Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 8: Difference between revisions

The Terran Knowledge Bank
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(13 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{infobox Novel Chapter
{{infobox Novel Chapter
|faction = terran
|faction = terran
|title = Chapter Eight
|title = Chapter 8
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|parts = 2
|parts = 3
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Seven|Chapter Seven]]
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 7|Chapter 7]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Nine|Chapter Nine]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 9|Chapter 9]]
}}
|pages = 55-62
}}


== Dramatis Personae ==
== Dramatis Personae ==


* [[Christopher Blair]]
{| class="wikitable"
* [[Jeanette Devereaux]]
|-
* [[Rosalind Forbes]]
!
* [[Paul Gerald]]
! Part 1
* [[Joseph Khumalo]]
! Part 2
* [[Todd Marshall]]
! Part 3
* [[Corey Obutu]]
|-
* [[Ian St. John]]
! POV
* [[Adam Polanski]]
|valign=top|
* [[Jay Sansky]]
[[Christopher Blair]]
* [[James Taggart]]
|valign=top|
[[Christopher Blair]]
|valign=top|
[[Jay Sansky]]
|-
! Speaking
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]<br>
[[Rosalind Forbes|Rosalind "Sassy" Forbes]]<br>
[[Joseph Khumelo|Joseph "Knight" Khumelo]]<br>
[[Todd Marshall|Todd "Maniac" Marshall]]<br>
[[Adam Polanski|Adam "Bishop" Polanski]]<br>
[[Ian St. John|Ian "Hunter" St. John]]
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]<br>
[[Merlin]]
|valign=top|
[[Paul Gerald]]<br>
[[Corey Obutu]]<br>
[[Jay Sansky]]<br>
[[James Taggart|James "Paladin" Taggart]]
|-
! Mentioned
|valign=top|
[[Arnold Marshall]]<Br>
[[Charles Chen|Charles "Bossman" Chen]]
|valign=top|
 
|valign=top|
[[Geoffrey Tolwyn]]
|-
|}


== Text ==
== Text ==


<B>UNITED</B>
{{infobox wcm
 
|line1 = UNITED<br>CONFEDERATION<br>CARRIER <I>TIGER CLAW</I>
<B>CONFEDERATION</B>
|line2 = MARCH 16, 2654<br>0330 HOURS<br>ZULU TIME
 
|line3 = VEGA SECTOR<br>ENYO SYSTEM
<B>CARRIER <I>TIGER CLAW</I></B>
}}
 
<B>MARCH 16, 2654</B>
 
<B>0330 HOURS</B>
 
<B>ZULU TIME</B>
 
<B>VEGA SECTOR</B>
 
<B>ENYO SYSTEM</B>


=== Part One ===


Riding a warm wave of Scotch toward an imaginary shoreline, Blair
Riding a warm wave of Scotch toward an imaginary shoreline, Blair
Line 47: Line 70:
to observe the competition. The youngest of four sons, Marshall had grown
to observe the competition. The youngest of four sons, Marshall had grown
up in a competitive household where his older siblings had constantly
up in a competitive household where his older siblings had constantly
challenged him to meet their unrealistic standards—not that Marshall had
challenged him to meet their unrealistic standards--not that Marshall had
ever volunteered this information. Blair had deduced this after meeting
ever volunteered this information. Blair had deduced this after meeting
and spending time with Marshall's brothers. Never had he encountered a
and spending time with Marshall's brothers. Never had he encountered a
Line 63: Line 86:
classified data regarding fleet positions and strength.
classified data regarding fleet positions and strength.


But to look at Marshall now, you'd never think he was capable of such a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But to look at Marshall now, you'd never think he was capable of such a
feat. He could barely stand as he drew closer to the chess game. "Take his
feat. He could barely stand as he drew closer to the chess game. "Take his
pony with your castle," he told Forbes, then took a swig from the bottle.
pony with your castle," he told Forbes, then took a swig from the bottle.
Line 69: Line 92:
knight and a rook."
knight and a rook."


"You're kidding me. That's what you call them?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're kidding me. That's what you call them?"


As she studied the board, a grin seized Forbes's face. She regarded
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As she studied the board, a grin seized Forbes's face. She regarded
Marshall, her eyes saying thanks.
Marshall, her eyes saying thanks.


Marshall winked.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marshall winked.


She moved her "castle" and captured Polanski's "pony." Then she folded
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She moved her "castle" and captured Polanski's "pony." Then she folded
her arms over her chest. "Check."
her arms over her chest. "Check."


Drawing back his head, Polanski stared incredulously at the board.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Drawing back his head, Polanski stared incredulously at the board.


"Where?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Where?"


"Mate," Marshall said.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Mate," Marshall said.


"Damn," Polanski said in realization. "That's cheatin'."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Damn," Polanski said in realization. "That's cheatin'."


Forbes gave Marshall a penetrating stare. "So there's a brain behind
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Forbes gave Marshall a penetrating stare. "So there's a brain behind
that mouth?"
that mouth?"


Marshall flashed one of his trademark smiles, the kind that sometimes
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marshall flashed one of his trademark smiles, the kind that sometimes
made women swoon and always made men, especially pilots, ball their
made women swoon and always made men, especially pilots, ball their
hands into fists. He poured her another drink, and she stood. For a
hands into fists. He poured her another drink, and she stood. For a
Line 96: Line 119:
his hands in his pockets.
his hands in his pockets.


"Your friend always this talkative?" she asked Marshall.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Your friend always this talkative?" she asked Marshall.


"He just made the fatal error of mistaking Commander Deveraux for
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"He just made the fatal error of mistaking Commander Deveraux for
your average grease monkey."
your average grease monkey."


She circled to face Blair and bent down to his level. Then her hand shot
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She circled to face Blair and bent down to his level. Then her hand shot
out, and she grabbed his crotch. He went to push her away, but found his
out, and she grabbed his crotch. He went to push her away, but found his
hands trapped in his pockets.
hands trapped in his pockets.


"Feels like they're still here," she said.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Feels like they're still here," she said.


St. John, who had been sitting quietly beside Blair, chuckled with the
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;St. John, who had been sitting quietly beside Blair, chuckled with the
other pilots.
other pilots.


Forbes squeezed a little harder. Blair squirmed and finally wrestled her
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Forbes squeezed a little harder. Blair squirmed and finally wrestled her
off.
off.


"If Commander Deveraux was really pissed," Forbes said with a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If Commander Deveraux was really pissed," Forbes said with a
knowing grin, "well, you'd be testicularly challenged, Lieutenant."
knowing grin, "well, you'd be testicularly challenged, Lieutenant."


Bringing his legs together and silently swearing over the pain, Blair
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bringing his legs together and silently swearing over the pain, Blair
forced himself deeper into the seat as he realized that every gaze in the
forced himself deeper into the seat as he realized that every gaze in the
room had found him. "All I did was sit in Lieutenant Commander Chen's
room had found him. "All I did was sit in Lieutenant Commander Chen's
fighter."
fighter."


Smiles faded. Polanski shifted away.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Smiles faded. Polanski shifted away.


Captain St. John looked up from his Scotch. "Who?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Captain St. John looked up from his Scotch. "Who?"


"Lieutenant Commander Chen. Bossman."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Lieutenant Commander Chen. Bossman."


The cigar came out. "Bossman? Anybody here know a Bossman?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The cigar came out. "Bossman? Anybody here know a Bossman?"


"No," someone said.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No," someone said.


"Never heard of him," someone else added.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Never heard of him," someone else added.


Shooting to his feet so quickly that he knocked over his chair, Blair
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shooting to his feet so quickly that he knocked over his chair, Blair
said, "What's with you people?" The indifference in their faces infuriated
said, "What's with you people?" The indifference in their faces infuriated
him. Was this how they regarded their fallen comrades?
him. Was this how they regarded their fallen comrades?


A burly black man with a widow's peak and a nametag that read
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A burly black man with a widow's peak and a nametag that read
Khumalo moved to Blair, his expression calm, his voice nearly a whisper.
Khumalo moved to Blair, his expression calm, his voice nearly a whisper. "Leave it alone, Blair."


"Leave it alone, Blair."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Leave what alone?"


"Leave what alone?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;St. John sniggered. "You're asking after a man who never existed,
 
St. John sniggered. "You're asking after a man who never existed,
nugget."
nugget."


"I'm pretty sure he did."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm pretty sure he did."


It all happened in a moment as blurry as Scylla. One nanosecond St.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It all happened in a moment as blurry as Scylla. One nanosecond St.
John sat before his drink, the next he stood and pushed Blair hard in the
John sat before his drink, the next he stood and pushed Blair hard in the
chest. "He never existed," St. John corrected. "Now, I suggest you change
chest. "He never existed," St. John corrected. "Now, I suggest you change
the subject. Or I'll change it for you."
the subject. Or I'll change it for you."


Marshall threaded his way through the other pilots and came up
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marshall threaded his way through the other pilots and came up
behind St. John. "You have a problem with my friend, Hunter?"
behind St. John. "You have a problem with my friend, Hunter?"


"That's right. I do."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's right. I do."


"Then you have a problem with me."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Then you have a problem with me."


St. John whirled around. "Oh, yeah? You're going to love this—"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;St. John whirled around. "Oh, yeah? You're going to love this--"


Expecting St. John to rush Marshall, Blair tensed, preparing to leap on
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Expecting St. John to rush Marshall, Blair tensed, preparing to leap on
the man's back.
the man's back.


But the pilot whirled back to him, grabbed his shirt, and drove him
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But the pilot whirled back to him, grabbed his shirt, and drove him
into the bulkhead.
into the bulkhead.


Marshall employed Blair's original strategy and leapt on St. John's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marshall employed Blair's original strategy and leapt on St. John's
back, slinging an arm under the man's chin.
back, slinging an arm under the man's chin.


Likewise, Polanski slipped his arm around Marshall's neck and began
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Likewise, Polanski slipped his arm around Marshall's neck and began
prying Marshall away.
prying Marshall away.


As St. John's hands got yanked back, Blair's shirt tore open to expose
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As St. John's hands got yanked back, Blair's shirt tore open to expose
his cross.
his cross.


"He's a Pilgrim!" St. John cried, then released Blair, who had suddenly
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"He's a Pilgrim!" St. John cried, then released Blair, who had suddenly
become a live wire.
become a live wire.


Everyone in the mess stared at the cross. Marshall cursed and pounded
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Everyone in the mess stared at the cross. Marshall cursed and pounded
the bulkhead. The pilots closest to the hatch shifted back, blocking the
the bulkhead. The pilots closest to the hatch shifted back, blocking the
exit.
exit.


Forbes elbowed her way through the others to get a closer look at the
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Forbes elbowed her way through the others to get a closer look at the
pariah named Christopher Blair. "Excuse me?"
pariah named Christopher Blair. "Excuse me?"


"If you ladies don't stand down, you're going to have a problem with
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you ladies don't stand down, you're going to have a problem with
me." Blair knew who had said that, but he couldn't see her past the others.
me." Blair knew who had said that, but he couldn't see her past the others. Good. She also couldn't see him. Exploiting his temporary cover, he slid
 
Good. She also couldn't see him. Exploiting his temporary cover, he slid
his cross beneath his shirt as the pilots snapped to attention.
his cross beneath his shirt as the pilots snapped to attention.


"I want an explanation. Hunter?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I want an explanation. Hunter?"


But before the man could answer, Blair hurried forward to address
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But before the man could answer, Blair hurried forward to address
Lieutenant Commander Deveraux. "Hunter and the others were just
Lieutenant Commander Deveraux. "Hunter and the others were just
making Lieutenant Marshall and me feel at home, ma'am."
making Lieutenant Marshall and me feel at home, ma'am."


She stared dubiously at him, then at St. John. "Lieutenant?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She stared dubiously at him, then at St. John. "Lieutenant?"


The captain gave Blair a slight glance and said, "Uh, that's right,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The captain gave Blair a slight glance and said, "Uh, that's right,
Lieutenant, ma'am."
Lieutenant, ma'am."


Blair couldn't hide his contempt for her, for all of them. "There, you see,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair couldn't hide his contempt for her, for all of them. "There, you see,
ma'am? I guess this conversation never existed." He bolted through the
ma'am? I guess this conversation never existed." He bolted through the
open hatch.
open hatch.
=== Part Two ===


Out in the corridor, Blair charged toward a pair of green-suited
Out in the corridor, Blair charged toward a pair of green-suited
munitions techs, who immediately shifted to the bulkhead, allowing him
munitions techs, who immediately shifted to the bulkhead, allowing him
to pass. I hate this place.
to pass. <I>I hate this place.</I>


"Lieutenant?" Deveraux called sternly.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Lieutenant?" Deveraux called sternly.


He stopped but wouldn't turn around, listening to her approach.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He stopped but wouldn't turn around, listening to her approach.


"I need to know that you have your priorities straight. Who the hell do
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I need to know that you have your priorities straight. Who the hell do
you think you are?"
you think you are?"


"I'm a fighter pilot on a capital ship in a war zone, ma'am. Which part
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm a fighter pilot on a capital ship in a war zone, ma'am. Which part
confuses you?"
confuses you?"


"Oh, I'm clear on you now, Lieutenant. You're a pawn in somebody
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, I'm clear on you now, Lieutenant. You're a pawn in somebody
else's game. We get ten, twelve replacements a month—as fast as the
else's game. We get ten, twelve replacements a month--as fast as the
academy can spit out spare parts."
academy can spit out spare parts."


"Well, that really instills confidence, Commander."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, that really instills confidence, Commander."


She crossed in front of him, her runaway temper darkening her cheeks.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She crossed in front of him, her runaway temper darkening her cheeks.


"Let me give you a reality check. In all likelihood you're going to die out
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Let me give you a reality check. In all likelihood you're going to die out
there—we all are. We don't need that reminder. So. You die, you never
there--we all are. We don't need that reminder. So. You die, you never
existed. Understood?"
existed. Understood?"


Resigned to her illogic, Blair dropped his gaze. "Yes, ma'am.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Resigned to her illogic, Blair dropped his gaze. "Yes, ma'am.
Understood."
Understood."


"Good. 'Cause that's the only sensitivity training speech I can
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Good. 'Cause that's the only sensitivity training speech I can
remember. Now. Carry on." She strode away.
remember. Now. Carry on." She strode away.


Merlin abruptly activated to walk on air near Blair's shoulder. "She's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Merlin abruptly activated to walk on air near Blair's shoulder. "She's
kind of attractive when she's mad."
kind of attractive when she's mad."


Blair made a face.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair made a face.


"Hey, I'm a hologram. I'm not blind."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, I'm a hologram. I'm not blind."


In the dimly lit and silent chart room, Captain Sansky looked up to
=== Part Three ===
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In the dimly lit and silent chart room, Captain Sansky looked up to
consider the group of red dots on the ghostly tactical schematic that
consider the group of red dots on the ghostly tactical schematic that
Lieutenant Commander Obutu had pulled up for him. Those holographic
Lieutenant Commander Obutu had pulled up for him. Those holographic
Line 263: Line 286:
turned his stomach sour.
turned his stomach sour.


The hatch opened, and Gerald stepped inside. Captain James Taggart
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The hatch opened, and Gerald stepped inside. Captain James Taggart
followed, lifting a hand to cover a yawn. "Captain Sansky. From one
followed, lifting a hand to cover a yawn. "Captain Sansky. From one
captain to another—never wake up a tired sailor unless we're talking
captain to another--never wake up a tired sailor unless we're talking
life-or-death situation."
life-or-death situation."


"Then let's talk, Mr. Taggart."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Then let's talk, Mr. Taggart."


Moving beneath the holograph, Taggart stared at the Kilrathi battle
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moving beneath the holograph, Taggart stared at the Kilrathi battle
group arrowing toward the quasar. "They're in a hurry," he muttered.
group arrowing toward the quasar. "They're in a hurry," he muttered.


"I know <I>of</I> you, Taggart, but I'm afraid I don't know you. You're a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I know <I>of</I> you, Taggart, but I'm afraid I don't know you. You're a
civilian captain flying a requisitioned transport, yet you come to me with
civilian captain flying a requisitioned transport, yet you come to me with
classified orders from Admiral Tolwyn."
classified orders from Admiral Tolwyn."


Taggart smirked. "And you don't trust me, Blair, or the disc."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart smirked. "And you don't trust me, Blair, or the disc."


"Would you?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Would you?"


"No."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No."


Sansky nodded to the holograph. "This tactical schematic outlines a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sansky nodded to the holograph. "This tactical schematic outlines a
nightmare, Mr. Taggart. It tells me that the Kilrathi have a NAVCOM, and
nightmare, Mr. Taggart. It tells me that the Kilrathi have a NAVCOM, and
with it, the capacity to jump into Earth space. Based on that nightmare, I
with it, the capacity to jump into Earth space. Based on that nightmare, I
must take radical action that, if it and you are a lie, could compromise
must take radical action that, if it and you are a lie, could compromise
this ship, her crew, and Earth—all of which are unacceptable. Before I put
this ship, her crew, and Earth--all of which are unacceptable. Before I put
my command in harm's way, I must be certain that you and the orders
my command in harm's way, I must be certain that you and the orders
you bear are legitimate." Sansky reached into his breast pocket and
you bear are legitimate." Sansky reached into his breast pocket and
produced the decoded disc. "So, I ask you, Mr. Taggart, what proof do you
produced the decoded disc. "So, I ask you, Mr. Taggart, what proof do you
have that this is authentic?"
have that this is authentic?"  


Taggart reached into his inner vest pocket and withdrew a small, shiny
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart reached into his inner vest pocket and withdrew a small, shiny
object. He tossed it to Sansky, who caught and quickly examined it.
object. He tossed it to Sansky, who caught and quickly examined it. Between his fingers rested a gold class ring, its surfaces worn, its emerald
 
Between his fingers rested a gold class ring, its surfaces worn, its emerald
dull. Sansky held it to the holograph's light and read the inscription:
dull. Sansky held it to the holograph's light and read the inscription:
Annapolis Naval Academy, 1941. He closed his now-trembling hand over
Annapolis Naval Academy, 1941. He closed his now-trembling hand over
the ring and stared incredulously at Taggart. "How did you get this?"
the ring and stared incredulously at Taggart. "How did you get this?"
"Tolwyn gave it to me eight months ago. He thought it might be useful
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Tolwyn gave it to me eight months ago. He thought it might be useful
in situations like getting a captain to follow his orders."
in situations like getting a captain to follow his orders."


Gerald crossed to Sansky and gestured to see the ring. Sansky handed it
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gerald crossed to Sansky and gestured to see the ring. Sansky handed it
to him, then turned to the intercom. "Con. Plot a course for the Charybdis
to him, then turned to the intercom. "Con. Plot a course for the Charybdis
Quasar, full speed."
Quasar, full speed."


Lieutenant Commander Obutu shifted from the tactical schematic
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lieutenant Commander Obutu shifted from the tactical schematic
console to read the navigator's coordinates on another screen. Obutu, an
console to read the navigator's coordinates on another screen. Obutu, an
earnest black man, tough as titanium, with a thick brow and a face that
earnest black man, tough as titanium, with a thick brow and a face that
Line 316: Line 338:
position. How are we supposed to get there in time?"
position. How are we supposed to get there in time?"


"There's a Class Two pulsar eleven hours from here," Taggart said. "We
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"There's a Class Two pulsar eleven hours from here," Taggart said. "We
can jump there."
can jump there."


Obutu began a rapid-fire sequence of key commands, then looked to
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Obutu began a rapid-fire sequence of key commands, then looked to
Sansky. "Not on the charts, sir. NAVCOM does not have those
Sansky. "Not on the charts, sir. NAVCOM does not have those
coordinates."
coordinates."


"I have them," Taggart said, stepping between Sansky and Obutu.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I have them," Taggart said, stepping between Sansky and Obutu.


"No one's jumped a pulsar for forty years," Gerald pointed out, eyeing
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No one's jumped a pulsar for forty years," Gerald pointed out, eyeing
Taggart with disdain. "And even then, they were Pilgrims."
Taggart with disdain. "And even then, they were Pilgrims."


"I don't believe we have a great deal of choice, Mr. Gerald," Sansky fired
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't believe we have a great deal of choice, Mr. Gerald," Sansky fired
back. "If the battle is to be decided at Charybdis, then we have to be
back. "If the battle is to be decided at Charybdis, then we have to be
there." He regarded Taggart. "Plot your course."
there." He regarded Taggart. "Plot your course."


With a nod, Taggart headed for a navigation subterminal.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With a nod, Taggart headed for a navigation subterminal.


Swearing under his breath, Gerald watched Taggart plug numbers into
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Swearing under his breath, Gerald watched Taggart plug numbers into
the computer for a moment, then moved close to Sansky, out of Taggart's
the computer for a moment, then moved close to Sansky, out of Taggart's
earshot. "Sir. This ring means nothing." He returned the antique to
earshot. "Sir. This ring means nothing." He returned the antique to
Sansky. "You shouldn't—"
Sansky. "You shouldn't--"


"This ring has been in Tolwyn's family for sixteen generations. Any man
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This ring has been in Tolwyn's family for sixteen generations. Any man
who carries it has the admiral's full confidence."
who carries it has the admiral's full confidence."
"If it's real—which it may not be—then I can't believe Tolwyn gave it to
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If it's real--which it may not be--then I can't believe Tolwyn gave it to
a civilian."
a civilian."


"Believe it. He's done it before. This is the ring. And you have your
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Believe it. He's done it before. This is the ring. And you have your
orders. Prepare for jump."
orders. Prepare for jump."


As Gerald saluted and left, Sansky watched Taggart, wishing he could
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Gerald saluted and left, Sansky watched Taggart, wishing he could
see past the man's mysteries. Sansky kept his own secrets carefully stowed,
see past the man's mysteries. Sansky kept his own secrets carefully stowed,
but he guessed that Taggart's cache far exceeded his. So be it. Life had
but he guessed that Taggart's cache far exceeded his. So be it. Life had
become far more interesting. And dangerous.
become far more interesting. And dangerous.
== Scans ==
<gallery>
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_055.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_056.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_057.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_058.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_059.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_060.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_061.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_062.jpg
</gallery>
{{novelindex/wingcommander}}
[[Category:Wing Commander (novelization)]]

Latest revision as of 03:20, 9 April 2024

Chapter 8
Movienovel.jpg
Book Wing Commander
Parts 3
Previous Chapter 7
Next Chapter 9
Pages 55-62


Dramatis Personae

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
POV

Christopher Blair

Christopher Blair

Jay Sansky

Speaking

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux
Rosalind "Sassy" Forbes
Joseph "Knight" Khumelo
Todd "Maniac" Marshall
Adam "Bishop" Polanski
Ian "Hunter" St. John

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux
Merlin

Paul Gerald
Corey Obutu
Jay Sansky
James "Paladin" Taggart

Mentioned

Arnold Marshall
Charles "Bossman" Chen

Geoffrey Tolwyn

Text

UNITED
CONFEDERATION
CARRIER TIGER CLAW
MARCH 16, 2654
0330 HOURS
ZULU TIME
VEGA SECTOR
ENYO SYSTEM


Part One

Riding a warm wave of Scotch toward an imaginary shoreline, Blair settled down into a chair and watched Forbes and Polanski play another chess game. Marshall, the bottle still clutched in his hand, wandered over to observe the competition. The youngest of four sons, Marshall had grown up in a competitive household where his older siblings had constantly challenged him to meet their unrealistic standards--not that Marshall had ever volunteered this information. Blair had deduced this after meeting and spending time with Marshall's brothers. Never had he encountered a more demanding, ill-tempered, hard-core bunch of military brats. Two of them still flew for their father, Boomer Marshall, a retired Marine pilot who owned a charter service on Leto. Thanks to his father, Marshall had entered the academy with more logged flight hours than any other cadet, and he had made sure that no one ever forgot that fact. Despite his constant boasting, Marshall's experience had actually come to great use during a training exercise in which he and Blair had discovered a Kilrathi destroyer hidden in the Hilthros system's nebula. With Marshall's fearless flying to counterbalance Blair's by-the-book combat tactics, the two managed to destroy the ship, which had already penetrated Confederation counterintelligence measures and had nearly gained access to highly classified data regarding fleet positions and strength.

     But to look at Marshall now, you'd never think he was capable of such a feat. He could barely stand as he drew closer to the chess game. "Take his pony with your castle," he told Forbes, then took a swig from the bottle. Polanski belched in Marshall's direction, then said, "We call them a knight and a rook."

     "You're kidding me. That's what you call them?"

     As she studied the board, a grin seized Forbes's face. She regarded Marshall, her eyes saying thanks.

     Marshall winked.

     She moved her "castle" and captured Polanski's "pony." Then she folded her arms over her chest. "Check."

     Drawing back his head, Polanski stared incredulously at the board.

     "Where?"

     "Mate," Marshall said.

     "Damn," Polanski said in realization. "That's cheatin'."

     Forbes gave Marshall a penetrating stare. "So there's a brain behind that mouth?"

     Marshall flashed one of his trademark smiles, the kind that sometimes made women swoon and always made men, especially pilots, ball their hands into fists. He poured her another drink, and she stood. For a second, her gaze met Blair's, and he turned away, unconsciously jamming his hands in his pockets.

     "Your friend always this talkative?" she asked Marshall.

     "He just made the fatal error of mistaking Commander Deveraux for your average grease monkey."

     She circled to face Blair and bent down to his level. Then her hand shot out, and she grabbed his crotch. He went to push her away, but found his hands trapped in his pockets.

     "Feels like they're still here," she said.

     St. John, who had been sitting quietly beside Blair, chuckled with the other pilots.

     Forbes squeezed a little harder. Blair squirmed and finally wrestled her off.

     "If Commander Deveraux was really pissed," Forbes said with a knowing grin, "well, you'd be testicularly challenged, Lieutenant."

     Bringing his legs together and silently swearing over the pain, Blair forced himself deeper into the seat as he realized that every gaze in the room had found him. "All I did was sit in Lieutenant Commander Chen's fighter."

     Smiles faded. Polanski shifted away.

     Captain St. John looked up from his Scotch. "Who?"

     "Lieutenant Commander Chen. Bossman."

     The cigar came out. "Bossman? Anybody here know a Bossman?"

     "No," someone said.

     "Never heard of him," someone else added.

     Shooting to his feet so quickly that he knocked over his chair, Blair said, "What's with you people?" The indifference in their faces infuriated him. Was this how they regarded their fallen comrades?

     A burly black man with a widow's peak and a nametag that read Khumalo moved to Blair, his expression calm, his voice nearly a whisper. "Leave it alone, Blair."

     "Leave what alone?"

     St. John sniggered. "You're asking after a man who never existed, nugget."

     "I'm pretty sure he did."

     It all happened in a moment as blurry as Scylla. One nanosecond St. John sat before his drink, the next he stood and pushed Blair hard in the chest. "He never existed," St. John corrected. "Now, I suggest you change the subject. Or I'll change it for you."

     Marshall threaded his way through the other pilots and came up behind St. John. "You have a problem with my friend, Hunter?"

     "That's right. I do."

     "Then you have a problem with me."

     St. John whirled around. "Oh, yeah? You're going to love this--"

     Expecting St. John to rush Marshall, Blair tensed, preparing to leap on the man's back.

     But the pilot whirled back to him, grabbed his shirt, and drove him into the bulkhead.

     Marshall employed Blair's original strategy and leapt on St. John's back, slinging an arm under the man's chin.

     Likewise, Polanski slipped his arm around Marshall's neck and began prying Marshall away.

     As St. John's hands got yanked back, Blair's shirt tore open to expose his cross.

     "He's a Pilgrim!" St. John cried, then released Blair, who had suddenly become a live wire.

     Everyone in the mess stared at the cross. Marshall cursed and pounded the bulkhead. The pilots closest to the hatch shifted back, blocking the exit.

     Forbes elbowed her way through the others to get a closer look at the pariah named Christopher Blair. "Excuse me?"

     "If you ladies don't stand down, you're going to have a problem with me." Blair knew who had said that, but he couldn't see her past the others. Good. She also couldn't see him. Exploiting his temporary cover, he slid his cross beneath his shirt as the pilots snapped to attention.

     "I want an explanation. Hunter?"

     But before the man could answer, Blair hurried forward to address Lieutenant Commander Deveraux. "Hunter and the others were just making Lieutenant Marshall and me feel at home, ma'am."

     She stared dubiously at him, then at St. John. "Lieutenant?"

     The captain gave Blair a slight glance and said, "Uh, that's right, Lieutenant, ma'am."

     Blair couldn't hide his contempt for her, for all of them. "There, you see, ma'am? I guess this conversation never existed." He bolted through the open hatch.

Part Two

Out in the corridor, Blair charged toward a pair of green-suited munitions techs, who immediately shifted to the bulkhead, allowing him to pass. I hate this place.

     "Lieutenant?" Deveraux called sternly.

     He stopped but wouldn't turn around, listening to her approach.

     "I need to know that you have your priorities straight. Who the hell do you think you are?"

     "I'm a fighter pilot on a capital ship in a war zone, ma'am. Which part confuses you?"

     "Oh, I'm clear on you now, Lieutenant. You're a pawn in somebody else's game. We get ten, twelve replacements a month--as fast as the academy can spit out spare parts."

     "Well, that really instills confidence, Commander."

     She crossed in front of him, her runaway temper darkening her cheeks.

     "Let me give you a reality check. In all likelihood you're going to die out there--we all are. We don't need that reminder. So. You die, you never existed. Understood?"

     Resigned to her illogic, Blair dropped his gaze. "Yes, ma'am. Understood."

     "Good. 'Cause that's the only sensitivity training speech I can remember. Now. Carry on." She strode away.

     Merlin abruptly activated to walk on air near Blair's shoulder. "She's kind of attractive when she's mad."

     Blair made a face.

     "Hey, I'm a hologram. I'm not blind."

Part Three

     In the dimly lit and silent chart room, Captain Sansky looked up to consider the group of red dots on the ghostly tactical schematic that Lieutenant Commander Obutu had pulled up for him. Those holographic dots moved toward the broad limbs of the Charybdis Quasar. Behind the quasar, a single yellow line unfurled toward a floating Earth. Sansky knew his orders, knew very well the role he would play, but a deep-rooted feeling of hesitancy returned. Commander Gerald doubted the authenticity of the message. And now he had little faith in Sansky's decision to feel out Taggart before committing to the mission. Gerald's second-guessing could become unmanageable if the crew got word of it. Though Gerald kept a tight rein on his people, they deeply respected his authority, evident in the many official and unofficial service awards they had given him. Sansky would simply have to wait and see. But the game turned his stomach sour.

     The hatch opened, and Gerald stepped inside. Captain James Taggart followed, lifting a hand to cover a yawn. "Captain Sansky. From one captain to another--never wake up a tired sailor unless we're talking life-or-death situation."

     "Then let's talk, Mr. Taggart."

     Moving beneath the holograph, Taggart stared at the Kilrathi battle group arrowing toward the quasar. "They're in a hurry," he muttered.

     "I know of you, Taggart, but I'm afraid I don't know you. You're a civilian captain flying a requisitioned transport, yet you come to me with classified orders from Admiral Tolwyn."

     Taggart smirked. "And you don't trust me, Blair, or the disc."

     "Would you?"

     "No."

     Sansky nodded to the holograph. "This tactical schematic outlines a nightmare, Mr. Taggart. It tells me that the Kilrathi have a NAVCOM, and with it, the capacity to jump into Earth space. Based on that nightmare, I must take radical action that, if it and you are a lie, could compromise this ship, her crew, and Earth--all of which are unacceptable. Before I put my command in harm's way, I must be certain that you and the orders you bear are legitimate." Sansky reached into his breast pocket and produced the decoded disc. "So, I ask you, Mr. Taggart, what proof do you have that this is authentic?"

     Taggart reached into his inner vest pocket and withdrew a small, shiny object. He tossed it to Sansky, who caught and quickly examined it. Between his fingers rested a gold class ring, its surfaces worn, its emerald dull. Sansky held it to the holograph's light and read the inscription: Annapolis Naval Academy, 1941. He closed his now-trembling hand over the ring and stared incredulously at Taggart. "How did you get this?"

     "Tolwyn gave it to me eight months ago. He thought it might be useful in situations like getting a captain to follow his orders."

     Gerald crossed to Sansky and gestured to see the ring. Sansky handed it to him, then turned to the intercom. "Con. Plot a course for the Charybdis Quasar, full speed."

     Lieutenant Commander Obutu shifted from the tactical schematic console to read the navigator's coordinates on another screen. Obutu, an earnest black man, tough as titanium, with a thick brow and a face that seemed regularly haunted by a past of which he would not speak, remained a comfort and a mystery to Sansky. As the lieutenant commander further surveyed the screen, a query creased his face. "Sir, the nearest jump point to Charybdis is four days hard travel from our present position. How are we supposed to get there in time?"

     "There's a Class Two pulsar eleven hours from here," Taggart said. "We can jump there."

     Obutu began a rapid-fire sequence of key commands, then looked to Sansky. "Not on the charts, sir. NAVCOM does not have those coordinates."

     "I have them," Taggart said, stepping between Sansky and Obutu.

     "No one's jumped a pulsar for forty years," Gerald pointed out, eyeing Taggart with disdain. "And even then, they were Pilgrims."

     "I don't believe we have a great deal of choice, Mr. Gerald," Sansky fired back. "If the battle is to be decided at Charybdis, then we have to be there." He regarded Taggart. "Plot your course."

     With a nod, Taggart headed for a navigation subterminal.

     Swearing under his breath, Gerald watched Taggart plug numbers into the computer for a moment, then moved close to Sansky, out of Taggart's earshot. "Sir. This ring means nothing." He returned the antique to Sansky. "You shouldn't--"

     "This ring has been in Tolwyn's family for sixteen generations. Any man who carries it has the admiral's full confidence."

     "If it's real--which it may not be--then I can't believe Tolwyn gave it to a civilian."

     "Believe it. He's done it before. This is the ring. And you have your orders. Prepare for jump."

     As Gerald saluted and left, Sansky watched Taggart, wishing he could see past the man's mysteries. Sansky kept his own secrets carefully stowed, but he guessed that Taggart's cache far exceeded his. So be it. Life had become far more interesting. And dangerous.

Scans