“Good evening, Captain,” greeted Lieutenant Perkins, as he stood and came to attention. Jason, not comfortable in the least with having the captain moniker, let alone full responsibility for the vessel, smiled and took a seat at a nearby console.
“As you were, Lieutenant, please sit.” Jason gazed around the command center again before looking at the junior officer. “Can we have the room for a moment, gentlemen?” Jason requested, and then waited while the other three crewmembers shuffled out. “You and I both know I’m ill-prepared to captain this ship, Lieutenant. It seems fairly insurmountable, my learning what will be necessary to—” Jason looked around again, defeated. Lieutenant Perkins smiled and sat down next to Jason.
“Basically, sir, you just don’t know what you don’t know yet.”
“There has to be someone onboard more qualified to command this ship than myself,” Jason said flatly.
“I’m from a small town in Iowa, one of the few crewmembers also from Earth. Three years ago I was pulled into this war, similar to you, and brought before the admiral on a day when my life changed forever. I was clueless, totally out of my element here. Hell, I was a junior officer—just off my first tour in Afghanistan. I flew a helicopter, for God’s sake.”
Jason smiled at the younger officer’s candor. “OK, so how do I get up to speed with all this?”
“Both Ricket and The Lilly have amazing technological capabilities—and the ability to infuse you with the necessary technical knowledge for you to move forward, all fairly quickly. It’s more of a medical procedure than anything else. What they cannot do is make you into a natural leader. Or someone the crew will willingly follow into battle. You already have those unique qualities, and that’s why we need your help. The admiral has faith in you, and to be honest, so do I.”
Jason noticed the top of a baseball cap moving behind one of the consoles, and then Ricket appeared to the left of the lieutenant. Like a small child, he climbed up on a chair, turned and sat facing forward. “We must proceed with your HyperLearning process as soon as possible,” Ricket said, looking from one to the other. “That is if you have decided to join the crew, and commit to this endeavor.”
“So what kind of procedure will this be? Is it dangerous? Nothing can happen to me, I may be all Mollie has left.”
“Not so dangerous—but quite painful,” Ricket replied evenly. The lieutenant squirmed in his seat and nodded his head.
“Truth is, it hurts like a son of a bitch—it’s no fun. There’s a different HyperLearning procedure for every rank. I can’t even imagine what it’ll feel like for a captain,” the lieutenant said, eyebrows raised.
“My father went through this?”
“Yes,” Ricket replied, “for both the captaincy level, and then again later for the admiral’s.”
Jason looked from one to the other—deciding what to do. “I really don’t have a choice do I?”
Both Ricket and Lieutenant Perkins replied simultaneously: “Not really.”
Jason couldn't think of a reason to put off the inevitable. He was like a ship without a rudder right now—unable to properly lead the crew and frustrated that more and more time was elapsing without a rescue attempt plan for Nan, or even some semblance of a plan.
* * *
From what Ricket had conveyed, the procedure would take several hours, and his recovery time would be a day or two after that. Jason was anxious to get into space and on track to find Nan. He would do whatever was necessary to make that happen. But seeing the state of the crew, their limited experience and total lack of discipline, well, it didn't give him much confidence.
Once in Medical, Dira, a female med-tech or perhaps a doctor of alien origin, was helping Jason prepare for the procedure. She had instructed him to empty his bladder and bowels, and then change into a special outer garment. Dira helped Jason into the same clamshell capsule Mollie had been placed in earlier. Jason lay back and tried to relax. He saw Dira looking over Ricket's shoulder as he rapidly entered information into the terminal pad. Ricket was explaining to her how to configure a captain-rank level, HyperLearning module for Jason's particular physiology. Jason saw Dira nod her head as Ricket went through a list of screen prompts and configuration settings. It seemed Dira was being trained on the use of this equipment. Ricket's calm monotone voice was starting to make Jason sleepy. But then he heard the tension in Dira's voice as she pointed to a listing on the screen.
"So he'll be getting the full spacer prep material, including astrophysics basics, applied quantum theory, the latest FTL design material, the biological as well as nano-sciences package, and the complete operation and maintenance of space-bearing vessels material? That seems like a lot, Ricket, at one time."
"Actually," Ricket said, “the admiral has ordered up the complete HyperLearning panel for Jason, everything The Lilly has to offer, including the admiralty-level strategic capsule." Ricket paused and looked over at Jason.
Dira, shaking her head said, "That’s the same procedure your father undertook, and substantially more to boot." She took a step back and put her hands on her hips—an indignant expression on her face. “Personally, I think that's too much, and why are you doing the nano-implants procedure simultaneously, Ricket?" Ricket and Dira held each other’s stare, and then both looked at Jason, eyebrows raised.
Jason was pretty sure he was hearing a bit more information than he should be. He definitely felt uncomfortable with a technician questioning an officer in front of him. Or was Ricket really an officer? Jason couldn't imagine this sort of disrespect occurring on board a naval vessel—insubordination was a serious infraction. But then again, maybe Dira was right to question Ricket—especially if what Ricket was configuring was considered dangerous? But why not hold the conversation off line, in private? Jason realized his mind was quickly reeling out of control. He'd deal with the crew and what was proper military conduct over time. For now, though, he needed to sleep and get the procedure over with. He noticed the two of them looking at him for a response.
"Yes, load it up. I won’t have time to undergo this procedure again, and I’ll need all the intelligence data you’ve got to be at my disposal. Please, finish up and get things moving along." Both nodded. Dira, attempting a smile, clearly looked worried. After a few more taps at the screen the clamshell began to close. Jason abruptly leaned forward and turned toward Ricket.
"So, don't forget Mollie is up early," Jason reminded. “She’ll be looking for me. You'll be there, right? You'll explain where I'm at, right?”
Calmly, Ricket replied, "I'll be there, yes; I'll explain where you're at. Lie back and stop squirming around, please.”
Jason's last thoughts before he drifted off to sleep were of Mollie, then of Nan being forced onto the Craing ship.
He had never experienced anything close to this. The pain was unrelenting. But it was the invasion of his mind, his thoughts—a complete disregard for his inner sanctity—the total loss of self that was the worst. He’d become conscious several times during the night. At one point, he looked out and saw Dira watching him. Her pale violet skin contrasted with her short black hair and, something possibly unique to her species, eyelashes extending several inches. She gave him an assuring nod, checked his vitals again, and left Medical. By the time the clamshell was open again, Jason felt like he’d been thrown off the side of a building. Dira was there, using a wet cloth on his forehead, concern in her eyes.
“So, I guess I survived,” Jason said, attempting a smile.”
“Actually, it was touch and go. Around 2:00 a.m. I checked in on you. Your vitals registered higher than they should. Then you alarmed two more times in the night, showing tearing had occurred in your cerebral cortex. Ricket had assured me that the nano-implants would repair any damage. He was right. Once they were introduced, no more problems.”
* * *
Jason was back in his own cabin the following afternoon. He needed another full day before he felt steady enough on his feet to move about the ship.
Mollie had mothered him to distraction. In his absence, she had figured out how to use the food replicator located in the captain's kitchenette. Chicken soup seemed to stay down the best. Both Ricket and Dira had come by to check on his progress, as well as Lieutenant Perkins, who was now sitting in a chair at his bunk side. Over the past few hours Jason had come up with a basic plan and he needed to bring the lieutenant up to speed.
"First off, I need to understand Ricket’s role aboard this ship—does he have some kind of rank or position?”
"We all just refer to him as the Science Officer. Perhaps a better description is caretaker. He's pretty much the only one who knows how things work."
"How's that possible?" Jason said, exasperated. "I take it we have a qualified engineer on board?"
"Yes, that would be Horris Latimer. From what I understand he's amazing with FTL fusion drive mechanics."
"So, what's the problem?"
"Although Horris would never admit it, he's utterly confused by the propulsion system on The Lilly. It uses a totally different technology than he, or anyone else here, is familiar with."
"How about Ricket? How much does he understand?"
"Quite a bit—at least enough to keep things running."
Jason shook his head, not sure his questions were fully being answered.
"I've made a list of the section heads I'd like to meet with first thing—starting with Chief Engineer Horris, then the head of Security, followed by all the officers.”
Jason was quickly getting accustomed to his enhanced cognitive abilities. Amazed, it was as if overnight he’d acquired encyclopedic knowledge and advanced technical experience that normally would take years or even decades to possess. Now he could draw upon it at will—whatever information was required was right there, available for the asking.
First stop was engineering, situated on Deck Two. Jason left Mollie in the care of Dira, who had volunteered to show her the Zoo.
Fully nanotized, and just as Lieutenant Perkins had promised, the DeckPorts were now intuitive, or personally attuned to which floor and location Jason wished to visit.
Stepping through to Level Two, Jason easily found the section marked Engineering. He had showered, shaved and dressed in the provided captain's everyday spacer's jumpsuit—similar to those worn by the other officers. On his collar were the new captain's pins from his father. The Engineering door dematerialized as Jason entered. Engineering was a large section; some areas were open to the two decks above and below. Black gangways of some kind of composite material crisscrossed the bulkheads at various levels. Several crewmembers above him had stopped to look over the railing. Apparently visitors were uncommon in Engineering. Two men were having a heated discussion ahead of Jason. They looked up at the same time—both came to attention.
"As you were, gentlemen," Jason said, smiling, with his hand out to shake. "I'm Captain Reynolds." Jason immediately thought how strange it was that several days ago he had found it difficult to own that title, but things were different now. The men shook hands.
“I’m Chief Horris, but everyone just calls me Chief. This is Seaman Bristol.” Bristol nodded, but quickly excused himself. Jason eyed the Chief, who was a big man—his overalls tight across his large belly.
“Nice to meet you, Chief—hope I’m not interrupting anything important?” Jason queried, gesturing towards Bristol’s rapid departure.
“Not at all, sir…just not in agreement with one of the rank and file—nothing I can’t handle.”
“I don’t mean to step on your command style, Chief, but it’s not the crews’ place to argue with their superiors. That’s flat out insubordination.”
“Well… I don’t think it’s as much insubordination, as it is young stubbornness. You know how it is…”
“No, Chief, I’m sorry, but I don’t. And you’re not doing Seaman Bristol or anyone else on this ship any favors by encouraging lax conduct. When the time comes, and it will, you’ll want crewmembers who take orders, not argue with them.”
“Aye, sir—and yes, I agree. Guess we’ve let things run amuck too long around here.” Chief looked a bit sheepish. “How ‘bout I show you around Engineering. This is an incredible ship, and boy, is she fast. Of course FTL is nothing new; all the Alliance vessels travel beyond the speed of light, but The Lilly comes at it differently—not bending space around the ship, but bending space around projected multiverse versions of the ship. The admiral never fully tested the ship’s capabilities in that regard.”
Jason spent the next hour on a tour of Engineering. Chief Horris did a good job pointing out the various systems that drove the ship. Jason found he not only understood the mechanical aspects of the two large drive units, but much of the theoretical properties behind them as well. Unfortunately, his recent HyperLearning curriculum had not included anything relating to one aspect of The Lilly—specifically, her exotic drive antimatter configuration.
“I’d like to tell you we have everything figured out, but we don’t. Ricket seems to have the best theoretical mind on board, but even he has yet to figure out some of its technology. We have two antimatter drive units that don’t use standard antiprotons. The technology on The Lilly is in undiscovered territory. Fortunately, systems in Engineering don’t seem to need much in the way of maintenance. As far as I know, they’ve never gone down.”
“What if they were damaged in battle? How will you repair them?”
“That was a major concern of the admiral as well. In fact, that’s the primary reason the ship has been kept well back from space confrontations. The speed of the ship, and her phase-shift capability, have made her invaluable to the Alliance.”
“Phase- shift capabilities?” Jason asked, now totally confused.
The chief smiled, “Ah, so the HyperLearning module didn’t quite cover everything, did it? Let me put it to you this way. Did you see an exit out of this massive underground aquifer? Did you see any way to fly this ship in or out of here?”
“Um, actually no,” Jason replied, trying to remember if he saw another egress or tunnel or any other way in or out. “How the hell did you get it in here?”
Chief Horris smiled, enjoying the confused look on the captain’s face. “We never flew in or out of this damn cave—The Lilly can phase-shift through solid matter. Once you come to terms with how this ship utilizes the multiverse—actually piggybacking into parallel universe realities, it starts to make more sense. You’ll see these same principles used in other on-board systems as well… like the DeckPorts, drive propulsion, medical, just to name a few.”
“OK, but back to my original question. How do we repair the systems on this ship when damaged?”
“First of all, the outer hull is another exotic composite material—it’s infused with self-repairing nanites. As you’ve probably noticed everything inside and outside of this ship looks brand new. Those little buggers are constantly at work—they live to conform to their pre-programmed configuration. I don’t know what it would take to put a hole in the hull, but it would have to be something in the nature of a fusion-tipped missile. I don’t think energy weapons would have much effect on her. But again, we haven’t actually brought her into battle.”
“OK, what’s the second point? What aren’t you telling me?” Jason felt he was pulling teeth for information, that the Chief had a sense for the dramatic. He obviously was proud of the ship he served on but come on man—get to the point.
“We’ve been held underground for close to three weeks now. Truth is, we’re all going a bit stir crazy. But Ricket, who’s never idle, has been exploring areas of The Lilly we didn’t even know were here. In fact, there’s a whole Fifth Level, a sub-level in-between the Fourth and Fifth Levels. We call it sub-Deck 4B. Anyway, we didn’t see it hidden above the two drive units. The Level is close to thirty feet high. Within this area is one more phase-shift system—more like a phase synthesizer, of sorts. If you’re wondering where Ricket disappears to lately, it’s there—he’s trying to figure out how the
hell to use this thing.”
“Well, what is it? Why would you need a phase synthesizer?” Jason asked, confused.
“To make something that does not exist on this plane of existence. We think, or Ricket thinks, that the phase synthesizer can manufacture new ship components on demand as well. So to answer your question, sir, if something gets damaged in battle, there may be the capability to replace parts instead of repairing them.”
“Thank you for your time, Chief. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more questions—but this has been very helpful. Oh, one more thing. What can you tell me about the onboard armaments?”
“Well, two things.” Jason prepared himself for more of Chief’s grandstanding. “She does indeed have weaponry, and no, they’ve never been battle tested. You’ll want to connect with our gunnery chief—Gunny Orion. She’s situated on Deck 2, forward near the bow.”
“She? A woman’s the gunny, huh?”
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