Teardrops In The Night Sky (Steven Gordon series) (18 page)

‘Oh good show.’

Beaver’s eyes were still gleaming and tugged at the Majors sleeve, ‘is cookie with you Tapper?’

‘My good man I never go anywhere without my personnel chef.’

Beaver rubbed his hands together, ‘great.’

Howe grunted, ‘now there's a man we could probably use.’

The Major merely lifted an eyebrow at him.  He pressed the microphone attached to his top pocket, ‘all clear.’

Four figures detached themselves from the shadows.  Three armed to the teeth surrounded a fourth.  Steven could see from this distance it was a woman.  They came directly up to the ramp. 

Security forgotten Beaver stepped forward and shook hands with a small stocky man on the right.  Even Howe smiled at the sight of him, but it was the woman who lugged a large medical bag who took up Steven’s attention.  Her eyes flicked from man to man then settled on Steven.

He nodded and she approached offering her hand, ‘are you Steven Gordon?’

He took her small delicate hand in his, ‘yes I am, and you are?’

‘Amanda Freeling MD.
I am a fully trained doctor and surgeon.’

‘To do the job that’s required of you Doctor, you have to be able to communicate with the ship.  That means you have to become a member of the crew.  Once you get one of these on your wrist there is no going back, you’re in the job for a bloody long time, would you like to reconsider?’

She surprised Steven with a throaty chuckle, ‘you have to be kidding right, where do I sign on?’

Steven grinned, ‘we’ll take care of that in a minute.’  Then he noticed Beaver hold something up to his nose and sniff deeply.  He nudged Howe, ‘what's Beaver up to.’

Howe grinned, ‘you haven’t met cookie yet, he’s the only man I know that carry’s truffles with him into battle.’

Steven shook his head, ‘you people never cease to amaze me.  Now can we get my Mother home?’

Tapper had been listening in with a smile, ‘of course sir, I’ll call her escort.’

This time five men appeared out of the shadows.  Four armed and in the centre an older suited man.  He walked boldly up the ramp and offered his hand.  Steven recognised him immediately and stepped forward to take it.

‘Prime Minister, it’s an honour.’

‘The honour is all mine Mr. Gordon or should I call you captain Gordon.  I’m sorry to surprise you like this but I just couldn’t resist the temptation to see a real alien space craft.’

‘Would you like a quick tour? I’m afraid you won’t be able to see much.’

‘Yes I’ve heard, some kind of glare is it.’

‘That’s right sir … although.  Would you have a spare fifteen minutes?’

‘I am at your service.’

‘Could you tell your people not to worry and come aboard?’

‘Yes certainly.’

His escort came with him as Steven guided them to the bridge. 

He sat in his seat and indicated to the one next to him, ‘please.’

A grinning Buzz guided him into it and gave up his own seat for Stevens Mother.

Steven rapped out orders, ‘prepare to engage planetary drive.  Navigation take us to our home on the Moon.’

The prime minister wasn’t seated long.  Steven smiled at the reactions.  Then he let Babe take them on a close surface orbit.  After that they returned to Earth where they orbited the planet once before landing again.

The trip took half an hour, but Steven regarded the time well spent.  There were tears in the man’s eyes as he bid Steven farewell, ‘I had never in my life expected to see such wonderful things, Captain Gordon.  Thank you for that experience.  If you need anything, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.’

It was finally time to say goodbye to his Mother.  She couldn’t stop the tears flowing freely down her face as she threw her arms around his neck, ‘take care son and return your father to me safe and sound.’

‘I’ll try my best Mum.’

She broke free and forced a smile, ‘I know you will.’  She turned to Buzz who was hovering near, ‘and as for you, you big fool look after my son for me.’

He stepped forward and gathered her in his big arms, giving her a loving hug, ‘I think it’s about time he started looking after me, but don’t worry about him, I’ll always have his back.’

She kissed him on the cheek and he flushed.  An amused Steven turned to the Prime minister, ‘could you make sure my mother is given the proper funds for all the gold and jewels sir?’

The prime minister chuckled, ‘when its realised they’re the first from outer space, those bars will triple their value.  D
on’t worry about your Mother young man, I’ll make sure she comes to no harm and your father when you return with him.’

Steven smiled his relief, ‘thank you again sir.’

‘No need to thank me, you make us all very proud.’

The prime ministers escort took the bags and he offered Mary his arm.  Steven stood and watched her leave, his feelings mixed.  They had sacrificed so much for him over the years, he only hoped now he could return some of that love.

He turned to Buzz, ‘prepare for departure.’

Chapter 31

S
teven had lost all of the military personnel.  He found them in the dining room surrounding the small soldier they called Cookie.  Beaver was slipping something into his mouth with something akin to religious awe.  Steven noticed a real live flame burning.

‘What's going on?’

Howe was caught holding out a plate.  He flushed like a guilty schoolboy, ‘oh!  …  Sorry sir but Cookie can’t see our cooking apparatus to use it, so he had to use his own.’

‘You're lucky Babe didn’t douse you in fire retardant.  What are you eating?’

‘She almost did, Cookies doing us one of his famous omelettes.’

‘With truffles no doubt.’

‘Yes sir.’

A steaming omelette was
shovelled into the Colonel’s plate.  The smell hit Steven and made his mouth water, ‘well give us a taste then.’

For a moment he thought Howe was going to refuse, then he pushed the plate with a fork on it towards Steven.  He took a small piece and gasped, the flavours burst in his mouth.

Reluctantly but much to Howe’s relief he handed the plate back, ‘you were right Beaver, I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything like it.  What's your name Cookie?’

‘Jimmy Wilson sir, but Cookie’s just fine.’

‘You had better watch yourself.  If any of the scientists on board get a whiff of this they may hijack you.’

Beaver chuckled, ‘if we don’t hijack him first.’

Howe nodded his agreement shovelling a piece into his mouth, ‘want a job Cookie?’

Tapper cleared his throat, ‘I don’t think so old boy.  Where he goes I go.’

Howe scowled down at the smiling Major.

Steven decided to get to the bottom of this, ‘Beaver I want to see you in my quarters in five minutes.  Colonel as soon as you’re finished, the suits are ready, I want you to go down and check them out.’

A surprised Beaver arrived within the allotted five minutes; he looked uncomfortable.

Steven regarded him thoughtfully and wondered if he would tell the truth, ‘what's the beef between the Colonel and the Major?’

Beaver winched, ‘there really isn’t any beef sir.’

‘That’s not how it looks to me.’

‘I know sir, but there really isn’t.  It’s just that the Colonel doesn't like having to depend on troops outside our own unit.’

‘You’ve all met before haven’t you?’

‘Yes sir and to make matters worse the Major and his boys have pulled our fat out of the fire more than once.’

‘That rubs the Colonel up the wrong way does it?’

‘Yes sir and to make matters worse the Major knows it.’

‘And he rubs the Colonels nose in it?’

‘He doesn’t really have to rub his nose in it sir.  The fact that the Major knows is enough.  It’s more of a personality thing.’

‘What do you think of the Major and his men?’

‘Glad to have them along sir and not just for the omelettes.’

‘So you trust them?’

‘Have done with my life more than once.  They are as good as we are, and that takes a lot of admitting.’

‘Does the Colonel admit to that?’

‘Yeah but only to me.  To tell you the truth sir, the Majors about the only man the Colonel wouldn’t like to meet down a dark ally.’

‘But the Colonel isn’t afraid of him?’

‘Lord no sir, but we've seen them work in close and it was a thing to see.  The Colonels got a lot of respect for the Major that way, he just doesn’t like him.’

‘Ok thank you Beaver.’

Steven sat back and thought the situation over.  The Colonel was a proud man and he considered his men the best.  However it seemed that these SAS men were as good, but unfortunately they belonged to a foreign power and as such constituted a threat.  Not only to his country but also to his own men.  For in the unlikely event that the two nations would ever oppose one another in conflict, these were the men the Colonel would most likely meet in battle.

Steven realised the Colonels instincts were probably right.  The Scottish prime minister and the President of the United States were already at odds with one another.  What would the rescue of his father do to their relationship?  The prime minister had already made it clear that he would not conceal his help to those he considered his own nationals.

What effect would it have on his own crew?  Although there were people on board from all over the world, by far the majority came from the two opposing nations.  It was strange but Steven had never really considered himself Scottish, and yet now the only help he would be likely to get was from these fellow Scots.  Could he remain neutral if it came to a conflict?  He realised he probably couldn’t and then where would he stand with the American members of his crew.  Where would he stand with his own best friend?  He had to find out.

‘Buzz could you come down here?’

‘On my way Buddy.’

Steven sat himself in his chair.  Buzz arrived and sat opposite.  ‘What's the matter Steve?  You look like shit.’

Steven couldn’t help a small smile, ‘I ain’t having a good day.  I need to ask you something.’

‘Fire away.’

‘What do you think of the situation that’s looming between Scotland and America?’

The smile quickly slipped off Buzz’s face, ‘you been thinking about that to
o huh?’

‘Yeah, what do you think?’

Buzz shook his head, ‘I don’t know man it’s a hard one.  What do you think?’

Steven wiped his hand over his mouth, ‘I don’t know Buzz.  Once we spring my father and the Scots prime minister tells the world he’s there the shits really gonna hit the fan.’

‘I know and the President ain’t really stable is he?’

‘No and that’s what I’m worrying about.  Half this crew are either Scottish or American.  What the hell do we do if the President tries to take some kind of action against the Scots?’

‘You mean military action; he won’t do that will he?’

‘Why not?  He’s already tried to kill us with that nuke, and now he’s threatening to kill my father.’

‘I don’t know Stevie, you’re right the guys nuts and probably capable of anything, but if you’re asking me if we should fire on our own forces if they attempt some kind of attack on Scotland, then I got to say no.  If you could do it without killing anybody, fair enough but what are the chances.  Those people will only be following orders.’

‘Christ I know that Buzz, but my mothers in Scotland and my Father might soon be.  Will I allow them to be captured again?  We’ll be right back to square one.’

‘Then you got to get them out of Scotland man.’

‘That isn’t going to do any good.  It won’t matter where they are, he will still hunt them down and we’ll be right back to square one.’

‘Cant you shove them on the Moon?’

‘Then we would have to stay there to keep them supplied.’

Buzz shook his head, ‘man I could do with a beer.’

Steven slumped back in his seat, ‘I wish I drank.’

They were silent for a while then Buzz’s eyebrows narrowed, ‘what about some kind of defence shield could Babe make one.’

Steven sat up, ‘that’s a good idea, what do you think Babe?’

‘A defence shield would be easy to construct however it would be impracticable to implement.’

‘How so?’

‘The generators have to be set at precisely the right spots and in a certain pattern.  To protect the whole of the country they would have to be set in the sea and it would take months to build the generators to power it.  Also any aircraft moving into their airspace would have to be fitted with detectors.

The same applies to any vehicle trying to reach the country.  The same would be needed if you were only trying to protect a town or city.  Defence shields would prove instantly fatal to any Earth vehicle trying to penetrate its perimeter.’

Steven slumped back in his seat, ‘never mind, it was a good idea though.’

‘I’m stuck,’ Buzz admitted.

‘Yeah me too, maybe something will turn up later.  Let’s go join the Colonel and waste something.’

‘Sounds like a good idea to me.’

The found an angry Colonel Howe arguing with a smiling Major Forbes.  Exasperated Steven butted in, ‘what's wrong now Colonel?’

‘This man wants the new weapons.  His own will be quite adequate for a covering force.’

Steven sighed, ‘give him the weapons Colonel, and I want everyone of his men dressed like us.’

The Colonel turned his frown on Steven, ‘why?’

Steven held his irritation at bay, ‘if something should happen to one of his men and were forced to leave the body behind, even if they get some video footage of them, then the President will be able to lay the blame squarely on Scotland’s shoulders.

So far they are the only friends we’ve got here Colonel and we
’re going to need them. I can’t and won’t give him anymore ammunition than he’s already got.  Can you understand that?’

The Colonel instantly calmed down and nodded, ‘you
’re right sir I should have thought of that.  I’ll see to it.’

‘Good now have we enough weapons and suits for every one?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Then let’s get suited up and go shoot something.’  The men burst out laughing.

Twenty minutes later they were all suited up and armed.  The air lock opened up and some of them cried out in alarm at the sudden change in gravity, but all bounced happily out onto the surface of the Moon.

The suits the ship had constructed were figure hugging and a cobalt blue baring the same insignia on the sleeves as their normal uniforms.  The helmets were quite small constructed in their entirely by some form of glass that reacted immediately to the strong sunlight.

There was a lot of laughing as men explored the gravity of the Moon by jumping as high as they could.  Steven found he could jump higher than any of them.  They proceeded to a point a few hundred meters from the ship and formed up in a line. 

Colonel Howe moved forward another hundred meters.  He would be the first to fire the weapon from a safe distance, just I case anything went wrong.

Green light stuttered out into the distance.  Beavers laugh carried easily to Steven, ‘see told you it fired green shit.’

Howe bounced back, ‘I think I would call that a success.’

Steven grinned and nodded, ‘I see you’ve configured them to fire like normal weapon.’

‘It’s what we’re all used to sir.’

‘Probably a wise choice Colonel, now what?’

The Colonel moved back into the line, ‘ok prepare to fire everyone.  Fire.’

Green light arced out into the distance.  Steven felt a slight shudder as the weapon fired, but it felt comfortable in his hands.

‘Ok ceasefire,’ the Colonel ordered.

Steven had a question, ‘how are we going to find out what kind of damage they will do Colonel?’

‘There’s some large boulders and rock on the other side of the ship sir, we can try them out there.’

‘Then let’s go.’

A line of men bounced merrily around the ship and were soon pulverising boulders on the other side.  It was M
ajor Forbes that called a ceasefire this time.  Howe seemed to be about to jump down his throat but the Major was able to get in an explanation first.

‘I want to go and check on the penetrating power of the weapons on that large boulder before we reduce it to dust.’

Howe relaxed, ‘ok good idea.’

A few minutes later a tap taping noise reached their ears.  Steven heard Howe sigh with exasperation, but the Colonel held his peace.  After a few Minutes the Major bounced back. 

He reported directly to Howe, his funny accent gone for once, ‘these weapons are too powerful to assault the prison with.’

Howe wasn’t pleased but he didn’t shout, ‘what makes you think that?’

‘That chunk of rock is some form of granite, probably as strong as anything we’ve got back on Earth and these things are blowing straight through it.  We fire them at anything back on Earth and we’re going to start knocking down walls.’

Howe scratched the back of his helmet absentmindedly as he tried to come to terms with the problem.  ‘Prison walls are pretty solid aren’t they?’

‘Yes but they’re man made.  Even with steel reinforcement you can’t compare it to natural Granite.’

Howe scowled thoughtfully, ‘compare it for me.’

The Major sighed, ‘a single sheet of tissue paper to an unopened ream of A4 paper, five hundred sheets.’

‘Run it down for me.’

‘You fire at one wall and it will probably go through everyone in the building.  You fire it on the same level as the Captains Father and you could quite possibly kill him from clear across the other side of the prison without even knowing it.’

‘Damn, are you sure about that?’

‘That blocks about ten meters long and of solid granite.  Our shots are going straight through that and the ones behind.  We really need to find a good chunk of rock of similar properties and find out how far it penetrates using the ships sensors.  That would give us a good idea of the damage we’re likely to inflict back on Earth.’