Circle of Retribution: A Future Chronology Short Story (Future Chronology Series Book 6)

by D. W. Patterson

  Before he could key his mic flight control called, it was Lt. Macland. “ASC1,” said Lt. Macland. “We have a indication of a He3 dump ongoing. Can you advise?”

  “Flight control I accidentally caught the tank dump switch as I turned in my seat. I have recycled system, estimate a loss of half He3 resource.”

  “Okay ASC1 I am calling off further simulation,” said Lt. Macland. “Report to the Captain's office for post mission debriefing. That is all.”

  Although Gardener was brief in shutting down the simulator when he emerged the room was empty except for the simulation officer who only nodded.

  __________

  “Please sit down Mr. Jackson,” said Captain Wingham.

  Gardener took the seat next to Lt. Macland in front of the Captain's desk.

  “Mr. Jackson I think that after your simulation today we need to discuss our mission priorities. It appears to me that your injury does have an impact on your ability to carry out the mission. I believe it may be best if we changed the flight assignments. In this way you will have more time to fully recover.”

  “But Captain Wingham,” said Gardener. “What happened in the simulation today could happen to anyone, even without a cast on their thumb. I believe I've discovered a ergonomic design flaw in the cockpit design. We should look into redesigning that switch so that it is not as easy to trip accidentally.”

  Lt. Macland spoke up, “Mr. Jackson I think that you are not listening. We have given you a fair chance to show your capabilities within the limitations of your injury and you have showed us less than ideal performance. Blaming your simulation failure on cockpit design is disingenuous to say the least. And at the worse it seems like a personality flaw of failing to take responsibility, something I believe I brought up before.”

  “Lieutenant think what you will, but that toggle is in the wrong place. The mechanism should be moved or the actuator changed to perhaps a push-button to prevent accidental engagement. At least a flight warning should be issued regardless of what happens to me,” said Gardener firmly.

  “Mr. Jackson,” said the Captain. “I can assure you that a flight warning will be issued about that toggle switch. And your reassignment will not affect your future here. But we must error on the side of caution. You will not be making the first mission flight or any flight until that cast and subsequent splint comes off, do you understand me?”

  “Yes sir, thank you sir,” said Gardener. Gardener rose to leave. “I told you, so arrogant,” he heard Lt. Macland say as he was closing the office door.

  8

  'Hi, mom and dad,' Gardener began the letter to his parents. 'I've had a little setback here. I told you about my injury last time and that I didn't think it all that serious physically but unfortunately it has had some serious consequences on the mission.

  'I had a problem in the simulator the other day. I accidentally tripped the emergency tank dump toggle switch and lost about half of the He3 load I had just mined. The cast caught on the toggle as I turned in my chair. Although the cast probably caused my thumb to hang lower than it usually does I think the emergency toggle is in a bad location and it could have happened to anyone, cast or not.

  'But the Captain and Lieutenant didn't agree with me so I've been grounded until my thumb heals and the splint is removed. I think it was probably prudent on the part of the Captain to do so but I still urged him to redesign that toggle so that it couldn't happen again. They only agreed to issue a flight warning so we'll see.

  'It does bother me some that Lt. Macland seems so hostile to me. I heard him call me arrogant as I was leaving the Captain's office. I think he confuses arrogance with confidence, you have to believe you can do the job don't you? Anyway, I wish he and I could work more together rather than at cross purposes.

  'So I haven't much to do for awhile. They haven't assigned me to another flight yet and the second flight won't be taken for several weeks after the first as the first will be reviewed quite extensively before another mining run is made.

  'I'm disappointed but not depressed I'll get my chance. Meanwhile I hope to be of some help to whoever gets the first flight assignment.' - Love, Gardener.

  Gardener sent his mail and turned off his Annie and folded it for storage in his flight jacket pocket. It had been a long day and he went to bed early. He thought for awhile about what he could have done differently in the simulation but decided that it was just an accident not a glaring deficiency in his training or skill-set. He went to sleep.

  Maxine wasn't at breakfast as usual the following morning. She showed up fifteen minutes late.

  “Hey Maxine what kept you?” asked Gardener.

  “Did you oversleep?” asked Justin Tor, another one of the ASC pilots, with a smile.

  “No I didn't oversleep Justin,” said Maxine dismissively. “I've never overslept in my life. I had a message to report to Captain Wingham's office first thing this morning, that's why I'm late.”

  “So what did the Captain want?” asked Lance.

  “He, well he gave me the maiden flight assignment,” she said looking at Gardener. “Sorry Gardener.”

  “No, Maxine that's great,” said Gardener. “If I can help you in any way let me know.”

  “Thanks Gardener,” said Maxine. “I was worried you might be upset. I could use your help to get up to speed fast since the flight is scheduled two weeks from now.”

  “Really,” said Justin. “They've finally made up their minds. Of course, we get short notice as always.”

  “Don't worry Maxine, said Gardener. “I'll give you all the help you'll need.”

  He continued, “Justin, I don't think they deliberately keep us in the dark, I don't think they know themselves. A lot of people, including some not on Titan, have an input into the scheduling. First and foremost, Titan Industries, our employer as we all should remember.”

  Justin just shrugged.

  Lance added, “It doesn't matter. At least one of us is going soon. That means the rest of us will have a chance not long afterwards.”

  9

  Maxine's flight went flawlessly. So did Lance's and Justin's. The mined He3 had made it's way back to Mars and had been transshipped to Earth. The corporation was making a profit off its investment for the first time. Everyone was in a good mood, even Lt. Macland, but he knew something the pilot's didn't.

  Gardener was summoned to the Lieutenant's office.

  “Sit down Jackson,” said Lt. Macland pleasantly. “I have something to tell you. As you know the other pilot's flights have all been nominal, I would say they have been perfect wouldn't you?”

  “Yes sir,” said Gardener. “They are all excellent pilots.”

  “Good,” said Lt. Macland. “The corporate board has decided, with the acquiescence of Captain Wingham I might say, that the next pilot to fly will be Maxine followed by Lance, Justin and then Maxine again.”

  Gardener felt his heart jump.

  “You see they have been so pleased with the way things are going that they want to hold you in reserve in case any of the other pilots has an injury or becomes too sick to fly their next mission,” he smiled. “Do you have any questions?”

  “Just one,” said Gardener. “Did you agree with this decision Lieutenant?”

  “Yes I did Jackson, you see it was my suggestion.”

  “I see,” said Gardener. “Lieutenant would you do me a favor?”

  “Okay, I guess so,” said Macland hesitantly.

  “Would you informally inform the Captain and Titan Industries that I will not be renewing my contract when this one is up. I will make an official declaration as we get closer to the end of the contract period. They may want to see about getting my replacement ready before I leave.”

  “Oh I would be pleased to inform them of your decision Gardener, you can count on me,” said Lt. Macland smiling broadly.

  Gardener had left Lt. Macland's office and was sitting in his quarters dictating a letter to his parents when the door alarmed. It was Maxine.


  “Hey Gardener, what's up, I thought you might want to get some dinner.”

  “Hi Maxine, I'm just finishing my letter to my parents letting them know I'll be home soon.”

  “What do you mean, you'll be home soon?” asked Maxine.

  “I had a meeting with Lt. Macland.”

  “Great, another meeting with Macland,” said Maxine.

  Gardener smiled, “Yes and he has informed me that I am on permanent reserve status for the rest of my contract. The only way I will fly a mission is if you or Lance or Justin can't fly. So I told Lt. Macland that I would not be renewing my contract with the company when it expires.”

  “Sounds like politics to me. I didn't think Macland would stoop so low. He was behind it wasn't he?” asked Maxine.

  “Yes,” said Gardener. “He said he initiated the change.”

  “I thought so,” said Maxine. “He's been trying for a long time to get you Gardener, and now he's done it. I hope you know you're playing right into his plans.”

  “I understand what you are saying Maxine but I'm not interested in playing politics, as you put it, with Lt. Macland. I want to pilot a ship. If I can't do that here I'll do it somewhere else.”

  “You might,” said Maxine. “If Macland don't spread the rumor that you quit. Which I'm sure he will if he gets the chance. Remember, ASC pilots are a small fraternity, news gets around, especially if it's bad news.”

  “You think Lt. Macland will keep pursuing some kind of vendetta against me even when I leave here?” asked Gardener incredulously.

  “The Macland I know will do just that,” said Maxine.

  “Maybe it's time I tried to find out just why Lt. Macland treats me this way. I know you think he's jealous, but jealously usually ends when one party wins.”

  “You're right,” said Maxine. “I know what I said but his latest actions seem more premeditated than I expected. You should find out what exactly is bugging him about you.”

  Gardener shook his head, “Maybe you're right,” he said. I'll ask my dad to look into the Lieutenant's past and see if there is any reason he should show such malice against me.”

  10

  The accident happened quickly. One minute Justin was in complete control of ASC3 and the next minute it was spinning almost uncontrollably. Later after the investigation was complete it became apparent that it was as much due to luck as to skill that he made it back in one piece.

  Justin hadn't remembered much after the spin began because he was thrown from the pilot's seat and hit his head. Before blacking out he was able to enter the emergency protocol which righted the ship and sent it on a trajectory for Titan with him unconscious. The ship brought him back to the vicinity of Titan where the pilots cage separated and served as an escape module. He was rescued by a military hopper, a conventional rocket powered ship that could make short hops along the surface of Titan and refuel in situ if necessary. The remainder of ASC3 was lost.

  Lt. Macland was in Capt. Wingham's office reviewing the situation.

  “And the doctor says that pilot Tor will be sidelined for how long?” asked the Captain.

  “The doctor believes it will be a couple of months before Tor will fly sir,” said Lt. Macland.

  “Okay then we are going to need a pilot, do you think Jackson is up to it?” asked the Captain.

  “He would be my last choice sir,” said Macland.

  “He is our last choice Lieutenant,” said the Captain somewhat irritated. “Do you think he can fly?”

  “I don't know sir,” said Macland. “I haven't seen Pilot Jackson in simulation since the incident.”

  “Very well Lieutenant since you obviously don't want to make this decision I will make it. Get out of here and send Jackson in.”

  Gardener was visiting Justin in the infirmary when Lt. Macland's adjunct found him. “The Captain wants to see you right away pilot.”

  Gardener settled into the seat across the desk from Captain Wingham.

  “Good to see you Gardner,” said Captain Wingham. “As you know we've had a mishap with ASC3. The ship is a total loss but fortunately the pilot while injured made it back. But the doctor tells me he will miss his next scheduled flight. That's where you come in.”

  “What I want to know is if you feel up to taking a turn in the rotation?”

  “Yes sir,” said Gardener. “I haven't practiced in awhile as you probably know, but I think I could be up to speed by the time Justin's turn comes around. That would be about six weeks wouldn't it?”

  “Yes Justin's next scheduled flight was in six weeks but I'm not talking about you taking that flight, I want you to take the next flight.”

  “In two weeks,” exclaimed Gardener.

  “Yes, in two weeks,” said the Captain. “You see if you take the next flight you can still leave as scheduled. And if you take the next flight then by the time Pilot Tor's flight assignment comes around again either he will be healthy or his replacement will have arrived. So it works out best for all of us if you are up for the next scheduled flight which I believe would have been Pilot Jordan's.”

  “I see,” said Gardener. “Yes Captain I'm up for it. I believe I'm still sharp enough for flying and there's plenty of time for a few simulations to renew my skills if needed.”

  “Excellent Pilot Jackson,” said the Captain. “I think this will be a benefit to all of us. And thank you for your willingness to work with me. I was afraid you might have been shall we say, soured on the whole experience.”

  “Flying is flying, and for that I'm always ready sir,” said Gardener.

  11

  Gardener had practiced a couple of simulations. He hadn't seemed rusty at all. Since it would have been Maxine's flight she was there to help. Even Lance came by. But surprisingly Lt. Macland did not show up even though he was the officer in charge of simulations.

  After his last practice Maxine remarked on the Lieutenant's absence. “I wonder where Lt. Macland has been keeping himself. I've never seen or heard of a simulation run that he didn't watch over.”

  “I don't know,” said Gardener. “But with or without him I think I'm ready for my flight. At least I had you to help me Maxine, thanks.”

  “You're welcome Gardener, I haven't forgot that you did the same thing for me when I was in your situation.”

  “Well the flight is early tomorrow,” said Gardener. “I'm going to have a light dinner in my room and mail mom and dad. Will I see you in the morning Maxine?”

  “Sure,” she said. “Get plenty of rest, it's a long ride.”

  Gardener ate his dinner and finished the letter early. He laid down to go to sleep. But unusually, he didn't go right to sleep. He thought about the flight. He thought about his mom and dad. He wondered where Lt. Macland had been the last two weeks. He thought about Saturn waiting for him, beautiful but dangerous. He was wondering about what the Saturn weather report would be when he drifted off to sleep.

  Lt. Macland had finally appeared. He was in the flight control room as Gardener was going through final flight checks.

  This take off would be a little different from the simulator. The ASCs were hybrid ships. Jet motors would power the takeoff and climb to the top of the main haze layer. At that point the fusion rockets would kick in and kick was the correct word. The ASC would leave Titan's atmosphere at several hundred kilometers and if all went well be on it's way to a trans-Saturn insertion orbit.

  Gardener's job was to get ASC1 off the ground and into the atmosphere where the ANI would take over with Gardener monitoring.

  “Flight this is ASC1,” said Gardener. “Pre-flight check list nominal, preparing for roll.”

  “Roger ASC1, clear for roll.”

  Gardener lifted the ASC into the air flawlessly. He was passing through ten kilometers in altitude when he heard flight control calling.

  “ASC1 this is flight control, we monitor you have not passed control to the ANI, is that correct?”

  “ASC1 to flight, passing control now.” Gard
ener had been so excited about actually flying again that he had forgotten to pass control to the ANI as required in the flight manual. He reluctantly did so.

  From here to almost one hundred kilometers he would just be along for the ride. At one hundred kilometers the ASC would be above the main haze layer and most of the atmosphere of Titan and it would be time to switch from jets to the fusion rocket. It would take less than five minutes to reach the switch-over point at the ASCs rate of climb.