Chop Line by Stephen Baxter

Author:Stephen Baxter [Baxter, Stephen]
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Sci-Fi Short
Published: 2010-03-06T19:30:00+00:00

“Buttface,” he said formally.

“Lard bucket,” I replied.

On that ship from the future, we stared at each other, each of us baffled, maybe frightened. We hadn’t been alone together, not once, since the news that we were to have a child together. And even now, Captain Dakk was sitting there like the embodiment of destiny.

Under the Druz Doctrine, love isn’t forbidden. But it’s not the point. But then, I was learning, out here on the frontier, where people died far from home, things were a little more complex than my training and conditioning had indicated.

I asked, “What are you doing here?”

“You sent for me. Your future, smarter, better-looking self.”

The captain said dryly, “Obviously you two have—issues—to discuss. But I’m afraid events are pressing.”

Tarco turned to face her. “Let’s get on with it, sir. Why did you ask for me?”

Dakk said, “Navy intelligence have been analyzing the records from the Torch. They have begun the process of contacting those who will serve on the ship—or their families and cadres, if they are infants or not yet born—to inform them of their future assignments. It’s the policy.”

Tarco looked apprehensive. “And that applies to me?”

Dakk didn’t answer directly. “There are other protocols. When a ship returns from action, it’s customary for the captain or senior surviving officer to send letters of condolence to families and cadres who have lost loved ones, or visit them.”

Tarco nodded. “I once accompanied Captain Iana on a series of visits like that.”

I said carefully, “But in this case the action hasn’t happened yet. Those who will die haven’t yet been assigned to the ship. Some haven’t even been born.”

“Yes,” Dakk said gently. “But I have to write my letters even so.”

That seemed incomprehensible to me. “Why? Nobody’s dead yet.”

“Because everybody wants to know, as much as we can tell them. Would it be better to lie to them, or keep secrets?”

“How do they react?”

“How do you think? Ensign Tarco, what happened when you did the rounds with Iana?”

Tarco shrugged. “Some took it as closure, I think. Some wept. Some were angry, even threw us out. Others denied it was real…. They all wanted more information. How it happened, what it was for. Everyone seemed to have a need to be told that those who had died had given their lives for something worthwhile.”

Dakk nodded. “You see all those reactions. Some won’t open the messages. They put them in time capsules, as if putting history back in order.” She studied me. “This is a time-travelers’ war, ensign. A war like none we’ve fought before. We are stretching our procedures, even our humanity, to cope with the consequences. But you get used to it.”

Tarco said apprehensively, “Sir, please—what about me?”

“I thought you’d like to hear that from your captain in person.” Gravely, Dakk handed me a data desk.

I glanced at its contents. Then, numbed, I gave it to Tarco. He read it quickly. “Hey, buttface,” he breathed. “You make me your exec. How about that. Maybe it was a bad year.”

I didn’t feel like laughing.

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