Death Haunts the Stars Read online

  Rivers leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. She's a highly gifted and successful officer! Why does there seem to be an issue between us? Rivers wondered. He leaned forward again and cleared his screen of O'Reilly's record and pulled up his calendar. He added O'Reilly's name to his breakfast guest list for the morning after FTL insertion. She would normally be on duty on the bridge until his arrival but maybe the invite would break down some barriers. And he would ask her to remain after breakfast so that the ship's two senior officers could have a little chat.

  Using his neuroelectronic implant, Rivers checked the Connie's status once more. There were still a few hours before reaching the IP, so he rose once more from his chair and stretched. Then he picked up a library tablet from his desk and stepped over to the couch. He pulled a couple of pillows from a cabinet next to the couch and laid them on one end of the couch.

  Rivers then loosened his collar and stretched out on the couch, resting his head on the pillows. He activated the tablet and browsed through the books and movies stored in its memory. He made a habit of adding to his library whenever he arrived back on Earth following a mission. Rivers had fairly broad tastes in what he liked to read and watch; everything from action to zoology. With trips out and back measured in years, even a busy deep-space captain had plenty of free time on his or her hands. Hell, I've even had time to take a number of computer-based college courses towards a PhD in xenogeology, Rivers thought. That should complement my PhDs in Aerospace Management and Military History.

  He flipped to the tablet's book library and found an old, classic science fiction novel written back in the 20th Century by an author named G. Harry Stine. Rivers had read some of Stine's works before and had even taken the time to research the man's background. He discovered to his delight that Stine had written his early science fiction under the pseudonym, Lee Correy. This led Rivers to discover and read more of the Stine's works. The book Rivers opened was the first in a series about military robots controlled neuroelectronically by soldiers.

  Rivers appreciated that the idea Stine had described in his novels and some science-fact articles (Stine was both an engineer and a scientist!) served as the basis for the command implant in his head. In fact, it was amazing just how many science fiction ideas of the past had evolved into the science facts of the 23rd Century. Like aluminum oxynitride...once called 'transparent aluminum' in an old Star Trek movie...now used extensively for view ports and numerous other star vessel applications.

  Normally a very fast reader, Rivers took his time...savoring the story, the characters, and all of their nuances. After an hour and a half of reading, he set the tablet on the coffee table, closed his eyes, and drifted into a deep, restful sleep.

  Rivers' neuroelectronic linkage received the T-minus one hour alert as scheduled and chimed to waken the captain. He woke slowly, breathing deeply to flush his system with oxygen. Rolling to his feet from the couch, Rivers stretched to remove any kinks from his back and neck. He stowed the pillows in their cabinet and put his tablet back on the charging plate on his desk. He poured a fresh cup of coffee and took a sip before visiting the small restroom at the aft end of the ready room. Thank God, Colonial Fleet didn't continue ancient naval traditions and call it 'the head' or 'the latrine', he thought.

  Several minutes later, he emerged from the restroom and adjusted the collar of his uniform. Ready once more to face the future, Rivers took a moment to complete his reports and forward them to his communications officer for transmission. Rivers picked up his coffee cup, topped it off then stepped over to the door to the bridge. It slid quietly aside allowing him to enter the ship's command center. Someone called out the ubiquitous "Captain's on the bridge!"

  He stepped over to the command console. "Anything to report, XO?"

  "Ship's systems still in the green, Captain," O'Reilly answered. "FTL is warmed up and ready to be engaged on your order."

  Rivers nodded and replied, "Very good, XO. I have the conn. You are welcome to go off-shift, if you wish."

  "You have the conn, sir! If you don't mind, I'd like to remain on duty through FTL insertion. I'm still well within alert duty condition," responded the young commander.

  "Very well, XO! Glad to have you with us," Rivers said. "Mr. Bynes, please prepare our pre-insertion report for transmission to Fleet HQ. Transmit at T-minus 30 seconds." Rivers had his message to Fleet Cargo queued to be sent with the PIR. Turning to face O'Reilly, he asked, "XO, what do you say we start running our pre-insertion checklists?"

  "Aye, sir," said O'Reilly. "All stations, this is the bridge. We will begin running the pre-insertion checklists in two minutes."

  Departments across the ship became flurries of activity as each crewmember on duty double and triple checked their assigned areas of responsibility. Once again, the captain asked each department head for a go/no go status. Once more, the crew of the Conestoga announced themselves ready for the next phase of their journey.

  Captain James Rivers acknowledged the ship's final pre-insertion status then turned to Commander O'Reilly. "XO, bring the ship to FTL readiness!"

  "Aye, sir," O'Reilly answered. "Attention all hands, Conestoga is on countdown to FTL insertion. Go to full FTL readiness. I repeat...go to full FTL readiness.

  Massive bulkhead doors closed and locked throughout the ship. Passengers sought seats in their quarters or on the observation deck one level below the bridge.

  O'Reilly scanned the status boards, verifying with her eyes what her own neuroelectronic linkage data was telling her. Then she turned to Rivers and said, "Captain, the ship is at full FTL readiness."

  "Thank you, XO," replied Rivers. "Navigator, set course."

  Lieutenant Commander Gaines' fingers played across his console. "Course set, sir!"

  "Very good, Mr. Gaines. Pilot, what's our count?"

  Lieutenant Commander Wynona Polewytewa's eyes flicked to the timer on her console. "Sir, we are at T-minus 3 minutes...mark!"

  "Excellent, Ms. Polewytewa," Rivers responded. He looked about the room and said, "If anyone wants to get out here and walk home this is your last chance! Any takers?"

  A chuckle rippled across the bridge. Rivers was pleased to see a smile upon his executive officer's face. FTL insertion could become quite intense; Captain Garcia-Lopez always used a little levity to lighten the mood.

  "No? Well, alright then! Let's get go to Camadin," he said.

  "Captain, Engineering," came the hail over the ship's intercom.

  "Go, Engineering!"

  "FTL drive controls released to Pilot. Sublight drive shutdown on your mark."

  "Thank you, Chief!" Rivers responded.

  "T-minus 2 minutes...mark," said the pilot.

  "Captain, Security," Commander Bradley said over the intercom.

  "Go ahead, Security!"

  "Ship's interior secure. Stingers manned and ready for combat flight operations, if need be."

  Rivers smiled at Bradley's caution. More than one Colonial Fleet vessel had been attacked just prior to entering FTL. "Roger that, Security!"

  Polewytewa announced, "T-minus 1 minute and counting."

  O'Reilly scanned the bridge displays and reported, "T-minus one minute, all ship's systems remain at GO, Captain."

  Rivers nodded and replied, "Copy that, XO!"

  "T-minus 50 seconds, FTL generators stable."

  "Attention all personnel, this is the Captain. Prepare for FTL insertion. XO, sound the warning."

  "FTL warning aye, sir!"

  A klaxon sounded three times over the next several seconds.

  "T-minus 40 seconds!"

  Commander Meaghan O'Reilly scanned the displays once more. "Captain, ship remains in the green!"

  "Thank you, XO! Engineering, Bridge. Prepare to shutdown sublight drive system!"

  "Ready when you are, Captain!"

  "T-minus 30 seconds!"

  "Ship's pre-insertion reported transmitted, Captain!"

  "Engineering, SDS shutdown...now!"r />
  "SDS shutdown, aye!"

  "Captain, I confirm SDS shutdown," began Polewytewa, "T-minus 15 seconds!"

  "Thank you! Pilot, the ship is yours!"

  "Copy that, Captain, I have the ship! T-minus 10 seconds..."

  "...9 seconds..."

  "...8 seconds..."

  "...7 seconds..."

  "...6 seconds..."

  "...5 seconds..."

  "...4 seconds..."

  "...3 seconds..."

  Lieutenant Commander Polewytewa's fingers tapped the critical keys and...

  "...engaging FTL...NOW!"

  Chapter 2

  Ship's Log

  Terran Colonial Vessel Conestoga

  Earthdate: 24 September 2219

  Captain James B. Rivers, Commanding

  Day: 002

  We are proceeding on FTL drive to Camadin. FTL insertion went smoothly and within a couple of hours, we determined that the Connie was in the groove and functioning smoothly. With the ship safely underway, the bridge crew and I turned the ship over to Second Shift then headed to our quarters. Day 1 is always hard on First Shift and the senior officers with few getting to the rack until well after midnight.

  I scheduled a Captain's Breakfast for the following morning at 0800 hours, stripped off my uniform, and was asleep within minutes. It seemed like I'd just closed my eyes when my wake up alarm sounded. I called the bridge on the ship's intercom for an update and, once satisfied we hadn't exploded while I was asleep, rose from my bed. I did my usual routine of stretching exercises, sit ups, and push-ups to get the blood going, then made my way into the bathroom.

  Once showered, shaved, and in a fresh uniform, I was ready to face the universe once more...or at least the interior of my ship. The walk through the ship's corridors to the dining facility went quickly and soon I was seated in the side room that served as the Captain's Mess. I normally take lunch on the bridge and dinner in the main dining room, rotating my tablemates throughout the voyage. Well, most of them anyway. Commander Charlotte Hanson has had a standing invitation to dine at my table for the past couple of years.

  I was soon joined by Executive Officer O'Reilly, Chief Engineer Deckard, and Security Chief Bradley. A breakfast with my senior officers was another habit I'd picked up from Manny. It gives us a chance to start the day in a friendly atmosphere!

  As his officers entered the Captain's Mess, Rivers invited them to get a beverage of their choice and select some food from the buffet set up along one wall of the room. Soon, they had filled their cups or glasses and their plates and were seated around the table.

  "Good morning, everyone," Rivers said cheerfully. "Congratulations on a textbook orbital departure and FTL insertion yesterday! This voyage of the TCV Conestoga has begun most auspiciously and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your hard work to make it happen. Please tell the crew how pleased I am." The others applauded softly, O'Reilly softest of all.

  Commander Pat Deckard set down his coffee mug and said, "Captain, we've got a heckuva crew here. I've gotta say I've never seen better teamwork in Engineering in my twenty years in space." This generated another round of applause.

  Rivers asked if anyone wished to say a blessing and Commander O'Reilly answered with a very short one then everyone began to eat. Conversation was light and breezy and all too soon, the meal was over. Rivers looked over at his officers and said, "Thank you again for a great job yesterday and for joining me for breakfast this morning! Let's get our shifts sorted out today and meet again in the morning. XO, you and I will begin our 12-on/12-off duty rotation today, so if you would be so kind as to stay a few moments, I'd be most grateful." Deckard and Bradley said their goodbyes and took their dishes and silverware to the sideboard, depositing them on the tray set there for that purpose.

  As the door slid shut behind the two departing officers, Rivers rose to pour himself more coffee. "Would you care for some more orange juice, XO? Or some coffee, perhaps?"

  "Thank you, no, sir." O'Reilly replied.

  Rivers returned to his seat. "XO, I thought we could take a few minutes and just get to know each other a little better. The past several months since you came aboard the Connie have been rather hectic and we've both been busy with our duties. Is there anything I can do to help you with your transition to your new posting?"

  Meaghan O'Reilly fidgeted slightly in her chair then said, "Thank you, Captain. We have been busy, but I'm settling in well enough."

  Rivers fidgeted for a moment himself and finally said, "Look, Meaghan, I've been sensing something...slightly off...between you and me. As the captain and executive officer of the Conestoga, we have to have a positive and trusting working relationship. We have to develop a rapport that will build on our strengths and overcome our weaknesses. I want you to know that I've been over your record, your background, spoken with your previous commanding officers, and I specifically asked for you for this posting."

  O'Reilly rose from her chair and walked over to the viewport set in one wall. The streaks of light outside were indicative of a ship traveling at faster-than-light speeds. "Sir...it's difficult to talk about."

  Finally! Rivers thought. "Meaghan, I'm not just your commanding officer, but to the extent regulations will allow, I'm also a friend. Please, let's talk this out."

  O'Reilly turned to face Rivers then returned to her seat. "Captain, I was scheduled to be posted to the Shenandoah when your request came through. An opportunity to serve aboard the best colony vessel in the Fleet, well, that doesn't come along too often. But, by transferring to the Conestoga, I...left someone behind to take this assignment."

  Rivers nodded. It happened altogether too often in the Colonial Fleet. Lovers separated by assignments and careers. "Meaghan, I would have approved a transfer to the Connie for your significant other."

  O'Reilly chuckled, "You don't need two executive officers, Captain. Chris felt I couldn't afford to pass up this opportunity. You know how Fleet HQ is about someone in the Command Program turning down an assignment and further career progression!"

  Rivers nodded again. Personnel in the Terran Colonial Fleet's Command Program could turn down a promotion or an assignment just once, but their chances of promotion afterwards were slim-to-none. The policy was not well liked by many within the service...but it was the policy!

  "That policy has cost the Fleet a number of fine people over the years. I've known several officers who opted out of an assignment and had to make the most of what was left of their careers. Others left the Fleet. I'm sorry this has put up a wall between us. As I said before, Meaghan, as captain and executive officer, we have to be able to work together for the benefit of the ship, her crew, and her mission. We don't have to agree on every decision but we have to support each other once a decision has been made. I wish we had discussed this before we left Earth but now...well, it's too late. We are committed to this mission. But, what you have told me brings up another possible problem."

  "What's that, captain?" O'Reilly asked.

  Rivers leaned forward, holding her gaze. "As you know, I'm in love with Dr. Charlotte Hanson." He paused to see her reaction to this admission. "And I'm planning to ask her to marry me. Would my doing so be offensive to you, given your situation?"

  O'Reilly paused ever so slightly before answering. "No sir! The entire crew knows you and the doctor are an item...and have been for some time. It has no bearing on my situation and will not interfere with our ability to function as a command team!"

  Rivers smiled and asked, "So, we're good? We can work together smoothly from here on out?"

  Commander Meaghan O'Reilly squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and looked Rivers directly in the eyes. "Yes sir! We most certainly are and can."

  Rivers stood up and extended his right hand. "I thought so. Don't give up on the Fleet...or on Chris, Meaghan. We need officers like you!"

  O'Reilly accepted the captain's handshake with genuine relief at having the problem brought out into the open. "
I won't, captain. And thank you, sir!"

  "You are most welcome," said Rivers. "Oh, and when it's just us...please call me James. We don't need to be formal all the time. Okay, Meaghan?"

  "Yes sir...er, yes...James!" O'Reilly replied. She leaned closer and asked, "So when do you plan to pop the question?"

  "Soon...very soon, as a matter of fact!" Rivers ran the fingers of one hand across the ring on his dog tag chain then glanced at his watch. "I actually had it planned for this evening at dinner."

  "That's wonderful, James! I'm so happy for you both!" Meaghan replied with genuine emotion in her voice. "I'll be sure to avoid the doctor today so I won't accidently give away your surprise."

  "I appreciate that. Well, let's let you go enjoy some down time. I've got to get the bridge, Commander, or they'll think you and I aren't needed to run the ship!" Rivers actually grinned at the thought of being declared unnecessary by his crew.

  O'Reilly threw Rivers a jaunty salute. "Have a good shift, Captain. Don't get us to Camadin before I get another turn at command!" Rivers and his XO shared a chuckle before leaving the Captain's Mess. Well, Rivers thought as he made his way to the bridge, now I know what's been bugging her. And I feel certain that she'll keep her word and focus on the mission.

  Rivers' shift on the bridge went by quickly and peacefully. All too soon, Commander O'Reilly stepped onto the bridge to relieve the captain. The ship's two senior most officers exchanged greetings then Rivers briefed his executive officer on the ship's status and his standing orders. O'Reilly accepted the report with a casual formality then she thanked her captain for their talk that morning. Finally, she wished him the best of luck at dinner!

  With one last look around the bridge, Rivers stepped into the elevator and rode it down to Officers' Quarters. In his quarters, he changed into some sweats then walked briskly to the Flight Deck. Many Fleet personnel used the open spaces of the hangar to walk or jog. Rivers liked to jog whenever possible to stay in shape. Today, he was full of nervous energy that he wanted to burn off before dinner.