Mitchell's Revenge

The months leading up to the pylon race and ballroom dancing championship passed quickly.

Flick settled well in to the co-pilots’ chair on board Mitchell’s Revenge. Jake learned quickly that she was thorough, fast and efficient. She was also level headed, and far less prone to sudden decisions than Lucy. She was a delight to work with.

While they travelled from one job to another, following Lauri’s very carefully thought out itinerary, some serious building work was going on at the shipyard. Following the accident at CX9, Universal Starship Enterprises began to add extra docking bays to house the remaining military vessels. A team of engineers and building specialists was brought up from EQ2 for the months of work. The shipyard teemed with workers.

One of the docking bays needed to be large enough to house the destroyer Cygnus. The logistics caused Lauri some sleepless nights. They were used to handling heavy freighters, but the destroyer was another matter entirely. Then there were the issues of military security, crew quarters, provisioning, shipyard to planet transport, and the myriad other matters that came into play. He found that his military background helped throughout the planning and completion of the new facilities.

The teams moved quickly to finish the work. The Cygnus arrived a month before the pylon race. It fitted snugly into the new docking bay. Lauri admired the skill of the pilots bringing the ship in for the first time. Admiral Bokkveld headed straight for the control room where Lauri was directing operations.

The crew disgorged from the military vessel with alarming speed, taking their own craft directly to Covington Spaceport. They were anxious to get planet side after months of being in space without fresh air and sunshine. Most of them had cabin fever. The Admiral was glad to see them off for a much needed break.

Lauri turned as Admiral Bokkveld entered the control room. He smiled and walked forward to shake hands with his former colleague.

“Welcome Andreus,” he said. “I hope the new facility is suitable. I’m sorry it came about under such tragic circumstances.” Andreus shook Lauri’s hand firmly.

“Space is a dangerous place Lauri, you know that,” he said. “These things happen. We’re very fortunate that you were able to accommodate us so well at such short notice. It’ll be months before the CX9 facility is rebuilt. And the planet’s lost some of its charm due to the toxic fallout. This is a much better option.” He smiled broadly. “At least I can take some time out here. I might even go down to the planet.”

“Just let me know what you need,” Lauri replied. “Come and see what’s happening at the yard. You can see almost everything from here.”

He led Andreus towards the viewing screen. They stood together watching the crews below coming and going with tools and equipment. They could see the pylon course clearly from where they stood.

“We have an entry for your pylon race,” Andreus said suddenly. “Our second pilot, Peter Wesseling, used to race when he was much younger. Wants to join the fray.”

Lauri’s heart sank. A well trained military pilot would be a serious challenge to Rufus. He continued to look at the screen.

“Does he have the entry fee?” he asked quietly.

“Yes. Nothing to spend it on where we’ve been. Burning a hole in his pocket he tells me!”

Lauri nodded. “OK. How many support crew with him?”

“Two. Our engineer Cal Worsfeld, and one of our software techs, Wilma Bulten. Both very competent.”

Lauri nodded. “That’s good, he can have only two. You know he’ll have to race in one of our craft?”

“Yes. Testing them for us, aren’t you?” Andreus smiled at Lauri. “I know what you’re up to. I’d do exactly the same!” Lauri continued to stare at the screen.

“Does he realise that in order to win, he’ll not only have to come first, but he’ll have to complete the course in seventeen minutes or less?”

Andreus nodded. “He’s used to timed events. How many entries have you got?”

“Peter will make five. We’re waiting on one from Menageron. Looks like the Prince wants to compete, of all people! There maybe one or two others. Once those come in we’ll know the final make up. There’ll be heats with time trials to determine the final three racers.” Andreus nodded.

Lauri went on, “You know that Lucy Savage is the only person I know of to complete the course in less than seventeen minutes? Even Jake and I couldn’t do it. The average time at full speed is twenty minutes.”

Andreus looked at him. “So we may not have a winner at all?”

“Dead righ. That’s going to make the betting interesting.”

“They’ll be feral over on Tiberion!” Andreus laughed, then he thought of something. “Is Lucy competing?”

“No, she has other priorities,” Lauri replied mysteriously. “They’ve got that dancing thing going on over there at the same time as the race. I don’t envy whoever’s in charge of the betting kiosks for that week or so!”

“Dancing thing? What’s that?”

“It’s a long story. Let’s go and get some coffee and I’ll tell you about it. Come with me. We might as well make a tour of the yard while we’re at it.”

While Lauri and the Admiral made their tour, Lucy was having a frustrating time with Grabb at the U.S.E. warehouse in Covington.

They’d “got the choreography down” as Grabb put it, in the first week of working together. Lucy was surprised to find she enjoyed the challenge of it, remembering the step sequences as they moved around the floor. It was good to move to music. But now it was getting harder. She discovered that Grabb was obsessed with technique. He wanted everything to be technically perfect. It was frustrating, and, Lucy felt, unnecessary.

“Just dance!” she’d yelled at him during the week. “Who cares if I don’t take a heel step? No one is going to take the slightest bit of notice. We’re not going to be there long enough, and we are certainly not aiming to win anything!”

She went from enjoying the practice to increasing frustration. After repeating a step sequence in waltz for what seemed like the thousandth time, Lucy threw her arms up in despair.

“That’s it,” she said, as calmly as she could, stepping away from Grabb. “The fun’s gone out of it. I know enough to do what we need to do. You can practice on your own from now own. I’ll meet you with Lou on Tiberion in a few weeks. I’m going back to the shipyard.”

She sat down to change her shoes. Grabb followed her.

“I’m sorry Lucy,” he said quietly. He stood looking down at her as she fiddled with the laces on her ship boots.

“What for?” she murmured. She looked up at him.

“The thing is. You could be really, really good at this. In all my years competing, I never danced with anyone with as much natural talent as you. You understand the technical side, you are innately musical, you can remember choreography. I like you. You have been a joy to work with.” He shifted from foot to foot as he said this, half expecting her to physically attack him.

Lucy stared at him.

“I told you so!” came Em’s voice in her mind. “I knew you’d be good at this.” She glared at the panther lying on the floor beside her. She turned her attention back to Grabb.

“Well, thank you. I think,” she replied. “But it doesn’t change my decision. I’m going back to the shipyard. I’m sure Lauri can find something for me to do.”

Grabb sighed. It was such a shame she wanted to give up now. His long buried competitive instincts had kicked right back in. He suddenly wanted to do well at the championship, even though he knew it would be dangerous to draw attention to himself. Lucy looked at his crestfallen expression.

“Stop that!” she said. “Tell you what. Why don’t we meet on Tiberion a week before the championship starts and we can practice every day in the ballroom there. I’d be happy to do that.” She smiled at him. “You have to know that it hasn’t been all bad. I have enjoyed most of it. I’m just not a very patient person!”

Grabb smiled with relief. “As a compromise, that’s not a bad one. I agree. We’ll meet then. Thank you Lucy! I’ll stay here and practice for a while longer. See you on Tiberion.”

Lucy gathered up her shoes and motioned to Em to join her. She was relieved. She’d had enough for now. They walked slowly from the warehouse to Sibil’s atelier, where Lou was trying on her team manager’s costume for the first time. Sibil had produced yet another masterpiece. Lou twirled in front of the full length mirror as Lucy and Em arrived.

She was wearing wide legged soft grey trousers with a beautifully cut blazer of the same colour. It had silver lapels. The firefly motif was woven in silver into the top left side of the jacket. It had several zippered pockets inside that would allow Lou to carry useful bits and pieces on her person. The suit fitted her beautifully. It was matched with grey court shoes with sensible heels and a soft leather carry bag that she could hang over her shoulder.

“You look smashing!” exclaimed Lucy as she watched Lou admiring herself in the mirror. “Talk about ballroom couture! You’re amazing Sibil.” She hugged her friend. Sibil smiled.

“I’m glad you like it,” she replied. “Lou’s recovery allowed me to take my time.”

“How is your arm?” Lucy asked.

“Good as new,” Lou smiled at her and bent her elbow to demonstrate. “Thanks to you. I would have perished if you two hadn’t found me when you did. What are you doing back here now? I thought you were practicing with Grabb.”

“Were, is the operative word,” Lucy replied. “I’ve had enough. Far too technical for me, and not entirely necessary as far as I can see. Time to go back to the shipyard.”

“Are you sure it’s good enough?” asked Sibil, looking worried. “It is my daughter you’re trying to rescue don’t forget. Are you sure you’ll blend in with all those other competitors?”

“I’m sure Lou will turn me into someone completely unrecognisable,” replied Lucy. She chuckled. “I’ve never had my hair done in my life, and you know I rarely wear makeup! Stop worrying Sibil. I did agree that Lou and I would meet Grabb on Tiberion a week before the championship for daily practice in the ballroom. It’ll all be OK.”

Sibil still looked worried. Lucy thought she looked terrible. The weight she had lost since Anja was taken made her look so frail. Her hair was dry and the red nail polish she usually wore hid the fact that her nails were brittle. The bags under her eyes did not suit her at all.

Lucy hugged her friend again. She stepped back and held Sibil’s hands in her own.

“You’ve come this far, and you’ve been so brave,” she said. “We’ll get her back safely. I promise.”

Sibil smiled weakly at her. “We’d better get all your gear together then, so that you can take it with you. What about you Lou? Are you going with her?”

Lou nodded. Sibil started to collect up the outfits Lucy and Lou needed, carefully folding them into another grey carry bag with the firefly motif on the side. An hour later they were on their way to Covington Spaceport and the shipyard shuttle.