Proving True

It has not been a challenge for me to remember this is a science ship. While most starships have a theater for morale purposes, Gallagher has one so the scientists can share what they’ve learned. While this room would do for briefings—it would more accurately be called a lecture hall—it is also good for discussions. There’s even a round table. Some of the troopers try to stand behind their squad leader, Corporal Goodfellow, but I’m not having it, as there are enough chairs for all of us. And there’s always a chance one of them will have something to contribute. Athena starts with me and proceeds around the table introducing everyone. When she gets to Goodfellow he explains why he is here and Freddie isn’t. “I made the command decision to exercise his sleep plan, Captain.” Looking closer, I see the forming of a black eye on his left side. “He’d been up to long. He was getting stupid.”

“Prolonged consciousness will do that. How many of you did it take?”

“Three ma’am.”

“If we can get on with the matter at hand…” Athena finishes the introductions.

“There is no expectation that anyone here,” I say, “aside from Athena, will remember everyone else’s name. That will come in time. Don’t worry about it. Everyone knows that Gallagher is currently berthed inside Star Chaser. We will stay in such a configuration while Star Chaser Transits to the Dubus III system. At that time, Gallagher and a fuel processing ship, the last I heard it will be Oedipus, will exit Star Chaser and we will begin our mission. Star Chaser will depart and continue her mission. We will stay at Dubus in the company of the fuel processing ship. The two ships will remain on station for five months at which point Star Chaser will return for us. Ideally, we’ll have our Transit engines online by then and we will continue with Star Chaser back to Atlas. If we have had no luck with the engines, we will berth back in Star Chaser. Our mission, as some of you already know, is to collect samples of any botanical, zoological and/or microbiological species we can identify as unique from others. You’ve all either heard of or met the aquatic mammal in the tank in lab 047 starboard. Our plan, pending her approval, is to release her in the oceans on Dubus III.”

“Excuse me, ma’am. Dr. Thomas Turnbull, xenobiology. Did you say, ‘pending her approval’?”

“Indeed, sir. She is aboard Gallagher through neither fault nor desire of her own. To be fair, I don’t yet know why she was brought aboard to begin with, but she can’t stay here. She will not survive in the oceans of this planet. Our hope is that we can learn her point of embarkation and the circumstances surrounding that from the database. Or from her if she’s willing to share them. But it would be unethical for us to continue to hold her.”

“I understand she needs an ocean, but…” Turnbull says.

“It may not be suitable for her. She realizes the stakes. It won’t be a trivial decision. If there’s a reason she can’t stay on Dubus, she’ll stay with us until we can get her to somewhere that is more suitable. Or make suitable arrangements in that area.”

“Has anyone considered World 457?” World 457, also known as Ardurantes, which means “clear water” in the language of the native Shraku, has no significant land masses. While it has a few islands scattered here and there, it is essentially one giant ocean. It’s also the planet on which the Darkor, Lord Gerard Collins, settled centuries ago. And for that very reason it has never been—nor will it ever be—colonized.

“Of course, but it’s a far cry from here. We’ll pass many planets with oceans on our way to Atlas. But if we must continue to World 457 from there, we will. Unless the Academy of Ancients or the Atlan government dictate otherwise. Any other questions?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Leka speaks. “Are we expecting opposition?”

“I trust you are referring to the troopers,” she nods. “I have learned it is better to have them and not need them than it is to need them and not have them. The answer to your question is ‘no,’ but bear in mind: we have a secondary mission of establishing an outpost with a communications relay system here as well. They will crew that. If circumstances remain ideal, the military and the scientific will only meet in the chow hall.” She sits. If not satisfied, she’s at least mollified.

“Along those lines,” Lance Corporal Goodfellow says. “Fuelers and science ships are typically unarmed. Is that the case here? Could we get a fighter or destroyer detailed to stay with us as well? To use your words, it would be better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.”

“No argument from me, Lance Corporal,” I answer. “I assure you, the question has been asked and the answer was ‘no,’ however, we did get a few weapon systems to install on the turret aboard this ship. It appears it was something else before it was reclassed as a science ship.” Goodfellow keeps his face neutral. Some of the other troopers roll their eyes and mutter under their breath. Hard to blame them. “If there’s nothing else, let’s get back to work.”