The Helmsman by Bill Baldwin

Author:Bill Baldwin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, General
ISBN: 9781587521508
Publisher: Warner Books
Published: 1985-01-02T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

Partway into an endless early morning watch, Brim and Theada attended Truculent's helm while most of the crew snatched a few cycles' badly needed rest below. In the nearly deserted bridge, only occasional warning chimes and snatches of disjointed, conversation disturbed the muted rumble of the generators. Off to port, a bleak asteroid shoal crawled diagonally astern beneath the bows as though the destroyer were skirting the surface of some infinitely large inclined plane.

"Good morning, friend Wilf," Ursis said cheerfully, materializing in a display globe. "What gradient have we outside?"

"Morning, Nik," Brim said, peering at his readouts. "Looks like it's shifted a bit, now that you ask."

"So," Ursis mumbled, entering data via an overhead console.

"Let her fall off a few points to starboard nadir, Mr. Chairman," Brim ordered. The steering engine sounded for a moment, and the stars shifted slightly in his forward Hyperscreens.

"Course nine ninety-one, orange," the Chairman reported.

"Very well," he acknowledged, studying Truculent's decks the glow of a smoky dwarf blazing overhead. He swung his recliner aft, scanning the trunk of the KA'PPA mast and twin globes of the directors. Farther back, he cursorily checked the scorched cowling of their torpedo launcher flanked by the hemispheres of W and Z turrets. All appeared in trim—as usual. He had just reached above his head to start a suite of power-system checks when a shadow fell across the main console. He looked up to find Gallsworthy leaning over Theada's recliner.

"Take a break, son," the senior Helmsman muttered, indicating the bridge exit with his thumb. "I'll keep the seat warm while you're gone."

"But, Lieutenant," Theada protested, "I just had a..."

"You look tired, Theada," Gallsworthy said. "Tired."

"Oh. I, ah, see, Lieutenant," Theada agreed, fairly jumping out of the recliner.

Gallsworthy nodded. "Give us about ten cycles," he said.

"Aye, sir," Theada said, squeezing his way into the main bridge corridor.

Gallsworthy thumped into the recliner and frowned, drumming his fingers on the console. "I guess I'm a messenger today," he said, glowering at Brim. "Collingswood's asked me to pass on a bit of information she doesn't really want to talk about."

Brim nodded, trying to appear indifferent—but inside he was all curiosity. Collingswood normally needed no intermediaries. She said what she wanted—when she wanted. "Yes, sir?" he asked.

"She's got herself dunned with another xaxtdamned Admiralty detail," Gallsworthy explained. "Has to 'volunteer' some of the crew. Only..." He pursed his lips and drummed his fingers again as if he were having trouble with the words. "Only," he repeated, "she got a few extra parameters with this order.

Nobody's supposed to know about 'em. But you're a special case, in her eyes." He scratched his head for a moment, then nodded as if reaching some internal accord. "I guess I agree with her," he said with a frown, "for whatever that's worth, Carescrian."

Brim's curiosity was really piqued now. Senior Helmsmen never shared personal opinions with people who reported to them. He waited. Gallsworthy would get it all out in his own good time.

"What it boils down to," the

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