Gray Panthers: Battle for Earth (10 page)

Surprise Ritz, Arizona

2 April 2127

Waking in the morning with Maria cuddled on him with her head on his chest, a puddle of her sleep drool on his chest, he tried to get up. He found he was partially glued to the sheet from the night’s activities.  Maria awoke immediately, kissed him and retreated to the bathroom.  Dan used that moment to order a large breakfast with the food to be left by the elevator. He then went to the in-suite pool to try and wake-up and cleanup.  Maria walked up to the pool, looked down at Dan and dropped her white robe at her feet. Dan could not help but appreciate the view of Maria’s brown toned body and long black hair, before she dived in.  Deciding he had higher priority items he had to take care of
,
Dan climbed out of the pool before Maria could get to him.  “Sorry my dear, we have a busy day ahead of ourselves, and our breakfast is getting cold.”  Dan picked up a towel to wrap around himself as he walked to the door. 

There had been enough food for six people, Dan thought as he looked at the empty platters in front of him.  Maria sat in front of him still in the fluffy white robe. It had started to come undone as Dan appreciated the long view of tanned leg, competing with the view of the slowly opening top and the magnificent view of Maria’s cleavage.  Fighting the urge, he told Maria to get dressed so they could go to work and get her on the payroll.  Looking at Maria, Dan asked, “You do have a resume and references I assume.  On a serious note, because we have government contracts, there will be a thorough background check done, anything you want me to know now?  Husband?  Mass murderer? Now's the time my dear.”

Maria shuddered slightly then explained how she was an illegal alien.  She had come to the US when she escaped from Brazil as her family was killed in a coup.  Friends had managed to help her get to America and smuggle a portion of her family's money.  Her real name was Juanita Jorge.  Dan listened resisting the urge to hold her in her arms.  Picking up his phone, he dialed Siggy’s direct line.  “Siggy, I need your help. I’m hiring an executive assistant who is a refugee from Brazil.  Her name is Juanita Jorge, alias is Maria Gonzales.  Great, thanks, let me know when it's done.  Well my dear. I only have one question for you. Will it be Maria, or Juanita?"

Jumping into his arms, pressing her face into his chest he barely heard her when she said, "my new life gets my old name. I am Juanita Jorge, daughter of Ricardo and Constanza Jorge…"  Taking a breath she said, "I may have enemies, my father hurt many evil men in his life as a prosecutor."

"If you have enemies, let them come, it'll make it easier for me to kill them so you have no enemies.  "His grip was more firm as he completed the threat.  She shivered as he said the words.  Looking up into his eyes, she became scared until his grip softened, and hugged her closer to him
,
making her feel safe, like her father had done so many years ago.

"Now get your ass in gear, we need to get to work."  Dan ordered.  He then commed, "Call Abdul.  Hey Abby, Juanita is driving me into work. You can take the truck.  I'll see you there and explain."  Juanita listened to the brief exchange like the one before it, and for the first time asked herself, “who is this man I love?"

The entry to the town was more like entering a military base.  A wire fence surrounded the entire town; every entrance had an entry control point with alert deputies. Since the roads and lands had been developed with private funds it was considered private property.  The deputy was so interested in Juanita as the car pulled up to the gate he failed to look at the passenger. 

"Do you find something interesting there sergeant?"  Dan asked harshly, angered that the sergeant was failing on the job, and was ogling Juanita.

Dan's voice sent shivers down the sergeant’s back as he recognized Dan's voice.  Stiffening to attention, he looked three inches above Dan’s head. "No excuse sir."

"Ms Jorge is starting her first day here."  Dan said coolly.

"Yes sir
.
Ma'am if I can have your license, registration, and proof of insurance I will give you a temporary vehicle pass, until you are processed in."

Juanita was amazed once again that her man possessed such power, yet equally impressed that he did not ask for any favors for her.  The Sgt. resisted the urge to salute Dan as he would any other officer.  Dan never wore any rank, and no one had ever said what it was.  He simply waved the vehicle through.

Dan left Juanita with the office manager, telling her to get his new executive assistant processed in.  He then turned and left without a second look.  After changing into his grays, he decided to see how a new batch of recruits was coming along.  Walking over to the parade ground he saw the old men. Most were unable to even stand straight up, many in the front row in wheel chairs.  They were all in shock as they watched those that had come before them, all running wherever they went.  A group of 30 in only shorts and tennis shoes ran by, their aged faces easily seen by the new men, as they gasped at the pace the men were maintaining.  The new recruits' drill instructor saw Dan coming and called the men to attention.  Arthritic backs, and years of being civilians, barely dampened the men's attempt at the position of attention.  Dan walked to the front of the formation smiling as he saw those in wheel chairs sitting straight up at their own version of attention. 

"At ease. Get a good look gentlemen. By the end of the week," looking at the men in wheel chairs, smiling, "you all will be running the obstacle course.  Good luck, I sincerely mean that.  Do not come to attention when I leave.  Good day Corporal Hopkins."

Abdul met with Dan for lunch as they usually tried.  Abdul was worried that his old friend had finally lost it, bringing the whore on base with him.  Dan only had to look at Abby to see he was uncomfortable.  "Don't worry Abby, I know what I'm doing. If she doesn't work out I'll take care of it myself.  Now what new toys have your geniuses dreamed up?"

"We have finished how the thrusters and engines need to be positioned on the Enterprise.  They will be positioned very much like the shuttle’s, only larger.  The life support, plumbing, and electrical needs have been completed.  We were able to modify the existing elevators for shuttle use.  Grub had some excellent input.  There will be major hatches on the bottom of the Enterprise.  When we land on the moon
,
we can immediately burrow in and start new caverns for increased living space and to setup an autonomous operations center.  It will also be a good emergency backup if we need to evacuate the Enterprise.  Butch is saying he wants the Enterprise armed to the teeth since it's our first line of defense.  Grub has both force shields and beam technology to protect it from any enemies, as well as comets or even asteroids.  Butch wants offensive weapons, and I agree with him.  We have looked at the technology that we will have to fight against, and Grub’s modified beamers can go toe to toe with them.  With the amount of energy the Enterprise will have with the H3 plant, it may be the safest place in the universe for man.  Butch wants to park the Enterprise on the northern rim of Peary crater, close to the North Pole.  It has the best temperatures and easy access to ice so it will be easy to make oxygen and water.  There are also numerous concentrations of H3 near it.  Grub agrees that is the best location.  Grub also suggested we build the refinery in its own separate cavern away from all other caverns and the Enterprise in case of any accidents.  The refinery will be totally automated
;
we just bring the raw material to it and collect the processed material.  Butch also wants a detachment of droids in case of any emergency’s on the surface where it’s not advisable to risk a man's life.  With the placement of the engines and thrusters on the Enterprise, the only thing left for engineering is some reinforcements for structural integrity and additional emergency stations that Butch requested.”

“So another month and we can be off?  I’ll get with Butch to tie him down to hard times, and crew readiness. It’s his ball game.  What are the emergency stations?  I don’t remember seeing them in the original plans,” Dan asked.

“The emergency stations are basically 50 shuttles built into the hull, so in an emergency, everyone can get to a shuttle instead of trying to get to the hangar deck.  There are also heavily reinforced areas in the central area of the ship that crew can retreat to in an emergency that are self-sufficient, until rescued. That about covers it.  Are you sure about Maria working here?”

“
Juanita
will work out fine. Turns out she has more education than you or me when it comes to business.  Her family was murdered during the coup in Brazil back in 2121.  She comes from a good family and wants to be respectable; I am going to help her,” Dan replied tiredly.

“OK partner. I never knew you to be led by your Johnson. I’m sure it’s not that way this time either,” Abdul said as he got up and left.  Dan sat for a few more minutes, asking himself, was he being led by his Johnson, or falling in love with the girl, or being chivalrous.  He eliminated option three off the bat.  “What is my motive?” he wondered as he went on his way.

San Diego, California

8 July 2127

Butch was in rare form as he debated the size of crew he would need for the Enterprise.  Grub had recommended to Dan a minimal crew of 40 would be adequate for the task.  Butch, looking at three full watch crews, damage control, and a minimal onboard security force was trying to get a 500-man crew.

“Damn it Dan, when the Big E was just an aircraft carrier she had a crew of 4600 and didn’t need to worry about the vacuum of space” Butch argued.  Dan looked at Butch and asked him if 300 would be enough to safely crew the ship.

“It’ll be rough, but I think we will manage somehow,” Butch replied trying not to smile but failing.  He already had commitments from over a hundred specialists that had been working on her in the dry dock.  He planned on recruiting 150 mariners he knew were in various homes and hospices, before it was too late.  

San Francisco, California

30 July 2127

Butch walked into the hospice, amazed at how cheery everything appeared in the lobby.  When Butch walked in, Jimmy Chaffin did not recognize his visitor; his eyes clouded by cataracts. While Butch spoke Jimmy could barely hear his visitor let alone recognize him.  Jimmy looked like he had come from a concentration camp. He weighed less than 90 pounds on his 6-foot frame.  When he realized his visitor was his old skipper from the USS Minnesota, he rallied his strength raising his hand towards his skipper to shake his hand.  Butch grabbed the pro-offered hand and sat down on the bed next to his old COB.  Jimmy surprised Butch by beating him to the punch
;
someone had let slip what Butch had to offer.  Jimmy refused to say who told him and seemed to draw strength when he looked at Butch and explained, it was his time and he wanted to join his wife. He had done his duty and his time on earth; now he was waiting to move on.  Butch had trouble as he left the room, knowing he had seen his friend for the last time, but strangely happy he had not talked his friend from his choice.

San Antonio, Texas

12 September 2127

Dan was actually enjoying his chat with the retired Air Force Major, David "Dusty" Rhodes.  The character before him was 5'4", over 70 and continuously moving his hands as he talked, while pacing the entire length of the room, and continued to talk.  Dusty had been everywhere and done everything, his “I love me” wall seemed to document all his accomplishments.  When Dan started to ask him what he thought of space travel, the man before him stopped and admitted that was his only regrets in life.  He had taken the career track while in the Air Force of continuing to fly then being a test pilot in the hope of being hired by one of the space contractors that had replaced NASA, however as the economy continued to sink, those companies folded with no hope to get into space.  After swearing the old man to secrecy, Dan explained he was going to start a new commercial moon operation and would need many shuttle pilots.  He did not wait for Dusty to mention his age, pointing out they had a special program for those willing to sign a long term contract, 20 years!  He then showed Dusty some video clips of the shuttles in action, including the pilots, who were obviously the same age as Dusty.  Dusty excused himself and returned ten minutes later with a small suitcase.  "Let's go Mr. Daniels, times a' wasting,” Dusty suggested as he headed for the front door of his house.

San Diego, California

18 November 2127

The construction of the Big E continued as newly arrived crew relearned their old trades on the new hardware. Grub provided learning materials on the operation and construction of the ship’s systems.  Butch was in his office onboard the Enterprise as he heard his engineering officer and XO sounding like they were ready to come to blows.  Butch just walked to his door opened it to find the XO, Caleb "Red" Erickson, with his back to the door as Richard "Ricky" Vasquez, was trying to get to the door.  Both men looked up shocked as Butch opened the door, towering over both of the men.  Looking both ways in the hall and seeing them empty, he nodded for both men to come in. 

Butch sat down at his desk, looked up at both men, then pointed to the XO.  Red tried to explain that Ricky was trying to get other rates assigned to engineering as he felt he did not have enough men.  Butch looked hard at Ricky waiting for him to explain himself.  Sheepishly, Ricky tried to use Butch’s same argument that a ship the size of the Enterprise should have 300 engineering personnel not 50.  Butch looked at him and was ready to laugh until the seriousness of the situation wiped away any humor. 

"Mr. Vasquez, I took deliberate care in coming to the manning requirements for this ship.  I took into consideration that there was not one piece of machinery on board that was not brand new or recently retrofitted.  Equipment that ordinarily was labor intensive is now automatic and requires only monitoring.  Hell, if the ship’s main power plant goes down it would take three men less than three hours to replace it. Even then, there are two redundant backup power plants.  I realize everything is new and we will have to find out what's going to start breaking in order to develop new inspection and maintenance criteria.  Come back to me after our shakedown cruise, then we can talk numbers and anything else you feel we need.  For now, how is the training going for the men? 

"The old timers were a bit overwhelmed at first, and then the specialists we hired away from the dry dock started to really needle them.  That was just what they needed.  These guys had wanted to catch up on missing out on sex for the last 20 years, yet are staying on ship instead, going over the manuals and experimenting with the equipment simulators.  Most of them are every bit as good as the young guys already.  The men are anxious to get going, but I believe we need another two months, and then we will be ready," Ricky reported.

"That’s all good to hear, but we will be launching in exactly 30 days from now.  So get your people either ready or let me know who is staying behind and why.  You are dismissed.
”
After Ricky left the cabin, Butch pointed to a chair.  "Sit, now that I have Ricky's report, how is everything else going?"

   "Our doc, after he got over the transformation from the elixir, wants to do full blood works and get a team of every type of medical specialist from allergists to zoologists to nearly dissect the men.  I reminded him it was top-secret and that he could not say anything to anyone about it other than onboard ship and when needed.  He has reviewed the advanced medical devices; he can use them if needed.  We will have ample room for consumables.  The fabricators have been working well for engineering. Anything they have needed we have been able to provide for them.  They would like it in their duty sections instead of logistics, but I think there would be abuses.  We have plenty of raw materials stored for the fabricator as well.  The recreation areas are pretty damn nice. Four separate gyms with every device ever conceived. The
pool can take 60 people comfortably.  The 12-lane bowling alley is ready to go
;
we even have a good supply of balls and shoes.  The three media centers are looking good, each can accommodate 50 people at a time.  The five simulators are already always swamped with our folks wanting to run training simulations.  I'd like to have a dozen of them for all the use we get out of them.  The cooks we got are top notch.  They were all submariners then went on to either having their own restaurants or working for big name restaurants.  The crew has had no complaints amazingly," Red said happily.

"That’s fine Red. Have you seen Weps lately?" Butch inquired.

"Not recently. He’s a strange duck, but his men already love him.  He not only has mastered the sensor arrays but coordinated with Grub for quicker relays between sensors and the beamers.  The interface consoles make it possible in a worse case situation for one man to take over every battery if needed.  I have to admit his age worries me. I wish he were a regular like the rest of us.  Geez, he's only 24,” Red commented.

"Weps also is a genius with a PhD in cybernetics and a master’s in astrophysics. Dan wanted to keep him with Grub since he works so well with him, but the kid has the space bug,” Butch said admiringly. "How about our navigator?”

  “What that man doesn't know about space is what has not been discovered yet.  He's been milking as much knowledge as possible from Grub.  And has worked with Grub on the shields so that in addition to acting as shields, we now have a separate device to attract and repulse items from the ship with minimal energy.  Hard to believe he was pushing 102 when they found him.  I'd swear he has been working on our equipment for years if I didn't know better." 

"If you don't have anything else for me, I'm going to turn in now. Tomorrow is another day."

"Nothing else skipper, I may turn in myself. I just have a huge pile of paperwork to go through first,” Red replied heading for the door.