Starship Vengeance

Chapter 29

Why do women have to complicate things? This was a question that I had been asking myself repeatedly as I wandered the city's streets. Yesterday had dredged up many thoughts and feelings that I tried so hard to suppress. I would never admit this to anyone, but I did have feelings for Shahae. Things were comfortable with her. Maybe that's why everyone assumed we had a secret relationship. Lisa was completely different. Things were always exciting when she was around. A part of me liked her too.

I was at a complete loss when it came to this stuff. So, I decided to do what I do best. I pushed the whole thing aside and focused on the mission at hand. I was attempting to navigate through the colossal city. Though the city planners had made the city as navigable as possible, I still struggled finding my way. I found myself once again astonished at how futuristic everything felt. Normal traffic filled the wide streets, while mass transit had taken to the air. Everything was electric, so the air remained relatively clean.

I gave up on walking to my destination and took an elevator up to the bus stop. I walked to an open kiosk and input my destination. A list of bus transfers appeared and I placed my tablet on the indicated area to transfer the data. I took a seat on a nearby bench and waited for the next bus. I looked around and took in the smaller details for the first time. The city virtually powered itself. UAT had been incorporated into every building, street, and sidewalk. Most building designers used it to make intricate designs on the buildings, resulting in some fantastic visuals. It was incredible how quickly new technology was being incorporated. When the bus finally, arrived, I boarded and took a seat in the back.

Four transfers later, I found myself at the base of an incredibly tall apartment building. The exterior looked like a giant had taken a calligraphy pen and used the building to pen some sacred text. I entered and took the elevator up to the one hundred and twentieth floor. I knocked on apartment four and was answered by loud, alcohol fueled swearing, telling me exactly where to take my business. I knocked again and the door flung open. My nose was immediately assaulted by the smell of old Chinese takeout and unwashed old man. I let Dr. Thompson finish his rant, trying to ignore the spittle that flew as he raged on. He was moving to slam the door, so I stuck out my hand and forced it open. "That is certainly no way to treat an old friend," I said.

He paused, a look of disbelief written across his face. "Admiral Ryan?" he asked.

"Last time I check that was my name. Are you going to invite in me in?"

"Come in, come in." He beckoned me inside and locked the door behind me. He looked around his apartment self-consciously. He had put on weight and was wearing dingy, food stained pajamas.

"I hear you retired," I said, breaking the awkward silence.

"More like forced into it," he growled and then sighed. "All this because I called a Councilmember's only daughter a half-wit. What kind of idiot thinks it's a good idea to place a full kilogram of pure potassium into a tank of water, on a space station of all places."

"Doc!" I yelled, cutting him off. "I need your help. Go and get yourself cleaned up, then we'll talk business." A spark of excitement lit his face and he hurried off. I started making some very potent coffee and began clearing moldy food off the table. I didn't bother trying to clean the few actual dishes I came across. They joined the old food in the garbage chute. Dr. Thompson appeared several minutes later, clean shaven and wearing fresh clothes.

"How can I be of assistance my friend?" he asked excitedly. I pulled out the briefcase I had brought and entered a code on a hidden digital screen. The hairs on my arms stood at attention as an electrical charge filled the room as the briefcase opened. "You're shielding us?" he asked. "Are you sure we should be doing this here?"