elevator that could deposit the captain outside the dining facility's main entrance. Rivers thanked the security specialist and leaped into the elevator for the quick ride to the main dining facility.
The security personnel at the primary entrance clapped and cheered their captain as he approached. One of them produced the captain's dress uniform jacket and handed it to him. Rivers stripped off the dark utility jacket he wore, donned his dress jacket, and nodded to two of the security personnel who opened the door for him.
The party was still going full steam as he entered. Nodding, smiling, and shaking hands as he walked, Rivers made his way to the stage. Once he was where everyone in the compartment could see him, Truscott activated Rivers' microphone; letting him address the crowd.
"Hey, how's everyone doing? Enjoying the party so far?" he asked. "Well, let's take a moment to thank those who made all this possible. Ainsley Truscott, please come on up here. Let's get all of your people to come up front for a moment, too!" Rivers waited while Truscott joined him on the stage and the rest of her staff made their way forward to the base of the stage. Once everyone was in place, Rivers continued.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's have a round of applause for Lieutenant Commander Ainsley Truscott and her personnel for putting together this wonderful dinner and party!" Rivers began to clap and the rest joined him. "Before you leave tonight, please take a moment to thank each of them personally."
Rivers looked around the room for a moment, then resumed, "I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my wife and I having to leave this celebration earlier. We had an emergency that required our attention." He paused a moment to let his words sink in.
The captain continued before the partiers could become worried, "Some of you may have noticed that quite a few personnel have also been absent. Well, they've been a little busy this evening. And because of their hard work, we have quite a Christmas present for you! Thanks to Commander Meaghan O'Reilly, Commander Mac Bradley, Commander Pat Deckard, and too many other personnel to name, we have captured the cabal of saboteurs who have plagued us during our voyage to Camadin! They are all in custody and their attacks upon us are stopped!"
The crowd burst into applause and cheers! This went on for several moments. Rivers signaled for someone to bring him a glass of champagne and to pass out glasses of the same to the partygoers. The room slowly quieted until Rivers was able to be heard once again.
"Ladies and gentlemen," River began, raising his glass, "here's to a safe remainder of our journey! Merry Christmas!"
Choruses of "Merry Christmas!" filled the room. Rivers quickly left the stage, telling Truscott he needed to get to the bridge and relieve Commander O'Reilly so she could come to the party.
Chapter 16
Ship's Log
Terran Colonial Vessel Conestoga
Earthdate: March 23, 2220
Captain James B. Rivers, Commanding
Day: 182
We slid into orbit around Camadin late in the morning of New Year's Day! After 101 days, we'd reached our destination. Our first order of business was to launch a high-speed FTL message drone to Colonial Fleet Headquarters back on Earth to warn them of the possibility of saboteurs aboard other colonial vessels.
Several hours after our arrival, another high-speed FTL message drone arrived in Camadin's star system. Apparently, the TCV Santa Maria turned back to Earth after a mutiny broke out early in her voyage to the colony world of Feldspar. Headquarters warned us to be alert for any attacks upon our vessel by saboteurs. Well, better late than not at
all, I guess.
With the saboteurs in custody, Commander Mac Bradley, Commander Meaghan O'Reilly, Lieutenant Colin Phipps, and Sergeant Sam Turkel were able to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle of the Earth Only Movement conspiracy about the Connie. That information will serve as a key part of the case against the saboteurs back on Earth and gave me the evidence I needed to order the conspirators put into stasis for the trip home. My crew and I will be only too glad to testify at their trials.
Mac Bradley's wound has healed and he's steadfastly resisting being given a nickname. I suggested 'Pinky' and 'Bradley of the Nine-Fingers'. My old buddy refused both suggestions with a finger-related gesture of his own...followed by one of his lop-sided grins! The crew keeps talking about holding some kind of contest to give our beloved security chief a new nickname. I wonder if we'll be able to get the Connie back to Earth if Mac makes good on his promise of putting the whole crew in the brig if they actually hold the contest?
Our mission to Camadin is almost complete. The colonists and their cargo have been safely landed on Camadin. Those who made the trip in stasis have been revived and have joined their families and friends on their new world.
Those who committed crimes while aboard the Conestoga shall remain safely and securely ensconced in stasis aboard the Connie until we return to Earth. There they will be turned over to the Terran Colonial Fleet to answer for their crimes.
This decision did not sit well with the President of the Camadin Colonial Council, Jean-Denis Alvys. He actually came aboard the Connie to lodge a formal complaint. Aleida Van der Zee, in her role as Colonial Liaison Officer, tried to intercede but Alvys was adamant. The debate was going nowhere until I frankly told him that the only way those criminals would reach Camadin is if I were to launch their stasis pods into the planet's atmosphere where each pod would burned up during re-entry! My sincerity won the day. They go back to Earth! Aleida is carrying back a formal letter of protest from the Camadin Colonial Councial to the Terran Colonial Fleet and God knows who else. I'll worry about it when we get home.
A secondary mission objective has also been completed. The Conestoga has delivered major components and equipment for the space station being constructed at one of the Lagrange Points created by Camadin and its moon. This station, what the Terran Colonial Fleets hopes is the first of many in deep space, should be completed within the few years.
For now, we've delivered major computer, air regeneration, and waste recycling components. We will also be leaving behind five of our Stinger Space Fighters and five of our long-range shuttles. The station is semi-functional and a number of our Engineering and Security personnel will be remaining behind to help bring the station's systems online. One notable departure from our crew is young Lieutenant Eugene Barkley. He will be taking part of the 'Farm' and the arboretum aboard the station and staying on to tend for it. His assistant aboard the Connie, Ensign Constance Bedford, will be remaining aboard ship and tending our greenery during the voyage home.
I have my own report to file with Admiral Leona Burke regarding background checks, security clearances, ship mission prep procedures, and ship security. Commander Bradley has shown me the draft of his report to Admiral Tomas Farbes, head of TCF Security. Commander Bradley has also shown me his report to TCF Engineering on how to prevent unauthorized access to critical systems. Needless to say, our mission to Camadin will cause quite a shake-up at Fleet HQ and throughout the Fleet.
The time spent at and on Camadin was refreshing for the crew. With the colonists and cargo off-loaded, we were able to complete some much needed maintenance and repairs. The TCV Conestoga is ready for the return trip to Earth. What little cargo we are take back to the home world, mostly flora and fauna specimens, have been stored away for the trip.
Dr. Charlotte Rivers has informed me that she and I will share a little souvenir of our own from this voyage. We're pregnant! Well, she is...and we couldn't be happier. While it would have been nice to start that particular 'mission' later in life, which is entirely doable because of modern medicine, we're both excited.
Now, it's almost time for us to get underway!
The ready room door chimed, announcing someone waiting outside on the bridge. "Come on in!" Rivers called out cheerfully. He glanced over to the couch next to his desk and smiled at his wife, Charlotte, who was knitting quietly as he made his log entry. Mac Bradley stepped through the doorway in an equally cheerful mood. His left hand was no longer bandaged but Rivers still hadn't gotten use to the absence of Bradley's left pinky finger.
"Howdy, Skipper! Hi, Charlotte! Did I interrupt anything?" Bradley asked as he took a seat across from the captain. Charlotte nodded her greeting while keeping her eyes on the row of intricate knots she was working on.
"Not really. Just finishing my morning log entry...thinking about my report to Admiral Burke," Rivers responded. "It'll be an eye-opener!"
"As will mine...and Meaghan's and Pat's!" added Bradley. "Speaking of Pat, he seems to be in a particularly good mood this morning."
Rivers grinned and chuckled. "Yep! The first report on my desk this morning was his request to shut down those decks that won't be needed during the trip home. I signed it and told Pat to get his crew busy!"
"Well, it should certainly be a quieter trip going home," Bradley began, "with the colonists off ship and the saboteurs in stasis. Maybe you and I could get some jogging time in. After all, you're going to need to be in the best shape possible to take care of my 'nephew' when he gets here!" Bradley grinned at Charlotte, who smiled at him in return.
"Or 'niece', Mac. It's always a possibility, Charlotte assures me," said Rivers winking at Charlotte. "Let's get the Connie in the groove and then we'll have plenty of time to go jogging in peace and quiet!"
The door chimed again and opened at Rivers' invitation. Commander Meaghan O'Reilly stepped into the ready room. "Sorry for the interruption, Skipper! Hello, Charlotte! Howdy, Mac!" Rivers smiled at Meaghan's use of his less formal title.
"Hi, Meaghan!" said Charlotte.
"Ah, Meaghan, come on in and join the party!" Rivers said pointing to an empty chair.
"Thanks, James," O'Reilly responded as she took a seat. "I just wanted to report that everything's in the green; we are shipshape and ready to fly!"
"Wonderful!" Rivers responded checking the clock on his desk's computer display. Well ahead of schedule, he thought. Helluva crew! "So Meaghan, what do you think? Shall we get under way?"
"We're still ahead of schedule, sir! We don't need to jump the gun. We'll depart on time and with fewer distractions this time around, we'll get home on time," O'Reilly answered.
"Mac and I were just talking about that," said Rivers. As he finished, the door chimed again. "Come in!"
Chief Engineer Pat Deckard stepped into the room. "Morning, Captain! Morning, everyone! Engineering has finished shutting down the unoccupied decks. And in record time, I might add! Sublight and FTL drives are warmed up and ready for departure." Deckard sat down into the last empty chair in the room.
Captain Rivers rose from his chair and stepped over to the sideboard. He picked up a covered tray and carried it back to his desk. He set the tray down and removed the cover to reveal a bottle of wine and several glasses. "From our friends on Camadin as a bon voyage gift," said Rivers. He popped the cork and let the wine breathe for a moment. He poured some of the liquid into each glass then passed the glasses to his wife and friends.
Rivers held his glass up in salute and said, "My friends...to a safe and uneventful voyage home!" The others raised their glasses amid a chorus of "Here! Here!" and they each took a drink of wine. The room was quiet for a moment! Rivers looked about the room, checking the expressions upon his friends' faces. Finally, Bradley broke the silence.
"Well now, that was certainly...something," he said, his face a mixture of shock and dislike. He smacked his lips and looked at the bit of wine remaining in his glass. "Let's hope that isn't a sign of what the trip home will be like!" He set his gl
ass back on the tray. That glass was quickly joined by the rest.
"Sorry about that, folks," said Rivers. "I was assured by the Camadin Colonial Council President that this was the colony's best vintage."
"Either, he's still pissed at you for taking some of his colonists back to Earth for trial...or, the colonists' on Camadin have evolved a different set of taste buds!" said Bradley. This brought a chuckle from all assembled.
Charlotte rose from the couch and set aside her knitting. She picked up the tray and returned it to the sideboard. She pulled another tray from a shelf, added some fresh glasses to it, then drew another bottle from the refrigerator. Stepping to her husband's desk, she said, "Let's try this again." Charlotte opened the bottle and poured the drinks this time.
Captain Rivers offered the same toast and everyone took a sip of wine. This time, smiles appeared on everyone's face!
"Much better!" said Meaghan.
"Now that's more like it," said Bradley.
"Better...but it's not single malt," added Deckard.
Charlotte curtsied to her friends, then looked at her husband. "Well, Sweetheart, I guess I get to select the wines from now on!" she said with a smile. Rivers bowed to his wife then his friends. The room settled into quiet conversation amongst good friends. The camaraderie was interrupted almost an hour later when Captain Rivers' computer chimed at him. Rivers checked the clock on his monitor then looked at his friends.
"Sorry to bring this to a close, my friends, but it's time!" said Rivers. One by one, they rose from their seats and set their glasses on the tray. Rivers waved everyone through the doorway and out onto the bridge.
"Captain on the bridge!" said Commander Jon Bynes as Rivers entered.
Rivers moved over to the command console and his chair upon the bridge. Charlotte took a seat to her husband's right while Bradley took a seat on his left. Deckard waved to the bridge crew and headed for the elevator to return to Main Engineering.
Death Haunts the Stars Page 18
