Spinward Fringe Broadcast 5: Fracture Read online

  "Having you all here has been surreal. I'm not used to having people who know what they're doing so well."

  "What about Finn, Ashley, Stephanie or Liam?"

  "They're fantastic, but all still learning. If they're not learning their jobs, they're learning how to work with me or the other way around."

  "But with us we just take a post and work it." Oz nodded. "We're all military, Jake. Not just military, but from the same military, and being here has a little of the same spirit as the First Light."

  "Not the same though."

  "No, not the same. We've all been places, seen a few new things, had more seasoning. Where's this going Jake?"

  "We're going into combat. Not after repairs. Today."

  "Something wrong with Alice's destination?"

  "Raiders. They're attacking Ossimi station right now according to the message we received right before emerging."

  "There's no way Alice could have known that when she programmed the course in two weeks ago."

  "You're right. According to the logs on the Clever Dream it was the perfect place to stop for repairs, raw materials and a bit of trade. Even has an obscuring field protecting the entire centre of the asteroid field. Pretty well established."

  "The raiding party must be huge."

  "They're slavers, running at least one large slave ship, a carrier called the Palamo."

  Oz sucked air in through his teeth, cringing a little. "Complicated. I've never run into this."

  "I have, but I've never had the means to do anything about it. This is going to be hard, very hard. We can't tell anyone they're slaves. If we do, they'll pull punches during the initial fight and it'll get people killed."

  Oz thought for a moment. "I don't see any way around it. You're right. Is there anything in particular I should know about?"

  "First thing; the dead man's switch is normally an urban myth. No one wants their entire stable or crew of slaves to die if they're put into stasis or out of commission for a minute."

  "That makes sense."

  Jake hesitated before continuing. When he did so it was in a whisper; "Most of these outfits have a crude version of a Vindyne chemical remote destruct system built into their slave's implants."

  "You mean they can turn their slaves into explosives?"

  "Exactly. You don't find that much in higher class stock. Ashley didn't have one because she was considered well bred, but in this kind of crew, in raiders..."

  "They're more likely to be used as weapons if they're cornered. We have to tell someone else about this. The boarding captains at least."

  "No. If they have extra sympathy while they're in the fight they might hesitate when they have to make difficult decisions. You know it just as well as I do."

  Oz stared at Jake, his expression unchanging for long moments until he nodded tersely. "I hate it, but you're right. We tell our people everything and we could lose more lives than we save."

  “I've been on the rough edge for a while. Life is cold out here," Jake replied quietly.

  “The ex-military will understand when it's said and done, even Alaka'll get it. Do you think we can save the Palamo crew?”

  "Unless the Captain blows everyone instead of surrendering at the last minute, yes." It was almost eerie having Oz aboard. The tall, blond fellow was more confidant and competent than Jake remembered from the First Light by far. There were times, however, when the old humour, the feeling of being connected to a second in command returned. In those moments it really was like he was on the bridge of the First Light and even though he'd only been working with him for ten days he trusted Oz completely.

  “How's Alice?”

  “Stable. From what Iloona says she's in a coma but the monitors look like she's dreaming. The old brain damage they repaired was from before the Overlord Two, before Alice was downloaded into her human body. Iloona tells me the new healthy tissue hasn't been used yet so she's starting neural therapy later today.”

  “What are her chances like?”

  “Good, over ninety percent.”

  Oz looked at Jake for a moment. He had toughened up and gained so much bearing since he'd known him on the First Light, but then, this wasn't the man he'd known there. That was Jonas Valent, who was the first owner of the memories that partially made Jake who he was. Looking at Jake wasn't like seeing a copy. It was more like seeing an old friend after years of absence. He knew people changed over time and it was more noticeable when you didn't see them day after day and Jake was like Jonas enough for Oz to accept him quickly. Faster than he expected. It was a welcome trick of the mind, as though Jonas had been away for a while and returned as a seasoned, more practical and experienced man with a slightly different name. His smile was the same, though it was much rarer than Jonas's.

  Jake stared off into space the same as Jonas used to when he was deep in thought, and when he looked at Ayan and didn't think she noticed he admired her the same way. Oz's old friend had lived on, and though he missed Jonas at times, he had already grown to like and admire Jacob Valance. “You have doubts about the therapy.”

  Jake nodded slowly. “I can't help but think the brain damage Iloona repaired is what allowed Alice to imprint herself on that body in the first place. She told me it was the only viable body on the Overlord Two when she was trying to escape, she couldn't make a connection with the others. I hope she's been in there long enough for the therapy to work. If her thoughts are more human than software she might have a chance.”

  “Keep thinking positive. From what the crew tell me she's a strong one.”

  “No doubts there. If anyone can pull through this it'll be her. I saw the visitor's log, by the way. She gets more visits than anyone. I think she was alone for all of two hours. Iloona said she's never seen so many people visit a coma patient.”

  “She made a pretty heavy impression. People respect her like a commander and miss her like a friend. If you weren't here this ship would be lost.”

  “I don't know about that. You took charge pretty well while I was out of it after Pandem. All the Chiefs are impressed, especially Angelo.”

  “Now that's a man who knows how to work his people. He's had the manufacturing centre and hangar crews humming like a well oiled machine since I got on. Most of your crew knows their business. Even your Security Chief has shown me a few tricks I never thought of.”

  “Stephanie's good at what she does. She was my best boarding captain when we were on the Samson.”

  “Everyone who served on that boat seems to miss it. I made the mistake of asking Ashley about it my second day on the bridge. She and Agameg went on for over two hours.”

  “Funny how that is. The Samson was a hard ship to serve on. She always ran lean on supplies and low on opportunity. People miss it anyway, I know Minh has looked over the Samson’s bones a few times.”

  “I heard. He said he'd never seen a ship get so beat up and make it back, I believe it. Ayan started making plans to restore it, by the way.”

  “I didn't see that on the job list.”

  “She's got an assessment report finished and twenty three volunteers are signed up. After the Triton’s main engines are repaired they'll be putting the Samson back together.”

  “I should tell her it's not a priority. We have more important things to worry about.”

  “I think you should let her. Join her volunteer work gang if you're concerned.”

  “I'm not concerned, I just don't know why she'd go to the trouble. The Samson’s main beams are twisted. That alone makes it more trouble than it's worth.”

  Oz smiled and sighed. “This is why everyone should grow up with a sister or three. You just don't get it.”

  Jake was taken aback, it had been a very long time since anyone had come right out and told him he was missing something. It was like being splashed with freezing water, like snapping out of a trance. He stared at Oz, unsure of what to say.

  “That ship was your home for what, five years?”

  “Clos
er to six.”

  “Well, whether she realizes it or not she's using it as a way to find out about you.”

  “She doesn't have to rebuild a wreck to do that, she could just ask.”

  “Not with you avoiding her.”

  “Avoiding her? We sat side by side for two shifts on the bridge yesterday.”

  “You were busy the whole time. You even ate in the command seat while you were reviewing security records looking for the vigilante crew member who keeps killing Order of Eden agents aboard ship. Think about it; you work eighteen hours a day, pass out for six and do it all over again. If you're not on the bridge you're somewhere lending a hand with specialist's work.”

  “It's just like you said; busiest two weeks of your life, only I was knocked out for the first three days so I had to play catch up. Besides, some of that specialist's work won't get done unless one of the few people who are qualified get to it. Ayan was busy in the fabrication plant for over a week working on the replacement engines too, it's not like I'm making myself unavailable.”

  Oz shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Jake, you know what it's like aboard any ship when there's a lot to be done. Most of the time there is no time. You have to make an effort if you want to get anything outside of regular duties done. Do you want to get to know Ayan? I know there's something there, but do you want to try and follow through?”

  Jake looked over his shoulder to check for anyone overhearing. It was early. Day shift wouldn't start for an hour and the hallway outside was dead silent. Oz had struck a nerve. Things with Ayan hadn't been going badly, they just weren't going. He looked at her, was glad she was there but didn't know what to say. She was different, it had been years since he'd seen her and after the initial relief and joy at being reunited it became plain that she'd grown since he'd last known her. He'd grown as well, learned to shut away his feelings and separate himself from the daily decisions he had to make as Captain. Having someone poke at that from out of nowhere, especially someone like Oz was aggravating, especially since he was right. “I don't know how to talk to her. She asks about people on the ship, systems and what's going on aboard and that's not a problem but the moment I just try to talk to her I'm at a loss.”

  “You're nervous,” Oz smiled, amused.

  “I don't think so.”

  “Really?” Oz raised an eyebrow.

  “Fine, yes, I'm nervous but there's more to it, at least Liam thinks so.”

  “He would.”

  Jake nodded. “He said it's probably expectations getting in the way. She crossed several quadrants and survived Pandem to be here. I don't agree, I mean you, Jason and Minh did the same thing and even though I can't believe you and Jason left careers behind it doesn't get in the way of us getting on.”

  “But things are different with Ayan. You two had torches lit for each other before you met on the First Light. I remember talking about the sparks with Minh in simulations ten years ago.”

  “God, has it been that long?”

  “Almost. I think Chief Grady's right. Then again, when isn't he? Anyway, the expectations are pretty hefty, she made the trip twice in two different bodies. You watched her die once and from what Laura told me you handled it well. With all due respect to Ayan's first go at life, watching her live is a lot harder. I spent years watching her fall apart and I'm still getting used to seeing her in the flesh. I mean, she looks a little different, but it's Ayan for sure. One of my best mates is back and it's great to see her in fit form but I'm still getting used to it. The only problem I have when I'm talking to her is reminding myself that she doesn't remember the last few years, other than that she's a gift.”

  “I know, and she's here, I can't believe it either.”

  “And that makes it harder, I get it. Think about what she's going through though. You sacrificed yourself so she and everyone else on the First Light could be free right when things were really starting to get good between you two.”

  “That was Jonas.”

  “Don't you have all his memories? Do you remember doing it?”

  Memories of being submerged in thick stasis fluid, of seeing General Collins and being helpless and determined to find freedom again regardless of the odds ran though Jake's mind. The emotions evoked by the memories were strong. The feeling of being helpless was unforgettable, terrifying, infuriating. Despite all the negative emotions he remembered the satisfaction of knowing that his ship, her crew and Ayan were all safely on their way home, that he had sacrificed his freedom for a reason. He knew the memories and emotions were copies. Jonas Valent had lived through those events, made those decisions and the copy was imprinted perfectly onto him. The distinction was only logical, however. Knowledge of their origin didn't dull the images, didn't rob the emotions of their teeth. “I remember.”

  “Then stop making the distinction between you and Jonas and move on. You're the only one who makes it. Look at Ayan, you see her as the one and only, not like some second generation afterthought. We see you the same way; as the one and only Jonas with some time out here and a new name. Laura was even saying the other day that it was hard not to call you Jonas because, even under the serious veneer you keep up she could see the Captain she knew on the First Light. You've had some hard years since we last knew you, but hell, everyone's had years since the First Light. I barely recognized Minh the first time I saw him. I remembered a scrawny, hyper little man, not a long haired, muscled little wise man. It didn't take a body switch for him to change, and in some ways he's grown more than anyone, even you.”

  No one had put it that way. As the captain of the Samson he'd always focused on projecting an image of strength, of confidence and that had carried through to Triton. Regardless of what tricks his memory was playing on him, of how Jonas's experiences changed how he thought and felt he maintained that image. Pandem was the hardening, the blending experience he needed to reconcile with the personality of Jonas Valent and who he knew himself to be; Jacob Valance, and it made being that visibly confident, knowledgeable captain figure easier. He wasn't aware that anyone else could see how much had changed beneath the surface or that he could be compared to Ayan, that in some way they had taken the parallel roads. For him taking Jonas' memories on was a force of great change, but to everyone who had known Jonas it was what made him familiar.

  Jake sat down on one of the plush sofas and nodded. “When I think back to my time on the Samson it's like everything was cold. The days lasted forever and taking on hunting jobs was just something I had to do while I looked for Alice.”

  “The man I saw on holovid didn't look like he hated his job.”

  “You're right, some days there was nothing I'd rather do but then, I didn't know who I was really meant to be. When Jonas's memories kicked in everything took on a whole new dimension. By the time we had taken Triton on it was all starting to come back so fast I didn't know what was going on but it was like the difference between seeing the universe in black and white for years then seeing it in colour.”

  “Like you discovered you had a soul,” Oz smiled.

  Jake pointed a black clad finger at him and nodded. “Exactly. Now it's like I'm back.”

  “Like you're finally a real boy,” Minh added from the doorway with a smirk.

  “Sneaky monkey,” Oz smiled back.

  Minh wore the black, lightly armoured vacsuit assigned to all pilots under a gun belt and old earth style imitation leather bomber jacket. The jacket was armoured, had inertial dampeners and an entire survival kit built in. Thanks to work done by Alice, Minh and ideas taken from Jake's long coat it had become a very practical garment. Without a moment's hesitation he dropped himself into an armchair. “Welcome to the Doctor McPatrick show. Today we're talking about identity crisis and how to talk to women.”

  “How long have you been listening in?” Oz laughed.

  “Oh, since you didn't notice my comm squawk when I tuned in about fifteen minutes ago. Sounded like you guys were talking through something prett
y heavy so I thought I'd just come down.”

  “While listening in.”

  “How else am I supposed to know what's going on before I walk into a room?” Minh swept his black shoulder length hair out of his face and looked Jake over. Even sitting at ease in an infirmary family room he looked like he was under a hundred pounds of armour. Not stiff, but ready for anything and hard enough to repel direct weapon's fire. He made a show of his inspection, squinting his eyes, shifting in his seat as if to get a better view of different sides until he finally nodded. “You two make it sound so complicated when anyone can see that it's Jacob Valance sitting right there. How could I see anyone else? There he is; older, wiser, a littler gloomier but my old friend was broody and wise too. Questioned the important things just like this one. Yup, it's him,” he shrugged and commented simply as though he was pointing out the most obvious thing in the universe. “Oh and Ayan sees the same thing. She doesn't much know what to say either so you'd better get busy not talking at the same time in the same place.”

  Oz glanced at both of them and laughed.

  Jake's quizzical expression was disarmed by laughter as well for a moment before he blurted; “What?”

  “If you two can't talk to each other, then do something together. She's got the right idea, rebuilding the Samson. It's your ship and she's just falling back on something she knows best; how to build. So you be there when she starts working on it and whatever is meant to happen will happen. I bet you'll be swapping stories before the first day's over.”

  “He's right, you know.”

  Jake nodded. “I've been avoiding the Samson because I didn't want to see it out of commission. Maybe she has the right idea.”

  “She'd probably have some good ideas on improvements,” Minh added.

  An expression of mild alarm crossed Jake's face. “Okay now I know I have to be there.”

  "So, raiders?"

  Jake nodded. "We got a message before we emerged. There's at least one carrier. You're going in first as a scouting patrol, stay under cover, scan whatever's hiding behind the obscuring field so we know what we're dealing with and try to get them to follow you out."