Earth's Last Angel (16 page)

‘Oh good God, now you sound like Mondok!' She laughs at the screwed up face he pulled at her.

Val stands, unnoticed on the observation deck. He saw Tom talking to an attractive girl but didn't want to intrude. Let the moon work its magic, he thinks, smiling. He catches a glimpse of Gene gliding through the crowd, her long dark frills electrified by the lunar light. She turns, smiles at him, and then disappeared into the crowd.

Although Tom finds the moon interesting, his mind is elsewhere, then he sees Sofia. She is heading straight for him, like a leopard locked onto her prey.

‘I knew I would catch up with you sooner or later,' she says, with a smile. ‘You said you would call me.'

‘I was busy,' he says, ‘I do work too, you know.' He knew he couldn't tell her he had forgotten.

‘How long does it take to make a call?' she asks. She is still smiling, but the disapproval is obvious in her voice.

Her surprised expression and a tap on his shoulder had him spin around to see a tall woman with long dark frills. Her dark brown eyes held his in their steady gaze.

‘Hello, Tom.' The voice was warm.

He was speechless for a moment. ‘Gene, I didn't know you were on board.'

She laughs. ‘You know me, never miss an adventure.'

‘Oh, I know,' he replies.

‘I just saw your father. He looked surprised to see me, too.'

Tom felt Sofia behind him and reluctantly introduces the two women. ‘Sofia and I just met earlier today at the lake,' he says quickly.

Gene smiles at the pair with a knowing glance.

‘Tom and I were racing on the water-bikes and I beat him, although I have a feeling he let me win.' Sofia smiles at Tom.

‘Oh no, I don't let anyone beat me. The bike's computer malfunctioned.' Tom regrets his words the moment he sees the hurt on her face.

‘You should have told me instead of letting me think I'd won. Now, we'll just have to race again.'

The demand in her challenge arouses Tom's annoyance. ‘Oh no, we won't. I don't have to race anyone.'

Sofia glares at him, and then storms off toward the elevator.

‘Damn,' says Tom, watching her go. ‘What's up with her?'

Gene shrugs. ‘She seems rather keen on you. Are you ready for that?'

Tom smiles. Gene of all people would know how he feels about his freedom. No-one ties her down. She would be gone in an instant if they tried. ‘Dad would have me married off to Sofia if he were here.'

‘Well, your dad is just looking out for the family interests. Pitter patter of little feet, you know.'

Tom grimaces. ‘Oh save me. Look, I love kids but only if they belong to someone else.'

Gene laughs. ‘You'll change your mind one day. Your father was the same.'

‘Dad? Really?'

She nods, smiling. ‘Before he met your mother. Anyway, meet me at the Murple Bubbles café, when you get the chance.'

‘Murple Bubbles? Weird name.'

‘Yes, I thought it was a great name for my café.'

Tom stares at her, dumbfounded. ‘You own a cafe?'

‘For a while, until I get bored. I thought it might be a nice change.'

A big change, Tom thinks, not really able to imagine Gene stuck within four walls for too long.

‘Well, I don't often go to cafés but to catch up with you, I will.'

‘Good,' she turns to leave then spins back, ‘Oh, and I have that special Jamaican coffee you always liked.'

Tom grins. ‘Tempting me, aunt Gene?'

She winks. ‘A bit of added incentive.' Then she strides away as the moon was shrinking behind the ship, and people begin drifting back to their jobs, leaving the observation deck empty.

Ven is already unloading the alkaline solution and other supplies into PV 005 when Denise arrives on the dock. He had decided not to wait, knowing she would be at her mediation session with Mondok.

‘What are we up to?' Denise asks, watching the flat tray lifter gently depositing the gear on the floor.

He switches off the motor and climbs down. ‘First we need to remove the sensors, then the translation pod.'

‘How?' she asks.

‘Burn them off with this mini torch. We'll start with the flight deck today and…'

‘How long is this going to take?'

‘There are 260 sensors to get through, Denise, but if you're feeling energetic we might fit in the biosphere today as well.'

Her shoulders slump. ‘I feel exhausted just thinking about it.'

Ven puts one arm around her waist. ‘Come on old lady, I'll help you to the flight deck.'

She swipes at him and misses. ‘If I had my walking stick youngster, you would get such a beating.'

Ven laughs. ‘Last one there buys the beers at the end of the shift.'

Denise frowns. ‘Not possible, mate.'

‘Why?'

‘I arranged to see Mondok after work to talk about what happened.'

‘Didn't you already do that at the mediation session?'

‘Yes, but I feel I need to talk this over outside of the session.'

‘Not a good idea,' says Ven, frowning.

‘Why not?'

Ven shakes his head, wondering whether to tell her. He had seen the way Mondok had looked at Denise but she obviously hasn't seen the signs, so he decides against it.

‘Why not, Ven?' she repeats

‘No, you're right, Denise. Perhaps it would be better in an informal setting.' After all, he thinks, they just might get it together. He smiles. Denise has a calming effect on Mondok so it would be a good thing if they did become a couple. Ven imagines the crew would welcome a union between Denise and the little firecracker.

‘What are you smiling at?' Denise asks.

He shakes his head, still smiling. ‘Trust me, you don't want to know.' He heads for the flight deck.

Val stands on the observation deck, staring out into the immensity of space in front of him. He wonders if now is the right time to start teaching Tom the ropes of becoming a captain. It is a fine balance of allowing him enough freedom to excel in his own right, and the prospect of one day replacing Val as captain. He didn't notice the tall Mazuban standing next to him until he spoke.

‘Daydreaming again, Captain?'

Val sees who it is and laughs. ‘I should throw you in the hole for your insolence.'

Soodie twiddles his arm frills and grins. ‘Have we got one?'

Val slaps him on his back. ‘You, of all people, should know that.'

‘Ya, we have, it's called The Fly Trap. It holds me up pretty well.'

Val shakes his head. ‘I thought it had quite the opposite effect.'

‘Well the bar does,' adds Soodie. ‘I'm heading over there now. Coming?'

Val sees no reason why not. The ship is making steady progress and Nolack-1 was right there with him to alert him to any problems. ‘Nolack-1, keep me updated on flight progress each hour.'

‘Yes, Captain.'

‘So, you're bringing your girl, with you, Captain. I hope she's not a nagger.'

‘Oh yeah, the best,' says Val, knowing Soodie is stirring. ‘She'll keep you lot in line.'

‘I heard she's already stirred up a hornet's nest by pulling some team members off their jobs.'

‘I probably shouldn't have put so much pressure on them with the change of plans.'

They step out of the elevator onto the entertainment deck, and Val nods absently at some people trying to catch his attention.

‘They just have to adapt, Val. It won't be the only time plans are changed.'

‘That's true.'

Soodie is one of the few people in whom Val confides, having been mates from university. They met in Duelin, when Val was struggling with structural engineering, a subject necessary for a ship's captain. Soodie, a foreign exchange student, offered to assist him. They became good friends and when the project began, Val offered the position of ship's engineer to his friend. There was no-one he would have trusted more to be there from the beginning.

They were passing a takeaway store and the aroma of steak and onions wafting out makes Val realize he hasn't even eaten breakfast. ‘Mate, I've just got to get something to eat.'

‘Don't eat there,' says Soodie, with a dismissive wave. ‘I know where you will get the best chili con carne.'

Val winces, but laughs. ‘It wasn't Manuel who recommended it, was it?'

‘Ya,' says Soodie, ‘he's the head chef at The Fly Trap.'

‘Where else?' says Val, dryly, ‘the last time I ate his chili, I almost lost my taste buds.'

‘He doesn't put so much chili in now. Some guy threatened to slit his throat for him for saying it was mild.'

‘I'm surprised he was still able to talk to threaten,' says Val, but he passes the steak shop and moves toward the hotel with Soodie.

The old western saloon style doors swung open at their approach and Val sees the hotel was busy with crew at the bar, and young males and females at the pool tables. Some of the crew who see him give a casual salute. Bar staff bustle about serving, while the unmistakable odor of chili smothered other, less, pungent dishes. Val considers changing his mind about the chili when a dumpling of a Mazuban with a frill too large for his face bursts from the kitchen.

‘Hey Soodie, I was wondering when you would get here.'

‘Manny, have you poisoned anyone lately?' Soodie uses Manuel's nickname.

Manny darts a glance around the room. ‘Shhh, do you want to ruin my reputation,' he grins.

‘Manny, captain here wants mild, repeat, mild chili con carne.'

‘Well actually…' Val begins, but Soodie shakes his head and waves away his protests. ‘No, my mate Manny here has to restore your faith in him. Don't you, Manny?'

‘They don't call me head chef for nothing,' says Manny, with mock seriousness. ‘I cook you a feast.'

‘Could you add some bread and butter with that, please,' asks Val.

Manny rushes off, shaking his head and muttering, ‘bread and butter with chili con carne.'

Soodie laughs and goes to the bar to buy a couple of beers.

As Val waits, he notices the hotel walls have realistic fly sculptures swarming over them. Above the bar, a large Venus fly trap with exaggerated fang-like teeth holds a fly in its jaws. A notice on the wall reads, ‘Any bar flies remaining on these premises after 12pm will be fed to the fly trap.' Val chuckles.

Soodie returns with the beers. ‘What?' he says, handing a beer to Val. Val points to the fly trap.

‘Oh that. If the fly had any sense it would feed the trap some chili.'

‘That doesn't sound promising, mate,' says Val, but he laughs despite the rumbling and a gnawing hunger pang growing in his stomach. He saw bags of peanuts at the bar and is considering buying some when Manny arrives with a steaming plate. He places it on the table with an exaggerated flourish and a bow.

‘Chili con carne for captain,' backs off and returned to the kitchen.

Val looks at Soodie uncertainly, and has a fork of food half way to his mouth when he paused.

‘Oh, don't be a wimp. Just eat it. Manny really is a great chef.'

Val pushes the food into his mouth, reaching for the reassuring slice of bread. As he tentatively chews the first mouthful, a young shuttle pilot brushes past the table, carrying a round of beers. His jacket catches the edge of Val's plate and flips it onto his lap. Val jumps up and wipes off the hot food with his napkin. The young shuttle pilot just stands there, flushed with embarrassment, the beer jugs still in his hands.

‘Frank, don't just stand there,' yells a female, ‘help him!'

‘Captain, detecting distress in your bio form. Is assistance required?' asks Nolack-1.

‘No Nolack-1,' says Val, as globules of mince and beans drip off him.

‘How?' asks Frank.

The young female grabs the two jugs from Frank and tosses the beer at Val's legs. ‘You'll have to get those trousers off, sir,' she says to Val.

‘Calrok,' hisses Frank, ‘he's the captain.'

‘Well, I wasn't talking about him stripping here, was I?' His friend there can take him to the men's room.' She points to Soodie, whose expression is a mixture of concern and amusement.

Val, his sense of reason restored, regains control of the situation. ‘I can take myself there, thank you, Calrok,' he says, trying to pull his trousers away from his legs as he walks. She followed him to the door of the men's room and he glances at her before opening the door. ‘I appreciate you acting so quickly to prevent my legs being burnt. If you could do just one more thing?' he asks.

She waited expectantly. ‘Yes, sir?'

‘Would you ask my friend to go to my apartment and get me a fresh pair of trousers?'

‘No problem,' replies Calrok and she rushes off.

Nolack-1 chimes in. ‘Captain, update on ship's progress.'

Tom looks around as he waits at Murple Bubbles. The décor is obviously Gene. Painted in swirls of pink, yellow, blue, and green but with an emphasis on purple, it is very much a creative person's café. Outside, the tables are separated by large pots of red and pink geraniums. Gene's surreal artwork is arranged on a feature wall, adding to the mass of colors and shapes.

A waitress approaches Tom she isn't as pretty as Sofia but she has something about her, an aura, a confidence, he didn't know what it was but she piqued his curiosity.

‘What would you like, sir?' she asks, projecting the electronic menu from her bracelet. Its screen expands to the size of a bulletin board to allow Tom to scroll through and place an order, which will then be electronically relayed to the kitchen.

Tom ignores the menu. ‘I would like you to accompany me to dinner,' he says smoothly, not normally Tom's style but he obeys the impulse.

‘Retract,' she says and the screen returns to her bracelet. She regards Tom, coolly. ‘Really? I don't even know who you are. Why would I go out with you?'