The Scouts

Obsidian Arrows

Year of our Lord Creatos 1538, Thursday the 27th of Jubali.

The Scouts

It’s been a long two cycles and we are almost done with the The Hōkūle‘a. We have taken her out twice and she is a beautiful ship. She handles like a corvette but with half the weight. When she’s at full acceleration the ship makes this happy hum. Our Captain and the Lieutenant pilot her with skill and daring as we made an insanely too close pass of Blue Saturn, the largest gas giant, and turned around to head home.  It only took us two and a half alunars to do the round trip.  
The scout ships are ready to be installed and then we can see what she will do in a

acceleration test. We need to get to .25 light in just under ten astronomical units. This has to be done without a significant gravity well, just in case we are hurled to a vacant area of space. Captain Trent and Ashley are visiting their son on the planet. While commander Clarish and I were to receive the two scouts and take them on a run around the moon. Land them after successfully entering orbit and then return to the space port. This would take us about a seventh, as the moon’s gravity was so week we could not possible get up to more than 10% of their speed. This test was not about how fast they could go. This was about fitness. They needed to be able to land in planets both big and small. So, I took Alpha with an A.I named Gee. His designation was G61334, but we simplified his name to Gee. He accepted the nickname and we departed. He was a good pilot as well. And the landing was so soft that Tarinnish had to check the instruments twice to ensure they were down. They took a few core samples and scans then returned to the station. Everything went according to plan. Tarinnish thanks the A.I. and he left. After going through the logs he realized that the commander was not back yet. With the last switch turned off he headed for the starboard hatch. He was just climbing out when he saw the second scout ship on approach. As it rotated for landing he noticed a large gash on the port nacel. What had they done? And why wasn’t their a call for assistance?

The ship made a cautious approach and finally landed. After a lengthy shut down the hatch finally opened. Clarish had her space suit on, no helmet. 

“What the hell happened?” Tarinnish shouted as he approached. It surprised him, as to how much he cared. It was obvious that Clarish was upset, even shaken.

“The forward shields failed and we were struck be a meteor.” Her face contorted as she related the story. Then she looked down. “I screwed up.” She looked at the gash on the necell. “I was too busy trying to reset the deflector when the proximity alarm went off. It was over before I could do anything.” 

“Where’s your A.I.?” Tarinnish asked as he looked over Clarish. “And why didn’t Angle tell you about the incoming meteor.”

She turned away from Tarinnish and in a low voice, almost crying, “They pulled my A.I. at the last minute and I was flying radio silent.” She looked down, “I was simulating conditions after our jump.” She turned around, “I really screwed up.” 

“The captain’s going to have your ass.” Tarinnish shook his head. “That’s going to cost us at least two Alunars.”

“We might as well take it off and get it ready for referb.” Commander Clarish was started to act more like herself.

“Did you decompress at all?” Tarinnish asked, pointing at the suit.

“No. It was just a precaution as I was unable to reset the deflector grid.” Clarish was starting to unfasten the suit. Then she asked, “Help me out, please.” 

Tarinnish took hold of the main collar and held it as Clarish unzipped the waste. She then started to raise her arms as Tarinnish lifted. Once the suit had cleared her head, Tarinnish pulled it toward himself and Clarish stepped forward. That’s when Tarinnish saw the bruises on her neck and shoulder. Her camisole, with spaghetti straps, did little to hide the injury. 

“Oh, by Creatos’ grace, what happened up there.” Tarinnish asked.

“It was a rough ride.” was all she offered.

“You need to go see the fight surgeon. Now.” Tarinnish said as more of a command despite the fact that she out ranked him. 

She tried to protest, but Tarinnish insisted, “Don’t worry about this. I’ll get a couple of BL4s up here and we will start the disassembly tonight.” 

She started to protest when Tarinnish pointed for her to leave and would not let her near the tool shed. She actually made a second attempted to get to her tools and Tarinnish did not yield. She could have put him on report, but she knew he was right and she also knew it would be harder to crawl into bed with him that evening. So she relented and went to the Hōkūle‘a to retrieve a shirt. She didn’t want to parade around the station is just her camisole. 

Tarinnish turned to the tool shed and pulled out the controls for the mobile crane. When Clarish came out of the ship, he wanted her to see that he was serious about repairs on the scout ship. This would give her more of and incentive to actually go to the clinic. He had just put the crane in position when the commander appeared at the hatch. She had on one of her smocks. That must mean that the pain is more than she let on. She obviously did not put on her usual uniform as it would have been much tighter. He so wanted to go with her, but he promised her that he would work, so that is what he would do. He did not watch her. He could not. If he did he would abandon his work and follow her to make sure she went. Instead he turned on his communicator and addressed the maintenance division of the A.I.s. He requested and was granted two BL4 units for a routine pilon inspection. The last thing he wanted to report was a strike to the ship. That would bring Captain Trent back early and then the commander would have to answer for her mistake. No, they would smooth this over as best they could in hopes of doing ninety percent of the repairs long before the Captain was told.

Tarinnish pulled out his visor and adjusted the screen before his left eye. He pulled up the manual on the pillon support and the entire SOP on nacel removal. It was a lengthy process. He would be working all night. And once it was on the deck they could determine the best course of action. Repair or replace.

About four hours into the process BL400546 reported that two of the main retainer bolts has been fused on impact with the meteorite. They would have to be cut away and that the installation of the new pillon secure point would have to be ordered, installed and inspected. 

That ended the rouse and now they were going to have to put in an official request for parts and inspections. He hung his head. Clarish would be reprimanded for this. She knew better, but went out alone. No radio, no A.I. and no chance to change the circumstances. 

Just then Tarinnish’s communicator went off. He answered it. 

“Tarinnish! What the hell is happening up there?” It was the Captain and he was upset. Not angry, but upset.

“The commander had and accident, but she’s fine. I sent her to the infirmary.” Tarinnish wanted to sound confident, even though he was going to have to explain the whole thing to his captain.

“Fine! Clarish is in a coma.” 

The words hit like a bomb. Tarinnish remembered the buses, but she was fine. Her pupils were normal and her respiration was that of a person at rest. That’s when he realized that she was using her mind control shit to keep her body from showing all the symptoms. She should have been more upset. 

“Get your ass down to the infirmary and find out what is going on.” He paused. Then continued, “Forget about the ship, go see her. Tell us if we need to be on the next shuttle home.” This last statement was not said as the captain, but as a friend. They were all friends now, almost family. 

Tarinnish told the BL4s to remove the pilon and place the nacel on the deck. Any further work would depend on what they found once that was done. The primary chirped that fact that they could work for another six hours then they would have to recharge. Tarinnish chirped back his understanding of the limitation and told them to do their best. Worst case they could secure the necklace with the crane and lock the controls. 

 This was the cost of a small crew. When one was down, everyone felt it. And the work stopped. Tarinnish shook off the depressing thought and started for the main corridor. He didn’t make the airlock when the port authority entered. 

“I hear you’ve had an accident.” The inspector chimed. It was as if he delighted in trouble. It gave him purpose.

“I don’t have time for you right now.” Tarinnish tried to get past him.

“Oh, but you do. You see those BL units over there.” The inspector pointed to the scout ship. “They are not to work unsupervised.” The inspector faked like he was looking around, “And you seem to be the only one here.” 

“You know damn well know who is here and who is not here.” Tarinnish knew this little weasley's game. 

“Tarinnish turned and chirped three commands. “Secure the nacelle, cover the damage and quit the work.” 

The first BL4 unit chirped back his reply. “Compliance.”

The units quickly did at Tarinnish commanded and one by one they returned to the far side of the dock to “plug” in. It was not a physical plug, but the units had to be within two centimeters of the docking port in order to charge.

“That’s not good enough.” the inspector almost spat the words out. I don’t know what you told them. For all I know, they will start as soon as I leave.”

“Well you ignorant bastard, maybe you should learn their language.” Tarinnish had no patience for this type of bureaucrat. The type that used the rules as a club to inhibit progress as it suited them. 

“You would do well to keep your tongue.” The inspector threatened. 

“Your a civilian. And this is a military base.” Tarinnish was not going to be threatened. Not by this little man. 

“Just because I’m not in your chain of command, doesn’t mean I can make life... difficult for you.” The inspector threatened.

Tarinnish had to get away from this little man. He was going to do something stupid if he didn’t.

“You got what you wanted, now I need to leave.” Tarinnish turned to go, but the little man stepped in the way.

“No. Lieutenant, I didn’t.” The little man said as he reached for this pad. 

Before the inspector looked up again, Tarinnish had clenched his first and delivered an uppercut to the left side of the little man’s face. He flew backwards and landed on the deck. The pad went further and hit the wall. It was over in and instant. The man was knocked out cold. Tarinnish checked his pulse and respiration. He was breathing and his heart was beating. On Tarinnish’s way to the infirmary he would report that he saw someone fall and not get up. That would buy him some time to visit Clarish and tell his captain what has happened. He would have to answer for this, but what could they do. His crew was scheduled for the loading of their gate and an extended flight test in just three sevenths. They would have to excuse this. Besides he really needed to get to Clarish. 

The rest of the trip to the infirmary was uneventful. Tarinnish was allowed into the room and talked to the doctor. Apparently the commander had ruptured some blood vessels near her heart. They were filling the cavity around the heart and was making it difficult for it to work. How she had managed to walk into the clinic on her own was beyond their comprehension. 

“She’s stubborn.” Tarinnish gave as an explanation.

The doctor thought about that, “Well then lieutenant, you must be very persuasive. She told the nurse that you insisted that she come here.” The doctor had that knowing look. He knew that there was a relationship here. Not just rank, but something deeper, stronger. “You saved her life.” 

“So, why is she in a coma?” Tarinnish asked.

“We had to induce the coma to allow the nanites to work on her blood vessels. And” He pointed at the patient, “It allows us to put a needle through her chest to drain the blood.” 

Tarinnish had not realized that the tent over her chest was there to keep others from seeing the needle. He only looked at her face. Squeezed her hand and wished it was him lying there not her. “So… she will be okay… Then.”

“Yes Lieutenant, she will be up and running by tomorrow.” The doctor was full of confidence.

“Can you tell her..” He paused, “Tell her that I will see her as soon as I can.” 

“What does that mean.” The doctor thought it strange.

“Well I might be in the brig.” 

Just then, two marines stepped through the door, “Lieutenant. You need to come with us.” 

“Gotta go doc.” Tarinnish said with a flat tone. Then to the marines “Well boys, with or without restraints.” Tarinnish put his hands out.

The sergeant spoke for the both of them, “Just come with us and we can forgo the restraints, besides, where the hell would you go?” 

“Good point.” Tarinnish like these guys. He then looked at the sergeant, “Do you mind if I make a call and talk to my captain on the way.” Then more as a question, “to the brig?” 

“We’re taking to you the commandant's office, and yes, make your call.” The sergeant didn’t care either way.

“Thanks guys.” Tarinnish said almost laughing. He wasn’t going to the brig, his.. The commanders was fine and the captain did not have to cut short his, much needed shore leave. This was good. Sort of.

End of Chapter 3
Next Chapter 4

This blog contains two books of the Remnant Series If you want to start at the beginning of Book 6, click the link below.

1st Chapter of Obsidian Arrows

If you want to read more about the Remnant Series see the links below.

            Book 1-3: Graham Heights available on Amazon.com

            Book 4: The Grey Abyss available on Amazon.com

            Bood 5: Chaos coming soon to Amazon.com

Book 6: Obsidian Arrows

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R. A. Legg

    
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