Survivors

 

 

 

 

It was Friday morning and the ship’s routine was starting to return to normal. School would be in session, but that afternoon the teenagers would help with cleaning up and reorganizing the upper grade classroom and helping the lower grade teacher and students to do the same. The boys headed for breakfast. All of the dining rooms were up and running again. The boys at breakfast wanted to hear Scooter and Douglas retell their role in helping the ship weather the storm. While the rest of the boys didn’t tire of hearing the story, Scooter and Douglas were tired of talking about it.  They said they did what they did only because there was nobody in Engineering in condition to work.

 

"So when is the Captain giving you your medals?" Mike asked.

 

"I heard he's not real happy about what we did," Douglas said.

 

"Why? You saved the ship and everybody's life. What is there not to be happy about?"

 

"I don't know, he just isn't."

 

"Well, if he needs any help figuring out you guys are heroes, I'll go to the bridge and let him know."

 

They were interrupted by the Captain's voice coming over the public address system. They stopped talking to listen.

 

"This is Captain Fuller speaking. As you all know we've had a rough couple of days.  Warp storms are usually a bit bouncy, but nothing like what happened to us. It is possible that because the warp enhancer was operating it may have increased the effects of the storm. We didn't shut it down going into the storm because leaving warp during a storm has had catastrophic results in the past. We didn't know what suddenly changing speeds in warp would do. We apologize for the rough ride and appreciate the gumption and courage displayed by the crew and passengers.

 

"Before I talk about that, I am sad to report that we lost three lives during the storm: Crewman Richards who worked in the Life Support section, passenger David Smith, and Crewman Gray, from Engineering. Let's have a moment of silence for them."

 

The whole ship became quiet and after a minute the Captain continued. "Next I want to praise those who helped so much during and after the storm." He mentioned some crewmen and a couple of passengers. Then he announced the names that got all the boys' attention.

 

"I want to thank the upper school students. The girls, led by Lisa, helped so much in getting the dining areas ready to serve meals again." None of the boys knew that and thought that was very cool news. "I also want to thank Robert Charles, the upper class president, for organizing the boys in cleaning up the ship and helping with injured passengers. Robert Charles showed great leadership and responsibility and courage through the crisis and inspired all of the students in his class."

 

The Captain went on to say something else but the boys weren’t listening.

 

"What a bunch of bullshit," Alex said. "He never did a thing. Marie told us where to go and then we did our jobs without him even being around. If it was up to him we'd still be cleaning that fucking office while he sat on his lazy butt.

 

"Shhhh," Douglas admonished, “he's saying something else."

 

"Lastly, I have something you all need to know. We got sent off course at speeds we didn't think were possible. Right now, according to our calculations, to get to Alpha Orion IV will take us a year at full warp."

 

Noise broke out all over the dining hall, but the Captain went on. "We don't know how we got sent so far in two days. It would be nice if we could duplicate the effects to return us to our original course just as quickly, but we honestly don’t know how. 

 

“However, if we can restart the warp enhancer it can take almost two months off of our return trip.  This afternoon I hope to give you more details regarding our trip home, after I talk with all of my senior staff.

 

“I need you all to be brave. The ship is in one piece. Our warp drive works. The environmental system works. We have adequate food and fuel. We will make it back. I'm going to need all your help to insure that it is a smooth trip.  It is my goal to keep things as normal as possible. This includes school, which will start again on Monday. Thank you."

 

The boys all looked at each other.

 

"He never said a word about Scooter and Douglas. Nothing. You saved this ship and the hero is penis head for doing nothing but sit on his fat ass," Alex said. "I can't believe this ship. The crew sucks, the ship is a year away from anywhere, and for that whole time we're going to be stuck with Robert Charles. Maybe it's time for me to go kick the shit out of him. I'm tired of him."

 

"Well, Scooter and I didn't go up to Engineering so that the Captain could tell us what big heroes we are. We just did it because we had to do it. Scooter's dad told us what we had to do and we did it. If his leg hadn’t been broken it would have been him doing it."

 

Mike said, "Douglas…Scooter…we all know better. To us you guys are heroes. End of conversation." Douglas and Scooter blushed, but didn't make any reply.

 

Just as the table was finishing breakfast, Robert Charles came into the dining room with Jordan, Matthew, Lisa, and Carmen. He walked up to the table and eyed the eight boys seated there.  While Robert Charles and his minions were busy looking important, Matthew placed a note on Mike’s lap.  Mike quickly picked it up and put it into his pocket.

 

"I don't remember hearing Scooter and Douglas on the list of heroes,” Robert Charles smirked. “Too bad. I guess running around trying to destroy the ship isn't the way to go. Time to take lessons from me again." He laughed and walked away.

 

The boys got up after he left. Alex wanted to follow Robert Charles and finally kick his ass the way he deserved to have it kicked, but Mike guided him into the same direction the group was going. Mike, Brandon, Scooter, and Douglas were going with Alex and Stevie to their room. Ryan and Travis said they wanted to be alone for a while. The games room was closed until the next day and school wasn't starting until Monday so everybody was trying to find things to do.

 

On the way they ran into Warren and Jeremy who were heading for breakfast. They said they slept in, but all the boys figured more happened than sleeping in.

 

When they got to Alex's room, Alex asked Mike about the note.

 

"Oh, you saw him leave it."

 

"Yeah, I just hope Robert Charles didn't. What does it say, Mike?"

 

Mike pulled the note out of his pocket and read it aloud. "Please meet me as soon as you can. Don't tell anyone. Don't call me about it, tell me at lunch. Your friend, Matthew."

 

"Your friend?" Alex asked. "Not bad from some kid you supposedly beat up. When are you going to meet him?"

 

"After lunch I suppose. We can be late to the cleanup.”

 

"Why can't you call him?" Brandon asked.

 

"Because I'm not allowed to see him or talk to him except in public. That was part of my punishment," Mike answered. "His parents still believe I'm the one who attacked him."

 

The boys talked a little more, then left to meet Marie. She was going to take them down to the cargo hold to check on Alex and Stevie's instruments. Marie was waiting for them at the elevator. When they arrived at the cargo bay, they discovered it in shambles. Straightening it up was low on the damage control priority list. Crewmen were just starting on the clean-up. Alex was the first to see the fate of their instruments. The keyboard was smashed and Stevie’s guitar was in pieces.

 

Mike gave Alex a big hug. "I'm so sorry, love. Now your music is gone."

 

"Well, it is and it isn't. Our best instruments are packed away in boxes full of padding. They are in a cargo hold somewhere. They should be in one piece unless our crate was smashed by bigger ones. But at least it's not hopeless. I doubt we can get to them until we get to AO IV, but if we can get to them earlier I promise you the concert of the century.”

 

“It might be our last concert,” Stevie said glumly. “What if we can’t make it back?”

 

”And did you think about this? Do we have enough air?  Food? Fuel?” Brandon asked.

 

"The captain said we did, right Marie?"

 

"Yes he did and we recycle our air and most of our water.  As far as I know, we will go back to warp as soon as they have the warp drive checked. I don't know how long that will take. Not being a senior officer, I don't know much else."

 

Scooter and Douglas were still not completely sure how much they trusted Marie after her failure to have their back when Robert Charles spouted off his lies in the lounge.

 

"See, Alex. We don't have anything to worry about," Mike said.

 

"Not yet, anyway. But I think we will soon," Alex replied.

 

 

After the boys at the table left, Robert Charles watched Warren and Jeremy come into the dining hall for breakfast. He decided to hang around and wait for them to finish. Jordan left when Matthew left and the girls departed soon after. Robert Charles said he would find them later.

 

When Warren and Jeremy finished eating, Robert Charles got up and followed them out. He caught up to them and asked if they could come to his room, that he had something to tell them.  They didn't really want to, but decided it couldn't hurt and it might help them since Robert Charles was the class leader, so they said yes. After all, Jeremy at least, had supported him during the election.

 

Robert Charles was polite and accommodating until they got to his room. He had a whole separate cabin to himself. When they got to the room he told the two boys he had a few things to say.

 

"Like what?" Jeremy asked.

 

"Who did you guys vote for?" Robert Charles asked in an intimidating voice.

 

"And what business is that of yours?" Jeremy asked. “And you said you had something to say to us, not something to ask us.”

 

"I just want to know how much I can count on you."

 

"Well, if you want to know the truth, I voted for you because of the Mike stuff. But now I'm not so sure it was the right thing to do. You sure aren't making many friends."

 

Robert Charles felt himself getting a little irate. He didn't like Jeremy's attitude. He had a big mouth like that little fucker, Alex, and they both would pay for it somewhere along the line.

 

"A real leader doesn't make a lot of friends,” Robert Charles said, quoting what his father had taught him. “Making friends isn't important. If you lead you're going to have to make people mad sometimes."

 

"Douglas leads. And he makes friends."

 

"Douglas leads? Hahahahaha. Then why wasn't he elected? Douglas doesn't know how to lead.  He was president of some school. Big deal. That just means being popular doing what the teachers told him. It sure as fuck doesn’t mean knowing anything about leadership.”

 

"And what makes you a good leader?"

 

"Power. I know how to get it and use it. Douglas knows nothing about power. He thinks leading is being a nice guy. But in the end people with power beat nice guys and everybody follows them." He turned to Warren. “Well, Warren? How did you vote?"

 

Warren had voted for Douglas, and was glad of it. But he didn't want Robert Charles to know and he didn't want to lie. He just stood there saying nothing, wishing Jeremy hadn't agreed to come to RC’s room.

 

Robert Charles walked up to Warren and pushed him up against the wall.

 

"Hey, leave my friend alone," Jeremy said. He started moving in on Robert Charles.

 

"Stay right there punk!" Robert Charles said. "Let me teach you guys about power. Don’t worry, I'm not going to hurt him."

 

He let Warren go but stayed in his personal space so that Warren had to remain pinned against the wall. "Your parents are on AO IV, right Jeremy? They are poor and trying to make a farm work, right?"

 

Jeremy nodded his head.

 

"And to make it work they have to have everything okayed by the colonial government, like having all the right papers and fees paid and all that stuff, right?"

 

Jeremy didn't like where this was going. "I guess so."

 

"And of course you know who the colonial Governor is."

 

"Yeah."

 

"Enough said. I just might need a vote of yours in class sometime. And if I do, just remember, my dad and I are close. Real close. He has taught me all about leadership. He could make life miserable for your parents if he just happened to want to."

 

"We live in a democracy. Even on AO IV. You can't do that."

 

"It's called power. And I wouldn't risk your parents by trying to find out whether my father has it or not. Your parents are a long way from here right now, but I have a long memory. When we get to AO IV, you might just be real happy you have me as your friend."

 

Then he turned to back to Warren. "And I know all about your rich daddy. But all his money doesn't give him power over my dad." He shoved Warren back up against the wall. Warren felt tears coming on. "There is another kind of power too. This kind!" Robert Charles said, and he swung his fist right at Warren's stomach. Warren flinched and closed his eyes, but Robert Charles stopped just short of hitting him. Warren could feel the fist touch him. He was shaking.

 

"My dad says having the power and knowing when not to use it is the biggest power of all. Don't cross me and we will be really good friends. Cross me or vote against me, and you will be very sorry.  I might not hold back next time. Your friend here will be helpless to stop me and your dad won't be able to do a thing about it, because my father outranks your father."

 

"You're the one who hit Ryan and Matthew, aren't you?"

 

Robert Charles smirked and told Jeremy and Warren they could go.  As they left the room he said, "Remember who has the power."

 

 

The Captain started his meeting with his senior staff in the bridge conference room. He had a lot to discuss. The meeting included him, the First Officer, the Chief Engineer, the Environmental Engineer, the Recreational Director, the Purser, both teachers, the Governor, Brandon’s mother, Scooter's father, and Douglas’s father. Douglas’s father was there because he was an engineer and the Captain thought he might have some ideas to add. Brandon's mom was there, too, because she knew so much about life support and making clean air and water. Robert Charles’s father was there because he was an important person.

 

The Captain told them that he would report on how the ship was functioning, and then they would talk about how they would get back home. He told them that the warp engines checked out okay.  Chief Engineer Paxton said that whatever sent them running through warp space like they had hadn't hurt the engines.

 

"Gordon checked out the warp enhancer and it looks okay."

 

"Whatever those kids did to it didn't damage it then?" the Captain asked.

 

Scooter's dad looked at the Captain and said, "One of those kids happens to be my son. The other is Larry's. Those kids saved your ship Captain."

 

"How? By changing its line of flight by almost 90 degrees? By going up there and punching in numbers, hoping something will happen. Not only were they irresponsible, Mr. Starr, but so were you by sending them up there to do it." Everyone could see Captain Fuller was angry.

 

Scooter's father pounded the table with his fist. "You know the story, Captain. The phone went out when I was talking to Chief Paxton. I gave Scooter the code I was sure would work to give to the Chief. There wasn't time to get hold of you. Scooter went to Engineering to give the numbers to the Chief. He wasn't sent up there to enter them. The Chief already agreed to enter the code...."

 

"That's a lie," Chief Paxton said. "You never gave me any codes, and I never said I would enter them." Chief Paxton knew that if he said he was going to enter the codes into the Warp Enhancer without the Captain's permission he would be subject to disciplinary action. As a result he lied about what he told Scooter’s father.

 

"Let's discuss this later, gentlemen. I have time set aside for that. Right now we have to talk about getting home." Captain Fuller was letting everybody know he was in charge.

 

He explained that they were a year away from Alpha Orion IV at full warp speed and that they only had nine months of fuel left at that speed, as well as nine months of food on restricted rations. While he hadn’t exactly lied to the passengers, he told the staff he had been overly optimistic. The big issue was the life support. It would function for well over a year, after nine to ten months the quality of the air and water would start to deteriorate. The Environmental Engineer was working with Brandon's mother to improve the hydroponics and other parts of the system to make life support more efficient. The ship had been supplied for more than a single voyage. It had been supplied for a round trip with a cushion in case of emergency. They might have to cut rations some, but they should do okay, if they ran the warp enhancer on full to cut their running time from a year to nine months.

 

Then he asked Dr. Starr, Scooter’s father, how much time and fuel the Warp Enhancer could save them.

 

"The warp enhancer uses very little extra fuel. If you use it the way it was tested, it will save you a month. If you use it in the full setting like you were when we hit the storm, then it will save you three months, but you might be a week or two short on fuel."

 

"Well, each day counts for air and food and fuel. Chief Engineer Paxton thinks he has found a way to make the enhancer work even better based on what he learned getting the warp drive and the enhancer set up for this voyage. Chief, you want to tell us?"

 

"I found out the Warp Enhancer can be coded to go even faster than we were going when we hit the storm. Why weren't we ever told about that, Gordon?"

 

"It was never tested at all. When we had problems with it getting too hot in the second setting, we decided to find out how it behaved in normal operation first, before pushing it to higher levels. Our computer simulations showed that there could be a problem with vibrations in the warp drive in the third setting as well. There was a lot of pressure to have the drive ready for use. We figured what had run in test flights was safe and tested if it were used properly. 

 

“We were going to do more tests at faster speeds when the "Starkeeper" returned from this voyage and we could operate it for a month without passengers on board. It's a shame some at fleet headquarters were in a hurry and we weren't allowed to fully test the enhancer before installing it on this ship"

 

"So if we went at the third setting," the Captain asked, "how long would it take us to get back?"

 

"If we went at the top speed possible, it would take six months. But I wouldn't recommend it."

 

"Why not? That would be the exact right time. Our air and water would still be fresh and we wouldn't have to ration food. It's perfect."

 

"But it has never been tested is why I wouldn’t recommend it. Also, our simulations indicate it will use up extra fuel at that speed."

 

"How much extra?"

 

Dr. Starr had anticipated the captain’s questions and was prepared with the answers. "Instead of nine months of fuel you will have six months."

 

"Exactly right again. I don't see a problem here," the Captain said. "We had no problem at all with over-heating in the second setting. The temperature gauge never moved the whole time we were in warp."

 

"Did you check that? Did you run the computer tapes every day like I instructed? If you did, I never saw any of the data."

 

The Captain looked at Chief Paxton. "Well, Chief?"

 

"I saw them every day. Nothing happened."

 

"Why wasn't Gordon allowed to look at them? He is on board to make sure the enhancer works properly."

 

"Everything was normal, so there was nothing to show. We checked the printouts every day."

 

"Do you know the code for the top speed?" the Captain asked Gordon Starr.

 

"Yes."

 

"Then let me tell you this. We are going to set the enhancer for top speed. Chief, you will show Gordon the tapes twice a day no matter how perfect they look. Is that clear?"

 

"Yes, sir." Chief Paxton was not happy. He had little use for Gordon Starr, PhD, and his interference with his job.

 

Scooter's father spoke up. "Captain, I just want to say that I disagree with you again. Tapes or no tapes the Warp Enhancer has never been tested at that speed. We have enough food, water, fuel, and air to make it in the second position if we are careful. Why risk everybody's life for this?"

 

"Because it cuts our time in half. Because we are where nobody has been before. Because I plan on getting everybody back quickly and safely. And I mean safely. We won't have to take a year—we won’t even have to take nine months. That's all for now. Dr. Starr, Dr. Daniels, I want you to be back here at fourteen hundred hours with your sons. Number One, I want you here too."

 

Captain Fuller got up and left the room and everybody else followed.

 

Ryan and Travis lay in Ryan's bed together. Travis had just made love to Ryan and they were both still glowing from the sex.

 

"I love you, Ryan. You are so sweet and so special."

 

"I love you, Travis. I'm so glad you will be with me when we get back. I'll tell you this. I'm almost not sorry this trip will take a year. I'm in no hurry to see my parents. I don't like them and they don't like me."

 

Travis kissed Ryan and stroked him gently. "I'm sorry my love. I will always be here for you.  You know that."

 

The boys hugged tightly on the bed and fell asleep.

 

 

The usual group of eight sat together at lunch. Ryan and Travis were  fully awake and hungry. When Warren and Jeremy came in, Alex invited them to sit at the table next to them, but they went to another table. They talked about the two meetings planned for after lunch. Mike was going to meet with Matthew, and Scooter and Douglas were going to be meeting with the Captain. One meeting was a mystery and the other could be trouble.

 

“At least some of us will be helping to clean the classrooms,” Alex snickered.

 

Matthew came into the room alone. He walked over to the table and stood next to Mike.

 

"Jordan and Robert Charles and the girls are in dining room two. I told them I wasn't feeling good.  Did you get my note?"

 

“Yes, I did," Mike said. "Want to meet in my cabin in fifteen minutes?"

 

"Alone?"

 

"Well, yeah. Unless you want somebody else there with you?"

 

"No. It's okay." Matthew teetered back and forth on his two feet; he was his usual quiet and shy self . "I'll see you then." He turned and walked away.

 

In a few minutes, everybody except Jeremy and Warren, was finished with lunch and left the dining room.

 

Matthew walked back to the other dining hall and room with Robert Charles and Jordan.  Jordan asked him if he was feeling better.

 

“Not really. I’m going to go lie down.”

 

“You know you’re supposed to be helping clean the classroom,” Jordan said in a surprisingly calm voice.

 

Matthew shrugged and left. Jordan looked at Robert Charles who nodded, and then got up and followed Matthew.

 

Matthew headed straight to Mike's cabin. Jordan waited for Matthew to turn corners and then he would follow him to the next corner until he finally lost him. He knew Matthew had gone to a cabin located in that corridor. He decided he would look at the chart in his dad's room and find out whose cabin was there.

 

Matthew was scared when Mike let him into the cabin. Brad was gone to a lounge so Matthew would be alone with Mike. Matthew was still somewhat leery of Mike, but he had to tell somebody what he knew, and Mike had kept saying he would be there for him.

 

Mike told Matthew to sit down and asked him if he wanted something to drink. Matthew was so nervous his mouth was dry. He ended up asking for a soda and Mike got one for each of them. Matthew sat the couch with Mike sitting on a chair across from him.

 

"Okay buddy, what's on your mind?" Mike smiled.

 

Matthew was shaking. He felt like he wanted to cry. He knew for sure from how Mike was acting that Mike wasn’t the person who attacked him. He knew he could trust him, but he was afraid of Jordan and Robert Charles finding out he was talking to Mike.

 

"You know...," he started, but he couldn’t finish as he started bawling. Mike got up and sat next to the little boy on the couch, put his arm around him and hugged him tightly.

 

"Don't worry, Matthew. You're safe here with me. Nobody is going to hurt you. I'm your friend and I will protect you, I promise."

 

Matthew just laid his head against Mike and sobbed. Mike could feel his shirt get damp from the young boy’s tears. Matthew let out all the hurt he had inside since the voyage began.  He lay against Mike and shook. Mike just hugged him and stroked his back and face and hair and told him it was all okay. When Matthew finally calmed down and could breathe normally, Mike gently asked him to tell him what was bothering him.

 

“I’m sorry,” Matthew said instead of answering Mike’s request.

 

“For what?” Mike asked gently.

 

“For being such a baby and crying all the time. My mom and dad hate me for it and Lisa calls me a baby and everybody tells me to grow up. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Matthew felt himself ready to break down again.

 

“It’s okay. Everybody cries sometimes, even if they won’t admit it.” Mike didn’t know if that was true, but it sounded good.

 

Matthew finally managed to gain some control of himself. He took a deep breath and started to tell Mike what he wanted to talk about." You know how...how RC is like our leader?"

 

"Yes, unfortunately."

 

"Well…he…he…he didn't really win the election."

 

Mike stared at Matthew, not sure if he heard him right. "You want to say that again?"

 

"The votes. They were fake."

 

"But I marked a ballot. Mr. Z collected all of them. How could they be fake? And how do you know this?"

 

Matthew was getting nervous. He was feeling like Mike wasn't believing him.

 

"They switched them. I heard Robert Charles and Jordan and Lisa talk about it."

 

"Who switched them?"

 

Matthew sat there quietly. He felt tears coming again. This wasn't working at all; Mike wasn't believing him.

 

Mike hugged him again. He knew what Matthew was thinking. "Hey, little bro, don't cry. I believe you. I just have to make sure I have all of the facts. This is very weird news."  Matthew battled a couple of sobs. He couldn’t stop his tears, but he was able to control his sobbing. Without thinking, Mike kissed the young boy’s wet cheek. Matthew leaned against Mike again and smiled. Every minute he knew that the big kid next to him who called him little bro would never hurt him

 

“Little bro.” Matthew liked that. Suddenly he wasn't feeling so lonely.

 

Mike kept his arm draped around Matthew. "Who switched them?" he said quietly.

 

"The RD."

 

Mike remembered the RD coming in with a lot of papers after the election that day. He wondered what happened to the original ballots if they were switched.

 

"So that means Douglas actually won the election?"

 

"I dunno."

 

"Because nobody ever counted the original ballots?"

 

"I guess."

 

Mike kept holding on to Matthew, kneading his shoulder as Matthew continued to lean against him. Mike was thinking what he should do next.

 

"Please don't tell anybody I told you. Robert Charles will kill me if he found out and so will Jordan."

 

"Remember, I promised you nobody will hurt you. That means nobody. But I think we should tell Douglas."

 

"Please....no."

 

"Listen. You can trust Douglas. Totally. You can trust my whole group.  At least eight of us."

 

"Who?"

 

"Me. Douglas. Alex and Stevie. Brandon, Ryan, Travis, and Scooter."

 

"What about Jeremy and Warren?"

 

"We're not sure about them. They haven't really taken to our group. We think they are tight with RC. But I think they should be there."

 

"Your group needs a name."

 

"You're right. Good idea. Do you have an idea for one?"

 

Matthew thought a second. "The eight balls?"

 

Mike started laughing. Matthew was hurt at first, then he could tell Mike wasn't laughing at him, and he started laughing too. Pretty soon Mike was tickling Matthew and he was laughing harder.  They both laughed until they were crying.

 

"Hey, are you crying again?"

 

"Yeah," Matthew giggled. "But so are you." Mike tickled him some more until they both got tired of it. Then they sat quietly on the couch. Matthew was leaning his head against Mike, thinking how safe he felt.

 

“Okay, little bro, I think we just tell Douglas to start and go from there."

 

"Okay," Matthew said. "I trust you." He turned and hugged Mike so tightly he almost squeezed the air out of him. "Big bro,” he whispered happily.

 

Mike squeezed Matthew back. "Let's go see if Douglas is finished with his meeting."

 

 

 Douglas and Scooter sat at the table in the bridge conference room feeling lost. Their fathers, the Chief, the Purser, and the Captain were also sitting around the table in the conference room, with the Captain at the bulkhead end of the table. They were waiting for the First Officer to arrive. The Captain's communicator buzzed with a call from the First Officer.

 

"Sorry I am late sir. I have to help solve a problem in Engineering. If you could get Lt. Jones to sit in I will get there as soon as I can." Lt. Jones was one of the Second Officers.

 

"Is it a serious problem, Number One?" The Captain asked.

 

"No, just a something I need to check out and it's taking longer than I thought. Tell the Chief it doesn’t affect his equipment directly and is nothing to worry about. I'll be right there."

 

"Acknowledged, Number One." The Captain radioed Lt. Jones, who arrived in the conference room a few minutes later.

 

The Captain began the hearing. He told both boys and their fathers what their rights were. He was accusing Douglas and Scooter of putting the ship, crew, and passengers in deadly danger.  He said that this was a very serious charge and it could keep them locked up not only for the rest of the voyage, but also after they reached Alpha Orion IV. He told them that the three crew members would vote on whether they were guilty or innocent of the charge after the hearing was over. The ship's rules said the First Officer, the Purser, and the Chief Engineer were supposed to be the voters, but an officer could have a proxy sit in for him.  Lt.  Jones was sitting in for the First Officer.

 

Next the Captain read the specific charges. “Entering the crew only area without permission. Entering a secure area (Engineering) without permission. Endangering the ship by entering a code that caused the ship to make a sudden change in direction, causing considerable damage to the ship, injuring numerous passengers and crew, causing three fatalities, and causing the ‘Starkeeper’ to wind up light years off course”. He asked them if they were guilty or not guilty.

 

Both boys said very loudly, "Not guilty."

 

The Second Engineer then testified how the boys got into Engineering. Then he told the Captain and the panel how they entered the code into the warp enhancer that resulted in sending the ship into an uncontrolled spin.

 

Scooter's father testified next. He related his talk with Chief Paxton and how he knew the codes would work to slow the ship down in increments. He said Chief Paxton agreed to enter the codes, but the phone went dead when he started giving him the code and he had no crew communicator to restart a connection. He also said that all the codes were six digits, and that he wanted everybody to understand entering five digits or less wouldn't do anything.

 

Then it was the boys' turn. They both told how the ship did the wild spin before they put the sixth digit in, that they entered at the last second before slipping down the landing. They didn't testify that Scooter had no idea what digit entered last. Since warp enhancer didn’t explode, they figured it must have been the right digit.

 

Next the Second Engineer gave his rebuttal. He said that the ship probably slowed on its own because it was kicked out of the storm by the wild ride, not because of the actions of the two boys. He offered his opinion that there was no excuse for what the two boys did.  He said they definitely weren't heroes and should be punished and that they were all lucky to be alive. This brought an objection from Larry Daniels as being the officer’s opinion, and was not based on fact.

 

Douglas's father then talked about how both boys were good kids with excellent records and backgrounds. He said they would never do anything to endanger anyone and were doing what they were told to do to save the ship.

 

The Captain finished by saying there was no evidence the two boys slowed them down and brought them out of danger. Every bit of evidence indicated that the code numbers they put in got them into mortal danger.  He then told the three officers to vote. They left to confer on their verdict. The Captain followed them, saying he would return when they came back with their verdict.

 

The officers were back in ten minutes and radioed the Captain that they had a verdict.

 

"Have you reached a verdict?" he asked when he returned to his seat, even though he already knew the answer.

 

"Yes, Sir, we have," the Chief Engineer replied.

 

"What did you decide?"

 

"On the charges of endangering the ship we find both boys guilty. We decided this charge is so serious that the rest of the charges should be dropped since they mean nothing."

 

Scooter, Douglas, and their fathers sat there stunned. Both boys felt like crying, but they sat there quietly and bravely. They felt like they had been slugged.

 

The Captain told them that they had been found guilty of very serious charges. The smaller charges were dropped, but they were old enough to get the full punishment for the most serious one.  He asked both boys to stand up.  He asked them if they understood that only luck had kept them from destroying his ship.

 

They said they understood, although deep inside they knew better. Scooter's father had gone through the entire scenario with them and he had no doubt that the boys had saved the ship.

 

"Gentlemen, I am going to sentence you both to...," but before he could finish the First Officer came in with the Second Engineer.

 

"Sir. I'm sorry for interrupting, but before you say anything else we think you should see this."

 

Another crewman rolled in a monitor and a vid machine and First Officer Benson inserted a disk.

 

"Number One, may I ask what is going on?"

 

"Sir, everybody is quick to blame these two young boys for the violent dip the ship took and for us being light years off course. I understand these boys were just found guilty of doing something that they never did."  As soon as he said that everybody started talking at once and the Captain barked for order.

 

"Do you mind explaining that, Number One?"

 

"Watch this vid. We put the read out of the warp enhancer next to the readout of the ship’s recorder. We had the computer synchronize them to a ten-thousandth of a second. Watch closely."

 

Scooter's father was fascinated. He had thought about this. He knew the synchronization could be done, but the Captain and the Chief Engineer said only a research ship like Scooter's father used to test the warp enhancer had the capability.

 

The First Officer started playing the vid. All Scooter and Douglas saw were shapes and numbers, but they meant something to the officers and to Scooter's father. The First Officer explained it so the rest could understand it.

 

"This shows the ship is going way beyond normal warp speed. It also shows that it had left the storm a long time ago, only nobody knew it because the ship was already out of control.  But the ride was still rough because of the incredible speed at which we were traveling. Now, right here things start getting worse.  Whatever kind of space we entered into is not a smooth place like warp space is outside of a rare storm. Right here you see the code numbers going in. 7 1 3. The ship shakes very hard at this point. The energy emanating from the warp enhancer is incredible. Now in goes 8, then 5. Those lines show the sudden dip the violent spinning caused. We all know it takes six digits to enter a code, so the five digits the boys entered had no effect so far. The ship dips and is totally out of control and the sixth digit has not yet been entered. At this point the “Starkeeper” is probably five to ten minutes from breaking apart.

 

"Check out the third column of numbers. The stress on the ship is already more than it was built for. Now the 7 goes in. The code is entered, AFTER the dip and after the spinning starts. The rest of this readout shows that even though the ride is still very rough after the last digit of the code is entered, the speed of the ship and the stress on the ship go down until we finally can regain control. Entering the sixth digit started the ship back to normal operation.

 

"Captain, these boys don't deserve punishment. They should be given a medal for saving this ship and everybody on it." He sat down.

 

Captain Fuller didn't look happy. He didn't like having his First Officer make him look like a fool, but there was nothing he could do.

 

"There will be no medals,” he told the boys with a steely glare. “All the charges are dropped, but I will not make heroes of you two. I don't ever want somebody else thinking they can run around playing hero on my ship. Number One, I want to see you in my office. You are all dismissed."

 

The Captain got up to leave, but Scooter's father stopped him. "Captain Fuller I just want to say this. You didn't even have the courtesy to apologize to those boys. They saved your ship and your life and you treat them like little hoodlums. Those boys are heroes and you know it.

 

"I've served on research ships, exploration ships, science ships, and here on a great passenger liner. I know that some ship has to have the worst Captain in the entire fleet. Well, Sir, with all due respect, I think I'm talking to him right now." Scooter's father put his arm around Scooter's shoulder. "I'm proud of my son. I'm proud of his friend Douglas.” Douglas was being hugged by his smiling father. “I'm proud of what they did. It took amazing courage for these two brave young boys to do what they did on a ship that was ready to fly apart. I heard no apology and no thank you."

 

The Captain glared at him. "Do you have anything else, Dr. Starr?

 

"No, Sir. I think I've had my say."

 

"Very well. I want the new code given to the Chief. Dismissed."

 

The Captain stomped out angrily. First Officer Benson started to follow him. Scooter stopped him and shook his hand, as did Gordon Starr. Douglas and his father did the same thing.

 

"Thank you, Sir," Douglas said.

 

"I didn't do anything but make sure we found out the truth, son. I didn't think this ship just slowed down on its own accord because the weather got better. Scott's father is right. You two are heroes. I'm honored to have helped you. I'd be honored to have you serve on my ship when I receive a command."  Then he walked out too.

 

The boys and their fathers left the room. "Boys," Larry Daniels said, "you never heard this. Captain Fuller is an asshole. First Officer Benson is the kind of man I'm used to seeing as captain. He will make a great commanding officer. I hope this didn't get him into bad trouble. Captain Fuller wasn't very happy with him."

 

When Douglas got to his cabin he received hugs from his mother and father, who told him how proud they were of him and how proud they were of Scooter.

 

Douglas went into his room and saw the message light flashing. He had a message from Mike telling Douglas to meet him right away.

 

 

A half hour later Douglas was in Mike's room meeting with him and Matthew. First he told them the result of the hearing. Mike was amazed how the First Officer, who had been so quick to punish him, worked so hard to prove Douglas and Scooter’s innocence.

 

Douglas then listened to Matthew tell his story. This time Matthew told it with a lot more confidence. His big brother was hugging him and telling him it was safe. When he finished Douglas shook his head in disbelief.  The big high he had been on after the hearing was tumbling down.

 

"What do you think we should do?" Mike asked him.

 

Douglas thought a bit and then said, "Whatever we do has to be with Matthew's approval. He took a big risk telling us this and we don't need him hurt. He trusted us to do the right thing."

 

"I agree and I knew you would say that." He gave Matthew a squeeze.

 

"Matthew, I think we need to do two things, but only if you say yes."

 

“Okay,” the young boy whispered.

 

"First, we tell the rest of the group, and by that I mean Alex, Stevie, Scooter, Travis, Ryan, and Brandon. I trust them all totally. Is that okay with you?" Douglas asked.

 

Matthew nodded yes.

 

Mike added that he thought Warren and Jeremy should be there even if they didn't totally trust them. Douglas wasn't so willing to trust them, but Matthew said he was okay with them being told. They all agreed they would be real careful before saying anything.

 

"Second, we tell one of the only two crew members we can trust. We tell Marie."

 

“No,” Mike said forcefully. “She didn’t back us in the lounge when RC took credit for everything.

 

“Who was she going to tell?” Douglas asked. “Everybody thinks RC is like God or something and never does anything wrong. We didn’t know about First Officer Benson, and I bet she didn’t either.”

 

Matthew agreed they could include Marie.

 

"I also think you shouldn't be at the meeting. Right now you have to watch out for Robert Charles. Matthew, don't let them bully you. We're going to meet tonight and we will stand behind you.  But you know you could be attacked. It happened before and it could happen again, and it wasn't by Mike.  But we are your friends. Don't forget that."

 

"I won't."

 

“You were really brave to tell us.”

 

“You were brave to save the ship,” Matthew said modestly.

 

“You might have been ever braver.”

 

"And don’t forget that I am your brother," Mike added, and he kissed Matthew on his smooth cheek.

 

 

Just before dinner Robert Charles saw Matthew in a main corridor.

 

"I heard you went visiting today. And here I thought you weren't feeling good. I heard you were visiting Mike, the kid who left you bloody on the floor."

 

Matthew's heart started thumping. "Who told you?"

 

"A little birdie?"

 

"Mike?"

 

Robert Charles laughed. "That's for me to know and you to find out." He pinned Matthew against the wall. "Just remember this, little boy. Don't cross your friends or you will be very sorry. And don't trust any of those guys. They will turn on you for no reason at all. Offer those fags a nice BJ and they will turn on their mothers." He laughed again and walked away.

 

Matthew fought off tears. Mike was his brother; he had told him so. Mike would never turn on him.  But how did Robert Charles know he visited Mike? Just when he thought he had everything figured out, he was all confused again.

 

Robert Charles looked up Warren and Jeremy. “Where are you guys off to?” he asked them.

 

“Um…the…the games room” Jeremy stuttered.

 

“Oh? Nobody else seems to be there. In fact you aren’t even going in the right direction.”

 

“Well, some of us are meeting in a cabin to play games.”

 

"A big meeting, huh? I don't seem to have been invited. Well, I want a full report. And I mean full." He grabbed Warren's shirt. "Understand?"

 

Warren nodded yes. Then Robert Charles turned to Jeremy. "And don't forget how much your parents love their farm." He walked away.

 

That night after dinner the boys all met in Alex and Stevie's cabin. Alex and Stevie were both naked as usual when everybody arrived. Nobody but Mike and Douglas knew what the meeting was about. They didn't want Robert Charles and Jordan suspecting too much.

 

Alex and Stevie told everybody coming in they should undress; birthday suits were the accepted clothing in their cabin. Everybody was happy to, and nobody seemed to care when a couple of boners were popped. The last two to get there were Warren and Jeremy. They both stopped when they saw the room full of naked boys, some of them with boners.

 

"Do we have to get undressed?" Warren asked.

 

"Only if you want to," Alex said. "But birthday suits are the preferred clothing here."

 

Jeremy loved it and started unbuckling his pants. Warren didn't move, so Jeremy stopped.  He buckled back up and sat on the floor with Warren. Warren is coming along, he thought, but he has a long way to go.

 

"Douglas brought us here to discuss some news he heard today," Alex said. "But first, I want to say with all of us here how glad we all are that somebody on this ship from hell appreciates what Douglas and Scooter did to save us. You know we thought you were heroes, and now everybody knows it." Douglas and Scooter got cheers and applause from the rest of the boys and both of them blushed with embarrassment. “I know some of us have had run ins with Commander Benson, but all I can say is, the man rocks big time.”

 

"We did what we were told to do," Douglas said. "If that makes us heroes then we're heroes."  Douglas looked at Scooter. "And I love my hero." He gave his lover a big kiss.

 

"Well, Douglas. What is this all about?"

 

Douglas was one of the boys with a boner. But he started getting serious, and everybody could see his dick get soft. Scooter loved watching it move.

 

"First, I have to ask Warren and Jeremy something."

 

"And what would that be?" Jeremy asked.

 

"What I have to say is not going to go over well with our leader, Mr. RC. I know you're not a big fan of mine, Jeremy, but I think you and Warren should know what I am going to say. What I need to know is, can we trust you to keep everything that is said tonight completely secret?"

 

Now Jeremy had to think. If we stay, and tell Robert Charles, then we can never be trusted by the boys I like most. If we leave, then they will know that for some reason we might tell Robert Charles what is going on, but maybe we can keep their trust. He tried to figure out the best way to say it.

 

"Warren and I like all of you, even if we’re still dressed. We want to stay your friends, so I think we better leave."

 

"What? Why?" Warren asked.

 

"I'll tell you. Just get up and we'll go." He looked at the group of naked boys. He was so hard and wanted to get naked with them so bad. He didn't even try to hide his tent.

 

"We're sorry we have to go, but I think this is best." He grabbed Warren's arm and led him out of the door.

 

"What was that all about?" Travis asked.

 

"I think Jeremy was telling us that RC has some kind of hold over them, but that we could trust them. In other words, he can't tell RC what he doesn't know," Douglas replied.

 

They asked Douglas to start again.

 

He turned things over to Mike first. Mike told him about his meeting with Matthew and how Matthew told him the election was rigged. Then Douglas told them what he told Matthew, about telling the group and telling Marie.

 

"Okay, you told us," Alex said. "Now what?"

 

"We tell Marie. I think we can trust her. After that we wait and see. But if RC did cheat, then I think we need to have a new election. We need to have somebody neutral count the ballots. We're going to be together for more than a few weeks now, and suddenly this election is very important. If RC wins that one, at least we know we deserve to get pissed on."

 

Everybody laughed at that, because that was how they were beginning to feel. But they agreed that the next step was for Douglas to tell Marie. They also agreed they would protect Matthew at any cost. And they agreed they were totally pissed off at Robert Charles and his group.

 

"Now, I have something to say," Alex said. "At the concert I did for Mike we all gave our love for each other. I think we are a very special group, a star cluster on this ship. If we all stick together, nobody can defeat us. I love you all.”

 

The boys traded kisses and hugs. They all had erections and were proud of them.”  

.

 

"This room is so full of love I can't believe it,” Mike gushed. “I love you all."

 

Nobody argued.  When it was time to dress and leave they were all kind of sad.

 

"Hey guys," Douglas said.  "Next time, let's spend the night here naked and have, well, let’s have an orgy.  If it's okay with Alex and Stevie that is."

 

"Oh hell yeah.  Let's do it next week. It will be the first of many. Hell, if we can get our instruments we can have a nude dance followed by an orgy sometime. We’re going to be together on this tub for a long time, so we might as well party.”

 

Once again, nobody argued.

 

 

The Engineering crew was getting the warp enhancer ready to engage.  Scooter's father was checking everything out before entering the super speed code. This had nothing to do with what way the enhancer was installed. It would be installed in the same direction that position two was, but the entry of the code would push things to a new level.

 

One of the things he did was enter into the Engineering log that he was against using position three, but had been ordered to.  While he was getting the enhancer ready he noticed a broken connection.  He picked up the frayed end and studied it.  It was the connection that fed the temperature gauge readings to the computer.  No wonder all the readouts looked so good, he thought, the temperature readouts were never recorded.  He showed it to Chief Paxton and said the Captain should be told.

 

The Chief agreed and called the Captain.  They talked awhile.  The Captain decided that since they needed to get back as fast as possible and since there was no evidence the temperature ever went up that they would go ahead and enter the code.

 

Scooter's father argued that there was also no evidence that the temperature hadn’t gone up.  At the speed they had been going there was a good chance it might have been overheating. He suggested they travel with the warp enhancer in position two until they could gather more information.  The Captain asked Dr. Starr if he saw any evidence that indicated the enhancer had overheated.  Dr. Starr said he didn’t, but he would need to take it apart to thoroughly check it out.

 

"How long will it take?" The Captain asked.

 

"Two to three weeks to be sure."

 

"We don't have two to three weeks.  It's worked fine.  Put the code in."

 

"At this point I have to refuse to do that, Captain."

 

"I'm giving you a direct order, Mr. Starr."

 

"I'm a consultant, sir, not a member of your crew.  You can't order me to do something that is unsafe."

 

"Chief Paxton, has Dr. Starr given you the code yet."

 

"Not yet, Sir."  He picked up a notebook off of a work table.  "But I know it is in here, and I know which page it's on."

 

"Fine, then put the code in.  We don't need our consultant.  If his thirteen-year-old son can do the codes on that gadget, I think we can handle it just fine.  You can leave engineering now, Mr. Starr.  If it starts to overheat, we can back it out to the second position, correct Chief?”

 

“Aye sir, we can do that.”

 

“We will return your notebook when we're finished with it."

 

Scooter's father started to leave, then stopped to say something.  "Captain Fuller, when I said you might just be the worst Captain in the fleet, I was giving you a compliment.  You are without a doubt not only the worst Captain in the fleet, you might just be the worst one in the history of the fleet.  Putting that code in without giving the warp enhancer a thorough check-up is totally irresponsible."

 

"I've heard enough.  You can leave.  Put the code in, Chief."

 

Gordon Starr left Engineering for the last time feeling a sense of doom. He had the feeling that the warp storm was going to be nothing compared to what could happen if the warp enhancer overheated. He had the distinct feeling that would happen faster than they could enter the code to take it out of position three.

 

The night found very few boys alone.  Matthew was one of them, even though Jordan had invited him to his cabin.  Jordan was alone, drinking more of his dad's booze, working to get drunk. 

 

Robert Charles had talked Lisa into sleeping with him. Lisa's parents thought she was at Carmen's spending the night. They had done everything but intercourse, and now for the first time since he turned fourteen, Robert Charles was sleeping naked with a girl.  They made out heavily and he shot his load twice, but they didn’t go all the way. His father was in his own room. Robert Charles was certain his father was proud of him that night. 

 

Scooter and Douglas were in bed together at Scooter's. Warren and Jeremy were sleeping in Warren's bed.  They had a good rub off after Jeremy told Warren why they left Alex's room.  Brandon was in Stevie's bed with Stevie, and Alex was in Mike's bed with Mike.  The boys were hungry for their lovers.

 

They were all still asleep when they felt the ship slide into warp space. Everybody but Gordon Starr was happy.  The feelings of entering warp meant they were starting the long voyage home. Gordon Starr was very afraid that they wouldn't arrive at their destination.

 

Next: Helpers and Leaders