Pegasus In Space Part 27

"We got you a single, Pete. I'm next door. Call addie is 5775." Or Or you can call me. you can call me.

Politely, Lance took the plastic room card from Peter's limp grasp and slid it into the slot; a soft snick and the door opened. He gave Peter a gentle shove inside and then led him to the bunk, wider by a good meter than the Limo's accommodation.

Lie down. I'll get your boots off and tuck you in, m friend. You're one weary chook.

Peter made no complaint and willingly laid his body down, faintly aware of the blanket covering him. He was asleep before Lance dropped the first boot to the floor.

Pete? Pete? Pe-ter! The voice was soft but insistent. Peter woke. The voice was soft but insistent. Peter woke. Pete? You're awake? Ah, yes, you are. Rhyssa's having knicker fits until she has an eyes-on report from Madlyn that you are here. Pete? You're awake? Ah, yes, you are. Rhyssa's having knicker fits until she has an eyes-on report from Madlyn that you are here.

Johnny?

That's who. C'mon, get up. I'll give you time to shower and clothe the bod.

Did you find out anything?

About the sabotage? Not much, except we're not dealing with stupids. Someone rigged the MPUs raw-ther, and Johnny drawled the words, and Johnny drawled the words, deftly. And it had to be someone deftly. And it had to be someone on on Padrugoi. No time to import anything, or anyone, 'cos I was the chief importer I sent folks downside. I didn't bring anything upstation that hadn't gone through security. On Earth or again on Padrugoi. Padrugoi. No time to import anything, or anyone, 'cos I was the chief importer I sent folks downside. I didn't bring anything upstation that hadn't gone through security. On Earth or again on Padrugoi.

I'm awake, Peter rea.s.sured the general, aware that he had to drain his waste-bag like right now! He levitated up, found the toilet, and emptied the appliance as Johnny continued his instructions. Peter rea.s.sured the general, aware that he had to drain his waste-bag like right now! He levitated up, found the toilet, and emptied the appliance as Johnny continued his instructions.

I'll send a guide. You'll need one.

A guide? Or a bodyguard?

A little of both. And check it out. I can 'feel' a menacing presence from time to time, Johnny added grimly. Johnny added grimly. Lance warned me. I'm warning you. Lance warned me. I'm warning you.

Peter exhaled at that intelligence. He looked around, realizing that he hadn't even noticed his accommodation when Lance had brought him here. Was it last night? Well, whenever it was. His small bag was on the desk and he "pulled" out a fresh coverall and shorts. He returned to the bathroom. A notice on the shower enclosure warned him that water usage was limited: he was advised to soap before turning the taps on.

He did and felt refreshed despite the brevity of the wash. He was closing his coverall when he heard a brief tap on his door.

"Corporal Hinojosa, sir," a female voice announced.

"Be right with you, Corporal," he said, and slid his fleece-lined shoes over his feet.

"Good morning, Mr. Reidinger," she said when he opened the door. She must be just within the height limit for the service and he felt he towered above her. She had a lot of black curls, dark eyes, and a ready smile. "This way, sir." She gestured gracefully toward the intersection. "You're expected in Akahiro Block-that's the original facility, if you haven't had time to study a map of First Base."

He deliberately matched his steps to hers; she had a long stride for a person her size. First Base's slate-gray uniform looked fas.h.i.+onable on her.

"I know who Babe Ruth and DiMaggio were, but who was Akahiro?"

She flashed him a smile. "He was the most outstanding first baseman of the international j.a.panese Nippon Nicks baseball team in this century, sir. Popped more home runs than the legendary Mark McGwire. The North Americans didn't happen to have a baseball celebrity whose name began with an A, A, so the j.a.panese got first crack. They didn't have a C either, so Clemens got his innings, as it were." so the j.a.panese got first crack. They didn't have a C either, so Clemens got his innings, as it were."

Peter responded to her wit with a genuine laugh. He enjoyed the walk-at least until they went through the major lock to Babe Ruth Block. There he caught malevolence so palpable that he staggered. Johnny had done well to warn him. But where did it come from? Men and women, clad in the slate-gray uniforms, seemed to be moving briskly on errands. A group of four wearing gym suits was ambling more casually along the main corridor. Then the hate disappeared as if an impenetrable door had closed it off. Peter looked quickly up and down the long main access corridor and then the corporal was gesturing for him to enter the Akahiro Block.

I felt it in the Babe Ruth Block, Johnny.

Same here. And that'd take a lot of sifting since that block holds the main living quarters, mess halls, and leisure amenities for both service personnel and consultants, and ends up at the prison wing that has its own airlock. Hurry along there, will ya?

I'm following my leader, Peter said, not at all averse to doing so. Peter said, not at all averse to doing so.

"We're nearly there, Mr. Reidinger," the corporal said, pausing at an elevator shaft and slipping an ID into the slot at one side. The leaves parted and they entered.

Peter felt the upward motion through his feet and then they reached their destination: the CIC of First Base. As he stepped out, a staggering panorama of moonscape was spread out, hazed slightly by the material of the enclosing dome, but nonetheless magnificent. So was the landing field the Limo should have used. The pathetic looking wreck was on the left-hand side, near smaller separate domes that must be repair and maintenance facilities. A gantry surrounded the Limo and technicians were busy. Three other s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps, a little four-man courier rocket, and two Limos, both smaller than the 34, were parked to the right near the landing terminal that was the official debarkation area. Beyond them on the widest part of the terminal ap.r.o.n, two freight lighters were parked, waiting to bring down cargo from the next orbiting freighter. So, in spite of all the problems, freighters were still transporting supplies to First Base.

"Colonel Watari's office is just here, Mr. Reidinger," Corporal Hinojosa said, having given him a few moments to appreciate the view before she stepped to the door and pressed the "open" plate.

"Thank you, Corporal."

"My pleasure, Mr. Reidinger."

"Pete!" Johnny waved expansively for him to hurry in. The general looked remarkably refreshed in a dark blue coverall that was a contrast to the slate-gray fatigues of Colonel Watari and Major Cyberal. Lance Baden in his preferred sand-colored shorts, s.h.i.+rt, and boots grinned a welcome. "Come in, come in. Watari, we can place that call now. Pete, sit here." He slapped the back of a chair he'd pulled out from the conference table where the First Base officers were sitting.

As Peter moved to obey, he caught a glimpse on his left of the worktop where he'd put the precious seismic sensors only days before. Watari scowled but the major nodded a more amiable greeting.

"Have you got the admiral yet?" Watari asked, leaning toward the comunit set into the panel of the table.

"On-screen, sir. Now!"

There was the admiral, seated in the center of his conference table. On one side of him Madlyn wiggled her fingers as the image cleared, Commander Chatham beyond her. On the other side of Coetzer was Dr. Scott, who seemed unbelievably glad to set eyes on those at the Base, and two security officers that Peter recognized from seeing them in the mess.

"Pete, you're a vision for sore eyes," the admiral said. "Madlyn's relaying to Rhyssa that she's eyeballing you. I don't think she'd take my word unconfirmed," and Coetzer's one-sided grin suggested to Peter that Rhyssa had been difficult. "Bindra and Ottey here are going over the security tapes of the boat bay, all recent visitors, and we hope to figure out who tampered with the Limo."

"Madlyn," Johnny said, with a polite nod to the admiral for interrupting, "you need empaths up there. I've got more than the usual emanations of dislike for psychics recently. And Lance, Pete, and I sensed a virulent presence here."

"On First Base?" Watari exclaimed, as if denying the possibility.

"You do have quite a few lifetime prisoners on First Base, Watari," Johnny said, his face inscrutable.

"We've offenders here, too," the admiral said, shaking his head slowly. "The double wristbands are supposed to prevent them from entering any sensitive area. Bindra, check the entire roster of offies. Could you 'hear' anything from them, Madlyn?"

"Sir, I'm not an empath," she replied, almost apologetically. "But you can have the best at your disposal the moment you ask."

"Please be so good as to make that request right now, Madlyn," Dirk said, and then spoke over his shoulder to his yeoman. "Send an official signal to Ms. Lehardt at the Eastern Center, Yeoman Nizukami, asking for empathic a.s.sistance as soon as possible." Then Coetzer looked back to the screen.

"You may be sure we'll check our resident offenders," Watari said stiffly.

"You may be sure I'll help him," Johnny Greene added.

"I can't see how anyone here could have had any part in the sabotage of the Limo," Watari said.

"Possibly not," Johnny agreed amiably. "But right now I'd rather not have an unknown quant.i.ty that can project such malice in my vicinity. Much less Pete's."

"His security is in our hands," Watari said. When Johnny raised his eyebrows in query, he added, "Corporal Hinojosa is a martial arts specialist and far more dangerous than she appears."

"Really?"

"Really!" Watari said in flat voice.

"I'd like additional surveillance for Pete. I'll take Sergeant Singh for mine." Johnny glared at Watari. "Lance?"

The Australian shrugged. "I don't work outside alone, Johnny. I'm in full view of the construction team. I've never felt any threat in Clemens Block."

"Gentlemen," and the admiral entered firmly into the conversation, "we shall continue our investigations with vigor. As soon as Mr. Reidinger has seen all that he requires of First Base and you can a.s.sure us that Limo-34 is operational and secure, please contact us again. I will, of course, let you know of any developments at Padrugoi. Pete, Baden, General, Colonel, Major, good evening."

The screen went blank. Johnny heaved himself to his feet. "Pete, you need to eat breakfast. So do I. Lance, are you joining us?"

"If there is nothing pending, Colonel?" and Lance rose, looking politely to Watari for his answer.

"You are scheduled to accompany Mr. Reidinger to be sure he and General Greene see all that they need to." Almost as if he resented the courtesy it represented, Watari rose to his feet and gave a stiff bow in Peter's direction. "I hope you will not hesitate to ask for anything you need."

"Did we bring you the most urgent items, Colonel?" Peter asked politely.

"Yes. Thank you," Watari hesitated then went on quickly, "but they would not have been worth your life, Mr. Reidinger."

Well, get that! Johnny said, turning toward the door. Johnny said, turning toward the door.

He meant it, too, Lance added, gesturing for Peter to precede him out the door. The corporal snapped to attention as she saw them emerging. Peter locked his eyes on the fabulous western aspect of First Base of Ocea.n.u.s Procellarum, one of the few Lance added, gesturing for Peter to precede him out the door. The corporal snapped to attention as she saw them emerging. Peter locked his eyes on the fabulous western aspect of First Base of Ocea.n.u.s Procellarum, one of the few mares mares that was not bounded by mountains or fault scarps. that was not bounded by mountains or fault scarps.

"The nearest mess hall, please, Corporal," Johnny said, strolling toward the lift. "I'm hungry enough to eat a horse and Pete here's been burning far too many calories."

Peter did wonder what was "burning" in him right now but dismissed it. It was time to be hungry.

"Sir?" the corporal asked, concern in her voice.

"Don't mind him, Nina," Lance said with easy cordiality. "He'd never harm a horse."

Rhyssa was overwhelmingly relieved to receive Madlyn's shout from Padrugoi.

I'm looking at him right now, Rhyssa, and he seems a bit sleepy, his hair is still wet from a shower, but otherwise he's fine. Oh, and the admiral's about to request empaths from you. They think one of the offenders up here might be responsible for the sabotage.

An offie? Rhyssa was aghast. What station-held offender could possibly be able to sabotage anything? Rhyssa was aghast. What station-held offender could possibly be able to sabotage anything? I'll check with Boris immediately and see who's been sentenced upstation recently. Someone with technical skills. Thanks, Maddie. I'll rea.s.sure Dorotea. I'll check with Boris immediately and see who's been sentenced upstation recently. Someone with technical skills. Thanks, Maddie. I'll rea.s.sure Dorotea.

She did that-news that was received with fervent thanks from Dorotea-before she put in a call to Boris Roznine for him to contact her telepathically as soon as possible. She barely had time to disseminate the good news about Peter through the main office before she felt Boris's unmistakable touch.

Technically trained offies, Rhyssa? he repeated. he repeated. Far too many, Far too many, was the LEO Commissioner's immediate response. was the LEO Commissioner's immediate response. I'll send you a I'll send you a full full roster but . . . roster but . . . He broke off. He broke off. I'll check. I'll check.

WHO, Boris? I caught that! Oh!

Yes, oh. 'Fraid you might, Rhyssa. Justice sentenced Albert Ponce, aka Flimflam, aka Ponsit Prosit, over five years ago to life incarceration on Padrugoi Station. He's still there. He was also peripherally involved in the White-Coat Mutiny. He lost all the benefits he'd earned by previous good behavior, supporting her. Not that he was perceived to have taken a major role in the Mutiny. Even Barchenka didn't trust him. But he has more than ample reason to hate Peter, though I don't believe the two ever met. Did they?

Not really. Peter was unconscious while Flimflam was beating Tirla. She had been his primary target at the time. Peter was caught up in the grab for her.

Parole officer notes Flimflam does a lot of betting but that's not a crime upstation.

Does he win?

Boris's mental tone turned wry. I can find out. I'd hate to owe Flimflam. I can find out. I'd hate to owe Flimflam.

I do. And I'm going to pay that debt, Rhyssa said with such vehemence that Boris protested. Rhyssa said with such vehemence that Boris protested.

As LEO Commissioner, Rhyssa, I can't turn a blind eye to everything the Center does.

Rhyssa, said another mental voice on a very tight focus, said another mental voice on a very tight focus, you won't need to if that man has harmed Peter. you won't need to if that man has harmed Peter.

Dorotea! Rhyssa exclaimed, as shocked by the implacable tone in the older woman's voice as Boris had probably been by hers. Rhyssa exclaimed, as shocked by the implacable tone in the older woman's voice as Boris had probably been by hers.

I think it's about time LEO paid an unofficial but immediate visit to Padrugoi Station, Boris said. Boris said. I'm sure Secretary Abubakar will authorize such an inspection. It is to the Station's benefit. I'm sure Secretary Abubakar will authorize such an inspection. It is to the Station's benefit.

You, too? To see I play fair, Boris ?

Let's say to ascertain if offenders resident on the Station have set up an illegal network. And discern if there is any real antipathy to psychics there.

Oh. Rhyssa had to admit those excuses were legitimate. She paused. Rhyssa had to admit those excuses were legitimate. She paused. Only we'll have to make our own way upstation. Our kinetics are all on the Moon. Only we'll have to make our own way upstation. Our kinetics are all on the Moon.

Leave that detail to me, Rhyssa, Boris replied. Boris replied. Only don't tell Madlyn we're coming. Only don't tell Madlyn we're coming.

She's not indiscreet, Boris, Rhyssa reminded him. Rhyssa reminded him. Especially about parapsychic business. Especially about parapsychic business.

She's in love, was Boris's unequivocal reply. was Boris's unequivocal reply.

Clearance to Padrugoi Station was not a problem with the doc.u.mentation Rhyssa, Dorotea, and Amariyah were able to produce, especially with Admiral Coetzer's official sanction. They went as a family group, grandmother, mother, and daughter. Amariyah was bubbling with excitement at going to see the Padrugoi hydroponic facilities. Rhyssa arranged for Ping Yung, the empathic specialist already on Padrugoi, to show her the extensive gardens. The girl chattered away on the trip up with Rhyssa and Dorotea. Dorotea held Rhyssa's hand, physically and mentally, during the rocket flight.

I never thought I'd be doing this, Dorotea said, several times. this, Dorotea said, several times. I'm too old to travel perpendicular to the Earth. I'm too old to go this fast anywhere. I'm too old to travel perpendicular to the Earth. I'm too old to go this fast anywhere.

I feel much the same way, Rhyssa agreed, though she rather enjoyed the tremendous power in the shuttle's rockets as they took off. Boris Roznine, seated three rows down and frowning at whatever files he was reading, had paid them no attention. Neither did Ca.s.s Cutler, traveling as his aide, nor Lieutenant Ranjit Youssef, who successfully looked his role as a menial worker, bound for six months' work upstation. He was at the very back of the thirty-pa.s.senger vehicle. Both Cutler and Youssef had encountered Albert Ponce aka Flimflam before, although he was unlikely to recognize them. Rhyssa agreed, though she rather enjoyed the tremendous power in the shuttle's rockets as they took off. Boris Roznine, seated three rows down and frowning at whatever files he was reading, had paid them no attention. Neither did Ca.s.s Cutler, traveling as his aide, nor Lieutenant Ranjit Youssef, who successfully looked his role as a menial worker, bound for six months' work upstation. He was at the very back of the thirty-pa.s.senger vehicle. Both Cutler and Youssef had encountered Albert Ponce aka Flimflam before, although he was unlikely to recognize them.

Dorotea managed a little smile when she felt both Cutler and Youssef trying to soothe her fears and apprehensions.

I'm not afraid, people, nor am I apprehensive. I just don't like this mode of travel. I like solid earth beneath my feet, she told them. I she told them. I am also not a crowd person. am also not a crowd person.

She felt Ca.s.s's amus.e.m.e.nt while Ranjit discreetly withdrew his encouraging thoughts. Ca.s.s's unique parapsychic ability was crowd control, generally used to prevent a large ma.s.s of people from turning into a riot by subtly broadcasting neutralizing rea.s.surances. Ca.s.s was subtle enough so that even Dorotea could not tell if she had stopped emanating.

The initial ten minutes of the flight featured a tri-d about Padrugoi Station, including the history of the internationally sponsored construction. (The White-Coat Mutiny was not part of the spiel.) More important, the program explained what visitors could and could not do, should and should not expect, and how to react to an emergency. By then, Padrugoi was visible on the forward screens and grew rapidly to dominate the view as the shuttle seemed to inch closer.

Since her trip to Padrugoi for the Inauguration had been by Johnny's teleport, Rhyssa hadn't seen Padrugoi in all its complexity. She was as astounded by the view as those seeing it for the first time. She tried to take it all in, especially the cargo nets, flas.h.i.+ng with buoy lights where Peter and Johnny had reduced disaster to calamity, the corner she could glimpse at this angle of the construction yard, and the dry dock surrounding the Arrakis Arrakis. Amariyah wanted to know what all the little lights were.

"People working in s.p.a.ce suits. The lights are their jetpacks, moving them about in weightless s.p.a.ce," Rhyssa told her.

"Like Peter does."

"Like Peter does." Did the girl really understand what Peter did?

"Will I be able to go out in a s.p.a.ce suit with a jetpack when I come up to Padrugoi to work?" Amariyah asked.

"You won't need to go out into s.p.a.ce. The hydroponic gardens are inside the Station," Dorotea replied with a sigh of relief.

"When will I get to see them? Are we nearly there?"

"Almost," Rhyssa said placidly. She'd forgotten how convenient it was to have telekinetic transportation. Instantaneously. Going by shuttle, she was able to appreciate the distance separating Earth and Padrugoi.