In the Blink of an Eye

by Mark Dutkiewicz

  That is until she heard Emily respond to the reckless pilot that caused her endless bouts of aggravation. Her anger rekindled she dug her fingers into the chairs arm rests. “Tyler,” she barked, “give me tactical. I want a read out on the enemy’s current position.”

  “On-screen Sir,” the young sensor operator announced throwing the complex maze of gridlines and markers identifying not only the two fleets but the vast sea of asteroids separating them as well. “Enemy fleet maintaining position at one-hundred ninety-one thousand one-hundred seventy-three kilometers Sir.”

  “What in God’s name are they up to,” Kami mumbled. Lacing her fingers, she rested her chin upon them watching as transponder signals pinged across the screen. Two weeks of playing cat and mouse in that mess out there. Two weeks of sitting around while we feel each other out. “What a mess,” she breathed quietly.

  ***

  Emily sat at her console idly monitoring the fighter patrols. Forty minutes, she thought in annoyance as she glanced at the clock. The way things were on the bridge she just knew it would feel more like five hours. Kami was in a particularly rotten mood at the moment. She was a good friend, but at times like this even Emily herself walked softly around the XO. Silently she prayed something would call her away from the bridge. She glanced at the clock again—it didn’t seem to move at all—before a call crackled over the channel.

  “Victoria tower, Knight one zero one, come back.”

  “Go ahead Knight.”

  “Spanky and I are shadowing a couple of toads about…ten thousand klicks from fleet perimeter.”

  Emily quickly punched up the image on her screen studying the results a moment. “Knight,” she called back, “asteroid field is creating a lot of sensor echoes. Please advise course and pattern.”

  “They’re keeping clear from our perimeter, but I don’t like how they’re sniffing around. Haven’t shown much interest in us yet. But do they ever need a reason to start blasting away? I’d like to rub them out.”

  “Roger Knight, hold for…” Emily stopped short as she heard Kami barking at someone for a tactical display.

  “What’s got TAT’s panties in a bunch?” Jeff cracked over the radio; a hint of a chuckle massaged his voice.

  Suppressing a laugh herself Emily said, “What was that?”

  “I’m sorry, what’s troubling Commander Thomas?”

  “Not sure Knight,” she said looking over her shoulder again. Kami was staring at the main viewer with a look that just might drill a hole through it. Lowering her voice a little she added, “She’s been in a mood most of the—” she stopped abruptly before continuing, “What did you call her?”

  “Commander Thomas,” Jeff answered. The sound of his voice told her he knew full well that’s not what she meant. “Anyway,” he continued, “about these toads?”

  “One moment Knight,” Emily took a deep breath before calling Kami over.

  “What’s the situation Lieutenant?” Kami said stalking up behind Emily.

  “Knight and Spanky are tailing two toads about ten thousand klicks into the asteroid field.”

  “Put them on speaker,” Kami said.

  “I don’t like this Spanks,” Jeff’s voice echoed onto the bridge, “these guys are fucking with us.”

  “Well that was an eloquent way to put it Knight,” Kami said with a hint of bile.

  “Commander Thomas,” Jeff cheerfully called, “always a pleasure to hear your lovely voice. Wonderful evening isn’t it? How are you on this fine day?”

  “Cut the shit and report.”

  “Just trying to be polite Commander,” he said, a sound of mock offense dripped from his voice. “We have a couple of toads flying circles out here. They’re staying well clear of the perimeter, but I’m not sure if they’re trying to goad us into something or just sneaking around up to no good in general. Request permission to engage.”

  “Negative Knight,” Kami said a hint of heat tingeing her voice. “You are to stand down until further notice. Continue monitoring, but do not instigate. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Whatever you say Sweetheart.”

  Emily heard Kami’s knuckles pop at Jeff’s tone. Surprisingly however, the XO simply told him to carry on before stiffly walking back to the command chair. Suppressing a smile, Emily shunted the audio back to her headset. “You really have a way with her Knight.”

  “She’s just grouchy is all,” Jeff joked, “Anyway, these guys look like they’re about to bug out. Either the Spankster and I are getting to them, or they’re just done with being sneaky little bastards for the day. You free for a drink in the pilots lounge?”

  “My shift ends in about thirty minutes,” Emily said glancing at the clock to confirm.

  “Sounds like a date, don’t make us wait too long.”

  “I’ll be there Knight, just finish your patrol and land your plane already.”

  ***

  “Copy that Victoria,” Jeff chuckled returning his attention to the suspicious circling of the Drac fighters. Unable to destroy the vile ships, Jeff followed closely by Curtis kept a sharp eye on them completing three more circuits. With a relieved sigh Jeff said, “All right Spanks, looks like they’ve had enough.” A quick glance at the flight clock told him twenty minutes had passed. “Let’s wrap our final sweep and head home.

  “Right behind you boss,” Curtis replied, the shared relief evident in his voice. “That was probably the creepiest thing I’ve seen since coming out here.”

  After a quick lap of the fleet, Jeff found himself being ferried onto the flight deck from Victoria’s landing tunnel. Making his final checks as the canopy opened, he quickly slid down the ladder. “What the hell did ya do to it now?” the familiar grumble of Chief Sparkoli echoed. Jeff swore the man’s voice could cut through the noise of even the busiest flight deck. “I spend hours every day trying to keep these crates in prime condition and look what you do!”

  Jeff smiled at the boisterous man screaming at him. “Don’t get excited Sparkplug,” he teased. “After a couple of laps in that asteroid field you’re bound to come back with a couple scrapes. It’s nothing a little touch up paint can’t handle. I’m sure you can work your magic!”

  “Oh easy for you to say,” Sparkplug rasped. “You just go out there every day expecting everything to work like it just came off the assembly line. You fly about, lollygagging, sometimes shoot at some shit then come home and expect Sparkplug to patch up your holes. “See that?” he gestured to an arm’s length gouge in the fuselage. “What do you think would happen if that ruptured? I’ll tell you what would happen pretty boy. Your ass would be floating around out there like some helpless babe.”

  Ripping open an access panel with some force he peered inside, his voice becoming muffled by the fuselage. “You fucking fighter jocks never seem to pay any attention to this shit. No understanding that I’m the Goddamn backbone of this ship till it’s too late.” Slamming the panel shut he waved a tool threateningly under Jeff’s nose. “Without me these junk heaps couldn’t get off the deck!”

  Jeff took a step back in mock fear. “Easy there tiger, don’t get touchy.”

  “Is this grease covered lackey giving you trouble?” Curtis announced stepping up behind the mechanic, “or is Sparky just blowing off steam again?” A wide smile split Curtis’s face laughing at his own joke.

  “Goddamnit Spanky,” Sparkplug hollered turned his glare on the large man, “don’t call me Sparky! You sound like you’re talking to a damn dog. And I ain’t your damn dog!”

  “I beg your pardon Chief Touchy,” Curtis apologized adopting an innocent look. It didn’t last long. The mirthful grin returned when he added, “There’s just something about Sparky. Some kind of, je ne sais quoi about it.”

  “Careful Spanks, you’re beginning to sound cultured,” Jeff laughed.

  Curtis answered with a guffaw. “Well shit, guess the secret’s out!”

  Sparkplug’s eyes narrowed in distaste at the sophomoric humor. Gri
tting his teeth, he shot a rictus sneer at them. “Bah,” he grouched over their laughing, “you ass-hats will never grow up! Go on, laugh it up. Don’t take this shit seriously. Just don’t come crying to me if your cabin depressurizes.”

  The greying Crew Chief stalked off across the hanger grumbling out loud. “Come on Sparkplug,” Jeff called after him wiping a tear from his eye. “We really do appreciate your ability to keep us flying. How about I buy you a drink?”

  “Fuck you Knight!” the grizzled man shouted back.

  “Must still be sore about that bourbon incident,” Curtis grunted over Jeff’s shoulder.

  “No, I don’t think so,” Jeff mused, “TAT was too focused shouting at me to pay him much mind.” Folding his arms Jeff suppressed a chuckled as Sparkplug shoved a deckhand aside and started pointing out what the kid was doing wrong. “He’s probably just as edgy about this waiting game as we are.”

  Curtis harrumphed, “Can’t say I blame the grump. Shit out there is just plain weird.”

  “Yeah,” Jeff drew out quietly. “Well, no sense in worrying about it. Come on, let’s get that drink.”

  “Not tonight. Don’t want to interrupt your date.”

  Jeff blew out his lips at his friend. “Date nothing,” he defended himself, “Emily’s a friend. Ain’t nothing happening there.” Turning to look up into his dark friend’s face he asked, “What’s with you anyway? I’ve never heard you pass up a quick sip at the bar.”

  “Just thinking about Laura. She’s so far away.”

  “Well, in that case a drink’s exactly what you need.” Curtis attempted to protest but Jeff wasn’t having any of it. “We’re well outside of real time communication range Curtis. Best you could do is send her a letter.”

  Curtis closed his eyes shaking his head with a sigh. “I don’t know how you always seem to get your way,” he said with a weak smile.

  “Because I’m special,” Jeff boasted. “Come now Spanky, too the showers!”

  ***

  “If it isn’t the great Knight of the Yellow Jackets,” James announced at the site of Jeff strutting into the Pilot’s Lounge.

  “At your service sir!” the lieutenant commander replied. Striking a pose in the center of the room Jeff made a flourishing bow much to the delight of the room’s occupants. Their playful hoots almost drown out Curtis calling out, “Don’t encourage him!”

  The lean pilot sidled up to the bar casting suspicious looks from both sides of his face before grasping James hand. “Master Skid-mark of the Nightdippers,” he friskily said, “a pleasure it is to find you here this evening.” Effortlessly flowing around him he lifted and kissed Emily’s hand adding, “Hi there cutie.”

  James couldn’t help but laugh the Jeff’s antics. “Nice to see you haven’t lost the flair for the theatrics. You’re becoming somewhat of a legend around here.”

  “More like a tall tale,” Curtis laughed heading towards the bar.

  “Whatever do you mean?” Jeff said in mock disbelief taking the seat next to the diminutive lieutenant.

  Nodding towards her James said, “Scuttle has it you’re going out of your way to upset our illustrious XO.”

  “Just trying to be friendly is all,” Jeff defended flashing a hand signal to the bartender.

  James coughed a loud guffaw. “She said she thought she heard you call her fat or something.”

  “I’d never call the commander fat,” Jeff replied innocently. With a dismissive wave of his hand he added, “It was just a term of endearment.”

  Curtis chuckled from James other side. “He called her TAT.”

  “That’s what it was,” Emily proclaimed beaming, “TAT!” Turning to Jeff she asked, “What does it mean Commander?”

  “Well,” Jeff started before accepting his drink and thanking the barkeep. “Ever since I’ve met the commander she’s been nothing but a buzz kill. Always regulation this, decorum that,” he swirled the ice in his glass checking off a list of expletives she’d used on him. “All she does is bust my balls from sunup to sundown and is wound up so tight it’s a wonder she can use the head.”

  James choked on his drink at that. Coughing a moment, he caught his breath before wheezing, “Are you saying it means Tight Ass Thomas?”

  Jeff adopted one of his signature innocent grins and Emily squeaked, “That’s not very funny Jeff.”

  “It’s not supposed to be funny. Well, maybe just a little. But it’s very true.”

  “It’s still wrong,” she chastised.

  Jeff mimicked a petulant child saying, “You gonna tell on me?”

  “You’re incorrigible.” Emily sounded vexed.

  “You think that’s bad,” Curtis said, “You should hear some of the other stuff this character says about her.”

  “Please share Spanky,” James encouraged the large man.

  “No!” Emily announced forcefully. For her size she had a very commanding voice when she wanted to use it. “Kami’s my friend. I know she can be strict and combative. But I’m not going to sit here and listen to you three badmouth her.”

  “I’m sorry Emily.” Jeff truly sounded remorseful. The man had a penchant for causing trouble, but even he knew when he went too far. “Come on, let’s get a table.” He was obviously trying to change the subject. “I’ll tell you about these toads Spanks and I were ghosting today.”

  CHAPTER 14:

  DISTRESS CALL

  “Incoming vessel this is outpost SD-two-six, please identify over,” said a middle aged sensor operator into his headset. “I repeat, incoming vessel this is outpost SD Two Six. You have no transponder reading, please identify over.” Taping his finger on the console waiting for a response he studied the sensor screen. The ship continued to approach the small moon maintaining radio silence. Frustrated he called over his shoulder, “Dan. Hey Dan, come take a look at this.”

  “What do you got?” Dan called in irritation from the other side of the small room crammed with sensor terminals and boxes.

  “Just come take a look at this.”

  An exasperated groan followed by a chair scraping against the floor answered the sensor operator. Leaning over his shoulder Dan grated, “What?”

  “What do you make of this?” the operator nodded at the screen.

  “Jesus Christ Pete. It’s probably just another dumbass supply ship with a broken transponder!”

  “Nothing’s on the itinerary,” Pete said pointing out the schedule sheet. “In fact our next scheduled visit is crew rotation in two months!”

  Grabbing a nearby headset, Dan plugged the jack into the console repeating Pete’s transmission, again getting no response. “Did you check the satellite image?”

  “Geez Dan, now why didn’t I think of that,” Pete sniped. “They’re still out of range. But thanks for suggesting the obvious.”

  “Oh hell,” Dan sighed. “Keep an eye on them. Most likely it’s a freighter passing through.” In mock concern he added, “I’ll go let the lieutenant know if it’ll make you feel better.”

  “Oh would you Dan?” Pete whined sarcastically, “Would you really? I’m not sure how I’ll sleep tonight if the lieutenant didn’t know.”

  “Fuck you Pete,” Dan laughed. Tossing the headset down he said, “I’m gonna grab a beer. You want one?”

  “Yeah sure,” Pete absently answered studying the monitor.

  Strolling leisurely down the dark hallway Dan whistled a lighthearted tune. The rhythmic sound of a slow drip echoed throughout the complex the sound reminding him to pester the lone maintenance tech to take care of the infuriating noise. It took him almost an hour to complete the round trip having paused for what started as a short chat with fellow castaways assigned to the skeleton crew exiled to the small supply depot. It quickly mutated into a bitch fest about boredom. There truly wasn’t much in the form of entertainment on the moon and all agreed the next two months couldn’t go by fast enough.

  “Sorry Pete. Got side tracked,” Dan said placing a can in front of the ma
n. Leaning on the console next to him he popped open his own can and continued, “Ran into Chuckles and those other two flyers. Can’t understand why they cut her from combat duty. Bitch is determined.” Taking a long pull he belched before saying more so to himself, “Or maybe this rock put some kind of backbone into her.”

  Looking over he found Pete had turned white as a ghost. Following his gaze, a shiver ran down his spine. Dan dropped his beer sending a shower of foam across the floor, his eyes trying to deny what they saw. “Oh shit,” his words were barely a whisper. Unable to pull his gaze from the screen he fumbled to find the intercom button. Depressing it he croaked, “Lieutenant, I think you better come down here.”

  ***

  James leaned back feeling the effects of near over indulgence as Jeff near slurred, “Come on Curtis. One more.” The lieutenant commander was well past over indulged. His friend Curtis wasn’t far behind.

  “No man, I’m getting beat,” Curtis attempted to stifle a yawn. He failed, and in an almost incomprehensible babel said, “I think it’s time to hit the rack.”

  “When did…when did you become such a bore!” Jeff barely got out. “You didn’t used to be like this. I remember you going all night with me at the academy.”

  “That was over two years ago,” Curtis groaned rubbing his head. “We should have been done when Emily left.”

  “Yeah? But then we’d have missed Apple.” Jeff’s head lolled over to look at Joanne with a silly grin painting his face. “Hi,” he said coyly.