Alien Shore Epilogue Two
GRID Traveler Trinity: Alien Shores
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Epilogue Two
Epilogue Two
Sean sat in his chair on Top Deck. He had just talked to Robin. She was doing fine and apologized for the entire mess; she also wanted to tell Sean that her new cook was safely on board. Sean smiled and told her to not eat his omelet. She laughed and clicked off. Their friendship hadn’t been mended, but killing and near death experiences had a way to start the healing process.
Apparently, Adruqu saw fit to duplicate Robin back on Necron-one. Loggar intervened on Robin’s behalf and had all charges of treason dropped – reason sealed confidential. This Robin was not the Robin who ordered six pilots to their death, or the others who died during the fight with the Johnson. Officially, the records would show that CG deferred judgment to Loggar. Unofficially, Loggar acted as Most High and absolved Robin of all charges. The conclusion was that Sean dealt with the other Robin. The Board realized, after much debate and bickering, that punishment had been carried out. The question, now, was why super beings, which had mastered time and interdimensional travel, would take an interest in a few individuals. The frightening thought was that maybe they were all duplicated – just waiting to die and be resurrected again. It was a terrifying thought, indeed. The Necronians were sick individuals toying with them. It was good GRID Command decided not to respond with Military action. Succinctly, that would have been a dumb move. The only good thing that came out of this whole mess – it depended on what side of the fence you stood on, was that GC was more firmly controlled by The Most High, the conspirators had either been pushed into retirement, or reassigned to duty locations the likes of God would be afraid to be in. Hundreds of individuals “taken care of’ by the swift actions of Most High followers or sympathizers. But Sean considered that notion for a moment. Was it a good thing to have that much power centralized in one person? Sean didn’t know which was scarier. The Necronians and their seemingly inexhaustible ability to do anything, anywhere, anytime, anywhen, or sleeping with the most influential individual in all of GRID Command!
Currently, Loggar would be staying aboard the Johnson as resident expert exobiologist. Johnson’s new standing orders read: visit, explore, and make first contact with worlds the Necronians seeded. Herb, Milkens and Kurp were also assigned to the Johnson and part of the Command Staff as well. By a military standpoint, this made sense. Find out what you are up against, know your enemy, and see if there are any allies out there.
GC wanted to transfer Sean and his crew to a newer vessel. Top of the line they said. Fastest and most powerful in the fleet. Sean laughed and said the Johnson was ‘Top of the line’ and had proved it by besting a more ‘advanced and powerful’ vessel. Loggar said that the Johnson would suit her just fine. The matter was dropped. Of course, Sean didn’t let the opportunity for a few upgrades go by. Johnson was in Dry Dock for a month, his GRID engines upgraded to Short Wavers. Wing Group got the shore leave of their choice; actually the team was torn on three locations. Sean gave them all three.
Cookie opened the door to his new quarters. He dropped his duffle when he saw the room. It was twice as wide as his old room and 40% deeper. He stepped inside and walked over to the view port. It was half the size of this new room and went from ceiling to floor. ‘Damn, Captain.’ He thought. ‘All this for a better omelet.’ And as Cookie unpacked he sang a Shanty.
- “I am a sailor stout and bold, long time I’ve plowed the ocean; I’ve fought for king and country too, won honor and promotion. I said: My brother sailor I bid you adieu, no more to sea will I go with you; I’ll travel the country through and through, and I’ll be a rambling sailor.
- If you should want to know my name, my name it is young Johnson. I’ve got permission from the king to court young girls and handsome. I said: My dear, what will you do? Here’s ale and wine and brandy too; besides a pair of new silk shoes, to travel with a rambling sailor.
- The king’s permission granted me to range the country over; from Bristol Town to Liverpool, from Plymouth Sound to Dover. And in whatever town I went, To court young maidens I was bent; and marry none was my intent, but live a rambling sailor.”
- “I am a sailor stout and bold, long time I’ve plowed the ocean; I’ve fought for king and country too, won honor and promotion. I said: My brother sailor I bid you adieu, no more to sea will I go with you; I’ll travel the country through and through, and I’ll be a rambling sailor.