The Silver Liner: Takes Flight!

by Daniel Sullivan

  “You remember about a month back when you suggested that I turn the doctor in?” Kendrick’s question was more of a reminder than a question. Everyone else looked at the captain.

  Fiona was alarmed, the color draining from her face. “Oh, my God! You’re going to hand me over, aren’t you?” Her hands went up to cover her open mouth, shocked that this was how it would end for her after all this time with him.

  Kendrick’s glance shifted from Tanaka to Fiona. “Nope; that ain’t me. Besides, Fi, you don’t really think I’d do that to you after the time we’ve shared, do you? I don’t betray my friends. Or more than friends.” He looked back at Tanaka. “Mister Tanaka, you mentioned the biotech firms and the Alliance being after the doctor. How’d you know about that?”

  “Sir?” Tanaka looked with puzzlement at Kendrick. “What do you mean?”

  “Just that; how did you know?”

  “Um … it was discussed after Fiona was almost kidnapped and got Selene shot,” said Tanaka as though he were stating the obvious.

  Mun shook his head. “No, it never came up. Now that you mention it, I was curious about that as well. I just assumed that you had talked to Doctor Kinsale.”

  “Wow, Security Chief,” said Kendrick sarcastically, “Nothing gets past you, does it?”

  Mun looked down and mumbled, “Sorry, Sir.”

  “Mun,” asked Kendrick, “You don’t have any serious security experience, do you?”

  Mun shifted uncomfortably. “Only civilian sector, Sir. I patrolled the Mall of America and I had a stint on the O.S.P. in the commercial district.”

  “So, you’re a mall cop,” concluded Kendrick. “Hardly qualifies as the law enforcement experience you claim to have. Nozaki and the others confirmed your skill as a gunner, so we’ll see what we can do with you in that area—but you are right. The only people who knew anything about Doctor Kinsale and her circumstances were Doctor Kinsale and me. That’s when I started putting the pieces together. I had Selena hack into Tanaka’s data-pad and personal accounts. I found it interesting that Mister Tanaka got paid to sabotage the Fujin’s engines, while all along, we thought it was the result of the virus.”

  Mun looked shocked and betrayed.

  “Now a whole lotta things are making sense,” Heather said to Mun.

  “I’m not sure how you did it,” Kendrick continued, ignoring the side comments. “The Fujin had a full engineering staff, so you would have had a hard time just sneaking in to do what you did, but somehow you did it. Also, you should know that the Japanese Maritime Defense Force hasn’t been called that in a very long time. When Heather told me you were poking around in Selene’s engine room and acting suspiciously, I knew you were the problem.”

  “Damn,” said Tanaka. “Guess you found me out. Didn’t count on your AI hacking my personal accounts.”

  “Tanaka,” cried Mun. “Why?”

  “Because Fujita was a pain in the fucking ass, that’s why,” retorted Tanaka bitterly. “Lorgen paid me to sabotage the engines. We were all supposed to be rescued, but then Lorgen double crossed me and tried to kill everyone. Since Lorgen had mentioned that the Alliance was after the doctor, I contacted them, but the captain here outsmarted us all. So, what now, Captain Royce?”

  “Well, I got here way early and I made sure you couldn’t communicate with anyone,” Kendrick explained. “I did those burns to get here ahead of your pals. We weren’t actually being chased, but I couldn’t let you know that I was onto you.”

  “No, I suppose you couldn’t. So, what are you planning to do with me?”

  “Funny you should ask,” replied Kendrick. “I know the various gamblers and bookmakers here. They weren’t happy when they found out you basically threw the race. So, I’ve set up an appointment for you with a few of them who had a stake in the Fujin’s finishing.”

  “Sir, please,” pled Tanaka anxiously, “Don’t do this! They’ll do horrible things to me. Come on! You’re all on the run. Let me join you!”

  Kendrick did not reply. He simply produced a pistol and shot Tanaka. The pistol fired a high powered electrical discharge, the same kind of gun used on Fiona. Tanaka’s body went rigid as the electrical jolt caused his muscles to tighten. Kendrick fired again and Tanaka lost consciousness.

  Agent Keyes was on her way to Mars. As soon as she was picked up by the Alliance stealth interceptor Orion, Amanda began coordinating her efforts to home in on Royce. That had begun by subverting Lorgen’s former mole, Tanaka, who was not expecting Lorgen to fire on the ship, nearly killing everyone on board, Tanaka included.

  Tanaka had been a valuable asset, but she lost all contact with him about a month after Royce put out from Atlas. She was not surprised; Royce had proven to be a capable adversary. She had to laugh when Tanaka had told her what happened to Lorgen in the encounter. Of course, Tanaka had been unable to report until after the Selene had put out from Atlas, confirming the presence of a G.A.I.S.F. and the way that Royce and the Fujin crew had found it. Tanaka had also confirmed that Royce was not involved in Doctor Keane’s activities and that he was genuinely unaware of who and what she really was, at least as of Lorgen’s first attempt at capturing them. Although it was clear that the former teen idol was more inclined to help Keane than to turn her over to Lorgen, Amanda could not blame him; Lorgen practically guaranteed Royce’s resistance.

  The trip to Atlas Station was unexpected but fortuitous. It slowed Royce down and allowed another opportunity to gather intel on Royce and his ship. Keyes really had no expectation that Velos would be able to recover Keane and her stolen biotech from the crafty civilian captain. It always puzzled her as to why Xing even used him; he was far too unpredictable. Regardless, Velos’ failure had the unintended consequence of disabling the G.A.I.S.F. unit. Of course, Velos’ attempt had also spurred Royce to hurry out even faster.

  Keyes knew that she would never beat Royce to Mars, but she knew roughly when he would arrive and activated agents who could be there in that timeframe. And even if he eluded them, once the Selene got to Mars, Kendrick’s movements would be easy to track and/or extrapolate; he had relatively few options available once he arrived. Amanda could not help but feel a degree of admiration for him. In fact, she was actually looking forward to meeting him. The UPA could use a man like Royce.

  Kendrick received a tidy reward from the Bookmakers’ union as thanks for handing over Tanaka and gave it to Heather, along with all of her back pay. “We’re here for twenty-four hours,” he said. “I was able to cash in my credits and I got this from the bookies Tanaka screwed. Go get yourself some tools and any supplies you might need.”

  “Aye, Sir,” she replied.

  “Oh, and Heather?”

  “Sir?”

  “I’m glad you’re with me. You’ve done a great job and I appreciate it. Whatever’s left over, splurge on yourself. Oh, and take our gunner with you.”

  “Aye, Sir!” Heather beamed at the captain’s praise and was visibly excited at the prospect of shopping for herself. As she ran off to follow Kendrick’s orders, the captain turned to Fiona and Father Ronan O’Carmody.

  “All right, you two, we need to actually stock up the Med-Bay. Oh, and buy some clothes for yourself, Father. You too, Fi; I was going to do that back at Atlas, but you know, bounty hunters? Also, I need to be there to receive the lumber you asked for. I actually found someone on this planet that has a supply.”

  “Thank you, Captain!” The cleric was overjoyed at this.

  Fiona lowered her head and Ronan began to speak, but Kendrick held up his hand.

  “I got Fiona’s list here, so in a departure from my orders on Atlas, I’m actually sending the two of you out. Doc, I can’t ask pertinent questions because I don’t know what half this stuff is. Father, you get to strut your stuff and haggle with the vendors. Also, I’m not leaving Selena alone any longer than I have to; I’m going to a barber to get my look updated and heading directly back to the ship. So, you two, make it fast; very fast.”

/>   “No offense,” asked Fiona, “But shouldn’t you have sent Mun with us?”

  “No offense,” replied Kendrick, “But I’m not sending anyone out alone, and neither Heather nor Mun can stand in for what you’re doing. I’ve seen Heather in action haggling for equipment; the girl’s impressive. I’ve also seen our chaplain fight; he’s far more capable than Mun.”

  “Then, it’s settled,” said Fiona with a somewhat forced smile. “We’ll get this done. Like when Jesus sent his disciples out two by two. Mark six, verse seven.”

  “Yeah,” said Kendrick, “but I definitely ain’t Jesus.”

  “We’re all Christ to one another,” said Father Ronan with a smile. “You and your crew have been so for me since we have met. I will endeavor to do the same for you.”

  “Thanks,” said Kendrick.

  Kendrick and Father Ronan shook hands, then the priest and the doctor left to procure medical supplies.

  Heather and Kang headed for a shop called, ‘Communication Station.’ It was a large chain and on Earth, they were more of a consumer electronics store, but on Mars, they had to carry a more robust product line. Heather decided that dealing with them might be a better bet for laying low, as Communication Station did not normally deal with starship engineers and they were less likely to be recognized. Though having come in on a ship as recognizable as the Selene, she was not sure that it mattered.

  “So, Kang, did you see Tanaka’s breakin’ bad coming at all?”

  “No,” he protested, “I swear I …”

  Heather laughed, cutting him off. “I wasn’t accusing you; it’s just one of those weird things. Fiona was already on the ship when I came aboard, so I didn’t know the details of her boarding, but I wonder if Kendrick saw the problems that would result from her being there. I doubt it. I do know that she really resisted telling him why she was in trouble.”

  “On the Fujin, I was kind of the odd man out. I was the only Korean on a Japanese ship, so I was the only one for whom Japanese was a second language.”

  “Didn’t they like you?”

  “We got on quite well, but I never really fit in. I think it had less to do with them being Japanese and more to do with my background not being military. I mean, I served in Korea, but I only served the mandatory two years in the army and then got out. The Fujin crew, except me and the med staff, were all career navy and air force.”

  “I see. So, how do you feel about our ship?”

  “Pretty good, actually,” he said with a smile. “Kendrick and I get along well. He’s a good training partner and we seem to have enough in common. And all of you are much more relaxed than the Fujin crew; friendlier.”

  “Definitely,” she said. “I’ve been pleased. Not only is the ship a beauty, but the captain doesn’t ogle me and he doesn’t second guess my engineering experience.” As they neared the Communication Station, Heather changed the tone of the conversation. “Remember, Kang, don’t say a word about our ship. I doubt that the staff would be a problem, but we don’t know where Alliance or U.S. agents might be.”

  “No problem!” He held his hands up. “Let’s have an uneventful stop for a change.”

  “Agreed.”

  Fiona had selected the goods she needed at the surgical and medical supply house and Father Ronan was making good on his promise to wheel and deal with the clerk. The doctor found it interesting to watch. Looking at him, knowing his vocation, she would not have guessed that he could be as aggressive a negotiator as he was. Nor would she have guessed that the priest could so casually use subtle, non-verbal intimidation techniques in the process. It made her wonder about his life prior to becoming a priest. Before long, Ronan had worked out the details and secured the supplies for considerably less than she would have.

  “Pleasure doing business with you,” said the clerk, shaking his hand.

  “Likewise,” replied the priest.

  Fiona smiled as they left, amazed at how well they had done. She just hoped that nobody had recognized her. She had her hair pulled back into a tight bun, very different from her usual look, and Father Ronan was dressed in slacks and a waistcoat, trading his clerical collar for a shirt and tie. Their earlier trip to Sears for clothing was already coming in handy.

  “Look at us,” he laughed. “Me, a priest from a run-down chapel, and you, an activist doctor. In the blink of an eye, I became a ship’s chaplain and resident merchant and you are now the ship’s surgeon.”

  “I’m no surgeon,” clarified Fiona, “But you’re right—this is a life I never expected to be leading. Even being—what did you call it? An activist doctor?”

  Ronan shrugged. “It was the most … diplomatic description that I could muster.”

  “I take it you don’t approve of my former life?”

  He shook his head. “It’s not about approval. I was a wicked man prior to the seminary; hardly a place of moral high ground. As for what you used to do, I never endorsed those things. I empathize, but I do not condone those methods. They are not the Lord’s way.”

  “So what?” she asked sharply. “We’re supposed to sit idly by and do nothing in the face of injustice? Is that the Lord’s way?”

  “The Lord’s way is to love,” replied Father Ronan with a smile. “Love your neighbor as yourself. Do not return evil for evil. Let them know that we are Christians by our love. Love for our enemies as well as for those we care about.”

  Fiona walked silently with the priest as they tried discretely to make their way back to the Selene, hoping to arrive before their luck ran out. She did not want to hear what Ronan had to say on the subject, though there was not a hint of condemnation in his voice. Much of her reason for living as she had was because Fiona felt that it was God’s will. The doctor knew beyond the shadow of any doubt that God had called her to the medical profession to heal others. However, she had been drawn into fighting the biotech companies. Was that God’s calling? Or was it just her own very black and white sense of justice?

  “McCathan!” The shout came from seemingly out of nowhere, but Fiona saw Ronan turn his head sharply to the left.

  “Down, Fiona!” The priest violently yanked Fiona by the right arm, pulling her around behind him with his right hand while holding up his left hand as though to shield himself.

  That was when she noticed the three men running toward them, guns drawn.

  “That’s him,” one of the gunmen shouted.

  Ronan grabbed Fiona, shouting, “Come on!” She ran with him, barely keeping up and at times, being pulled along by him, her wrist held fast in his vicelike grip. He pulled her down an alleyway and abruptly stopped, pressing himself against the wall at the corner. He reached across with his left hand and forcibly pushed her to the wall, saying, “Shhhh.”

  As one of the gunmen rounded the corner, Ronan trapped the pistol, along with the man’s hand and wrenched the man’s hand downward sharply, breaking the wrist and taking the pistol in one clean movement. The gunman howled in pain momentarily, but quieted as Ronan pointed the pistol at his forehead.

  “Don’t be stupid, boy.” The priest’s admonition carried with it a very real threat and the man backed out of the alleyway slowly, hands up. The man’s two friends tried to take the priest out, but Ronan fired at the man to the left, striking his upper arm and causing both men to seek cover, giving doctor and priest a chance to escape.

  With two of their number injured, only one gunman continued the pursuit. Ronan made certain to shield Fiona and shot the third man as he came around the corner, catching his right shoulder and taking him down, the gunman dropping his weapon in the process. The gunman was not dead, however, and resorted to a verbal assault instead. “You’re a traitor to the family! Van Horn will get you, McCathan!”

  “Not before you have to report that you failed to catch me, Bellucci,” retorted the priest as he calmly collected Bellucci’s discarded weapon. “There’s a reason I never went back to that life. Nothing awaits you but sin and death. I’ve foresworn those things.
You might consider doing the same.” Without warning or telegraph, Ronan kicked the man in the face, knocking him out cold.

  Fiona was terrified, but Ronan sharply took her by the arm again.

  “Come.” He led her briskly through a maze of back alleys and businesses, finally coming out at the docks. Presumably, they were safe now.

  “Who were those men?” Fiona gasped, finally able to breathe.

  “Van Horn’s men,” replied the priest.

  “So … you’re not Ronan O’Carmody?”

  “I’m as much Ronan O’Carmody as you are Fiona Kinsale,” the priest retorted. “My new name was courtesy of the witness relocation program. We can talk about this when we get back to the ship, which is not far. Let’s go, now!”

  Fiona was not inclined to argue with him, but she had a much clearer picture of what the priest must have been like in his former life.

  18

  Kendrick was talking to Mun and had opened the air lock, revealing Father Ronan and Fiona returning with their packages. Perfect timing, he thought, but something was not right; they were out of breath as though they had been running. As soon as the door closed behind them, Fiona collapsed against the wall, dropping her packages and panting breathlessly. Her knees knocked together and her feet spread apart as she sank, Fiona braced herself against the wall, her arms spread out to support herself. Kendrick felt bad for the woman and offered her his arm to steady her.

  “Something I should know?” Kendrick posed the question, looking at Fiona, but it was the priest who answered.

  “Van Horn’s men, Captain,” Ronan said with some urgency. “I’m pretty sure we lost them before coming back to the ship; I made sure to take a circuitous path back, but given that I was seen boarding at Atlas …”

  “They could just as easily figure it out,” finished Kendrick.

  “Aye, that’s the gist of it,” confirmed Ronan.