Merks was from Germany but spoke flawless English. According to Sam, he spoke flawless Japanese as well, plus about six other languages.
He was tall guy like Tucker, but much fitter. He had dark hair that he kept super short, and he’d even asked Tucker if he planned to get a haircut. Tucker didn’t see the point. Somehow when he heard the commander was German he expected a blonde-haired man. The blonde guy was Goncherov or, as he liked to be called, Gonk. He was the bridge guy, the cargo guy, and computer guy. He wasn’t tall or any other pictorial Tucker had in his mind about Russians. He was average and smiled a lot. Tucker just wished he understood him better so he could really laugh at the jokes instead of pretending.
The ship’s doctor was Len Andros. Tucker had spent the least amount of time with him, and with Jenny, or rather Jennifer Pusk, who was an engineer.
Sam, of course, Tucker was getting to know well, and he was glad Sam was the co-pilot. He didn’t know Merks’s experience with flying, but he trusted Sam.
Everyone was already onboard and Tucker wanted to eye the civilians. To get a feel for how they were acting and if they were scared.
Out of seventeen civilians, there were ten adults, two teenagers, and five small children. Tucker wasn’t good on guessing ages, he just categorized them as ‘under his hip in height’ young.
“Tucker,” Marshman called to him. “Glad I caught you before I went to control and you to the ship. I was just there wishing everyone good luck.”
“I wasn’t there.”
“I see that.” Marshman handed him a small drive.
“What’s this?”
“You asked for it. I got it. I didn’t think I would be able to,” Marshman said. “Just plug it into the system and it will play on the monitor in the civilian cabin.”
“Oh, that is fantastic.” Tucker hadn’t told anyone about it and even forgot himself about the movie he needed Marshman to get. “Thank you so much. This is great! I brought some others and loaded them on a drive just in case you couldn’t find it. I didn’t expect you to. I take this as a good sign.”
“I don’t know why.” Marshman shook Tucker’s hand and gave a firm squeeze of support to his arm. “Good luck.”
“Thank you, sir,” Tucker said. He slipped the drive into his pocket then he turned to look at the families again.
There was a little girl there, her finger in her mouth. Her dark blonde hair hung partly over her face. She looked scared and held the hand of a little boy.
Tucker was going to go to the ship, but instead he walked up to the family, nodded to who he believed was the mother, then crouched down to the level of the little girl.
“Hey,” Tucker said. “You scared?”
She nodded.
“Well, don’t be. It’s gonna be just fine. My buddy, Sam, is flying the plane and, well, he’s the best. Okay.”
Again, she nodded.
“Is this your brother?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied meekly.
“Brothers are a good thing. Big sisters are the best, you watch out for him always.” He stood, then rubbed her head and again nodded acknowledgement to the parents as he made his way to the ship.
“About time,” Sam said the second Tucker stepped on board. “Thought you somehow snuck off with Quinn.”
“Wouldn’t he have liked that,” Tucker joked. “Everyone else is ready?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, I’m gonna go back to the cargo and wait until they close.”
“Gonk is already there,” Sam said.
“Never hurts to double-check. Gosh, I hope he doesn’t tell any jokes.”
“Why?” Sam asked. “He’s so funny.”
“I don’t understand him.”
“Well, just laugh because he’s funny.”
“That’s what I do.” Tucker took a step and stopped. “Oh, hey, look what I got.” He reached into his pocket and lifted the drive.
“What is it?”
“It’s the in-flight movie for the civilians.”
“The one we already have?” Sam asked.
“No, different.”
“You know, they hired a really good production company to make the videos for living on a new planet,” Sam said. “They’re good.”
“Yeah, they are, and made by the same people who did all those Omni-4 videos. I can tell they used the same aliens. But this one, it’s even more educational and entertaining.”
“It is?”
“It really is,” Tucker stated.
“Wow, that’s great. They can watch the other ones at a later time. What…what is it called?” Sam asked.
Tucker grinned. “You’ll have to wait to find out.”
“Do I…want to know?”
Tucker’s response was a grin. He playfully tossed up the drive, caught it, put it back in his pocket, and walked off.
<><><><>
They punched through the atmosphere smoothly, but that didn’t surprise Tucker. The moment Merks announced that everyone could remove their helmets until Androski entry, there were cheers that carried from the civilian cabin.
Once he was more comfortable with his helmet off, Tucker undid his belt.
“Headed somewhere?” Sam asked.
“Was gonna start the film,” Tucker said. “It’s all ready to go.”
“If it’s all in place,” Sam said, “I can start it from here. You don’t need to go back.”
“Really? Sweet,” Tucker said. “The floating stuff makes my stomach flip.” He inched his way back into the seat.
Sam laughed. “We still have to float, we have systems checks to do.”
“Dang it.”
“I’m curious, though, what the video is,” Sam said.
“You’ll find out. Commander Merks, may I announce?”
“Sure.” He handed the microphone to Tucker.
Tucker gripped it in his hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have now breached the atmosphere and are sailing nicely through space. If you look to your right, you can catch a glimpse of mars. This is a short flight, no snacks will be served. However, for your entertainment and education we have begun your in-flight movie. We hope you find it beneficial about space and life on another planet. Thank you.”
Sam reached over and started it. “Okay, it’s playing. Now, what is it?”
Tucker smiled. “Planet of the Apes.”
TEN
A hush took over the ship. A
