Wishing On A Star

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

With our flight bags in our hands, Morkai and I stood looking at our new ride, Morkai then walked around the ship touching it, making an inspection here and there pointing out its features to me. "Wait until you fly it Holly," he remarked, I never would have thought…" We climbed in through the rear hatch, commander Preeka was right; the whole thing was literally stuffed with relay boxes, wiring, instrument panels and what Morkai and his friends all called "black boxes," or add-on electrical equipment. There was indeed a narrow bunk on the right with a metal commode you pulled out and sat on. Morkai showed me how the "necessary" operated; being completely different from the one, we had on the Na'Vas, where we had artificial gravity. There was also a small galley with a hand washing station where you placed your hands into two small openings and a washing solution sprayed on your hands. At the base of the galley, was a storage area where plastic trays with pre-selected meals were stored. I was familiar with these, as we had used them on the Na'Vas, you inject a small amount of water in the tray, slosh it around, then place the tray in a special oven push a button, then wait until the meal was cooked. The food was palatable, but not overly tasty, but as Morkai joked, 'It'll fill you up."

We stowed our flight bags in the proper compartments, then climbed into the flight deck. I was surprised to see that the consoles were laid out just as they were on our own ship. One thing was different however; on this vessel, we had a large canopy offering an incredible view of space. The consoles were clustered around this window. There were three seats one of them being a collapsible jump seat centered behind the pilot and co-pilot seats which were quite comfortable for a ship like this "The Comet is the last spacecraft to offer a full canopy like this," said Morkai, "There's a lot of interesting features these ships had that weren't carried forward onto newer craft. If Nargra and I had really had the credits, we would have certainly incorporated a lot of the design features you'll find in this ship into the Na'Vas, but that's the way it goes I guess." As we prepared to fire up the engine and prepare for take-off, he pointed to the main console, and said, "You're about to see one of the more interesting features right now, watch the various flight consoles as we prepare for take-off, then right up to when we go into hyperspace." The feature he was talking about was that various consoles lit up depending on which one was the primary at the time, such as pre-flight, atmospheric flying, deep space flying, and landing. "It was designed as kind of an aid for flying cadets trying to sort out the proper consol."

Morkai had me review the proper take-off and flight procedures as well as operating the flight computer, and familiarizing myself with the whole layout. Up until the point we entered hyperspace, he constantly drilled me on maneuvering, navigation problems, and emergency procedures. He also had m practice deploying the stubby winds, folding them, flying in a horizontal position as well as vertical. "The thing about these Comet's is that they are easy to fly, and very forgiving, the craft was originally designed for training, but they proved to be quite versatile, so they ended up being used for just about everything except as cargo haulers." So we began the long journey together, the teacher and the student, Morkai would lay out a problem, explain the objective, and I would execute. I already knew how to do a rudimentary flight program; Morkai taught me how to deviate from it in emergencies, or course deviations. "All the controls you see here are laid out just like on the Na'Vas," explained Morkai, "That makes it easier to work with, right now it's just mainly dealing with navigational problems and course corrections, as well as monitoring for potential problems, and knowing what to do if they come up."

By the time, we entered earth's solar system I was completely comfortable with operating the ship. This was only the second time I had flown in a craft with no gravity generator, however both of us wore microgravity devices on our boots allowing us to walk around (as much as space permitted) The matter of sleeping was a bit unusual, as you more or less had to strap yourself in and sort of "float" just over the bunk. Morkai had brought along his music collection downloaded onto a memory chip, so we had something to keep us entertained. The half canopy allowed us to take in the vastness of space, which despite what many would think offered a unique tableau of abstract designs made up of star clusters, pulsars, and distant galaxies. Traveling in hyperspace created a distortion that seemed to enhance the sights around us. It was also very romantic as well, just the two of us alone in the universe, we found that on more than one occasion our passions getting the better of us, with the goal of figuring out new ways of expressing our desires despite the crowded conditions.

When we finally broke out of hyperspace in earth's solar system, Morkai opted for caution, "Let's get the long range scanners going," He said, "it's quite possible those two planets you call…" "Saturn and Jupiter," I reminded him. "Ah yes, Saturn and Jupiter, well anyway, those debris fields circling the planets offer an ideal location to ambush anyone the Dekkens might think were following them, so as of now, we're cloaking up and cutting to half speed, they'll pick us up, that can't be helped, but our signature will be disguised enough so they won't be able to get a fix on our exact location, or tell what we are." He walked me through the cloaking operation, as well as little tricks in using the long range scanner. "Slowly build your range up slowly, it takes several ocks for the scanner to operate at its full potential, and in this way you're not blasting your signal all over space. Also maintain a very tight scan width at first, then gradually expand it." Said Morkai. We passed Jupiter, with no readings, but Saturn was the one Morkai suspected, sure enough, as we moved in closer, a barely audible "ping" alerted Morkai, who immediately started adjusting the gain control. "It's just barely there," he observed, I'm getting a very slight reading, just a "whisper" but it's there." He immediately shut down the engines, and said, "Keep an eye on our drift." I switched to the reaction control system that utilized small jets to move us around when the main engines weren't operating. Morkai activated the long range "sniffer" which immediately picked up an engine signature left by the Dekken's ship. "Kith, I read your "book" exclaimed Morkai.

"It appears like our "friends" were lurking in the debris field, but now they seem to have left, probably got impatient, the lagging we did back there, probably saved us, we'll just keep our distance, follow them and see where they go," chuckled Morkai. We fired up the engines but remained in cloaking mode. Rather than take over, Morkai expressed his confidence in me by allowing me to continue flying, while he concentrated on operating the scanner. "Because we have advanced scanning technology aboard," explained Morkai, "we can stay just outside their scanning range, yet we can still monitor them. I've no doubt Kith suspects that he's being followed, and may well pause for a moment or two to check his "back trail" but we're far enough behind him we'll have enough warning should he attempt that." It was as if Kith was listening in, no sooner had Morkai said that, then he forcibly but calmly added, "Shut down, shut down!" I immediately cut the engines, and initiated reverse thrust as Morkai focused all his attention on the scanner data. "He's suspicious," said Morkai, "Well now we know he might try this again, but we'll be ready." Kith slowed to a stop two more times, the last, we were afraid our natural forward movement would land us in his scanners range, so it was nip and tuck for awhile, but eventually he must have tired of the game, and continued on towards earth.

We continued to monitor the Dekken's all the way to earth, taking up a high orbit over the planet we studied his signature, noting that it had stopped moving. "What's he doing?" wondered Morkai, " has he reached his destination?" The Dekken ship appeared to remain in one spot for almost an hour, we got a fix on their location using earth maps overlaid with the scanner images revealing that the Dekken's were in western Montana, south of Missoula in the Bitterroot mountains. Both Morkai and I were trying to figure out what they were doing there, when they started moving again in a westward direction. "Looks like they are paralleling that river," said Morkai. We watched as the speck of light indicating their ship moved slowly, then suddenly disappeared. "What the…" gasped Morkai, he kept rechecking and adjusting the scanner controls, but there was no sign of the ship. "Do you think they crashed or something?" I speculated. Shaking his head, Morkai replied, "No, if they did, the signature would remain, possibly even becoming more pronounced, no, Kith has done something, well we've got a record of their last recorded location, but I can't risk taking a closer look, as Kith is no doubt "watching," and besides from the images we're seeing, it looks too rough to land anywhere nearby, we're going to have to get in there on foot or something, I…" "Colin!" I injected, "Let's get Colin; he could get in there on horseback. We could put him down close to Missoula where he could get a horse, ride down there, and visually check things out."

"That's a good idea," replied Morkai, but it would mean operating some special equipment, being a Kagorian, and in charge of sensitive equipment isn't going to go over very well, they'll nix that one in a hurry." "Well let's go talk to Colin anyway," I replied, maybe we can figure something out." We waited until darkness was approaching the Dakota Territory then I tried contacting him via the comm unit we left with him. I wasn't getting a response, and was almost ready to give up when we heard a voice swearing, and the sound s of hands fumbling with the unit. "Colin, if you can hear me, it's Holly, push the blue button on the right to talk then release to listen." Finally he must have gotten it right, "Um yes ma'am, uh now I've got it, sorry, but I'd forgotten where I hid the darn thing, I kept hearing this voice. Anyway what do you want?" "Is your area clear, we want to land, as we need to talk, it's about those people who killed that family at the Wort field." "Yeah come on down, there's nobody around," replied Colin.

We came down behind the shack Colin was currently occupying near Deadwood, although the "fit" was a little close, we were able to "snug in," as Morkai called it. Colin was waiting outside with a lantern, as we shook hands, he asked, "Got yourself a different ship I see." "Naw," replied Morkai, the Na'Vas is in for overhaul, this is an active duty navy ship they gave me owing to the situation." With that, we went inside where Colin offered us some much welcomed coffee. "How's Sara?" was his first question "She was just fine when I last talked to her," I replied, "In fact she and Karuk will be coming along on a navy ship in a few days, they are going to be planting some of the Wort fields back east with a special machine."

We then explained to him what we were doing; how we tracked, the Dekken's to the Bitterroots in Montana but had abruptly lost them. He then asked to see a map of the area, so we went out to the ship where he sat in the co-pilot's seat and watched the screen as Morkai brought up images of the mountainous area. Once he understood what he was looking at, Colin pointed to the map, which Morkai had zoomed in as far as he could revealing detail. "How large is this contraption they're flying," he asked. Morkai told him, he then asked about things a craft like that could do, then thought for a moment, before saying, "It's quite possible they dropped down into this river canyon, found themselves a nice cave, and scooted inside, that would explain why you suddenly lost their signal," speculated Colin. Morkai then asked, "Can you get in there, I mean check things out? We've got some special equipment, available, but unfortunately they won't let you use any of it," replied Morkai. Colin grinned, "Oh that's all right sir, I wouldn't know how to use any of it," then he looked at us and smiled, "That squaw, er I mean that Indian woman wouldn't be handy would she?" inquired Colin. "What!" I replied, "You mean Weeko?" Colin nodded, 'Yes, she's the one, she told me she's Nez Perce they's all over up in that area, If the folks your lookin' for are in a cave, it might be damn near impossible to find 'em, but I'll bet the two of us could do it, you put us down near the closest town where we can get horses and gear which by the way someone's going to have to take care of my horses while I'm gone." Morkai winced at Colin's suggestion about Weeko, and said, "She and Gitel will be on the navy ship that's following us, but I doubt Gitel will be so keen to let her go, after all she's his wife, would you let your wife go riding off with some stranger, nothing against you Colin, but Gitel and Weeko are very devoted to each other, he may not let her go, but just to be fair, we'll ask." "It only makes sense," I replied, "She would know the area, she knows how to ride, and should you encounter any of her people, she just might be able to help things out."

We returned to the shack where we sat and talked further. "I'm certainly glad they's gonna do sump thin' about those people, that wasn't right what they done it jest wasn't right." "Well I'll tell you," replied Morkai, "The Falthian government is really coming down hard on them, the Dekken's hacked the jump gate to come here, that's a very big no-no, as we speak a navy warship is on it's way here, with marines on board, we'll get them." Then Colin brightened, "Tell that Sandrick fellow I bought the land, he wanted, and fore long I'll be getting started on building my home there." We applauded his effort, then began talking about the search for the Dekken's again when the thought occurred to me, "You know Morkai, Colin here won't be authorized to use the equipment, but Weeko could, she's a Falthian citizen, I don't know what sort of security clearances she has, but there's another reason for her to go." Morkai still looked apprehensive as he replied, "Knowing Gitel as I do, you're going to have a really tough sell getting him to let her go." Colin then said, "He may not have much to say about it, when I talked to her at that shindig at your Aunt and Uncle's she asked if I could ride up that way and look for a brother she think's may still be alive, perhaps we can kill two birds with one stone."

While we were enjoying Colin's hospitality, he mentioned that when he was in Deadwood recently buying the property for the Wort field he had stopped by Mount Moriah Cemetery and had placed flowers on Mary Duffy's grave. "Colin, that's so thoughtful of you, Hanna will be happy to hear that, but no doubt you'll see her on the navy ship when it arrives." "Uh ma'am," replied Colin, "You know it always makes me nervous traveling in those flying machines of yours." Morkai patted him on the arm, "As many times as you've flown in one Colin?" Said Morkai with a grin, "Look at your sister, she's learning how to fly one." Colin had an apprehensive look on his face, "Yes I know, she certainly has grit, always has, and yes I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does…Can't help it." "Well, "I replied, we'll need you there if we're going to convince Gitel to let Weeko go with you."

Colin's shack was secluded enough so that we weren't worried about someone stumbling on the ship, so we spent the night at his place, leaving in the early morning dawn. He had decided to board his horses at one of the livery stables in town, then return to the cabin to wait for us to return. Morkai and I then returned to a high orbit over earth making sure Kith and Juko didn't bolt on us. While we were floating above my "big blue marble", I started thinking about the first location the Dekkens stopped at. Expressing my concerns to Morkai, he replied, "If your that concerned, I suppose we could check it out, we'll go in cloaked, late at night, if Kith and Juko are really hidden in a cave, chances are they won't catch our signature on their scanner, yeah, I suppose we could take a chance." We waited until it was close to dawn banking on the chance they would still be asleep. Bringing the ship down I studied the scanner, although it was still too dark to make out anything on the ground, however when we were around six thousand feet or so off the ground, something didn't look right, Morkai recognized it for what it was before I did, and softly swore. It was then I realized the whole area was burned. We set down in an area blackened by fire, stepping out with our pistols drawn I could see the remains of what had obviously been a cabin. Cautiously we explored the area, finding the remains of livestock burned up by what was apparently plasma fire. Morkai returned to the ship to retrieve the camera, he said nothing, but the steely look on his face told me all I needed to know. The cabin had not burned entirely, and inside we found the charred remains of what had been a man. "Well," growled Morkai, Kith and Juko have certainly sealed their fate now, as he took pictures of the burned body, the remains of the cabin, and the dead livestock. As we investigated further, it looked as though there had been more than one person living here.

"Why would they do this?" I asked, my eyes filled with tears. "It's pretty obvious there was at least another person living here," he said, "More than likely the man's wife, and perhaps a child as well, if that's the case, they've taken hostages, for what purpose I cannot say, but we had better leave right now, in case someone shows up." We quickly returned to the ship and took off back into space. We downloaded the camera images into the computer, and studied the high resolution pictures trying to figure out what happened. After much discussion and debate, we concluded that this attack was deliberate, and with the objective of taking hostages, Morkai surmised that the husband resisted and was shot, with the wife and possibly a child being taken. We could do no more than wait for the navy warship to arrive. Two una's later, we picked up it's signature as it neared, we then returned to Colin's place picking him up. The fact that there was no gravity in the ship upset him even more, that is, until he saw the navy assault ship orbiting above his home. "Great God almighty!" gasped Colin upon seeing the warship. "Hell, she's not so big, you ought to see a full sized carrier," chuckled Morkai, as we prepared to enter one of he hanger doors. I was also proud of myself as Morkai let me enter and land on the assault ship, his confidence in me growing as I became more proficient in flying.

"Stay right with us," said Morkai to Colin, technically as a foreign national you're forbidden to even be aboard, but in this case I think the captain will let it slide for now." Colin's mind reeled from the sights and sounds he was witnessing people moving around, commands and notices coming out of thin air, but to his credit, he bucked up and carried on. The security people wouldn't let us pass until Mr. Elcon showed up and interceded on Colin's behalf although a marine had to accompany him wherever he went, which in our case was directly to a meeting room where the ship's captain, and a Marine Corps first lieutenant awaited. We were introduced to Captain Zakorra who greeted us warmly but it was clear everyone wanted to get right down to business. Morkai started things off with; "We know where they are, and it appears they have taken refuge in a cave at the bottom of a river canyon, but I want everyone to see these pictures we took, they stopped once for roughly a shon, then continued on to their present location."

There were gasps of horror, when Morkai brought up the pictures of the burned homestead. "I believe they shot the husband and for whatever reason have the wife and possibly a child or children as hostages," he pointed out. This was not going over well, grim expressions all around. Mr. Elcon then spoke, "This is a clear disregard of the prime directive, willful murder of foreign citizens. This wanton act will in all likelihood cost the Dekkens their lives, do you have any idea how we can get to them." "As a matter of fact yes," replied Morkai. "It's too rugged to land anyway near there, however repelling marines down the face of the canyon might work. We're still not certain they're down there in a cave. Colin here has purposed going in there on horseback and personally checking it out, however, since he's a Kagorian, and isn't permitted to handle sensitive electronic equipment, we have a problem. But again, he's suggested asking Gitel if his wife could accompany him. She is a member of the Nez Perce tribe, they live in this area, and like Colin, she knows how to ride horses, since she's a Falthian citizen and the wife of a contractor, she could operate this equipment." Mr. Elcon studied Colin and Morkai for a moment then spoke into a wall intercom, "Will Gitel and Weeko Tergis please report to room 200G second level immediately please." While we waited, Morkai and I filled in the others on a few more details. Shortly Gitel and his wife entered followed by another marine. Looking at all of us, Gitel's eyes fell on Morkai and I, then turning to Mr. Elcon, he asked, "Sir, what can I do for you?" Elcon grinned and pointed to Weeko, "I'm afraid it's not what you can do Gitel, but your wife, we've located where the Dekken's have gone to ground, but it's in a rugged area we can't get to easily. Mr. Blessing here has offered to go in there on an animal I'm not familiar with, horses? Anyway he says it's an area your wife might be familiar with." I then spoke up, "Weeko, the area in question is along a river canyon, southwest of Missoula Montana Territory, in the Bitterroots, are you familiar with this area?" She shrank back a bit then looked at Gitel, who as yet said nothing, then looking at Colin, replied, "Yes, but it's been many dorns, I-I-don't…" "Wait a taq here," injected Gitel, "She's not going anywhere, not without me anyway." "Can you ride a horse?" asked Colin. "What's that have to do with anything?" snapped Gitel. ""Because in order to get in there to find their location we need to ride up into the high country," replied Colin. "They tell me I can't use any of these new-fangled devices but your wife can, she and I are the only ones here who can ride well enough to stay on our horses and not fall off." Gitel started to resume his disagreement when Weeko put her hand on his arm. "Gitel…It's all right, I would be pleased to do this thing, in fact I would be honored. I have asked this man if he would look for my brother sometime we would be in the right area, perhaps I will come across some of my people who can get a message to him or know if he still lives." All eyes then turned to Gitel who clearly saw that he was outnumbered. Realizing there was nothing more he could do, he approached Colin and looked him in the eye. "I love my wife very much sir, I strongly oppose this venture, however I've always let Weeko make her own decisions, I am charging you with the responsibility for her very life, if anything should happen to her…" Colin stood strong and calmly replied, "Sir, I swear on my honor, I will do everything in my power to see that your wife is safe, and that no harm comes to her, if I didn't think she was so essential to this effort, I would have never asked. I am an honorable man, I will make no advances or suggestive comments to her, we are going into the high country for one thing only, to find these wanton murders." He then held out his hand to shake on the deal. Gitel stood there for a tense moment, then slowly took the offered hand and shook it.