Welcome to the final part of our Station Keeping finale for this season of the project. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you in a month or so. As always if you want to participate in the next or figure seasons of the project, please contact us by email at tycho@tealart.com, and we’ll see you on the other side. Thanks so much for reading! Cheers, tycho

First Eli tried pacing, but that seemed to be distressing the others waiting for the lift with him. No one spoke, they were too worried or numb or confused, or maybe they were just tired. He contemplated going back to his quarters to see if he could get more information from the computer system, but he suspected that Julia would probably have control over resources, and his quarters weren’t on the top of any list. What’s more he didn’t get access to the network from home, in an effort to avoid taking work home with him.

“Commanders are always on duty, even when they’re not.” David’s words of so long ago echoed in his head. Except now, he figured.

Eli even stopped looking at his time piece, because he had become too concerned trying to calculate time-till-death based on available data and the time that had passed. How long it would take a reactor to go critical, how long it would take a fire to spread, how long it would take atmosphere to leak out slowly, how long it would take to die in vacuum: these thoughts wouldn’t save anybody, and didn’t make him feel any better.

Just when Eli had started to loose track of time, the intercom box crackled to life. “Commander, can you reset the lift controls from there? I think the team has cleared up the mechanics, the system just needs to be reactivated down there,” Joshua Sian’s voice called over the intercom. Eli could hear Talia directing the deck in the background. A small comfort at least.

“Ok, I think I have it,” Eli had to search through the lift controls for a second, but finally came to the proper option. The system appeared to cycle through and a moment later, the doors opened.

“You’re good to go,” Sian reported quickly and then the channel thought. This crisis wasn’t over, that much was clear, and it required every ounce of self control to keep from asking his crew what was happening. He’d be there soon enough, and they were busy.

The lift ride seemed to take even longer than usual. It might have actually been slower, if resources were needed elsewhere, or if the lift hadn’t been properly fixed. He banished the images of getting stuck for hours in the lift waiting for a rescue; but the lift trudged on.

Finally they reached the command deck. He stepped out of the lift and looked around. His people were working in a fuss, and although he thought he heard Josh say “welcome to the party,” it would take him a moment to get up to speed. He was a little dazed but he walked over to where Talia was standing and began to get a feel for what was happening.

Julia was emerged in her systems; Josh was directing the maintenance and construction squads for emergency duty; Talia was routing incoming communications to other officers and stations, and the entire place was crawling with techs and operations staff. He still didn’t know what’s happening.

“Look,” Talia said, as she transferred something to the display in front of him. She pointed with her left hand, but continued to work her controls with her right, and a moment later she was reabsorbed in her task.

The display flickered once, and then Eli saw. His jaw fell slack.

“Oh, g-d…”

“Disaster” was written by, tycho, the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.

“Charge” is the second part in our five part finale for this season of Station Keeping, we’ll be posting a new part of this story every day for this week. I hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for the rest of the week. As always we encourage your participation, and stay tuned to TealArt for news of the second season of Station Keeping (in a month or so) and all the other great TealArt content. Cheers–tycho

“Josh, do you think we could get those refinements processed by the end of the day, or we looking at tomorrow?” Talia said walking slowly from her office to her station on the command deck with a dark cup of very caffeine laced hot liquid.

“At least!” The younger officer balked. “I should think, at any rate.”

“Of course, of course, I was just being hopeful. It never hurts. I mean what’s a few days out here?” Talia chuckled, there weren’t deadlines this far from the core.

“Well, anyway,” Sian said after a moment, “Have a good shift,”

“You going somewhere?” Talia asked after fighting back a yawn.

“Yeah, looks like you have things under control here,” Josh stretched out his hand noting the general calm of the command deck. “I was going to look over the–”

Josh was cut off when he was thrown to the deck by some explosion. Everything hurt, “Wait, there wasn’t an explosion here,” Josh thought in the next instant, “Just the noise,“

“What was that?” Talia asked in the next moment, sounding about as dazed as Josh felt. The deck was louder now, but no one had answers, and most people seemed pretty dazed.

“What was that?!” Talia demanded when it was clear that people weren’t going to offer her an answer.

“No reports… yet” a young officer wearing Hanmish insigina said, her hands continued to work her controls, but she was having little success.

“Get the commander up here and get me an idea of whats happening,” Talia’s orders were directed at the entire deck. But they were clearly all doing their job, and Talia knew that this aimless strategy wasn’t going to help much. She turned to Sian who had made it to his feet. “Josh? Anything?”

“Lifts are down, Commander was scheduled to be up here by now, and this terminal isn’t telling me anything,” Sian looked over at Julia who was hooked up at her station in the computer’s system. She looked to be breathing within normal ranges, “Julia could probably tell us something when she comes out.”

“Can’t you wake her up or ping her out of it?”

“Yes,” Josh said shaking his head quickly, ashamed that he hadn’t thought of this. He sent the ping. The terminal sounded in protest, but the noise was almost drowned out by the rest of the bustle on the command deck. People were starting to report data to Talia, but there still wasn’t much.

“What now?” Talia asked Sian, without turning to face him, apparently having heard the alarm.

“Seems she denied the ping, she’s staying in.”

“God, this better be good. Any news of the commander?”

“Nothing yet. It’s your show.”

“Great.” Talia’s words were quick, but she clearly didn’t have a clue what to say next. “Well, Keep me posted,” she said quickly, but that was of course an obvious order.

Talia focused on her controls and tried to see if she could learn anything new, get any more information or response out of the system. Something. Anything “How can I direct these people what if I don’t know what’s going on?” She thought as she begain to work with the uncooperative system. “What a time to be stuck in command!“

“Ok, folks, can we contact maintenance squads with the intercoms at least?”

“I think so,” a young officer said. Talia didn’t know her name. Damn.

“Ok, we need comms and we need the lifts back on, no matter what’s wrong. Can you put people on it? Just core function, not regular service.”

“Yes, I’m on it.”

“Good. You,” Talia said, indicating another crew hand, get in touch with Doctor Perrin or Reese, they might no something, and they should be kept up to speed in any case.” Without stopping Talia turned to another crewman, “Anyone willing to link in a see if you can get in touch with Julia?” Talia asked

The color on all of their faces faded. “Ok, hard sell, I wouldn’t go in there,” before she had a chance to respond though, Josh interrupted.

“I got the commander on the line. I gave him an update, but he’s trapped on the other side of an out-of-service lift. The crew’s are on their way.”

Talia took a deep breath. “Ok, guess we’ll have to make do,” she said as she turned back to the crew and her station to see what more could be done.

“12.2: Charge” was written by, tycho, the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.

“Stranded” is the first part in our five part finale for this season of Station Keeping, we’ll be posting a new part of this story every day for this week. I hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for the rest of the week. As always we encourage your participation, and stay tuned to TealArt for news of the second season of Station Keeping (in a month or so) and all the other great TealArt content. Cheers–tycho

Eli Banner was standing patiently waiting for the lift outside of his quarters. He was perhaps more groggy than he would have liked, but he thought that it would be an easy matter to get Sian to run out ands get caff–

In the next instant he was thrown, face first, onto the deck. He would have sworn, but the fall had knocked the wind out of him. He found himself rolled in a fetal position. He thought, “Guess I didn’t break anything,” when he realized that he had moved all his extremities. He didn’t think that he had lost consciousness, he was pretty sure at any rate, but everything hurt.

With the woman upright leaning on the wall, and only a bit dazed, Eli walked over to a communications boxed and keyed in the channel for the command deck.

“This is Banner, What the hell just happened? Is everything alright up there? I’m outside the lift near my quarters.” He looked over at the lift, which didn’t give any indication of being powered. Blast. “It looks like the lift is out.”

“Sir, it looks like… most of the lifts are out.” Joshua Sian’s distracted voice hissed from the voice box. “Commander Garn just sent crews to the access tubes, so you’re cut off.” Sian didn’t cut the line, so a faint static poured into the corridor.

“Care to tell me what happened?” Eli said after a moment.

“Not sure yet. Will have a report when you arrive, we hope. Sian out.”

“Damnit” Eli deactivated the communication box. Well at least Talia Garn was in the command center, but that was little solace. His station was in crisis, and he was trapped with minimal report and nothing to do. Great.

“Stranded” was written by, tycho, the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.

Welcome to part two of our Station Keeping installment “Walking Away.” You can read part one here, and be sure to check out the rest of the series. We will return next week for our special “week long” finale starting Monday afternoon. We’re already getting started on our second series so if you want to participate now is the time. As always we welcome and encourage your feedback in the comments section or to tycho@tealart.com. Cheers, tycho

INT. ANOTHER ROUND, a booth in the far corner.

They both sip from their drinks leisurely. DAVID reclines and keeps a gentle hand on his bottle at all times, ELI sits up straight and only picks up his bottle occasionally.

ELI BANNER

So, have you heard anything?

DAVID CONRAD

Um? Anything? I’m not in your intelligence department, I am actually retired. I think I’ve done my bit–

ELI BANNER

People like you don’t retire, the Navy wouldn’t allow it. You have the only real social space on the station, you have to hear things.

DAVID CONRAD

We only don’t retire when you don’t want us to. From what I’ve seen you have a great staff, and that Sian is a great officer.

ELI BANNER

He is, you’re right, but don’t distract me. You should have my job now, and we both know it.

DAVID CONRAD

Weren’t we decided that this is a shit assignment for you. You’d have been an admiral otherwise. Didn’t Admiral Roth apologize for sending you out here.

ELI BANNER

You’re here, how bad can it be? And besi–

DAVID CONRAD

Irrelevant argument. I’m not an officer any more, and it’s an interesting place for Marc to practice, and for me to be retired.

ELI BANNER

–besides, this is the most high-profile post in the entire League. I’m surprised Roth didn’t take it for himself.

DAVID CONRAD

He probably wanted to, but one of his cronies probably convinced him that it was better to wait out another thousand years in interstellar-transit. He probably thinks that that’ll give him a better chance at the top…

ELI BANNER

He’s been around that long? No wonder.

DAVID CONRAD

Really, I know.

DAVID takes a drink.

ELI BANNER

He’d be a fool not to realize that that’s a bad move. By that time, he’ll be a relic–

DAVID CONRAD

Already is. But at least someone who has his ear has our best interests at heart.

DAVID chuckles.

ELI BANNER

You? You did it?

DAVID CONRAD

I’d rather you have a chance at the top than Roth.

ELI BANNER

Bastard.

DAVID CONRAD

You’re welcome. If you ever want to be an Admiral, though…

ELI BANNER

I hate you. For this, you better start working for me.

DAVID CONRAD

Not on your life. You really are the best person for this job. Better than I would be.

ELI BANNER

Wait, if you’re still in, why not just do the job yourself. You could.

ELI finishes his drink.

DAVID CONRAD

Because it’s yours, I’ve had my fun being in charge and… out front. I’m done with that. I promise you. You’re right, the Navy won’t really let me go completely, but if they listen to me when I talk, I’ll take it. Out here, I’m in no danger of being called to lecture and teach constantly,

ELI BANNER

So I guess that leaves me–

DAVID CONRAD

–with a good bar and very capable backup. Speaking of the bar…

DAVID finishes the rest of his drink.

ELI BANNER

Leave you alone?

DAVID CONRAD

–don’t try and conscript me. Again.

ELI BANNER

Ok… I guess.

(sly smile)

I’ll keep you in the loop.

DAVID and ELI stand up.

DAVID CONRAD

Please don’t.

ELI BANNER

I have to.

DAVID CONRAD

I won’t read it.

ELI BANNER

Whatever, you will read it.

DAVID laughs knowing that ELI is probably right about this point. DAVID pulls ELI into a quick friendly hug.

DAVID CONRAD

I think you should get out now and get some sleep for your next shift–when ever you decide that is–or it’ll be my turn to hate you.

ELI turns and leaves. DAVID watches and we

FADE OUT.

“Walking Away, Part 1″ was written by tycho garren the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.

Welcome to Station Keeeping, I have for you, a script I’m calling “Walking Away,” which I’m presenting in two parts, so come back on thursday for the conclusion of this installment. I’m excited to see what you think of this format, I quite enjoyed it, and I hope you do too. The finale will start monday afternoon. Stay tuned! Cheers, tycho

“Walking Away, Part 1″ was written by, tycho, the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.

Welcome to Part 2 of Station Keeping “Network Upgrades.” I’m sorry for the confusion of not mentioning until yesterday that the story was “to be continued…” Well it is/was (and the post reflects that,) and here’s the continuation. The usual suggestions go about reading the rest of station keeping, and participating in TealArt and Station Keeping. For those of you keeping track at home, the conclusion of #10 part 2, means that there are only two more episodes of the first run of Station Keeping left before our first break. Never fear, we’re already planning out whats going to happen in SK2 and SK3, so stay tuned, and know that now is a great time to get involved.

Last time, we saw Marc and David in the the bar, Another Round, waiting for the station’s network tech, Julia, to come buy and reinforce the network connection, read on to see how this little portrait of life on Hanm Centre concludes, and please do enjoy this continuation.–cheers, tycho

“Please do,” he said. He looked at Marc, who had a sly and pleasant grin. The good doctor still looked weary, but at least weary and entertained. Julia immediately found the access panel and plugged in her equipment with

David remained mazed with the speed, authority, and detail in Julia’s speech and behavior: not to mention her deft ability to deflect the conversation away from a topic that she didn’t want to talk about. He realized that despite her appearance, her subjective experience of age, that her chronological age might be a lot less. Relativity and interstellar did strange things to this society.

David found that his hands had gone back to dusting, and Marc had somehow produced a portable computer terminal and looked to be making some sort of notes, although they were both just trying to appear busy to decrease the awkwardness of not really having anything to do while the technology guru worked.

Almost before she had begun it seemed, Julia unplugged her gear, and replaced the panel. She stood up, “There, done. With the hardware stuff at least.” She brushed a renegade strand of hair behind her ear, exposing the contact points for a node interface.

David would have mistaken the contact points for jewelry, if not for their number and placement, well, in a away, despite their function, they were jewelry in a certain sense.

“Most of the reinforcement process happens in an algorithm script, actually. But you still have to get the hardware ready for the process. You’ll be up and running by the end of this shift, if that’s ok.”

“That’s certainly fine. We’re not opening till next weekend. You’ll be there I trust?”

“Of course, wouldn’t miss it, particularly not with a reinforced drop like this.” She smiled, wondering why she had said something so silly; everyone knew that she had the best connection on the station. “I guess they don’t call them pleasantries for nothing,” she thought. “Well if you need anything, you know where to reach me.” Then she was gone, almost as quickly as she had come.

Marc stood up and walked toward the door, to meet David who was toggling the lights beside the door. “What did I say?”

“You’re right she is good.” David conceded. “Who else is like that on the crew that you haven’t told me about.”

“Well you could come to staff meetings and find out.” Marc said: he didn’t try to stifle the grin.

David laughed. “Maybe then I could prove your wrong about my doodles.”

“We’ll call it your ‘Post-Late Period: A Revival.”

“Don’t you dare.” David chuckled and playfully elbowed Marc in the ribs, as they made for their quarters.

“Network Upgrades” was written by, tycho, the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.

Welcome to Hanm Centre for this week’s Station Keeping this is installment #10 of our first season, and it will be posted in two parts, one today, and one on Thursday. I hope you enjoy. Remember, as always, that SK is a community project and we would very much enjoy and encourage your participation, and as always we welcome your feedback to: tycho@tealart.com. It’s time for Station Keeping. –cheers tycho

Marc walked into the bar, “Another Round,” as the sign now read. He had just gotten done with a tiring but ultimately uneventful shift and was ready to change into more comfortable clothing. “It looks like you’re almost done here, you’re opening next friday?” Marc hadn’t been by the bar in a week or so, David knew what he was doing, or at least pretended well, and didn’t much need his input. Despite his worldly academic credentials and lengthly service record he was really mostly a homebody.

“Yeah. It’ll be good to have this weekend off, and I’d rather not have to deal with the opening and finishing up all at once.”

“You ready to head home?” He asked pointedly.

“Yeah, I’m done; but I agreed to hang around to let the tech admin come in to reinforce the network connection here, I suspect we’ll need a lot of pull when this place is full.” So mostly I’m just biding my time. He picked up the rag he was dusting with. “You have a good shift?”

“I did, but it was long, the usual run of the mill complaints mostly,” Marc said taking a seat at the bar and holding his head up with his arm. “Which is for the better, I’m afraid of what this closed system will do once we have anything more virulent than a flu, or some such,” he continued, pausing for a moment to remember anything else from the shift. ” I’m never quite sure what Doctor Reese is going to do, but she’s effective and people seem to like her. Anyway, I only had one meeting today, and got a chance to work on some research: so not a bad shift just long.” Marc rambled on, for a while and then paused. He checked his time piece, “When did she say she was coming by to do the work?” he asked finally.

“About twenty minutes ago, I think. She said she’d been busy…”

“She’s always busy. The woman doesn’t work, it seems to me. You’d like her she’s got personality, or something.” Marc paused, and chuckled. “Actually you should see her doodling from our staff meetings, they rival your ‘early period,’” he said, the laughter perking him up a bit.

“Oh, come on, my later doodles were better, I was just in charge of the meetings during my ‘late period,’ I think I deserve some slack.” David retorted, grinning by now: of all their “canned arguments,” this one might just have been his favorite.

“Sorry I’m late,” Julia said as she walked quckly and abruptly into the bar. The lights weren’t on, but the door was unlocked, and David had told her to just walk in incase he was in his office or the store room. “Network drop reinforced, you said?” She asked, not wasting any time on pleasantries.

“Yes. That was the plan.” David said. ” You’re…”

“…Julia, we talked earlier,” she said quickly, unable to come up with a more witty response sooner.

“The tech systems administrator?”

“Aye, Sir.” she said goofily, showing the badge. on her shirt.

It was the first time that anyone on Hanm Centre had called him “sir,” in a situation that didn’t make his skin crawl. realized that she might not realized that he had been Navy. “Aren’t you a bit young for that. There must be 15 people on your staff or something.”

“Well, I have 20, right now, but I’m still looking for a few more. You know any Enhancers that want to clean up?” Julia retorted.

“Not yet, but I’ll keep you out here. Is it big out here? Enhancers, that is.”

“Bigger on Grish, they say, but I haven’t been there in the flesh for,” she paused and thought for a moment obviously counting in her head, “Well lets not try and count that one out. But yeah, there’s some on Hanm, but not enough. The node here is pretty big for the rim, and I just need more people to keep it working well,” Julia said. “I’ll get started?”

to be continued…

“Network Upgrades Part 1″ was written by, tycho, the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.

Welcome to Episode #9 of Station Keeping. If all goes well, we’ll begin our run up to the finale of our first episode of station keeping. Next week’s episode is a bit longer, and will be posted in two parts, the following episode is a special one, and then we’re ready for the finale, which might be a week long, which I think is terribly cool. Remember, as always, to check out past episodes of Station Keeping on the SK site. Also, if you’re interested in participating or contributing to the Station Keeping project there’s information here on that kind of participation. We’re eager to have your contribution. Feel free to contact me via email: tycho@tealart.com. Enjoy, this week’s story! Cheers–tycho

Doctoring

“So doc, am I still alive?” Laben asked.

Marc Perrin looked over his patient skeptically. He was checking for any obvious signs of disease or previously undetected injury, and consulted the medical scanners, and his acute perceptions of the mans autonomic functions. Marc had been a battle medic in a previous life, and he was pretty good at doctoring without input from the patient.

“Seem to be,” Marc spoke softly and avoided eye contact. There was a pause before they both chuckled, it was a funny moment, but the tension didn’t really fall much.

“Why are you here again?” Marc thought that he might have missed the presenting complaint: he doubted it, but he continued to be mystified.

“Because, that’s how it works…” Laben looked quizzically at the doctor.

The awkwardness was broken up by Doctor Mahal Reese who strode in rubbing the scrub solution on her hands “Construction worker, right?” she asked.

“Yep”

“It’s policy, and a danm good one, for all of the station-employed labors to get regular checkups: we don’t want people with medical concerns going on space walks and dealing with high voltage power systems.”

“Fair enough.” Marc turned his attention back to his patient. “We’ll your in great shape, may you stay that way for a long time. If your worried about anything, please fee; free to stop by,” Marc said “That was a silly thing to say, they were the only medical facility on the Station, of course he’s going to stop by.” He stood there for a moment, but when it was clear that the man didn’t have any questions he turned and walked over to a computer terminal and entered information into a report so the patient could leave without being starred at.

The medical facilities were completely abandoned, aside from the two doctors. There were a couple of techs in the adjacent lab that could assist if need be, but it was still erie. “Enjoy it while it lasts,” he thought.

“So they teach you to be distant and allof core-side, or is that just how you are?” Reese asked after the door closed.

“Pardon?”

“You didn’t interact with Laben very much, and he was here for a physical, at least out here we typically engage the patients a bit more, and stare at them a bit less.”

“I haven’t taught in a coreside meds-chool for years, so I’m not sure what they’re teaching these days,” the doctor attempted to deflect the criticism, but realized that the flippant answer might not be completely warranted. “Though I’m ok at assessing mental health, I generally like to examine physical health by observing behavior,” he continued. “But I suppose you’re right, I haven’t given formal physicals in years, or really done a lot of routine doctoring.”

“I’m sorry that we can’t be more interesting out here, but people still need caring for, and we need you even if you are a little weird.”

Marc didn’t know how to feel, and attempted to avoid feeling entirely. “We have different approaches, as long as people get better we shouldn’t have a problem.” This was, Marc realized, an awkward way to establish himself as a leader–it was a good thing he didn’t have an interest in establishing an empire in the infirmary.

You’re going to hire me.

David was startled when he realized there was another person in the bar, but he tried to hide it, with mild success. “Sorry, were not open yet,” David pointed at the hole in one of the walls, where he hoped to have a light fixture installed yesterday. Such was life.

“That’s alright, I’m not looking for a drink.”

“That’s good, cause it’s all warm,” David said, before he remembered that the people here drank everything warm. Weirdos.

“My name’s Carter.”

“I’m David.” He tapped his collar bone in identification, and suddenly felt embarrassed for his appearance: he’d been working all morning, and he felt dirty.

“Well, if you don’t want a drink, and you don’t know me, then what brings you to a bar that hasn’t opened yet.” David extended the broom that was in his hand. “You wanna sweep the floors for me?” He chuckled.

“Actually, I would.” Carter took a step closer to David.

David squinted, perplexed. “Um, ok.”

“I mean, I’m looking for a job if you’re hiring.”

“Oh, right.” David hadn’t really considered hiring help, but upon reflection that seemed kind of foolish, he would need help at some point.

“Well, I don’t have anything worked out yet, of course, but yeah, we could give it a shot.”

“Great!” Carter smiled.

“No one should be that happy about getting a job helping me,” David grumbled to himself.

“Should I start now?” Carter was incredulous.

David took the broom back, actually, all kidding around, the floor doesn’t actually need sweeping, but how about you come back the day after tomorrow and we’ll talk. I think I should have some things for you to do by then.

“Ok, that works. I’ll see you then!” Carter turned and left as quickly and quietly as he entered, leaving David slightly dumb struck, and a little worried about what he’d gotten himself into. At least he’d have an interesting story for Marc tonight…

“Gainful Employment” was written by, tycho, the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.

Welcome to this week’s Station Keeping I hope you’ve been enjoying the series so far. I like this episode bunches, but I suppose that goes without saying. Before we jump into this weeks story, however, I wanted to share with you a few developments. First, if you’re interested in participating in SK, or any part of tealart, check on the participation guidelines, there’s even a special section for SK. As always, we live for your feedback, and you can leave it in the comments, address it to me personally (tycho@tealart.com) or to the writers group and I’ll make sure that the message is properly delivered. I look forward to hearing from you, and enjoy!–tycho

Working Overtime

Josh undid the collar of his uniform jacket–he was supposed to feel grateful that the Navy permitted Hanm Centre officers wear the, only slightly, more comfortable field variant, but he didn’t–and sighed with relief at the idea that his shift was over. “Hey, Julia, are you going to work late, you should be done for today,”

There was a pause before she responded, and she didn’t look up from what she was doing when she said “um yeah, I’ll be right there, almost done with this file tree.”

Josh chuckled. File tree, Josh thought that was an interesting way to conceptualize the data, he almost left the command center, but then thought better of it. Though Hanm Centre was important in the grand scheme of things, and he loved interacting with so many different people, it wasn’t like there was all that much for them to do at this moment. It wasn’t like they had to keep the station from flying into a black hole or anything.

“No really, you’re done for today. Come with me,” he said mustering as much authority in his voice as he could. He couldn’t, however, keep a straight face.

She snapped out of her haze just in time to process what she had heard and she chuckled. “I suppose you’re right.” She shut off her computer and slowly moved out of her chair. It took her a moment to stretch out to her full height. “I need to not get lost in work so much,” she pondered, “well whatever, I have priority to the computer core here, and what else is there to do?”

“Well, let’s see,” Josh herded the on-staff databases administrator and computer whiz into the elevator headed for the station’s poorly named, “common space.”

Continue reading Station Keeping #8: Fresh Eyes

Welcome to Station Keeping, a science fiction collaborative blog-fiction project of TealArt.com. This episode, Nan’s Loyalties is the 6th Episode in our series, and is the mid-season installment. Though I’m sure you can enjoy this episode independently of all the others, be sure to check out the other installments. If you like what you see please be in touch. If you’d like to join the writing team or submit just an episode, I’d very much like to be in contact with you. Enjoy!

Messages from the Underground

Nan rolled over for the third time in as many minutes, and tried to ignore in incessant pinging from her communications panel. She was stuck in that twilight space where her grasp of reality and the limits of possibility were tenuous at best.

She relents finally and stands up and stumbles over to the comm panel and activates it. The lights are low, but she’s thankful when the video system doesn’t come on. While audio were historically uncommon, they were not totally unfamiliar. “Hello?” she asked after a brief pause, where she realized that it was probably expected that she confirm the connection before the conversation.

Nan swayed a little as she stood, unsure of weather or not she should try and pull herself fully awake or not. After a moment, she remembered to say “Hello…”

“Ms. Gee, I can’t tell you my name, but I’m with the Hanmist Resistance, and–” came a cracking voice. Nan would have cut him off sooner had she not been yawning.

“What do you want. It’s the middle of the damn night up here.” She wasn’t sure what time it was, or even if night was the right word to describe the tim on the station. Hell, she didn’t even know if this call was legitimate: the voice wasn’t any that she recognized. Her caller knew more about her than she did him, if it was a him, and she wanted to even that playing field as soon as possible.

“We know your work, and we we’re building a network of supporters. You’re position on Hanm Centre will be very valuable to us when we come.”

“Come? I haven’ manded. Nan thumbed up the lights and squared her shoulders, in a hopes of sounding more authoritative.

“We support you, we support Hanm. We just want you to be ready for us when we come…”

“Oh come on, no one actually talks like that,” Nan thought to herself. “How will I get in touch with you?” She said, hoping that the person on the other end couldn’t hear her eyes rolling: it was probably better to play along with this, even if it were a prank, but she didn’t have to like it. And hell, if there was a Hanmist movement around to talk to her, this couldn’t be a bad thing.

“You’ll know. Do we have your support?”

“I support anything that’s good for Hanm.” Just ambiguous enough, and true, ultimately she thought.

“Good, expect a package with more information soon. Hanm Will be free.” the words were uttered with a dispassionate murmur that sent a tremble down Nan’s spine.

“Ok, thank you.” Nan responded politely before she cut the connection. “Log last transmission and send the details to…” her command was punctuated by a brisk entry of a code for her terminal in her office. There was supposed to be a way for her to do this verbally, but she always felt that it was easier and more secure to just enter the code by hand. Nevertheless, Nan’s instructions to the computer were curt, but she was hopeful that she’d get back to sleep. She cut the lights and stumbled back to bed.

Gift boxes from the Underground

Nan almost tripped on a box as she walked into her office. “How’d they get that in here?” She wondered.

She put her bag down next to her desk and walked carefully back to the package. There was a blank piece of paper fastened to the top of the box. She lifted it carefully, and on the back she read: “Nan: Hope these help. Hanm will be free.”

The memory of Nan’s late night comm-call came rushing “I guess it wasn’t a fake or a dream,” she muttered as she set the paper back on top of the box. She sat down at the desk and called up the communications log.

Again Nan spoke to herself “What the hell am I supposed to do now?”

“Nan’s Loyalties” was written by, tycho, the creator of TealArt and Station Keeping. He is a student and knitter by day and a science fiction writer by night, you can read his work elsewhere on TealArt and at ~/tychoish.