Space Rescue One (25 page)

      Tim pressed the intercom switch. "We're on board and Joe is alive and well. Mission accomplished, sir."

      Richard replied over the intercom, "We're returning now to pick up the others. Evacuate the airlock as quickly as possible, gentlemen. Well done. Helm, set course and make way for Chief Brunner's location."

***

Richard carefully studied the modified evacuation chamber. It didn't look like it could do the job, yet it had. "Well, Chief, what are you going to call this invention of yours? After all, you're the inventor, so you ought to get to name it."

      Isaac answered, "Well, Captain, I was only out there trying to think of some way that I could make the air pressure work for us. The only picture that came to me was of a pneumatic pump. That's when the whole thing struck me. I began viewing the chamber as if it was part of a pneumatic pump instead. Once I got that picture of a tube in my mind, it all came fairly easy to me. It was just a matter of making the modifications with what we had on hand. I'm just glad that there was only one person inside that room. Anymore and I would have been condemning the others to die."

      "Well, it gave me a new lease on life. I feel like a new man after being sucked into that tube," said Joe.

      Chief Dickson said, "I think that's what I'll call it. The Pneuman Tube. Probably it could use some more modifications such as a plexi-slab port. I don't like being unsure about whether the person is inside or not. The edges need to be smoother. I think there needs to be some cushioning at the bottom opening to soften the blow of the plate that's shot into the chamber."

      "That sounds fine, Chief. Go ahead and get those specifications in a computer. Perhaps we can get one or both sides to manufacture some of these for us despite the war going on. Anyway, you did a fantastic job," Richard said.

      Isaac responded, "Thank you, sir."

      "You're welcome, Chief. You're very welcome," Richard said while fighting off some tears and a lump in his throat.

      Chief Dickson stood there unsure of what more to say. He was astounded that Richard was actually being sociable.

***

Richard stood in the station communications center as the second message from the warring parties came through.

      " . . . be proud to make some of these, uh, Pneuman Tubes for rescue use. Admiral Thurman passes on his sincere thanks for your rescue of five personnel from one of his disabled ships. He further states that his forces will continue to honor your neutrality as requested and might request your assistance more often now that we see you are truly dedicated strictly to rescue. United States forces will not interfere with your actions, regardless of who you are assisting at the time."

      Richard replied, "Chief Dickson will be proud to hear that you are willing to produce some of his Pneuman Tubes. I'm sure that the VMA will respond kindly to letting you ship some of them to the other space stations for use there. I've already been in contact with Mars. Their Council indicated that they believe the Pneuman Tube is a great step forward. Their only regret is that they don't have enough industry in place to produce them for us."

      "Yes, we monitored that conversation. Uh, uh, oh, okay, Admiral Thurman. Uh, Admiral Thurman just told me that we are willing to send some of these to the other stations as soon as they're made."

      "Very good. We'll be looking forward to receiving them. Captain Saber, out."

***

"In the latest news, Admiral Thurman's forces beat off another attempt by VMA forces to attack the Earth. Losses on both sides were heavy, though specific numbers aren't being released. It is known, however, that
Space Rescue One
met with considerable success in performing rescues even while the fighting raged around them. At least six lives were saved due to their fine efforts. An interesting note to this battle is that a new invention for saving lives in space was created. Usually war creates more fearful weapons. This reporter thinks it's nice for a change to see something good come out of bloodshed. Accordingly, I salute
Space
Rescue One
's dedicated men and women for their heroic performance and for demonstrating that not everyone has to be kill crazy."

      "Captain, have you a moment?" Chief Dickson asked.

      Richard replied, "Sure. Computer command, volume down. Go ahead, Chief. What's on your mind?"

      Isaac said, "Well, I wanted to apologize for getting on your case before when you were a team technician."

      "You did what you saw then as the best course of action. You don't need to apologize to me," Richard said.

      Isaac said, "Well, you gave me more leeway than I expected on our last mission. Now my behavior and attitude back then is making me feel guilty."

      "There's no need to worry about what happened between us. You saw the situation the right way and I was an asshole. I think that covers it."

      "Well, I wouldn't go that far in describing you, sir."

      "I would. I think that Captain Shortner was correct in labeling me as one before."

      "Me too, I guess. You're looking better lately. I guess you missed being in the command structure."

      Richard replied, "Truthfully, no, I really didn't miss it. My work as a technician was more fulfilling and satisfying to me."

      "But you looked awful most of the time."

      Richard replied, "I felt awful, too. I wasn't getting enough sleep. It's not so bad now thanks to you on the last mission."

      "Me, sir?" asked Isaac.

      Richard answered, "Yes, because of you. You created something that will save people who we couldn't save before. If your invention was around before, it wouldn't have mattered much where the crew was at when rescuers arrived. You see, I've been haunted by the faces and voices of the men and women I couldn't save."

      "You were?" asked Isaac.

      Richard answered, "I still am, but it's a much easier burden to bear while I know that we're out here doing some good."

      "So, you drank to drown out their faces and voices?" asked Isaac.

      Richard answered, "No, I drank to pass out so I could get some sleep. Yeah, well, I guess I did do it for the reason you just stated. I can bear the guilt for not saving them. In fact, I welcome their accusations as part of my punishment. It was just that I had to have some sleep if I was to do my proper penance by saving lives."

      "But, that accident wasn't your fault. It wasn't your fault, either, that they died. After all, sir, you were holding a beam out of the way for their escape. You did everything humanly possible to save them."

      Richard replied, "It's not that, Chief. It's because I didn't gain their confidence soon enough. I failed to convince them that I had their best interests at heart. The crew we had before the union strike difficulty believed in me. They would have followed my instructions. I failed the men and women who died because I wasn't enough of a leader for them. I didn't do everything humanly possible. It's my fault they died."

      "No way, sir. It's not your fault. Have you considered psychiatric help for this feeling you have?"

      Richard answered, "Chief, I don't want psychiatric help. All I want to do is save lives. I don't want to see anymore men and women die than necessary. I wish I could have thought up something as useful as your Pneuman Tube. I respect you for that. No matter what you do, you'll always have my respect for that."

      "Thank you, sir. Well, I appreciate being permitted to get some things off my mind. I hope that you get to save lives as long as possible."

      Richard said, "Thank you, Isaac," while extending his hand in friendship.

***

"No, gentlemen and ladies, an attack on Mars is counter-productive. If we're to win this war, it's going to be in a decisive battle in space. If you can convince the other nations to assign their forces to my command, I can give you that decisive battle. Otherwise, the best I can do is hold them at bay for now," Admiral Thurman said.

      "Admiral Thurman, the people are clamoring to the politicians for our forces to strike out at Mars for their attacks," one UN Representative said.

      "The people might very well be doing so, but they're not military-minded. If you want to win this war, you're going to have to do it my way. Hitting Mars won't end the war. It will prolong it since we'll be wasting valuable resources to hit targets not worth either the effort or losses we'll suffer. They're not producing any ships and won't be for several years. Hitting their factories will only kill civilians creating a unity of spirit that will refuse to surrender. That's already been learned in past wars. We dare not repeat that mistake. Our only option is to defeat the enemy in decisive combat in space," Thurman said.

      "But Admiral, Earth's population is tired of air raid alarms."

      "Have we let the Earth actually suffer an attack yet? Well, gentlemen, ladies?" Thurman asked.

      "No, Admiral Thurman, but that's beside the point."

      "It is the point I'm making. The VMA isn't trying to actually attack Earth. They're seeking combat with our military for the same reasons I elucidated to you. They know that if they kill one civilian on Earth, they can expect nothing less than their total extermination. They have deliberately let our forces find them when they approach the Earth. Now, unless you're going to relieve me of my command, I suggest you give me the support and forces I want and need while letting me run the war," Thurman said.

***

Jimmy said, "This war is going to last some time the way I see it. Earth's forces aren't working together."

      Alex said, "I don't see that. They're sharing the defense and none of the VMA forces have reached the Earth yet. I think they're doing an impressive job so far."

      "They're being toyed with. Didn't you notice in the last battle that the VMA forces had their battle plans down almost perfectly?"

      "I couldn't see what their plans were. Did you actually see that?" asked Alex.

      "I mean, the VMA forces stuck together like glue when they met the Earth force. The only ships that didn't were those too riddled to keep up or stay on course. Haven't you noticed that the VMA forces actually inflicted more damage than they absorbed?"

      "Well, I noticed that. I just figured they were desperate and willing to take more chances."

      Jimmy said, "No, that's not the reason. They're winning because it's just possible that General Budakov is a better military leader than Admiral Thurman."

      Alex said, "Are you sure of that? I mean, Admiral Thurman has kept General Budakov's forces from even reaching the Earth."

      "Admiral Thurman has more ships at his disposal than the general. He ought to be winning, not barely managing a stalemate. Hey, something's coming over the Internet news. Let's listen. We can continue this afterwards. Computer command. Volume up."

      "We repeat this news flash.
Venus Station One
has surrendered after VMA forces defeated the
Earth
Defiance
in combat.
Venus
Station
One
has surrendered to VMA forces. Presumably this means that Venusian forces will be joining the Martian forces in their attacks on Earth. There is no word on the exact numbers of casualties on both sides. Experts are predicting that the
Earth
Defiance
probably was lost with all hands. It is not known yet if
Venus Station
One
was fired upon before surrendering."

      "Initial reports from the VMA indicate that the men and women on board
Venus Station One
will be taken to the surface where they will remain for now as prisoners of war under humane conditions. Neutral observers are invited to visit and verify those conditions. However, that seems highly unlikely since there are no neutral observers available that we know of to make any verification."

***

"Captain, are you willing to travel to Venus to verify the prison camp conditions for us?"

      "I am, provided that I'm given a freighter for that purpose. I cannot take
Space
Rescue
One
away from its station just so one person can verify the conditions. Too many others could suffer and die without her presence here," Richard replied. Richard waited while leaders on the other end of the radio conversation conferred among themselves.

      "Captain Saber, we agree. We will provide one freighter capable of taking you to Venus and back to
Earth Station One."

      "Then I am willing to make the trip," Richard replied.

***

"Daniel, I can hardly believe my luck. Captain Saber is coming to Venus to inspect the prisoner of war camps. He's the man who broke my jaw. I thought I would have to wait until the war was over. Now it appears that I won't have to wait so long. Once he's on the ground, who's to say that he's neutral or not?" Jerrod asked,

      "I'm not sure that our father will approve," Daniel said.

      "I don't care whether he approves or not. It wasn't his jaw that was broke," Jerrod exclaimed.

      "True."

      "Well? Will you help me get my revenge?" Jerrod asked.

      Daniel answered, "Jerrod, I don't think this is the right time. He's still a neutral. Besides, if you kill him before he verifies the camp status, then you could jeopardize the war effort."