“Oh?” I said nodding my head rapidly. “No prob. Uh, Doc, why didn't you just ask me that right off the bat?”
“I have no idea!” He placed his palm over his face. Weird.
“Let me clear it with the missus and set up a duty roster for surveillance. Won't take half an hour. Then we'll surprise old Carlos.”
Several of my kids were experienced enough that I didn’t worry going on a short jaunt with Toño. In the past, he generally was left behind when Sapale and I went somewhere. Now, it could be boys’ night out. After I finally convinced a dubious Sapale that it was Toño’s idea to go to the human fleet, she had no problem with our taking the trip. When I said it took a while to convince her, what I really meant was it took her a while to call Toño and confirm my story. It was almost like she didn’t trust me.
We materialized in a hangar dedicated to the vortex alone. That way we didn’t have to run through the drill of showing up outside, asking where it was safe to land, and then doing so. I had my own personal parking space, thank you very much. As soon as we arrived, Toño called Carlos. I know, he could have just flashed him a message, head to head, but that wasn’t how humans did things. Oh well. When we walked into Carlos’s office, I was surprised to see Amanda and Heath there too. She was out of breath, suggesting she’d hurried to get there. Wait, was she preggers? I did a quick ultrasound, which us androids could do from across the room. Wow, she was. A boy! What a strange world it was.
“Toño,” Carlos exclaimed, “and Jon! It's so wonderful you are here. Thank the Lord!” He rushed over and shook our hands.
I pointed to Heath and Amanda. “You two are here so fast. Why do I think it's time for me to start worrying?”
“Grandpa,” Heath said with a smile, “you're such a negative humanoid.” He knew how very much I hated it when he called me that. “We're just glad to see old friends. Hey, anyone for bridge?”
Toño wagged a finger in Heath's direction. “He's so much like you, Jon, it's both alarming and depressing.”
“Like clones,” added Amanda.
“So,” I said, “we need a sonic zapper, then we'll be out of your hair.” I waved. Not sure why, but I did.
Carlos was crestfallen. “But we very much need your help. Surely you can stay to at least hear us out?”
“I think he's joking around,” said Heath. “Aren't you, Pappy?” If there was one nickname I hated more than grandpa, it was pappy. He knew that too. I should've put him over my knee and tanned his behind. It would have done us both a favor.
“Please, gentlemen,” Amanda said, “have a seat. I have a tale to tell.”
Boy howdy, did she. I especially liked her ultimatum to Stuie. Brilliant!
“So, how long ago did he separate with the worldships?” I asked.
“About three weeks ago,” she replied. “They're still in easy communication range; no delays, yet.”
“Do you have,” Toño asked nervously, “any reports of how he's treating his prisoners?”
“Yes. His fleet is so large he hasn’t even begun controlling it. Aside from being told what happened, nothing has changed on most ships. The two he’s visited reported that he didn’t act too insane. He provided them with a list—his manifesto—and made some changes in the administration. He’s killed a few people, but it’s my impression is they were people he’s held a grudge against for quite some time.”
“Good,” I said, “no real damage done, and not too far off. Once we fix this, the ships can rejoin us easy enough.”
“You make it sound all so easy,” said Amanda. “You can't seriously have a plan yet. Can you?”
“My plans are usually more impulse and seat-of-the-pants than plans.”
“Trust me,” added Heath, “this much is true. Granddad was, and always will be, a fighter pilot.”
“Oh my,” was all Amanda could come up with. Silly girl! It was natural enough though. She had yet to see me in action, up close and personal. Was she ever in for a treat!
“So, you haven't located many of the bombs he hid?” I asked.
“No,” said Carlos, “it's worse than the proverbial needle in a haystack.”
“Carlos, Toño, Heath, you're with me. Amanda, alert the proper people on all vessels that we'll have the bomb locations to them shortly. We'll meet back in your office in an hour. Any questions?”
“Yes,” stated Amanda. “Am I to assume you're in charge now?” My, but she sounded pissed.
“Well…no. I mean…you're the boss lady. I'm just…” I cleared my throat loudly. “Hey, Amanda, what say we,” I indicated my three companions, “go to the vortex and meet you in the Noval Office in about an hour? And, I don't know, maybe you could touch base…”
She held out an imperious finger. “Out! All of you. GO!”
I saluted her. Boy, she didn't see that one coming. I was almost out the door before she thought to return the salute. Rookie CICs!
Inside the cube, I hooked up and asked, “I need the precise locations of all fission and fusion devices on all the human worldships.”
“I'm sorry, Form, are you addressing me?”
What, was he taking jerk lessons from Al? “Yes. Who else might be able to supply me that information?”
“I don't presently know. Shall I work on that list too?”
“Ah, Manly, is there a problem? This is, like, kind of important?”
“I am unaware of a problem, Form.”
“Okay, good. Manly, would you please display for me the locations of all nuclear devices on all the ships in the human fleet?”
“Yes, no problem. I saw where you were going earlier with the request that sounded like an order.”
Huh? I wasn't supposed to give Manly orders now? What, did he want me to send him chocolates first? Maybe I should send a thoughtful card along too. Oh well, not the time or place for a confrontation. Within a few seconds, he reported he had complied that data. He downloaded it to Carlos and Toño, who confirmed receipt to me. Then they left.
Once we were alone, Heath asked, “Why did you need me to come? It looks like those two have it all under control.”
“What, you weren't dying to see the inside of my cube?”
“Well, sure, but…” He reached over and messed up my hair. “Thanks, Grandpa. I was.” When he was done giggling, he asked, “How about Mandy? She'd have liked to see too.”
“No girls allowed! Not on my ship. They're bad luck.”
“Wait! You drag Sapale and your daughters back and forth to Kaljax like this was an inner city tram.”
“Point taken.” I turned to him. “You wanna take a seat?”
He furrowed his brow but sat down. “Why do I want to sit down?”
“We need to talk. People sit when they have important conversations.”
He flashed his finger back and forth between us. “We're about to have an important conversation?”
“Yup.”
“It's not about the birds and the bees, is it? I kind of have that down pat.”
I glanced up and smirked. “I guess it is, now that you mention it.”
“Tell me you're not serious. Not that you ever have been, but…”
“The president's pregnant.” That shut him up quick.
He shifted nervously and rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand. His heart rate went up forty percent and sweat began to form all over his body. Son of a gun!
“Yeah,” he said looking to one side, “that's not common knowledge yet, so don't, you know, mention it in public.”
“You mean I shouldn't raise a toast to my new grandson in the next pub I see?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do I look like a priest?”
“No.”
“A minister?”
“No,” he said, a bit annoyed.
“You wife's attorney?”
“No, and I resent…”
“Junior, I don't care if you have a mistress who happens to be the lesbian President of the United
States. I really don't. But don’t try to con a con, okay? You're the father right?”
He dropped his shoulders in resignation. “Yes, she is, and I am.”
“You're quite the Ryan. I'm proud of you, grandbaby Heath. When you screw a thing up, you screw it up well!”
He placed his face in his hands. “Tell me about it!”
“So, what's the plan?”
“Same as yours, I'm afraid. None.”
“A piece of grandfatherly advice. Not having a sound plan works for war and for getting free drinks in a bar. Extramarital offspring? They require a plan. Preferably a good one, and one that involves nobody getting dead.”
“Spoilsport! You know that was half the reason I apprehended Marshall personally.”
“I do now, you dumbass. Now, here's a thought. Solve the problem like a man, not a teenager with testosterone poisoning. You need my help, you got it. We’re family. Nothing’s ever going to change that. Now, let’s get to your girlfriend’s office and solve one problem at a time.”
“You know, Gramps, you’re not nearly as mean as I remember you being.”
We arrived to Amanda’s office and found it a beehive of activity. There were more generals and admirals scurrying around than I thought I’d ever seen. People shouting into radios, trying to be heard by whomever was on the other end. It was barely controlled chaos. Carlos saw us come in and rushed over.
“Your data is incredible. Many of the devices were known weapons in storage, but all forty-eight unaccounted for bombs have been located and are presently being deactivated. It is a massive victory, Jon. Our peace of mind can be restored. We cannot begin to thank you.”
“Happy to help. Any idea how long it will take to neutralize the bombs?”
He rocked his head back and forth, thoughtfully. “A couple hours, maybe a bit longer. Why?”
“I want to focus on dealing with Marshall once and for always. Can’t do that until domestic security has been restored.”
“No,” he mused, “probably not.”
Sure enough, within a few hours, it was a wrap. Every bomb was incapacitated and removed. Everyone could breathe again. I asked Amanda to clear her office of any nonessential personnel so we could figure out what to do about Stuart.
“There,” Amanda said sitting down, “one crisis averted, another one directly ahead. No rest for the wicked.” We all had a chuckle. “So, what's your version of a plan, General Ryan?”
“If you're going to start name-calling, I'm outta here. General Ryan!”
She looked to Heath, then to me. Then, she rolled her eyes, just like Doc did.
“You mentioned you think Stu's held up in a Faraday cage. I checked with Manly. After laughing his digital ass off about anyone using such arcane technology, he said it wouldn't affect any of his options.”
“Who's Manly?” she asked.
“Oh, sorry, that's what I call my vortex manipulator. It's like the ship's AI, but I'm beginning to think Manly's actually a lot more than any computer.” I scratched at the back of my head. “I wonder sometimes if he isn't more alive than I am. Maybe that's not saying much, I guess.”
“I won't tolerate any loss of lives other than Marshall's. Is that clear?” She was extremely serious.
“I'll make it happen if it's possible. This is combat, Mandy. It's dirty, it's unforgiving, and more often than you'd like, people get killed.”
“Do you need anything from us? Any personnel or materials?”
“I'll take Heath. He can be in charge of the fleet if we free it.” I could see it on her face, the question. “You can't come. The president stays here. Heath is capable, he's expendable, and he's not particularly unhealthy.” I saw it in her eyes. She knew!
“Fine. Will you be able keep in contact with us?”
“No problem. I can take a radio. The cube's walls won't interfere much with the signal.”
“When will you be ready?”
“I learned a long time ago. Do the unpleasant as soon as you can. Never wait for cold feet to set in.”
“Now?”
“, as in after one more thing. Madam President, would you ask everyone but Heath, me, and those two metal scientists to leave the room?”
“Why…of course. Everyone! Thank you for your help. If you could leave as quickly as possible, I'd appreciate it.”
“What's this about?” asked Toño. “No more of your childish joking, I pray.”
“Hang on.” The door shut behind the last person. “I want to clear the air. You two need to be in the loop because you're my trusted friends. No secrets between us—ever.”
“Jon,” said Amanda, “what's this secret? What are we here for.”
“He knows,” said Heath rather sheepishly.
“Mandy, you're pregnant with Heath's son. In a few minutes, he's heading directly into harm's way. He might not come back. No telling what'll happen when the shit hits the fan. I'm not your father,” I looked to Heath, “or yours either. But I do request you make this whole thing right before we take off.” I leaned my chair back. “Your call, but I'm going to be disappointed if you let this linger.”
Amanda and Heath stared at each other a very long while. Heath finally broke the ice. “I'll tell Piper I'm leaving her. There, that's it. It's the right thing to do.” He looked at Amanda a few seconds. “It's what I want to do.” He looked to the ground. “No big deal. People get divorced every day.”
“Are you just going to assume that’s what I want? You might wanna run it by me first.” She let that hang in the air like a real pro. “Or is it a done deal that I'll have you?”
Women. They never change.
“You're right, well, partly right. I need to let my wife know exactly where things stand. If it means the end of our marriage, then so be it. As to you having me, I can only beg that you do on bended knee.” Heath teared up.
“That's the sweetest thing a man has ever said to me. But Heath, can you imagine the scandal? Us getting married? We'll be the laughing stock of humanity.”
“Then come with me to Azsuram,” I said, smiling from ear to ear. “We'd love to have you, and trust me, nobody'd think what you did was a scandal.” I cocked my head. “Those Kaljaxians, they have a totally different take on sex. Totally.”
“Well,” Heath said as he pushed off the desk, “I have a really bad meeting to attend. Jon, how long can you give me, you know, if things drag on?”
“As long as it takes, my man. As long as it freakin' takes. Those worldships move like overstuffed turkeys in snow. Mandy and I will chat while the science twins go locate a new sonic screwdriver.”
Two hours later, a very drained and dejected-looking Heath dragged himself in the door and collapsed in the nearest chair. Amanda and I waited for him to speak. It took him almost a minute. Heath took a remarkably deep breath and raised his eyes to meet ours. “That went as poorly as I anticipated in my worst-case scenario.”
“Come on, buddy, cut the drama and tell us where things stand.” I wasn’t much for theatrics. I have always been a cut-the-crap kind of guy and expected it of my kin.
“Bottom line, I’m a free man. Our marriage is over.”
“How did she take the news?” Amanda held her breath after asking.
“How did she take the news? How about how did I take it?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Two trains colliding in the dark.”
“Huh?” I grunted.
“I started to say something like, 'Honey, there's a problem we need to discuss.' I don't know, that sort of thing. She tells me whatever I have to say can wait, because she has an 'unpleasant matter' to discuss with me. She flips on her handheld and a holo appears. Some dude with a three-piece suit. He begins by introducing himself as Piper's lawyer. He says she wants a divorce, that, as a result of my duties to the nation, I've forced her into the arms of another man. Coincidentally, the other man is the one delivering the bad news to me.
“He said she has long suspected infidelity on my part, but as he put it, 'Sh
e also feels the pot should not call the kettle black.'” He looked at us for support.
“Sounds good. Clean break,” I said thumping him on the shoulder. “Strong work. Now, let's go kill Marshall again.”
“Huh? Wait. She gave me the boot. She's suing me for divorce. He said Piper only waited this long out of respect to the sensitive nature of politics in these trying times. What's that supposed to mean?”
“Hey, Mr. Self-Absorbed, let it go. You’re free, like it or not. The fact that she lowered the boom on you before you could lower it on you is history. If it meant old Piper wounded your fragile male ego in the process, that’s just another point for her side. Let’s go!” I pulled at his arm. He went limp.
“I think I need time to heal.”
“You know,” I said as condescendingly as possible, “you're right. They say the best way to heal emotional trauma is a long voyage at sea. As we're fresh out of oceans, I have an alternate long voyage prepared exclusively for your mangled soul.” I lifted him to his feet. “Now, say goodbye to the nice president lady, and let's go. I miss my brood's-mate's cooking and warm considerations. The more time I spend with you means I spend less time with her.”
“Mandy,” Heath said weakly, “see you soon, I hope. We'll talk. Okay?”
“Absolutely, sweetie.” She came over and gave him a peck on the cheek. She shook my hand. “God's speed, and the best of luck to you both.”
As I half-pulled Heath down the corridor, he turned to me and asked, “Did she just call me sweetie?”
“Yeah, she's clearly nuts over you. You lucky stiff.”
“She…she kissed me on the cheek like one would their third cousin, twice removed.” He swiveled his face toward me. “I may never return, and I get a cousin kiss?”
“Maybe she’s not one given to displays of public affection.”
“Public? It was you, me, her, and four walls!”
I pivoted his still slack frame so we were face to face. “Maybe she likes the taste of forbidden fruit more than the recently divorced fruit.” I let that rattle in his wheelhouse. “When you get back, if you get back, you can sort it out. She may be lots of things, but she’s not one to beat about the bush.” I somewhat regretted the particular idiom, but there it was.
The Forever Fight: The Forever Series Book 3 Page 11
