All That Glitters Ch. 20

Siobhan placed the trays in front of each recipient and opened the coves with gusto. The tray in front of Henadi showed lamb couscous with Tahini salad but the flavours emanating from the dish strongly reminded Henadi of home. Taking in the rich scents, Henadi realized that Siobhan had used Anuuran spices to make her treat!

"By the Gods, Siobhan," Henadi exclaimed, as she drooled at the thought of tasting the heavenly smelling dish, "where did you ever get Anuuran spices?"

"Traded them for an Asian style, fluffy lemon-cake recipe when I was at Liramor Prime," Siobhan confided. "I thought today might be a good day to try the recipe they came with."

Raymond was having memories of his own, while he did not originate from Liramor Prime, it had become his defacto home. His dish was a beautiful sole meunière cooked with almond slivers, a French-style green been salad with caprese, some pieces of toasted garlic buttered baguettes, and a glass of what smelled like Pouilly-Fuissé wine. The scents were driving him mad so that he almost wanted to bathe in the sauce from the meunière!

Siobhan was seated before an Italian style Acqua Pazza fish dish with black olives, scallions, and mushrooms. The spices of all three dishes mixed in the air above Henadi's desk as the three picked up silverware and began to savour their meals. They spent a companionably quiet fifteen minutes as they made their way through their lunches.

"To what do we owe your stunningly delicious presence today, Siobhan?" Henadi asked as she made her way through a Persimmon style desert, a small cup of dark Anuuran style coffee with a glass of spring water beside it.

"I've been hearing more grumbling in my mess," Siobhan confessed, "however, this time the grumbling is about this ship."

"Oh?" Raymond asked as he lifted his head from shattering the cup of a chocolate mousse baked into a delicately flower-shaped dark chocolate cup.

Siobhan set a forkful of Tiramisu on her tongue and swallowed before answering the question.

"The female Marines are angry that they have to dress separately from the men in the EVA chambers. On most ships, they work together with the men and dress and undress for EVA in the same chamber, even taking sonic showers together. They don't like that they are separated from their team and think that comradery is suffering.

"But that is not the final straw for the women," she noted, saying nothing more for a moment.

"OK, I'll bite," Henadi supplied, "what is it the breaks the Nadran's back?" A Nadran being a large pack animal that was native to Anuura.

"The ladies know that if they dress separately, they will never have the chance to see Raymond, naked, something they seem to fantasize about." Siobhan supplied with a mischievous smile.

Henadi blinked at Siobhan then broke out into uncontrolled laughter for half a minute.

"By the Gods, that is so rich!" she blurted, tears streaking her cheeks. Looking at Raymond and noting the blush he was showing. "Why Raymond, I think your exhibitionist tendencies are beginning to show!"

"What makes them think I'm worthy of their fantasies?" Raymond asked of no one in particular.

"Are you kidding me?" Siobhan asked. "They've all seen you shirtless in the gym. It's all they can talk about when they get together."

Siobhan looked at her boss and gave him a saucy wink and a mischievous smile. "I wouldn't mind getting a look see either."

"I've seen you naked, Raymond," Henadi purred. "Trust me when I say, their fantasies hold nothing to the truth."

"So now you'd have me parading like a stud horse to be shown off?" Raymond asked her, mock shock showing on his face.

"That parade would be on the other side, as in all the women parading to get a look, you are definitely a stud and very much worth showing off," Henadi said, with a smile.

"Oh, now you have ME going!" Siobhan quipped, to the laughter of the other two.

"The EVA chambers were originally set up like that for guests, not the crew," Raymond said. "I have no idea why the women of the crew were separated out, or who ordered that. I don't think it was something the Henadi ordered and it was not something I did either.

"I'll make sure to drop in on the EVA chambers during there use in the next two days and ask the appropriate questions," Henadi assured them. "Maybe we can correct this little morale problem before it gets any worse."

"Sound like a plan for me," Siobhan agreed. "Besides, I have to requalify soon. Maybe I can do that at the same time that Raymond requalifies," she teased.

Both women were giving a now blushing Raymond teasing smiles...

Liramor Holdings HQ, Liramor City, Liramor Prime, Liramor System, Thirty Light Years from Terra

Liea was sitting in Annette's office sipping tea with her friend. Kim sat in the background, watching the friends of two years interact.

"I'm sure that you didn't come back to Liramor Prime just for your financial report, Liea," Annette began in reference to Liea's purported purpose for being on Liramor Prime.

"Not entirely," Liea admitted. "I came because I need your advice. We need to do 'the circuit' to see and be seen with our new toy, but we can't be at it more than six months. We need to work the circuit on our own schedule, to seem to be moving randomly from one place to another, so that people cannot expect our destinations from one to the next. That way, if we disappear for some time, it will not draw suspicion. We thought you would be the most likely person to advise us on that."

Annette smiled. Yea, she knew just how to set them up. The two friends set up a plan for Liea and Raymond to show off their toys.

Halfway through their discussion, Annette's EA interrupted them.

"I apologize, Ms. Liramor," her EA said over the intercom. "But Dr. Aruna is here with an urgent request.

"Send her in," Annette ordered immediately.

Dr. Ohiraha Aruna came through the door looking somewhat pensive and nervous.

"Ohi? Is there a problem?" Annette asked of her colleague.

"I need a very big favour of you Annette, or you Liea," she began with a meek voice. "I need to borrow one of your fast ships to go to Earth in December."

"I'm sure the reason must be serious, judging by how nervous you seem to be, Ohi?" Annette asked.

Ohi cued up something on her comp and pushed it to the larger monitor in the room. The face of a beautiful woman, perhaps in her late fifties, showed on the monitor. The woman was strikingly beautiful with her white-blond hair and brilliant ice-blue eyes. The smile on her face was one of matronly invitation. A cultured voice spoke in standard.

"Dr. Ohiraha Aruna, I am Dr. Anna Jagandar, Chair of the Nobel Selection Committee. It is my great privilege to inform you that you will receive the Nobel Prize in Physics for the year 2483 for your contribution to the improvements in electrical generation specific to the advancement of the capabilities of the Marilon Generators, now known as Marilon/Aruna Generators, along with the improvement to the capabilities of the FTL drive.

"These improvements will advance human expansion and exploration significantly over the next few years. This is the first significant improvement of the Marilon Generators and the FTL drive since they were first developed more than one hundred years ago.

"As is traditional, the award is presented in the old Norwegian capital of Oslo, on Terra on the Tenth Day of December each year, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, for whom the award is named.

"A Union-wide public announcement of all of the 2483 award winners will be made in one week's time from the date of this missive, on the Fourteenth of September 2384.

"Please notify the committee by return e-mail if you will be on Terra to receive your prize for the ceremony of December 2384, otherwise we shall make alternative preparations for the presentation of the award.

"Congratulations, Dr. Aruna. We look forward to presenting you this significant honour."

The smiling face disappeared to leave behind the symbol of The Nobel Selection Committee.

Pandemonium broke lose as Liea, Kim, and Annette jumped up screaming to group hug Ohi.

It was decided that Dr. Ohiraha Aruna would travel in style, aboard The Wanderer, to her awards ceremony on Terra.

The Wanderer, Liramor Prime, Liramor System

Later that week, The Wanderer came back into existence above the gravity well of Liramor Prime. She slowly made her way down from high orbit to the Pallanders Orbital Shipyard, parking not far from the vessel.

The ship was there to pick up a few new items, and several new members of the crew. Once the ship was in its parking orbit, the shuttle bay doors opened, and The Valliant slipped out and down to the planet. Twenty minutes later, The Valiant landed at the Liramor Holdings Space Port, and a luxury ground transport picked up Raymond Clark and Marine Lt. Ululla Mbibo taking them to the Francis Liramor Memorial Building, the HQ of Liramor Holdings.

The pair were brought down to the security section, where some of their items were waiting.

"Hello, Mr. Clark. I'm Meteryea, Special Security Agent for Liramor Holdings, and I have your items. You will have to identify and sign for them, sir." Meteryea finished.

He took Raymond and Ululla into the holding area where his 'items' were being held in separate cells.

The four of them looked at him rather bemusedly. Raymond had seen people who had lost everything before, who were broken and unable to continue. These four held that same air about them.

"I am Raymond Clark, and I have an offer for you," Raymond began, looking at the four scientists. "You have been brought here for a specific reason, to join my ship.

"My ship will go into harm's way, but it will also explore new places and even conduct first contact with alien species. Against that, you will continue as you are, prisoners at Naval Prison Reinhold Bay.

"Your prison terms are for twenty years, with a chance of parole at fifteen. At Reinhold Bay, you are treated as what you are, as prisoners. You are not able to do the things you have trained to do, nor have a life of your own. Everything about your day is regulated, when you get up, when and what you eat, when you work and what you work at, who you speak to, when you use the toilette, when you wash, and when you sleep.

"I am giving you the opportunity to leave that life behind, but there is a catch. You will sign onto my ship, where you will act in the roles that you have developed over the years, that is, as scientists.

"However, you will sign on to this ship for ten years. You will not have the opportunity to leave the ship unless it is with an escort. If you attempt to leave, you will be returned to prison where you will fulfill your prison terms.

"If you breach the prescribed norms, as you have already done, you will be right back where you are now, back in Reinhold Bay to fulfill your prison terms. You will always be on your best behavior, fail to do so, and you return to prison.

"With me, you will serve as scientists without chance of advancement, for the next ten years. However, you will have the opportunity to make first contact with alien species, to potentially be the first human scientists to see alien home worlds and use your scientific skills in places that no other scientist can. Place that against twenty years as a prisoner without the opportunity to act as scientists, without the opportunity to contribute to and act on the latest advancements in your fields, without the opportunity to write papers or be of note of any kind in the scientific communities." Raymond let that sink in for a few moments before continuing.

"This is Lt. Ululla Mbibo, Marine. She is an unarmed combat expert. She is also your warden. Cross her, and she will likely break several bones in your bodies before returning you to Reinhold Bay. If she fails to do so, I will break those bones. You all know who I am, what my reputation is. Lt. Mbibo can testify that I am more than capable of breaking a bone or two.

"I will give you five minutes to discuss things with your fellow prisoners. After which, you will tell me if you will give me your parole or reject this offer. You know what will happen if you reject it. Your time starts now," Raymond finished, walking away with the other two.

They moved into the observation suite, where they observed the conversation between the four. It was quite heated but, in the end, the four really didn't have much option. Raymond had his scientists.

They had questions. "Why were we chosen?" one asked.

"Because most scientists would not sign on to a ship for more than five years unless the ship was a dedicated science vessel. You being prisoners, you will be exchanging your prison uniforms for much better clothing, and effectively, a much nicer jail cell," Raymond answered.

"Will we be allowed to publish?" another asked.

"Yes and no. Initially, your publications will be under the ship's name. But, once you have successfully completed your term, all publications will be re-released in your respective name or names."

"You said 'we could only leave the ship under escort'," a third person stated. "Will we be given the opportunity to leave the ship?"

"There will be times when you have to leave the ship to do your duty as scientists," Raymond advised. "Make no bones about it, you will be under escort and that escort will be armed. If you try to do something stupid, you will lose your liberty, and quite possibly be shot.

"You ARE prisoners and will remain so until the end of your ten year term. Successfully complete your term and you will be reinstated as Navy scientists, albeit at reduced rank from your previous positions, however, you are all still young enough to advance again. That, by the way, is not my choice but rather, the Navy's. Your only other option is to serve twenty years at Reinhold Bay, and you will not be reinstated as Navy scientists if you do.

"Any other questions?" There were none.

Raymond took their parole, signing for the four prisoners, Mbibo signing along with him. All four were now his. He led them into an interview room where four racks of clothing were hanging. The racks had their names on them.

The clothing included, business suits suitable for a scientist to wear, outfits suitable for a cocktail party, lounging outfits, exercise outfits, emergency escape suits, and EVA underwear.

It also included ship uniforms, with their names and the rank of civilian scientist on them. On the right breast, above their names, was the logo of the ship, an image of a wandering medieval man looking up at the stars. The left breasts were conspicuously left blank. The left shoulder held the logo of the Union Science Association, rather than Navy Scientist.

They had the opportunity to strip, shower, and have tracking devices embedded in their left shoulders, before putting on their new ship's uniform.

"Those devices will remain in your body until such time as you earn your freedom," Mbibo informed them. "You will be monitored at all times. Should they record you someplace that you shouldn't be, you will immediately lose your freedom and be returned to prison.

"If you think this is harsh, remember what your indiscretion almost cost a ship and a mining platform." Mbibo finished, with a scowl of contempt. "Mr. Clark is being kind to you. I, however, will not be. You want to remain on my good side, don't piss me off.

"Do your jobs properly, work for the ship, and your shipmates, that's the only way to stay on my good side.

"Pack up your kit," she ordered. The scientists put their items into jump bags and a couple of suitcases. They were taken back to The Valiant and immediately transported to The Wanderer where they were given an orientation brief and a strict schedule to follow. For the moment, they were limited to their quarters, the labs, the mess, and the gym and had to ask permission of Lt. Mbibo, the CWO, one of the Senior Marine Sergeants, or Mr. Sucre, the Boatswain, any time they left their quarters unless they were expected to be somewhere on the ship. It was still a prison but, they had to admit, a decidedly better prison.

Liramor-23, Piscium System

Hailey Brent walked calmly over the damaged skin of the platform, her 'skidder', a tracked device with magnetic cleats that carried large loads, keeping pace with her as she moved to where she needed to be. The new EVA mining suit worked much smoother and was far more comfortable than the older models and she was happy to have one. The new suits also let the miners stay out much longer when necessary.

Taking out a plasma torch, she began to cut away the quick repair that had been made in that section, working to clear it so she could place a proper section of hull plating to form the new 'skin' of the platform. The pieces she cut away went into an empty section of the skidder.

Hull plating came in various sizes and thickness, but overall were standardized affairs that were bent or 'arched' to set in the curved outer hull of most vessels. In this case, her arch was slightly less than two degrees of slope. This plate was one meter square and five centimeters thick, with a ten centimeter edge that fitted against the other plates, two sides were edged high and two sides edges low so that they overlapped or were overlapped by other plates, leaving the one meter square plating flush with its neighbours. Her skidder carried fifty pieces.

Once she had cleared a reasonable section of debris, she brought out a tube of 'goop', as the miners called it, and proceeded to place a bead of it down along the two sections of good skin. She took a new plate and put it in place, setting a specialized rivet every ten centimeters along the rim of two sides and snapped them in place, the 'goop' creating a gas seal between the old and new skin so that air would not leak once the section below was pressurized.

Hailey stopped to look at the incredible view she had around the platform. She took in the damaged ships, the rock cages, the TUSN vessels in their parking orbits, and blue-green gas giant Piscium-8 not far away.

"Didn't you have enough of a view already, Hailey?" asked her friend Richard.

"What do you mean, Rick?" she asked of her colleague.

"Well, you were floating around out there for two whole days," Rick returned with a smile she could hear in his voice.

"You don't get to see much from the inside of a vacuum container, Rick," she reminded him.

"What happened to the container?" Rick asked. "Went looking for it one day, but it seemed to have disappeared."

"It was declared surplus and dismantled for the metals," Hailey told him.

"No shit? You would think that it would be kept as a souvenir," he replied.

"Sam and I claimed parts of it, a small piece of a corner each, with the serial number on it: SVT-17738," she told him.

"Only a small piece," Rick teased.

"We're miners, Rick. We always travel light," she snickered.

"I would have thought you would be afraid to come back out here," Rick said, with a touch of awe in his voice.

"Nope, small spaces, Rick. Small Spaces. That's what gives me the willies now."

"Ya, not that small, but two days in a vacuum container would seem make it seem so," Rick admitted, again with that touch of awe in his voice.

Hailey was once again taken with the realization that her fellow miners seem to hold her and Samantha Gamin with a sense of reverence, the two women who came back from the dead. She could take the ribbing, in fact wanted it, but the look of near veneration some of the other miners gave them sometimes unnerved her. She hoped it faded with time as she proved to them that she was nothing that special, just another working stiff.