13 Degrees of Separation

by Hechtl, Chris

  “No, I have to go through ROTC training and other stuff here on the station for a year. They won't let me into the military academy until I'm 16.” she said with a frown. “Which is stupid, I've been flying shuttles with you, dad.”

  Her father nodded. He looked at Wendy. Wendy bit her lip, trying hard to keep a straight face. She looked so much like her daughter though, on pins and needles. Blonde hair, slight aging which went along with being a parent of an exasperating teenager. Finally she nodded.

  “You mean it?” Jane asked, eyes wide, bouncing on her heels.

  “If you can handle it,” Wendy said. And I think you can do anything you put your mind to. But stay safe,” she said.

  Her father sighed. “Well, guess, I'm going to have to train a new copilot,” he said, taking the tablet. Jane looked over his shoulder and coached him through the signing procedure. He even added a voice print authorization. Then he passed it to Wendy who hesitantly did so as well. Jane's eyes sparkled with happy tears.

  John came up behind her, rubbing her back and shoulders. She looked up to him and held his hand. He smiled down to her. “Stretching your wings,” he murmured. “I'm proud of you Jane.”

  “Thanks uncle John,” she said softly. She looked over to Michael. Her 'other uncle' was smiling a wan smile, though he looked about ready to ball. She hugged him.

  They returned the tablet and chip to the recruiting office. The Lieutenant smiled and had her raise her hand and gave her the initial oath of office. Then he shook her hand and handed her another tablet and pinned a identity badge to her lapel. She looked down at it.

  “This will let others know who you are until you get chipped. Keep it on you at all times and whatever you do don't lose it. Now, the tablet has some tests, quizzes, sims, and other material for you to go over.”

  “Yes sir,” she bobbed a nod.

  “Do it all. Find the time. Got it,” he said waggling a finger at her. “No excuse.”

  “Yes sir.”

  He looked over her shoulder to her parents. “Any questions?”

  “Where will she be staying?” her father asked.

  “I'm looking into that. Mrs. Valdez has an open room, her family just expanded and her sister and brother in law just moved to better quarters next door. So she has several spare rooms. And yes, she said her husband is interested in testing you.”

  “Thank you sir,” Jane said with a smile. She had a hard time not tearing up.

  “We've got her gear with us. MM is leaving shortly. I'm supposed to talk with some of your people about taking on goods and passengers. In fact I'm running late,” Wendy sighed, looking at her gold watch pendant.

  “You'd better run along then mum,” Jane said.

  “I'll see you settled young lady. The rest of the universe can damn well wait until then,” her mother growled, eyes flashing.

  The recruiter snorted in surprise at that vehemence. He glanced at Jane who squirmed a little. “If you have half the spunk you mom has you'll go far. Who do you need to tell you're running late ma'am?” he asked, turning to Wendy.

  “A doctor Thornby,” she said with a shrug.

  “Lieutenant Commander Thornby? I'll shoot her an e mail,” he said with a curt nod. His fingers wiggled as if he was typing then he smiled. “Done.”

  “You... like that?” Wendy asked. She looked at her siblings and then to her husband.

  “Implants, got to love them,” the Lieutenant replied with a slight grin. “Come on, I'll show you to the Valdez compound. It's in a rough part of the station. We're getting better, but it's still a problem sometimes with the gangs and all. There was a mugger one deck down so...” he saw Jane shaking her head no and pointing to her mom.

  “But as long as you stay in the lit corridors and don't go wandering you'll be fine,” he finished lamely. Jane sighed, looking at her mom.

  “You heard the man Jane,” Wendy growled. “Now, let's go get you settled. I've got an appointment to get to.” She nodded to John who was holding Jane's duffel. The girl took it with a smile.

  “I've got to get back, we're getting underway soon and the chief is chewing the bulkhead,” he said by way of apology. Jane hugged her uncle and nodded.

  He turned and left. Michael hugged her and then hurried to catch up with his brother.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  At the Agnosta jump point there was a flash as a ship emerged from hyperspace. Static energy bled off in a dazzling display of pyrotechnics as the ship drifted forward out of its own event horizon. As the energy discharge cleared a signal was sent to the nearest ships, first identifying the Navy courier, and then sending another signal to the orbital fort under construction nearby.

  Logan got the news from the tachyon relay in the fort stationed at the point and swore viciously. The Lieandra, he noted, the ship the admiral had sent out with supplies. She'd run into pirates in Protodon and it looked like Antigua had just run out of time. The ship carried word that Firefly was moving out to the rescue.

  “Well, this well and truly sucks,” Logan sighed, shaking his head as he briefed the rest of the senior staff. Lieutenant Commander Harris frowned.

  “Can they really do any good?”

  “Who knows. If they make it in time, big IF, they might be able to bounce the pirates out, or even set up on the jump point if the pirates were slow to get to Antigua.”

  “Doubtful. Prime is an El Dorado,” Harris replied.

  Logan nodded. “Exactly. Which is why we can't let the pirates have it. We've got to get there and stop them.”

  “Which we're doing. Whether the Governor likes it or not,” Thornby replied with a nod. She looked over her shoulder. “Finally,” she murmured. “I've got a rather late appointment here. The emissary from the Mariah's Mischief is here. Do you need me for more on this?”

  “No doc, we've got it covered. We'll give you a high point later,” Logan said with a wave.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “Sorry to keep you waiting,” Doctor Thornby said, coming into the small conference room.

  Wendy turned with a hint of a smile. “Not at all. Fair's fair. I kept you waiting first.”

  “Did it go as planned?”

  “Jane? Yes. I suppose so. It's just hard giving up on your only daughter, knowing you won't be around to see her every day,” Wendy sighed.

  “I'll check on her for you,” Doctor Thornby offered.

  Wendy smiled. “Please do. Though I believe Mrs. Valdez will mother her quite a bit. Jane is an only child, living in a household that large will definitely give her something to think about,” she said grinning.

  Doctor Thornby laughed softly. She indicated they sit down. “So, the terms?”

  “Acceptable. And we have room for passengers as well.”

  “Good. You see, we're not only setting up one of our first recruiting stations, we're also forming an attachment to the medics in the system. It's hoped that the liaison effort will further good will there and elsewhere.”

  “Good,” Wendy replied with a nod. “I'm giving you a discount for both since you've done so much for us. And,” she smiled. “As a parting gift to my daughter.”

  “That's nice of you,” the doctor replied with a nod.

  “Just don't tell my boss,” Wendy whispered conspiratorially. That got a surprised laugh out of the doctor.

  “Okay I won't.”

  “Are all the passengers for Seti?”

  “No, three are. The others are going to Halced 6, New Haven, and Airea 3 as recruiters and government liaisons. We're hoping to jump start things along that chain.”

  “Good for you,” Wendy said. “For all of us.”

  “Each will have care packages. We're hoping they can make a difference in each system, and that they'll be serving as examples. Each will also carry tablets and materials for recruits.”

  “Good,” Wendy smiled, making a note. “Any special problems or dietary issues?” she asked as a matter of routine.

  The doctor shook her
head. “I doubt it. I believe all are standard. No special medical issues. I do have a request, sort of a reward. If you find any military equipment, or alien uterine replicators, please make note of them or pick them up and pass them on.”

  “A project doctor?” Wendy asked, looking down to note that odd request.

  “Project Resurrection,” the doctor replied quietly. Wendy looked up in surprise as the name registered. Thornby smiled. “We're trying to save some species. Two that had been long thought of as extinct have come back, if only as single members of their species. We've been working hard to try to bring them back from the brink of death but...” she shrugged helplessly.

  “Any help will do. I see,” Wendy murmured. She nodded slowly. “I'll make sure we keep an eye out and pass the word doctor. I can make our medical files available to you if you need them.”

  “We have them. A perk for repairing your ship's computer net,” Thornby replied. Wendy nodded.

  “We'll give you ten tons of goods, mostly tablets and supplies for your ship for the transport of the goods, and another five for each stop with the men.”

  “Acceptable,” Wendy replied with a nod. Her boss had wanted a bit more, but she knew the military supplies would be top notch. “I assume you accessed my files on systems?”

  Thornby nodded.

  “Dad's files are on the computer net, but some may have been hidden. I'm not sure what you are looking for, but feel free to try to find them. Anything specific? I may not have put it on the computer you know.”

  “Extinct species.”

  “I gathered that. Which ones?” Wendy asked.

  Thornby winced. “Ssislli and Malakian's.” she replied.

  Wendy's eyes went wide. “Oh. I thought you were looking for dolphins,” she said.

  “Dolphins? You've seen some?”

  “Sure, in Agnosta,” Wendy replied.

  Thornby stared at her. “You're kidding.”

  “No,” Wendy shrugged. “Aren't whales and orca related to dolphins?”

  “Um...”

  “I've seen both there. Dad took me ice fishing when I was little. We went pretty far north, dad got a little too cute with the landing, I thought we were going someplace tropical. We saw an orca kill a seal pup. Freaked me out, big black and white thing with this massive dorsal fin in the water.” She shivered. “Dad too. I think I pissed myself when I saw them just work the seal off the ice and then throw it around like a rag doll. The guide dad hired said that was normal.”

  Thornby winced. “I'm guessing these are wild? Not uplifted?” she asked.

  Wendy shrugged. “No idea. I didn't stop to ask. We just got the hell out of there. This was, oh, thirty years ago. I was six. It was the last time we came down this way.”

  “Oh.” Thornby digested that and then slowly nodded. “Okay, I'm sending some of that to the intel shop. Thank you ma'am,” she said rising from her seat. She extended her hand. “You have no idea how much that helps me.”

  “I'm surprised it did, but okay,” Wendy replied, hastily rising and shaking the woman's hand. “I'll have Knuyuk clear the space for your cargo if it's not already cleared. We'll expect your people before we leave dock.”

  “Understood,” the doctor replied with a curt nod. She waved to show the woman out. “Thank you, and I'll remember to check in on Jane.”

  “Give her some stick time and she'll be in heaven,” Wendy replied rolling her eyes. “And she's into boys a bit, girls a bit more. She's behind in her health and medicine classes. If you could poke her a little there or get someone to lend her a hand I'd appreciate it.”

  Thornby smiled. “I'll make sure we do that,” she said, stopping in the corridor. A rating was waiting patiently for the doctor. She nodded to him. Wendy caught the look and slight hint of exasperation and snorted.

  “Work never ends,” she said. “Good luck doctor, and thank you,” she said.

  “No, thank you,” Thornby said as Wendy departed. She watched the other woman go. “You don't know how much that helps,” she murmured. She turned and held up a hand to stall the impatient rating.

  She put a hand to her ear, signaling a call. “Logan? We just got a hot lead, and our own people are sitting there with it right under our nose. Get this, remember how the admiral was waxing poetic about dolphins? Yes well, you'll never believe where there are some still swimming around...”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Wendy was on hand as the cargo was stored and the passengers came on board. “Welcome to the Mairah's mischief,” she said nodding. “Who's in charge?”

  A young man with a sharp looking military coverall and duffel raised a hand. “First Lieutenant Pembroke ma'am. I'm senior, though I'm a medic. Second Lieutenant Qez is my second.” He indicated the Marine Veraxin bringing up the rear of the party.

  “All right, this way,” Wendy nodded. “My daughter has departed, as had a few other members of the crew. We were worried about having you hot bunk in just 2 rooms but we shifted a few things around and we now have four cabins available.”

  “Thank you ma'am.”

  “They're tight, you know that right?” she warned. “Lieutenant, we're going to the wardroom by the way. You can leave your things with um...”

  “If it's all the same to you ma'am, can we drop and run?”

  “Good idea. Nearest quarters are this way,” Wendy said, indicating the way. She had them drop their gear then led them to the galley. The galley was dead. Pembroke had the ensigns remain behind to eat. He, Lieutenant Quez, and another junior Lieutenant, this one a human named Lute followed Wendy to the bridge.

  Wendy made introductions on the bridge. The officers nodded politely.

  “It's a long flight,” they were warned. Rose looked a little vague, the Captain had to remind himself that she was seeing things through her implants.

  “That's what we do, we haul freight. For however long it takes,” Rodrick said as way of warning. “We're a no frills outfit.”

  “No, not as long as before. Remember, we've overhauled your ship. she can make the B octave of Beta now,” the Lieutenant informed them with a slight smile.

  The Captain was surprised. He glanced around his staff. Some smiled, others shrugged. “We'll see,” he finally said. “I'm not at all comfortable taking your word for it. We'll test it.”

  “Prudent,” the Lieutenant replied with a nod. “I don't have a lot of engineering training sir, but if you need someone with implants to keep an eye on things, I can try.”

  “No, but thank you. We'll see how the crew adapts,” the Captain replied. “Though you could put that offer in to Mr. Banning in engineering. He may have a slot for you and your people.”

  “Thank you sir,” the young man said, nodding. “I think I'll do that. I'm not into idle time. I like to keep my hands busy.”

  The Captain smiled. “Just don't get carried away.”

  “I'll try not to sir. If all else fails I can fall back on studying,” the Lieutenant replied with a shrug. “Permission to leave?”

  “Dismissed,” the Captain replied with a nod. He watched the young man leave the bridge. “How are we doing Mr. Rodrick?” he asked, turning to the third officer.

  “Fine sir. Better than ever. Not one red light, all systems are green for go. I had to look up some of them, we've never been this good.”

  “Good to hear,” the Captain said with a nod as he exchanged looks with the other officers. “Helm?”

  “We're ready Captain. Tugs have moved us out of the slip, we're clear. They're disengaging now,” she said, checking the feed. The Captain blinked as the main view screen came up with images from hull cameras. He could see two automated tugs disengaging from his ship. Puffs from their reaction control thrusters moved them off and away from his ship. He saw the drifting vapor crystallize on his hull briefly before flaking off.

  “Tugs are clear,” the helms woman said.

  “Good. Set course for the Seti Alpha 4 jump point. Speed?”

  “Course a
nd speed plotted. We have a max of point two C available sir. We'll need to decelerate to near zero. Wedge is useless now.”

  “I expected as much,” the Captain said. “Wait, why bring it up?” he asked. The helms woman smiled over her shoulder to him. “It works?” the Captain asked, raising an eyebrow. “You're sure?”

  She nodded. “We can't test it here sir, but yes, our shields have been overhauled. They aren't up to factory spec, but much better than ever before. We can do point three c with the wedge if we had something to push or pull against sir.”

  “Ah, well, maybe in Seti.”

  “Aye sir. Course plotted. We have thirty five hours until turnover, seventy hours until we reach the jump point.”

  “Impressive.”

  “Captain, we're getting a broadcast from the nearest Navy ships. A Captain Harris on the destroyer Damocles.” He pointed to a rectangular warship a hundred thousand kilometers away. The Arboth class destroyer had recently been released from the yard at the same time as the Mischief. She was on a heading to the B101a1 jump point.

  “We are?” the Captain asked, looking at Rodrick.

  “Yes sir. Thank you, safe sailing, and good speed to our next destination,” he read out loud and then he looked up with a grin. “We're getting the same from the Corvette Sun-Yat off a million and a half kilometers off our port side.”

  “Well,” the Captain said, tugging on his uniform. “I like it that we get that sort of care and that they even thanked us. I definitely am looking forward to doing business with them again.” There was a murmur of similar thoughts from the bridge crew. The Captain nodded to Rodrick. “Before we leave, send them our regards and thanks for their hospitality. Spirit of Space protect and guide them.”

  Rodrick murmured into a mike and then tapped at his console. After a moment he held a thumbs up to his Captain.

  The Captain smiled slightly. He straightened, leaning forward eagerly in anticipation. “Helm, engage course. Let's see what she can do,” the Captain said, taking his seat and rubbing his arm rests with a small smile of satisfaction.

  “Engage.”

  The end

  Message in a bottle