Chapter Four - While in Transit

Admiral Santana looked up from the reader as the chime of the viewer sounded.1

“The Marshal for you, ma’am.”2

“Thank you, Averill – put him through.”3

“André, good day, how are you?”4

“Well thank you Killi. Is your protégé on her way?”5

“She left two days ago; I thought she would be with you by now.” Admiral Santana’s eyes sparkled.6

“You are expecting big things of her.” the Marshal chuckled. “So what of the Sally Forth?”7

“I was just looking over the reports when you called. When Jane reported I thought she was overstating the facts a little, now I’m beginning to think the opposite. The engineer and the computer inspectors spent an hour arguing about which was the most impossible. 8

Knowing the circumstances, the engineer took careful note of the surface effect, within the computer housing. He said it was impossible that the tangglion had been removed and replaced, as all the fittings were untouched. The computer expert however claimed that there was no way that a tangglion could be wiped back to the base without leaving traces of the erasing method. Apparently they have been looking for just such a system for years, without any success.” Killi Santana shrugged.9

“That’s bizarre.” the Marshal frowned.10

“It gets worse André. The tubes of the ship were clean, the ship inspector from Tellon, told me that it would take at least three weeks to fully purge tubes and that even then they would still be at much higher levels than those in the Sally Forth. He thought that it must be a new ship that had never gone hypo or that the tubes had been replaced. 11

The trouble with the first is that the ship was known to have left Tellian and had been logged several times. The second is even worse. Clan class ships are apparently built around the tubes. The inspector told me it could be done but it would take at very least a month at the Tellon Shipyards so…” Killi gestured. “I suppose it could be a duplicate ship but everything else matches with the correct age and they were the original crew, so it seems very unlikely.” Killi shook her head.12

“Then there is the slav. The labs told me that they would be able to tell exactly where it was made within a few hours, something about the trace elements within the drug. However, when I didn’t hear anything I called them up and spoke to the head of the lab. Apparently there were no traces of anything. They had tested it over and over, unable to believe what they were seeing. He was very excited and wanted to know where it had come from, so I had to squelch him a bit. I don’t think we’ll get a leak. The point is though, that hundred per cent purity is impossible but that’s apparently what the slav is.”  13

“Well, well, yet another riddle.”14

“Yes, and when you add how the ship got where it was and what Jane told me about the fhurquil, the whole thing looks very strange indeed.”15

The Marshal nodded. “Well there is not a lot more to be done until we hear from the survey to the nebula.” The Marshal cleared his throat. “No need to tell you to try to keep this under wraps Killi?”16

“No, of course, do you suspect we are dealing with an R One here?”17

The Marshal shook his head and sighed. “I really hope not, maybe it can all be traced back to a wormhole transfer, fingers crossed. I’ll be in touch.”18

Admiral Santana smiled and saluted her old friend. “Sir, yes, sir.”19

With a broad smile the Marshal saluted back and cut the connection. 20

~~~~~21

The journey to Base One passed swiftly aboard the ‘Fairlane’. Teolin seemed to be making a quick recovery and had become firm friends with Desh. There was also an excited buzz in the air now that the whole crew was aware of their next destination.22

Jane was sitting in the canteen sipping a cup of coffee and reading, when a very excited Juan came in.23

Juan Poperwell was the engineering First. Jane found it difficult not to smile whenever his name was mentioned. He was small and balding, quite unusual in an age where hair loss could so easily be reversed. His features were plain, if not down right ugly. His only saving grace in the looks department were his dark sparkling eyes. Jane always thought that he must be about as far away from a Don Juan as she could imagine but she also knew that there was probably no other flight engineer that was in the same league as Juan. Jane had often thanked her lucky stars that Juan had taken a fancy to the ‘Fairlane’, but she had never asked him why. She knew it was irrational but it felt to her like tempting fate. 24

“Captain, take a look at this!”25

The ‘this’, was an extract from an article about a new ship called ‘The Dart’, that had travelled from Base One to Nightscape Four, in just over fourteen days, breaking the record by over a day. “So?” Jane shrugged.26

Juan was grinning ear to ear. “I didn’t get it straight away either, but when I gave it a bit more thought I checked with Tyron. Base One to Nightscape, is two ly less than Byron to Base One!”27

Jane sat back in her chair and let out a long whistling breath. “Well that’s going to put the mag beam in the plasma! They’ve been raving about ‘The Dart’ for months.”28

Juan was nodding and chuckling.29

“So how close did you run the exchange rate?” Jane asked.30

Juan’s smile disappeared instantly.31

“I…”32

“Tyron, Tasherina, have you seen this article of Juan’s?” Jane asked, as they opportunely entered the canteen.33

Tyron smiled but Tasherina looked nervous.34

“Our last jump got us noticed, even at Byron – at Earth, well I think it will shake up a few people, no?” Tyron gestured with his hands.35

“I was just asking Juan about the exchange rate.” Jane said, watching the smiles disappear again.36

“We used a hundred and one percent, just into the red line.” Tyron said, without bluster.37

“Did you consider that safe Juan?”38

“They wanted an odd vector for their calculations and…”39

“Listen to the question First Poperwell! Did you consider that a safe exchange rate?”40

Juan rubbed his head. “The red line is low Captain, yes, I did quite a bit of work while Tyron was working out the course. If it had been over twenty days it would have been getting too close, but fourteen days was fine.”41

“Good enough. We were told a-sap, we complied with that, if we happen to make a Spec. Ops. team look ordinary that’s tough, but if it happens again I want to be consulted. I’d look pretty stupid if they asked me and I didn’t know. Clear?”42

“As a bell Captain.” Juan said, somewhat subdued.43

“Add on the bottom of that pin  –  two light years less than Byron to Base One and post it on the board.” Jane told Juan.44

“Yes Captain!” Juan laughed.45

“Before you get too cocky, remember you owe me ten creds.” Tyron told Juan.46

Juan nodded and went to post he’s article.47

“What was the bet Tyron?”48

“He thought you would be pissed if you found we’d run at red line, I said not.”49

“Easy money, but don’t keep me out of the loop again or I’ll bust your balls as well.”50

Tyron nodded and looked a little sheepish. “Sorry Jane. There is one other thing, while I’m coming clean.”51

“Yes?”52

“We should come out pretty close in; we aimed at just over three megs.”53

“With what margin for error?”54

Tyron chewed his lip for a moment. “Well theoretically none, but practically, maybe three quarters of a meg…”55

“So we could come out well under three megs and well below regulations.”56

“I’m sorry Jane; we have done so much theory on this… what we need is practical experience to test the theoretical postulates. I guess I took my eye of the ball for a moment.”57

“Oh well, my father has always said I should be translating fhurquil stories – what’s your choice of new career?”58

It was not surprising that Jane was a little nervous on the bridge as Tyron gave the countdown to the end of the hypospace jump.59

There was always an unpleasant sensation as the ship warped back into normal space but this time it seemed unusually violent. 60

The Earth and the space station looked large on the screen.61

“Distance to station?”62

There was an agonising moment.63

“Three point one megs!” Jon gasped.64

“Close call Tyron. Well done!”65

Tyron was patting his chest over his heart as the bridge broke out in applause.66

“Three quarters impulse, get docking instructions Jon, we don’t want to be held up now. Under fourteen days, Byron Four to Earth, dock to dock, that’s a record that will hold for a while.”67

“We are being told to heave to and wait Jane.”68

“On screen, Jon – Captain Peers, what’s the hold up?”69

A somewhat nervous Commander appeared on the screen. “I’m sorry, ma’am, we didn’t expect you for several more days, and we were ordered to dock you in bay two but it won’t be clear for another eighteen hours.”70

Jane stared at the man for a brief moment. “We were ordered back here ‘with all speed’ by The Marshal himself and you intend to keep us waiting for most of a day? Are no other docks free?”71

“Of course, sorry, ma’am. One eight two, we are clearing traffic, please proceed.”72

“Thank you. Out.”73

“You have it Jon?”74

“Locked on and in the tube, Captain.”75

“That was pretty impressive name dropping, Jane.” Tyron chuckled.76

“Well, we have our fifteen minutes of fame; I thought we ought to flaunt it.” Jane laughed. 77

Jane didn’t see but Tyron and Jon exchange a glance at her remark.78

In less than half an hour they were docked.79

Seal tight Captain, on station air.”80

“Very good Jon, I had better go and report. Call a First’s meeting for eleven ship time and apologise to third watch for me.”81

As Jane crossed into the station she was momentarily surprised by how run down the area seemed. Of course dock one eight two was definitely ‘the wrong side of the tracks’. Usually there would only be cargo ships coming and going from here – there even seemed to be an unsavoury smell to the air. She passed a rough looking individual loitering at a transfer point, under a spray painted sign that proclaimed, ‘space sucks – try a hatch!’ He glanced in Jane’s direction, but one look at the stars on her shoulders and lapels made him look away. A cargo handler might be fair game but a Spacefleet Captain would bring down the full wrath of security on his head.82

It wasn’t long before Jane got out of the seedy part of the station and finally arrived at Spacefleet Central. Even though Jane had attended the Spacefleet Academy on Earth, she had never been to this office, which was almost as important as the Head Quarters of the Spacefleet. The official Head Quarters were planetside but most space going orders were channelled through this office, to save time and the need to transport down.83

The Guard on the door held out his hand. “Orders, ma’am.” he said, almost like an automaton.84

Jane should him her ID “I have no written orders, I was directed…”85

“Oh! Captain Peers, yes, ma’am! You are expected, congratulations on the flight, ma’am.”86

Jane chuckled. “Thanks, I see security hasn’t improved.”87

“Oh no ma’am, it came up from below. You triggered the planetary net, coming in so close and it was on the tri-d news that you flew the wings off The Dart”88

“Whoops, big entry. Do you know where I’m to report?”89

“Yes, ma’am. Admiral Scheen’s office, fifty fourth floor.”90

Jane frowned. “Scheen – Spooks, are you sure?”91

“Yes ma’am, the order came down while you were coming in.”92

“Okay, thanks.” 93

Jane was a little unsettled; Admiral Sheen was the head of Spacefleet Intelligence, Jane’s personal, least favourite section. 94

There was a second guard on the lift exit of the fifty fourth floor.95

“Captain Peers, yes, ma’am. The Admiral said I was to take you straight to her office, this way please.”96

The security officer led Jane through a labyrinth of rooms to a desk beside a majestic looking door. The secretary stood and saluted Jane, which although was standing orders was much more formal than would have been expected in the Byron sector.97

“Would you have a seat please, Captain. The Admiral will be just a moment.”98

Jane sat wondering what she was doing here at all, but she had only been waiting a few minutes when a buzzer sounded. “The Admiral is ready for you now, ma’am.”99

The office beyond the doors was as large and plush as the doors themselves suggested. It seemed to Jane that it would have been over done on a planetside base, on a space station it struck her as grotesque.100

“Captain Peers, welcome and congratulations.” The Admiral’s voice was silky and mellifluous. Admiral Scheen was still a striking woman, tall and slim she had fine features, short, neat, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. She offered her hand to Jane.101

“You must have an exceptional crew.”102

Jane’s mind whirled; she had always been good at picking up subtle nuances and although on the face of it the Admiral’s words were a compliment, it felt like an insult. Jane shrugged it away. “Thank you, ma’am, I believe they are.”103

“I’m afraid you have taken us a little by surprise, André asked me only yesterday to brief you about this trip and I hadn’t expected you so soon.”104

Jane found it hard not to cringe under the Admiral’s smile, even thought it appeared attractive, to Jane it seemed cold and impersonal, like a mask.105

“No problem though, I can have a team ready in a few hours.”106

“Perhaps we should set it for tomorrow morning ma’am, if that would be suitable to you? I’m near the end of my watch and I’m sure I would be more attentive after I’ve slept.” Afterwards Jane could never really explain why she had told Admiral Scheen this, for it was totally untrue.107

Jane got the impression that Admiral Scheen was making an effort not to be annoyed by her suggesting anything, although there was nothing overt to show the annoyance, indeed the Admiral’s whole demeanour appeared friendly and confiding – but not to Jane.108

“Very well Captain, shall we say nine hundred hours, station time. I’ll look forward to seeing you here then.” 109

Jane left the Admiral’s office even more puzzled. Not just at the undertone the Admiral seemed to be able to inject with almost every word but also her reaction to it. ‘You must have an exceptional crew’ had sounded to Jane like: ‘You must have an exceptional crew, (because you’re not anything special!)’ Jane shook her head - perhaps it had just been her imagination.110

The Firsts were sitting around a table in the canteen.111

“So what’s up Jane?” Jon asked.112

“I just wanted to tell you to look over your sections and indent for anything you might want. Probably all of you know now that I was offered the De-Vladin for this trip. Think what that would have cost!”113

“Why did you turn it down Jane?” Juan asked.114

Jane sighed and shrugged. “I was thinking of the fhurquil, I know how I’d feel if I invited someone and they turned up in that moon size battle station.” Jane shrugged. “The point is though, that Spacefleet seem happy to spend a wad on this trip so I think we have a unique opportunity to up grade any equipment without the usual quibbles.”115

“Great, just what we need to get this damn math sorted out, I’ll put in for the Xeno ten twenty!” Tyron chuckled.116

There had been gossip in the press about a new computer and that Xeno, a huge interplanetary company, had nearly gone to the wall on the research costs.117

“One thing has been puzzling me though, isn’t dock two a dry dock?”118

“Yep, one through five are all dry docks Jane.” Juan nodded.119

“So why are we being dry docked? The ship’s too new for a refit.”120

“Maybe they want to put ‘Hello Ptarn’ on the side.” Juan suggested.121

Jane suddenly lost her smile. “Maybe they’re considering fitting us with snoops.”122

“They wouldn’t do that, would they?” Jon asked.123

“I not so sure; when I went over I had to report to Admiral Scheen.” Jane told them.124

“Scheen! Damn Jane, be careful around her, she’s as slippery as a bag full of li.” Tyron said with some feeling.125

“Well I don’t think there is much we can do at the moment but I want you and your people to keep a special eye out for anything odd Juan – anything at all looks out of place let me know.”126

“Will do, Jane.”127

“Well I think that’s about it – any more for any more?”128

As the rest of the First were leaving Tyron put a hand on Jane’s shoulder. “I meant what I said about her Jane, she’s dangerous and very smart.”129

“Do I sense some personal grudge here Tyron?” Jane asked.130

Tyron wobbled his hand. “Maybe - I’ll tell you about it some time.” he chuckled. “When I get to know you better,”131

“I guess I had better not hold my breath then.” Jane laughed. It seemed to dispel some of the angst left from her meeting with the Admiral.132