Encounters are the very basis for being human. Our society and our culture is based on our interaction between one another. We think and wonder on the dynamics of the outcome, but in the end the results are from actually meeting. Speculation is usually a preparation for a physical encounter.

 

Chapter 4

Robin sat and waited. The shuttle glided to a smooth soft landing in the docking bay. Robin approached the shuttle as its side door opened. A tall slender woman of about forty stepped out. She walked with an air of arrogance and intellectual control, but with an obvious naiveté of presence – Loggar seemed to be thinking about something other than the present day now.

Robin held out her hand. "Dr. Loggar."

Dr. Loggar nodded and shook Robin's hand briefly. "Are we ready to proceed Captain?"

"Yes," Robin answered, "As soon as the shuttlecraft is clear, we'll proceed to the coordinates you gave us."

"Thank you, Captain." Dr. Loggar hesitated a moment and cleared her throat. "Is Commander Blakemore, here?"

Robin smiled. She looked knowingly at Loggar and spoke slowly. "Yes, he's on the top deck."

Loggar breathed a small sigh and pursed her lips. "Good." She uttered softly. "Good."

Robin turned, "Please follow me Doctor. I'll show you to your quarters. The trip is going to take several days."

"Yes I know." Loggar said with a heavier and more audible sigh. "I know. So far away, but faster than the transports GRID control give us."

"Yes, Cargonaughts."

Loggar nodded, "You understand then?"

"Yes, perfectly. I started my career on a Cargonaught, the Cargonaught Surprise. Slow as hell.”

Robin giggled a secret inside joke to herself. "Shall we?"

Loggar nodded and followed Robin.

Robin remembered that the Surprise had a colorful history attached to it. She remembered one day while on deck watch when the ship came within visual range of a space station, the Comm. Officer from the station yelled over the audio band channel “Surprise! You made it!”

Dr. Loggar drifted in and out, her thoughts dancing back and forth to things serious and things whimsical. She shivered under a feeling of embarrassment.

Robin stared straight ahead. She knew that Dr. Loggar' asking for Sean was something more than professional. The other woman smelled of nervousness and anticipation. Would Sean pick up on this? She shook her head. ‘Probably not’ was her thought, but then again, at times he was good at reading people. He would have possibly been in line for fleet captain if not for an incident a while ago.

"Something wrong, Captain?"

Robin looked at Loggar. "Sorry Doctor. I was drifting."

"Oh," was the simple reply. "How long will it actually take us?"

"Considering we have no GRID points out to where we're going, we have to do long jumps."

"Long jumps? I'm afraid I'm not to up on the terminology."

"Quite all right." Robin paused and considered her next words. "Think of it this way. Since we don't have any heavy field generators strategically placed, we have to create our own."

"Create our own?" Loggar frowned.

Robin nodded. "We have heavy gravity induction probes. We drop one off behind us, and then we literally ride a gravity wave generated by the probe."

Loggar frowned again. "I think I get it. Is there a way you could show me the process? It sounds fascinating. If my studies hadn't taken me to biology I probably would have fielded engineering."

"I have just the person to give you a," Robin paused, nodded, and grinned widely, "class in gravity induction."

"You do, whom may I asked?"

Robin stopped at a door. It slid opened and Robin walked in. Loggar followed. The room was spacious. The light was set at low luminosity to give it the effect of appearing much bigger then it actually was. "Lights on." Robin said. She turned to face Dr. Loggar. "Commander Blakemore himself will take up the task."

Loggar blushed and quickly turned away. "Thank you, Captain, b-but I couldn't possible take Commander Blakemore from his important duties."

"No problem at all, really Doctor. You're an honored guest here --."

"Oh, I do hate that." Loggar had recomposed herself and turned around.

"Could I be treated as a regular guest? Nothing fancy you know."

"No problem." Robin backed out the door. "I'll have Commander Blakemore look in on you later on, say in about three hours?"

"Thank you."

"If you have any questions, direct them to the computer," Robin pointed at a CRT, "and it'll answer your questions. If it can't then it will contact me or Commander Blakemore."

"Thank you, Captain."

Robin took a step, then stopped and looked at her timepiece. “It’s Afternoon’s watch, now. How about dinner at Dog’s watch six bells?"

Loggar blinked.

“ 7:00 pm, about six hours from now.

Loggar nodded.

"Relax and enjoy." Robin did a quick nod, turned and walked off. The door slid closed.

Loggar turned to a window that faced out. She watched a star glide by and marveled at its beautiful passage. "Computer?"

“Yes, Dr. Loggar?”

"May I have a glass of water?"

A panel in the wall slid out and produced a glass. “An outlet is over in the kitchenette, Dr. Loggar. A tap will provide you with whatever your taste desires.”

Loggar walked over and retrieved the glass. "Thank you, Computer." She held the glass in her hand. A Battle cruiser was definitely much better than a Cargonaught. She mused about her first encounter with Commander Blakemore. 'A bath, I need a bath.' She spoke out loud.

“Water is being drawn in the tub, Dr. Loggar. Please specify temperature.”

"Ah, 37 degrees, please."

The computer beeped.

Loggar looked around and spotted her luggage. How efficient this crew is. She hummed to herself as she opened up her suitcase and held up a plain, solid red dress. "You're going to have to get a more colorful selection of attire." She smiled and walked into the bathroom.

Betrayal is a very powerful and destructive weapon. Its use can do considerable damage to all those involved. But it’s most powerful when used in secrecy. The damage is everlasting.

Chapter 5

Sean sat still. His face was held in rigid contemplation. He wondered about Dr. Loggar and her findings. He wondered about Robin Spaarin. And he wondered about himself. Had he been wrong in finger pointing at Robin? After the trial he waited for her. He was a bit confused over the whole proceedings. It was amazing. Robin had disobeyed a direct order to fire on an unarmed jump ship. He and Robin had been junior officers on the Dreadnaught Hornet, a massive ship the size of a small asteroid. The Hornet had just moved into a suspected enemy position. Her Commander, Admiral Quail, ordered the entire area sprayed with missiles and artillery. Several hours later the Hornet moved deeper in. Robin had been on deck watch. It was three bells first Dogwatch. Sean was early – just making the rounds. He was next up. Sensors picked up the ship first. Communications picked up the mayday. The message said that an Ambassador and his staff had escaped enemy fire, but the ship was crippled badly. Life-support was failing. Robin called general alert and informed the Admiral. The Admiral said it was a trick and ordered her to destroy the ship. His orders were not subject to debate. Robin clicked off. She informed Sean that she was going to disobey the order. The Hornet had no reason to fire upon an unarmed crippled ship with important delegates onboard. Sean agreed, but since his watch was coming up the responsibility would fall on his shoulders. Change of duty was a funny thing within GRID Control. Robin received the order first, but since she openly disobeyed it, the responsibility to carry it out would fall on Sean’s shoulders. Instead, he also failed to obey those orders and further executed a plan of rescue, on his watch.

During the trial Admiral Quail had been relieved of space duty. He retired a month later. The Admiral had endangered the lives of civilians. He disregarded proper protocol and was irresponsible in the execution of his duties. Robin was seen as a hero. She received a slap on the wrist, a commendation and a promotion. Sean also received a commendation, but since the Admiral’s family had been deeply entrenched within GRID Control he was reassigned, suspended for a month. He did not inform the Admiral of the conspiracy, thus exacting a harsher punishment, later given command of the Johnson but denied promotion pending further investigation. Everyone was stunned. After the rescue, Sean had discovered evidence that the Admiral knew the Ambassador was in the area. Sean also discovered that the Ambassador had been pressuring the Admiral to retire years earlier for a debacle that jeopardized an entire system. The Admiral refused and threatened the Ambassador. All the evidence Sean uncovered had been tossed out and made classified. Robin’s defense team distanced themselves from his. There was rumor on secret meetings in the judge’s chamber.

After the trial and fallout, Robin informed Sean that she would be moving on. She thanked him for a great time but that was all it was. She had her eye on something bigger, something better. Her phallus symbol was advancement. For a long time Sean had been confused. He figured she would eventually come around to his way of thinking. He was firm in his convictions. He knew he was right. Robin would realize the mistake she had made when she dumped him. Sean waited. Counting off the days, counting off the weeks, then, in frustratingly painful realization, he counted off the months. The pain and frustration didn't subside as a year went by, then another, and another. The memory just got easier to deal with. Only in his moments of lapse did the pain come back.

The Top Deck door opened, and Robin walked in.

Sean looked over and grudgingly got up. "All is well, Captain." He reported.

Robin looked around. Several stares quickly shifted back to control stations. Maybe I'll be accepted, someday. Robin thought. "Very well, number one." She immediately regretted saying it. Sean had been Commander of the Johnson for years and voicing his new title was at best an insult. Someday seemed like forever now.

Sean cringed, but he locked his gaze on Robin. ‘You bitch!’ was his only thought.

Robin ignored his discomfort and sat in the command chair. Sean was about to sit when Robin break the silence. "Commander, Dr. Loggar requested that someone give her some guidance in understanding GRID traveling." Robin paused, waiting to see if Sean would pick up on the hint. He didn't, or wouldn't show that he did. "Please assist her in whatever she needs."

Sean gritted his teeth. He spoke is a slow and measured tone. "Am I relieved from standing duties?"

Robin reflected. "Yes, Commander Dawn may temporarily perform number one duties. I want you to personally see to her needs, she --"

"Begging the Captain’s pardon," Sean started with that same slow measured tone, "but shouldn't a protocol officer be assigned to her?"

"Any other guest, yes. For Dr. Loggar, no. You will assist her. I told her that you will be calling on her in about three hours. Beside, this is a good excuse to find out why she asked for you specifically."

Sean sat in the number one chair and thought about it. "Very well, Captain."

Robin called over her shoulder, "Is the shuttle cleared?"

"Yes, Ma'am" came a voice from behind.

"Mr. Kirkland, please give the Gallant’s captain my compliments."

Kirkland typed on his keyboard and listened to his ear comm.

"Message sent, Ma'am."

"Thank you,” then, “Mr. Foster."

"Ready, Ma'am."

"Good, you have the Doctor’s coordinates?"

Mr. Foster nodded.

"Your staff has been instructed on how we are to proceed?"

"Yes, Ma'am." The reply was curt and formal.

Robin tapped on Sean’s CRT. She opened ship’s intercom. "Now hear this, now hear this, prepare for long jumps. Prepare for long jumps." She tapped out another sequence on the CRT. "Dr. Loggar?"

After a few seconds pause, "Yes? Is that you Captain?"

"Yes it is. Please make yourself very comfortable. Each jump is extremely bumpy and rough the first hour."

"Thank you, Captain. I shall."

"Since you’ve never experienced long jumps, I'll leave a transmit only comm. to your room. If you get tired of listening, just ask the computer to disconnect."

"Thanks again, Captain, I do appreciate it."

Robin tapped out a few commands on the Command CRT. She turned her attention back to command. "Mr. Foster, please proceed."

Foster punched in several sequences of keys. "Aye, aye, Ma'am. Coordinates locked in, computer has ‘a confirm’ panel is green, condition is green."

Sean typed out a command on his CRT. "Confirmed, ship status is green, condition is green. Ship is ready Captain.”

Robin said, “Mr. Foster, bring Johnson along path. Start when ready."

"Aye, Aye, Ma’am. Johnson is along path. Probe launch, three seconds. Stand-by."

 

The Johnson's main engines flared. The GRID ship banked away and headed off into the void. A small round object emerged from the hindquarter of the ship. It glowed with intense brightness not seem by mortal eyes. The hulking vessel pointed away from it would respond to the radiate energy it produced, energy that created a gravity wave strong enough for the vessel to surf its way into the underfolds of space and time. The Johnson’s engines flared, the ship disappeared into the underfolds of the space-time continuum trandescended distances too incredible to comprehend, too far to measure with mortal life spans.

A flight of imaginary fancy sprinkled with hopes of varied reality.

A gift is something that holds a surprise inside. Usually it is given between friends, family or intimates. It is a symbol that transcends mere simple feelings but speaks of an underlying strong bond. It’s very much a surprise when one’s enemy gives the gift.

 

Chapter 6

Dr. Loggar looked at the strange mix of colors outside her window. Weird shimmering patterns danced about. Her door chimed. She turned, "Enter." The door opened and the figure in the door way caught her breath. Loggar had forgotten that Sean Blakemore would call on her. He stood in the doorway, in the flesh, finally. She had waited a long time to meet him and here he was. She regained her composure. "Commander Blakemore. I’m so glad you can assist me."

Sean leaned in. He looked timidly to the sides, and then stepped inside fully. The door closed. "Then, I'm not disturbing you?"

Loggar walked over and extended her hand, her offering of friendship.

Sean accepted... and quickly held his surprise. Loggar fingered his palm!

"No, not at all, Commander. I do have to admit my awkward feelings in having to be instructed on the workings of GRID travel and by a prominent Commander at that."

Sean smiled. That was a mouthful. "How so?"

She motioned them to the table. "One would think that being with GRID control I would have picked up on how GRID travel is done."

Sean shrugged, "Maybe, maybe not. I don't know anything about exobiology or anthropology myself."

Loggar laughed cutely and smiled wide. She looked into Sean's eyes for a moment. Trying to see what the window into his mind revealed. As a trained anthropologist she picked up on what Sean didn’t say, didn’t do.

Sean became uneasy. Loggar' stare was piercing. She locked gazes with him. "Ah, how should we start?" Sean mildly choked out, breaking the horrid fear that was creeping over him. If he didn't know better, he would swear that Dr. Loggar wanted to get to know him. Really get to know him. He glanced quickly at the dress she was wearing, bright Red. Odd for a scientist he supposed, but he approved. She looked nice for a scientist. He noticed her skin. It was smooth and flawless, no wrinkles or scars. And her eyes, those piercing gray eyes that had -- what in the hell was he thinking? She was a scientist, a very important scientist, maybe a bit nutty in thinking aliens lived out there, but nonetheless important. He did wonder at why she asked about him. What he had been thinking was out of the question. Robin would have a field day if she found out that a VIP from GRID control had literally palmed him. He wiped the thought of her piercing gray eyes, the curvature of her form, and her nice legs --.

“How about the history." Loggar said, interrupting his thoughts.

Sean, you dog, he told himself, back to business. "The history, sure, good start."

Jealousy is an animal that roams freely and with many disguises. Its true form can be a complete contradiction of its perceived form. Jealousy, fear, anger, wonderment, amusement, all part of the same family tree. Different roots from the tree but part of the same family.

 

Chapter 7

Robin looked at the display readout for the third time. It said the same thing it did when she looked at it the two previous times. She signed and looked at her timepiece. Sean and Dr. Loggar had missed dinner. Robin thought about calling them - to see if they had forgotten, but thought better of it. Suppose they were disposed? She stared at the display a fourth time. Same thing, nothing.

"Computer?" She called out.

"Yes, Captain Spaarin?"

"Is it possible to check on Commander Blakemore and Dr. Loggar without them being notified?"

“Is this a priority override request, Captain?”

Robin paused and reflected for a bit. "No, I suppose not. Maybe they're still talking?"

“Unable to speculate without further inquiring.”

"No, I suppose not. Forget I asked about checking on them Computer."

The computer beeped an acknowledgement.

Robin sat and wondered. This is what she had hoped for, wasn't it? The Doctor did specifically ask for him. Robin subconsciously bit the side of her middle finger. Years of such biting created a thick layer of skin. 'Am I jealous?' was the thought that rang through her mind. 'I like Sean, but I made my decision. But then again, do I feel guilty?' Robin signed, pursed her lips, got up and straightened out her uniform. She purposefully walked out the door.

Sean lay on the couch with a glass of colored liquid on his chest. Dr. Loggar was hunched over a CRT gazing intensely at some readout.

"Sean," She called out, "is this to mean that the power output is proportionate to the mass?"

"Yeap." He got up and walked over to Loggar. Her glass was empty. "Shall I?"

She looked up and caught Sean smiling at her. A forgotten feeling almost welled up. "Oh, my beer. Please."

Sean took their glasses over to the tap. "Computer, Beer, please." When her glass was full, he drained his and filled it up. "Beer." He said handing the glass to her.

Loggar took a sip. "Is that why the ship transverses roughly the first hour?"

Sean looked at the readout and smiled, and whistled softly. "I never had a student like you before. No wonder GRID control listens to you when you speak."

She shrugged, "Sometimes, sometimes not. I'm a little fortunate, though. Picking a field that is just starting to make some waves." She starred Sean in the eyes for a long time. The thing that amazed her was that he was starring back. His eyes were warm and delightful, if not a bit out of focus from the alcohol.

Sean couldn't believe he was falling for a scientist, especially a scientist as renowned as Dr. Loggar. He stirred a little and reluctantly moved his gaze over to the read out. "He nodded, Doc, you're right, that’s why it's bumpy the first time…the first hour."

Robin stood outside the door to Dr. Loggar's room. She listened, nothing. She pressed the chime and waited.

The chime rang.

"Who could that be?" Loggar mused.

"Oops, I bet it's the Captain. We didn't exactly excuse ourselves from dinner. It's my fault."

“Dr. Loggar, Cmdr. Blakemore?" Robin's disembodied voice called out.

"Enter." Sean spoke and straightened himself for the stare. "I'm sorry Captain. I should have..."

Loggar interrupted, "Sean, I should be the one to apologize."

Robin silently worded 'Sean.'

"It is my fault Captain, you see, when I get interested in something, I become obsessed..."

Robin leaned forward.

Loggar’s statement struck Robin as both amusing and disturbing. Loggar was obsessed with Sean. She wondered when she would tell him. She wondered if she would if either of them ever asked. “...I was just very interested. I hope I didn't get the Commander in trouble?"

"No, not at all Doctor. I did relieve Commander Blakemore from his temporary duties to help you. I should have reminded you about dinner."

"Is it too late? Dinner I mean." Loggar asked.

Sean replied, "No, we could have it in here or in the galley, Starboard’s Bow. The Johnson has 24 hour service."

Dr. Loggar ran her hand across her stomach. "I am a bit hungry and I suppose I should put something in my stomach besides adult beverage." She turned to Sean, "Commander, I don't suppose you could show me to this Starboard’s Bow. I’m sure the food is much much better than from a Cargonaught."

Sean nodded, "Beggin' your Captain's permission," and enjoyed Robin’s slight discomfort. He had a feeling that this particular exchange of words and that this particular set of happenstances was not boding well with her.

Robin nodded once, and watched as Loggar followed Sean down the corridor. The Doctor had used the word obsessed. Robin thought, 'Sean heard, I heard it, and the Doctor realized we both understood. Loggar is someone you should watch out for.'

They faded off in the distance giggling. Robin had never known Sean to giggle! The door hissed closed.

Robin turned to the CRT Dr. Loggar had been looking at. It displayed advanced formulas of GRID jumping and power conduction equations. She noticed two equations that didn't belong to GRID calculating. Several symbols were foreign, but don’t scientists often invent new ways of saying the same thing?

Robin said, "Computer?"

“Yes, Captain Spaarin?”

"Copy Dr. Loggar's 'text' from this CRT to primary TEMP region."

“Done Captain, anything else?”

"No...yes! Priority override. Mask my request to copy Loggar’s text to primary TEMP region."

The computer beeped an acknowledgement.

Robin looked around and noted the near full glass of beer and no-doubt Sean’s glass of toxins he liked to drink. She walked out and the door hissed closed shutting out a scene that made Robin feel guilty, upset, angry, and scared.