Space Rescue One (11 page)

      "You're sure you were only confused?"

      "Of course, I'm sure. I don't really want to go to bed with Richard. That beard of his and those scars on him are enough to turn me off sometimes."

      "What scars?" asked Isaac.

      "He's got a pair of scars running down his left shoulder blade."

      "Really? I don't remember those being mentioned in his personnel record, let alone seeing them on him."

      "Is that so? Maybe those are part of what happened to him."

      "Perhaps you're right."

      "So, are you going to get me the tools I need?" Shelly asked.

      "I'll think about it. This is very risky. We could both be kicked off the team if you're caught. I need a few days just to think about it and get the tools if I go along with you."

      "You're not going along with me. This is just the natural extension of what you asked me to do for you."

***

Isaac waited for Richard to enter the shower cubicle. Then he paused for a few more moments before he entered the same one. Richard's back was to him. The two parallel scars running down the length of his left shoulder blade were difficult to miss. Isaac said, "Excuse me. My mistake, Richard," before leaving quickly.

      Outside the cubicle, Isaac hated himself for spying on Richard in such a manner just to confirm the scars Shelly claimed to see. He didn't feel quite as bad after reviewing Richard's record, but he learned that there wasn't any mention of any scars in it. Admittedly, Shelly appeared to be onto something in what was fast becoming more of a mystery everyday.

      Whatever made Richard so anti-social obviously appeared connected to something bad that happened to him. Chief Dickson wondered just what could have been so horrible to do that to a man. Thinking about that, he realized that he respected Richard just a bit more than he suspected. Richard was rock solid in some ways and very uncompromising. Isaac thought that if Richard was just a bit friendlier, he could easily be the team leader instead of himself. After all, Richard's personnel record indicated that he possessed the training, skills, and service time to be a chief or higher. Isaac suddenly realized that the mystery was deepening, not opening up as he first thought it would. After all, why wasn't Richard already a Team Leader or higher? Was his anti-social bit an act to keep from being promoted? It seemed preposterous, yet it was remotely possible.

***

"Okay," Isaac said, while pausing from eating his lunch. "I'll get you the tools you need to do what you're going to attempt anyway. I'll even try to come up with some sort of excuse to put Richard and the others to work while you take your best shot at it."

      "During our night shift?" asked Shelly.

      "Why during our night?"

      "In case I get caught by Richard. I can claim to be drunk and looking for companionship. I think Richard will buy that."

      "All right. I'll need another day or two to figure out a reasonable excuse to put them to work at night without you."

      Shelly suggested, "Maybe a physical exam?"

      Isaac replied, "You're devious. I guess that might work. Richard's going to be suspicious of this, no matter what. However, I'd rather he think that was the purpose of the odd timing instead of what you're doing. If you get caught though, I'm going to confess my part."

      "Now why would you do that?"

      "Simply because I don't think it should be any other way. It won't take long for someone to figure that I put you up to it. Lately, we've been seen together too much."

      "Okay, do what you want, but I don't intend to get caught or in trouble."

***

Chief Dickson said, "Sorry, fellas. His schedule is such right now that this is the only time he can free up to give us this exam. He took care of Shelly earlier. I guess that's a throwback to treating women differently since they have some different parts."

      "I heard that Rescue Team Two isn't having to do this," Alex said.

      Isaac fixed him with a stare, then said, "I think they're scheduled for later."

      Doctor Heinlein said, "Uh, yes, I believe they are, Chief. Weren't you going to help me coordinate that with Chief Brunner?"

***

Shelly gazed at the chest, knowing that she only had a few hours at most to work on it. She lost five minutes just buying a drink at the bar and drinking only half of it. She deliberately spilled the other half on herself. If Richard came in, he'd notice immediately that she'd been drinking. Maybe he'd believe she chose his room to crash in once more. She slipped out of her wet clothes and placed those in front of the door to act as a wedge. Then she worked on the lock.

***

"That's a nasty set of scars you have there. I don't see these listed on your medical records," Doctor Heinlein said.

      "I got them a long time ago. They ought to be listed," Richard replied.

      "I can see that they're old. However, they're not listed. I'm going to check you out a bit more carefully. Just in case, you understand?"

      Richard remarked, "I'm beginning to understand only too well, Doc. Go ahead, you're only wasting your time."

      "Let me be the judge of that."

***

Try as she might, Shelly still couldn't pick the lock. She was more than frustrated when the door budged some before her clothing caught it. Quickly, she got in Richard's bed after stashing the picks under the bed. Then she mumbled, "What? Who's there?"

      "Richard. It's me, Richard. You've got my door blocked."

      "Oh, sorry. I guess I threw my clothes off in the dark expecting you to be here before I fell asleep. Let me turn on the light and I'll get the door unblocked."

      "Okay."

      Richard entered his room, seeing that Shelly was indeed naked as she'd been before. He easily smelled the alcohol on her, though she didn't sound truly drunk.

      "Where were you, Richard? I expected you to be in bed."

      "I was getting a physical exam with the rest of the team. You ought to remember that," he answered.

      "Oh, yeah, that. I had mine earlier today. Or was it yesterday?"

      "Doesn't matter which. Why are you in my room?"

      "I came to thank you."

      "For what?" asked Richard.

      "For a lot of things. For instance, you once saved my life."

      "Forget it."

      "Forget it? How can I? Don't you even care about others?" Shelly asked.

      "I care. I just don't need to be rewarded is all."

      Indignant, Shelly exclaimed, "Maybe you don't want to be rewarded, but I need to show my thanks. Or isn't it permitted in Richard Saber's book to permit others to express themselves even if Richard Saber isn't willing to express his own self?"

      "I'm not telling others how to express themselves. I'm just not interested in being thanked. I get more than enough satisfaction in seeing others still alive when I can make the difference."

      "Oh, you do, do you? Well, you're not putting me off this time."

      Richard agreed, "Yes, I am."

      "No, you're not or you can forget ever asking me for a date. I don't go out with men who won't let me express myself."

      "You're being hardheaded."

     "Maybe I took a page from your book. Now get naked and in bed."

***

"Richard, you look much better than usual," Chief Dickson said.

      "I slept much better than usual last night," Richard replied.

     "Maybe I should set you up for another late night physical then."

      "It wasn't the physical exam," Richard responded.

      Shelly walked into the wash area wearing one of Richard's towels. Isaac was about to say something more, then stopped upon seeing her. Suddenly, he knew what Shelly meant about not being in trouble if she was caught. He kept his mouth shut when she followed Richard into the same shower cubicle.

      Entering the next cubicle, he couldn't help overhear the giggles and other sounds as Shelly and Richard did more than shower together. He could only hope that it was an act on her part. Still, it was quite apparent to him that she was going all the way in her acting. He hoped that the results were worth what the two of them were doing.

      "Attention all personnel.
Space
Rescue
One
is on scramble alert. All Medical Teams are on scramble alert. Level one emergency. Attention Rescue Team Leaders. Report to the Captain ASAP. Attention all personnel.
Space
Rescue One
is on scramble alert. Level one emergency. Attention Rescue Team Leaders. Report to the Captain ASAP."

      Isaac felt a chill go down his back as the call went out over the intercom. There had been several level two emergencies before, but never a level one since he'd joined the ship. It was clearly important. Already, he could feel the ship firing up its engines. In seconds, certainly less than a minute, the ship would charge through space on its way to answering the mission call. It was all he could do to rinse the last of the soap out of his eyes and struggle into his clothes a few moments later. Even then, he was barely dressed as he ran out of the wash area for the briefing.

      Inside the next cubicle, Richard froze, leaving Shelly to wonder for a moment.

      "What's wrong?" she asked.

      Richard answered gravely, "It's a level one. It's going to be real bad out there. Stop it now! We need to get dry, dressed, and ready for whatever it is. Lives are on the line. Lives that depend on me, er, us."

      "We won't be there for some time to come, I'm sure. Come on, let's play some."

      He emphatically replied, "No! We have a responsibility to be ready. Now finish showering and move out."

      Shelly looked at Richard's suddenly changed behavior as if she was seeing something she'd missed before in his personality. Whatever it was, he was a totally different person. Judging by his appearance, she decided it was best not to argue. She nodded and released him.

***

"Chiefs, we have a true level one emergency," Captain Shortner said.

      "It's that big?" asked Chief Dickson.

      "Yes. The
Midwestern Pride
is on fire. Initial reports are that her hull is compromised in at least two places. We have casualties and fatalities reported. Our job is to get to the ship, evacuate everyone, and see that the injured receive medical treatment," Shortner answered.

      "Is the
Pride
being written off?" Chief Brunner asked.

      "Most likely, it will. This isn't a tow job. It's strictly rescue," Shortner answered.

      "What's her cargo?" Chief Brunner asked.

      "Wheat," Shortner answered.

      Brunner said, "Nasty stuff when it's in an enclosed area. Did the wheat cause the hull compromises?"

      "We're pretty sure that it did," Shortner answered.

***

Isaac looked at Richard and Shelly's brutally serious faces with amazement. He found it hard to believe that only minutes before, Richard and Shelly were engaged in . . . He let the thought die before it ate at him. Nonetheless, he didn't see any feelings between the two of them as they sat at the breakfast table and waited for his briefing.

      "It's an onboard fire. Explosions are probably occurring, too. There are two known hull breaches. Also confirmed casualties with fatalities. Our job is strictly rescue evacuation. No towing," Isaac said.

      "Armor suits?" Richard asked.

      "I think it's called for, so yes."

***

"Double check your suits. Then check your buddy. Richard, you're with me," Isaac said.

      "Still don't trust me?" asked Richard.

      "That's not it at all. Let's just say that I'm starting to respect you even if you don't have a personality. I'd rather have you check my suit for this call than anyone else right now, though I don't know why. Maybe it's because you've been on this team so long," Isaac answered.

      "Yeah, right."

***

"Rescue Team One ready to shove off," Dickson reported.

     "Rescue Team Two ready to shove off," Brunner reported.

      "We're closing now. I'll give you a go in a few minutes," Captain Shortner said.

      The helmsman said, "Closing to one hundred meters."

      "Is this the closest we can get in to her?" Shortner asked.

      The helmsman answered, "It's standard policy for a level one, sir."

      "I know that. I'm asking if you can get closer. I don't care about the policy. The sooner we get those men and women off, the better. If we can do that by cutting the distance in half, then I'll accept the risk."

      The helmsman replied, "Yes, sir. Closing to fifty meters."

***

Isaac ordered, "Jump!"

      Rescue Team One leaped from the
Space
Rescue
One
into the void between the two ships. Like eerie, silent ghosts tied by a thin thread, they drifted purposefully toward the
Midwestern Pride.
Chief Dickson caught hold of the 
Pride
's hull first and linked himself to it. Using a heavily gloved hand, he put a sensor to the hull as the rest of his team lighted on the hull. Before the last technician was on it, he was radioing, "Too hot to enter this airlock. We'll have to walk to another one."