Chapter 23
Crew Member Addition
It was several hours later and Scott had just poured a fresh cup of coffee. He and Fortried had spent the time since launch making sure everything was ship shape and a detailed inventory of supplies had been completed.
Fortried, on the other hand, not a fan of coffee had added several tea bags to the steaming cup of hot water he had heated.
Taking a break with nothing to say, they quietly sat across from each other watching the steam rise from their individual cups. The scene was almost comical as Scott who was of medium statue and this giant of a human sat at this small table wrapped in their own personal thoughts. Their individual cup sizes reflected their difference in statue with Fortried's cup at least three times the size of Scotts cup.
“….. is waiting for you to answer.” Nard’s sudden interruption made Scott jump and his attention turned to the com panel where he saw the incoming message indicator light blinking.
As usual Scott missed the first couple of words. “Who’s calling?” He asked even though in his mind he knew it could only be one person.
“Colby is waiting for you to answer.” Nard repeated.
“Ok, this is just what I needed, thanks a lot Nard.” Scott, knowing that Nard was not capable of recognizing sarcasm, moved over to the com. panel and he hit the lighted button.
“Goooood morning boss man.” Scott said as Colby’s face appeared on the monitor and he heard the open channel noise coming from the speakers.
“There you are, I was worried, you ok?” Colby voice relayed a sense of sincerity and true concern.
“Actually, I am a lot better. I’ve had some well needed rest and recuperation. Thank you for giving me time to readjust from the recent ordeals. I feel that I am ready to continue my investigation of those attacks.” Scott replied.
“Well you will have to scrap that investigation for now. We have a serious outbreak of hostilities and it looks really bad, innocent civilian are being slaughtered. There are nuclear weapons and Warmen involved. The planets are two close together for either to survive this type of conflict. I want you to go there and bring peace back to that area.” As Colby was speaking his face was replaced with a view of a galaxy with the two involved planets indicated by arrows and notes attached to each.
Scott studied the view, running his finger along the screen as he processed the presented information. “This, Mmm, this looks a lot like the Baltic Sector, is that right, the Baltic Sector?”
“Yes, that’s right, it’s the Baltic Sector.” Colby paused then continued. “I wasn’t aware that you were familiar with that sector or was that just a lucky guess on your part?”
“Lucky, lucky,” Scott said slowly as he continued to peruse the view on the screen. “Ok, ok, I will go there and see what I can do for these two unfortunate planets. I’ll get back to you when I have something to report.”
“Wait, wait a minute.” Colby said as his face popped back up on the monitor. “I have some good news for you, I am sending someone to help you.”
“Someone, anybody I know and why would I need help?” Scott knew it was very unusual for a Coordinator to have an accomplice. “Lose a little faith in my ability or what?”
“No, no, it’s not that, not that at all. I’m sending a young rookie, Gordon Ranks, and he is in need of some field work and a knowledgeable professional that can show him the ropes, so to speak. I could think of no one better qualified than you.” Colby said with a grin that made Scott think of the cat trying to hide the fact that he had just eaten the canary. "He scored extremely high when using the anticipator during field work, you'll like him.
“Ok Colby, I have planet fall in twenty two hours so your young rookie should get on the road as soon as possible.” Scott said as he studied the chronometer.
“He’ll be there, he’s already on his way, left this morning early.” The screen went blank as Colby ended the connection.
“Colby doesn’t know it but the task he said I should scrap is still on the forefront. A rookie, I’m getting a rookie, what could be next?” Scott’s question was rhetorical and, as he expected, no reply came from either Fortried or Nard.
Scott, for no apparent reason, double checked Nard’s calculations and, once he was sure that everything was as it should be, he turned to Fortried. “Time to get some rest, Nard has everything in hand and there's nothing for us to do but wait.”
Scott and Fortried headed for their individual bunks. Scott wasn’t sure if he could sleep with the thoughts he currently had running through his head. Surprisingly that changed shortly after he got comfortable and warm. Dreams came and went in an animated blur as he chased an unknown young man who ran back and forth between the legs of Fortried. As the young man turned, going back between the legs of Fortried, the sign he wore on his back became readable. Rookie was stenciled in bright red letters on the sign that flopped back and forth as the young man dodged in and out round and round the legs of Fortried.