Chapter Eighteen: Personnel Matters

“What did you find?” Kate asked the librarian at Shackleton Base.

“Again, I found identical transmissions,” he answered.

“Word for word?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll contact my father and let him know,” she told him. “In the meantime, I want you to continue to check each year since the Odyssey’s arrival, and send me updates of the results as you go along.”

“Consider it done,” the librarian said.

“Just one more thing,” Kate said.

“Anything.”

“Not a word of this to anyone.”

“No problem.”

“And be careful,” she added.

“I will, Kate,” he said.

She ended the transmission, and then quickly requested a long range communication with Earth. She needed to speak with William.

“It’s wonderful to hear from you, daughter,” he said when he answered the call.

“I wish I could say I had good news,” she told him.

“What did you find?” he asked, as if he was expecting her response.

“All the communications received after the ship’s arrival are identical to the previous communications.”

“Word for word?”

“Yes,” she responded, just as the librarian had almost a week before.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“You’re not surprised?”

“Unfortunately,” he said, “no.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t answer that,” he said. Kate knew that her father would not lead her astray. Whatever he knew about the Odyssey, he would let her know in due time. “But know that your research has been extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.”

“I have the librarian searching the following years for identical patterns,” she told him. “He has been instructed to inform me of his progress and results.”

“Excellent.”

“Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No,” he said. “Just trust in Omari’s decision.”

“What decision?”

“With Eric, of course.”

“What about Eric?”

“His departure.”

“What departure?” she asked.

“Are you unaware that Eric has been ordered back to Earth?”

“Eric has been sent back?”

Kate was caught trying to elude her security a few days ago. After planning, plotting and acting, Omari stood waiting for her on the other side of the escape hatch. And Eric had known about the whole thing.

“I’m sorry to be the one to inform you,” William said. “Eric leaves tomorrow. Omari has requested several officers to replace him, and Eric is to receive additional training. He plans on increasing your security force.”

•••

“Several communications originated from his terminal and he has not offered a valid explanation for them,” James said.

“I don’t care what you found,” Io responded. “I trust him.”

“I’m not willing to trust your safety to your gut feelings,” he told Io. “I’m replacing him immediately.”

“My bodyguard has done nothing wrong. I’m sure of it.” She wasn’t about to let James take away one of her most trusted allies. Even though she was the Engineer, and her job was to keep watch over technological advances and artificial intelligence for the Alexander family, she still trusted some humans. And her personal bodyguard was one of the few.

“Then he will be exonerated and returned to duty,” James contended. “In the meantime, I will have one of my personal bodyguards watch over you.”

“So your sense of trust is supposed to be better than mine?” Io countered.

“No, my bodyguard has passed all the required interviews during the investigation and no suspicious activity was discovered,” he said.

“That doesn’t provide me with any comfort,” she told him. “I still trust my own bodyguard more than I will ever trust one of yours.”

“I don’t doubt that, Io. I still plan on dismissing him temporarily and assigning someone who has already been cleared.”

Io realized at that moment there was no changing the situation. As much as she wanted, even the council would side with James. He had just been appointed to Commander. And, technically, his argument had no flaws.

She stood up and walked out of his office without saying a word, then returned to her own. Her first move was to contact William.

“He wants to assign me one of his personal bodyguards,” she told him.

“It is his prerogative,” William said.

“It has nothing to do with my safety,” Io alleged. “Not keeping it anyway.”

“I understand your frustration, but it may work to our advantage in the end,” William admitted.

“What do mean by that?” she asked.

“I have two problems, Io,” William told her. “And I think you can help me with both.”

Chapter Seventeen: Dream a Little Dream

She spun hard and hit the practice dummy with all her force, absorbing the repercussions from the impact. Then she dropped to her knees and tumbled forward. She rolled out and stabbed the dummy in the far corner of the room.

The cameras were off. The sensors were black. No one was allowed to observe Kate’s routine. To give away taped footage of an Alexander practicing techniques was like handing a thief the blueprints to the bank.

She had the training room to herself.

Kate slipped around the back of the practice dummy and began removing the control hatch door. She crawled in, lit her small lamp and closed the door behind her.

The crawlspace was tight, but passable. She continued down about twenty feet to an intersection. She pictured the schematics in her head before turning to the left and quickly continuing to the end of the passageway. To her right was another small hatch door. She loosened it and slowly pushed it aside.

Omari stood before her. He made no quick moves. He made no statements.

He simply took the hatch door from her hands and placed it back inside the wall. Then he opened the door to the room and motioned for her to exit.

She headed back to the training room to retrieve her staff, but Eric was waiting in the hallway with the staff in his hands.

She didn’t know if he had turned on her or was only going along. He was supposed to be her lookout. He was supposed to help her escape, for just a bit.

Maybe it wasn’t his fault. Maybe he got caught, too. Kate couldn’t tell when she passed him. He was stoic. He was like Omari, like her mother.

“I know you don’t remember, but you and I fought in our youth,” Omari told her.

She turned back to him, “we’ve never sparred.”

“We have. At age seven, you stood before me with your first skin staff,” he said. “It lit up like the sun in your hands.”

“I don’t remember.”

“It took months for the echo of that flash to go away.”

“I remember the first time I held my staff,” she said. “I don’t remember sparring.”

“We didn’t really spar. Your light blinded me and it was over.”

“Why does this matter?” she demanded.

“Because I’ve known you a very long time,” Omari responded. “If you’d paid attention, you would have expected me to be waiting.”

Kate didn’t want to remember her past with Omari. She was angry. But as she walked down the hall, she desperately tried to remember their first meeting.

•••

Io was the fly, annoying but easy to smash. She was not physically impressive to James. She was not even smart enough to figure out he had ordered Yori’s murder. But, Io kept asking questions. She kept talking about the imperfections.

All the small mistakes that others made were slowly pulling back the curtain on James. He felt slightly vulnerable. No one could ever prove it, but even the shadow of a doubt was too much. Something had to be done.

“Tell me about the new guards,” Ceres wondered.

“They have agreed to give their lives to this family, to me.”

“That will be of use,” she said.

“Yes, it will,” James agreed. He thought of one officer in particular. One that promised he would give his life to see James in power. James never told him about his plans. James only told the officer one day he would give him the chance to prove his devotion. But that day was not today.

“What can I do?” Ceres asked as the two sat in her office.

“Talk to my mother,” James said. “Tell her I mean to impress her.”

“That you are desperate for her approval?”

“Yes.”

“Are you?” Ceres asked.

“Am I what?”

“Hoping to impress her?”

“It’s too late for that,” James stated.

“Never underestimate a mother’s desire to enter her child’s inner circle,” Ceres said. “It’s never too late.”

“Very well,” he said. “I will impress her.”

Ceres paused. Somewhere deep within him was the child that only wanted his mother’s approval. She knew James had a desire to please his mother. He wanted her to love him, to trust him. And everyone knew she did not.

This brought him closer to Ceres. It also invited distrust. But her pity outweighed everything else.

“We will have our day, nephew.”

“When? When will it happen?” he asked.

“Patience. All the pieces are starting to fall into place,” Ceres reminded him.

“You’re right,” James said. “It feels so close, like it’s just out of reach.”

“He who lies in wait for his enemy will be victorious.”

“Perhaps,” James said.

Chapter Sixteen: Shadows of a Doubt

Kate sat in a small room in the back corner of the library at Shackleton Base. It would fit at least four people, but Omari wouldn’t allow anyone near Kate. He stood outside the room, occasionally looking in through the glass window in the top of the door. 

The library at the base wasn’t even as large as one section of the Alexander library, and it held no paper books. All the words and stories in this library had been coded into the language of ones and zeros. Everything was digital. It made good use of the space, but it was cold and lifeless.

She was studying the final logs from the Odyssey. Kate wanted to please her father, as if helping him would help find Yori’s killer. She didn’t believe the assassination had anything to do with the Odyssey, but it made her feel she was doing something. Besides she would have been studying the ship’s logs anyway. The purpose of her trip was to be at Jupiter Station for its return, so it was necessary to know everything about the ship and its mission.

Finally, the base’s librarian showed up at the study room door with some information she requested. She stood up to greet him, but Omari refused to let him enter. Kate opened the door, “What’s going on here?”

“Kate, please step back inside the room,” Omari demanded.

“No, I’ve asked the librarian to assist me.”

“This individual has not been scanned,” Omari told her. “I cannot allow him this close.”

“I requested he come here,” she said. The librarian waited and watched the two debate his presence. Then he squeaked in, “I really just came to drop off some files.”

Omari snatched the small piece of glass from his hands, “I will examine this and give it to Miss Alexander when I’m finished.”

“Thank you, sir,” the librarian said. “May I contact Kate, or Miss Alexander, from my office with a summary of the findings?”

“You may,” Omari responded. Then the librarian quickly exited the scene.

“What’s wrong with you?” Kate asked.

“You don’t understand the dangers around you.”

“I understand the dangers, Omari, but you’re taking this too far.”

“It can’t be taken far enough,” he said.

“This man is not going to hurt me,” Kate told him. “He was a friend of Yori’s.”

“So was the professor.”

With that, Kate pursed her lips and stepped back inside the study room. She slammed the door behind her, but knew part of what he said was true. Still, he couldn’t protect her from everything.

“What are you going to do? Take away the air I breathe?” she said to herself. “Someone might poison the station just to poison me.”

She slammed her fist down on the desk. This journey was supposed to be an escape from the compound, but all she found was another cage. Like a prisoner, she starting searching for a way out. Perhaps it contained some secret hatch or door she could slip out, escaping into the bowels of the base. Then she remembered the small door in the corner of the training room.
It was an access panel for the elements of the training room. Gravity could be altered; the practice dummies turned on and off, even water features could be added. It gave the room versatility and its residents plenty of exercise. It also would give her a way out.

“Miss Alexander, are you there?” the librarian asked from the communicator.

Kate let go of her daydreams and turned to the device. “Yes, thank you for contacting me. I’m sorry about my overzealous bodyguard.”

“It’s quite alright,” he said. “I certainly understand, especially after what happened on Earth.”

“What did you find?” Kate asked curtly.

“You were right,” he said. “I took the logs from the first year after the Odyssey left the planet and compared them to the ones from the trip out there. I found identical logs scattered throughout.”

“Completely identical?”

“Word for word.”

“Was there any information added?”

“No, it’s as if they were just copied and resent.”

“Do the same search with the logs from the following year and let me know what you find,” Kate said. She paused and added, “and just contact me through the communicator to let me know what you find.”

“Yes, Miss Alexander.”

“Don’t start that,” she said. “You’ve always called me Kate.”

“Ok, Kate. I’ll contact you soon.”

••• 

When James arrived at the entrance to the council chamber, Io and William were sitting on the bench in the alcove.

“I had the same suspicions,” she told William as James came within earshot.

Io noticed him, immediately stopped speaking and stood up.

“James,” Io said. She bowed politely before turning back to William. “I’ll speak with you after the meeting.”

“Excellent,” William responded. He looked over at James and motioned toward the chamber doors. “We should go in.”

James bowed to his father and entered, but he couldn’t stop wondering what the two had been discussing. He and Io had been working on the search for the Odyssey together. However, nothing about that investigation should be off limits. And he was the Commander. All military and security matters were his concern. His suspicion grew as he took his seat at Sun’s side.

“Several matters require our attention this morning,” Sun announced. “First, Lucas will be changing Yori’s inscription on the wall in the library’s vestibule tomorrow morning. We will all be in attendance.”

“Thank you,” Lucas said.

“Next, Maria has been speaking with several leaders around the world and informed me that the people are mourning our loss with us.”

Sun turned to Maria and nodded.

“Yes, they are more supportive than ever," Maria announced. "I have received condolences from every corner of the globe, as well as strong support for our investigation. Any news I receive has been sent directly to William.”

“Thank you, Maria.” Sun said.

“William, is there anything you need to request from us or reveal about your investigation?”

“No, thank you. Everyone has been helpful and open during my initial interviews and I will contact each of you individually when I need to more information.”

“James, I understand you have been working with the troops and increased security throughout the compound,” Sun said.

“Yes. Introductions are complete. I have begun selecting individuals for a special group of security members that will focus on the council members in addition to your personal bodyguards. I believe the additional level of security will be appropriate at this time.”

“Is there any news from your investigation into the whereabouts of the Odyssey?” Sun asked.

James turned to Io, waiting for her to jump up and respond.

“Our current schedule for scanning the skies is still underway, but I have nothing new to report,” she said.

“Nor do I,” James said.

“Thank you both.” Sun told them. “Ceres, would you like to add anything?”

“No, my sister.” Ceres said. “We have spent a great deal on the funeral and additional security costs, but as you know we are to absorb it without concern. I will send you estimates for the reconstruction efforts on the library as soon as I get security approval from James.”

Ceres and James looked at each other and nodded.

“Very well. If there are no other concerns we will reconvene after the ceremony tomorrow morning,” Sun said.

No one attempted to add any comments. Sun stood up and exited onto the balcony. Everyone else headed out of the council doors, except James who held back. He watched uneasily as Io and William exited the chamber together, deep in conversation.

Chapter Fifteen: Question and Answer

“What do you know about the Odyssey’s current status?” William asked.

“I know it hasn’t been heard from for more than two years,” Kate answered.

“Anything else?”

“James and Io have been searching for it,” she said. “They’ve been scanning alternate radio signals, trying anything Io can think of. Is there any news?”

“Nothing so far from their search.”

“Have you seen any of the logs that had been sent?”

“I have. I’ve read most of the previous transmissions,” she told him. “I have about twenty left to review before I leave for Jupiter Station. The last twenty before we lost contact.”

“Let me know when you’ve finished your research. I’d like to know what your impressions are.”

“I’ll contact you as soon as I'm done,” Kate said.

“Thank you,” he responded. “Now, when is the last time you spoke to James?”

“Just before I left.”

“You haven’t spoken to him since you left for Shackleton Base?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“What did you speak about in your last conversation?”

“I asked him to look after the family.”

“Did he mention anything about the Odyssey?” William asked.

“No, nothing.”

“Did he mention anything about Yori or the professor?”

“No,” she said. “Why would he?”

“I’m just getting all the information I can,” he said. “When is the last time you spoke to Yori?”

Kate paused and took a deep breath, “just before I left.”

“Did he mention anything to you about the professor?”

“No, he only came to bring me some books to take with me.”

“Which ones?”

“Art of War and Foundation.”

“Did he mention anything about the Odyssey?”

“No, he didn’t.”

“Anything about James?”

“No,” Kate told him. “I tried to tell him that the Art of War was his favorite book, not mine. He said I should read it anyway. That’s all, really. Well, except that he would miss me.”

“I know he truly cared about you, my daughter.”

“Thank you.”

“And thank you for your candor,” William said. “I’ll let you know if I have anymore questions, but that will do for now.”

Kate smiled, “you know where to find me.”

“I do,” he said, smiling back. “Take care and stay close to Omari and Eric.”

“I will, father.”

•••

Being the Curator of the Library was an individual experience. No one could understand or know what the librarian did. William never understood Yori’s life, or the man he was, until he sat down in the same, worn leather chair.

Now he was aware. He understood so many things that everyone else in the family did not, could not. And he could tell no one. Not even his beloved wife, whom he still needed to interview.

But first he would start with his son. He asked James to join him in the commander’s office. James had taken over, but William still felt he had the advantage. He knew that space better than his son, and James would be feeling proud. He would be easier to read and control.

When William arrived, James was seated at the desk with his shoulders back and chin held high.

“How are you son?” William asked.

“Doing well, father.”

“Did the introductions go well?”

“They did.”

“As you know, I’m here to ask you a few questions for my investigation.”

“What can I tell you?”

“First, when was the last time you spoke to Yori?”

“Three days before Kate left for Shackleton Base.”

“What did you talk about?”

“I was inquiring about the most recent star maps the professor had given him,” James said. “Io and I were hoping to narrow our search.”

“Did he give any suggestions?”

“Yes, he told us that he thought the Nekuian system would be the best place to look, but the professor had not begun mapping it yet.”

“Did he say anything else about the Nekuian system?”

“No.”

“Did he mention why that would be a good place for you to search?”

“No,” James answered. “Why?”

“Just gathering information,” William told him. “Did he mention anything else to you about the professor?”

“No, just that he would be visiting soon to drop off the new maps and ask another question.”

“Did you ever meet the professor?”

“Yes,” James said. “I can’t remember exactly when, but it was some time ago.”

“What was your impression of him?” William asked.

“He was a small man, rather frail,” James answered with a smile. “I imagined he wouldn’t last long in the training room.”

“No, I imagine not, my son. Especially if he were fighting you.”

James laughed and looked up, as if he were searching for a memory.

“Well, I think I’ve asked all of my initial questions.”

“Is there anything I can do to assist you?” James asked.

“No. I might return if there are any details I require later.”

“You are always welcome in this office, father.”

“Thank you, son.” William stood and saluted James before leaving. He headed straight for his office, deep within the library and began piecing the puzzle together.