“Oh, so this is your idea of a romantic first date?” Alexis teased. “I see how it goes. Woo a girl, take her out to a stunningly beautiful and secluded place, and then feed her a bag of military chow.”
“Really?” he feigned indignation. “What kind of guy do you take me for?”
He handed her a plastic fork, unrolled the pouch, and then pulled the top open so she could see. Spicy and sweet smells wafted from inside, and the bag felt warm against the palm of his hand. He smiled, trying to hide his relief that the food had not gone completely cold.
“What… what is this?” she gasped.
“Some of the testing came back on the plants right around the ship. Most of it was inedible, but there were a few things that are. There’s turnips in there… well, Demeter turnips, anyway. Wild onions. Shredded greens. Gail said she might toss some bacon in there. A little pepper in there, too; I convinced Dayton to loosen up a little on the spices, just for a few days.”
Alexis poked her fork into the pouch and withdrew a small, oblong onion. She popped it in her mouth, and her eyes rolled back and her lids closed slowly as she chewed. She let out a moan of approval, and opened her eyes again.
“Wow,” she said.
“Good enough for you?” he grinned.
“It’s been so long since I’ve had fresh food. I was almost afraid I’d never taste it again.”
“That’s not the only surprise I have for you.” He unrolled the other bag, which let out a smoky smell. He reached in and flaked off a chunk of smoked fish, then offered it to her. “I owe a couple favors for this, but it’s worth it.”
“You’re kidding, right?” she said as both her eyes and her smile widened. “Oh, Cal! You… you really went out of your way for this, didn’t you?”
“I made you a promise, didn’t I? An unforgettable first date.”
“You did. And it is.” She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing,” he replied shyly.
They shared the meal in the shade as they talked about the local birds, the landscape, and friends back at camp. The conversation turned to Alexis and her duties with the camp kitchen. He began to fidget, and his smile disappeared. He knew his prospects for work back at the ship were still very slim, and it hurt him that he might have to leave her side again. The death of Elaine on the exploration mission brought his own mortality to the front of his consciousness.
Alexis must have sensed his concern. She placed her hand on the back of his and her green eyes pierced him, as if she could look into his soul. “What’s wrong?”
Cal shook his head and sighed. “I don’t know how to bring this up. I still haven’t been able to find work around Michael. They’re sending Neil back up to the hills. He wants me to go with him, to give a hand to him and the crew going up there. I asked Hunter for more details, and he said that about twenty people are going up there to start an outpost. Mining and logging, I guess.”
“What?” she gasped. “They want you to leave again? When?”
“In three days.”
“But you just came back! They expect you to go back out there with those… things? No. Whatever it is, it can wait. You can find something around camp. There has to be something.”
“I haven’t told them anything yet, Lexi. I needed to know something.” Cal cupped her hands in his. “They need a cook. We could…”
“No,” she shook her head.
“I need to get back to work. We could go together and…”
“No,” she shouted and pulled her hands back. “Are you nuts? I barely feel safe at home as it is. I’m not going out there with those monsters in the woods.”
“Then I have to go back alone.”
“No, you don’t.” Alexis crept forward on her knees and put her arms around him. “You can’t. I don’t want to be without you any longer.”
“I want to stay, believe me. If there was any way that I could stay, I would.”
“I’ll twist Dayton’s arm until he gives you a job, if I have to.”
Cal chuckled. “I bet you would.”
Alexis scrambled to her feet and pulled him up. “Let’s go find him now,” she grinned. “I’ll convince him for you.”
“Our date’s over already? Damn, that went by too quickly.”
“You have something better to do?”
“Of course. A walk on the beach, maybe?”
“Alright, if I can’t beat up the colonel, I suppose I can settle for that.”
Cal packed up the waste and the mostly empty skin of coffee. He shoved their wet shoes in the top of the bag and slung it over one shoulder, then wrapped the gun belt around his waist. He helped her down to the beach on the far side of the island so they could make one loop before heading back.
The far beach was covered in fine, black silt, which squished between their toes as they walked along slowly. Cal grabbed her hand and pulled her in close as a flight of birds skimmed along the surface of the water.
“You know I’ll find a way to stay with you,” he whispered. He felt her nod against his chest before letting go of their embrace.
“I just can’t lose you. You’re all I have left.”
“I know. Trust me, I know.”
Alexis smiled and nodded. Her smile quickly faded, however, and she stepped to the side. Cal turned around to see what she was looking at. On the far river bank was a man, shouting and waving his arms at them. Cal could barely pick him out from the dark earth of the bank itself; the man’s black skin and tan overalls almost made him blend in to his surroundings.
“What the hell?” Cal grumbled. “Is that Donnell?”
“What’s he doing on that side of the river?” Alexis asked. “I thought Colonel Dayton ordered no contact with the other ship.”
“He did,” Cal shot back. “Dayton’s going to be pissed.”
Cal’s heart sunk as the man plunged headlong into the river and headed straight for them. Shock sank in as he waded out halfway into the channel.
“What the hell, Donnell,” he cursed. “Be careful.”
In a flash, the man slipped and pitched forward into the water. Cal shouted a curse and fumbled at the clasp on his belt. He tore it loose and dropped it into the muck without a second thought. A second later, the backpack dropped to the ground next to it with a thump.
“Hang on, Donnell!” Cal shouted. “I’m coming!”
The larger man struggled and flailed against the current, and was swept downstream. Cal burst into a full sprint down the length of the beach, trying to stay ahead of his friend. His feet pounded into rocks every few steps, challenging him to keep his pace as wave after wave of pain ran through his legs.
Don’t stop. Don’t stop!
He came to a point where the beach turned rocky and decided to lunge into the river just before reaching it. He took three powerful strides before leaping hands- first into the river. He was caught in the current just downstream of the thrashing victim. Cal kicked and thrust his way deeper into the channel, struggling to go against the current even as he carried himself farther out. A flash of brown streaked his way, and he lunged once more. Both hands clawed into the chest of Donnell’s coveralls.
“I’ve got you,” he shouted as he tried to find bottom with his feet. “Put your feet down!”
Cal’s feet ached as they bumped off of rocks just too far for him to push against. Roiling white rapids filled his vision as they rushed down the river.
Oh shit, he thought.
He thrust his feet down again, and this time they hit shallow rock. He bellowed in pain from the impact, but rose up in the water and slowed. Again he stretched his legs to the bottom and found another rock. The pain was nearly unbearable, but this time he slowed enough to where he was able to stop their momentum. In searing pain and half drowned, Cal put his arm around the hunched shoulder of his friend and, limping, escorted him back to shore. Cal helped him sit down, and then his heart leaped and his hands tingled.
You’r
e not Donnell.
Darius Owens
15 April, Year of Landing, 11:01
River Islands, 1 mile east of Gabriel landing site
“Who the hell are you?” asked the gangly, blond-haired boy who stood over him, favoring one leg.
Darius coughed violently and spat up a mouthful of water.
“Are you from the other ship?” his rescuer asked. He could clearly hear apprehension in the kid’s voice.
“Yes,” he managed in a hoarse whisper.
“Why are you here?”
“I need to talk to Colonel Dayton.”
“Dayton?” the kid looked confused. “Why the hell would you need to… hey wait, are you from Gabriel’s crew?”
Darius nodded as he rolled onto his hands knees and retched up another round of river water. He took a moment to regain his breath and then leaned back onto his ankles. When he opened his eyes, a brown-haired girl in soaked jeans and a green form-fitting top had joined the fray. She held a weapons belt in one hand and with the other pointed a Beretta at Darius, though her hand was trembling. Her emerald green eyes almost burned as she tracked his every move. Darius slowly raised his hands and bowed his head.
“Why are you…” the boy started. “Lexi, put it away.”
“That’s not Donnell,” she shot back. “He’s from the other ship.”
“That’s right,” Darius interrupted. “I’m not Captain Gibbins. I’m from Gabriel, but it’s not what you think.”
“Lexi, stop. Let him speak,” the boy said. He had a definite twang to his voice, which Darius instantly recognized as being Texan. He turned to Darius and repeated, “Your CO broke his word and landed on the wrong side of the river. You know we’re not supposed to have contact with you. Who are you? Why are you here?”
“My name is Darius Owens, and I’m here because something has gone terribly wrong,” Darius replied. He slowly rose to his feet and lowered his arms.
The girl reaffirmed her aim. “Don’t move. I don’t want to hurt you,” she shouted.
“I don’t want you to either. But with all due respect, Miss, you can’t. Not with the safety on, anyway.”
She lowered the pistol and turned it to the side to inspect it.
“Besides,” he continued, “I owe your friend here my life for fishing me out of the river. I’m here seeking help.”
“Help?” The boy folded his arms across his chest. “I’m pretty sure Colonel Eriksen made it clear how he felt about our crews helping each other when he landed on that side of the river. You can’t tell me that was a mistake.”
“It wasn’t. The colonel did that on purpose, but I don’t know why.” He looked down at his drenched flight suit that clung to his skin like a cold curtain of shame. “He’d probably tell you that he threw me out of the crew for asking why.”
“Did he?” the girl asked.
“Threw me out of the crew, yes, but that’s only scratching the surface of why. That’s why I need help. Now, I know you’re not part of his crew, but I need… no, we need you to give him a really important message.”
“Who is we?”
“Two men who stand to die for the sin of saving lives. Doctor Kimura and Lieutenant Reid. Colonel Dayton should know who they are.”
“I know who the doctor is,” the boy replied. “He was one of the Project Columbus lead researchers, and is accused of treason. The same treason that Major Forrest is accused of. The same one that my father…” his voice trailed off and he paused for a moment, lost in thought. He then cleared his voice and spoke again in an eerily calm voice. “Lexi, put it away.”
With only the slightest hesitation, she lowered the pistol and stuffed it into the belt’s holster.
“Pardon me,” Darius said, “but you seem to know an awful lot about what’s going on.”
“It hits close to home.” The boy avoided making eye contact with Darius, casting his gaze into an eddy at the edge of the shore.
“Your father. Was he part of the Project?”
“Not directly, but he did help Doctor Kimura.”
“Was he Air Force?”
“Yes,” the boy sniffed and looked Darius in the eyes. He extended his hand. “I’m Calvin McLaughlin. This is my girlfriend Alexis.”
“McLaughlin,” Darius repeated, as stunned as he was shaken. “Son of General Andrew McLaughlin, and grandson of Colonel Christopher McLaughlin.”
“That’s right.”
Darius’s hand trembled as he reached for Calvin’s. He shook it, though timidly. “I’m very sorry for your loss, Mr. McLaughlin.”
“It’s just Cal, and thank you.”
Darius nodded. “I’ve never known Doctor Kimura to be a boastful or dishonest man. He told me… no, he told us all about the role that your father and his men played in protecting and transporting the civilians bound for Laramie. I can’t say that I would have had the courage to do the same, if I were in his shoes.”
“Thank you, again.” An awkward moment of silence swept through. “So what was this message that you needed me to take to Colonel Dayton?”
“That Colonel Eriksen has been overstepping every boundary he possibly can in order to make sure one, if not both, of the accused men is convicted. I can’t say why for sure, but I think he wants to make it clear to the other colonists that crime won’t be tolerated. He’s rigging the deck as much as he can in the trials.”
“And you want to save these men?” Calvin asked.
“I just want them to have fair trials,” he replied. “If either of them are convicted in a fair trial, then so be it. I think it would be a terrible blow to the colony to lose either of them, but justice would be upheld. What Eriksen is doing is playing with lives to make a political statement.”
“He seems to be full of those.”
“That’s part of what concerns me. Letting him get away with what he’s doing is a slippery slope. He could just stop and life will go on, but I get the feeling that it’s going to corrupt him even more, once he gets a taste for it. Please, Colonel Dayton has to help us.”
“I hear you,” Calvin replied, “but Dayton is still spitting fire about what happened during the landing. Pardon me for asking, but what exactly does he get in return?”
“I can speak for at least twenty officers and colonists whose loyalty he would earn right away. I have no doubt that many other colonists would put their weight behind Dayton if they knew what Eriksen was up to. It could topple like dominos, and maybe, just maybe, we could all finally live as one colony, like we’re supposed to.”
Calvin thought for a moment and then nodded. “I’ll bring your message to him. I’m not sure how we’ll get in touch with you if he responds, but at least I can do this for you.”
“Send smoke signals if you have to,” Darius replied. “But I might be able to get someone to turn on part of the extracom on Gabriel. It’s only a data stream, so no voice, but I know a little bug that can be used to capture a message.”
“I’ll let Dayton know that as well. You should probably get back before it gets any later.”
“Right.” Darius looked at the roiling, inky waters of the river. “Any idea how I can do that without drowning?”
Calvin walked to the edge of the river and pointed to a spot in the channel. “Right there. You went into the water where it was too deep. Your body lifted up and that’s why you got swept away. I know it looks more dangerous, but it’s a lot shallower there, probably just up to your knees at the deepest. Just go slow and you should keep your feet under you.”
“Thank you.” He shook Calvin’s hand again, and then nodded to Alexis. “Miss Alexis, a pleasure.”
The pair from Michael started along the beach as Darius drew in a breath, as well as the courage to ford the perilous channel.
Gabrielle Serrano
15 April, Year of Landing, early evening
Camp Eight
“Gabi, honey,” Emilia smiled at her as she stooped over Gabi to pat her shoulder. “Can you play for a little
bit? I’m going to check on your mom here for a minute.”
“Is she sick again?” Gabi asked.
“No, I just want to see how she’s doing. Where’s Pelusina?”
Gabi turned and walked a few paces to retrieve her prized stuffed cat. She held it up for Emilia, who nodded and mussed up Gabi’s hair. “There you go. This will take just a few minutes, okay?”
“Okay,” she replied.
Gabi skipped from the rear of the clinic to the front, tossing the animal in the air and trying to catch her on the way down. She dropped Pelusina several times, which added to the fine coating of dirt that the cat’s hair had accumulated over the months in camp.
She then spent a few minutes trying to jump from bed to bed, tossing the animal onto the next bed before making each leap. Once she made a complete circuit of the clinic, she sat down on one of the beds and restarted the game of tossing the animal in the air and trying to catch it. Each time she threw a little harder. Then she lay on her back and threw her arm out as hard as she could. Pelusina arced high into the air, almost brushing the ceiling with her belly as she did a mid-air spiral. She then did a face-first swan dive into the dirt, right in the middle of the adults.
“Gabi!” her mother shouted as she scowled.
“Sorry, Mama,” she squeaked.
“Pick it up and go back to playing.”
Gabi skittered over to the thick stump where her mother sat. She was flanked on either side by Dr. Petrovsky and Emilia Reiber. The doctor glanced up at Gabi for a moment, then went back to looking at her mother’s wrist, which he held in his fingers. His lips twitched.
“What are you doing?” Gabi asked.
“Shh, go away,” her mother hissed.
Dr. Petrovsky’s lips moved more, and she could hear him counting under his breath. With her free hand, Gabi’s mother shooed her away. She squeezed Pelusina and walked around the partition wall, then rolled onto Dr. Petrovsky’s bed. Gabi set the cat down on top of the doctor’s blankets and began to bounce her up and down, as if she was pouncing on some unseen insect. The voices of the adults carried over the wall as she played with her dingy stuffed toy.
Project Columbus: Omnibus Page 70
