Fool's Gold (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  “Stupid. Their leaning on the one group who are trying to keep them supplied with fuel.” He grimaced. The Admiral looked up with interest.

  “You mean there isn't any trade at all?” He looked over to the aunt who shook her head. O'Reilly dug into his dinner.

  “Not since the Port Admiral, sorry,” she flushed as she noted her own sarcastic tone and tried to correct it. “Not since he put an import tariff on the other colonies.” Junior nodded.

  “We've been the only one supplying the station with water for the past ten years.” Junior said with pride.

  O'Reilly nodded. “That's right mate, but word is, we're down to scraping the bottom of the barrel. Their cutting off the water to the lower ninety decks tonight.” He waved to the tap. Anita and the aunt looked alarmed.

  “No more washing. Water is for drinking only, and only a little per day. Rationing is in effect. They need every ounce. Even then it isn't enough. The reactor is breaking down.” O'Reilly shook his head. The Admiral finished his dinner and set his fork down. “I hope you can pull off a miracle Admiral,” O'Reilly said, watching him get up.

  The Admiral went over to the cupboard, pulled out a cup, and then put it in the replicator. “Coffee hot, black.” He stared at the replicator. He figured he'd better get it while he can.

  “Ain't going to happen ma...” O'Reilly started, then stopped and stared as the replicator's pad glowed to life and fluid could be heard burbling into the cup.

  “Close your mouth; it's not a docking hangar,” his wife teased him. He closed it with a clop. The kids were staring as well.

  Anita shook her head in wonder. “How?” she asked as she took his dirty plate to the sink.

  “Simple engineering. Junior lent me a hand. I'll see if I can get the ultrasonics in the dishwasher and refresher fixed as well so they can be used instead of water.” He waved to the sink area. Anita nodded mutely.

  Several of the kids got up to examine the replicator, but the adults called them back to their seats to finish their meal. “No dessert without finishing your plate kids,” Iron's teased. They looked at him surprised. He smiled conspiratorially to them. They looked at each other then dug in with a will.

  “Code eight baker is the key code. Type in ice cream and choose a flavor. Make sure you put a dish in beforehand,” he said softly to Anita. She nodded. He nodded to Junior and O'Reilly as he exited. Junior was hastily getting up but his aunt firmly pulled him back down to his seat.

  Twenty minutes later the men folk and aunt joined him in the hangar. The pig tailed girl followed a few minutes later, licking a spoon with gusto. He chuckled as she pocketed it.

  “I finished rebuilding the reactor and plasma drive, The Io sent over the inertials and antigrav plates but they, like the reactor and drive will have to be tuned.” He waved. “Of course we can't do that until we get everything back together. Most of the life support is also here, but I haven't gotten into that as much as I would like.” He waved to the stack of parts near the door.

  “As you can see, I've been a bit busy.” He indicated the drive.

  O'Reilly nodded, rolling up his sleeves. “Let me at em. I'll get it sorted.” He went over to the pile and began puzzling out pieces. The Admiral nodded.

  “Right, Miss, if you could act as gofer, we can get things sorted out. Right now we need two grav collars and the parts inside my replicator.” He nodded to the girl. She rushed off. Junior snorted.

  “Sergio, if you want to lend me a hand with this?” he motioned to the reactor. “I'll just help my husband,” Mrs. O'Reilly announced.

  “She's a life support tech too,” Sergio whispered when he caught the concerned look on the Admiral.

  Slowly Irons nodded. “Right. Okay, we need those collars!” he called looking over his shoulder.

  “Coming!” the girl grunted. He met her at the lock. Both collars were on the pallet. She was sweating.

  “Bet you're going to sleep tonight,” Junior teased. She grimaced and ran off. Together they got to work.

  Hours later the O'Reilly's reluctantly had to break off to go to bed. Junior was having trouble staying awake and the girl had gone off to bed. Irons checked his internal chronometer. “Sergio, take a break. I can get this.” He waved as the boy nursed his cut hand. His hand had slipped and he had done a number skinning his knuckles.

  “I can get it,” Sergio started but the Admiral was already under the vehicle.

  “No worries, I've done this before and remember, I've got implants. You don't,” the Admiral teased. His arm morphed and he let Proteus lock the bolt down to the right torque specs. “That finishes the engine wiring, we've just got the cab and OMS fuel lines and we're ready for a test run. Your aunt and uncle did a good job reassembling the life support. Go get some rest; you’re going to need it in the morning,” the Admiral ordered.

  Reluctant footfalls echoed out the airlock and down the corridor. He sighed. “Going to be a long night.” He looked over the underside, taking his time, making sure Proteus checked and double everything. He wanted to make sure everything was golden. Just to be sure he checked each fitting manually. His life and possibly the lives of thousands rested on doing this right the first time.

  When he was done he started in on the cab. Had he been inclined, he probably could have had Io replicate a new one. The way the chief had been drooling over the weapons pod and fighter, he was pretty sure they would have built an entire tug from scratch. He chuckled at the thought then froze. Perhaps it wasn't such a stupid idea after all. He made a note of it.

  He stepped back and scanned the cab, then laid his right palm on each identified breach and felt the nanites go to work. It took several hours, but in the end it was worth it.

  The cabin's windows were stained, with some micro meteorite damage. It was amazing how an artificial ruby matrix could be damaged. E equals MC squared eat your heart out... he thought to himself.

  “Admiral, I've intercepted an order from the Port Admiral to the exec ordering him to cut power to this module as well as life support,” Sprite suddenly reported.

  He stopped and stared up. “Did he get the message?” he asked.

  “No, I sent it astray. It's in a buffer,” she replied, voice full of mischief.

  “I'll bet. Okay, let's make sure it stays lost. Permanently. And any others as well. Come to think of it, why don't you insulate this deck to make sure we don't have any problems as well...?” he ordered.

  “I'll do what I can, but I can't get into the security system outside this bay. It may alert the station AI. It's crazy, no telling what it could do. I had to fight it off when you had me play with the lights and grav earlier,” she reported.

  “Great, just what we don't need.” He shook his head going back to work.

  It took two more hours to complete the hull repairs and install the seat and interior. He was just starting on the electronics when he heard the first stirrings in the living section.

  “The O'Reilly's are off to work,” Sprite reported. “Anita is up, but she can't get a shower in. She's in the kitchen crying,” Sprite reported again after a moment. He sighed as he plugged a module in to the mother board, then began running the new wiring harness.

  A sleepy and rather stiff Junior joined him nearly thirty minutes later. He nodded to the young man. “Sergio, can you do me a favor and get me a cup of coffee?” he asked. Sergio winced then left. A few minutes later he returned with his mother.

  “You've been at it all night?” she asked sounding worried. He smiled and nodded his thanks to Sergio as he took the cup. “I don't need much sleep; I can go for a week without it if needed.” He took a sip as he watched Sergio examine the cab.

  “It looks different,” he said, running his hands over the hull. He looked back at the Admiral with a confused expression. The Admiral smiled. He'd taken the time to check each patch and grind the welds smooth.

  “Yes, the hull is repaired. I will do a pressure test later,” he waved his cup to the cabin.


  Sergio climbed in without further invitation and whistled. He got up and stared, running his hand over the inside of the glass. “I don't believe it!” He sounded excited. His mother smiled fondly.

  “The only way to do it is to do it right the first time,” the Admiral said dryly. Sergio examined the wiring harness. “It's all neat, how will I … oh and labeled!” Anita chuckled.

  “She's no Viper or Manta fighter, but she'll do the job and get you home safe if you respect her limits,” the Admiral replied, giving the boy a pointed look.

  “Lesson learned,” Sergio sighed. His mother nodded.

  “I'm going to check on your father before my shift starts. Be safe. Breakfast is in the pantry.” She gave the Admiral a look. He chuckled.

  “Yes ma'am,” he murmured meekly. She waved a fist at him.

  “Eat. You may not need sleep, but I know you need food or power.” She waved to the airlock. He chuckled as junior climbed out of the cab and ran his hands over the tug. “Almost as good as new,” he was murmuring over and over.

  He looked up from the replicator to see Anita kiss her son on his swollen cheek. “Be good, stay safe,” she said then pushed him into the living quarters. The Admiral hid a smile with his coffee mug.

  Chapter 3

  It took them most of the morning to finish rewiring the tug. He was forced to find work for an excited Sergio. Finally he asked the young man to do a safety check on his suit. Sergio rushed out to comply making the Admiral sigh in relief.

  “Admiral, I've been monitoring the station net. There are a lot of unhappy people out there. This water shortage is not going over well. Perhaps it's time we took a hand in the big picture?” Sprite asked.

  He shook his head. “Let's eat lunch and do a flight check and tune up. Getting that tug in space will be a step in that direction.” He nodded to Sergio as he returned fully suited.

  “Did you eat?” he asked the boy.

  He shook his head. “Too excited,” he replied.

  The Admiral chuckled. “Okay, let's do the tune up and then you can eat.” He watched as Junior climbed into the cab and powered it up.

  “Start small, get the electronics up.” He watched as Sergio keyed in the activation sequence. The young man checked everything over. Iron's nodded. He wasn't about to tell the young man he was in the tugs network monitoring everything.

  “Reactor test,” he ordered.

  One by one they checked and tuned each system. The onboard software began to adapt to the new changes, adjusting settings. Sergio looked at the board in amazement. “She almost flies herself,” he said. Irons chuckled.

  “If she's ship shape it will seem that way. Just take her easy. Out and back.” He climbed down and exited the bay.

  The pig tailed girl met him in the doorway. “Shouldn't you be in school?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Half day. We were supposed to clean deck twenty three but without water...” She shrugged. He grimaced and nodded. She was watching her brother through the porthole. “Is he really ready?” she asked.

  “He is. Technically I should take her out, but it's your family's bird and he's pulling rank.” He smiled down at her. She looked confused then smiled mischievously. “Right okay.” She tapped the intercom. “Good luck big brother.” He looked up and waved, then blew her a kiss.

  “Pressure test complete, she's sound.” Sergio gave them a thumbs up. “Just the same, keep your suit sealed until you're back.” The Admiral cautioned. Sergio nodded as he looked down, checking things off oin his preflight check list.

  “Bay atmo evacuated. Door opening.” The girl ran through the airlock sequence like a pro. The Admiral nodded in approval. She had eyes only on her brother.

  “Right; OMS pod engaged, antigrav up.” Sergio reported. The craft wobbled then jerked. “Touchy,” he reported. Iron's nodded.

  “She will be. Go as easy as easy till you get the hang of her.” He cut the channel. “Or at least till your outside,” he said softly. The girl grimaced and nodded. Gently the tug lifted and drifted backwards out of the bay.

  “She's a dream!” Sergio reported. “Um, tug 552Q to Ops, flight test in progress.” He called over the net.

  “We see that. Good luck 552,” a voice responded. The Admiral nodded.

  Gently almost majestically the craft drifted out and away, and then turned. “She can turn on herself? Wow!” Sergio called. The Admiral smiled. “Well, OMS looks good. Rolling now.” He rolled the ship, then back the other way. “Looks good. Powering up the drive,” Sergio reported.

  They ran through the basics step by step until he called Sergio in to do some fine tuning. Anita was home and the kids were busy setting the table. Sergio looked a little mulish about returning but the Admiral reminded him he needed to eat too. Sheepishly the young man agreed.

  He raced off to change when his mother came into the bay. “Don't even think about getting your hands dirty until you eat. Post flight can wait!” she ordered. The Admiral chuckled as Sergio and the girl nodded meekly and marched off. They got a few meters away then started to chatter about the tug. Anita smiled.

  “So it was a good flight?” she asked. He chuckled.

  “As well as can be expected. There are a few minor issues to sort out, tuning to do. Think of her as teething,” he waved to the craft. Anita looked back and nodded.

  “Jorge is out of surgery and in a big tank. They say it is a regen tank to help him recover, but they will have to operate soon to fix his knee.” She looked concerned. He nodded.

  “He's in good hands, don't worry. His recovery should have him off his feet for a little while, but when he is back up he will feel better then new.” He smiled. She nodded.

  “I was wondering... “ She grabbed his arm. He paused. “Mickal said our deck was going to lose water and power, yet we haven't while our neighbors have. Why? Did you do something?” she asked. He smiled again.

  “Sure it isn't just water in the tanks?” he asked then shook his head. “I have a friend who is pulling a few strings. The exec is also helping out,” he nodded to her. They heard a clatter in the living room and she rushed off. He paused.

  “Come to think of it, how did you know about the cut off?” He looked up to the ceiling. “Sprite?” He asked.

  “We've... come to an understanding,” she replied sounding distant and distracted. “We meaning you and the station AI?” He asked.

  “Well, all of us actually. I had to bring Io, Defender, and Proteus into it as well.” He nodded as she explained.

  “It is a primitive civilian AI, little more than a house AI really. DNA coded to the Port Admiral's blood line. We just... convinced it was in its best interest to keep the Valdez family alive and to leave us alone.” He felt the smile in that. He shook his head.

  “There's a story in that, I know it. Tell me later.” He nodded as the girl ducked her head out of the living room then waved at him urgently.

  The Admiral chuckled as Sergio explained his first flight to an amused family. He walked past and cleaned himself in the refresher, did his business then exited. Sergio was still explaining the roll when he came out. His mother shushed him and then patted his shoulder. “Later dear. Eat,” she admonished with a grin. His stomach growled. The clan laughed.

  “Don't have to tell him twice!” his aunt teased. They chuckled again.

  After dinner the kids and Anita settled into post clean up chores while the other adults set in to fine tune the tug. Sergio was excited about taking her out on a run in the morning. After several hours the O'Reilly's reluctantly broke off and went to bed. Sergio looked a little confused. “Time flies when you’re having fun,” the Admiral chuckled.

  The next morning he watched the family come out and stretch. “Were you here all night?” Sergio asked. The Admiral grunted.

  “Again? Don't you sleep?” the girl asked yawning. He chuckled.

  “I will in a bit.” He waved to them.

  “You made a few parts with the food replicator; can yo
u tell me how you did that?” Mickal looked up as Sergio nodded his head to the replicator. The Admiral nodded as he ate his breakfast. Salad wasn't his usual fair for an early morning meal. It was different though.

  “It's a simple thing really; all food is plastic in essence. With the right material and program a food replicator can make all sorts of things.” He held up his cup. “Like this cup for instance, or the silverware.” He smiled as they looked at their forks.

  “I need a new gasket, my EVA suit has a pin hole leak in the elbow I keep patching it...” Sergio shrugged helplessly. “Do you just want a patch or do you want a new suit?” Iron's asked taking a bite of his salad.

  “Whole suit?” Sergio asked eyes wide.

  The Admiral nodded. “The cost of replacement parts was a bit lower then we estimated so Io 11 has run a tab. I'm sure we can get them to do a couple new suits.” Irons took another bite of salad. The croûtons were seasoned stale bread, very authentic. Anita nodded. “New suits would be good. For both Sergio and Jorge.”

  “Me too.” Mickal raised his hand. “Me and Deidra, we could use new suits as well.” He looked at his wife who reluctantly nodded.

  “Okay, anything else? Parts for the ultrasonics?” Irons asked Anita. She shook her head.

  “Stick to the suits, we'll worry about that later.” She smiled as she took his empty plate. He nodded.

  “Thanks for a wonderful dinner. Post flight in five,” he nodded to Sergio who almost danced in his seat.

  The Admiral ordered another cup of coffee then quietly explained how to make plastic parts and other materials with the replicator to the adults. Mickal asked a few leading questions but they all agreed to keep the parts down to a minimum when he explained that it uses a great deal of power.

  “Power the station doesn't have. At least till my gringo nephew gets us some ice.” Deidra teased. Sergio nodded.