The Begining (The Navigator Book 1) (14 page)

“So, do you have any ideas on how to handle Laura and Sharon?” she asked.

“Well, yes and no. It's more like a half formed plan than anything. I would still like Laura out here with us, but I'm not sure I really want Sharon as a lover; too much has happened between us. That being said, she would make an excellent administrator for the Citadel.”

“Uh, you are going to be the Citadel's Administrator once we kill Jared... Aren't you?” she asked.

“Well, I've been thinking about that. I don't think someone like us should be in charge out there. The potential for another situation like Jared happening is too great. We need someone that has no Navigational abilities at all running the show. Someone with strong administrative abilities in oddly functioning agencies. Sharon would be perfect for that," he explained.

“But, how would you handle the relationship thing with her? You know that she loves you; do you think she could return to the way things were when you were in the Agency together?”

“I don't know. Remember, I haven't actually seen her for the better part of twenty years. I'm more worried about what Laura is going to do than Sharon anyway. She doesn't like letting go of people she's let into her life.”

Becka grinned. “Why would she have to? If Laura lives out on the Citadel with us, why can't she and Sharon still remain lovers? That part of the relationship doesn't have to include you. Think about it, you'll be screwing all these other women, why can't she have some on the side as well?”

“You're right of course, but how are we going to convince the Council to bring them both up here? I'm sure they don't fully trust me yet, and I can't really blame them for that.” Joe finished.

Becka took her plate from Joe. “Call the Admiral. Talk to him about this just like you talked to me. Explain it to him. If you can get him to understand what you’re saying, he can then take it to the Council for them to consider. You are, after all, honestly only looking out for their best interests as well as your own.”

“True, I suppose. I did say I would call him when I had a better idea of how to handle this.” While he ate, he had his internal computer system make the connection with the Admiral and project him sitting with them by the fire.

“Damn,” he said looking around. “I almost wish I really could be there with you. This looks beautiful, and those steaks look even better!"

“Well, now you know where to go for your next leave, Admiral!” Becka said. “It is beautiful out here. It gets a little warm during the day though, and I miss the sounds of the bugs.”

The Admiral grinned. “At first, the biologists thought that there weren't any bugs out there. But, that's not the case. They are just much quieter, and the noises they do make are not in the normal range of human hearing. At least, there's no fucking mosquitoes!” Hawklings explained. "Now, I'm sure you didn't call me to talk about the ecology of the planet, Major. What can I do for you?”

“Actually sir, you asked me to call you back when I had a plan for dealing with the Sharon and Laura issue. I think I have one, but I don't know if the Council will like it. Before I explain it, I want you to know that I honestly am thinking of the greater good with this.”

“Okay, now you have me worried!” He said grinning. “Tell me all of it, so I can follow your reasoning, that way, I'll be able to pitch it to the Council."

“Well, first thing; I don't think a Navigator should be in overall command of the Citadel. The potential for another Jared happening, even if the person is aware of it, is just too great. The person has to be loyal to the ideals we are trying to accomplish out here and not just one group,” Joe explained.

“True enough, but having a Navigator in charge gives the other Navigators something to connect with. Do you really think that having a normal human in charge of them won't foster resentment?” Hawklings asked.

“To begin with it might. But there is one major thing we Navigators are going to need, whether we want it or not; we are going to need to be reminded that we are part of the human race, that we are no different or better than anyone else. We need the constant reminder that we are there trying to further the goals of our race, not just the Navigators. Having a normal in command out there will keep our eye on the ball and not let us focus on creating delusions of godhood.”

Hawklings looked at him sharply. “Do you think that will happen? I mean is it a possibility? Do you think you could end up going down that road?”

Joe shrugged. “We do have special abilities other humans don't have, Admiral. No, I certainly wouldn't go that way intentionally, but what's to keep it from happening by accident? Hell, the very eugenics program you are fostering out there almost reinforces it. Jared happened because he believes that he became better than the rest of the human race. We are going to need an anchor to make sure the rest of us don't slip down that road ourselves.”

“But we are talking about one individual that developed a limited mind control ability aren't we?” Hawklings asked.

“Yes, we are. But are we certain that someone else won't develop extra abilities? Admiral, you, yourself told me that the human mind is only now evolving the ability to navigate hyperspace. Why would it have to stop there? Where is it written that that's the only thing it's capable of evolving into? Sir, with respect, there is no way in hell this is either controllable or containable, but we can plan for it and try to develop the best way to handle it when it does happen, if it hasn't happened already,” Joe finished.

Hawklings remained looking thoughtful while he considered Joe's words. “Major, I trust you and Becka. Until now, I trusted the rest of the Navigators as far as a passing acquaintance will allow. However, this will completely destroy the trust that the Council has for them. So, I need you and Becka back here by Thursday evening for the Friday council session. I'll want you to talk to them and convince them; like you just convinced me, that this is not something we need to fear, but rather prepare for.”

“Uh, sir, I have business I need to take care of on the Citadel...” Joe began, but Hawklings waved him off.

“Major, no one ever thought this far ahead, or been in the position you now find yourself in. I dare say that this information is far more important than the little dictator in the grand scheme of things. If you can take care of him before you need to meet the transport, then do so, but if you can't, he can wait. This is now your first priority; Jared can wait a couple of days. Gather what information you can, any facts that you might be able to dig up to support your thoughts, and be ready for Friday.”

Joe stood and saluted. “Yes sir. Is there someone that can step in and take over the Citadel if Jared suddenly dies?”

“I doubt Jared's second is much better than he is, if Jared picked him. We had planned on you taking over after Jared, which, you might have to do, at least for the short term. I'm sure Becka knows people there that can run the place in your absence. After all, there are not any ships getting ready to depart, and none are due back for at least another month," Hawklings explained. “You should be back to the Citadel by Monday.”

“Sir, is Shana on her way back?” Becka asked.

“Actually, she should have just landed at the spaceport. If I can ask, why do you keep asking for her?” Hawklings asked.

Becka grinned without humor. “I trust Shana, Sir. Most of the shuttle drivers you have on this run are a bit flaky at the best of times. Shana is still stable. We can also trust her to do exactly what we need her to do when she needs to do it.”

“Major?” Hawklings asked, looking at Joe. “How do you feel about her?”

“She's a very sweet girl, slowly being driven insane by the isolation and loneliness of her job. Yes, I trust her. She did, after all, have the presence of mind to react quickly and correctly when I collapsed at the Citadel,” Joe explained.

Hawklings nodded. “For the time being, I'll make sure she's at your disposal for transportation. We do have a new type of multi-purpose transport being built. It's much larger, and will have a crew of four. We are planning on replacing the small single person shuttles for the run between systems. Once we get those operational, the single person ship will be used for ground to orbit, or ship to ground transportation and resupply.”

Joe chuckled. “We're gonna need more people, Admiral. Now, I don't mean to cut this short, since I actually enjoy talking to you, but if you need things done, I best be doing them. We'll give you a call back as soon as we're en-route to Blackwater.”

Hawklings nodded. “You're going to the Citadel first?”

“Yeah, could you arrange for Dr. Symms to take a maintenance crew to the station to begin installation of his new shielding? Shana can take us, and the good Doctor can continue his work after we leave,” Joe suggested.

Hawklings nodded. “It'll be set-up before you arrive at the spaceport. I'll make sure Dr. Symms has your credentials. God speed and good hunting, Major.”

“Thank you, Sir. We should see you in a couple of days,” Joe replied as the hologram winked out.

Joe and Becka hurriedly began breaking camp before the last rays of the setting primary made it darker. As they worked, Becka remembered the conversation she'd had with Dr. Symms about Joe's beliefs.

“Joe, I'm kinda curious about something, but I'm a little hesitant to ask about it.”

“Ask anyway, Beautiful. If it's something I can't answer, I won't. If it's something I don't feel comfortable talking about, well, I can say that too.”

“Well, it's about religion. I was just wondering what your beliefs are. 'Pagan' covers a wide variety of beliefs,” she said.

“Yeah, it does. It's also the only name we have that covers what I believe in. You should hear some of the Christians freak out when I answer this question for them. It's really amazing how intolerant people can be,” Joe replied.

Becka nodded. “That's the truth. My parents tried to pound religion down my throat when I was growing up, but the more they tried, the less interested I became in it. I came to see it as nothing more than a control placed on the population by the church. A pretty effective one too."

“Unfortunately, I tend to agree with you on the control thing. Some pretty horrible things have been done in the name of 'God'. No, I believe that each person, as an individual, should try to find their own path.

“The first thing most Christians ask me is if I believe in God. I can honestly tell them yes I do, but not in the same way they do. That's when the trouble starts. You see, most everyone sees 'God' as a person, usually a man dressed in robes with a beard. I don't.

“I perceive 'God' all around us, all the time. It's part of us, as well as part of the world around us. When I can calm my mind I can feel it. It’s powerful and frightening, gentle and caring, all at the same time. It's really hard to explain, I guess," Joe said, shrugging.

“I think I follow you so far. You feel that god isn't a being, but rather the culmination of the life force of the universe, right?”

Joe nodded. “Very close. I do see it that way, yes, but I do feel it's a living entity. I honestly don't know if it has its own agenda; if it does, I sure haven't seen evidence I could understand.” He chuckled. "I guess I've watched Star Wars too many times, but in reality, that just feels closer to the truth for me."

Becka looked thoughtful. “Do you think it could actually be Hyperspace you feel?”

“Not as the being, no, but I do think I can hear, or feel, Hyperspace through this awareness. Kinda like it gives me a different point of view that the rest of you don't have.”

“The doctor thinks you might be psychic. When he hears what you just told the Admiral, it's going to confirm it for him. That could put us in a lot of danger,” Becka said.

Joe frowned. “I don't think so. That's what the meeting with the council will be for. We're not going to be able to keep our abilities to ourselves forever; one of us will slip-up sooner or later. Besides, I honestly think that there are far more of us than have been located so far.”

While they'd been talking, they got all their gear back into the dart and got ready to leave. Becka took the pilot's seat and Joe sat next to her.

As she started up the engine, she asked. “So the plan is to get the Council prepared for the 'discovery' of our abilities? What else?”

“For now, that's it. I'm still playing this by ear. I do believe getting someone like Sharon up here to run the Citadel is the right thing to do. Especially if Dr. Symms can get the shielding installed. I would also like to see the Citadel relocated to a habitable moon or planet.”

“What's wrong with the station?” Becka asked.

“Nothing, but wouldn't you feel better if you had a planet to call home instead of a station floating between two stars? Besides, as the human race grows and expands, we'll need the room to expand, too,” Joe explained.

Becka grinned. “So you do have plans beyond getting rid of Jared and getting the Council ready for psi abilities in humans!”

They had only been flying for about a half hour when the comm system chirped at them. Becka tapped the control screen to look at the messages. “There is a message from a couple of days ago. Todd, the guy that dispatches these darts, sent a message telling me that there was a woman claiming to be from the Navigator's Guild trying to locate me. He said she came into his office and demanded the transponder code for my dart. He said she was a real bitch, so he put her off but he says that there might be a welcoming party when I land.”