Commander Jim Rucker was used to space station life. For three years he was the station commander of Armstrong Station above Earth. He’d been instrumental in aiding Ed, Andy and Linda to undertake their famous first experimental jump in the Cartella a couple of years ago.
When Director of NASA James Dewey had been voted GDA Ambassador of the Helios System, Jim Rucker had been James’s first choice for the ambassador’s personal assistant position.
Being summoned to the ambassador’s shuttle in the middle of a sleep cycle was not one of the job’s best features, he thought, as he ran his hand through his bed hair and hurried across the eastern docking zone– although he found hurrying anywhere smothered by the burdensome grip of GDA gravity quite a chore.
Dewey’s shuttle was docked on airlock 309 and Jim could see the vessel across to the right through the row of oval porthole windows lining one side of the corridor. His stomach rumbled loudly as the smell of bacon and fresh coffee hit him as he turned the corner and entered the airlock. He nodded at the two Marines facing him and emitted a sigh of relief as the gravity reduced to the standard one G of Earth as he stepped into the ship and undertook the customary iris scan.
The ship was bigger than a standard shuttle. A Delfort class vessel, affectionately known as a boss bus, it was standard issue by the GDA to most system ambassadors. They were fast, comfortable and could defend themselves as they were essentially a converted navy corvette. He found Dewey in the galley hugging a huge mug of black coffee as if his life depended on it. Dewey was lovingly watching a row of bacon rashers lined up sizzling on a salamander grill he’d personally had retrofitted.
‘Ah, just in time, Jim,’ said Dewey, turning the bacon. ‘Just in time, indeed.’
‘Mornin’, Ambassador,’ Jim mumbled, sliding onto a bar stool that Dewey nodded towards. ‘I take it something has occurred to warrant five-in-the-morning bacon butties?’
‘Indeed it has, Jimmy, indeed it has,’ Dewey said, pouring and passing over another flagon of black coffee. ‘About thirty minutes ago, a drone arrived in system from Edward. He’s uncovered a serious and imminent threat to the GDA and in particular Dasos itself.’
Dewey explained the Moguls’ likely planned attack, and Jim’s eyes widened as he spoke.
‘Oh shit,’ he said, staring straight at the ambassador. ‘Have you passed this on to naval command?’
‘Yes, I briefed Bache Loftt about twenty minutes ago, so he’ll be in the process of alerting the chain of command as we speak.’
‘I take it this is all classified to avoid planet-wide panic?’ Jim asked.
‘It is,’ said Dewey, turning off the salamander and using tongs to place a handful of rashers into each of two pre-buttered baguettes. ‘Red sauce if I remember rightly?’ he asked.
Jim nodded and was about to speak when the communications panel on the wall issued a shrill tone. Dewey touched a flashing icon to accept the incoming transmission.
A holographic image of Bache Loftt appeared in the corner of the small galley and nodded at the two of them. Judging by his rather casual dress, he had been off duty too.
‘Ambassador Dewey, Assistant Rucker,’ he said, adopting a rather harried demeanour. ‘The naval high command have called an emergency caucus and its deliberations will be announced shortly. In the meantime, I have requested all available vessels to converge on Dasos at best speed and be on the highest alert on arrival.’
‘Thank you, Commander,’ said Dewey. ‘We all know Edward well enough to realise he would be the last person to cry wolf unnecessarily. But you must remember the intended target being Dasos was a best guess scenario and not confirmed.’
‘We understand that, Ambassador,’ said Loftt. ‘But you must admit it would be the most obvious target and the Moguls certainly aren’t renowned for intricate battle plans.’
‘No,’ said Jim, grimacing. ‘Hit it with a large hammer is their answer to just about everything.’
Loftt adopted a rueful smile at the observation. He’d mentioned on several occasions he found the way Earth humans could find humour in even the worst situations refreshing and a lot less stuffy than the normal GDA attitude.
‘A seven-kilometre colony ship stuffed full of rock is certainly a very big hammer,’ said Loftt. ‘Let’s hope Edward can find some way of diverting the thing before it gets too close.’
‘If it’s remotely possible, I’m sure it’ll be done,’ said Dewey, trying to sound confident.
‘Before I go,’ said Loftt, ‘are you planning to attend the conclave on Panemorfi?’
‘I am,’ said Dewey. ‘Leaving tomorrow.’
‘I’ll see you there,’ said Loftt. ‘I’ve been ordered to attend as well – and bring some of that bacon, I can smell it through the hologram.’
Loftt disappeared.
‘Thing of galactic beauty,’ said Jim.
‘Who, Commander Loftt?’ said Dewey, giving Jim a strange sideways look.
‘No, your bacon sangers – they’re becoming legendary among the stars, it seems.’
Dewey slid a plate and a ketchup bottle across the work surface.
‘Get that down you,’ he said. ‘Unless you want to put it in a display cabinet.’