by Jerry Boyd
“Didn’t you take Steve’s course?”
She replied, “I did, and I’m still not sure what I saw.” We strapped in and headed over to the new village.
The Marines had finished most of the houses, and part of them were started on the wall. It looked like a nice place to live, even if it was plain. We touched down and stepped out, Andre came running up and snapped to. He saluted, and I returned it. He said, “We didn’t know you were coming, Boss. Sorry for the lack of a reception.”
I said, “You’re here to be working, not making me feel important. Everything still going smooth?”
“Smooth enough I’m wondering what I’ve forgotten, Sir.”
I asked, “Mind if we tour one of the houses?”
He pointed. “That one there has had the most time to cure. It would stink less than the rest.”
Nikki said, “Thanks, Andre.” She tapped her belly and said, “These two don’t like odd smells.”
We went and looked at the house. The nicest thing I could think of to say was, “It’s functional.”
Nikki looked around to make sure no bots were close, and said, “It’s a good thing Jim is coming out. These houses are going to need his touch.” We went back to the ship, waving goodbye to Andre. Once we were strapped in, Nikki asked, “Where to now, Caveman?”
I said, “Well, it’s been fun and all, but I suppose we really should get back to the ship. I need a shower before supper.”
She replied, “Home again, home again, jiggity jig.”
It wasn’t long before we acquired an escort. I got on the radio, and asked, “Is school back in session?” I heard Pouncing Fox answer, “No, Bawb. We are wiser than Wet Bobcat. We will not challenge Nee-kee. We just came to say hi.”
I said, “So, flying is easier, now that you’ve had the full course?”
Pouncing Fox said, “Very much. I’m really enjoying it, especially in these new fighters.”
Nikki asked, “Who is with you?”
“Jumping Squirrel. I don’t think you’ve met her.”
I said, “Hello, Jumping Squirrel. It’s nice to meet you.”
Jumping Squirrel said, “It is an honor to meet Bawb and Nee-kee. You have done much for our people. My sister was one of the ones you rescued. Thank you.”
Nikki said, “You’re welcome. We are glad we could help.” The Gene was back in orbit, so Nikki headed us that way. I’m not sure she appreciated the blinking lights guiding us into launch bay two, but she didn’t mention it, so I don’t suppose it aggravated her too much. She put Ozzie’s toy back in its parking space, and we headed up toward the bridge deck. When we got to the bridge, Topper was in the big chair. He started to announce me, but I cut him off. “As you were. Mr. Topper, do you have the conn?”
“I do, Boss. Would you like to take over?”
“Not at all, unless you have something else you need to be doing?”
Topper replied, “No, Boss. Sally left you a message. She said, ‘I’m off to have fun, fun, fun, and don’t you even think of taking my T-bird away.’”
I said, “Oh good. She found out about Rhonda. You did know that Mr. Bailey is coming out, didn’t you?”
Topper replied, “Yes, Boss. I’ve been working on my tuxedo camo. I’m to be ‘Best Bot’.”
I said, “Excellent! I’m proud of you!”
“Thanks, Boss. Did you need anything special, or did you just come by to say hi?”
I replied, “Nothing unusual is happening in our little corner of the universe today?”
Topper said, “Not a thing that we’ve found, Sir.” Sensors sang out, “Sorry to interrupt, Sir, but we have an incoming comm, data only, marked Secret Squirrel, and routed directly to Commander Sally.”
I said, “Please deliver it, it is important data for an ongoing project.”
“Yes, Sir.”
I said, “Unless you need anything, Topper, I’m going to get cleaned up for supper.”
“No, Boss, we’re good here. I think you may be short a dog, though. Snitz and Janet have been inseparable since she woke up.”
Nikki said, “He knows where home is. He’ll be back when he’s ready.”
When we got to the cabin, I asked, “Do you think I need to set an alarm? Sounds like he may not be around to wake me up.”
Nikki replied, “I’ll believe that when I see it, but if it makes you feel better, go for it.”
We got cleaned up, and things happened, and then we got cleaned up again. Then we headed to the galley. Dixie greeted us. “Hello, Captain, Mrs. Wilson. It’s good to see you. Right this way, please.”
I asked, “Why the extra trouble, Dixie?”
She replied, “The crew wanted you to know how much they appreciate you looking out for them.”
Once we were seated, humans and bots crowded into the galley. They gave me three cheers and sang ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’.” It was dusty in there all of a sudden. I’d have to get with Scotti about the air filtration. Dixie brought us out a couple of nice ribeyes, with baked potatoes. After we finished eating, John came over and sat down. He said, “You did good this morning, Bob. How are you holding up?”
I said, “Not as well as I would like, but better than I expected. We need a better justice system than just, ‘Bob says’. That makes it way too easy for me to get off the rails.”
Nikki said, “You’re right, but so far it’s working well.”
John said, “I agree with Nikki. If it has to be somebody’s judgment, I vote for yours, Bob. I would have left that turkey in his suit and let him suffer.”
I said, “Sally was the one who gave me the idea. She said a small puncture is customary, to let the air leak out. I just took it a step further. How’s Janet?”
John replied, “Dr. Snitz has taken over her counseling. His reports aren’t very helpful, but he seems to get good results. She was back at work this afternoon.”
I asked, “How is Greg taking all of this?”
John said, “Pretty well. Jane explained it to him, and he understands you had to do what you did. If anything, I think he likes you better, since you took care of the bad guy who hurt his friend.”
I said, “I really wasn’t looking for any of this hero-worship. I just did what needed to be done. We couldn’t have somebody aboard who would do those kinds of things, even if he was good help.”
Nikki said, “Commonwealth law would have done at least that bad to him, Bob. Don’t feel like you went too far.”
I replied, “I know it had to be done. I’m just not used to having so much responsibility.”
John said, “Speaking of responsibility, what’s the plan, Boss?”
I replied, “I’m thinking as soon as Andre and his folks get done with that new village, we recruit a few Squatches to help on recovery crews, and go get the rest of the castaways on Earth. That way we can have Jim and Janice’s ceremony closer to home. I figure to run all the rescues simultaneously, so that one crew getting seen won’t mess up the rest of the operation. We’ll have the Gene handy to haul everybody out, if things go sideways.”
John said, “I thought you were wanting to ease people out of Shady Oaks, and stretch the bugout over a few months?”
I replied, “I am. I also want to be ready when Murphy comes calling. I don’t want a sudden bugout, not at all, but I think we need to stay prepared for that to happen.”
John asked, “What do you plan on doing with the castaways when we have them recovered?”
I said, “I sure don’t want to wake them up aboard the Gene, so I was thinking just deliver them to the Patrol, saucers and all. Sorry, Space Cadet, but we’ll need human crews for that.”
Nikki replied, “It’s only six trips, isn’t it?”
I said, “That’s what we know about, yes. Hopefully we don’t find anything else while we’re working on those.”
She said, “Can’t we round up that many pilots, and make it all in one trip?”
I looked at John. He smiled. I asked, “
Where are we gonna find eleven long-haired Friends of Jesus, in a VW Microbus?”
He asked, “Does it have to be chartreuse?”
I said, “Never do a vast thing, in a half-vast way!”
Nikki said, “You two!”
We sat around, visiting with people and having a good time, most of the evening. It was nice not to have a problem to work for a while. I knew by morning, things would be hectic again, but I intended to enjoy the peace while I could. Nikki yawned, and I asked, “Time to turn in?”
She replied, “I think so. It’ll be another big day tomorrow. I have no doubt.”
We headed off to our cabin. It seemed strange to do that without Snitz, but he was laboring in a good cause. Of course, once we got there, I was informed that I was way behind on my studies and had a lot of practice to catch up on. By the time that was taken care of, turning in early had turned into turning in late, but it was worth it. Sure enough, Snitz came by to lick my ear and wake me up, but he left again as soon as he saw me up stirring. I got cleaned up and headed out to the galley. I was expecting Dixie, but I was surprised. Rhonda met me at the door, and asked, “May I help you?”
I said, “It’s about time, isn’t it?”
She replied, “Why is that? You headed out on a safari, or something?”
I replied, “Nope, can’t even surf. What’s good this morning?”
Rhonda said, “We have orders from Sally to bring you a big plate of bacon and eggs, since you special-ordered them, and all.”
I said, “That sounds wonderful. Any coffee hot?”
“Of course.” Breakfast was great. Who would have thought a couple days without would make plain old bacon and eggs taste so much better? When I finished, I headed up to the bridge, to find out what sort of excitement was on tap for today. Topper started to sing out, but I cut him off with, “As you were.” Sally asked, “Would you like the conn, Sir?”
I replied, “No, thank you. Anything to report?”
She said, “All I have we should discuss in the ready room, Boss.”
I asked, “Would now be a good time?”
Sally said, “Yes, Sir.”
I said, “Page whoever you need, and I’ll meet you there.”
“Aye, Sir.” I went across to the ready room and got myself another cup of coffee. Sally, Scotti, John, and Jane came trooping in. Sally said, “Tile the lodge, Gene.”
Gene replied, “The lodge is tiled, Ma’am.”
Sally said, “Scotti, I believe you have some old business?”
Scotti replied, “Yes, Ma’am. I found out how Sam was able to do what he did without being caught by Gene. He had lowered the surveillance priority for that part of the ship enough that Gene didn’t monitor it consistently. I have since fixed the loophole in the security programming that he was able to use and have set up an alarm system to warn me of any similar attempts to bypass security.”
I said, “Good work, Scotti. I’m glad to hear that Gene was interfered with, and it wasn’t a limitation of his programming.”
Gene spoke up. “No, Sir, I have plenty of processing power to keep a watch on the whole ship. I’m sorry I didn’t notice I was being kept from watching that section. I have also implemented measures to keep such a thing from happening again.”
I said, “Thank you, Gene. We all need to be more careful.”
Sally said, “Next item. Mr. Branham, what can you tell us about our friend in quarantine?”
John said, “All his vital signs seem to be holding steady. As near as we can tell, his autodoc has plenty of power and supplies. I recommend leaving him where he is, until we can come up with a better translation of the controls.”
Sally said, “The translation efforts are progressing, but it is mostly brute force computing. Even with the hardware we have available, progress is slow. There are some glimmers that the script in the unknown craft, and the speech we’re getting from Taz and Willum, are related, but it isn’t strong enough to say for sure, yet.”
I asked, “I know this raises security issues, but I’m asking you to set that part of the problem aside for a moment. Could Mingus and Rangolus come up with a hack to speed up the processing?”
Sally said, “I’m not sure, Boss, they probably could, but there’s no way to know without reading them in.”
I asked, “Do you have an estimate for how long your current methods will take?”
She replied, “I should be able to tell you in three or four days whether or not we’re going to be able to make any headway using our current method.”
I said, “Let’s continue with what we’re doing, then, until we find a need to change the method. Taz and Willum’s next download may give us a clue, for all we know.”
Sally said, “Does anyone have any other business?”
I asked, “Scotti, have you, or Frank, figured out any more about how our guest’s ship works?”
Scotti said, “Julie has been keeping me updated. Frank is onto something, but she doesn’t understand enough of it to tell me what he’s doing, yet.”
I said, “You are all aware we are pulling out for Earth this afternoon, correct?”
John asked, “Have you talked to Max, yet? You wouldn’t want to let that chicken hauler get into FTL before we got there.”
I replied, “Good point. I’ll comm him after the meeting is over. Anything else?” When there were no answers, Sally said, “Meeting adjourned. Thank you, everyone.”
Gene asked, “Would you like the security lifted, Boss?”
I answered, “Yes, please.” I commed Max. “Hi, Bob. We’re buying chickens as fast as we can. It’ll be a few days before we can ship you a load. Go easy on the eggs we sent, and you’ll be fine.”
“Well, I was just calling to ask you to hold off shipping them for two or three days. We’re coming that way anyhow, we can pick them up in Earth space, and do the wedding in Earth system, where more folks can attend.”
“I’m afraid to ask, but what brings you this way?”
I said, “We figured to deploy several teams, and get the rest of your castaways. That way you won’t have to do so many operations, maybe it will be easier to keep a low profile.”
Max asked, “You’re not coming to stay, then?”
I replied, “Not right now, at any rate. They’ve roped me into a new job, and I won’t be able to train a replacement for at least a while.”
“So, you’re sticking with that ‘Captain Wilson’ gig, huh?”
I said, “Gig, look at you and your culture pack. Yes, the crew seem to think I’m the idiot for the job, so, I’m going to be here for some time. We’ve got a couple of projects going that I need to see through to their ends, if nothing else.”
Max said, “I’m afraid to ask.”
I replied, “I couldn’t tell you over an open comm, anyhow.”
Max said, “You can’t tap a comm, Bob.”
I replied, “Not in the field, no. I’ve heard tell there are agencies who have people inside the switchboard, tapping the electronic links between the individual quantum channels.”
Max thought a minute. “That would work, wouldn’t it? Do you get your jollies messing with my comfortable world view, Bob? Or is it just the way you are?”
I replied, “Some of both, I think.”
Max asked, “So when are you looking to be here?”
I said, “We’re looking to be in FTL by nightfall, so, maybe three days?”
Max replied, “Uncle Rangolus won’t have a load of chickens before then anyway. We’ll be looking for you. Fly safe.”
“Take care of yourself, Max.” While I was sitting there, I commed Andre. “Morning, Boss. What can we do for you today?”
I said, “Just checking in, Andre. Are you still on schedule to be done this afternoon?”
Andre replied, “Well, no, Sir. We found a couple of tricks. We should be done by late morning.”
I asked, “Are you purposefully padding your estimates, or are you really finding ways to do thing
s faster?”
Andre said, “Some of both, Boss. Don’t want to let you down.”
I said, “You don’t need to worry about that, Andre. You may wind up doing some more work on that village later, though.”
He asked, “You have more people coming in, Boss?”
I replied, “Not that I know of. Our carpenter is coming out. He can help you spruce those houses up a little. They’re good solid houses, but they’re a little, well, functional. Commonwealth folks might go for that, but Earth people won’t like it much. They’ve got more style, I guess.”
Andre answered, “I’ve been expecting that. Topper mentioned to me that he didn’t think that Earth folks would be too happy about living in houses that all looked the same.”
I said, “I wouldn’t worry about it, you’ve built good solid houses that people can fix up to suit themselves. Beats the crap out of coming in and having to build from scratch.”
Andre said, “I’m glad you understand, Boss. We Marines are more about getting it done. We save our creativity for tactics.”
I said, “I hope I don’t have to rely on that, Andre, but it’s good to know it’s there. Have you spoken to Abe about who’s going on the recovery mission, and who’s staying behind?”
Andre replied, “I have. He’s also spoken to Bugling Elk, and he and his crew have volunteered to help out.”
I said, “Sounds like you two have it under control. I’ll be down to pick you up later.”
“See you then, Boss.”
I decided to make one more call before I got up. I commed Ace. “Morning, Boss.”
“Morning Ace. Do you have your recovery crews trained up?”
He said, “I do, Boss. Crane operators up to Hopper’s standards, as well.”
I said, “Abe’s got you some experienced Squatches to round out your crews, since you’re short of Marines.”
Ace said, “If it’s alright with you, Boss, I was thinking I would go ahead and keep the Squatches together for my crew, since all the other crews have multiple saucers to recover, and Squatches don’t have as good endurance as bots.”
I replied, “That sounds like you’ve thought this through better than I did. Do what you think best, Ace.”
