Progenitor


Chapter 13

The next morning both girls reported that they had headaches, but it was much easier to understand what AL had been trying to explain yesterday. They also felt ready try their hand at actual flight. But Amy thought they should start out in the simulator, for safety sake. After everyone had a good breakfast, the girls went to the simulators. The rest of the crew went to their assigned stations, but agreed to meet back at lunch to catch each other up to date.

Jake went to main engineering to see if there were any new problems, there weren't. Everything appeared to be running well. He then reviewed the scans from the drone that had scanned the whole base and noted that it had picked up faint traces of the explosive in one of the crew quarters. Making note of the location he went to that room. The door would not open when he pressed enter. Using his senior override code he was allowed access to the room. Once inside, Jake thought that it was good thing that AL had provided for that type access. He would ask AL to remove all access lock outs except for the rooms currently occupied; then remembered that he had the authority to do this himself. After looking around for a few minutes, Jake found where the explosive was hidden. Removing a panel from under the bed he found about 5 pounds of the explosive. Jake immediately notified AL to have the stuff removed and disposed safely. Continuing to look around, he found several pieces of "paper like substance" with strange characters on them. Using the linen from the bed he placed the "letters" inside the pillow case, touching them as little as possible. These he would have AL examine for content and any helpful information. A droid arrived at that time and Jake showed it where the explosives were hidden. The droid removed the compound and left. Jake followed it out.

John went to the Science Center and reviewed the scans from the newly acquired satellites. He noticed that one of the scans showed activity around the nuclear material and that the amount had increased. This was good the more the better. He also noticed that there were now about 10 life signs staying in the area, this was not good. Making note of this he moved on. AL contacted him and said that they needed to take a close look at one of the scans as it showed a possible match for the First Officer. John looked at the data and noted that the area was near Leavenworth Kansas; John thought that Amy should make the decision on this. He told AL that he would give the information to Amy.

Sam had gone back to the armory to see what else she could learn. After practicing for about an hour she remembered the security protocol instituted by her predecessor and asked AL about it. AL explained that without at least two command level officers present the ship would not take off and all activity would be limited; at least one of the command levels had to be either the captain, first officer, security officer, or chief engineer. At this time all of these were present except the first officer. Sam asked AL if there was any way to use droids to fight on the ground if the need arose. AL informed her that none of the droids were capable of firing a weapon. At this point Sam knew that they had to get some more security personal on board as soon as possible.

Amy had gone back to the galley to check on the database update for the replicators and food processors. All seemed in order at this time. With nothing really pressing her she thought this would be a good time to check out the flight simulators, she had received the training last night also but had not told anyone. As she was going to the flight deck AL notified her of the explosive being found and the disposition of it. Amy asked if it could be used by them. AL said it was a very unstable compound and that was why it had been outlawed in the past. Amy then asked if there was a spare simulator available for her to use and was assured that there was. She said she wanted shuttle experience first, AL told her no problem. AL also informed her that the two girls were doing well and that she would allow it he would put them in space after lunch, but with him maintaining control in case of emergency. Amy approved this.

At lunch everyone was excited about their day so far, and each of them told the others. Of course, Sally and Kate were the most excited, especially when they found out they were to actually fly in space this afternoon. Amy told about her time in the simulator as well. Jake brought everyone up to date on the explosives and the "letters" he had found. John told about the increase in nuclear material and the presents of the 10 people. Then told Amy about the person found in Leavenworth that seemed to match the first officer's DNA. He also expressed his concern at this. Amy asked AL if he could pinpoint the location so as to know if this person was a prisoner or not. AL told them that the person stayed in the same location ever since he had been noticed and that he appeared to be inside a large building. AL brought up an aerial view, from a satellite, that showed the location and it was the prison. Everyone agreed that they thought they should pass on this person, they did not need a criminal on board. Sam said she did not really have anything to report at this time except that she had gotten better with the weapons and hoped to start the hand-to-hand training soon. Also that they needed to get more security personnel on board before they tried to recover the nuclear material.

After lunch Amy, Kate, and Sally went back to the flight deck for their flight in space. Amy wanted the girls to go first. AL told them that all of them could go at one time and just switch up as to who was the pilot at any given time. After all three had boarded the shuttle, Amy suggested that they draw straws to see who would go first, second, and last. Sally won first place with Amy second and Kate last. Sally sat in the pilots chair and did the preflight, then eased the shuttle out of the bay. As soon as she was clear of the base she cloaked the ship so they would not be seen by the people back home. Sally flew around for about 30 minutes then handed the shuttle off to Amy, but Amy told Kate to go ahead and take her turn. Kate also flew around for about 30 minutes before Amy took over. Amy immediately asked AL if he could control the craft all the way to Earth. The answer was it would not be a problem.

Amy set course for Earth, to the Middle East to be specific. She wanted to get a closer look at the site of the nuclear material. When they were within range she activated the sensors to see exactly what was there. As the three of them watched, they were alerted that there was an inbound plane. Amy asked if they were invisible to the eye or just invisible to radar. AL explained that if they were close to the ground they would be both, but right now they could be seen if someone looked close enough. Amy lowered the craft down to about 10 feet from the surface and asked if that was low enough; AL said it was fine that unless someone walked up and tried to walk through them. Amy had Sally take over and move the shuttle towards the area they came to see slowly. When they were about a mile away from the site, Amy said to hold this position so they could watch for a while. Sensors showed that the plane they had observed earlier was in fact a helicopter with US Marines on the side. The helicopter began to fire at the site as soon as it got in range, effectively killing all the people there except one. That one person fired a missile at and hit the helicopter, it went down. One person was seen to escape the 'copter just before it hit the ground. He didn't move after landing. Kate directed the sensors at his location and saw that his life signs were failing. She asked if there was anything they could do to help him. AL informed them that they could transport him on board and take him back to the base. None of them knew how to transport him on board. AL took over, transported the marine on board and set a rapid ascent and course back to the base.

As soon as they landed at the base, they were met by all the rest of the crew. The marine was taken immediately to Med Bay where the Doc was waiting. He was luck in that there was no critical injury, at least not critical as far as the Doc was concerned. Doc informed them that the man would be unconscious for several hours but he should survive. The marine looked very young, when Sam pulled his ID they found out that his name was Ted Smith and he was 19 years old. Doc asked Amy if he could speak with her in private. After they had moved away from the others Amy was informed that a routine DNA scan of the man showed him to be related to the ex-First Officer, closely related. Amy took this news in stride, she was more concerned about his injuries than his ID.

Several hours later Ted woke up, he hurt all over. The Doctor standing there examined him with a strange hand-held unit and offered him something for the pain but Ted refused. Ted then asked what had happened to him and was told that the Captain would talk to him shortly. With that said the Doc just faded out! It was about 5 minutes later when a young girl came in, introduced herself as Amy and asked how he was feeling. He told her that he hurt a little. Amy just spoke in to the air and asked for something for his pain; the Doc reappeared and once again offered him something. This time Ted said yes. There was a hiss and Ted felt much better. Amy thanked the Doc who promptly disappeared again. Ted asked where he was, again. Amy just said that he was in a special hospital and asked what he could remember. Ted said the last thing he remembered was the 'copter blowing up and him jumping out. Then he asked if they got the base or not. Amy told him that as far as she knew there was still at least one person left there, the one that had shot the helicopter. She asked if he was hungry and when he said he was she asked what he would like to eat. Thinking this was a joke on him, he asked for a steak medium rare, baked potato with lots of butter and cheese, and an old fashion. Amy said no alcohol was available would tea do instead? Ted just nodded his head. Amy went over to a panel on the wall and placed his order; a few seconds later she returned with his meal. "While you enjoy your steak I will go tell the rest that you are awake. I'll be back in about a half hour. If you need anything just ask out loud, okay" Amy said as she left. Once outside the door Amy instructed for the door to be secured until one of the crew returned.

Amy went to tell the rest of the crew that Ted was awake and also about his DNA scan results. After she had told everyone she asked what they thought about inviting Ted to join the crew. They all agreed that it might be a good idea if he was interested. Jake brought up the fact that the US probably thought he was dead so he could not return to Earth for quiet some time.

Amy checked with Doc to see when Ted could leave Med Bay; she was told he could leave in about 2 hours, if there weren't any problems. Doc also reported that Ted had tried to leave just after Amy exited; but was now resting comfortably back in bed. With this information Amy suggested that they all wait until Ted was released before subjecting him to the truth. Everyone agreed, so Amy went back to Med Bay to see Ted. Once she entered, Ted started asking questions right and left. Amy just told him to wait and all would be explained after he was released by the Doc. When asked how old she was she told him 16, but that was all the information he was getting right now. "I will be back to show you to your quarters in a couple of hours, after Doc has released you. Like I said before if you need anything just ask out loud this room is monitored for voice requests" Amy said just as she was leaving again.

As promised, Amy returned and escorted Ted not to his quarters but to the dinning room. Everybody was there waiting. Amy introduced Ted to each of them. Then asked if Ted would like something to drink, he said no.

"Okay, Ted you might as well have a seat, this is going to take a few minutes. I need to explain a few things, then you can ask your questions. First, this isn't a military base; it is a base but it is in space. Second, we are the crew, at least for now, as the original crew left a long time ago. Third, you are a descendant of that crew, as are all of us. Forth, we were watching when your 'copter was hit and it was Kate, Sally, and myself that rescued you and brought you here. We have come to the conclusion that the US government probably thinks you are dead along with the rest of the helicopter crew. Next, we are pretty sure the 'copter was sent to secure the nuclear arms at that site; but you were not expecting as many people as you found, that is why you were shot down. Now based on what I have told you, how would you feel about joining this crew on this base?" Amy said.

Ted looked like he was going to fall out of his chair, he was laughing so hard. "You really expect me to believe that? This must be some sort of test that "Sarg" thought up. Where is he?" Ted replied.

"Your sergeant is dead, that is if he was with you on the helicopter, as are the rest of the crew. I saw the missile hit and the 'copter explode." Kate interjected.

"What would it take to prove this to you, Ted? Think about it for a second; you were out in the middle of the dessert, your copter was shot down, you wake up without any sign of injury, a 16 year old girl is the only person you see for 4 to 6 hours, then you when you are allowed to leave the medical area the only people you see are 16 and 17 year olds. And how do you explain the food I gave you?" Amy inquired.

Ted just sat there and thought. After a few moments he said "What nuclear arms, we were told it was an ammo storage area that we needed to secure. We were not expecting any resistance and were surprised when we saw that many people. If you were watching why didn't anyone see you?".

"You mean that you did not know that there were nuclear arms there? As to why no one saw us the ship we were in was cloaked. What was your job on the copter?" Amy asked.

"I was one of the gunners, I was manning a 50 cal.; that is the only reason I was able to jump out" Ted replied. "Any way say I believe you; what would I be doing here? Shouldn't the commanding officer be the one to talk with me?" Ted added.

"I am the Captain, Jake is engineering, John is Science Officer, Sam is the Security Chief, Kate and Sally are our pilots. Your job would be as First Officer; once you have been brought up to date by AL, who is the computer AI on board. One thing that has slipped your mind is that if the military thinks you are dead and you show up they won't believe you and would probably lock you away somewhere." Amy explained.

Ted gave this some thought for a few minutes. "If what you are telling me is true then I have no choice but to either join you or be a captive; it that right?" Ted asked.

"Not exactly, you would have to stay here though." Sam replied.

"I guess I can all ways try it out" Ted injected.

"'There is no try, just do' to paraphrase Yoda. It's all or nothing at this time" Amy said with authority.

"Okay, when do I start and what do I have to do?" Ted said , finally giving in.

"Just go back to Med Bay and Doc will put in your subcutaneous transceiver, then just go to bed; AL will take it from there." Amy replied.

That is what happened, Ted did as instructed; he had the transceiver implanted and went to bed. Ted rested well that night and didn't even wake up after a few hours, as was his usual routine.