by Gary Weston
‘Oh, come on, Maj.’
‘I’m strictly off limits until you and Raven decide to do the right thing.’
With that, Saltoe stormed out of the room.
Chapter 324
‘Tilly. What a nice surprise.’
‘Hi, Mom. Hey. Not too early to call you, is it? I’m not sure if I worked your time out right.’
‘No. You’ve just missed your father. He set off a few minutes ago.’
‘Good. I mean, it’s you I want to talk to.’
‘Ok. Something wrong?’
Tilly said, ‘Just something you might be able to do for me. Remember Maj Saltoe? She came here that time with Tagg Raven, before he was made Boss. She was with Karma Casey and fired the cannon which let the men free from those drixolate runners.’
‘A short fat girl. Quite pretty, though. What about her?’
‘Maj is Tagg’s P A. Sort of power behind the throne.’
‘Aren’t most women? Like me and your father.’
Tilly said, ‘Exactly. Which is why I’m talking to the one really in charge. Anyway, Maj had to have a freighter take her to join up with Councillor Freeman, on Transporter One. This put the freighter behind schedule.’
‘These things happen. So, why are you calling me about it?’
‘Because, Mom, that freighter was carrying Dad’s ski-lift. And because of this D S I business, meant Dad can invoke the late delivery clause.’
‘He told me. He was laughing when he said he’d save fifteen percent on the deal.’
Tilly said, ‘And he’s being mean, Mom. He hits that captain with a penalty, she loses everything.’
‘Well, that’s not fair.’
‘Mom. I know. A business down the gurgler for being a couple of days late. Is Dad’s business doing that bad?’
‘Doing quite well, this season. What are you saying, Tilly?’
Tilly said, ‘Tell him to give this woman a break. Sure, he has the contract law on his side, but that doesn’t make it right. Captain Goodwind has been building up her business and raising two daughters against all the odds. I don’t want my father being the one to destroy years of hard work.’
‘I doubt he saw it that way. He just saw it as a way to save his business some money. Ok. I think the freighter’s due in tomorrow. I’ll see what I can do.’
‘Mom…’
‘Tilly. Leave your father to me. That woman will not lose her business if I have anything to do with it.’
Tilly sighed. ‘Thanks, Mom.’
‘Ok. Now. You and Mick Dorran. How’s that going?’
‘Nowhere fast at the moment. He’s with General Millet on a mission at the moment. He’ll be here in a couple of days.’
‘It doesn’t sound as if you’re missing him much. Still being in love with Tagg Raven wouldn’t help.’
Tilly said, ‘Mom. I’m not…’ She couldn’t lie to her mother. ‘He’s moved on. I’m trying to move on.’
‘Raven’s Boss, Your Boss. Keep it that way.’
There was a pause, then Tilly said, ‘I’ll never have an affair with him. He has Joy Dainty and baby Dixon. He and I were what could have been, and that’s all.’
‘Ok. You are millions of miles away, but I can still feel you wavering. Listen. If you need to get away from Home and Tagg raven, you come here. Tilly?’
Tilly said, ‘I will. Now. Sort Dad out, will you?’
‘You leave your Dad to me. And make your mind up about Mick. If you don’t want him, let him go. Don’t hurt the poor man.’
‘I’ll see. Mom. Why does life have to be so complicated?’
‘Mostly because of men. Bye, Tilly.’
Chapter 325
‘Boss.’
‘Councillor.’
‘We have a bit of a situation.’
‘I know. They only seem to happen between three and four in the morning. You talk, I’ll make coffee.’
‘I’ve been looking at the probe recording. They turned up a split between universes.’ All Freeman could hear was Raven stirring his coffee. ‘Tagg. I need your input on this one.’
‘My ancestors go back to Mars, as does yours. Tagg Potts was my great, great grandfather. He was one of the first Mars Commanders. That’s how I got to be named Tagg. I heard it through my family about that split, as did you. This wouldn’t be anything to do with Dixon Cragg, by any chance?’
‘Hey. You even named your baby after that crazy dude. And yes. You saw the original recording about the Blackness and that time they went into the other universe?’
‘You and I got very drunk and watched it several times as I recall. That split turned up again?’
Freeman said, ‘Scortrax went in it and back again. It recorded a battle going on between two races. One just about wiped out. They asked us Humans for help, via the probe.’
‘They have their own Humans. Let them help out.’
‘Tagg. Depending on where that split is, we could actually be closer.’
Raven said, ‘It isn’t our fight.’
‘That’s what I said. But Maj…’
‘Miss Saltoe?’
‘Isn’t she just the most gorgeous woman ever? Why didn’t I see that when I was Home bound. Beautiful, sexy, funny, intelligent…’
‘Ok. You like her.’
‘Are you kidding me? But I’ve a problem. I don’t go help those little people out, she’ll have nothing to do with me.’
‘No.’
‘No what?’
‘We are not sending ships with people from this universe into another universe, to fight in a war not of our making, just so you can get up close and personal…’
‘I always hated that expression, Tagg.’
‘So do I. The answer is still no. No. End of. I’ll not risk a single life on this.’
Freeman said, ‘I could overrule you.’
‘No you can’t. You are the Councillor for this planet. I am Boss. I decide what the D S I on this planet does. You do not. You want to overrule me, you get the approval of the Interplanetary Council and we’ll both be enjoying our pensions before they make a decision.’
Freeman wasn’t giving up that easily. ‘That’s why I’ve sent you the recording. Watch it, Tagg. And not just with your eyes. Use your heart. If you come back to me and still say no, it won’t happen.’
‘And if I say no, you and Miss Saltoe…?’
Freeman took a deep breath. ‘You say no, I lose her. But you’re right. The well-being of our people comes first. Tagg. You need perspective on this.’
‘Watch it with Joy?’
‘A scary thought. Joy could change our history.’
Raven sighed. ‘She’s changed my future. Why not let her rewrite our history? I’ll get back to you.’
Chapter 326
The freighter landed on Tryzon. There was a hiss and a shush as the main airlock door opened wide. Captain Goodwind and her daughters stomped down the ramp. Ian and Sally Jordan were waiting for them.
‘Right,’ said Goodwind. ‘Here’s your load.’
‘At long last,’ said Ian Jordan.
‘What have I told you?’ snarled Sally Jordan. ‘Pull your bloody head in.’
‘Fifteen percent,’ whispered Ian.
‘At what cost? This woman’s business?’
‘Again. Fifteen percent.’
Sally said, ‘Say that one more time, I will hit you.’
‘It was in the contract.’
‘I vaguely remember our marriage contract. You want me to go over the small print with you?’
Ian pulled away. ‘I’m just trying to do right by the business, which means you and me.’
‘This woman spent the last twenty years building her business. Are you going to be the one to bring her down?’
‘But…’
‘The parts are here. The construction gang will have it up and running within two days. You and I will fall out big time if you hurt this woman.’
‘But…’
‘Ian.’
‘No penalties?’
‘No.’
‘I could kiss you.’
‘Not necessary.’
Sally poked Ian in his ribs and said, ‘And?’
Ian Jordan sighed. ‘It seems our tourist transportation from Home is coming up for renewal. A competitive quote from your company might…’
‘Will,’ insisted Sally. ‘Put in a good quote, we will look favourably on it, won’t we, Ian?’
‘If it is a good quote, of course we will.’
Goodwind said, ‘That settles it. Sorry, Mrs Jordan. I insist on kissing your husband.’
‘Ok. Saves me from doing it myself later. Go for it.’
And Goodwind went for it. With her daughters and the man’s wife as witnesses looking on, she grabbed Ian Jordan and planted several kisses all over his face.
‘Thank you.’
Sally said, ‘You can let him go, now. Most of his fantasies have just been fulfilled. I’ll fill in the gaps.’
‘I am still here, you know?’ said Ian.
‘Don’t spoil it,’ said Sally. ‘Goodnight, Captain Goodwind.’
Chapter 327
Raven said nothing and waited, knowing only too well what hinged on all this. He held Dixon in his arms. Finally he said, ‘Hey. I don’t want you to stress out, but your mom could decide the way of the future. Yeah. I know. Scary shit.’
‘Tagg. Shut the hell up. This is important.’
Raven did as he was told as Joy watched the recording again. Fearing what was coming, he looked into his son’s eyes, seeing impossible things; ends, beginnings, death, life and maybe something in between.
Dixon blew spit bubbles and then Joy spoke those six dreadful words.
‘Tagg. You have to do something.’
‘Ah! Like what, precisely?’
‘Go help those cute little people.’
Raven lay a clean, well fed Dixon down in his cot. ‘Right. And just how many of our people would you kill off for these cute little people?’
‘You utter bastard.’
‘That’s a given. Tell me. How many of our fine officers are you willing to sacrifice?’
‘That’s not fair.’
‘You should have worked it out by now, my job isn’t about fair. My job is to keep the peace, the best way I know how. I do nothing, those in this universe don’t die. We send in ships, if that’s even possible, our people could die.’
‘Is that it? You’ll do nothing?’
Raven sighed. ‘Yes. For now. General Millet and the others will be here tomorrow. I’ll talk it over with him.’
‘Passing the buck, you mean.’
Raven shrugged. ‘That’s one way of looking at it. I was seeing it as giving the people putting their lives on the line, the opportunity to decide for themselves if they want to become involved in somebody else’s war that isn’t even in our universe.’
‘Sorry,’ said Joy. ‘You have enough on your plate without me having a go.’
Raven patted his lap and Joy sat on it, wrapping her arms about him. He kissed her and said, ‘You just care about others. Nothing wrong with that. Joy. If this was in our backyard, threatening our people, I’d not hesitate for a second in sending all we had to deal with it. It was only by a million to one shot we even know about this.’
‘Serendipity.’
‘Yes. I intend to leave Frank the option to say yes or no. And that goes for all of them. This is a volunteer mission only. Anybody not wanting to go, is fine by me.’
Joy kissed Raven. ‘That’s the right thing to do. You know, I’m surprised you never mentioned about this alternative universe.’
‘Not something that comes up in everyday conversation. Like Councillor Freeman. I have a copy of the Varlindran cone from the original journey through that split. You should know, the split itself almost killed them. My understanding is that it isn’t always there, and not always in the same place. We might not even be able to find it.’
‘What else do you know about it?’
‘It all happened just after one of my ancestors, Tagg Potts, stepped down as Mars Base Commander. I was named Tagg after him. Anyway, it was well documented in the Craggy books. Dixon Cragg was on one of the ships that went through the split and came back again.’
Joy said, ‘That kids story is true?’
‘All his books are based on true events. Craggy had a way of embellishing the facts a little, but it all happened.’
‘Even that stuff about the Blackness?’
Raven nodded. ‘It was the Blackness that took them to the split. She could go at speeds much faster than our fastest ships. We have never discovered another one. She brought our ships and people back through the split, leaving behind the Blackness she found in the other universe. They actually mated and produced another Blackness, but they stayed behind.’
‘I remember. She sacrificed her own happiness to save our people.’
Raven said, ‘According to the legend, she was never seen again in this universe. Craggy had the theory she found a way back to her family.’
‘I couldn’t imagine me making a sacrifice like that. Losing you and Dixon, to help a bunch of aliens. I do hope she found her family again.’
‘So do I.’
‘Come on. Take me to bed.’
Chapter 328
Raven was waiting to greet General Millet as the D S I fighters landed, next to the freighter. Commander Gordon had his team taking care of the ships and getting the probe off the freighter. Raven sensed Millet’s unease as the big man approached him.
‘Welcome back, General Millet.’
‘Boss. I can’t say I’m too happy about being kept out of the loop.’
Shorty saw them and joined them, hugging her husband. ‘Boss.’
‘Hi, Shorty. Look. I understand how you two must be feeling at the moment. But Councillor Freeman had his reasons. I know you have just landed, but I’d appreciate it if you would come with me to my place and I’ll explain everything. Joy’s made a special meal and I’ve beer on ice.’
‘Sounds good to me, Frank,’ said Shorty.
‘Ok, Boss,’ said Millet.
Raven led them to his buggy and it was soon heading off to his home. The Millet’s made a huge fuss of Joy and Dixon, then with Dixon safely in his pen, they sat at the table and Joy dished up. Conversation was light until the meal was over and they sat back with their beers. Raven told the Millet’s all he knew.
‘I’ve my cone copy here to show you the first trip through the split and the other universe.’
Joy said, ‘Even I haven’t see this yet. Come on. I’ve been itching to see it.’
They took their beers to the lounge, and Raven waited until they were settled, then he started the recording. He said very little, letting the recording tell the story.
Millet said, ‘Hard to think there’s probably a version of us on their Earth. And I mean. Another Shorty?’
Shorty said, ‘She still wouldn’t be as good as me. Tagg. You’re sure that battle was happening in that other universe?’
Raven said, ‘Nobody can be sure of anything when it comes to this stuff. Frank. You know I completely respect your opinions and judgement on all things military. And you know me well enough to know if this was happening here, I’d soon be sending you out there to deal with it.’
‘I know that.’
‘But this is different. First there’s the split itself. Even if you could find it, it’s a very dangerous thing. The pioneers almost died in it. Then they almost didn’t come back. And that’s before you even engage the enemy.’
Shorty said, ‘They’re not our enemy, Tagg.’
‘Exactly. Frank. I want this to be a volunteer only mission. Tomorrow, I will explain as best I can to all your people. None of them have to go, and neither do you.’
&nbs
p; Millet said, ‘Under the circumstances, I agree that would be the best way. I must admit, I’m quite divided over it at the moment.’
Joy said, ‘But those little people. Don’t you think we should help them?’
Shorty said, ‘And get ourselves killed over it?’
Millet stood up. ‘Come on, Shorty. Time to go. Boss. Shorty and I will give this a lot of thought, then we’ll join you in the morning with all the others at Commander Gordon’s H Q.’
‘I’ll be there. Thanks, Frank.’
‘That was a great meal, Joy,’ said Shorty. ‘You’ll have to come over to our place, one evening.’
‘We will. Goodnight, you two.’
Chapter 329
‘No news from Boss?’ said Freeman.
‘He was in a meeting with General Millet,’ said Saltoe. ‘I’ll try again later.’
‘I’m as curious to know what they’re planning as you are. We only have just over a day before we reach Varlindra, with the conference starting the day after.’
‘Heck. Sorry. I forgot we’re supposed to be looking at the figures.’
Freeman grinned. ‘Nothing wrong with your figure, from my point of view.’
‘Clifford,’ said Saltoe with a serious pout. ‘Is that any way to talk to a lady?’
‘I’m a man who says what I think. And I think you are drop-dead gorgeous.’
‘Yeah, right.’
‘I mean it. My only regret is not realising it years ago. But you’re right. While we are waiting to talk to Boss, we’ll have a quick look at the budget.’
Saltoe said, ‘I’ll get my recorder.’
They sat together at a table and Saltoe knew she was getting strange tingling feelings from sitting so close to Freeman. That he had called her drop-dead gorgeous, not something she’d ever heard a man call her before, and him sitting right next to her, made concentrating difficult. She focussed and they had the figures on the tiny screen.
‘Well,’ said Freeman. ‘I can see Raven hasn’t had a hand in this. It’s actually understandable.’
‘We make a good team, Boss and I. The budget was ok until this latest mission. Had it happened in a month’s time, it would have gone into next years budget, and we could have fudged through this one.’
