by J. P. Larson
“She said I had natural talent. Don’t worry, Pamela. You know how I like to hide my advantages.”
“You don’t want to tell me anything else, do you?”
“No, Pamela. Leave security to me. Scan forward, switch to my flight plan, and have faith. Be a merchant vessel captain, and I’ll deal with the terrorists. It’s what I do, Pamela.”
“All right, Alex. Are you going to second guess me on this entire trip?”
“I’ve made all the suggestions I expect to have to make, Pamela. If you choose to not follow some of them, I’ll start begging. I’m being as polite and circumspect as I know how.”
She paused. “I listen to my officers, Alex. Let’s go melt down.”
* * *
Shortly after the Grey Ghost left Dawson’s Star system, a ship lifted from the fifth planet. The ship entered hyperspace for a short trip, apparently headed towards StarInc System. The ship remained in hyperspace for three hours before returning to normal space, then heading back in system.
This did not go unnoticed.
* * *
There were fourteen people in the galley, seven from each of the two represented worlds. Six men, eight women. Ages appeared to range from the low twenties to the mid thirties. The galley had two tables, with sufficient room to seat the entire crew in one sitting. The DSers were at one table, and the Walkers had the other.
Alex and Pamela walked in, and the Walkers came to attention. The DS women did not.
“This is a melt down, people,” Pamela said. “Relax. This is where we all get to know each other. It’s tradition on DS ships. We get together like this shortly after entering hyperspace on each leg of our trip. I may also declare melt down at other times, if things are quiet and I think the crew could use some getting together.”
Pamela looked around. “Because this is the first time many of us have ever shipped together, I’ll start by saying a few words about how I intend the ship to run. Then each of us will introduce ourselves and briefly say something personal. First, does everyone have something to drink? There had better be no alcohol on this ship, but we have coffee, tea, juices, and the like.”
“Captain?” said Gina, interrupting.
“Yes, Ms. Leider?”
“Captain, I have two bottles of wine in my bags. I have my own tradition, which I would rather not explain. You can lock them up, but please don’t destroy them.”
“Does anyone else have any alcohol?”
“Captain,” said Alex tentatively. “Two bottles of wine.”
Gina and Alex exchanged looks, then laughed. Pamela glared at them. “I’m sorry, Captain. I learned my tradition from Ms. Leider. I had forgotten where it came from, so it didn’t occur to me she would come prepared.”
“Anyone else?” Surprisingly, no one did.
“Can I trust you both to talk to me before this tradition is celebrated?” she asked them.
“Oh, most certainly, Captain,” Alex assured her. “Most, most certainly.” Gina nodded assent.
“Well, now that that’s settled,” said Pamela. She looked around. “Rule one: this had better be the last time I walk into this room and see you people divided like this.” She gestured at the two tables. “I know there’s going to be some cultural differences to work through. This cruise is somewhat of an experiment, but it’s going to fail if you people don’t mingle. Now, does anyone have a problem with that?”
There were a bunch of heads shaken.
“All right. Everyone up, shift around, and sit down. If you don’t have someone from the other world sitting on one side or the other of you, then you’re in the wrong spot.” She looked at Alex. “And you go join them. Stop hovering around me.”
Alex grinned and found a place between Gina and the navigator.
“Okay,” said Pamela after they had settled. “I expect all of you to make every effort to get to know everyone else on this ship. Our route will be StarInc Station, Random Walk, Heaven’s Gate, and then back home. We’ll be gone for six weeks or so. I expect two days leave at Random Walk, one day at each of the other stops. I expect the crew to do their duty well, and to use the gym on a daily basis. I expect misunderstandings between crew members to be directed to First. If she can’t handle it, all of you will come to me. If we need a cultural interpreter, we will invite my husband to join us. If your problem is with First, you may come to me directly.”
She paused. “This is my first time as Captain. I have been First aboard Jane’s Gift for a year, and have held a number of positions prior to that. I will make mistakes. If you feel I am making a mistake, I trust you will use your best judgment in politely bringing it to my attention. Everyone is responsible for a smooth trip. Questions?”
There weren’t any.
“The tradition is now for each of you to introduce yourself, starting with the youngest. Ms. Danforth, that would be you.”
“My name is Alicia Danforth. Maintenance. Today is my 21st birthday.”
There was a round of congratulations.
“Just so the Walkers know,” Pamela stepped in, “21 is an important birthday on Dawson’s Star. Ms. Danforth, would you please explain?”
“I’m now considered an adult,” she said. “I go from Miss to Ms.. I can vote, I can get married, and I don’t have to ship with my older sister anymore.” She smiled. “My name is Alicia.”
“Thank you, Alicia.” Pamela looked at the Walkers. “Mr. Gilbert. Would you go next? Start by telling us everything you remember from Alicia, then talk about yourself.”
“Okay,” he said. “Ms. Danforth turns 21 today. That means she’s an adult. She seems very pleased to get out from under her sister’s thumb.”
At that point, he noticed the Dawson’s Star women were all staring at him. “I’m sorry? Was I rude? What did I do?”
“It’s okay, Mr. Gilbert. I picked on you. I hope you don’t mind.” Pamela paused. “You were too polite, actually, and you offended Alicia.”
Gilbert looked at her for a moment. “Okay,” he said slowly. “I was supposed to use her first name. But I thought we were supposed to use Ms. with everyone.”
“Alicia, would you please explain to Mr. Gilbert how he was supposed to know he could use your first name?”
Alicia turned to Gilbert. “On Dawson’s Star, you use Miss, Ms. or Mr. until the person you’re talking to gives you permission otherwise.”
He thought about it, but didn’t say anything.
“Mr. Gilbert, I told you, ‘My name is Alicia’. If it’s okay for me to use your first name, then you can use mine. You can start using my name immediately but should share yours with me as soon as practical. At a melt down, that means before you’re done talking. If you don’t want me to call you by your first name, then it’s rude to use mine.”
He smiled. “When I called you Ms. Danforth, I basically told you I wasn’t planning to be friendly, but was going to stay formal.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Alica.”
Pamela smiled. “Go on, Mr. Gilbert. Tell us about yourself.”
“My name is Anthony Gilbert. I’m very good with communications -- as long as it doesn’t involve protocol of foreign planets, I guess.” There were a few snickers. “I’m 24, and I’ve been in the military since I was 17. I forged my father’s signature on the application form.” He paused, looking at Pamela.
“What do we call you, Mr. Gilbert?”
“Oh. I’m used to a bunch of names. Lots of people, especially in the military, just call me Gilbert. No mister. I answer to Anthony. Tony works, too. I’m happy with any of these. But please don’t call me ‘sparks’ or any other cliché nicknames about radio operators.”
“You have given us three choices. Would you like to help us pick one to use?”
“Ma’am, I really am okay with all three. Anthony would be nice, but I bet the men in this room, and Ms. Leider, are more comfortable with Gilbert.”
“Thank you, Anthony.” She looked around the room. “Ms. G
rey?”
“Which one, Captain?”
“Oh, right. Linda, you first. Mary, can you wait for a moment?”
“I’m Linda Grey. I’m second shift helm.” Alex looked surprised, and Pamela noticed.
“Just a moment, Ms. Grey. Mr. Grey, would you like to say something?”
“Yes. No? Um. I had already met the other Ms. Grey on Jane’s Gift, where she also did helm. Am I to understand we have three Ms. Greys on the ship, and that two of them are helm?”
“Ms. Grey, will you address that in your talk?”
“Certainly, Captain. This Ms. Grey,” she said, indicating Mary, “is my cousin. We’re the same age -- 23. We grew up together, went to school together, and have shipped out together. We study together, and we tend to learn new skills together. This means we’re both at the same point in our careers. That means we’re both at helm. She’s older by a few months, so she usually gets first helm, and I get second.”
“For all it’s worth,” Pamela said. “Expect us to shift around the shifts on each leg, assuming that doesn’t interrupt sleep schedules too badly. Linda, you’ll be first helm leaving StarInc Station.”
“Cool,” she said. “What else? Oh. My name is Linda.”
“You forgot to mention something about the people before you.”
“Oh, right. That’s Alicia,” she said, gesturing. “And this is Anthony Gilbert. He’s on comm, he has a history of lying, and he doesn’t like radio nicknames.”
“Do you remember how old he is, Linda?”
“Twenty… five?”
“Alicia?”
“He’s twenty-four.”
“Thank you, Linda. You missed one, so we’ll pick on you again later.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Mary, asking you now would be too easy.” She looked around. “Mr. Banner, would you go next? Start with all the names, including the birthday girl, then tell us about yourself.”
“Alicia, Gilbert, and Linda. Linda is 23, her cousin is Mary, and they grew up together. Linda does helm. Um. She’s your cousin, too, Captain.”
“Did he miss anything, Linda?”
“My last name.”
“Mr. Banner?”
“Oh. Linda Grey.” He looked at Pamela, who smiled and nodded. “I’m James Banner, but everyone calls me Jimbo. Even the Admiral calls me Jimbo. If you use anything else, I probably won’t even know you’re talking to me. I’m 27, I help out with security plus anything else someone tells me to do.”
“Jimbo, would you disarm for us, please?”
“Captain? That’ll take a while.”
“Well, give us a basic rundown and show us your favorite pieces, then.”
“Am I in trouble? I rearmed the minute the Commander put me on the security detail for the ship.”
“No, Jimbo. I just want to have an idea of just how much you’re carrying.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ve got three knives, a few things I can throw, a garotte, a small flecette pistol, and single shot flecette shotgun, and, um. I think that’s it. If things get dicey, I’ll have a few more things about me.”
“Would you show us all your knife, Jimbo. If you don’t mind.”
Jimbo smiled, then reached over his shoulder and pulled forth his knife. There were a number of very wide eyes.
“Jimbo,” said First. “Could I see that?” Jimbo handed the knife to her, hilt first. “This isn’t steel,” she said.
“Some sort of composite. Goes right through station security systems without a beep. So do most of my other toys.”
“Thank you, Jimbo,” said Pamela. “We’re all very, very happy you’re on our side. Ms. Grey?”
“I’m Mary Grey. Call me Mary. That’s Alicia, um, Anthony?” He nodded. “Cousin Linda, and the big guy is Jimbo.” She paused. “Oh no.”
“Your forgot his last name, Mary?”
“He made such a big thing about what to call him, I lost it. I’m sorry, Jimbo.”
He smiled. “It’s Banner, Mary. And that’s the last time you’ll ever use it.”
“No, Jimbo, it’s not,” Mary told him. “We’ll be first names on ship, but we’re very formal with outsiders. You’ll be Mr. Banner quite a bit.” She paused. “Jimbo is 27, and he’s carrying a whole ton of weapons, including a huge knife that I suspect station security would like to know about.” Pamela nodded at her, so she continued. “My cousin already told you a bunch about me. I’m first helm.” She thought for a moment. “I play the guitar.”
“Thank you, Mary. Mr. Johnson, your turn.”
“Okay. Alicia, Gilbert,” he paused. “Mary’s cousin, um, Linda!” Linda smiled at him. “Jimbo, and Mary Grey.”
“You’ll get another chance with names, Mr. Johnson. Remember to pay attention. Tell us about Mary.”
“Mary Grey. She’s 23, the same as her cousin. They grew up together. I think she likes Jimbo’s knife. And she plays the guitar.”
“What’s her job?”
“Helm. First on this shift, but you said they would switch.”
“Good. Now about yourself.”
“I’m Kevin Johnson. Most of the people I ship with just call me Johnson, but I like Kevin, too.”
“I’m noticing a trend. Alex, would you explain?”
“Random Walkers use last names a lot, with no honorific. It’s mostly for men, mostly just in the military. I think it’s because our uniforms usually have our ranks and last names, so it’s easy to remember last names, and a lot harder to remember first ones.”
“So last names are used because people are lazy?”
“I would prefer not to comment on that, Captain.”
She smiled. “Okay. This is not a trend I want to continue. I won’t ask anyone to call someone by a name other than what they’re used to, but I would prefer we take the time to get to know each other. Continue, Kevin.”
“Okay. I’m 29, and I’m the cook. I’m also armed, but not to the extent Jimbo is. A few knives, a flecette machine gun, and a garotte.”
“Something more personal, if you could.”
He smiled. “Okay. I’m the commander’s cousin.”
Pamela raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know that. Well, I guess Dawson’s Star isn’t the only place where cousins ship together. Sue Walker, you’re up.”
“Alicia, Anthony, Linda, Jimbo, Mary, and Kevin Johnson. Kevin’s the cook and isn’t anywhere near as weighted down as Jimbo.” She paused. “And he’s related to the Captain by marriage.”
“Cute, Sue. How old is he?”
“I’m sorry. I forgot.”
“I’m 29,” Kevin told her.
“You’ll get another turn, Sue. Tell us about yourself.”
“I’m Sue Walker. Please call me Sue. I’m part of ship’s security when we’re in station, general crew otherwise. I expect to be peeling potatoes for Kevin a lot. I don’t give out my age without a direct order, and I play the flute.”
“Mr. Cannon?”
“Alica, Gilbert, Linda, Jimbo, Mary, Kevin, and…” He thought for a minute. “And…”
“You’ll get another chance, Mr. Cannon.”
“I’m Sue Walker. Sue.”
“I’m sorry, Sue Walker, who I’ll call Sue as long as my feeble mind for names can handle. Sue. Sue won’t tell us her age, but she does security and potatoes. She plays the flute and has green eyes.”
“You can’t remember her name, but you noticed her eyes, Mr. Cannon?”
“I’m very visual, Captain. Mary and Linda’s eyes are blue. So are yours, except they turn grey sometimes.” She nodded, and he continued. “My name is Dan Cannon. I’m second navigation.” He looked at the Captain again.
“Yes, you’ll shift around, too. Probably after Random Walk, but I haven’t thought out that far yet.”
“I play the violin.”
“Did you bring it with you?”
“No, Captain.”
“If it’s not difficult, and you don’t mind, please get it when we stop at Random Walk. And wh
at should we call you?”
“Yes, Captain. My name is Dan.”
“Ms. Prior.”
The navigator got the names right, then began about herself. “I’m Wendy Prior, but I go by Spades. I’m the navigator. My little sister gave me my name. It’s an odd story about a card game we played as kids.”
“Mr. Neilson?”
He also got all the names right. “This is Spades Prior, navigator. I think she should teach us this card game.” Pamela nodded. “I’m Jeff Neilson, environmental systems and general maintenance. Please call me Jeff. I don’t like Jeffrey -- that’s what my mother uses when I’ve done something wrong. I’m on a walkabout.”
“Who else is on a walkabout?” Every one of the Walkers raised their hand. “Jeff, if you would explain a walkabout to us, then tell us something specific about you.”
“Yes, Captain.” He briefly explained, receiving a nod. “Something about me. Okay. At the University, I once wrote this paper about the psychological effects of playing with the environmental systems when dealing with terrorists or hostage situations.”
Pamela gave Alex a hard look, but he did his best to look innocent.
“Thank you, Jeff. It’s tradition to start with the youngest and move upwards in age or rank, but I haven’t been following that very carefully, except as a real basic rule of thumb. I’m going to really break tradition and ask the first officer to go next. I’m trying to alternate, Ms. Walker. Please do not be offended.”
“Of course not, Captain. Alicia, Anthony, Linda, Jimbo, Mary, Kevin, Spades, Dan, Sue, and Jeff Neilson. Jeff does environmentals and maintenance. He’s on a walkabout, and he wrote a paper I’m not sure I would understand. I’m Janice Walker. Jan in a hurry, Janice if you have the time. Obviously, I’m the First. I have a very small collection of antique guns. I would list them, but then the next poor person would have to remember.”
“Mr. Grey, I believe you are younger than Ms. Leider.”
Alex ran through the names. “This is Janice Walker, First. She likes old guns and doesn’t realize that so do a bunch of other people in this room. Janice, you’ll have people here willing to talk for hours about your collection.” He didn’t even wait for Pamela. “My name is Alexander Grey, formerly Swanson. For the Walker’s benefit, my marriage was according to DS custom. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that involves the man changing his name. I go by Alexander, Alex, or Xander. I avoid Al. People tend to use Alex.” He thought for a second, then looked around the room. “There are at least four people in this room who have been instrumental in saving my life. Some of them more than once.”
