Waiting

by Gary Weston

  Gunther let his words sink in when Loretti said, 'If the signals were out of Spero's atmosphere, then that must mean...'

  'Say it,' dared Gunther.

  'Oh, crap. They had ships in space.'

  'Bingo!'

  Willis said, 'And we sent our ship and our people out there knowing this?'

  'Like I said before. The Goliath was coming to the end of its journey when the signals were picked up and somebody tried to bury that knowledge. Almost succeeded until I stumbled across it.'

  'And you are saying this is known at the top?' said Loretti.

  Gunther nodded. 'Yes. And I know who one of the voices is on that partially deleted message.'

  'I think I know where this is going,' said Loretti. 'It's why you sent for me, isn't it?'

  Gunther leaned towards her, his elbows on his desk. 'Bridget. One of them was your mother.'

  Loretti was too stunned to respond, but she could tell from her father's eyes he spoke the truth.

  'We need to warn the Goliath,' said Willis.

  Gunther got up and raided his fridge for more beer for everyone. 'I thought of that. But I'm convinced somebody on the Goliath already knows all this.'

  'Who?' asked Staples.

  Gunther shrugged. 'I have no idea who, but gut instinct tells me at least one person on that ship is in on the conspiracy with General Loretti. Also, before most of my people were taken back to serve in the war effort, I believe somebody in the Base was communicating with their cohort on the ship. At least that communication had to come from here because only our radio can get through to the radio on the Goliath. Designed that way to prevent the East having access to the Goliath during times of conflict. That is the specific purpose of the unit.'

  Willis said, 'Which is why you sabotaged that communication unit.'

  'Guilty as charged.'

  Loretti said, 'You'll be guilty for sure if mother finds out.'

  'I know. Look. I can't do this alone. I hope to God I'm doing the right thing putting my trust in you three. Forget I'm your father for one minute, Bridget. You know how the war is going better than most. Eventually we will all lose, right?'

  'The way things are going, we'll wipe ourselves out within six months.'

  'Correct. If we are to save mankind, we have to help those on the Goliath with the mission. And to do that we need to find out what is really going on.' Gunther spread his arms wide, appealing to the three of them. 'Either one of you can turn me in and it is all over, or we work together and do all we can to keep the mission safe. I'm in your hands now. What is it to be?'

  Chapter 22

  'Unless we are hopelessly lost, we must be near,' said Jacobs, feeling even more than his age. 'Sorry. Complaining again.'

  'I forgive you,' said Lee. 'The compass is a little erratic because of the storms interference, but not enough to doubt it totally. It also says we have covered thirty one miles so far, so we should almost be on top of the terraformer.'

  'Good. I'm sure my one arm is longer than the other one after lugging this case for hours. Are you ok?'

  Lee said, 'I'm fifteen years younger than you. I'm fine.'

  'As I'd expect. You are very fit and in excellent shape. Damn. Sorry. That made me sound like an old pervert. What I meant was...'

  Lee chuckled at Jacobs' awkwardness. 'I got it. I think. Not much else to do on the ship but eat healthy stuff and exercise.'

  'True. I should definitely do more of the latter. Anne. If you don't mind me saying so, for an obviously attractive young woman, you don't seem to have forged any relationships with anyone on the mission. Excuse me while I kick myself. I really do sound like a perv now.'

  'To me you sound like a concerned captain keeping an eye on us all. And you are right about me. A few of us are deliberately holding back from emotional entanglements. That will all change once we settle here. We'll finally be able to see a future and nature will kick in.'

  Jacobs said, 'That makes sense. None of the young men take your fancy?'

  'Ah, now I never said that. What I want to know is when you are going to make your move on Doctor Cormack.'

  Jacobs stopped in his tracks. 'Good heavens, Anne. Valerie?'

  'Perfect for you. A few years younger. Clever. Quite pretty.'

  'Very.'

  'See? I knew you fancied her. You know she likes you, don't you? Even a man can't be that clueless.'

  They continued walking as they talked, Lee checking the compass again.

  'We do get on ok.'

  'You actually are clueless. She has her sights on you.'

  'Oh, come now.'

  Lee admitted, 'Some of us have a sweepstake going. I have you two getting it together at ten to one. I should make a killing.'

  'Ten to one? Not particularly good odds on us getting together I'd have thought.'

  'Good odds for me,' said Lee. 'I think the odds should be three to one. Especially now I've given you the heads up. If you showed her some interest, we could all do nicely out of it.'

  'Like you said before, let's make sure we actually have a future before we go making plans.'

  'If it helps, I think I see a very good sign.'

  Jacobs said, 'You do?'

  'I sure do. Over there. The terraformer.'

  With a sigh of relief Jacobs said, 'Thank goodness for that. I can hardly walk another step.'

  They went another thirty yards through the fog and there it was; like some prehistoric beast the terraformer lay dormant, waiting to be coaxed back to life.

  Chapter 23

  'You want me to go against my own mother?'

  'You know her well enough, Bridget, to understand if the situation was reversed she wouldn't hesitate in working against you.'

  Loretti considered that point of view. 'Being a devious cow is one of her strengths.'

  'And doesn't she use it well. Sorry. Uncalled for. But my concern isn't about her, you or any of us here on Earth. First and foremost, I need you to believe that.' Gunther pointed vaguely at the ceiling. 'Out there in deep space is our last hope for our race. It would be so easy to throw in the towel and except mankind's demise as inevitable. You could go back to killing people and I...well. Who cares. I'll tell the three of you this, though. I would die a lot happier knowing I did my best for our kind. All I want to know is do you all feel the same way.'

  Staples said, 'Just a few hours ago, we killed off more of the enemy. I killed two at close quarters. I got no satisfaction from doing so.'

  'Same here,' said Willis. 'Somebody high up calling them the enemy doesn't stop them still being people. For once I'd like to help mankind instead of playing my part in our destruction.'

  Gunther smiled faintly at those positive responses. 'Bridget. That's how we three feel but it amounts to nothing if you refuse to help us.'

  'If I said no you could keep me prisoner here.'

  'I've no intention of doing that, whatever you decide. If you do say no, you can walk out of the Base this minute and I'll bow to the inevitable.'

  Loretti looked deeply into her father's eyes. 'You can't possibly mean that.'

  'But I do. We agree we are all as good as dead anyway. When we die becomes academic. If you need time to think about it...'

  Loretti looked in turn at Willis, Staples then back to her father, each of them waiting to hear what she would say next. 'No. I've enough blood on my hands. And for what? It seems everything I've done until now has become completely pointless.'

  Gunther said, 'You are a great warrior. You did what you thought was right. Now perhaps you see things differently. Bridget. Are you with us or against us?'

  Chapter 24

  'This thing hasn't moved for quite awhile,' said Lee. 'Good old marsillium coating has protected it from the elements.'

  'I'll give you a hand replacing the power-pack. At the rear if I remember correctly.'

  'You should know. You designed it.'

  Jacobs said, 'Like everything else I was just part of a team. I'd only be able to give you detai
ls on how half of it works. The other half I wouldn't have clue.'

  'You are far too modest. But the power-pack does go at the back.'

  They carried the case to the rear of the huge machine and placed it on the thick dust on the ground.

  'We take this cover off,' said Lee. 'There should be everything we need in the case.'

  Lee opened the case and removed an odd shaped screwdriver, then she inserted it into a slot in one corner of the panel. 'It has to be here somewhere. Got it. Damn that's stuck.'

  'let me try.' Jacobs took the handle in both hands and tried to turn it. 'It's very damn stuck. Pass me that small rock.'

  Lee passed Jacobs the rock and with the screwdriver in place, he tapped the tip of the handle with the rock several times. 'An old trick my father taught me when I was a lad. This sometimes works. There. Its turning.'

  It was the same procedure for all twelve fasteners but eventually they were all out and placed carefully in the case to save them being lost in the thick grey dust. They lifted the cover off and disconnected the spent power-pack then between them they lifted it free of its housing. They placed it by the side of the case, lifted the replacement power-pack and eased it home. Lee connected the terminals and replaced the cover. They put the spent power-pack into the case and secured the lid.

  'Only one way to test it,' said Lee.

  The terraformers were designed not only to transform the planet into a habitable home for humans, they also doubled up as all-terrain vehicles capable of transporting twenty people and ten tons of cargo if required. They could also be sealed and pressurised to provide a breathable environment for passengers regardless of the outside conditions. There was a slight hiss as Lee opened the side hatch.

  'After you, captain.'

  'Ladies first,' said Jacobs.

  'You old fashioned sweetie. Ok.' Lee climbed in and a sensor detected her presence and lights came on. Jacobs passed her the case. Lee carried it to the back of the cockpit and stashed it behind the seat. 'That should do it.' She turned around fully expecting Jacobs to be inside. 'Captain. We need to get going.' When he didn't reply, she made her way back to the still open hatch and peered outside. The fog seemed to be even thicker than before and she couldn't see a thing, not even the ground. 'Captain. Are you ok?'

  A disturbing feeling ran through her as he still didn't respond. A feeling that inexplicably chilled her to the marrow of her bones. Lee climbed through the hatch and down the steps to the ground. She could barely see the massive vehicle next to her, let alone a man. 'Captain? Jay Jay. If this is you winding me up, job done. Now can we please get the hell out of here?'

  The light from the chest area of her suit did little to dispel the gloom. Lee stepped away from the vehicle, turned and could only see the outline. Another two steps would lose it completely. If she couldn't see the terraformer, what chance did she have with a man?

  'Captain? Talk to me, damn it.'

  Nothing. Lee dared to take a few steps forwards, her feet catching an obstacle which made her fall heavily to the ground. Feeling her way with her hands, she found something. A man in a spacesuit.

  'Captain?' said Lee, shaking him. Jacobs didn't respond. 'Come on Jay Jay, damn you.'

  'Hey,' groaned Jacobs.

  'Jay Jay. Are you ok?'

  'I'm sure crap felt better. Help me up.'

  Lee took his weight as he struggled to his feet. It took all her strength to help him to the vehicle and it was a herculean effort to get him inside.

  'You aren't dying on me, are you?'

  Jacobs didn't answer, his face looking pale and drawn, all energy drained.

  'Just stay put,' said Lee. 'I'll see if I can get this rust-bucket rolling.'

  Knowing it was all down to her, Lee sat at the controls. 'Moment of truth time. Don't let me down.'

  When things lit up as she flicked switches she was relieved to see it all spring into life. 'Good. At least the controls are well labelled and simple. Track locks off.' Something under the vehicle clicked and moved. 'Forward drives engaged.' An unpleasant grinding noise told her something was wrong. 'Not now. I'm not in the mood. Try again. Forward drives engaged.' There came a snapping sound as long idle solenoids forced mechanical parts to move and the terraformer juddered as it started to inch along. 'Nice one. All I have to do is input the coordinates to get us back to the shuttle like so. And there we go.'

  It didn't seem like an unreasonable request, but the vehicle stopped dead and half the panel lights went out. 'Not good. Ok. Time for some tough love and to show you I'm boss.' Lee aimed a padded gloved fist at the control panel and thumped it. 'Don't you piss me off.'

  Lights flickered back on, the vehicle lurched forwards and they were on course to the shuttle and Clifton at a respectable speed of thirty miles per hour.

  'Now that's what I'm talking about. You keep going, I'll go see the captain.'

  Lee was about to get out of her seat when she saw Jacobs standing behind her. 'Back in the land of the living I see. Take a seat and relax. We are on our way.'

  Without a word, Jacobs sat in the co-drivers seat and stared at the screen, seeing nothing but the yellow fog. Somewhere in the skies ahead of them, a dozen flashes of lightning beckoned them on through the unknown landscape of Spero.

  Chapter 25

  'Calling the Goliath. Dale. Tell me what I already suspect.'

  'You are ugly?'

  Friar moaned. 'I guess I'm not your type. I'll get over it. But anything from the captain?'

  'Negative. I'm beginning to fear the worse.'

  'Only beginning? I feared the worse from the moment they set off. At least our signals are clear.'

  Polowski said, 'The intensity of the storm seems to have lessened a little in the last few hours. That could be a temporary thing or it is actually is dying out.'

  'We can but hope. Another seventeen hours before I'm in orbit.'

  'I suppose on the bright side that if they are ok and the storm is dying down, that should make it safer for them to leave the planet. No need for you to land.'

  Friar said, 'Fine by me. I don't want to land until she's all pretty and green.'

  'I knew we had something in common. I don't mind a little delay.'

  'Depends on your definition of little. The Goliath could well be home for a year or two.'

  Polowski said, 'As long as I don't have to share a room with you, I'll survive.'

  'The rumours about my snoring are grossly exaggerated.'

  'But not the smell of your feet. That's legendary.'

  Friar said, 'Dale. I'd love to trade more insults with you, but I'd have an unfair advantage as you are far more obnoxious than I am. I'm off to bed. Anything exciting happens, like you find a cure for your halitosis, don't wake me up to tell me. Over.'

  'Sleep tight. I hope the bed bugs eat you alive. Over.' Polowski sat in silence, his dislike of Friar growing by the minute. The man had a sleazy quality about him that clung like a damp shirt. So Friar didn't have a perfect start in life. So what? He was too damn fond of telling people how tough he'd had it and how he'd had to fight for everything every step of the way. Nobody had a perfect life, right? The truth was he just didn't trust Friar. 'What is it you are up to, Friar?'

  On the shuttle, Friar stared out at the strange planet for a moment, unbuckled his seat and went to bed.

  Chapter 26

  'Now I've agreed to help you,' said Bridget Loretti, 'What do you expect of me?'

  Gunther was more relaxed now his daughter had agreed to join forces. Her mother's coldness and lack of affection for everyone including her daughter had made for an easy transition from dependable warrior to a champion for the last vestige of humanity as it made it to the last hurdle of a new beginning if given half a chance.

  'To be honest, I have no plan as such. I think you should report in to your general and go through your latest exploits with her. Befriend her.'

  'Seriously? Befriend her? Are we talking about the same woman?'

  Gunther s
aid, 'I'm sure she used to have a softer spot hiding in her somewhere. For a very short time we were even quite passionate about each other.'

  'Wow. Too much information. Something occurs to me. You accidentally found a partially deleted message between my mother and another person. Do you have any idea who that could be?'

  'No. It was too fragmented and indistinct. You need to tread carefully.'

  Staples said, 'Call me cynical if you like...'

  'You're cynical,' offered Willis.

  'However,' said Staples, ignoring the sergeant, 'How do we know that other person wasn't Bridget here? It could have been a message between her and her mother.'

  'Hey. I am sitting here, you know.'

  'So you are. I'll ask you to your face. Was it you?'

  Gunther said, 'It wasn't Bridget.'

  'And you know this how?' Willis asked.

  'Because,' said Gunther, 'The few words not spoken by General Loretti, came from a man. I've had the message analysed by our computer here, what there was of it. One voice I know for sure was Trish Loretti. There wasn't enough of the message to discern whom she was talking too, other than it was a man.'

  'I want to hear it,' said Bridget. 'That would convince all of us.'

  Gunther said, 'I'm afraid that isn't possible. It was stolen.'

  'How convenient,' said Bridget. 'So we only have your word that it existed at all.'

  'Why would I lie?'

  Staples said, 'What? You couldn't be capable of conspiracy?'

  'To achieve what, exactly? Saving the human race? How terrible of me.'