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Rick was left in a very strange mood. Things had been moving too quickly and he had never had a chance to consider his own situation. He hadn’t seen Nancy since before the election. While they really made no planes Rick thought it would be nice to see her again. He thought of her as the wife of a director, but would she really want that? She once told him that she was married to her job. Rick was afraid that he was becoming the job, and a personal life was secondary.
It was very strange. It was like he was living someone else’s life. The new job the new home. It was all surreal. He was willing to tolerate it because so many lives were at stake. Then he asked himself ‘What about my life?’ He didn’t want riches or fame. He wanted justice. Now it seemed all the world had turned upside down. He had all the riches and fame he could ever want, but was there justice?
It seemed like the more he reached for justice the more it slipped away, and the more barriers were put in his path.
He thought about his home, the slums of the worker sector. And what kind of injustice they suffered. He remembered a time when he would curse the rich for wealth they had, while he had nothing. That’s why he and Ted started breaking into houses to have something. They were kids and didn’t know any better. He remembered the night he got caught. The officer in charge of the crime scene pulled them off to the side and talked with them. He gave Rick and Ted a chance to remake their lives. He said, “Your lack of money had set you on a path, but you don’t have to stay on that path. You can pull yourself out of this. Be the man you were born to be.” Those words changed both of their lives. The sad part of it was that Rick didn’t even remember the man’s name.
Look at the two of them now. Two very powerful men because someone took the time to talk to them. Rick realized that all he ever wanted to do was thank the man for his words, he would have to ask Ted about him and find him.
Rick thought about that. He was in the Legal Building with access to the database. He went to the workstation in the back of the room. “Computer pull up the juvenile records for Richard J Thompson.”
“That file is sealed. After an induvial reaches legal age they are no longer held liable for crimes committed as a juvenile.”
“Unseal it, it is relevant to a current investigation on someone else.” The file came up on screen. It showed a long list of robberies and suspected robberies. Show the last report in this file. Rick read through the report and was stunned to find out who the man he was looking for was.
Manager Hobbs was on a ride along with uniformed security. The arresting officer said in the report that Manager Hobbs had a talk with the boys. The officer also said that he didn’t think it would do any good, but only time would tell.
Rick thought about what happened after that incident. His unemployed father got a job with the legal department moving boxes of evidence around from place to place. The job solved a lot of problems for Rick’s family. It was also the reason Rick got involved with security. First as a uniformed officer and then as an investigator.
Rick wasn’t sure how it happened, but he was certain that Ted has a similar story. Just getting into the military academy was a stroke of luck. Or was it? The fact that a kid from the slums could make to an Admiral meant that Hobbs was guiding his career. As Rick was now sure that Hobbs was guiding Rick’s as well.
Rick reached over and hit the button for the intercom. “Tim could you please come in here?”
Tim came into the conference room. Seeing that Rick was in the back at the workstation Tim came up to him. “Yes Sir?”
“Tim I know you are busy, but I have to ask. What do you know of Hobbs history?”
Tim seemed reluctant to answer. “A lot. Why?”
Rick understood Tim’s hesitancy. He didn’t want to say anything that would betray Hobbs.
“Was he ever a manager of the Legal Department?”
“Yes, What’s this all about?”
Instead of answering Rick turned the monitor to Tim and watch as he read the report. After he was done Tim stood and was silent for a moment. He took a deep breath and let out then said, “I’m going to tell you a story about me. My father was an alcoholic and a very abusive man. The night he killed my mother Manager Hobbs took me in and was my foster father from the time I was 16 until I became of legal age. He got me a job working in this department and groomed me to be his assistant. There were hints that he had done similar things for others. But I didn’t know until now who any of them were.”
“Why would he do that?”
“So now I’m going to answer your first question. His father was the Director of the Legal Department. He wanted his son to learn the department from the ground up. He saw the injustice in the world, and he did what he could to make things right. After his father died he became the Director. He was unlike any other Director. He has no children. But the seeds he planted years before were starting to grow. People like you, me, Ted, and I have a sneaking suspicion Justin. I think he looks at us all as sons. I personally think you would have been Director one day. I think Hobbs would have left it to you in his will. Becoming CEO just brought that date forward sooner than expected.”
“Thank you for telling me that Tim. I have been wanting to thank him all my life but didn’t know who he was.”
“Rick please don’t. He did what he did to see who you really are. The best way that all of us can show our gratitude is to do the best job we can do and justify his faith in us.”
“I see your point. So let’s get the job done.”
“Yes Sir,” said Tim with a new pride. And left the room.
Rick thought about what Tim had said. The sons of Hobbs. Then he thought about what Hobbs himself said, ‘Be the man you were born to be.’ Rick would have to talk to Ted about this. Now that he knew his story. And part of Ted’s, he wondered what else Hobbs had done for them.
Now Rick understood why Hobbs was so interested in his love life. All fathers want grandkids.
Tim stuck his head in the door and said, “Sir, can I bother you for a moment?”
“Is it Hobbs on the line?” Rick was anxious to hear back from Hobbs, and it showed.
“No Sir, this is something else.”
“Sorry. What can I do for you Tim?”
“I’d like you to meet someone.” Tim opened the door farther and Rick saw that someone was with Tim.
Rick Got up and went closer to the door. “Sir,” said Tim. “This is Mr. Talbet. Your replacement.”
Rick looked at the man. It was like looking into a mirror that made you look a little heavier.
“Wow,’ said Talbet. “You look like me”
“That’s funny,” said Rick. “I was about to say the same thing.”
“Well Sir, I wanted to meet you to study you for a bit.” Talbet was looking intently at Rick.
“Study me?”
Tim said, “He is an actor. He wanted to meet you to see if there are any mannerisms he should take into account.”
“Ah,” said Rick. “I see, but as no one you will meet knows anything about me I don’t think it will be that pressing.”
“Forgive me for saying so sir,” said Talbet. “That is not totally true. You see everyone on the known galaxy saw a lot of you at the news feeds of Nash’s trial. There are certain things you do, like this.” Talbet put one arm around his waist and put the other elbow on it and cradled his face with his thumb and forefinger.
“I don’t do that,” said Rick confused.
“With all due respect Sir,” said Tim. “You do. I’ve seen you do it myself. It’s usually when you are considering something.”
Talbet look at Rick, “Yeah you do. I saw you do it several times through the trial. That’s where I got it from.”
Rick walked up to Talbet and stood facing him. He put out his right arm and Talbet matched his movement. Rick continued this for several minutes making motions and Talbet mirrored it. It was like watching some strange mime show. At length Rick said, “He’ll do.”
At that moment Rick put one arm around his waist and put the other elbow on it and cradled his face with his thumb and forefinger. When he realized what he had done he dropped his arms. “Yes I think he will do nicely. Has Tim told you what he needs you to do?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Good, do me a favor and don’t make me look like the klutz that I am,” said Rick with a smile.
Talbet smiled back. “Yes Sir.”
“So, I don’t know If Tim told you this but in short you are going to be dropped into a tank full of sharks.”
“Sir, I am fully aware of what my role is to be, and what kind of responses are acceptable.”
“I’m glad someone told you, because I don’t even know want responses are acceptable,” said Rick and both men laughed. “Tim, make him ready.”
“Don’t worry Sir, I’ll be with him the whole night. I’ll keep him out of trouble.”
“Good, now get out of here I have things to do.”
Tim seemed to understand that Rick wanted to be alone, and he ushered Talbet out.
After they were gone, Rick sat and let his mind wander. Not thinking about anything. He didn’t know how much time had passed when Tim walked into the room meekly, “Sir. The CEO is on the line for you.”
“Great,” said Rick with enthusiasm pulling himself out of the melancholy mood. “Put him on.”
“Good, go to the roof parking lot. A fighter will be landing by the time you get there. It will take you to a ship going to Rossom. CEO Ridges has agreed to meet with you.”
“Sir I don’t know what this cost you to pull this off but thank you.”
“You don’t want to know but if it can stop a war, it will be worth it. Now go. Hobbs out.”
Rick looked around and found Tim was gone. “Tim!”
The door opened and Tim handed Rick a bag. He opened it. It had some clothes a razor and shaving cream, toothbrush, and toothpaste. “How did you know?” said Rick as he closed the bag and headed for the lift.
Tim followed him. “I knew an hour ago when you first called the CEO. I know him well enough to know how things work.” Tim smiled as they were waiting for the lift. The door opened and he said, “Get going you have a galaxy to save.”
“Thanks Tim.” He let the doors close behind him and headed for the roof. As Rick stepped onto the roof. Fighter was just setting down. He walked up as the canopy opened, the pilot said, “Come on Sir the ship will be leaving the system within the hour.”
Rick climbed into the gunner’s seat. As he sat back for the trip, he began to wonder why Collier had his own fighter? Was it supplied by Wilson or the band of rebels?
The ship docked and as soon as Rick stepped onto the flight deck an officer came up to him and said, “Sir, I have been requested to escort you to the captain’s office.”
“Let’s go.” Rick followed the young man through the ship not knowing where he was going.
As they arrived at the office, Rick noticed the name plate on the hatch. Captain Jennings, at least Rick knew his name. the young officer knocked on the hatch.
“Come,” said a male voice from inside the room. The hatch was opened, and Rick was confronted by a man that looked like he smelled a foul odor in the air.
Rick thought he would show the respect that was due a man of his rank. “You wanted to see me Captain?”
Jennings looked over at the officer and said, “Dismissed.” Once he was gone and the hatch closed, Jennings turned to Rick. “Would you mind telling me why we are going into enemy territory with my guns muzzled?”
Rick thought for a moment on how to best handle this situation. He could use his new position to bully his way through. Yet it might be better to get cooperation. “Because Captain they are not the enemy.”
“Would you care to enlighten me on how they are not the enemy?”
“Okay. Captain what I’m about to tell you is highly classified information. Because you are risking your life and that of your crew, I feel you have the right to know what is going on.”
“I’m listening.” Jennings seemed a little less hostile.
Rick told him the story of how he was sent to investigate Collier and his part of the bombing of Pacifica. How the evidence turned to Nash, but that Collier was still suspected of bombing the labs that was causing the conflict between Wilson and Rossom. Finally, he shared the conversation he had with Admiral Hornsby. “So, you see we are trying to gain an ally.”
“Permission to speak freely Sir?”
“Always, you don’t have to ask,” said Rick. “Speak your mind.”
“I have a problem with that, Sir. I lost family at the Summit station. A brother and cousin. We know that Rossom did that.”
“Yes we do. However, if Collier hadn’t attacked the other corporations, Rossom would have not retaliated. So ultimately Collier is responsible for your loss. So, we need to clean up our own mess.”
That seemed to strike a chord with Jennings. “Yes Sir. Orders?”
“Follow whatever orders you were given and stay out of it. If provoked, jump out. If you leave me, I believe I can make my own way home.”
“Very well.” Jennings reached over and hit a button on his desk. “Command Deck, prepare to get underway.”
“Yes Sir.”
Jennings looked at Rick. “It will take us about two hours to get to Santina, the Rossom home world. Why don’t you get some rest? I have a feeling that you are going to have a long day ahead of you. The yeoman outside will fix you up.”