“Did everyone else look out the windows?” This was a bigger concern for me right now than whether or not Hacker International had chosen to reprogram Mother in some way. I didn’t want people freaking out.
“Only those on the command deck. Your husband is clear that the superconsciousness has visited, and the rest of us could, therefore, figure out that we’ve been moved here to solve some local problem for them.”
“Sounds about right. By the way, John, Sandy said that the Nebula System is both connected and how stars are formed. Is that true?”
He nodded. “As we’ve always understood it. They are older even than we Anciannas or the Z’porrah.”
“This galaxy is just loaded with ancient, godlike beings, isn’t it?” Tim asked.
“Probably more than we know about, yeah.”
“Every galaxy has these in them,” Wruck said. “The universe is vast.”
My music changed to Aerosmith’s “Get the Lead Out” which surely sounded like an Algar Hint. Wished I was rolling with my boys on my chest instead of my FLOTUS-wear, but had long ago realized I couldn’t have everything.
“I’m just going to focus on our own little galaxy, then, and share that we have to go down to that green planet and save the day somehow. I also speak for everyone when I say that we’re wide open to suggestions.”
“I suggest we go back to the command deck and discuss options with the rest of the team,” Wruck replied. “And don’t worry—you’ll prevail, Kitty. You always do.”
“Yeah? Define ‘prevail’ and ‘always,’ because I don’t think those words mean what you think they mean.”
We rejoined those on the command deck and shared what was going on. After a lot of fretting, bickering, complaining, and generally us being us, along with everyone other than Tim insisting I turn my music off, we decided that we had no choice but to do what Sandy wanted. Particularly when Drax came on the intercom.
“The warp core is fixed,” he shared. But he didn’t sound happy.
Because we were all experienced, no one cheered. “But?” Jeff asked. “Because there’s clearly a ‘but’ coming.”
“But we need a supply that we don’t have on board,” Drax said, sounding beyond frustrated. “It should be on board, mind you, but the entire stock is gone.”
“What is this marvelous substance, Gustav?” I asked.
“Chlorophyll.”
CHAPTER 28
WE ALL LET THAT one sit on the air for a couple of seconds. Yeah, stunned silence was definitely this trip’s theme.
“Why?” Reader asked finally, speaking for all of us. “What does plant photosynthesis have to do with the ship?”
“Chlorophyll allows the ship to extract power from any and all light sources,” Drax replied. Heard Hacker International in the background, explaining this to whoever wanted to listen. Wasn’t me, so I didn’t.
“That sounds extremely useful,” Chuckie said.
“It is,” Drax confirmed. “Moreover, it’s necessary. Right now, we could be gathering power from both the Eagle Nebula and the star for this system—it’s why the outer part of the ship is made from metal from Vatusus, so that it can draw in light. But with no chlorophyll being infused regularly into the metal it cannot. And without it, our life support will be compromised sooner as opposed to later. Warp working means nothing if we can’t also ensure that the crew can survive the journey.”
“Word to the mutha.” Now I wanted to hear Bel Biv DeVoe. I’d been a lot more relaxed in the lounge with Tim and Wruck. Decided that I was about one more stressful moment from just putting in my headphones and ignoring everyone else’s complaints, Jeff’s in particular.
Chuckie cleared his throat. “I’m going to place a bet.”
“We’re not in Vegas, but okay.”
He shot me the “really?” look. “That planet is extremely green. I’m going to bet that it will have enough chlorophyll on it to restore what was lost, destroyed, or stolen. And, conveniently, we’re already supposed to go down there and save the day.”
“We’ll rescue you and, in return, just give us some chlorophyll and we’ll go away? Could work. Of course, we have no idea what’s going on down there, who we’re dealing with, or how we get said chlorophyll into our possession, but it’s as good a plan as any.”
“Do we have a shuttle that can go to the planet, or are we going to land?” Jeff asked.
“We have shuttles,” Drax replied. “They hold up to twenty. Under the current circumstances, landing would be our last choice.”
“Oh, I’m sure we won’t need that big of an away team. Just make sure that no one’s wearing a red shirt and we’ll be good.” This earned me a ton of dirty looks, which I ignored. “I know who I want down on the planet with me.”
“Why do you think you’re going?” Jeff asked, in the growly man voice he still persisted in believing made me behave and obey anyplace other than in bed.
“Because I’m the one who was given the quest by Sandy. And, let’s be real—we were told we’re dealing with a mad scientist. The two people for sure going, therefore, are me and Tim. I’ll advise who else I want on the fun excursion, but it won’t be you.”
Jeff’s eyes narrowed. “And you expect me to stay on the ship why?”
“You’re the POTUS and the King Regent and we need you up here to make a really grand entrance if necessary or to fire laser cannons in all haste, depending.”
“She’s right, Jeff,” Chuckie said. “If we’re going down to the planet, then you need to stay up here in the ship, where it’s reasonably safe. I, however, am going,” he added, shooting a “try me” look my way.
“As if I was leaving our resident genius on board? Yes, you’re in. So is Christopher. I like having the Flash around. I want the rest of Alpha Team, too, though not Paul, but definitely Richard.”
“We need other fighters,” Reader said. “Just in case we meet a lot of opposition early.”
Well, Algar had told me to keep him with me. “Tito, Rahmi, and Rhee. Mahin and Abigail. That gives us fight, special talents, and a doctor along. I think that’s good for now.”
“I’m going with you,” Jeff said calmly, but with a great deal of conviction. “I’m not allowing my wife, my family, or my friends to go down onto an alien planet without me. Period. Toss all the reasons why at me, it’s not going to change anything, because I’m never going to look at our children and share that the reason they don’t have a mother anymore is because I stayed behind while she went into battle without me.”
Would have argued, because I really did want him to stay safe on the ship. However, since I knew he felt the same about me, and since I also found his dedication to being protective extremely sweet, chose not to have this fight. “Fine, Jeff. You’re in. And we don’t know that we’ll be in battle.”
“You don’t know that we won’t be, either,” he pointed out.
“True. But that leaves us without the Grand Poohbah reveal if we need it.”