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Station Commander Bogdonich called the meeting to order. He called on Lieutenant Vasilikov to present his results.
Vasilikov began, “Commander we have run a full diagnostics in communications. The hull bots report no physical problems with the antenna. There doesn't appear to be any malfunction here at the station. We believe that the problem must lie with the Starfisher.”
Bogdonich spoke up, “Okay Lieutenant. Then it is apparent that we will not find out the Starfisher's status through communications. I need suggestions on how to determine that status as soon as possible.”
There was quiet. Vasilikov said, “Commander I don't believe we have any way of determining the status of the Starfisher at the probable distance they have traveled from the station.”
“So none of you has any ideas?” asked Bogdonich. After almost a minute of silence in which the Commander piercingly surveyed each man in the room.
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These officers are supposed to be the best the Terran Federation has to offer, thought the Commander while shaking his head.
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Bogdonich finally said, “It seems we haven't had any ideas since the station men left on the Starfisher.” After letting that sink in he said, “All of you are dismissed!”
Vasilikov approached him but before he could speak the Commander turned away and said, “All of you get out now!”
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The Starfisher was only a week out from Pluto Station when Loring called for Jonah to come to see him.
“Come in Jonah,” said Loring. “Have a seat.”
“Hello Jack. How are you?”
“I'm fine Jonah, thank you. I wanted to discuss something with you that I have been thinking about since you and I first talked on the station. Actually I've been feeling guilty for not telling you.”
“What is it Jack?”
“You know Jonah that I and the rest of the men respect you a great deal. You are the only person since we signed up for Pluto Station that has treated us like human beings and not just station machinery. That is why I think you should know about the plans the Terran Federation and some in the Solar Federation have for this mission.”
“Plans?”
“Yes Jonah. You see these people wanted to take Tharsis away from you. They had plans for the Lt. Commander and us station men along with the Starfisher crew to establish a base of operations on Tharsis. You and the other colonists were to be forced to return to Neptune on the Starfisher. The Terran Federation would claim that the conditions found on Tharsis made it no place for colonists, especially women and children. Some in the Solar Federation might protest but would be expected to eventually acquiesce. I'm sorry Jonah.”
“I see, is that why you and the other men took over the Starfisher?”
“I'll admit it is one of the reasons Jonah. No doubt our grievances with The Terran Federation had something to do with it too. But the treachery exhibited towards you and the other colonists may have been the catalyst, the last straw for most of the men and certainly for me.”
“Thank you Jack for telling me. But I have to say that even though some in both Federations have been insincere in their dealings with us and with you I wish you and the men would turn over the Starfisher to Captain Ellis. You are throwing away your future, you will be outlawed by all the worlds. You will be running from the authorities for the rest of your lives. It isn't any way to live Jack.”
“I appreciate your concern Jonah but here's my reply. By not providing adequate sustenance the Terran Federation broke its contract with me and the men, showing no concern for our physical welfare. They showed their contempt for our public reputation by involving us in this ridiculous plot to take Tharsis from you. They are totally and completely without any sense of propriety. We will stand up to them now by refusing to cooperate with their schemes. Their arrogance will eventually be clear for all to see and others will join us in our resistance.”
“That is probably true Jack. But that may take some time.”
“We can wait Jonah, we only hope it will occur in our lifetimes.”
Jonah continued to talk with Jack during the entire flight back to Pluto Station. Both trying to convince the other to compromise.
––––––––
Commander Bogdonich had ordered an around the clock long-range monitoring for spacecraft from the last known heading of the Starfisher. He expected that if the ship had turned back, its trajectory inbound would be much the same as that outbound. But that meant that the monitoring only included a small patch of space in that direction.
Any maneuvering that took the Starfisher outside that patch essentially made it invisible to the station's long-range monitoring and that is what Jack Loring had ordered. The Starfisher would not be noticeable by the station until it was upon them. At any rate, close enough for the station men aboard the Starfisher to implement their plan to defeat the station's defenses before they were ever brought to bear on the ship.
Bogdonich had just retired to his quarters when the alarms went off on the station. He reached for the comm-link and called the on-duty officer. Before the duty officer could respond the link went dead. The Commander was irritated. Then the lights went out, the quiet hum of the circulation fans stopped next. Now the Commander was starting to seethe. But when the alarm stopped with an uncharacteristic failing moan the Commander was surprised. Such a massive failure of systems was impossible. He used his Annie as a flashlight and headed for the command deck.
It took Commander Bogdonich much longer than he expected to get to command. Station bots immobile and in the way, none of the automatic doors, none of the ladder tows, nothing working. The darkness was difficult to penetrate in places. On the command deck, Bogdonich found his command crew reduced to bumping about under the soft glow of emergency lamps.
The duty officer immediately upon seeing Bogdonich began a status report.
“Sir,” he said. “We have a massive failure mode. Every system on the station is down as far as we can tell. The engineers are stumped. We have only a single channel of off-station communications available. And that is only powered by the lowest level power source. Not more than docking distance is achievable.”
Commander Bogdonich stuttered, “It doesn't ma-make sense. How, how can we have an external radio link working but nothing within the station? I couldn't even call up here on the comm-link. I won't sit here deaf, dumb and blind mister. You, you tell the engineers I want power back now!”
“Yes Commander,” said the duty officer as he rushed off towards engineering.
The Commander stood there fuming but beginning to fear the magnitude of the emergency he was facing. His mind was racing, but racing in circles. He felt like rushing to engineering. He felt like crawling back into his bunk in his darkened quarters. Just then the radio crackled and the voice of Jack Loring was heard.
“Pluto Station this is Jack Loring aboard the Starfisher. Let me speak with Commander Bogdonich.”
Bogdonich was stunned. He didn't move immediately to the communications station. The communications officer motioned to the Commander to take the mic.
“Pluto Station can you read me?”
“Just a moment Mr. Loring,” said the communications officer, “the Commander is on his way.”
Finally, the Commander moved to the comm station and took the mic. “Th-This is Commander Bogdonich,” he said.
“Commander, I have complete control of your station. I am going to prove this to you by having the lighting on the command deck restored at this time.”
The lights came on, Bogdonich shielded his eyes.
“Commander, are your lights now on?”
“Yes Loring,” replied Bogdonich reluctantly.
“Okay Commander I think you now know what we could do to you and the men on the station if we wished. But I've been talking to Jonah Jackson and he has persuaded me that to continue on this course is not the best thing for me and the rest of the station men aboard Starfisher. Instead of making you pay for your past transgressions against us we are going to move on with our lives. Jonah has convinced us that revenge against you would not serve our best interests.
“So after dropping off the Lt. Commander and Captain Ellis and his men and picking up the other station men that hired in with us, we plan on taking Jonah and the other colonists to Tharsis. Then me and the rest of the men will take the Starfisher to wherever we wish. The Starfisher is payment for the remainder of our contract. The Solar Federation and the Terran Federation can work it out, we don't care. Captain Ellis and his men will transfer to the station soon. We will restore the station's normal operation when we have removed the Starfisher to a safe distance. That is all Commander.”
“Wait!” cried Commander Bogdonich into the mic. “Yo-you can't do that, Tharsis belongs to the Federation, I, I mean...” He stopped, realizing his mistake. He keyed the mic then released it, then sat down. The Commander looked around the deck as if he were searching for someone he might know. Then he put his head in his hands.
“You heard that Jonah! The fool gave it away. I told you the whole mission was a front to further the aims of the Federation.”
“I heard,” said Jonah walking towards Loring. “And we must be careful not to repeat their arrogance. I urge you to join me in a declaration of our right to proceed as we are. I also would urge you and all the other men to reconsider the confiscation of the Starfisher though you certainly have reason.
“We could use you men to help establish the colony at Tharsis. Once settled I think you'll find the future of operations there to be very profitable. No one but the colonists and the leaders of the Solar Federation knows this but the station we are establishing is just a first in a series of stations to provide engineering support for the Star-Way. Do you know what that is Jack?”
Loring looked startled. He said, “Yeah, I've heard of it. A laser-driven highway to the stars.”
“That's right. The Star-Way that has been a dream for so long is about to become a reality. Just think, sailing ships propelled by light rays between the stars. Eventually a whole network of Star-Ways taking mankind interstellar. Let the Terran Federation have one small solar system if they so desire, we will have the stars.
“This is the beginning Jack and you and the rest of the men could be a part of that beginning. And if you join us you will be entitled to the same consideration as the rest of the colonists. You will be treated the same under the law which you will assist in defining and rendering. You will have full citizenship of Tharsis Colony.
“If you choose we can send the Starfisher back to Pluto Station on automatic after we're established at Tharsis and the Solar Federation can retrieve it at its convenience.”
"But what about the traitors in your own Federation?"
"They'll be rooted out once I send in my report. Join us Jack."
“You've given me and the men something to think about Jonah. Let's get the Starfisher on her way to Tharsis first and then the men and I will give you our answer.”
Jonah smiled.