The Maiden Voyage - Part 15
Life In The 31st Century - The Misadventures of Derek Dark, Intergalactic Courier.
Welcome to part fifteen, is this the end?
The saga of Derek Darke is being serialised every Sci-Friday but if you’d rather skip ahead and get the entire story (and my deep gratitude) direct to your reading app of choice over at https://books2read.com/themaidenvoyage for as little as $2.99 / £1.99. It’s now also available as an audiobook for those of you who like that kind of thing from the Google Play store.
Want to start reading from the beginning? Head over to the story index page which can be found at
The End?
“Ships log, star date six niner four alpha three. Captain Derek P. Darke recording…”
… I hate to admit it, but I suppose, in hindsight, Louie was right. I’d only known Maiden for a few sols, but I couldn’t believe they’d find her guilty of all the charges — she just didn’t seem to have it in her. Granted, that stuff about her grandfather, maybe. But it seemed to me that there were a few extenuating circumstances that probably needed to be taken into consideration.
A squad of GalCorp goons were waiting for us as soon as we docked on the Cavalry and, despite her being taken away in transport cuffs, Louie promised that she’d be treated fairly. I’ve only got his word for that, as I haven’t seen or heard from either of them since.
For my part, I was escorted away to a guest room which seems to be a lot nicer that my previous accommodation — although I have to say the buffet is not as good.
In my post visit review, I’ll also be sure to mention that the door seems to be a little faulty. I’ve tried several times to open it, but it appears to be stuck fast.
Closing the recorder app on the comms tablet, I sighed and placed it back on the table. I didn’t very often make log entries. Angel usually kept track of those things, but since Louie had enacted that damn protocol of his, I hadn’t been able to contact her either.
There was a knock. With luck, it might be a maintenance engineer come to fix the door. As I crossed the room, the door miraculously opened, and a clip-pad wielding GalCorp officer stood to attention outside. I was relieved to see that the goons were nowhere in sight.
“Ah, Mr Darke, may I have a word?”
“Contrarian.”
“Excuse me?”
“Someone who likes to disagree and express opinions that are unpopular and for what it’s worth, it’s Captain Darke, although I don’t seem to have a ship any more.”
“I see.”
“Well, you asked, and I thought—.”
“Yes, well, let’s carry on then, shall we? If you would please follow me, sir.”
I briefly thought about putting my new found vocabulary skills into practice and heading off in the opposite direction. But decided that might not be the best course of action given recent events. “Wait, before we go.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Can I have your name, please?”
“My name, sir?”
“For the record, you know, the ship’s log.”
“For the ship you don’t have?”
“Exactly.”
“err… Waldo, sir?”
“Waldo?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Waldo?”
“Sir?”
“Can you tell me what the frack is going on? I’ve been stuck here in this bloody room for ages and I haven’t even got a clue where here is.” I vented all of that in a single breath with my voice increasing in volume as I continued.
For what it’s worth, Waldo didn’t so much as blink or flinch a muscle out of place and when I’d finished said, “you’re onboard The GalCorp peace vessel Cavalry sir.”
“I know that. I mean, where exactly is the Cavalry now?”
“We are currently in the Travenion Region, sir, en route to Quariz.”
“So back where we started, then.”
“Apparently, sir.”
“And what about my, err, friends, what about Maiden and Louie?”
“Commander Pizola sends his apologies, sir. He has been called away on GalCorp business.”
“And what about Maiden? What happened to her? Has she had her trial? Was she found guilty? Has she been… sentenced?”
“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say, sir. It’s—.”
“GalCorp business, yes, I thought that might be the case.”
“Very well, sir. Can we continue, please?”
“Where to?” my expanded vocabulary was still foremost in my mind, and I’d got to where I didn’t give a damn anymore about GalCorp business.
“You’ll see, sir, Commander Pizola was most insistent.”
Waldo led the way, and I marvelled again at how big this ship was as we made our way along a seemingly endless number of corridors and turbo lifts. There seemed to be more people milling about, but this time it was as if we were invisible. Nobody seemed to notice Waldo, let alone stop to salute him. Eventually, we arrived back at the hangar dock. I felt a tear in the corner of my eye as I finally saw my ship nestled back in the far corner. I realised as we reached the Rust Bucket service ramp that Waldo had been silent the entire time. It was as if he was using his clip-pad as some kind of cloaking device.
“Commander Pizola wasn’t able to escort you in person, so asked me to complete your debriefing, sir.”
I was too stunned to make a sarcastic quip, but I was sure one would come to me later.
“Firstly, and unofficially, GalCorp would like to thank you for your participation in recent events and, as a show of gratitude, have suspended all records and fines pertaining to your previous conviction.”
“Suspended. Wow. Thanks.”
There it was, the face of corporate gratitude and generosity. At least I wouldn’t be spending life behind bars, as I suspected Maiden would.
Waldo continued, “In addition, as an extra show of their gratitude and generosity.”
I was beginning to wonder if Waldo had some kind of mind reading abilities.
“GalCorp has decided to offer you a non-compete lifetime lease agreement with a nominal rent of one thousand credits per rotation for the above named delivery vessel…” Waldo stopped briefly to consult his clip-pad once more. “…The Rust Bucket, for you to continue in gainful employment as an interstellar logistics support associate.”
“One thousand!? Do you have any idea how much profit I actually make on a standard run?”
“Approximately two hundred and forty-two point six credits I believe, sir. On average.”
Great, so I’m being promoted back into my old job schlepping crud around the galaxy, except now I have to pay for the privilege. “Err, thanks, I guess.” I said.
“You’re welcome, sir.”
With that, my new friend Waldo held out his hand. I noticed he was holding the transponder ignition fob that would unlock the ship’s security system and allow me access.
I took the fob and pressed the button. Hearing the satisfying double beep and watching the amber activation lights flash brought a lump to my throat. I prayed this meant that I’d finally get the chance to get back out into open space and for my life to return to some sense of normality.
Eventually Waldo gave a little cough to remind that he was still there. I wondered if I should tip him or something.
“Err Waldo?”
“Yes, sir?”
“So, err, what’s next, for me, I mean?”
“I don’t know, sir, that is up to you. You’re a free man.”
I doubted that but that was a worry for another day, “so that’s it then, I can go?”
“Of course sir, I just need your thumb signature here, here and here,” he said, pointing out several locations on his clip-pad. I gingerly pressed my thumb on the screen, and the documents closed before I could look too closely.
“Thank you. You’re now cleared to depart.” I could see Waldo’s eyes dart around as if looking to see if anyone could hear us, “… between you and me, I would probably stay clear of the Northengen region for the foreseeable future.”
Waldo took a moment to straighten his already razor sharp jacket.
“In addition, sir, I have been authorised to offer you an initial courier contract in the Solaris region should you so wish.”
“Might as well, not a lot of other opportunities at the moment, and apparently I’ve got rent to pay.”
“Very good sir, an auto-pallet has been dispatched and will arrive shortly containing the payload and a delivery docket. I’m sure you know what to do.”
I nodded to Waldo.
“Thank you, sir, and with that, I must take my leave.”
Waldo gave a brief nod and turned smartly away before heading off back to the doors on the far side of the hangar.
I watched him leave and then turned back to my ship, running my hand along the freshly polished exterior. Looking along the lines of the ship, I tried to discern if the GalCorp tech boys had taken the time to remove their upgrades. I had a feeling those might come in useful in the future.
A beeping noise behind me snapped me out of my reverie. I turned round to find the auto-pallet just as Waldo said. Two others, all loaded with container crates, followed behind.
Thanks GalCorp. It was going to take ages to get this lot loaded, but at least I should earn a good commission. And if they kept this up, then maybe things might not be so bad after all.
***
It took several units to finish loading the GalCorp cargo delivery. Maybe Angel was right and I should get the automatic delivery unit serviced. With any luck, the commission from this trip might just about cover it.
“You okay, spacer? You look like you could do with a hand.”
The unexpected question surprised me, and I stood up quickly, promptly cracking the back of my head on the bulkhead.
“Ow, what the frack?”
“Really Derek, you need to be more careful. You’ll do yourself some damage if you keep banging your head like that.”
“Maiden? Is that you?”
She smiled and nodded.
“Wait, what, how? What the frack are you doing here? I thought you were on a one-way shuttle to a prison planet?”
Maiden rushed forward and gave me a big hug. “So did I. but apparently there were some extenuating circumstances and something about jurisdiction issues. They gave me a five rotation suspended sentence on the condition I find gainful employment and stay out of trouble.”
“And the first person you thought of was me?” I stepped back and glared at her. “You’ve got some nerve.”
The smile dropped from Maiden’s face, “Derek, I, I’m sorry…”
“You’re sorry? I’m sorry you didn’t turn up units ago. I’ve had to haul all this crud myself whilst my first mate was off faffing around.”
“I… I… I don’t know what to say, I’m…” Maiden put her hands up to her face and looked as if she was about to burst into tears.
I decided to put her out of her misery before she had a total meltdown. “Gotcha.” I said as a large grin appeared on my face.
“Wait, what? You’re not angry?”
I shook my head, and I marvelled again at how expressive her eyelashes were as the ended danced around her face, mirroring her excitement.
“No, not anymore. I spent a long time thinking about all the stuff the TolMeks and your grandfather put you through. I know how rough it can be dealing with family.”
“So, first mate? Do you mean?”
I nodded.
“Are you actually offering me a job? For real?”
“I guess so… If you want it, of course?”
It was Maiden’s turn to nod, her eyelashes almost vibrating.
“So you’re not going back to the Ceruleans, then?” I asked.
“No, not right now. Commander Pizola said he’d inform them of my grandfather’s treachery and ensure that they get the support they need, but I know I would not be welcome. Not after everything that’s happened.”
“Well, the offer’s still open.”
“Thank you, I accept.”
“Plus, it’ll be a way to work off the money you still owe me. Standard fare, tripled and then doubled if I remember correctly,” I added.
“Err… about that, any chance of an advance on my first cycle’s wages?”
I smiled. “How about a fresh start instead?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“But I need you to be honest, no more secrets. We have to work as a team.”
“Aye aye, Captain, no more secrets, I promise. I wouldn’t want you to run off and leave me stranded in an asteroid field or anything.”
I tried to put on my serious face. “You can start by dropping the Captain. I’m Derek and Derek’s don’t run.”
There was a third auto pallet making its way towards us across the deck. “It would appear that business is picking up so you can make a start by getting that lot stacked, whilst I put the kettle on.” I said, indicating the new pallet with my thumb.
Maiden joined me on the bridge a short time later as I was relaxing with a hot cup of tea, an ancient tradition my grandfather had introduced me to as a small child.
“Cargo’s all stacked, we’re ready to depart, and…”
“First things first,” I said. “There’s a tea bag and sugar in the overhead storage locker, a clean mug in the washer, and milk in the cooler unit. Before we go anywhere, you need to learn to appreciate the ancient art of pausing for a cuppa.”
“Have you got some spare milk for this, then?” Maiden asked.
Warning, Intruder Alert, Intruder Alert. Alien life form detected on board
“What the frack is that?” I said, pointing at the small scruffy looking ginger cat that Maiden appeared to be carrying in her arms.
“I found it outside. I think it’s lost,” she said. “The poor thing looks half starved. Can we keep it?”
The cat purred in Maiden’s arms as she stroked it under the chin. It seemed completely unfazed by the loud siren and flashing lights.
“Angel, cancel the alert,”
Aye aye Captain
“also can you update the ship’s roster? It would appear there are now to be two souls joining the crew, our new first officer, and her cat. Make it so.”
The ship’s records have been amended, Captain
“Oh, and Maiden?”
“Yes Derek?”
“I want my room back.”
The End (for now)
Thanks for reading, As you may of guessed from the above this is the end of book one, but it’s not the end of Derek and Maiden’s adventures. Stay tuned for a new series starting soon.
The index page is complete if you’ve missed any of the previous parts or would like to read this story from the beginning. (Life In The 31st Century Index Page).
If you can’t wait to see what happens next then you can get immediate access to this ebook (and now also in Audio) from your favourite ebook retailer of choice over at https://books2read.com/themaidenvoyage for as little as $2.99 / £1.99. Alternatively please consider subscribing to my publication to get notified when each new episode drops.
If you’ve enjoyed this then please consider sharing it using the button below.