Cody's War: Flight Of The Phoenix, page 5
Dr. Noran had given Cody a head’s-up on that — she’d taken a personal involvement in Tilly’s case and was now Tristan’s Chief Medical Officer — Commander Noran. Tristan had a full state-of-the-art twelve bay medical section, with specialists in pediatrics and replicator systems.
Tristan also had a half battalion of ex-Quark Marines, commanded by Colonel Alistair Hutchinson. The marines had “just happened” to be drilling when Cody scheduled his EVA with Tilly, so that they “just managed” to form a protective corridor around their commander-in-chief and one of their newest recruits.
“They’re not overdue for another week,” Nora said, coming up behind them and waving a hand to Tilly, who grinned back. She waved a hand to the view screen. “We’ve got ten ships working up, five in the next five days, the last five ships five days from that.”
“So, we’ll have full fleet readiness in —” Gail began cheerfully.
“We’ve got to work up,” Cody said. “And we need to drill. Particularly the Marines.”
“Boarding actions,” Nora agreed.
“But —”
“You’re going to have a bigger ship, why not use it?” Cody said over Gail’s protest. “A platoon, at least, of marines. And that’s small for a cruiser.”
“We’re not cruisers,” Nora protested. “We’re more like destroyers. Particularly because we have no proper hull for protection.”
“Yeah,” Cody agreed. “Which is why I’m going to want us to split into two —”
“Not three?” Gail said.
“At first,” Cody replied. “We’re going to send Emma down the line to the other worlds, to warn them —”
“And to license our tech,” Nora said. Cody nodded. It was a discussion that they’d had — her, Cody, Gail, and Ellaz. “Fleets cost money,” Ellaz had agreed at the time. “So we need to make money.”
“Because if we’re not self-sufficient —” Nora began.
Cody nodded. “We’re not our own fleet.”
The current name was Ford’s Fleet. Cody winced every time he heard it. The trouble was that no one — aside from Ellaz — could come up with a better name. Ellaz had — naturally — suggested Whirly’s Fleet and, when that had been shot down, Whirlybirds which died an even quicker death. Cody’s Commandos — from Gail — hadn’t fared much better. So, for now, it was Ford’s Fleet.
“How are we coming on the ring?” Cody said to Nora. This particular ring was the one designed for Tristan. If it worked they would make duplicate rings for Mighty and Meath — the two other tenders that they’d acquired.
“We’ll be ready to test tomorrow,” Nora replied. “Which means that we’ll all have to debark.”
Cody nodded. They’d moved onto Tristan as soon as they’d got clear title to avoid any “quarks” in their schedule (as Ellaz had put it). It gave them a chance to revise their original plans for the tenders — not only were there Marines aboard but there was an absolutely huge fabrication section including a wide range of techs and engineers, most of them from the Midway Fleet or recruited by the survivors. President Hanlan had hinted broadly that he might have to invoke emergency powers — until Admiral Cartwright had explained how, if he did that, he’d have to give Cody back his rank in the Quark Navy… and his ships.
The five surviving lightships — Phoenix, Bee, Shifu, Hermes, and Chosen were recognized as belonging to Cody and the survivors of Deneb. Shifu was back from Midway — she’d swapped out with Hermes — but the two were under contract with the Quark Navy to help the research at Midway and — less publicly — to keep watch… just in case.
Phoenix was being reconfigured — had been reconfigured — her original Phoenix shuttle replaced by another QN shuttle and her name relinquished back to Nora. The old Phoenix was now Midway with Don Hartman in command. They’d swapped his computers from Hermes over to the newly-named Midway so that he had “his” version of Ellaz to guide him. Nora kept hers in storage until her new command ship — and tender — Meath, was ready. Gail would have Mighty when she finished commissioning.
“Midway is ready to depart on zero notice,” Nora noted. “But Don wants to greet —”
“Incoming!” Ellaz shouted from the overheads. “We have a new trace —” she broke off and then cried with joy “— it’s Revenge!”
Cody raced over to hug Nora and they jumped up and down in joy even as Gail joined them. Gail saw Tilly and waved a hand to her, too and all four of them were cheering.
“Tristan to Revenge,” Cody said, “welcome back!”
#
Edie and Jasmine Crump were the first two across the docking tube at Space Station Henry. Jasmine ran straight into Nora’s arms and giggled like a lunatic when Nora lifted her up high and spun her around so fast that her legs streamed out even as Nora smothered her with kisses.
Cody was a bit more respectful with the older Edie but that didn’t stop him from lifting her off her feet and planting a kiss on her cheek. “I am so glad to see you!”
“We’re here, you’re here and —” Edie looked around, then whispered to Cody, “what’s going on?”
“Hi, I’m Tilly,” Tilly Mayhew said from where she and Gail stood waiting to be introduced. “I’m a mass murderer.”
“Tilly!” Cody said, lowering Edie to the floor and turning toward the younger girl. “What did I say?”
“You said to drop it,” Tilly replied.
“I said, ‘Do I have to get Ellaz to talk to you again?’” Cody reminded her firmly. Tilly shrank against Gail’s side.
“No sir,” Tilly said, wrapping an arm around Gail for protection.
“Tilly is the sole survivor of the Maru,” Cody said to Edie. “And they have a story to tell.”
“Well, let’s get someplace where we can hear it!” Edie said enthusiastically. “I’m glad you had a team ready, my crew really need a break!”
“Tell them to come on out, we’ve got a complete rundown,” Gail said, moving out of Tilly’s grasp. “Tilly and I are detailed to handle the babies — we’ll bring them over to Tristan for the time being.”
“Tristan? That’s the big one-ringer we saw?” Jasmine said.
“You’re getting royalties,” Nora assured her with a grin. Jasmine looked relieved.
“We almost didn’t get here,” Jasmine said. Cody shot her a look. She looked older, tired, exhausted. But more mature, too. He nodded to her.
“Come on, I think we’ll all go over to Tris,” he told them. He grinned. “There’s someone you’ll want to meet.”
#
Cody led them to one of three rooms marking SIM. Jasmine grabbed her mother’s hand anxiously when she spotted the sign. Cody opened the door and waved them inside.
“We’re not meeting Ellaz are we?” Edie asked as they filed into the room. There was a large table and every seat had an implant helmet on the back headrest.
“This is the quickest way we can get you up to speed,” Cody said. “Also, we’re going to be inundated shortly with people who will want to talk your ear off — and try to get concessions from you —”
“Any license deal we’ve signed is contingent on your approval,” Nora said. “And, we’ve been banking your royalties.” She smiled. “You might be happy with the numbers.”
“Never mind that!” Edie Crump said. “Cody, what happened?”
“Did we win?” Jasmine added. “We were so hoping but… none of us knew.”
“Helmets on,” Nora said, “this’ll be quicker, I promise.”
Cody replayed the battle at Deneb, the loss of Hope and their recovery. He quickly showed them the new ships they’d built— thirty in all — and then let Nora narrate the story of the Battle Of Midway. Little Tilly joined them to provide her input — including the raid on Hornet and the reasons behind it. And, worse, the conclusions about the Thrakzz — the aliens who’d attacked them all.
Are you ready for your own ship, sweetie? Edie thought to Jasmine when they’d finished.
Yes, momma! Jazzy had cried eagerly. Then, You’re going to be okay, right?
Absolutely, Edie replied. Then she turned to Cody. We nearly didn’t make it. Eighty days is too long for two people.
Ellaz helped, Jasmine added, nodding to Ellaz Whirly in the simulation. Not you but Ellaz… Crump.
Crump?
Well, yeah, Jasmine said. There was a time — she shot a guilty look at her mother — a time when it was just her and me.
The Other Cody? The Other Nora? Gail?
They were… busy, Jasmine said circumspectly.
With me, Edie said. I went…
Off, Jasmine said protectively. Mother got too worried and… well, Nora, you and the others helped her while Ellaz and I flew the ship.
And Brenda? Cody thought, wondering for the first time why they didn’t see Captain Brenda Hogg.
I… killed her, Edie Crump admitted miserably.
You were crazy, Momma! You didn’t mean to! Jasmine cried in response.
We sealed off the command shuttle from the others — I sealed it off, Edie admitted. I wanted to… I don’t know! I was just crazy. What if we got here and there was only rubble? What if Deneb — poor Deneb! — was destroyed. What if we were the last humans?
Ellaz saved us, Jasmine said. She had Cody and Nora and Gail help momma. She and I flew the ship.
Good! Cody said. I’m glad you got here. He turned to Edie. We’ll convene a court martial as soon as possible. Consider yourself under arrest for murder.
No! Jasmine cried. You promised! You promised!
Other Cody? Cody thought. We’ll get his testimony, all their testimony. But, Jasmine, people will know. So we can’t ignore this.
Jasmine threw off her helmet and raced out of the room.
I’m on it, Ellaz said. Then, Tilly, will you go after her?
Okay, Tilly replied, surprised. She pulled off her helmet and left.
Edie? Cody thought.
Just… keep an eye on my daughter, will you? Edie Crump thought miserably.
Two of them, more when we get them, Nora promised. Let’s get out of here.
#
Two marines were waiting when they removed their helmets. Cody spoke to them briefly and they nodded in reply. “Ma’am?” One of them said respectfully to Edie Crump. “If you’ll follow me?”
“We need to get over to Revenge,” Cody said to Nora.
“You go, take Gail, I’ll handle things here,” Nora told him.
Cody smiled in thanks, leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Love you.”
Nora smiled and waved him away.
“How come you don’t do that to me?” Gail complained.
So, smiling, Cody leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, too. “Love you.”
Gail blushed and giggled. Then she straightened up. “Come on, Ellaz Revenge must be —”
“Ellaz Crump,” Cody corrected. “But — yes! Let’s go see her!”
#
“Cody!” Ellaz Crump cried joyfully the minute he set foot on Revenge. “Am I — are we glad to see you!”
“We’ve just briefed Edie and Jazz —” Cody began.
“Did they tell you —?”
“They did,” Gail said. “And we’ve got loads to tell you, too!”
“Get your helmets on, then, talking this way is too slow!” Ellaz commanded.
Cody and Gail put on the implant helmets they found up in the cockpit.
She was insane, Cody, she was out of her mind, Ellaz said the moment they entered the virtual world. She was sick with worry and afraid that she’d lose both Jazzy and me —
So what happened?
She wanted to end it all, end us all, Ellaz said. We — she waved a hand to the ghostly forms of Nora, Gail, and Other Cody — couldn’t do anything. She popped the emergencies on the command shuttle — she was venting the air to space — when Brenda woke up and fought with her. They struggled, Brenda hit a chair and… snapped her neck. By then Cody had figured out how to override the overrides, flooded the main cabin with O2 and we got Clive and Moira in to subdue her.
And then you and Jazzy had to fly the ship yourselves, Gail guessed.
And, boy! Can she fly! Ellaz said. Cody, she’s a gift! She’s just amazing, better than me! We played games to keep from being too scared, while the others helped but — honestly, we were better than them.
I don’t doubt it, Cody agreed. And what did you learn?
Well, we put the others to counseling Edie, they became psychiatrists and not just for her but for the rest of the crew, too, Ellaz replied. Then, suspiciously, And what do you mean, what did we learn?
We’ve got warp mirrors, warp lances, tach comm, and we’re pretty sure we can put a warp ring around a shuttle — as well as a human, Gail replied eagerly. Also, of course, we found Tilly —
Who’s she?
She’s the last surviving Mayhew, Cody replied. And she — he shrugged and gave her a data dump.
She killed my mother! Ellaz swore. She killed her and everyone else!
Yeah, Cody agreed, but she didn’t have much choice —
Choice! How can you say that? Ellaz demanded.
Because if the aliens got the energy converter —
Oh! Oh, right! Ellaz said, thinking furiously. If they’d got that, we wouldn’t be talking right now. Wait! She’s a clone? She’s a — Cody are you saying that she’s a gene theft of my line?
Yes, Cody said. And before you get all murderous, remember that that was a choice made for her, not by her.
He’s right, Other Nora thought, moving over to wave a hand at Cody. Other Cody — Revenge’s copy of Cody — grabbed her shoulders affectionately and smiled at Cody.
Can you bring us up to speed, please? Other Cody thought. Other Gail nodded in agreement.
If you both talk, we can listen, Ellaz thought. We’re kinda faster than you, you know.
And more conceited, Cody thought back, grinning. So he — and Gail — brought their copies up to speed on what had happened.
Yeah, so about those ‘other things?’ Ellaz thought. We have some. We’re going to need a lab and a shop but Jazzy and I — and I’m keeping her — came up with some new wriggles we want to try out.
Like what? Gail challenged.
Like a better ring, a mini-ring, and a tachyon transceiver that, frankly, sounds way better than yours! Ellaz replied with a sniff.
We’d be delighted to have them, Cody replied.
Under license, Crump Corporation, Ellaz agreed. And I want to see what you’ve all licensed of the Crump intellectual property without our permission.
No, Other Nora thought, I told you that they’d signed a contract before they left. A contract that I — real me — drew up, and Edie approved. It’s a good contract and —
Don’t worry, you’re rich! Gail assured them all.
Okay, and what else? Ellaz said, glancing to Cody. Also, how can we get all of me together to talk?
That might not be a good idea, Cody replied. Every Ellaz is different because of their —
Interactions with normal humans, Ellaz interjected, nodding. Yes, we know that. Which is why —
We had problems with some of you, Cody interjected.
Well, of course! We’re smarter than you —
And prickly, uncooperative, vindictive, temperamental and —
Oh, Cody! I missed you! Ellaz thought, jumping into his arms. I love our Cody but you — you are the original!
I’ve changed, Cody warned her. He nodded toward Gail. She’s changed.
We’ve all changed, Nora agreed. Now, what about the babies?
Babies? Ellaz thought. There are babies? She looked up at Cody, her eyes watering. Baby me?
Well, no, Cody told her. She looked downcast. You and I agreed — and you should remember — that we were going to make —
Ellen? Ellaz squeaked. You made Ellen? What variants?
We went with Conn Venier Four, Cody told her.
WHAT?
Because we —
Who’s we?
You, me, and Nora, Cody replied. Because she’s the alternate parent.
You signed a contract with Nora? Other Nora asked. Cody nodded. What were the terms?
Nora, real or in simulation, was a consummate negotiator. It was one of the things Cody loved about her.
One you, one me, two Wrights, two Fords, Cody replied. Ellen Conn Venier Four Whirly, Bret Conn Venier Sigma Ford, Michael Evan Sigma Gold Wright, Tabitha Nora Ellaz Ford, Benjamin Richard Ford, and Sarah Gail Tokah Venier Wright. Cody smiled at the virtual people. We made them on Deneb and brought them here.
Can we see them? Other Nora asked wistfully.
We’ll have to see what we can do, Gail replied. We’ve got to worry about comm security and — well… what to do with so many damned clones?
Six?
No, all of you! Gail replied with a grin.
Okay, Other Cody said, so what’s next? And what do we do with Revenge?
Is she good for Warp Nine?
With Jazzy? Ellaz replied. Sure! The hull’s good, the ECLSS is top notch, we need to refuel, refurbish, and we’re good to go!
But, Cody, where are we? Other Cody asked. I mean, where do we stand?
Well, since Midway we’ve been dealing with things as best we can, Gail told them. Quark pulled out of the crash builds — but they’ve got thirty Tendaya’s — Gail gave them a quick rundown on the new ships — And we bought all the Meaths we could which gives us twenty large crew ships.
And we bought three tenders, Tristan, Mighty, and Meath, Cody added, they’re going to be our command ships, too.
Two different Meaths? Other Gail thought. Won’t that be confusing?
No, because we’re going to rename the lead ship to something else, Gail replied.
Are you looking for suggestions? Other Gail asked. Real Gail nodded. Hogg would be a good idea.
Done! Cody agreed. He was really sorry to hear that Brenda Hogg hadn’t survived the journey. He was half-counting on her support.
That thing with merging warps? Ellaz now said. Cody nodded. Well, we’ve got something more to add to that — me and Jazzy, that is.
What’s going to happen to her mother? Other Nora wondered.
We’re going to court martial her, Cody replied.
Quark law allows for crimes of passion and pleas of temporary insanity, Other Nora remarked.
