Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
GELSTONE EP: 1 - NEW PARTNER
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. EARTH SPACE STATION
Technical Officer JAMES MEYERS strolled through the corridors of the Interstellar Space Patrol of the Terran Alliance, Sol Division on the space station above Earth. After a long day of patrolling Earth's space approaches in his ship, the ISP Sierra-lima 14, he was about to open the door that led into the main section of the moon base when he was stopped by a voice calling his name. He identified the voice as belonging to his superior officer, Commander DANIEL PATTERSON.
PATTERSON
Meyers, I want to talk to you in my office.
JIM
Right, Commander.
Jim turned around and headed into the office.
CUT TO PATTERSON'S OFFICE
As he entered the room, he noticed his partner Lieutenant SIDNEY POWERS was already seated inside.
PATTERSON
Sit down, Jim.
Jim sat.
PATTERSON
I've been given a proposal that'll help you with your mother's health problems on Belvas, Sid.
Sid bent forward in his chair.
POWERS
What's that?
PATTERSON
Eric Talin, the commander in charge of Arcturus' sector of the ISP asked if I'd consider a trade; a good pilot from his fleet named Greg Dolenz for one of my pilots. What do you say to going out to Arcturus, Sid? He may even let you into his Belvas subdivision.
POWERS
Mother does need someone with her and even if I just got Arcturus, I'd be much closer.
PATTERSON
What do you think, Jim?
JIM
If this is what Sid wants, I won't interfere.
POWERS
It's a great opportunity. Besides, colony work can get very exciting.
PATTERSON
Well, then I guess I can tell Talin you're coming?
POWERS
Yeah. I hope you don't mind, Jim.
JIM
No, I don't mind, Sid. Go for it.
POWERS
Thanks, partner.
JIM
Yeah.
Patterson rose from his chair and reached his hand out.
PATTERSON
Thanks, Sid.
Sid shook his hand then released. He repeated this with Jim and left.
Jim was about to follow Sid out when Patterson called him back.
PATTERSON
I need to talk to you further about your new partner.
JIM
What do I need to know about Dolenz beforehand?
PATTERSON
You're not getting Dolenz. Petty Officer Konane's getting him.
JIM
Malia's moving from maintenance?
PATTERSON
I only had her there because I had an overage on Patrolmen at the time. Jackson's retiring at the end of the week. Patrovski's death last month really hit him hard. He's saying he's getting too old to break in a new partner. Besides, why are you so concerned about Konane?
Jim blushed and fidgeted.
PATTERSON
I see. Now, back to business. I've chosen you to take part in a new program.
JIM
A new program?
PATTERSON
Yes, command wants to get alien minorities out of being just administration and work them into the field. They wanted me to pick a strong person who has a good practical head on his shoulders to deal with any prejudice that might be faced. So, I picked you.
JIM
Me? I'm going to be partnered with a Saili or something?
PATTERSON
No, they're starting with beings more humanoid than the Saili to ease the tension from the public.
JIM
Oh, so what's my new partner going to be?
PATTERSON
An Alpha Centaurian who's half colonial and half of the native Brocana race. He's human in every way except his skin has a bluish tinge and his eyes have three colors.
JIM
Three?
PATTERSON
It's a unique pigmentation the Brocana have to protect their eyes from the strong light of their two suns.
JIM
That makes sense.
PATTERSON
He's just graduated from the Venus Military Academy as their most recent honor graduate.
JIM
Venus? I would've thought he would've graduated from the Centauri Academy?
PATTERSON
He lives on Earth with his family.
JIM
Come on, Commander, what's the whole story? You're not telling me something.
PATTERSON
Well, he's an ambassador's son.
JIM
I knew it had to be political!
PATTERSON
He's Ambassador Jonathan Daniels's oldest son, but he really wants to succeed on his own. Give the guy a chance, Meyers.
JIM
Okay, so he wants to blaze his own contrail.
PATTERSON
That's right, he does. Give him that much credit before you start judging him.
JIM
Sure, that's fair, but ambassador's children tend to be real full of themselves.
PATTERSON
Wait till you meet with Junior Lieutenant Marcayo Daniels, he's a nice guy.
JIM
So, when does he arrive?
PATTERSON
Tomorrow. You'll meet him at morning briefing.
JIM
Fine.
Patterson's vid-phone chimed.
PATTERSON
See you tomorrow, Jim.
Jim stood up and left.
He returned to the entryway and was about to go through the door when he was called again. He heaved a big sigh and turned around.
GEORGE
Hey, wait!
A heavy-set man with tight curly brown hair rushed from down the hall near the locker room. GEORGE ZENNER joined Jim at the door.
GEORGE
What's bothering you?
JIM
Sid's relocating to Arcturus.
Pete Andrews joined them at the door.
PETE
Who's going to Arcturus?
Another man nudged through the door.
MAN #1
New product, Patrolmen doorstops.
Jim waved them through the door.
JIM
Come on, guys.
GEORGE
Sid Powers, Pete!
PETE
I'm not surprised, George, he's been increasingly worried about his mother.
GEORGE
Really? I didn't know she was getting so serious!
JIM
I had a feeling it was coming. So, Arcturus is sending a replacement, but he's being partnered with Malia Konane.
GEORGE
Malia's going into the field?
JIM
That's right. She's getting a guy named Dolenz.
PETE
So, who're you getting if Malia's getting the guy from Arcturus?
JIM
He's a rookie in a special new program designed to introduce aliens into patrol duty.
GEORGE
That's risky, Earthers aren't very comfortable with non-human species.
JIM
Well, he's not entirely a non-human, George. He's an Alpha Centaurian mix of colonial and native Brocana.
PETE
Brocanas are humanoid-class beings with blue-tinged skin and tri-colored eyes because of their strong two suns and stronger ozone layer.
They reached the public flight bay and boarded a shuttle.
JIM
Commander says he looks quite human.
GEORGE
Good luck. I'd be pretty upset if Pete was taken from me!
PETE
Ha! Good thing you like me, Zenner. Why are you still stuck with me? Good behavior?
GEORGE
Yeah, yeah, you have to remind me. I'm getting better!
PETE
You are getting better, George.
JIM
Hey, you guys, are you finished teasing each other? I don't want to get kicked off this shuttle for improper conduct cause I've got a date tonight!
The three men sat down.
PETE
Oh, with who?
JIM
Oh, just Malia Konane!
GEORGE
Malia? I've been trying to get a date with her for weeks, you rat! She's looking at you!
Jim grinned and shifted to a more comfortable position in his chair.
PETE
You know, Jim. We never asked if you learned the name of your new partner.
JIM
His name is Marcayo Daniels and he's coming in tomorrow.
GEORGE
I hope he doesn't look too strange.
PETE
George!
Then the shuttle took off for Earth.
INT. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - EVENING
Jim pulled into his driveway at his modest house in Los Angeles, California.
As soon as he entered, he called for lights and messages.
The computer beeped quietly while he entered the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee from the time controlled coffee maker that had just finished brewing.
BEEP went the computer, then Sid's voice rang through the house.
SID (V.O.)
Hey, partner, I hated to break the news to you like that. I'm surprised you aren't home yet. Get hung up with goofy George? Anyway, I know you have that date with Malia tonight, so I won't muscle in. I'm going to miss you, my friend, but you know about my mother. It's not good, Jimmy. Well, good luck with the new kid. I'll try to stop by before I go. Hasta-la-bye-bye, kid.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
End message.
JIM
Any more messages?
Another beep sounded and an irritated female voice spoke.
TAMMY (V.O.)
Jim, you jerk, you forgot my birthday again!
JIM
Oh, shit! My sister’s birthday was two days ago! Now, I'll have to call her and apologize!
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Would you like for me to dial Tammy Meyer's number now?
JIM
No! Later. Any more?
COMPUTER (V.O.)
No more messages.
JIM
Then stand by.
The computer turned off.
JIM
Television on- News channel.
As soon as the screen came on, the vid-phone rang.
JIM
Change to Vid-phone channel and accept call.
A woman with almond-shaped brown eyes and dark curly hair she appeared on the screen.
JIM
Hi, Malia, what's up?
MALIA
I got this great pot roast at a good price yesterday. What would you say to a candlelight dinner at my place?
JIM
Sounds good.
MALIA
See you at six-thirty?
JIM
Yeah, see you at six-thirty.
MALIA
Mahalo.
JIM
Mahalo.
The screen returned to the news channel. He listened to the news for a while, then prepared himself to go to Malia's.
INT. OAHU, HAWAI'I, EARTH – EVENING
As Jim ate dinner, he sat with his fork poised in his roast with his eyes staring at the candle flame two feet away.
MALIA
Jim?
Jim didn't answer.
MALIA
Jim?
JIM
Huh?
Jim looked at her.
Malia set down her fork.
MALIA
What's wrong? You've been brooding all night.
JIM
Sorry, Sid's leaving. He told me today.
MALIA
What do you mean?
JIM
You've been told about us getting a new man from Arcturus?
MALIA
Yeah, he's going to be my partner.
JIM
Well, Sid's agreed to take his place in Arcturus to be closer to his mother. She's getting bad, Malia.
MALIA
That's sad. It explains why you're so preoccupied. If you don't feel like going on tonight, that's okay.
JIM
No, I don't feel romantic, but I don't want to be alone either.
She stood up and blew out the candles.
MALIA
Lights on.
The room lit up.
MALIA
So, if I'm getting the guy from Arcturus, who're you going to be partnered with?
JIM
A rookie.
MALIA
Lucky you.
JIM
Not only that, he's the first alien to be assigned to patrol.
MALIA
Are they crazy? The public has enough reservations about dealing with us regular patrollers, but an alien? They'll never accept his or her authority.
JIM
He's humanoid.
MALIA
Well, that's a little better, but if there's the least bit of strangeness about him, they'll be nervous and jumpy.
JIM
I know and now this problem's in my lap. You know on the way home, George kept on asking me if the kid looks strange?
MALIA
He would. So what does he look like?
JIM
I haven't met him yet, but commander says his skin is bluish and his eyes have three colors instead of one because he's half Alpha Centauri Brocana.
MALIA
Brocana? I've never heard of them.
JIM
Neither had I, but I'm going to meet one tomorrow. He's an ambassador's son so he'll probably have a swelled head.
MALIA
I'm sure glad I'm not in your boots, but if you need any help, you know you can come to me.
JIM
Yeah, I might need it, but Patterson told me to give the kid a chance because he wants to make his own identity apart from his fathers.
MALIA
Then give him that chance, Jim. Wathers gave it to you when you were new.
Jim put her head in his hands to cover a blush.
JIM
I did tell you that?
MALIA
Uh-huh!
JIM
Don't get into that! It's getting late. I need to get home and get ready for tomorrow.
MALIA
Remember, I'll be there.
They stood up.
JIM
You've got first shift tomorrow, too?
MALIA
I do.
JIM
Then, see you tomorrow.
He was about to walk out the door when he stopped and turned around again.
JIM
Oh, can I take some of that roast home with me? It'd make a great lunch.
Malia spooned some into a lidded container and handed it to him.
MALIA
I forgot that you guys have to bring lunches in case you get assigned to nowhere patrols.
JIM
And you'll have to start doing that, too, when Dolenz comes!
MALIA
Oh, you're right! No more mechanics for me.
JIM
Which means no handy-dandy restaurants always available for lunch.
MALIA
Be a good change anyway. Good night, Jim.
JIM
Good night, Malia.
He went out the door and drove home.
INT. TUSCON, ARIZONA – EVENING
In a small one room apartment in Tucson, Arizona, MARC DANIELS was eagerly preparing himself for his first day as with the Interstellar Space Patrol.
He stepped back from a wall and studied the freshly framed Space Police Academy diploma to make sure it was hung evenly. A cocky grin came to his face.
MARC
Cool it, djudko! You're not there yet!
He sighed contentedly as he turned away from the picture and picked up a piece of paper with a list on it. He scanned the list.
MARC (CONT.)
Let's see- two sets of pressure-seal gloves- check; two sets of pressure-seal black boots, size nine- check; one standard issue pistol belt with holster- check; six clip-on utility pouches fixed onto pistol belt; check.
He picked up the belt and adjusted each pouch to see if they were properly placed.
MARC
Magnakee- check.
He looked closer at the cylindrical device and proudly read the inscription engraved on it saying I.S.P., Sol, M.D., Love, J.D., his father's graduation gift to him. Reluctantly, he slipped it into a pouch and sealed it inside.
MARC
Hand cuffs- check.
He sealed them, too, in a different pouch.
MARC
Medium-sized patrol uniform, secondary pistol power packs, pistol, and badge, to be issued tomorrow. Pressure-seal helmet with stenciled name.
He picked up the blue helmet and flipped it to the back where black letters wrote "DANIELS" just above the neck pads.
MARC
Check. My locker combination is 52698. My locker number is 86. My pistol issue number is 275. My badge number is 118. All right! I'm as ready as I can be! All mine. No father, no mother, and no pesky sisters and brother! And no diplomats coming in and out at all times of the day and night!
He stood up and went to the front window and looked out.
In the street, boys and girls rode by on bicycles and whizzed by on skateboards and roller skates. On the other side of the street, two toddlers were digging in the sand with stainless steel spoons.
He smiled and turned away from the window.
The microwave beeped and he sat down at his fold-down table with his dinner and ate without tasting it because his mind was too preoccupied with excited thoughts of tomorrow.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
INT. EARTH SPACE STATION
On the space station above Earth, Marc Daniels stopped outside of a glass door that was etched with the words Interstellar Space Patrol Station Sol-Lunar Division at eye level and took a deep breath. He didn’t realize he'd been mesmerized until a man brushed past him and the doors whooshed open, tucking the etched letters into the walls. He crossed through the closing doors and approached the information desk.
MARC
Uh, could you direct me to Commander Patterson’s office?
The man looked up from the electronic data pad he was reading from and, as usual, his eyes widened when he looked at Marc’s face.
DESK OFFICER
Go down the hall to the first hall to the right. Commander Patterson’s office is the first door to the left.
MARC
Thank you.
He knocked on the door.
A soft baritone voice responded for him to come in.
He stepped forward and the door opened for him.
At a desk sat a man with dark brown hair wearing the dark blue jumpsuit with the white squared panel on the chest. He looked up and his brown eyes studied Marc, but there was no further reaction. He smiled as he stood up and offered his hand.
PATTERSON
Junior Lieutenant Daniels, I was expecting you.
Marc took the Commander’s hand and shook it.
PATTERSON
I’ve been reading your dossier. It’s quite impressive.
MARC
Thank you.
PATTERSON
Are you ready for your first day?
MARC
Very.
PATTERSON
Good, I was just taking a last look at my notes before briefing started.
Patterson walked to a door on the other side of his office.
PATTERSON
That’s where I'll introduce you to the patrolmen. I’ve hitched you up with an experienced Engineer named Jim Meyers. I think you’ll like him.
Marc noticed a window that showed a room full of men and women who were also wearing the same uniform as Commander Patterson.
Commander Patterson opened the door.
Marc saw a stocky man with curly brown hair was standing with a grin on his face as he called to another man.
GEORGE
Hey, Jim, how was your date with Malia last night?
MALIA
Fine. We had a good time last night. I'll bet you want every little detail, Zenner! Well, swallow it, buddy.
The rest of the room was laughing.
The stocky man she called Zenner was about to protest when Commander Patterson waved Marc through the door and they approached the podium.
He quietly stood beside the commander, wishing he didn’t have to stand in front of everyone.
PATTERSON
Okay, take your seats.
The room settled.
PATTERSON
Thank you. First, I'd like you to meet a new member, Junior Lieutenant Marcayo Daniels, who's going to be Meyers' new partner. As I'm sure you know through the grapevine, and if you haven't, Lieutenant Powers left this morning for Arcturus so he could be closer to his ailing mother. Recent reports say she's gravely ill. We wish him and his mother well. He'll be missed. Arcturus is getting a fine officer.
(BEAT)
Now, this fine young officer, Mr. Daniels, has just graduated from the Venus Academy Station as this term's honor graduate. He's taking part in a new integration program to introduce alien minorities into patrolman jobs. Now, I'm sure some of you're wondering how this nice young man could be an alien minority? He's half of the Alpha Centauri native race known as the Brocana. His differences from the human norm is subtle. Anyone who wants to know further about these differences can refer to the Galactic Race file. Differences aside, he's a rookie only. Treat him as such. Let's give Jr. Lt. Daniels a nice welcome.
Everyone applauded and Patterson pointed to the empty seat beside a man with light brown straight hair in a modest short cut.
Marc sat down and pulled out his palm-sized electric memo pad from his tan leather bag in case he needed to take notes on the rest of the briefing.
Patterson called for silence and resumed his talk.
PATTERSON
A restaurant on the Mars station was held up yesterday by two men- one was approximately 6'2" with blond hair and blue eyes and the other was approximately 5'8" with brown hair and green eyes. Both were wearing gray jumpsuits of the Mars Station maintenance section. They were reported entering a two-seat Starjammer Sports Cruiser, red with silver stripes. It's ID numbers were Echo Alpha Eight Three Niner Three. It's already been checked out and is a stolen vehicle from Earth. It has no hyperdrive so it couldn't have gotten far. Look out for it. It could be in our sector. If you locate it, report it to Mars Division.
(BEAT)
And one more thing, don't forget to check the screens for your sector assignments. It's not the dispatcher's job to correct your oversight. It's nice of them to do it at all, but too many of you have been asking them a bit too much lately. Okay, that's it and be careful. You only have one chance to mess up and you're atoms.
As the briefing room was clearing, one patrolman went up to Cdr. Patterson and began talking to him.
When most of the patrolmen and women were out, Marc finally stood up and faced his new partner.
MARC
Hello.
Jim raised his hand.
Marc offered his own hand and shook it.
JIM
Hi, Lt. Daniels, I'm Tech Officer Jim Meyers, your new partner.
MARC
Please, call me Marc.
JIM
Okay, I'm Jim.
Marc sighed when he saw Meyers’ brown eyes widen as he stared at Marc’s face.
MARC
I'm sorry. I should have worn my blue-colored contact lenses.
JIM
No, there's no reason to hide your differences.
MARC
With my contacts, the blue of my skin isn't so noticeable. I just wear them for cosmetic reasons although my eyesight's perfect.
JIM
The whole idea of this program is to encourage humans to be more comfortable with the differences in cultures.
MARC
That's true.
JIM
I'll get use to them and they won't even bother me. So, how long have you been out of school, Marc?
MARC
Only a month.
JIM
Well, I'm afraid it won't be as easy as those stupid instructors make it sound like it is!
MARC
That's understandable, they just don't want the cadets to be too cowed!
From the corner of Marc’s eye he saw the commander smile before he slipped back through the door to his office.
JIM
Let’s go so I can show you some things you’ll need to know before we go out on patrol.
Marc followed Jim out into the hallway. He went through a door into a stairwell and went down. They went down 1 floor and came out into a narrow hallway with a half door in the wall.
JIM
This is quartermasters.
Meyers pressed a button beside the door. Beyond the door, a bell rang. Shortly, a man stepped up to the door.
TUCKER
Hi, Meyers. This the new kid?
JIM
Sure is, Tucker. This is Lt. Daniels. He needs his uniform issued.
Tucker picked up an electronic board and set it on the ledge.
TUCKER
Fill this form out so I can issue you your q-number and uniforms.
Marc filled out the form and returned the board to Tucker.
Tucker scanned it quickly then when to a computer. He worked at the computer for a minute, then went into a back room.
A few minutes later, he came out with a blue bundle in plastic. He set it on the ledge.
TUCKER
Okay, your uniforms are all personalized with your name on the left breast. Check to see if it's the right name. If it doesn't have your name on it, return it for a replacement. Your q-number is twenty-two-fifty-eight. Remember that when you come for a new uniform.
MARC
Thanks.
Marc picked up the bundle.
JIM
Okay, next is the men's locker room.
Jim walked back up the stairs, turned right and went down the hall and turned left through a door.
Jim walked past a few rows of lockers before he turned left and stopped.
JIM
Did they issue you a locker?
MARC
Yes, locker 86.
JIM
Yeah, they gave you Sid's old locker right beside mine. So here it is.
Marc keyed in the lock code and opened the door. He set his bag of supplies down on the bench, pulled the plastic off the bundle and changed clothes.
JIM
I don't know if someone told you or not, but wearing your patrolman uniform isn't allowed on a civilian transport so if you use your uniform again and wear it home, put civilian clothes over it. Now lets go to the armory to get your laser pistol issued. Did they issue you a weapon number?
MARC
Not yet.
JIM
Okay, lets get that done.
Jim walked back out of the locker room.
They went back down the stairs and down the hall. They entered through a door reinforced with metal bars and went up to a counter.
A large man with dark skin met them at the counter.
HARRIS
Hey, there, Jim, this one of the new guys we're getting?
Jim
Yeah, Harris. This is Lieutenant Marc Daniels, my new partner. He needs his pistol issued.
Harris laid an electronic note pad on the counter.
HARRIS
Fill this form out while I get your weapon.
Marc filled out the form.
When Harris came back, Marc handed the pad back to him.
HARRIS
Okay, you've got weapon number two-eighty-five. Remember that. At the beginning of your shift, you come down here and tell me that number and I'll get your weapon. Here's two spare power packs. Keep them in your utility belt, but don't let them lay there too long. If they aren't used within a week, they begin to loose their charge, so you'll have to trade them in weekly for fresh ones. You don't need to wait till you're in a heavy fire fight for you to find out your spares have lost their charge.
Marc blew his breath out slowly through his lips.
MARC
Yeah, that would be bad.
HARRIS
Well, that's it. Welcome to patrol!
MARC
Thanks.
Marc strapped his pistol into his holster and the spare packs into a pouch.
They left the armory and went back upstairs.
Once back on the main floor, they stopped in front of a line of monitors mounted in the wall.
JIM
This is the duty assignment board Cdr. Patterson was just talking about. Each day before we go out on patrol, we're supposed to check it. Each team's listed by their unit number. We're Sierra-lima 14 so we find it on the board and, here.
He pointed to a line.
JIM
We've got sector Bravo 1. That's Earth to Mars. Bravo 1 is our only stationary sector. All other sector's change as relative to the Earth-Mars positions, but don't worry about getting confused about where you're going to be each day, that's figured out by the Science Section that figures this stuff out in relative to daily star charts, and then they store the details on our onboard computers.
MARC
That's a relief.
JIM
Yeah. Now let's see who's our backup. They're Sierra-lima 5, 12, 16, 19, 22, and 28. They also have Bravo 1 so remember those numbers when we need help. Let's go to the ship now.
They entered into a vast launch deck, devoid of all but two ships and walked up to the ship on the right.
JIM
Here she is, your new home for now. Hop in.
He slapped Marc on the back. Marc was so surprised at the physical contact, he didn’t feel the full extent of the hit.
JIM
Loosen up, kid! I know it's your first time on the job, but you don't have to act like an ultra-disciplined cadet anymore!
Marc laughed and hopped up the ramp into the spaceship.
JIM
Ah, that's better!
Jim leapt aboard after Marc and they put their headsets and helmets on.
INT. EARTH SPACE STATION
Arthur Trevor walked through the Patrol office feeling less than eager to start his new job to watch over Marc Daniels' as he worked into phase two of the Alien Integration Program.
He believed in the program, but he wasn't sure Daniels was the best candidate for its beginning. His superiors had been pleased when Daniels had graduated from the Venus Academy as their Valedictorian of the last class, but he hadn't been so happy. Daniels was already showing himself to be a showoff.
He approached the woman who sat at the secretary's desk at the captain's office.
TREVOR
I'm here to speak with the captain.
SECRETARY
Your name?
TREVOR
Arthur Trevor. The captain's expecting me.
The door was already sliding open when Trevor stepped through and looked at the small Asian man with a thin flat face, dark hair and eyes. He stood up from the large desk and held out his hand.
WANHOCHI
I'm Captain Yuriashi Wanhochi.
Trevor restrained himself from scowling as he grasped the man's hand.
TREVOR
Arthur Trevor. I'm from the Alien Integration Bureau.
WANHOCHI
Yes, your bureau's sponsoring my new rookie to the patrol.
TREVOR
Yes, as per conditions that you agreed to when we initiated this program, I'm to monitor Mr. Daniels' integration into the work force to make sure he makes a smooth transition.
WANHOCHI
We've supplied a desk for you in the administration area. All I ask is that you don't interfere with police business.
WANHOCHI
Welcome to the department, Mr. Trevor.
TREVOR
Thank you, Captain Wanhochi.
Trevor left the office and was met by an average brown haired man in the blue uniform with the white panels on the chest who guided him to a large room with many desks in it. Trevor wasn't amused that his desk was small and in the corner. He painted on a smile for the patrolman and sat down in the chair.
TREVOR
Thank you, patrolman. I have no more use for you.
INT. POLICE CRUISER -SPACE
Once Sierra-lima 14 launched into space and were heading away from the moon, Marc looked at the scanner and noticed the other ship from the launch deck take off.
MARC
Who's in that one?
Jim glanced at the scanner.
JIM
Cdr. Patterson and Tech Officer 2 Lowers.
MARC
Cdr. Patterson goes out, too?
JIM
Sure he does. Do you expect him to sit around all day?
Marc felt his irritation swell.
JIM
Yeah, he cruises from sector to sector checking how things are going.
MARC
That's quite all right. I'll just have to get use to it.
JIM
That still wasn't an excuse for my callousness.
MARC
Don't go shooting yourself down for it. I'll learn!
JIM
Sierra-lima 14, available, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14. Base, out.
Suddenly, he settled his eyes on a movers shuttle and checked the sensors.
MARC
Sir, sensors say that movers shuttle's giving out too much radiation.
JIM
It sure is, and don't be so formal. If it stayed formal in the little tin can all the time, it'd be boring. I said I was Jim so you can call me Jim, okay?
MARC
Okay.
JIM
Good. Sierra-lima 14 to Base, over.
BASE (V.O.)
This is Base, Sierra-lima 14, go ahead, over.
JIM
Base, requesting identification on a movers shuttle: ID, Mike Romeo One Five Two Six, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Wait.
(BEAT)
Sierra-lima 14, shuttle is registered on Mars to an independent residential mover, Roger Talbot. No major violations, over.
JIM
Roger, Base. Shuttle's emitting high concentrations of radiation. Preparing to give assistance.
BASE (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14. Base, out.
JIM
Now, the object here is for us to run a simple on-the-spot emissions test. If there's a small imbalance that's easily adjusted I'll do it and we'll let the guy be on his way. Do you want me to go over your role in the test just in case?
MARC
No, I know my part.
JIM
Okay.
Jim changed frequencies on the radio.
JIM (CONT.)
Mover's shuttle Mike Romeo One Five Two Six, please stop your vehicle and prepare for attachment.
TALBOT
Yes sir, Officer.
MARC
Here goes.
Marc exhaled slowly as he lined the small ship with the shuttle's hatch and eased it sideways to lock the two ships together. When the chime sounded, Marc secured the ship and followed Jim to the hatch. Marc took the minutes of the delay to catch his breath again.
JIM
You okay?
MARC
Yeah, just nervous.
JIM
It's all right. First day jitters. You'll do just fine.
When the door opened, they were met by a medium sized stocky man with brown hair. Three other men looked on from various seats in the common room they'd entered.
JIM
Are you the pilot?
TALBOT
Yes.
JIM
May I see your pilot's license and your registration?
The pilot led them into the cockpit. He reached into a compartment and handed over some papers. Jim scanned them. Jim returned the papers.
JIM
Mr. Talbot, do you realize your ship's emitting more radiation than is allowed?
TALBOT
She is? Are you going to tow me in? My clients are expecting me and those boys back there in an hour to pack up their house. If I'm late, I may loose their business and those boys won't be too happy to loose their wage, Officer.
JIM
I'd like to avoid towing if I can, sir. So, if you'll allow me and my partner to do an engine diagnostic procedure, and if the problem isn't too severe, I may be able to adjust it right here with only a short delay for you.
TALBOT
This way, Officer.
The pilot walked out of the cockpit waving to the policemen to follow him. Shortly, they entered the heavy bulkhead that led into the engine room. Jim set to work with tools he'd brought with him.
TALBOT
Do you understand what he's doing?
MARC
Not much of it. Like you, I'm only a pilot. That's his job.
JIM
Okay, she should be within legal limits, sir, but I suggest after you're done with your pressing job, you take your ship in for some engine adjustments just in case my adjustments didn't correct the whole problem.
TALBOT
I certainly will, Officer.
JIM
Good. Have a nice day.
Marc and Jim went back into the patrol cruiser.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
INT. POLICE CRUISER – SPACE
Marc detached the ship and pulled away.
JIM
Sierra-lima 14 to Base. Tech Officer successfully performed a temporary rebalance on movers shuttle: ID, Mike Romeo One Five Two Six. Sierra-lima 14 available, over.
Base (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14.
JIM
You did pretty good for the first time in an actual situation.
MARC
Thanks.
JIM
If more people were that cooperative, we'd have an easy job.
MARC
Just an honest businessman trying to make a living.
JIM
Did you see how that guy looked at you?
MARC
I try not to.
JIM
Does it bother you?
MARC
Of course it does, but after twenty-one years, you learn how to hide it and look as if it doesn't bother you. Besides, compared to others I've come in contact with, he was quite tolerant.
Jim lapsed into thoughtful silence. Marc maintained it and the time stretched forever in a string of complacent traffic until Jim suddenly spoke into his headset.
JIM
Sierra-lima 14 to Sierra-lima 16, how's your status, over.
PETE
Sierra-lima 16, all go, over.
JIM
Roger, Sierra-lima 16. Sierra-lima 14, out. They're having as good a day as we are.
MARC
How do you know? They just said all go.
JIM
It's the tone Pete used. As much as he tries to hide it, he still can't hide his boredom from a practiced ear. You'll meet Pete Andrews and George Zenner, Sierra-lima 16, in the near future. They're close friends of mine.
MARC
Oh.
JIM
A word of warning, though- George can be a bit strange sometimes!
MARC
I'll keep that in mind.
JIM
Let's call in for lunch break and go to the Earth-Mars space station.
INT. EARTH-MARS SPACE STATION RESTAURANT
When they received permission, they landed on the station, clipped their helmets to their belts and walked to a little restaurant. They found a table, sat down, and ordered through the computer.
After a few minutes, a waitress walked up and set their food in front of them.
JIM
Thanks.
EXT. WAITRESS
MARC
Why are there so many stations around here?
JIM
Well, the Earth orbital space station was made first a long time ago. It's mostly used as a freight port for Earth as well as having our ISP Central and the Bureau of Space Transportation or BST, as we call it.
(BEAT)
This station's the deep space station for the long-range ships to port for supplies and food. Then there's the Venus Police Academy out toward Venus and you know why they're out that way.
MARC
Yeah, to keep the cadets from going AWOL when they decide it's too crazy!
JIM
The others are just local ports. Besides, Earth is the hub of the Alliance so it's real busy. Were you raised in the colony?
MARC
I was, though I did spend time with my mother's clan in the mountains. I'm glad to hear that more Brocana are gaining courage and are beginning to live in the colonies.
JIM
Are there a lot of them?
MARC
No, it's still very rare. Most are still afraid.
JIM
Oh? Why does it upset you?
MARC
My mother's clan, other than my mother, don't trust colonials yet. They were even reluctant to meet my father. His diplomatic abilities pretty much kept him being thrown out of camp, but I guess because of my father, they've gained a little more confidence with human colonials.
JIM
If this is so, then why did the Brocana allow the colonies to be built in the first place?
Marc took a bite of his food before he answered so he could think about how much he wanted to admit to someone he just met.
MARC
Actually, in the beginning, the colonists didn't know there was an indigenous race until they started surveying the mountainous regions. At first the Brocana didn't care they were there. They thought that if the colonists were crazy enough to want the inhospitable flatlands, they were welcome to them. No one ever wondered where the people had suddenly appeared from until spaceships began screaming through their atmosphere and they'd had cause to seriously wonder. Then the colonists became anathema for their ‘God imitating machines’, but the Brocana feared retaliation more from the colonists and merely withdrew from them, allowing the colonies to stay.
JIM
I can't see why the colonists would threaten retaliation on the Brocanas unless the Brocanas threatened them directly.
MARC
It's Brocanan collectively and Brocana in the plural as well as singular- as in, I'm Brocana, they are Brocana, and we are of the Brocanan race.
JIM
Oh sorry.
MARC
That's okay, it was an understandable mistake. Anyway, they didn't threaten retaliation at all, Jim. It's just that the Brocana culture stems from a survival of the strongest. They just assumed the colonists with their laser technology were stronger. They believe that spiritual retribution isn't theirs to meet out.
JIM
So they basically left it alone?
MARC
Pretty much.
JIM
What a history! And your mother's the first since to break the anathema in her clan?
MARC
As far as I know.
JIM
Your family isn't boring! Are you done?
MARC
Yeah, that wasn't too bad.
Marc wiped his mouth and set the napkin down.
JIM
Nah, Sid and I came here often when we watched this area before he chose to go to Arcturus.
MARC
You were very close to Sid, weren't you, Jim?
JIM
Yeah, Marc, I was, but he had good reason to go. His mother's health is dubious, if that. It's better for him to be close to his mother before she dies.
MARC
I would.
JIM
But now it's time for you to be my partner. Let's go.
Jim stood up. They slipped their credit cards into slots in the center of the table and then Jim walked ahead of Marc out of the restaurant.
MARC
I know you're nervous about working with an alien.
JIM
As far as I am concerned, you're just another rookie.
INT. POLICE CRUISER – SPACE
Marc launched them back into space and they resumed their patrol.
JIM
Sierra-lima 14 available, over.
Base (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14, over.
MARC
So, where were you born, Jim?
JIM
I was born in Los Angeles in the state of California on the North American continent on Earth.
MARC
That's about 200 miles away from the original San Francisco, the namesake of the main colony on Centauria.
Sierra-mike 20 (V.O.)
Sierra-mike 20 in pursuit of Mars station suspects in red and silver Starjammer, ID Echo Alpha Eight Three Niner Three. Request back-up at coordinates Mike Papa Two Two Niner Eight Six Seven, over.
JIM
Sierra-lima 14, responding, over.
Jim called the grid sector up on the computer's screen on their middle panel.
JIM (CONT.)
ETA, three minutes, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14. Base out.
MARC
That's the dark side of Mars around Phobos.
Marc's fingers flew over the board and sent the ship into the fastest impulse speed.
JIM
You studied Sol grid maps!
MARC
Shit.
Soon they saw Sierra-mike 20 chasing a sleek little two-seater that looked like a bird in a perpetual dive which at that moment was diving toward a space bus.
SIERRA-MIKE 20 (V.O)
Sierra-mike 20 to Sierra-lima 14, glad to see you guys. Could you do a parallel maneuver and try to cut him off while we keep him busy from the rear, over?
MARC
Wilco.
Marc froze when he saw that the small craft had misjudged the pull-up and had to do a sharp roll to the right.
Despite the pilot's efforts, the small ship clipped it's wingtip on the buses engine. It pulled out wobbling furiously, but was still under control.
MARC
Uksake! Meyers, the buses engine just stalled.
JIM
What's an uksaka?
MARC
Oops, a little Brocana there. Leave it at that.
JIM
Okay. Sierra-lima 14 to Sierra-mike 20. The buses damaged engine just stalled.
SIERRA-MIKE 20 (V.O.)
Wilco, Sierra-lima 14. We'll get these guys. Help the bus, over.
JIM
Roger, Sierra-mike 20. Sierra-lima 14 to base, we need a tow vehicle for a Sierra Victor Three-sixty class personnel transport vehicle at coordinates Mike Papa Two Niner Eight Six Seven, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Wilco, Sierra-lima 14, base, out.
TRANSPORT (V.O.)
This is Papa Lima Niner Six Two Zero, over.
JIM
Go ahead, Papa Lima Niner Six Two Zero, over.
TRANSPORT (V.O.)
Officer, that miscreant severely damaged my engine. I have no forward thrust and my sensors say we're close enough to Mars's gravity well that we're being pulled by it, over.
JIM
Wilco, we're going to dock onto your bus and evacuate your passengers, over.
TRANSPORT (V.O.)
Good idea. We'll be ready for you. Papa Lima Niner Six Two Zero, over.
Marc pulled the little cruiser beside the bus and locked her on.
Warning indicators began to flash about skin temperature as they unstrapped and rushed to the hatch.
When it began to open, they squeezed through the door. Marc ran toward the cockpit as he heard Jim briefing the passengers on evacuation.
MARC
No chance of getting her started up?
A stately middle-aged man with silvering brown hair moved to him and shook his head sadly.
PILOT
Not in the time we have before we enter Mars' atmosphere.
MARC
What a waste.
PILOT
Indeed, son. This ship has been my livelihood for twenty-five years!
The man caressed a panel as if he was saying his farewells to a treasured companion.
MARC
Maybe I could stay and try to start her-
PILOT
It'll be suicide. I can see you're from Alpha Centauri, but even what you can bear won't be enough time before the instruments start fusing. Like I said, it'd be suicide.
MARC
I’ll lock a tractor beam onto it from the cruiser. We can’t let debris fall uncontrolled on to Mars. It might fall into a colonized area. Okay, let's go.
He made sure everyone was off before he returned to the police cruiser and joined Jim at the controls again.
JIM
Is everyone strapped in?
PILOT
Yes, sir.
MARC
Then, I'm detaching.
Marc pulled to the side, then flew in front of the bus.
MARC (CONT.)
Lock a tractor beam and I’ll pull it out with us.
Jim typed in a command. On the console a red cone spread from their cruiser to the bus.
Marc carefully opened the throttle.
The cruiser moved slowly as it warred with Mars’ gravity for control of the buses trajectory.
Jim wiped sweat off his brow.
JIM
Marc, it’s getting hot in here.
MARC
I’ve almost got her.
He was about to cut the beam when the cruiser leapt forward and flew through a field of red ionized particles, then back into the black of space.
JIM
Sierra-lima 14 to Base, over.
BASE (V.O.)
This is Base, over.
JIM
Bus has been evacuated and it's in traction to unit. Will pull bus to Mars space station. Cancel tow vehicle. Returning to base with all passengers and crew from vehicle, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Wilco, Sierra-lima 14. Base, out.
JIM
You know, partner, you almost got us fried there?
MARC
I was aware of human heat tolerances! Sorry, I was just about to cut the line when we finally jumped out of Mars’ atmosphere. I know it was getting too hot. I didn’t want that bus to fall onto the Mars colony.
JIM
That was a valid concern.
Marc flew the cruiser back to the Mars station.
MARC
Sierra-lima 14 to Mars station flight control, over.
MARS STATION (V.O.)
This is Mars station control, Sierra-lima 14, over.
MARC
Mars station control, I have a damaged bus in tow, requesting permission to dock bus.
MARS STATION (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14, deploying fire suppression crews, proceed to docking pylon 5.
Marc flew to the docking pylon, pulled the cruiser away to line the bus up with the pylons, then he nudged the cruiser into reverse and carefully pushed the bus into the pylons. They latched onto the bus.
MARC
Detach tractor beam.
JIM
Roger.
Jim entered commands and the red cone on the sensor board blinked out.
MARC
Mars station control, bus is secured.
MARS STATION (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14, we’ll take it from here.
After a quick flight, Marc landed the ship inside the Patrol docking cavern at the Earth space station. When the hatch was lowered, they were met by Malia Konane. Jim pulled off his helmet.
JIM
What are you doing here, Malia?
MALIA
Dolenz isn't expected until tomorrow, so I'm stuck here today. I'm going to help you process your passengers.
JIM
Thanks, we may need it. By the way, Malia, this is Marc Daniels. Marc, this is Malia Konane.
MARC
Hi, Malia.
Marc offered his hand before he realized that it was holding his helmet.
MALIA
Hi, Marc. I don't bite.
Marc looked down at his full hand and blushed as he quickly pulled it back.
MALIA
Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you.
He hooked his helmet.
MARC
Uh, it's okay.
By then, Jim had already turned toward the cruiser's passengers and was already briefing them.
JIM
Ladies and Gentlemen, we'll be speaking to each of you individually to get your names and destinations.
MAN #1
Will we be allowed to call our families to tell them we're all right?
JIM
Sir, public vid-phones are available in the space station. You're free to use them as long as you speak to a police officer first before leaving the Station area.
WOMAN #1
Officer, I have a child who's getting hungry. Is there a place where I can get food?
JIM
Yes, ma'am, we have vending machines in the station and the space station has several restaurants, however, again, I do ask that we talk to you before you leave the ISP area. But you're welcome to use the vending machines until we're finished talking with you.
She gave a dismayed look, but didn't say anything more.
JIM
Now, if all of you would follow us, we'll escort you into the station.
When they arrived inside, Patterson met them.
PATTERSON
That was an incredible job, Lt. Daniels.
MARC
I didn’t want the bus to fall on inhabited areas on Mars.
PATTERSON
Good thinking! I hope all passengers are accounted for.
JIM
We'll find that out, Commander, but I'm pretty sure we got everyone off.
PATTERSON
I'll get a few others to help you process all of this.
Patterson moved off.
Jim, Malia and Marc moved on to the briefing room where two guys were setting up two long tables and chairs on either side of the tables and another was placing stacks of forms on the tables for the processors to fill out. The five sat down on one side of the tables and Jim called for the crew-members to come over and sit down on the other side of the table so they could begin taking statements. After the crew was finished, they asked for the people with little children next so they could be allowed to go and care for their children.
LATER
Six pots of coffee and several snacks later, they finished with the last of the passengers, then Jim stood up and did a bone-popping stretch.
JIM
What time is it?
MALIA
Seventeen hundred.
They stopped at the armorer and signed in their weapons before they left the patrol station and entered a restaurant.
MALIA
How was your first day, Marc?
MARC
It was okay. A bit exciting, though I'm sure you don't get bus emergencies every day.
JIM
We sure don't! You maneuvered the cruiser well. He did a clean attachment twice with not a bump! Jim drew his two index fingers together. Then he used the tractor beam to pull the bus out of Mars’ atmosphere, then backed her cleanly into the docking pylons at Mars station.
MARC
Oh, that was nothing.
MALIA
It is something! Lateral attachments aren't the easiest maneuver and some people take years to perfect it even if they're ISPs. Backing a ship into docking pylons while attached to a tractor beam is even more difficult."
JIM
She's right, Marc. Turner, on Sierra-lima 26, still has to practice lateral attachments to get it on the first try and you just nudged that cruiser onto that bus like it was easy.
MARC
Let's stop talking about me! So, how long have you been in the force?
JIM
About 5 years.
MALIA
I've been with the force for 3 years now.
JIM
Sid and me came together. Not that we partnered together from the start, but we came from the same graduating class at the academy.
MARC
So I bet you were happy when you were partnered with Sid.
JIM
Yeah, but, as I told you earlier, since his mother took ill in the last few years and seems to be worsening, Sid wants to be near her in case she gets more serious. He didn't like it when she insisted on moving out there a year after we graduated, but she said he was an adult man and she didn't want to interfere with his life. That's why I wasn't opposed to him taking that assignment at Arcturus.
They talked a little more, then parted company for the night.
FADE OUT.
THE END