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Lieutenant JG Nyra Hutchings scowled at the control panel. The red digital display began a countdown and she stabbed the reset button. The display settled down and she relaxed. She gave a final swipe to the autochef with a damp cloth, then glared around at the tiny, and now very clean, galley.
Her first assignment after graduating from the Academy and she was more than a little peeved that her first duty would be as a galley slave for the most by-the-book captain in the fleet. Captain Garrick came from HapilousÐa planet whose population grew short, humorless, and completely lacking in imagination.
As if he'd heard her thoughts, Captain Garrick stuck his overly large head through the hatch and glanced around the shipshape galley. Normally, Hapilians were a hairy lot and the Captain's short military haircut accentuated the size of his head.
"Lieutenant, we go FTL in an hour. Make sure everything is in order before we boost."
He turned away from her, then looked back into the galley. Almost as an afterthought, he said, "Check the guest cabin as well."
"Aye, Captain," she responded as she snapped to attention and saluted.
"Excuse me, Captain," she continued, "May I ask about our mission?"
"No, Lieutenant, you may not," he responded and abruptly left the hatchway. The Captain demanded respect by being rude as well as a strict, no-nonsense commanding officer. Nyra didn't mind the strictness, but she didn't like the disrespect she felt he was showing her.
His too-short arms and legs gave him a dwarfish appearance which helped to soften the disappointment Nyra had with her assignment. She had hoped to go straight to a titan-class cruiser. Even with the large crew, she would at least have gotten Con duty occasionally. On this Admiral's yacht, the Starbird, she was the lowest on the patachee pole. With only two crew and the Captain, she would be stuck with the galley and the medi-kit for the foreseeable future. Captain Garrick chose to pilot and Commander Borinsky, the second in command, handled the nav-com console.
The Admiral rarely made an appearance in his own yacht. The Starbird shuttled around, doing odd jobs until called to duty by Admiral Barton. They had just broken out of orbit from Delphia, headquarters base for the quadrant. She knew their heading only from surreptitious glances at the nav-com whenever she brought Borinsky's lunch to the bridge. So far, though, Captain Garrick had chosen not to apprise her of their current missionÐneither where they were going, nor what they were supposed to do once they got there. Borinsky had to know where they were headed or he wouldn't be able to navigate. Apparently, it wasn't her place to ask, at least in the rather stuffy opinion of Captain Garrick.
With the Captain's reference to the guest cabin, her best guess was that they were acting as a delivery service for some VIP. If that were the case, then their first stop would have to be IncPlan headquarters for the pickup. After that? She'd just have to wait to find out.
She mused it would be a good experience to visit central headquarters. The Academy was located in a system only ten lights from her home planet. That's the furthest she'd traveled until now. She hoped she wouldn't act as naive as she felt on a world as sophisticated as Delphia. It was, literally, the center of the known universe and, as such, was a busy hub of commerce as well as the military headquarters.
"Wake up, Lieutenant!" The sharp voice jerked her out of her reverie and she banged her head on the galley's sloped ceiling. At one hundred-eighty centimeters, she was the tallest female graduate with a solid sixty-three kilos to back up her height. She wished that they hadn't designed the ships for much shorter people...people like Captain Garrick. "Meeting in the Con, five minutes," Captain Garrick snapped and the intercom clicked off. She wondered how he knew she was daydreaming.
She rubbed the bump on her head, then ran her fingers through her cropped red hair. She hated to cut it so short, but zero-grav regs demanded no hair below the collar. She heartily agreed after her first experience in zero gravity when her waist-length hair got her tangled with another student and ended with an ignominious failing grade on that exam. The next day, she got her first haircut.
Two minutes later, she was crowded into the tiny Con with Garrick and Borinsky.
"We will be going FTL soon, so it's time for you to find out what we're doing on this mission," Garrick growled in his deep voice. He opened the orders container, read silently for a few moments, then summarized the information for his two crewmen.
"Our orders are to proceed immediately to IPHQ to pick up a passenger. We are then to depart at once for Syrtia to deliver the passenger, or I should say prisoner, into the custody of the warden on that planet's prison." Captain Garrick stopped speaking as if this was all they needed to know.
"Question, sir," Borinsky said.
Nyra expected the usual rebuff, but was surprised when Garrick said, "Proceed, Commander."
"Who is this passenger, er...prisoner, sir?"
Garrick considered for a moment before answering, then said only, "Caspar."
Nyra did not need to ask who Caspar was. His trial had been the sensation of the decade. The capture and sentencing of the most notorious traitor in IncPlan's history dominated the news sources for months.
Garrick broke the ensuing silence. "IPHQ wants to keep Caspar's transfer as quiet as possible. That's why we're delivering him and not some larger ship. They hope the Starbird won't be as noticeable." Garrick turned away and Nyra wondered whether he had finished.
With his back to them, he said as if to himself, "I was chosen Captain as an honor, not a punishment."
He turned around and in a louder voice said, "we will most likely all receive nice commendations once we've successfully delivered the traitor to prison."
"Aye, sir," Nyra said, and she heard Borinsky echo her affirmation.
"Commander Borinsky, you were chosen for your superior navigational skills and..." he paused, looking at Nyra's expectant expression with some distaste. "And you, Lieutenant, for your martial arts ability. We will carry no weapons on the ship to ensure that our prisoner won't have an opportunity to commandeer them."
The Captain did not look pleased with this announcement.
He continued, "It's only logical, then, to assign an expert in hand- to-hand combat as the primary guard. Commander Borinsky and I will be busy enough running the ship. We won't have the time to take care of the prisoner as well."
Garrick continued, "I cannot say I fully approve of the assignment of this to a...female. However, your record clearly shows a proficiency which I cannot deny. Dismissed."
Nyra was not especially pleased at Garrick's barely grudging acceptance of her, but it made her more determined to prove him wrong. "I'll show him that they weren't wrong with my assignment," she thought as she maneuvered her lanky body back to the ship's lounge.
So, that was Garrick's problem. He didn't believe women should be given important assignments. She thought Garrick's lack of confidence in her wasn't justified. Nyra had passed the tests and entered the Academy at sixteen. The final test, virtual abandonment on a mining asteroid in a leaking shelter, separated the wheat from the chaff. She lived, she passed, and she was given her lieutenant grade. Those that barely survived, but did not score well, were sent to various ships as ensigns.
She was proud of her JG status, but not too happy with her first posting. Still, she was on a ship and she was traveling the stars, so she shouldn't complain.
***
Nyra's job turned out to be easy. All she had to do was stay with Caspar in the lounge during meals and escort him back and forth from the guest cabin. At first, they sat in silence, but as the hours dragged by, they struck up a conversation, mostly small talk. Caspar asked her about her life, and she found herself opening up to him.
"I grew up on a factory planet, but I always wanted to go to the Academy. I worked pretty hard to pass the entrance exams."
"So, why did you want to enter the Academy?" Caspar asked.
"Well, you know, to get out of the factory mostly. But I always wanted to see other planets. Space service is the only way to do that. Besides, I always had a knack for martial arts. Even as a kid, in the required physical education classes, I was good with defense skills. At the Academy, I learned Kung Fu, Kam Lat, and Ffegga and was certified as a junior instructor."
She added, "I may even return to the Academy to teach cadets twenty different ways to kill with their bare hands." She wanted Caspar to know that she could handle him.
Nyra was curious, however, why Caspar risked everything in a rebellion against IncPlan. She knew IncPlan's history, of course. Everyone did.
Started when the Terra Combine merged with the Canopis Corporation, IncPlan became the de facto government. Eventually, twenty-three inhabited worlds merged into a massive commercial enterprise. In the beginning, the individual planets maintained separate governments, but over the years, that became superfluous and all but disappeared. Only three planets continued to maintain their own governments, but they were simply mice to IncPlan's elephant. It made a certain amount of sense. Since all trade between the members, and with the few remaining independents, was handled through subsidiaries of IncPlan, it was not a long step to hand over the rest of the governmental functions. All security forces, including her beloved navy, were administered through IncPlan.
"Caspar, why do you feel IncPlan is so bad? I don't understand. IncPlan gave me every opportunity I could wantÐadmission to the Academy, assignment to a ship, even if just this little yacht. I don't see it as so evil."
Caspar pondered this a few moments, seeming to carefully choose his words.
"You said you come from a factory family?" he asked.
"Well, yes. Both of my parents were factory workers."
"Then, did either of your parents ever advance, get promoted?"
Nyra thought the question was a little personal, but she was beginning to see what Caspar was getting at.
"No. My father did request reassignment and promotion, but he never managed to get it."
"That's just the thing we're angry about, Lieutenant: no opportunities to better yourself. IncPlan runs people's lives from cradle to grave. It's virtual slavery," Caspar answered.
He shook his head in disgust.
"We shouldn't give up our rights in the desire for stability or security. Everything about IncPlan was created for profits, not for the benefit of the people. If IncPlan had remained a corporation and stayed out of the political arena, it wouldn't be a problem. It would have to compete, rise and fall on what it offered to the population. As IncPlan took over whole planets, it no longer needed to serve. Instead, it expected to be served, by people like your parents."
Nyra shook her head in denial. "No, no. That's not the way it is. I was given the opportunity to join the navy. I got a good education. What's wrong with that?"
The argument went back and forth, with Nyra remaining unconvinced that the rebellion was right. She found that she did like Caspar, despite their differences. While she came to regret that he was facing a life sentence on a prison planet, he was a convicted traitor. The evidence was indisputable, so he deserved his sentence.
***
On the third day, Captain Garrick joined them in the lounge. In his typically abrupt manner, Garrick confronted Caspar.
"You were foolish, you know. There was no way your rebellion could succeed. Our navy is too strong, our planets too well-protected for your pitiful force to overcome." Garrick seemed to want to taunt Caspar. Nyra wondered why he was so vehement in castigating the man. It served no purpose. Caspar was finished and it made no difference anymore.
Caspar replied, "You believe we are few, Captain Garrick? That's just the propaganda spewed from your leaders. We number far more than they're willing to admit. Of course, I won't tell you our exact numbers, but trust me that they are sufficient to eventually succeed in our struggle."
Garrick snorted in an uncharacteristic display of emotion. "Without your help, though. Once we deliver you to Syrtia, your role in this will be finished."
"Captain, IncPlan will ultimately fail. Of that, I am certain. Even if I remained free, it might not happen in my lifetime, but it is inevitable." Caspar rose and paced across the narrow lounge, warming to his revolutionary statements. Nyra tensed, but didn't move. There was no place for Caspar to go.
Caspar continued, "Eventually, there will be more rebels than loyalists and then . . . " he shrugged his shoulders.
"What's wrong with the way IncPlan runs things, I want to know? We all have what we need. We have enough food, we have shelter. Nobody lacks for the basics and anyone can better himself. Why do you want to destroy a system that works so well?" Garrick's voice rose as he thumped his heavy fist on the table.
"Yes, it works for you, Captain. But, you're in the military. When was the last time you visited the civilian world? The military has its own housing, its own shops, even its own pleasure houses. Rarely do those in the military spend time with the common people. Conditions are not as good for them as for you," Caspar said earnestly.
"I have friends," Garrick answered. "Well, I know some civilians. They don't complain about their lot. They have jobs, guaranteed jobs."
"And who do they work for? IncPlan. Where does their food come from? IncPlan." Caspar studied the table, idly turning his near- empty glass in its circle of moisture.
"Captain, I lived in a civilian dormitory as did my parents, and their parents. Three times a day, we were fed the same food as everyone else in a cafeteria. Every day we went to our assigned jobs as required. We didn't choose where to live, we didn't choose what to eat, we didn't choose anything."
Caspar continued, "No, Captain, we did not suffer want, we weren't beaten, but we also did not live."
"I still don't believe the rebels ever have a chance," Garrick said abruptly, then stalked from the lounge.
Caspar looked at Nyra. "I'm afraid I have not convinced your captain. What about you, Lieutenant?"
Nyra hesitated. She knew she shouldn't get involved in this, but she understood all too well what Caspar was saying. Her life before the Academy was exactly as he described. Everyone wanted out, and joining the military or the bureaucracy were the only paths.
She wanted to say that she believed him, remembering her parents' pain, their shame. Instead, she said nothing; it was not her place. Neither of them spoke again as she led Caspar back to his cabin. The subject was not brought up again.
***
The Starbird reached Syrtia and entered stationary orbit. Captain Garrick radioed the prison to send a shuttle to transfer the prisoner. All of the preplanned codes were delivered to ensure security.
When the shuttle arrived, it docked in the ship's small transfer port. Once the connection was secured, Borinsky opened the port bay door. The guards handed transfers to Captain Garrick. He examined them, and placed his mark on the electronic copy as did the head guard.
Nyra had secured Caspar for transfer, handcuffing his hands behind him.
"You know," he said, "you made this trip almost pleasant, Lieutenant. Thank you for your company. Maybe we will meet again."
"I doubt it, Caspar, but I also enjoyed meeting you. You're not quite the monster they've made you out to be."
"I hope not, my dear lady." He smiled at her and walked the few steps to join the guards.
Nyra shook off her feeling of sadness. No matter how charming he was, he was still a traitor. The courts had decided his punishment and it was fair.
As she watched, the guards secured Caspar's legs as well as his arms, attaching a chain between hand and ankle cuffs. They started in single file through the narrow lock, when Garrick called out "Wait!"
The rear guard turned to Garrick. "What is it, Captain?"
Garrick stepped over holding out the transfer. "This has not been approved by the warden."
The guard took the transfer from the captain's hand. "No, I guess it hasn't," he said as he swung his weapon, smashing Garrick across his face. Garrick stumbled and fell to the deck.
Nyra leaped forward and slashed down on the guard's weapon, knocking it from his hand. With a swinging kick, she hit the guard's face, knocking him aside. She stepped forward to grab Caspar, when the other guard pushed him aside, pointing his weapon at Nyra, the most obvious danger. Caspar held up his bound hands to stop the guard from shooting Nyra.
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I had hoped this would go smoothly and no one would be hurt. Unfortunately, your captain seems to be a man for details."
The captain lay moaning on the deck and Borinsky had stooped down to see how badly he was injured. The two men were between her and Caspar, so there was little she could do. She slowly raised her hands.
"Come with us, Nyra," Caspar urged.
Nyra shook her head. She knew Caspar believed in what he was fighting for, but now he'd injured her superior officer. Her training could not be overcome so easily.
"Too bad," Caspar said as he turned and went back into the lock. The guards stepped toward the lock, holding their weapons pointed at Nyra.
"You can't leave unless we close the hatch," she said quickly, trying to stall them.
"Then, please do so," Caspar nodded his head toward the control panel.
Again, Nyra shook her head. "I can't do that."
One of the guards shifted his weapon toward Borinsky, who was looking up from his place by the captain. He rose with his hands up and pushed the cycle button. As the hatch closed, Caspar raised his cuffed hands again and saluted Nyra.
"I hope we'll meet again."
As the hatch closed, Nyra lowered her hands and whispered, "yes, maybe we will." But, the next time they met, she vowed she would not let down her guard. She hurried to get the medi-kit from the lounge.
Marva Dasef is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Having wasted huge amounts of her life working in the software industry, she's finally getting a chance to settle in and write fiction for the fun of it. Hopefully, the hobby might also become profitable some day.
She's far too along in years to bother with her academic credentials, but note that she attended Bedrock U. the same year as Fred Flintstone. Her first writings may still be preserved in a cave in France between the drawing of the cave bear and the hand outline.
In the intervening years, she made vast sums of money tech writing. Go ahead and check her out on Amazon. You can still buy an "almost new" copy of her book for only $1.95.
She has some stories published on the internet:If You Could See Her, Rattlesnakes and Jackrabbits, A Good, Honest Dog, Fair's Fair, Cadida and the Djinn, The Thief.
© Marva Dasef
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