The Dead Priest

by K A Bledsoe

  “We need to talk further but not while we have passengers,” he said, and she could see him struggling to cool down.

  Lenore nodded and he stood. “I am already overdue for Bondle’s morning inspection.” He headed toward the stairwell then paused to look back at Lenore. “I think we can start by continuing the story of when we met. Then you and I will decide in what way and how much to tell them.”

  “I agree,” said Lenore. He left down the ladder and she took the command seat. Her teeth began to hurt from clenching down on the argument she had wanted to make. She knew he didn’t want to reveal his past, but she also knew that that was one of the most important things that needed to be told.

  For all their sakes.

  ***

  Diarmin trudged toward the cargo bay, head down and silently fuming. He wasn’t exactly sure if he was angry at Lenore for holding back information or for suggesting they tell the children everything. He stomped down the ladder and saw Bondle already by the six-alls.

  “I heard you that time, no surprise this morning,” said Bondle but his smile faded as he looked at Diarmin.

  Diarmin did his best to show a polite demeanor but wasn’t sure if he was successful.

  “I, um, I did wait for you but decided I should go ahead and inspect. Safety first, after all.” Bondle looked like he wanted to back up, but the large container was at his back.

  “That’s fine. Go ahead.” Diarmin angled toward his workbench behind the ladder.

  Bondle nodded and continued with his scans. Diarmin had barely sat when Bondle announced he was finished and headed out of the bay. Diarmin let his shoulders slump as he thought about the conversation with his wife. Lenore had always kept information close so he could understand why she kept the connection between the Xa and slavers a secret. When they were first married, Diarmin had to charm, coax and wheedle information out of her and still only had bits and pieces of her life before they met. Reluctantly, he admitted he did the same, but she knew what he was when they met and surely she didn’t want to tell their kids that he had been an assassin.

  They are too young, he told himself. They won’t understand. Diarmin forced himself to admit his worst fear. What if…what if they look at me differently? They were already wary when they knew I killed in my past. What if they knew that I didn’t just kill once or twice or in self-defense? That there are over two dozen contracts I have carried out and that is above and beyond those I have hurt or killed while doing my job.

  He sighed deeply and flipped up the cloth covering his worktable. But would being older help them adjust? Maybe we should tell them, while they still remember me as a good father who turned his back on that life and swore to never kill again.

  He had no idea how long he had been brooding when he came back to awareness. He stared down at the table, longing to work at a project. It was the best time for introspection. But he had to go prepare breakfast for the passengers and his family.

  Chapter Twenty

  After breakfast, Lenore suggested that the family take their posts on the bridge. They took their places, Allison still blinking sleep out of her eyes. She yawned as she reported two heat signatures, one in the lounge and one in a cabin.

  “I assume since one person is in Kurla’s cabin that’s her. And since the vid being watched on the monitor in the lounge is one about single-cell organisms, I am guessing the person watching that is Bondle,” she said.

  Quinn gave her a quick chuckle which Lenore was happy to hear. Maybe he was feeling better today, less moody. That notion was dispelled, however, when Diarmin asked for a navigation update and his smile disappeared. Since he turned his head away, she couldn’t see his expression, but the tightening of his shoulders indicated some negative emotions. Maybe now was time for another story about their past, especially since they had nothing to do until the transition.

  After all systems were checked and reported, she decided on which to tell and spoke quickly as Allison was already getting out of her chair.

  “So, anyone ready to hear about another time your father and I worked together?”

  “The second time you met?” asked Allison, already sliding back into her chair and turning eagerly to her parents. Lenore noted that Quinn angled his head to hear but didn’t look back. She also noted the look that her husband gave her, slightly widened eyes and tight lips.

  “Not the second time,” she said and was glad to see Diarmin relax, though she knew he wouldn’t stay that way with her next words. “That is his story to tell. I will tell of the third time.” Now Quinn turned and she was glad to see his interest. Somewhat aloof, but it was a step in the right direction.

  As Lenore opened her mouth to tell the story, a red light came on her console. “Wait a moment. Red light,” she said as she accessed the correct system. Before she could make out what the ship was telling her, she heard a ‘ping’ from Quinn’s console.

  “I have a red light, too,” he said.

  “Mine is showing an increase in the power consumption, going toward the environmental systems,” said Lenore.

  “There is also a power increase going to, well, it looks like... navigation?”

  Diarmin strode toward Quinn’s station. Bending down and reaching around Quinn to tap a few keys, he found the problem.

  “Yes, navigation, but more precisely to the maneuvering thrusters. The ones designed to keep us on course. Odd, for a ship in transspace.”

  “As far as I can tell, the environmental systems are working fine but the power has increased from a slight drop in the oxygen levels on the ship.” Lenore pulled up more details. “The increase in power has compensated for now.” The warning light went off.

  “Same here,” said Diarmin. He straightened up, a slight wrinkle between his eyebrows. “I don’t like it. Two systems needing extra power simultaneously? There must be a problem.”

  “With environmental or thrusters?” asked Quinn.

  “It could be with the power grid,” suggested Allison.

  Lenore agreed as Diarmin nodded absently. “We just ran a systems check that didn’t show anything, so we need to do a more in-depth scrutiny of all three systems.” He headed for the door that accessed the environmental systems on the side of the bridge opposite of the ladder.

  “I will do a physical inspection. Lenore, you check the navigation controls and Quinn and Alli run diagnostics on the power grid.” He grabbed the oxygen mask on the side of the door as he opened the sealed compartment that kept them all warm, breathing and alive. The mask was only for emergencies, but oxygenators could be dangerous if ruptured.

  Lenore held her breath, but the sealed door showed no pressure changes or gas leaks, so she went back to the thruster system.

  In ten minutes, Diarmin was headed out and resealing the door.

  “All looks good in there. No leaks and the scrubbers are working fine.”

  “Power grid seems stable,” said Quinn.

  “Although we have burned a little more fuel than usual,” Allison said. “Looks like the increases have been steadily rising for over a day.”

  “Same with the nav thrusters.” Lenore saw a grim look settle on Diarmin’s face and knew what he was thinking.

  “Looks like we may have a leak outside somewhere,” he said with a grimace.

  “Can’t tell from here,” she said. “We need to go out there to check.”

  “I keep saying we need cameras that cover the entire hull,” Allison said.

  “Too expensive,” Lenore said as she stood to face Diarmin. “Who goes out?”

  “Me, of course,” he said. “I’m the mechanic.” He sat in the chair as Lenore tried not to appear too relieved. He knew that she did not like going extra-vehicular at all.

  “Quinn,” he said. “We need to drop out of transwarp to do this.”

  “Aye, Dad.” Quinn’s fingers danced in harmony with Diarmin’s as they brought the ship back into normal space.

  “All stop,” ordered Diarmin.

  T
he ship slowed and stopped with only a slight pull that they could barely feel.

  “Scan the vicinity, Alli,” said Lenore.

  “No ships, no planets, no nearby systems. Nothing.” Allison bit her lip. “We are literally in the middle of nowhere.”

  Diarmin stood and looked at Lenore.

  “Well, let’s get this over with.”

  ***

  Lenore headed down the ladder behind Diarmin. Her heart was pounding though it shouldn’t be for a simple EVA. I am in mission mode so my adrenaline is pumping, that’s all.

  “If we are going to that side, we should turn off the gravity so that it won’t mess up your magnetic boots,” she said, trying to think ahead to what was needed.

  “Good idea.” He paused before going down to the cargo bay. “Why don’t you go warn the passengers while I get the suit out.” He grinned. “And then you can help me squirm into it.” He disappeared down the ladder and Lenore tried to suppress a shudder, glad he was the one going out there.

  She reached into the medical nook, right off the corridor before the cargo ladder. The nook contained an old medbed with drawers below holding various first aid supplies, but it had saved both of their lives on several occasions. Grabbing a couple of strips of anti-nausea pills, she went through the lounge to the passenger cabins since Bondle was no longer watching a vid.

  Bondle first. She knocked but there was no answer. She knocked again a little louder and was about to simply enter when the door slid open.

  “Sorry, Captain,” he said, blinking. “I had an earpiece in and didn’t hear you.”

  “We are temporarily turning off the gravity so I suggest you strap in.” She held out a strip of pills. “Here is something in case you get queasy from weightlessness.”

  “Is everything all right?” he asked, taking the strip.

  “Of course,” she said. “Merely a maintenance check.”

  “Okay.” His eyebrows scrunched up. “What about my cargo?”

  “I am heading down there now to make sure it is secured. We will give you warning when gravity will be restored.”

  “I appreciate that, Captain.” He gave a small smile. “I will probably just strap myself in the bed.” He slid the door closed and Lenore headed to Kurla’s cabin.

  Unlike Bondle, Kurla’s door opened only a breath after Lenore’s knock.

  “Yes?”

  Lenore repeated her message, holding out the pills.

  “Are we stopped?” asked the girl. She started wringing her hands. “Is that what I felt?”

  “Yes. A minor repair issue.” She reached out to pat the girl awkwardly on the arm. “We should be on our way shortly.”

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling shyly. “Sorry for my behavior, but I don’t usually feel any stopping motion on the big ships so I got worried.”

  “Perfectly normal reaction. Please strap in and we will keep you informed.”

  Kurla nodded and went to strap into the secured chair in her room.

  “Here.” Lenore tossed her the strip of medicine. “Shall I close the door?”

  “Please don’t. I feel claustrophobic enough as it is.”

  Lenore nodded and left her buckling up to head down to the cargo bay.

  Diarmin had the door to the engine room open, where the suits were stored, and was struggling to put on his skin-tight inner pressure/cooling suit.

  “Unh! These damn ancient suits,” he said between tugs. “Why don’t we get those new ones that are one entire unit. Oof.”

  Lenore went to help. “Priorities, Diarmin. Fuel for the ship is a little more important.” She tugged the suit up over his hips as he wiggled his body to stuff his arms in the full sleeves. “Besides, we hardly ever use them. Why are you putting this on anyway? You won’t be out there for very long, and your portable life support will maintain all your suit’s systems.”

  “Since this is not an emergency and we have the time, might as well be thorough.” One last grunt and he sealed the garment. “We also need to set a good example for the children. Now, unh.” He grunted as he lifted the bulky suit. “How about this monster.”

  The rest was a little easier and Lenore made sure the helmet was secure. “PLSS working?”

  Diarmin breathed in and out slowly and looked at the dials on his arm. “All systems working great. These old suits were built to last.” He dropped his arms to his sides. “Ready to go.”

  “Not without these.” Lenore handed her husband two coils of metal cable.

  “Aw. I’ve got magboots. Do I need tethers?” His grin as he took the safety lines showed he was teasing.

  “And I am attaching a third to your tool belt since the airlock is nearly completely opposite where you need to go,” she said, making sure it was secure.

  “Well, add ‘Put airlock on starboard side’ to our list of upgrades.” He checked the airlock then opened the inner hatch. “See you shortly.”

  Lenore nodded and sealed the hatch behind him. As she watched Diarmin depressurize the airlock, she grabbed onto a bar and activated the intercom next to the hatch. “Quinn, you and Alli strap in and shut off the gravity.”

  “Already strapped,” came the response. Then the ship speakers crackled to life to show Quinn activating the ship-wide com system. “Gravity going null in five...four...”

  Three seconds later, Lenore felt the gravity shut off at the same time Diarmin opened the outer hatch. He turned and looked at her, then deliberately made a big show of attaching the first cable to the hull. With a smile and wave, he was out and closing the hatch.

  Lenore took several deep breaths and hauled herself hand over hand to the bridge. She wouldn’t fully relax until her husband was safely back on board.

  She hated spacewalks.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  As his mother floated onto the bridge, Quinn turned up the volume from his father’s suit com so everyone could hear his comments. Quinn knew from the drills they had held about using space suits, that reports needed to be as continual as possible. Sure enough, his father was obeying that rule.

  “Magnetic boots working optimally. Reaching top of ship and heading starboard. Attaching second tether.”

  “What happens to the first one?” asked Allison.

  “He attaches it to the same ring as the new one so it won’t drift away.” Lenore peered at Allison. “Don’t you remember that from the drills?”

  “It’s been years, Mom. I can’t remember every tiny detail.” Allison turned back to her console although Quinn could tell her attention was on her father’s voice.

  All three looked up as they heard a slight ‘thudding’ above their heads. That would be Dad. He could hear him walking slowly toward the exterior of the environmental controls, the magboots’ vibrations reverberating through the hull.

  Quinn watched his mother in the command chair, her finger hovering over the communication switch. She looks nervous. Mom and Dad always said that space was unforgiving and that we should avoid situations like the one we are in.

  Quinn suppressed a snort at his flare of annoyance. Yet another reason to grow up on a planet and not a ship. Alli and I are lucky to have survived until now.

  “Approaching area,” came the report and the footfalls did fade. If they opened the environment hatch, they could probably hear but there was no reason to. Yet.

  “I think I see the problem.” A sound like a grunt came over the com. “Ran out of line. Attaching third cable, thank you for that.” Pause. “Yep, it’s a very small leak. Looks like oxygen by the crystallization. Or even the liquid waste system, not exactly sure.”

  His mother pressed the com button. “Probably oxygen since that is where the extra power is going.”

  “And it is just a large enough stream to push us off trajectory after a significant time, thus the thruster’s extra work.”

  “Micrometeorite?” asked Lenore.

  Quinn noticed that his father’s lengthy pause after the question caused his mother’s mouth to tighte
n.

  “Wrong angle. And the placement is behind this outcropping, kind of difficult to reach. Let me angle myself closer. Hm... wait. There’s something... Oh shit!”

  A dull ‘whump’ sounded through the hull and a sizzle of static showed Diarmin’s communications had cut off. Quinn’s anxiety soared. He couldn’t remember his father ever swearing like that.

  “Diarmin, come in. Diarmin, report.” Lenore was pressing the communication hard enough to turn the end of her finger white. “Alli, external scan please. Quinn, can we angle the cameras to get a view along the starboard side?”

  Quinn struggled with the camera controls, trying not to panic. And it didn’t sound like Allison was keeping it together very well either.

  “I can’t read the suit, Mom. What happened? Why won’t Dad answer?”

  “Can you read any life signs at all? Even a floating object the size of...” she swallowed. “The size of your father.”

  “There is a tiny flutter, but I’m not sure...”

  “Keep looking. Quinn!”

  He jumped. Her voice was not quite a barked order. His answer was not good news.

  “This is the best I can do.” He put the visual up on the screen. The camera barely registered the side of the nose of the ship and only stars floated in the background.

  “Diarmin, report!” Lenore’s lips nearly disappeared, so tightly was she pressing them at the lack of answer.

  “What’s wrong, Mom? What happened?”

  “Here is what we are going to do. Allison, you keep working on locating anything that could be your father. Quinn, you are going to help me suit up. I am going out after him.”

  “But what happened?” Allison’s voice was nearly a wail. Quinn put a hand on her arm trying to reassure her, but he wasn’t much calmer.

  “I think he found an EMP mine and set it off.”

  “But an electromagnetic pulse will fry his suit’s systems,” said Quinn but regretted it when Allison’s hand flew to her mouth, eyes widening in horror.

  Finally, his mother appeared to notice Allison’s distress and pushed herself toward Allison. She gripped the chair with her left hand so she could lightly grasp Alli’s shoulder with her right. “Look, Alli. Those space suits are designed to hold thirty minutes of air and pressure in case of total failure. If we keep our heads, there shouldn’t be any problem getting him back before that time is up. Your father is probably fine but since communications are offline as well, he can’t talk to us. Stay calm and continue to do your work as brilliantly as ever and we will be laughing about all of this soon.”