Vaughn Heppner - The Lost Starship

“No,” Maddox said. “Lieutenant Noonan will help me. Once we figure out how to use the ship’s sensors, we’re going to scour space for a clue as to where we should go next. We’re deep in the Beyond. That doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of humans. We’re going to search for planetary industrial signs. If nothing else, if we find such a system, we can go there and fill our food stores. At best, we’ll also gain technical help to effect fuller repairs. I suspect we’ll only fix everything at a Star Watch dockyard.”

“Trying to bargain for repairs in a human-run star system out here in the Beyond would be dangerous,” Dana said. “The starship is a fantastic prize. It has alien technology that includes a new beam, a better shield and a completely new star drive that bypasses tramlines. Whoever captures the ship will be tremendously wealthy. Greed motivates people do to nasty things.”

Maddox took his time answering. Did he detect avarice in the doctor’s eyes? He didn’t want to believe it. She had taken the Star Watch oath. Would she hold to it? Or would Doctor Rich think of it as some lesser superstition she’d taken to build morale at the most critical juncture of the trip? Without Dana, none of this would have been possible. Maddox didn’t want her for an opponent again. He needed her to remain one hundred percent on the team.

“I’m not speaking about riches for myself,” Dana said, “if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Of course not,” Maddox said.

“I’m merely saying we have to worry about hijackers if we enter a technologically advanced star system. There’s something else, too. People in the past fled into the Beyond for a reason. Usually, the emigrants were odd in some way. Those oddities might trip us up if we go into their star system.”

“There are dangers all around us,” Maddox agreed, “but we have a deadly warship. People will trifle with us at their peril.”

“The starship has sustained heavy and obvious damage,” Dana said. “We’re limited in what we can do, and people are going to know it. That’s provided we can even get the star drive working again.”

“And that we can find such a technologically advanced star system somewhere close by,” Valerie added.

“Nevertheless,” Maddox said, “we have the neutron beam and a sturdy shield. We can fight whoever thinks to cheat us.”

“Once we repair the deflector generators, you’ll have a shield again,” Dana said. “I don’t even know if any of the other ship’s systems are repairable. The star drive has taken all my thoughts and energy. We have to restore it now .”

“Agreed,” said Maddox. “That’s why you’ll continue attacking the problem with Meta, Keith and Riker helping you.”

Both Maddox and Dana glanced at Meta.

The former two G miner continued to stare forlornly at a distant and unseen point.

“Meta,” Dana said softly. “Is anything the matter?”

Slowly, Meta turned her head. She no longer had her hair bound up. It now swept forward, partially hiding her features. From what Maddox could see, her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy.

“We’re stranded in the void,” Meta said. “We’re fast running out of food. My metabolism runs hotter than ordinary. I’ll starve long before anyone else does.”

Maddox had wondered the same thing about himself.

“You can’t give up now,” Dana told her. “We’re closer to winning everything than ever before.”

Meta made a soft sound. “Do you know how long I’ve been hearing that? Try all of my life. Every time I win, I land in something worse. I thought the prison planet was the height of despair. Wrong. It’s being in a starship that can’t jump, with food and hope quickly dwindling into nothing.”

“No, no,” Dana said, obviously pumping heartiness into her voice. “We have a window of opportunity. This is the time to use it. You have strength and wits. We can eat for a little while longer. During that time, let’s work like demons and fix what we can. If we fail, well, we can worry about it as our stomachs shrivel into nothing. Until then, I’ll fight with all my strength against the universe. I’m not going to let it beat me. And if it does, well, it will know that it has been in the fight of its life.”

Meta turned weary eyes onto Doctor Rich. “I realize that’s one of your strengths. You refuse to quit. You’re remorseless and never say die. I’m finally seeing that every victory lands me in a worse position. Can’t you understand how demoralizing that is?”

“Bah!” Dana said, chopping a hand through the air. “I can’t accept defeatism from you of all people. Do you remember all those monotonous months on Loki Prime? You were the most stalwart Temple Savant of the lot. Your positive attitude was more valuable than your mechanical shrewdness and strength. It’s the person who keeps trying that eventually wins.”

Meta sighed wistfully.

Looking away, Maddox realized something he hadn’t suspected before. Dana needed Meta. Maybe the Rouen Colony woman was the only real friend Dana Rich had ever had. The doctor needed someone who believed in her. That was interesting. As their leader, he couldn’t afford to let any of them wallow in despair. Turning back to them, Maddox reached across the table and put a hand over one of Meta’s.

She looked up sharply, staring at him.

“I wish you’d come with me,” he said. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Where do you want to go?” Meta asked in a lifeless voice.

“Outside,” he said, removing his hand and standing. For several seconds, he didn’t think she would respond further.

Finally, with a heave, Meta stood.

“This way,” he said, motioning with his head. As he headed for the hatch, Captain Maddox didn’t wonder what he was going to do or say. For months, he’d fought to reach the alien starship. Now, the thing was in his possession. That was phenomenal. Not only that, but he’d faced three star cruisers, destroyed one and lived to tell about it. Now, he had to get this relic back to Earth.

Behind him, Meta closed the hatch.

Maddox kept walking down the corridor. He used a well-worn path, avoiding any crusted slime. When they stepped on the ancient substance, it put noxious fumes in the air. He walked until they turned a corner and the hatch was out of sight.

“Where are you headed?” Meta finally asked.

He heard the difference in her voice. She sounded exasperated instead of hopeless. His present action seemed to have stirred a tiny amount of anger in her. Maybe all wasn’t lost with the beautiful ex-miner. Maddox couldn’t believe it, but he found his heart racing and his palms becoming moist.

Something about Meta’s voice had driven him to notice her from the beginning. Her face was like a magnet to his eyes. He could be staring off into space and suddenly, he’d realize he was staring at her. He would look away, and soon he would find himself gazing at her sidelong. Not only that, but her shape tantalized him.

“Captain Maddox,” Meta said, and there was more than a hint of anger in her voice. “I’m not walking any farther until you tell me what this is about.”

He turned around, facing her. “I don’t understand you,” he said.

“That isn’t surprising. I don’t think you understand anyone.”

He grinned. He couldn’t help it.

“You find that amusing, do you?” she asked.

“You’re beautiful,” he told her.

Meta shook her head, making her dark hair swish back and forth. “No. You’d better not try any more of your tricks. If you do, I’m going to break an arm.”

“That’s better than quitting and moping.”

“Oh, I see,” she said. “You think you can perk me up with your witty ways. Well, it won’t work.”