Alpha One - Chris Burton [87]
They embraced again and then Carla sat on Jake’s lap. Time for the autopilot, thought Jake. “Shall we come off the space way? We are in no hurry to get home.”
“Yes”, said Carla. “I am definitely in no hurry to get home.”
The Challenger space yacht was not designed as a passenger ferry. It was at its best when taken off the space way, when its occupants’ wish was to observe planetary systems, galactic phenomena, etc. Jake switched off the NAVCOM and transferred all navigational, communication and drive to manual systems. The yacht drifted, aided occasionally by the thrusters which automatically kicked in whenever the craft deviated fractionally from its current course. This was what the vessel was designed for.
They made love passionately and fell asleep together in the yacht’s master bedroom. Six hours later, Carla got up to take a shower.
Jake lay in bed, wondering what the future would hold. He was still concerned about Carla and had doubts about her explanation on what happened to him after he blacked out. It was not that he didn’t believe her. Someone fed her false information. His concern was, whether she had fallen in with the Collective far more than she realized—and all Winterburn must do was click his fingers for her to come running. His overall state of mind, though, was a happy one. He and Carla were together. He had not felt this way since Joanna, and he felt a really strong bond was already developing between them. He also felt guilty because he exploited Admiral Black’s generosity.
A proximity alarm suddenly sounded in the cockpit and Jake jumped off the bed and charged along the main living accommodation corridor to the command center of the yacht and the cockpit. The yacht had moved to within the thousand kilometers of the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. Because only thrusters were in operation, there was no immediate danger.
Jake was furious with himself for missing something so fundamental. He learned the solar system in his first grade and plotted his first safe navigation through the asteroid belt, via space way six when he was fifteen. This should have been second nature. He was losing his touch.
He plotted a new course to take the yacht back towards the space way using the auxiliary power drive, without intersecting the asteroid belt. After checking all critical systems he re-engaged the NAVCOM and returned to the accommodation block to see if Carla were okay.
Carla had dressed and stood on the observation platform, gazing out into space. She stared right through the spectacle of the asteroid belt and beyond. Clearly she is troubled but now is not the time, Jake thought.
“So are you ready to go home yet?”
She smiled “Yes, I am. We are going to have to be really careful you know. We will need to take our chances when we get them…lots of quickies” she said cheekily.
If she is still thinking about Joely and Winterburn she’s covering it well, Jake thought. “Yes, and Christmas will get in the way.”
“Don’t you like Christmas?”
“Yes, I do, but…it’s been a tough year and there is a lot going on. Christmas is just a distraction. Do you know what Steve is doing over the festive period?”
Carla frowned. “He and I had planned to stay in a rented cottage in Scotland and then take in some skiing and, Hogmanay. Has he said anything to you?”
“No. We don’t want him to spend it on his own. Are you retuning to Oz for Christmas?”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to three weeks with my folks and plenty of relaxation, although it is oppressively hot down there. Are you spending Christmas with your parents?”
“I’ve got to, really. I have missed out for the last few years. Maybe I should invite Steve to spend it with me? It’s only one night and the rest of the time I will be on campus.”
“That’s if he’s talking to you after the Top Gun showdown.”
“He is going to be really fired up, but I am equal to the challenge.”
Carla avoided eye contact