Two, a novel - Chapter 2

This is the second chapter of my novel in progress, working title "Two." Look for other chapters in separate posts.

MUSTER

The Prometheus drifted in slow orbit around the blue-white sphere of Rawling’s Planet. It was several hundred thousand kilometers from the New Hope laboratory station that rotated in similar orbit, the station that until recently had housed several cylinders of experimental bio-electronic material.
Designed originally as a military vessel, the great silver and gray oblong craft had been cunningly retrofitted with newer gear designed for stealth and investigation, the perfect fit for her new line of work.
Inside the expansive docking bay, people and machines scurried about. The level of activity might have been normal, except for the higher than usual number of senior crewmembers who had come to watch the shuttle’s return.
An elongated accordion-like corridor stretched out toward the shuttle door. It rumbled into place around the liftgate, its mouth end designed to conform perfectly to the craft’s shape and create a bio-electronic seal.
The liftgate eased down inside the mobile corridor. Inside, Leona and Stone stood behind the crew, who had gathered at the opening. They watched as the gangway lifted slowly down. The two outsiders had clothed themselves with spare, gray coveralls. Stone’s was tight, too small. Leona’s was a bit baggy. She looked up at her companion.
“We should fit right in now.”
Stone grunted and gave an almost imperceptible smile.
“Of course, we want to look our best for our new friends,” she said, pretending to smooth her outfit. Her tail was stuffed down inside a pant leg.
The liftgate touched down inside the corridor. Out went Chain, followed by Erstwhile, then the other three, who carried the dark duffel bags.
They moved about 50 meters through the corridor toward an airlock. Chain turned around and looked at Stone and Leona for the first time since preparing to leave the shuttle.
“You two stay back. I want our entire team in first, nice and clean. When the airlock opens again, you come on through.”
Inside the white-walled, hexagonal decontamination lab, two technicians sat at workstations. Through a translucent wall, they could see each of Chain’s men move from the airlock into a small waiting area. From there, a door slid up to admit subjects into an even smaller cylindrical chamber. Twin doors slid up on either side, one for entry, another to exit. The doors slid down to temporarily enclose each entering passenger for screening. Data showing the subject’s status appeared on the workstation displays.
A short, thin man with dark skin and graying hair, his shoulders arched over in a slight hunch, stood next to one of the workstations, watching. Next to him sat a man on a hovering speeder, like those used for solo ground travel on a planet’s surface, but smaller and with more customized controls.
“I don’t see anything unusual,” said the gray-haired man as Chain stood in the screening chamber.
“No, sir,” said the technician. He let out a sigh as he kept is eyes on the readout, fingers adjusting controls. He gave his head a little shake. “Assim negative so far.”
Chain and Erstwhile had moved through. One of the other three set his duffel in the decontam chamber and backed out. The entry door slid closed, encasing the duffel. The technician bent over the screen as readouts piled up on the display.
“Good god.”
“What?” said the older man, who leaned over to look. They could see the outline of the cylindrical container inside the bag.
“It’s off the scale,” said the tech. “Container integrity is holding. It doesn’t appear to be active, but god help us if it got out. I don’t know what it is, what it might do.”
“It’s all right,” said the man in the hoverchair, moving closer. “We expected this. The container will hold.” His voice was deep and calm.
The gray-haired man looked at him, then back at the workstation in bird-like flicks of his head. The chamber doors slid up. The man moved in, picked up the duffel and moved it through, then stood in the chamber for screening. At last, all three duffels and all of the men had gone through.
The airlock opened again. Leona pranced across the hatch opening with high steps, whisked to a stop, stood up tall and lowered her head to look through the wall at the watchers. The twin slits of her eyes shone at them. She was noticeably taller than any of the men who’d just gone before. Her presence was striking, even in baggy coveralls that were a little too big for her.
Then Stone’s lowered head poked through, just under the airlock doorway opening. He stood up in the small waiting room, bumped his head and crouched downward. Both technicians’ mouths dropped open. Leona suddenly looked small and frail.
“Get on with it,” said the deep voice of the man in the chair. “Open the chamber.”
The young man next to the doctor flicked his left hand. The chamber entry door slid up.
Leona quickly stepped in and turned to face them. She could not see out, but she knew they could see in. She rested one hand on a hip that suddenly swung out sideways, letting the other hand snake up to caress the back of her neck.
“She’s posing,” exclaimed the tech with a grin. He looked down at the workstation. Leona’s lithe, muscled form was unmistakable on the display. “Whoa,” the tech said softly.
“What? What is it?” asked the doctor.
“Um, she’s really built, sir.”
“I can see that. Oh, move out of the way.”
The little old man leaned over the display, adjusting several controls. The young tech wheeled his chair sideways, grinning up at the chamber. He looked over at the man in the chair, and the grin snapped away.
“Sorry, Captain.”
The man in the chair looked back at the chamber. Inside, Leona put a hand up to her mouth and blew a kiss. One eyebrow lifted on the captain’s face.
“Quite unusual,” said the doctor, puzzling over the display. “Extraordinary piece of genetic engineering.”
“That’s very interesting, doctor,” said the man in the chair. His words were soft and deliberate. “But is she clean?”
“Yes, I believe so.” The gray head lifted. He turned to the captain. “Odd, but assim negative according to these results.”
“Then, please let her out of there.”
“Yes, of course.” With his forefinger, he activated the chamber exit door. It lifted out of the way, and Leona stepped out of view.
There was a noise at the door to the lab. Heads turned to see Chain come in, followed by Erstwhile and the others.
Chain broke his stride for a moment and did a little salute. “Captain.”
“Welcome back, Chain, and well done, all of you.”
“Thank you, sir.” He paused as the captain eyed his crew. He let out a sharp sigh. “We lost a man.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that, Chain.” The captain looked at his face. “I want hear all about it, but let’s get this over with first.” He turned back to the chamber.
It was a tight fit, but Stone managed to stuff himself in. The door slid down.
A warning beacon suddenly sounded. Numbers again piled up on the display.
“We’ve got something,” the tech said, scanning the readout, adjusting controls. “I knew it,” Chain said, shaking his head. He stepped up next to the captain.
The captain looked at the huge man in the chamber. “Is he…compromised?”
“I think so, but it’s not your typical active infection. Doctor, what do you make of this?” The main pointed. The doctor leaned in again.
“Nannites are clearly present,” the older man said. He brought a hand up and tapped fingertips on his chin. “But possibly…dormant?”
After another moment the doctor turned. “I cannot clear this man. I have not seen anything like this before.”
“And you won’t see anything like him again,” said a voice.
Leona had entered the lab. Head cocked to one side, she strolled over to the group gathered before the chamber. Her eyes floated across the men, coming to rest on the captain. She nodded and smiled. She came to a stop and the smile disappeared.
“This man saved the lives of your entire shuttle crew.” She was pointing at Stone, but she looked pointedly at Chain.
“Is this true?” asked the captain, also looking at Chain, who kept his eyes on Leona.
“I can’t vouch for either one of these folks,” said Chain. “I don’t know anything about them. But, she’s right, he saved us.” He looked at Stone in the chamber, then at the captain.
Chain flicked his head in Stone’s direction. “Guy took on an active assimilator. With his bare hands.” He looked over at Leona again. “Stuck in his thumbs, pulled out a plum, and whisked that whole bad boy right out of the way.” He moved over right in front of her. “I was going to try to help Jason, but she stopped me. And the assimilator took him.” Leona met his gaze evenly. She cocked her head, but said nothing.
Chain turned back to the captain.
“No, sir, I can’t vouch for the big guy. And it doesn’t surprise me one bit that he’s got hitchhikers. I’m telling you he was in direct, smoking, physical contact with an active assimilator.”
“Extraordinary,” said the doctor, looking at Stone.
The captain looked at the doctor, then back at Chain.
“Excuse me, sir.” The captain turned in Leona’s direction. “Forgive me for saying so, but you have no idea what you’ve got here.” She faced the man in the chair squarely.
“And who are you?”
“My name is Leona.” She smiled at him beneath lowered lids.
“I see. I am Captain Moebius. This is Doctor Eugenio. And I see you’ve met Chain and his team.”
She took a deep breath and let it out.
“Stone and I are the products of Dr. Rawling’s experiments on New Hope station. I have my own gifts.” She tilted her head. “But Stone is unique. Dr. Rawling was trying to develop a person who could withstand active contact. And I believe he succeeded.”
She turned to look at Stone.
“Incredible,” said the doctor, gaping.
“Yes,” she said. She placed a hand on the doctor’s shoulder. Surprised, he flinched away, hunching over and peering up at her. She looked at him with a new expression, almost imploring.
“He is clean. It may not show that way on your instruments, but I assure you he poses no threat. Please, let him out.”
The radiant woman next to the gray dwarf was a startling juxtaposition. Eugenio blinked his eyes rapidly, looked at the captain, then back at Leona. The doctor then turned back to the display, frowning.
“There are nannites, there at the molecular level, in his brain, in his central nervous system, several places I can see, no doubt about it. But they do not appear to be active. Why this is so, I cannot say.” He whirled back to the captain.
“If you ask my judgment sir, we should admit this man. If he truly possesses some power to confront active threats, this would be a powerful tool.” His eyes had a hungry light. He was nodding.
With a quick movement, Eugenio plucked a small vial out of his white lab coat pocket. He held it up, looking at it.
“I am so close.” He looked back at the captain. “Maybe, if this man will cooperate, I can complete my work. This is a tremendous opportunity.” He was speaking rapidly. The vial shook in his hand.
“Doctor, put that down before you drop it and release whatever is inside all over this lab.” Eugenio’s head shook with a jerk. He set the vial on the edge of the workstation table.
“Sir, I am telling you I am very close. It has been so long. So very long. To be so close…”
“You have been telling me this for months. I have been subjected to endless briefings on the subject. Please, calm yourself.”
The doctor placed his hands together before him. The tips of his fingers twiddled against each other. He watched the captain like some gray bird of prey.
Leona was looking at the vial, her brow furrowed. She could only imagine what was inside, but what concerned her was the doctor’s plans for Stone. Her mouth set in a hard line. She watched, alert.
The captain had turned back to Stone. He appeared to be thinking it over.
With a sudden start, the doctor moved toward the captain. He swept his hands up in a gesture of supplication. He opened his mouth to speak…and the technician shouted.
“Hey!”
Everyone saw the vial topple on the edge for a moment, then fall. The doctor’s arm had brushed against it. He ineffectually turned to try to retrieve the lost object, but was too slow.
In that split second, Leona reacted. She had seen the tiny clear container wobble, and she lunged. With reflexes no human could match, she flew across the lab, a tawny blur. One outstretched hand snatched the vial in mid air and pulled it in close to her body. She rolled smoothly to her feet and unfolded her limbs. As she rose up to stand fully erect, the fingers of her right hand slowly rolled out to reveal the vial resting on her open palm.
The others stared. No one said anything. It had happened so fast. They had gone from surprise to fear to resignation in a heartbeat, then had it all pulled right out from under them.
Leona walked over slowly, swinging her hips, to Captain Moebius. She put one hand on her thigh and leaned down, bending at the waist with knees and back straight. She held out the vial, her face close to his. He started as she flicked her fingers open and the vial fell. It landed in his lap with a soft thump. Leona stood back, hands on hips.
Moebius looked down, picked up the vial and looked back up at her. A soft smile curved his lips.
“I think perhaps you and your large companion may find a place in my crew. However, first I need to see you both in my study.”
His decision made, the captain turned his hoverchair and moved toward the door. He stopped by Eugenio and held out the vial.
“Do try to contain your excitement, doctor, and be more careful in the future. I appreciate your passion for the work, but don’t let it become a liability. Keep it in safe storage from now on.”
He moved off toward the lab door.
“Yes, sir. Of course, sir,” said Eugenio, nodding.
“And let that man out of the chamber. Send them both to me first. Then I want to see Chain.” The hatchway opened and he was gone.
* * *
The captain’s study was old fashioned, to say the least. He sat behind a desk that appeared to be made of dark, polished wood. The walls shone with a lighter wood paneling that may have been oak. Soft light illuminated the room from a lamp in a corner and another on the desk. The desk lamp had a shade that focused a round yellow pool on the dark wood. The captain sat behind the desk, hands resting on the armrests of his hoverchair.
Leona lounged, as much as lounging was possible, in a hardwood chair. A second chair next to her was vacant. Stone stood behind it toward a corner of the room. Behind him, an ancient nautical chart depicted one of the oceans on old Earth. The captain had offered them refreshments, which they declined. Now they waited for him to speak. Stone’s expression was impassable as ever. Leona wore a bemused smile.
Moebius leaned forward and folded his hands on the desk.
“If you want to be part of this crew, you must accept my authority.”
“Of course, captain,” said Leona. “But please, tell us what you’re about. Where are you going and what do you wish?”
The captain stared at her in silence without a trace of amusement. Gradually, her smile faded.
“Excuse me. Please go on.”
He pointedly hesitated for another moment, regarding her stonily.
“We provide security for an elite clientele. We also perform missions to acquire certain…items of high scientific value.”
“Oh, you’re mercenaries and thieves. It is an old and, in my view, entirely reasonable line of work. And not without its own brand of honor and loyalty, as I recall, and as I see here on this ship.”
Moebius again regarded her quietly, but this time a hint of amusement crinkled in his eyes.
“You are a most unorthodox person, Ms…Leona. Please let me say it is not necessary to prove yourself or parade your independence by mocking me or disrespecting my business.”
Leona folded her hands in her lap and sat upright in the chair. The supercilious grin faded again as he spoke.
“I believe you to be uniquely gifted, and capable of loyalty and judgment, or you would not be sitting here. However, I am not your father or your schoolteacher to be the focus of some latent, rebellious flirtation. If we are to work together, we must communicate with respect.”
Now it was her turn to sit silently for a moment, watching the captain’s face carefully.
“Sorry. I meant no offense.”
“No great offense taken. I only mean to say what I mean.” He smiled. “Please, be at ease.”
“But what of your friend? Is our discussion not worthy of his participation?” Without moving his head, the captain’s eyes had moved to Stone. Moebius started with surprise as the big man moved.
With a queer, lumbering grace, Stone moved around between the chair and the desk. Slowly and carefully, he let himself down into the chair. As his bulk settled in, the oaken chair creaked and groaned. But it held.
“Forgive me, sir. I too meant no disrespect.” The voice rumbled through the room. “Leona and I share the same views in most matters. I find it efficient for her to speak on my behalf.”
Moebius had cocked an eye. He glanced at Leona with a look of mild mock surprise.
“Oh yes, he can talk,” she said. “Thinks regularly too.”
Moebius glowered at her with disapproval that might have been feigned. She couldn’t tell. Stone ignored the exchange.
“We would be pleased to serve as part of your crew, until other arrangements can be made. We will earn our keep. I do have one question, sir.”
“Yes?”
“Who do we serve? I mean to say, who hired you to go to New Hope station?”
The captain clasped his hands together on the desk.
“On this mission, we work for Mr. Marchen.”
* * *
Later that night, Leona sat on the bed in their quarters. They had managed to get a room to themselves. Stone was looking through clothing and equipment that had been brought to them. He had a number of things laid out on the room’s single table. He picked up a hand weapon and turned it over, looking at it. He put it down and picked up something else. Leona sat and stared at the wall.
“What’s wrong?” he said.
She looked up at him, but he was looking down at the things on the table. She looked away again.
“I thought it would be wonderful to be free.”
“It is.”
She brought her hands up to her mouth.
“But we don’t belong here. We don’t belong anywhere. They think we’re freaks.” Her voice trailed off. “And they’re right.”
The big man stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her. He came over and sat down next to her on the bed, facing the wall just like her.
“Hmm,” he said.
“What?”
“There was a time, when Dr. Rawling was…working with us…that I used to wish I was like other people.”
He patted the fingers of both hands together softly, arms resting on his knees.
“But I came to accept the differences.”
He turned to her. She looked into his face.
“I realized they were not better than us. More than that, I came to believe that we are here for a reason.”
Leona spoke. Uncharacteristic worry lines showed on her smooth face. “Do you think…the doctor, Eugenio. Might he be able to…” She looked down into her lap, where one hand worked slowly through the other. “He works with genetics. Might he be able to make me more…normal?” She looked back up at Stone. “Should we ask him?”
Stone lifted a hand up to her cheek. He spoke slowly, with deliberate precision.
“Don’t you ever let anyone make you feel bad about who you are. And don’t you ever change a thing about yourself. You are beautiful. You are strong. We may not always be together…”
“Don’t say that.” She put a hand up and covered his. Her eyes were moist. She was smiling.
“…but you…you…”
She moved her hand to his face and placed her fingertips over his mouth. She brought one knee up between them and faced him fully. With her other hand, she reached out and slowly removed his visor. He blinked and winced, squinting against the dim light from the single lamp behind him in the corner. His eyes were sky blue, but in the center, where a black pupil should have been, instead there shone a white disk.
“Don’t you ever say that,” she said. He blinked rapidly, but kept looking at her. She brought her face up next to his, so close he could feel her breath on his cheek. No despair showed now in the set of her brows, no indecision clouded the glitter of her cat’s eyes. He could smell her. She was so near.
“We will always be together,” she said. “You’d better get real clear on that.” She lay back on the bed and stretched. She moved her arms and her torso in delicious, sinuous ripples, keeping her eyes locked on his. She finally came to rest, hands over her head on the pillow.
“Come here,” she said. And he went to her.