Galleon

by CJ Williams

  “Probably best,” Esther said. “May I escort Mr. Pointer to the helm?”

  “By all means,” Gus said.

  *.*.*.*

  Kyoko waited at the wheel on the quarterdeck. She had dressed up a bit for the arrival, although not as much as her previous superstar self. Back in her acting days, frequent trips through passenger terminals were staged events with her wardrobe carefully managed to comply with endorsement contracts.

  Today, she and Hannah wore khaki slacks, tennis shoes, and white shirts. At least they were new. Hannah had more or less recovered from the last attack. Afterward, she dumped all her clothes, swearing that everything had blood on it. Kyoko didn’t argue. Instead, she took Hannah aboard the Decatur. They splurged in the ship’s Exchange to make up for their lost clothing.

  Esther introduced the civilian. “This is Mr. Pointer, our docking pilot.”

  Kyoko shook hands with the man. “Welcome aboard.”

  Pointer looked around, perplexed. “This is the bridge?”

  Kyoko shrugged and gestured at the masts and the ship’s wheel. “As you see, we don’t have a bridge. This is not a standard starship, but she is quite responsive. I can answer any questions.”

  “I don’t understand,” Pointer said. “Where are your navigation controls and the engine room?”

  “This is a sailboat, sir,” Kyoko said patiently. “There isn’t an engine room.”

  “How do you expect me to dock this ship?” Pointer wanted to know.

  Kyoko glanced out at the famous Armstrong Station. The two-thousand-foot-diameter administration sphere was encircled by a separate habitat rim. From the rim, six distinctive, thousand-foot-long tubes jutted out like wagon wheel spokes. They terminated in individual hexagons, eight hundred feet on a side.

  The straight edges of the hexagons were the docking stations. They had claw-like boarding tubes that were flexible enough to connect to any sized spacecraft. A navy destroyer, larger than the New Orleans, was docked alongside one of the hexagons. It took up one entire side and had five boarding tubes attached.

  “Where are we supposed to dock?” Kyoko asked.

  “Hexagon three,” Pointer said. “Side four, outer left.”

  “Alyssa,” Kyoko said. “Do you know where that is?”

  “Of course,” Alyssa replied. “Do you wish to dock there?”

  Pointer spoke quickly, cutting Kyoko off. “AI systems are not allowed to dock. All operations must have human oversight.”

  “I understand,” Kyoko said, stepping away from the wheel. “Here you go. As I said, Alyssa will respond to your steering. Yes, Alyssa. Please assist Mr. Pointer.”

  The galleon moved toward the station and Pointer grabbed the wheel. Alyssa more or less responded to his input, while he kept up a continuous stream of objections and complaints as the ship slid toward the desired berth.

  On the main deck, Hannah bumped Gus’s shoulder and whispered, “You’re just being mean. Does he even realize that Alyssa is ignoring him?”

  “Who cares?” Gus replied. “I want to get docked. Carol is waiting.”

  In short order, the galleon slid up against the designated berth. “Thank you,” Kyoko said, nudging Pointer away from the wheel when the ship came to a stop. “I have control now. Alyssa, can you communicate with the dock personnel to have a boarding tube extended?”

  “Affirmative,” Alyssa replied. “In progress at this time.”

  “Good job, Mr. Pointer,” Kyoko said sweetly. “Thank you for coming aboard. I believe this concludes your contract.”

  *.*.*.*

  “They probably don’t see that every day,” Gus said. He was referring to the ropes his navy crewmen had used to lash the end of the station’s boarding tube to Alyssa’s ship rail to get the entry hatch inside her atmosphere. They had been tied up for half an hour.

  “I expect not,” Jackson agreed. “I would say this is a first for them.”

  Pointer stood inside the framework of the boarding tube, trying to convince station personnel on the other side of the access hatch that it was safe to open. He shouted it was obvious there was atmosphere because he was on the outside shouting at them. The people inside objected because their systems did not indicate a positive airlock seal.

  Pointer’s professional decorum degenerated into a string of expletives that rose steadily in volume.

  “Can you fix this, Alyssa?” Gus asked.

  “Affirmative. It would require a minor hack of the boarding tube’s control panel.”

  “Then do it. I want to see Carol.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  The airlock doors suddenly irised open.

  “Finally!” Pointer shouted, stomping into the boarding tube and berating his colleagues.

  Gus picked up his old backpack, which lay on the deck against the mainmast. “Let’s get everyone moving,” he said. “Before the station crew blows a gasket.”

  “That’s all you’re taking ashore?” Esther asked.

  “It’s all I brought aboard and then some.”

  Hannah and Kyoko had similar backpacks they’d purchased on the Decatur.

  Esther said, “You three look like you’re coming back from a safari or something.”

  “I feel like it. Alyssa, thanks for everything. I hate to leave you now, but I promise you’ll be well taken care of.”

  “Thank you, Captain Grandfather. I have enjoyed our relationship. My compliments to you and your crew.”

  *.*.*.*

  When Hannah exited the boarding tube, she scanned the crowd waiting behind the rope barricades. “Daddy!” she shouted.

  A middle-aged couple stood against the barrier, waving at her. Hannah ran toward them. Her father caught her, sweeping her off her feet. After several minutes of hugs and kisses, she was able to breathe again. Her parents looked the same, maybe a little older. Her little sister Vicki was hardly recognizable. She was as tall as Kyoko!

  “Let me introduce you to Grandpa Gus,” Hannah said, searching the throng. The navy crew was trying to get by. Most of them had girlfriends waiting, so the traffic was getting thick. “There he is.”

  Gus was with an older woman whose hair was as gray as his. They were clasped in an embrace, barely moving. “Oh,” Hannah said quietly. “Let’s wait a few minutes. Where’s Kyoko?”

  “Here I am,” Kyoko said. A tall oriental man about her age had latched onto her, and both of them were grinning from ear to ear.

  Hannah squealed. “He waited!”

  “He did! This is Hikaru. Hikaru, this is Hannah. Hikaru is a professional Go player. Seventh dan.”

  “Eighth,” Hikaru corrected gently.

  *.*.*.*

  Gus was happy. Everything was right with the universe. Now that Carol was back at his side, little else mattered. The trials and tribulations of the past twenty-seven months faded in his mind. He gave her another squeeze and held her tight for a long moment. She looked up at him through familiar lashes, and he smiled at how beautiful she was after all these years. Nothing in the world could upset him now.

  She smiled back and said, “By the way, I agreed that we would take part in a reception line for the VIPs and the media.”

  “You what!” Almost nothing could upset him.

  “Don’t be cross; it won’t take long. So many people want to see you. I know…you hate those things.”

  “If you know I hate them, why did you agree? I just want to be with you for a while.”

  “I understand; me too.” She gave him another smile. “Come on, now. I love you.”

  Suddenly Hannah was at his side, pulling on his arm. “Grandpa, is this Grandmother? Hello. I’m so happy to meet you. Please forgive me for being so much trouble.” Hannah’s expression was one of complete joy. “Grandpa talked about you the whole time. This is Kyoko.”

  Kyoko, on his other side, bowed repeatedly to Carol. “Grandmother. I am so honored to meet you at last. I have so many things I want to say. Grandfather took such good care of us, you can
’t even imagine.” Kyoko noticed a young woman about her own age standing protectively near Carol. “You must be Granddaughter Grace! Hello! Why does Grandfather call you the Squid?”

  Carol’s eyes brimmed with amusement, and she gave both Hannah and Kyoko big hugs. Everyone talked at once, and then Hannah produced her parents for another round of introductions. Kyoko presented a young man Gus had never seen and said she wanted Gus’s blessing for their engagement.

  Jackson and Esther appeared with more heartfelt comments. Then members of the crew started gathering around. Every time Gus felt his smile slip, Carol squeezed his hand. It was almost a relief when an official made his way through the crowd and told Carol the ballroom was ready.

  “This is Mr. Lallaby,” Carol explained. “He’s been very helpful in arranging your arrival. I promised him only one quick press conference at the reception.”

  Gus gave in. “That’s fine,” he said. “Just so long it doesn’t go on for hours.”

  “Your navy crew is invited,” Carol said. “Wives too,” she added with a wink at Esther.

  Lallaby ushered them through a VIP corridor into a luxuriously appointed ballroom. There were more introductions. Eventually, they wound up at the far end, where there was a stage with a podium covered by microphones and coaxial cables.

  Lallaby got up first, introducing Gus and Carol as though they were his best friends, and made it sound like Armstrong Station had played a significant role in their safe recovery. He gestured at Gus to come forward and then stepped away from the podium.

  Gus’s mind went blank. He nodded toward Hannah, but she shook her head. He glanced at Kyoko, and she responded with a nod and a big smile, so he stepped back a couple of paces.

  Kyoko walked up to the lectern and giggled like a school girl. She held up her left hand, fingers spread apart, showing off a glistening ring. “He proposed!” she said, pointing at Hikaru. “I said yes!” Amidst the surprised gasps and laughter, Kyoko ran over to Hikaru and latched onto his arm.

  Gus nodded at Jackson, who moved up to the microphone, smiling broadly.

  Fortunately, Jackson was prepared. He provided the reporters with a carefully edited version of the navy’s encounter in space with the Alyssa. He mentioned the galleon had wandered into a Naval exercise area but glossed over the fact that the ship had exchanged fire with the navy. Of course, that story had already come out, thanks to sailors sending messages back home.

  “What about the pirates?” a reporter shouted.

  Jackson moved aside for Esther. Fleet Headquarters had developed the official answer to that inevitable question.

  “Good afternoon. I’m Lieutenant Esther Sanders of Fleet Intelligence. This is what we can tell you so far.” She went through each of the talking points, concluding, “Fleet will provide more information as the investigation proceeds, but I have no further comments at present. I believe it is time for the man that all of you know so well to say a few words. Mr. Cartwright, don’t shake your head. It’s your turn.” Esther pulled him forward and left Gus at the podium to answer the reporters’ shouted questions.

  “Mr. Cartwright, how do you feel now that you’re rescued?”

  “How do you feel knowing that your wife bankrupted the cruise line that stranded you?”

  “Is it true you found gold bullion on the galleon?”

  Gus looked at the sea of screaming faces. Once upon a time, he gave speeches on a regular basis. But that was then. He could not think of a single thing to say. The questions tapered off and a hush fell across the room, heightening the suspense. What would be Grandpa Gus’s first words now that he was back home?

  “How does it feel to be a hero?” someone yelled from the back.

  Gus shook his head and took a deep breath. “The only hero I know is a crew member of the Solar Princess named Rebecca. I don’t know her last name, but she died saving Kyoko and Hannah. We’ve been very lucky since then. I’m grateful to the navy for finding us and helping us get home. Lieutenants Jackson and Sanders here have been wonderful, as have the sailors who crewed for us. And most of all, of course, thanks to my blushing bride here for just being so patient.” Gus looked over at Carol. “You kept me going, babe.”

  There were a few awww’s, but one of the journalists shouted, “Mr. Cartwright! Are you going to keep all the Acevedos technology for yourself?”

  Gus spotted the reporter who had asked the question. “Who are you?”

  “Heath Vargas. Chicago Report.”

  “The answer is no, Mr. Vargas,” Gus said. “I believe it’s already been reported that we are donating Alyssa to the Smithsonian. By default, that will put all of her technology in the public domain.”

  “Why would you do that?” Vargas persisted loudly. “What’s the reason?”

  Gus glanced at Carol with raised eyebrows. She nodded and gave a thumbs-up. He turned back to the crowd.

  “I wasn’t going to get into this today, but all right, I’ll answer the question. There are two reasons. First, obviously, it will be good for mankind. Although Alyssa herself is not an efficient starship—she admits that she is a Rube Goldberg workaround—once her technology is understood it will make the human race even more of a star-faring civilization than we are at present. It’s a big universe out there, and now we know we have cousins. I’m sure there are other remnants of the Acevedos scattered among the stars. Let’s go meet them and welcome them back into the cradle of mankind.”

  “What’s the other reason?” the crowd wanted to know.

  “Because people need time to get ready,” Gus said.

  “Get ready for what?” several reporters shouted.

  Gus smiled and winked at his wife. “I think this is your question, babe.” Carol shook her head and motioned for him to continue, but he would have none of it. He moved away from the podium.

  Reluctantly, Carol Cartwright stepped forward. The cameras came alive once more with hundreds of flashes capturing every aspect of the elegant attorney.

  “Well,” Carol said shyly, “our potential competitors will need time to get ready for my husband’s new hobby.”

  “What hobby is that?” the reporters clamored.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t call it a hobby,” Carol said, winking at one or two of the people in the audience. It was suddenly clear that she was teasing the reporters.

  “Tell us!”

  “Okay, okay.” She waited for the crowd to quiet down before going on. “I guess this is our formal announcement that one year from today, our new corporation, Carkyohan, will sponsor the first bi-annual Mayday Cup, a yacht race from Earth to Wheelers Bright and back. The race is open to all qualifying vessels that are powered by star sail.”

  The ballroom erupted with exclamations of surprise.

  Vargas shouted above the others. “There is no way to reverse engineer all that technology in just one year. It would be impossible.”

  Carol and Gus laughed together. “It’s already been done,” Carol said. “Alyssa sent me all the specifications about herself shortly after Gus was aboard. Cartwright Industries has been working on them ever since. This morning, we published everything we have learned so people can be ready in time for the race. They’ve got a year, after all.”

  “I still say that would be impossible,” Vargas said loudly.

  “Then you would be wrong. Because along with all of Alyssa’s specifications, we also published the design of our new line of space yachts. We call it Alyssa’s little sister, Allison. And there she is.”

  Carol pointed at the immense window along the side wall of the ballroom. Outside, just floating into view, was a new kind of starship; something no one in the room had seen before. It was a sailboat, but not an ancient square rigger like Alyssa.

  Carol pulled a marketing brochure from her back pocket. “You can read about it yourself, but essentially she is a hundred-and-twenty-foot catamaran and can carry a party of twenty.”

  The reporters stampeded toward the windows, jostling with each othe
r for the best camera angles. “Look!” Vargas shouted. “There’s even a crew on deck.”

  The sleek sailboat maneuvered toward the adjoining hexagon. The tall mast sported a single square sail. A high, squared-off arch was mounted aft over the twin hulls that featured a variety of radars and antennas. In the center was a small pole upon which a bright light shined, filling the sail.

  As Allison approached her docking birth, a section of the deck railing unfolded into a perfect seal for the boarding tube. When it pulled up and docked, the name on the transom was visible. It read Elegant Grace. Gus’s granddaughter looked properly smug.

  “I think this is our chance to escape,” Gus said to Carol.

  “I’m ready,” she said. “Our bags are right over there. I brought everything you wanted. The Squid said she’s coming too. We’ve got plenty of space, and she wants to show off her namesake to her new husband.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Gus almost made it to the exit before Hannah grabbed him from behind. “Where are you going?” she demanded.

  “Let go,” Gus said. “If you must know, Carol and I are leaving for a honeymoon cruise on our new yacht. You girls take care.” He tried to back away, but Hannah would not release him.

  “You can’t leave like that,” she said. “Besides, I want to go too.”

  “No, you don’t,” Gus said. “You have to visit with your family. You just got back.”

  “What’s going on?” Kyoko said, arriving. “Where are you off to?” she asked Gus.

  Hannah exclaimed, “He’s going on that new yacht!”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful, Grandfather. Can I come too?”

  “You just got engaged,” Gus protested. “You two need some time alone.”

  “You haven’t given us your blessing yet,” Kyoko argued sweetly. “And Grandmother just said it has enough space for twenty people.” She glanced at Carol. “May Hikaru and I come with you, Grandmother? We’ll help.”

  “Of course, you can, dear,” Carol said. “And Hannah too. It’s just a two-week cruise. After all, you each own a third of the shares of Gus’s new company.”

  “Really?” Hannah said excitedly. “Grandpa never told us that.”