“Well, Hayes, it’s time for you to leave. CeCe and I should return to the Weasel and get things ready to go there.”
Hayes nodded and turned to Ames, “Will you and Doctor Twisst be returning with me?”
Ames got a slightly embarrassed grin on his face, “Gladys and I had a very short conversation on that subject; we feel that the artificial gravity and much expanded living space aboard the Weasel is more suited to our less adventurous natures. Please don’t take it personally, we found you to be a most stimulating travel companion; it is just the uncivilized nature of your preferred mode of travel that intimidates us. To put it simply, once was enough.”
Hayes smiled and nodded again, “I kind of had a hunch. Well, go get your gear; I have a couple of things to do before I leave.”
He touched his com pad, “Santana to Kellogg.”
“Pressler here, Hayes.”
“Are you and the Rance ready to leave orbit?”
“That’s an affirmative; we’re just waiting for word from you. All floaters are now being handled by Weasel crew members. Neither one of us has taken on any passengers, and from what we see from here, you won’t be getting a big load either.”
“Yeah, that’s our opinion of the situation too. Anyway, you and the Rance are cleared for immediate departure.”
“Thank you, Hayes; tell the Admiral we’ll see him back at Archer. Nav has the con; we’re outta here.”
Hayes turned to CeCe and handed her the second puppy. He then looked down at a slightly confused BA, “You go with her.”
CeCe scowled at Hayes, “What? You might have asked first; there were no plans to bring animals on the ship.”
“I would take them with me except for the free-fall thing, and I’ve gotten rather attached to them. You have a dog so you should know how to handle them. Please?”
She was not, particularly, fond of surprise responsibilities and one of the puppies licking her chin didn’t help.
“Okay, but you are going to paint my house when we get back.”
Hayes smiled, “Deal.”
Next, he turned and walked over to Eva and her parents, “It would trouble me for the rest of my life to know that Eva died because her parents feared to leave.”
They stood up and faced him; Eva took his hand. The father spoke, “We will leave - we have great fear and sadness, but Eva sees <responsibility> in you”
A great weight lifted, “Thank you; I am very pleased.”
He turned and steered them to CeCe, “Commander, one more favor; could you find quarters for Eva and her parents?”
He leaned a bit closer and spoke quietly, “They could be a good foster family for BA and the puppies.”
She gave him an exasperated look, “You vex me, Lieutenant.”
Ames and Twisst rejoined the group carrying their bags.
Wills looked around the group, “Okay, everyone on the floater. I’m going to remain here for a couple of hours and try to get a few more customers.”
Eva grabbed Hayes’ hand, “Go with you Santana <question>”
Hayes dropped to one knee, amazed that she had picked up the name of his ship, “I would like that, but it is a very small and uncomfortable ship. I want you to go with CeCe and take care of BA and her puppies. When you get to my planet, I will be waiting for you. I would go with you on the big ship, but I am the only one here that can operate this ship; the Admiral would be very upset with me if I didn’t take it back.”
Eva did not look too happy but seemed to understand the situation. He stood with Wills and watched everyone head for the floater.
Hayes turned and saluted, “Sir, I am out of here.”
Wills returned the salute, “You’ve done a good job here, Hayes; consider yourself promoted to Lieutenant Commander as of the moment you set foot on Forest. I have entered an official note to that effect in the Santana’s AI.”
Hayes broke into a big grin and saluted again, “Thank you, sir.”
Two minutes later, the hatch of the Santana was swinging shut… “Hello, Easton-”
#
Wills stood in the game field seating area with a crowd of locals and watched the Santana quickly disappear into the morning light.
##
CeCe swung her chair to face Wills as he came out of the passage, “Admiral, there are two floaters on their way here, but neither one is full; the remaining floaters are still on the ground at various towns. Also, one train has arrived at Watts, and about a hundred passengers are walking to the ship. It looks like we will total out at around six thousand passengers.”
“Even worse”; said Doctor Stoker, who was sitting with his team, Commander Kraigor, and Lieutenant Bonn at the observers table examining the latest feed from the solar monitor, “there is no slacking in the radiation storm headed our way. The levels are already beginning to rise at ground level. I strongly suggest that we be off the ground in thirty minutes.”
Wills turned an unhappy face to CeCe, “General recall, Captain, we leave in twenty minutes.”
#
The screen to the right showed a harried looking petty officer down on the strut platform, “Sir, the last floater just settled to the deck and there is no one else walking in this direction. I’m closing the last loading ramp now.”
Wills nodded, “Very good; seal and secure everything and get ready for lift.”
He cut that connection and looked up to the screen that showed Captain Helt in his chair in the engineering station. He and CeCe were comparing readings. Wills checked his side of the console and verified that all through-hulls were sealed. When CeCe and Helt finished their exchange, he gave his report, “All floaters and personnel are aboard. The ship is sealed; ready to announce.”
“Please do that, Admiral; we’re ready here.”
Wills tapped the SHIP-WIDE pad, “Attention, attention, we are lifting now.”
CeCe tapped on her panel and checked the settings.
“Global attitude
