The Solar Sea (24 page)

"Do you really think the chronotons belong in the hands of the Federal Government?” He picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip in spite of his earlier objection.

"If they exist, they belong to the whole world.” Natalie slowly looked up into his eyes. “They don't belong to the United States and they certainly don't belong to Quinn Corp.” She set the cup down. “Whether you call yourself Thomas Alonzo or Thomas Quinn, you're one of the best scientists there is or ever will be. Surely a discovery of this magnitude should be used by all scientists and not just by you."

"But will they know what to do with it?” he asked, glumly.

"Who are you to judge?"

Pilot took another sip of the coffee, then put the cup on the table. “Perhaps you're right.” He stood and moved toward the door, then turned. “Captain Freeman, will you help me start the proposal on the trip back to Earth?"

"Sure thing, Mr. Quinn."

He smiled, then turned and left the cabin.

The remaining months of the voyage to Saturn continued smoothly. The crew fell into a routine, much as they had during the year between Mars and Jupiter. Myra continued working on her translation program. Even though she was skeptical, she hoped they'd be able to find out who was communicating with the whales of Earth and the floating creatures of Jupiter as they sped past Saturn. She told Natalie about her work. “Excellent,” said the executive officer. “Pilot and I are going to propose a new mission to Saturn. If we find there's intelligent life out here, that will only improve our chances of getting a new NASA mission out this way."

Lisa and Neb worked on their wedding arrangements. Lisa was not surprised when she talked to Vanda in the galley and found out that she didn't have any dresses aboard. “However, there's that metalized fabric we use to patch the sails,” she said. “We have a large supply. I'm sure there's enough extra for a dress."

"There's only one problem. I'm not a seamstress,” said Lisa.

"Neither am I,” admitted Vanda. “I've always been better with power tools than sewing machines."

Angus, leaning over the counter, interrupted. “Sorry to eavesdrop, but I not only cook, I'm pretty handy with a needle and thread."

"Can you sew up an entire dress?” asked Lisa.

"It won't be the most elegant wedding gown,” said the cook, “but it'll look lovely nevertheless. I promise."

Lisa held up her hands and tried to refuse. “I couldn't ask you...."

"It would be my pleasure,” said the cook.

Meanwhile, Neb asked Pilot about the logistics of holding the wedding in the ship's hub. “We don't want to be in your way if you need to work up there during the wedding,” he explained.

Pilot looked at him darkly for a few minutes, then brightened. “No problem, I can do what I need from C-and-C. The only problem I see is the lack of gravity up there. I don't want you bringing anything that can float around and get into the equipment."

"We'll leave the hub just like we found it,” agreed Neb.

As the journey to Saturn continued, Natalie kept a close eye on the ship's progress, making sure that they continued on the slingshot course and didn't start turning toward the planet. As Saturn grew large in the ship's windows, she started breathing easier. The closer they got to the planet, the harder it would be for Pilot to change course. She talked to him several more times, and became more convinced he really did want to write a NASA proposal with her on the return trip rather than attempt anything foolish.

"John, I wish you could be here on Earth for your wedding,” said Debra O'Connell. Neb and Lisa sat hand-in-hand in his quarters watching the video message. “The weather here has turned lovely and the flowers are blooming.” Neb smiled, less because of the news of the pleasant weather, but at the hint of rosy color that had returned to his mother's cheeks and the twinkle in her eye. “It's hard to believe you're getting married. Why I remember your senior prom and you took your cousin Vanessa."

Lisa looked at Neb and giggled. “Did you really take your cousin to the prom?"

Neb put his face in his hands and turned bright red.

At last, the day of the wedding arrived. Neb borrowed trousers and a nice shirt from Pilot's closet. Dr. Nagamine agreed to serve as Neb's best man and Myra Lee was Lisa's maid of honor. Again, Captain Jefferson donned his medals and cravat. Captain Freeman remained on duty in C-and-C. Captain Jefferson agreed to take over after the ceremony, so she could attend the reception in the galley. Natalie donned her dress uniform for the occasion.

Jefferson made his way to the central hub to await the wedding party. Neb was already there, pushing himself off the walls, floating back and forth. The captain busied himself making sure the cameras were all set to record the ceremony while Kurata Nagamine stood in front of the hub console, looking out at Saturn. The rings—sparkling like delicate, frosted crystal in the sunlight—were turned such that the tops could be seen. “When Galileo first saw the rings of Saturn, he didn't see that they encircled the planet. He just saw them as knobs on each side and called them ‘ears.’ It seems such an unflattering description,” said the astronomer.

Soon after, Myra poked her head through the opening into the hub. “Okay, Lisa's ready."

Jefferson reached over to the pilot's console and started the music. Neb and Nagamine held onto the wall as Myra came all the way into the room. Lisa, wearing the silver skirt and blouse Angus sewed for her, followed. The skirt was stiff enough that even in the null gravity of the hub, it didn't float up and around her legs, but it was soft enough that it drifted and swayed, almost as though she were dancing, even though she stood still.

Myra pulled her forward and Nagamine pushed Neb forward, so the two drifted side by side in front of Jonathan Jefferson.

"It has always been the happy privilege of ship captains to be able to perform wedding ceremonies. We are gathered here,” the captain paused and pointed out to Saturn beyond, “in this most beautiful of places in the solar system to witness the union of Lisa Marie Henry and John Mark O'Connell.” He faced Lisa. “Lisa, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him and comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto him as long as you both shall live."

"I do,” said Lisa, with a broad grin.

The captain turned to John and repeated the question. “I do,” answered John, looking into Lisa's eyes.

"The ring please,” said Jefferson. Like the engagement ring, the wedding rings had been cut from conduit tubing by Daryl LaRue.

Dr. Nagamine handed the first ring to Neb, who put it on Lisa's finger and said, “With this ring, I thee wed, and this gold, I thee give and with my body, I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow."

Myra wiped a tear away with a tissue as the captain handed the other ring to Lisa. She repeated the words and put the ring on Neb's finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife,” said the captain. He leaned in to Neb. “You may kiss the bride."

Neb O'Connell and Lisa Henry embraced and kissed deeply and passionately. Myra smiled. Nagamine turned and looked out the window again. “Something's wrong,” he said. “Saturn's shifted position ever so slightly."

Jefferson turned and checked the console. “Son of a bitch! They're changing course!” Jefferson reached over and tried to activate the intercom, but found the system had been shut down. He reached over and blew into a speaking tube. “Captain Freeman, why are we changing course?” There was no response. “Captain Jefferson to C-and-C, what's going on?"

"Captain Jefferson, this is Captain Freeman.” Her voice came from one of the other tubes. “I've been removed from C-and-C. Pilot has barred the door. Can you take control from the hub?"

Jefferson scanned the console. Red lights indicated all systems were locked out. He tried to override the controls with his command password. He wasn't surprised when he found access was denied. “He's routed all controls down there and locked me out of the system. I'll be down in a minute."

Without another word, Jefferson pushed himself off the console and went to the ladder, climbing down two decks. Reaching the first corridor that would take him to command and control, he ran until he came to the ladder that descended into C-and-C. The hatch was closed and the handle wouldn't spin. He pounded on the hatch. There was no response. He ran back to the ladder that descended from the hub and climbed down one more deck, then ran to the door that led to C-and-C. Natalie Freeman straightened to attention as Jefferson approached. “Quinn,” called Jefferson through the door. “This is mutiny! I'll see you hang if I get in there!” He turned to Freeman and saw the deep frown etched on her face. “Round up everyone you can and any tools you think might help. We're going in."

"Yes, sir!” said Freeman. She saluted and took off down the hall.

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The Undecipherables

Captain Jefferson paced back and forth outside the door to command and control. It took about half an hour for Natalie Freeman to arrive with eighteen others. Jefferson saw Neb and Lisa, still dressed in their fine clothes, were there with Myra and Nagamine. He smiled a bit to see that both Dr. Garcia and Angus MacDonald were in the group. “He has Berko, LaRue, Chung, and Rodriguez with him, sir,” said Natalie.

Jefferson stepped forward and addressed the remaining members of the crew. “Thomas Alonzo has committed mutiny and is endangering this ship. We must break into C-and-C and take the ship from him. I know many of you consider the people on the other side of that door friends. But we must take the ship back from them. We will confine them to quarters and deal with them later once we've put the ship back onto a safe course."

"When cooler heads will prevail,” interjected Freeman. She directed two of the mechanics forward with tool kits. They began dismantling the hinges on the door. All eyes were on them. Freeman passed a pistol to Jefferson. “I hope you won't need this."

Jefferson took it and put it in his pocket. “I didn't think we had any guns aboard."

She pointed to the dress sword still belted at her waist. “This wasn't the only service weapon I brought along. I didn't know what I was going to find aboard this ship."

"Good thinking,” said Jefferson. “We don't want to fire unless we have to. We could do more damage than Pilot has.” He thought about asking how Pilot and his crew managed to get Natalie off the deck, especially when she was armed, but she looked embarrassed and time was short, so he decided not to press the matter.

The mechanics finished unbolting the hinges and worked on the door with crowbars. After a moment, they pulled it out of the frame. Jefferson and Freeman rushed forward into C-and-C, followed by the other members of the crew. Angus plowed into Daryl pushing him into the wall. Natalie stepped over to Vanda and grabbed her by the wrist. Rodriguez and Chung both put their hands in the air, surrendering to the others. Jefferson drew the pistol and pointed it at Pilot. “Back away from the pilot's console,” he said.

"Captain, this is a critical maneuver I'm performing. If you don't let me do it, we'll crash into the planet and we will all die,” said Pilot.

"You've committed mutiny, mister,” he said. “I don't care who you are or what you're doing. You must surrender control of the ship to me."

"I can't.” Pilot did not take his hands off the console or his gaze from the displays.

Jefferson stepped forward, pushing the gun to Pilot's temple and disengaging the safety.

"If you fire in here, you could destroy a console wrecking everyone's chances,” said Pilot calmly.

"I'm willing to bet your skull will slow the bullet down,” said Jefferson through gritted teeth.

Pilot let go of the controls and backed away, his hands in the air. “Captain, you must let me finish laying in the course. It's too late to change back to the slingshot."

Jefferson looked over to Freeman. “Get these people out of my sight,” he growled. “Confine them to quarters."

"Aye aye,” said Freeman.

Berko, LaRue, Rodriguez, and Chung lined up at the doorway. Thomas Quinn, eyes bright with tears, took a deep breath, then turned and lined up with them. Natalie, Angus, and two of the mechanics escorted them to their quarters.

Jefferson looked at the others still in C-and-C. “I need people to man their stations.” He caught the eye of Barry Bonden, one of the control systems technicians. “Bonden, of those left, I believe you know the sailing controls better than anyone."

Bonden swallowed hard. “I think so, sir."

The captain pointed to the console. “Take control, see if you can get us back onto the slingshot course.” He then saw Jenna Reynolds. “Ms. Reynolds, see if you can assist Bonden. He may need some help with calculations."

"Right away,” she said.

O'Connell and Nagamine both hovered over the astrosciences station. “We're accelerating into Saturn,” said Nagamine. “If we don't alter course, we're going to go straight into the planet."

The captain looked back at Bonden and Reynolds. They were in deep discussion. Reynolds brought up several plots above the pilot's console.

Freeman stepped back on deck. “Pilot and the others are confined to quarters,” she reported. “I hate to say it,” she continued quietly. “But it might have been better to let Pilot finish the maneuvers. I don't know what chance we have, now."

Reynolds stepped up to Jefferson and Freeman. “It would appear that we have lost our opportunity for a slingshot course. We've also lost our opportunity to do what Pilot was attempting."

"What choices do we have?” asked the captain.

"If we swing as wide as we can, we'll miss the planet—just barely. We'll graze the outer atmosphere, but we won't be able to swing into orbit. It'll put us onto a course that will take us out of the solar system."

"So,” said Freeman, “our choice is a quick death into the planet, or a lingering death between planets."