Ken Harrington - Light Speed

I t was June 2040 in New Boston. One year after the Cartone deep space probe was launched by the E.S.A. Shortly after liftoff one of their thrusters malfunctioned skewing their trajectory and heading them into the Sun. Due to the intense radiation, radio contact was lost. All radar contact was lost shortly after and the expedition was assumed destroyed. The year was marked as a tremendous human and technological loss that set manned space flight back indefinitely.Yet on this June day space flight was the last thing on certain people's minds. Outside it was beautiful. The sun was shining. The birds were singing. You could almost taste the apple blossoms as the sent of them filtered in on a soft breeze that lightly caressed the skin.However inside, it was a different story altogether. Like opposing storm clouds two entrepreneurs, Kenneth Shepherd & Bernard Rush, stood toe to toe hashing out their business styles."You cant treat people that way Bernard. You have to listen to them and work with them. You have to treat them with respect if you want their loyalty!""So you say Kenneth, but where has it gotten us? I say what's the use of being in control of a business, if you can't BE in control. We own the business, we started the business, who cares how the employees feel about their jobs or their pay. ""We should!" Kenneth Shepherd locked eyes with his junior partner in the fledgling mining business, "I brought you into the business not only because you and I were friends but because I felt your drive could help make the business grow. But you push our people as well as our customers too hard. Relax Bernard. You have too handle the business a little more gently. Drive is good, but too much and you can push people and the business the other way."Rush turned to look out the window toward the field beyond, "I disagree, there are times when you must be ruthless to get ahead in business and in life. If the employees don't like it they don't have to work here. As for the customers, they like strong suppliers! It gives them a sense of confidence that you can get the job done."Coming out from behind the oak desk where he was sitting Kenneth Shepherd moved to the desk's corner and leaned against it in frustration. "Bernard would you like to be treated in a ruthless way?""That's not the point, I...!" shouted Rush.Shepherd cut him off, "It is exactly the point! Why can't you see it? After all the discussions we've had together!"Bernard Rush was becoming red in the face as he threw his hands up in the air, "Why can't I see it? Why can't you see it! Yes, we've had many discussions. We never see eye to eye and probably never will. Maybe were not suited to work together after all.""Just listen to reason Bernard," pleaded Shepherd.Now it was Bernard's turn to cut Kenneth off as he heatedly jumped in. "No it won't work! I want you to buy me out Kenneth. You want to run the business your way. Fine. Leave me out!"With a sigh of resignation, Kenneth Shepherd knew it was futile to try to reason any longer. "I'll have the secretary draw up the proper papers in the morning. Will that be soon enough?""Fine!" said Rush with an outward gesture of his hand as he turned and left the office in a huff.Shepherd wished they could have worked it out, but sadly it was not to be. Kenneth Shepherd, now the sole head of Shepherd Industries, knew he hadn't seen the last of his former partner. If Bernard was going to start his own mining business, Shepherd knew he would have a battle on his hands. This would be no short war but a long and bitter one. He knew that he had to start building his defenses now if his business was to survive.Fifty-five years later..."It won't work!" said Thomas Roundtree. As Richard Long raised his head, he looked across the room. He noticed that the rest of his department had gone home. "Don't give up Thomas we'll find the answer." replied the head researcher."Why?" said Roundtree with his head in his hands."Because Shepherd Industries is in the mining business. Finding better and faster ways to get our product to market is the only way to stay ahead of the competition." said Long.Glancing over his shoulder Thomas Roundtree replied, "If you're referring to the fact that we need to find faster ways to move our ore to and from the belt before our competition does, or we may not have a job, I wouldn't worry. Atom's Technical has never put us out of business."With a long shake of his head in agreement and with an inquiring smile, Long now asked Roundtree, "What do you know about Atoms Technical?""Oh nothing..." Looking down and going back to work at his key board Roundtree continued, "Just a good guess. They are one of the major mining companies we compete with and besides its no secret that they don't like us.""Yes, but outside of that why did you say Atoms Technical? There are other companies we compete with too, like Rapid Particle or Bascome Refinery. It still seems like you know something I don't." Long started to press the younger man for an answer just slightly.Looking up again from his keyboard Roundtree stared at the wall and chuckled. "Well I work with 'atoms' of antimatter all day trying to get more energy out of their reactions so I guess Atoms was the first name to come to mind. Why so interested Richard it was just a comment?"A worried look came over Long's face as he looked at his watch. "Forget it. I'm late for dinner with my wife and the Boss. I can't believe how time has gotten away!" Long logged off his terminal, shut it down, threw some papers in the middle drawer of his desk, locked it, then grabbed his coat off the back of his chair and ran for the door. Roundtree watched him go, looked at his own watch, then glanced over at Long's still cluttered desk.Richard Long exited the automated doors of the Research & Development wing of Shepherd Industries Corporate headquarters in New Boston Massachusetts and headed for his car."Why can't you ever find your keys when you're in a hurry..." he thought. Long fumbled around in his pocket. "Ah-ha...got them!" He reached the car and slid the door key into the lock, turned it, and opened the door. As Richard Long readied the car for air lift he noticed a security voiceprint chip lying on the floor board of the passenger side. He felt his own chip on his name badge so he knew it wasn't his, so who's was it he wondered."I don't remember that being here earlier today," he thought. Long had begun to read the ID. number on the chip as he turned the ignition key. "I'm so late, Joann and Micah will kill me..."BOOM !....... The car burst into flames. "S ir!" Jones McKenze called after Micah Shepherd as he was leaving the Spaceport's command center. "I have your wife on a priority channel." Turning from the exit Shepherd grabbed the nearest headset."Yes Andrea what is it? Is every one all right?"Trying to control the excitement in her voice Andrea answered her husband, "Micah, I think you better get down here right away. Richard is coming out of the coma! Rebecca saw him move his arm and shortly after that his eyes fluttered open and then closed.""Is the doctor there?" Shepherd asked."Yes, but he is too busy to talk. Hurry Micah!""On my way." Shepherd broke the link and turned toward McKenze. "Jones, get me Mr. Burke at the shipyard."McKenze nodded and started the communications transfer. Then he looked at Shepherd. "Sir Commerce is not responding. I'm getting the automated response that their com system is temporarily under repair and will be back up soon. Sorry Sir.""Is there any other way to get through?""If their com system is down they can't hear us no matter what we do.""What about Mr. Burke's personal communicator?""If he had a bigger antenna maybe, but as it is, his system isn't powerful enough to receive from this distance without a boost. The engineers over there must be checking the system since they said they had trouble during the probe flight. I'll be glad to send a message for you as soon as the system is back on line.""That will have to do. I can't wait. Tell Mr. Burke I won't be able to meet him at the shipyard. Instead he is to come to earth right away. Tell him Mr. Long is coming out of his coma. I'll meet him at the hospital. Also, call Edward Wills at home and get him over to Massachusetts General too." Jones nodded.Without waiting for a reply, Shepherd bolted from the command center. His mind raced as he ran toward the gravity slide and the earth bound shuttle that waited at the central hub. "Richard is AWAKE! I know Joann is relieved to say the least. He has great timing, coming out of the coma just when we need his help to find his attacker and to further the project. I wonder if the attacker is some one Richard knows? I hope he can tell us." Shepherd just made the last shuttle as it was ready to depart. He strapped himself into the shuttle's blast couch. The shuttle released itself from its moorings and the Space Port fled away as the shuttle hurtled toward earth with a hopeful man aboard. He was more hopeful for his friend and his family than he had been in weeks.John Burke and Shannon O'Neil sat down at a corner table in the food center dining hall. Sitting down was a luxury lately. The pace everyone had been keeping was grueling. O'Neil rubbed her feet as Burke leaned back in his chair to stretch and yawn."Oh, what a day! My whole body aches," Burke began to massage his bruised right fist. "Mr. Roundtree put up quite a fight."O'Neil took a good look at Burke and saw what he meant. "John, you're bruised and your hand is bleeding. Shouldn't you go see the doctor?""Oh, I'll be fine it's not the first time I've gotten a little bruised. So, what's for dinner?"Burke looked over at O'Neil's plate trying to change the subject. O'Neil looked at her plate then held up her cup to examine it. Her nose wrinkled at the smell. "Looks like a chicken sandwich and some very strong coffee," she replied."You don't seem to like coffee." Burke noticed the wrinkled nose."Nea, I don't really. I'm more of a tea drinker, but since this is all they have I'll drink it.""I know what you mean. I don't care for coffee either. I like a good cup of tea myself but a good cold glass of water is best when I'm thirsty."Burke took a drink of his coffee. It tasted bitter in his mouth but it would have to do for now. Water is at a premium in space. Once it is used to prepare something, that's all you get until the next re-supply shipment. Burke put his mug down and rolled it between his hands enjoying the warmth as he spoke. "Tell me Shannon, where are you from? I take it that it's somewhere in Ireland."O'Neil replied with a smile. "Scotland actually. It's just a small farm in a small town.""I'm sure it's a beautiful place." Burke replied."Aye, it tis. The rolling hills. The dew in the morn. The green grass in the springtime.My parents still live there. I like to go back and visit whenever I can.""So what brought you to Shepherd Industries?" Burke asked."Well after I completed University, majoring in Space Sciences" Burke was surprised! "Space Sciences?"Doesn't that include a lot of subjects?" he interrupted."Aye, and I wanted to find a place where I could use what I had learned. Shepherd Industries seemed like a good place to start." O'Neil smiled and then took a bite of her now cold chicken sandwich."Well, for a new college grad. at her first job, you handled yourself quite well today.""Thank you very much Sir."Both smiled as another look of understanding passed between them. Just then Burke's com unit beeped to life. Burke excused himself for a moment and touched the wrist communicator."Burke here. Go ahead.""John, this is Jones at the Spaceport. You are a hard man to reach. I've been trying for almost an hour!""Sorry. The engineers must have been checking the com system for damage. What's up?""Mr. Shepherd won't be able to make it to the shipyard. Instead he wants you to come back to earth.""What! I've got a tense situation here Jones. How can I leave?""I don't know John. All I know is that he wants you to get down to Massachusetts General ASAP.""What's wrong Jones?""Actually it's good news. Richard Long is out of his coma. Shepherd wanted you there for security reasons I think.""I understand. Thanks Jones."The link closed with a chirp. Burke turned to his dinner guest, "Sorry Shannon, but I have to go. Thanks for joining me.""That's all right. It sounds important.""It is. Richard Long is the best man to help with this project. After all it was his idea. We need him." Burke paused for a moment and thought to himself. "Do I have some news for him." Burke looked at O'Neil, "Shannon I need your help. With me gone I need someone to keep things moving and to watch Roundtree. Can you do that?""I'll watch things like a Scottish barn owl John!" She pointed to her eyes and gave him a reassuring smile."Great. You can reach me at the hospital if I'm needed. Just watch out for Roundtree. We don't know what he is capable of."Without another word, Burke pushed himself away from the table and headed for the door. Shannon called after him, "Looks like I'm your assistant now."Burke called back over his shoulder as the doors closed, "Looks like it. Welcome to security!"Some hours later, John Burke arrived at New Boston's main Hospital. This was the first time he had set foot on earth in over a month. He was glad to smell the unfiltered air of home even though it smelled a little antiseptic as he rode the elevator to the critical care ward. He arrived at the visitor's hall to find everyone but Micah Shepherd. Andrea was the first to see him."John! How are you? Micah said you'd be coming." Andrea embraced him and ushered him into the family circle at the center of the hall. "John, you know Joann Long I'm sure."Taking a few steps forward, Burke greeted her. "Yes, Mrs. Long. I was so sorry about the accident but I'm glad to be here to greet your husband now.""Thank you Mr. Burke. We appreciate the concern." Joann smiled.All the while, Rebecca was sitting in the corner waiting for the crowd to thin. However, before she could go to him he came to her. "Rebecca it's good to see you." Taking her hands in his he lifted her up and caught her blue eyes with his gaze, "I've missed you." he said.Rebecca knowing her own feelings, wanted to pull her hands back, but seeing him again face to face she couldn't hurt him. So, quickly she kissed him and then motioned for him to sit down next to her. Andrea Shepherd looked on and marveled at what she saw in view of what her daughter had confided in her some hours before.Just then a figure approached and touched her shoulder. "I see John made it!" Out of the corner of his eye, Burke saw Shepherd approach and sprang to his feet."Mr. Shepherd. Hello!"Shepherd reached out to shake Burke's hand. "John, it's Micah remember?" Burke smiled and nodded as Shepherd continued. "I'm sorry to interrupt but John and I have some business to attend to."Andrea gave her husband a resigned look and shrugged her shoulders. "I should have known you'd have business to discuss even now.""Sorry dear." Replied Shepherd. Burke gave an 'I'll be right back' look to Rebecca, who was half disappointed and half relieved. The two men walked away from the group and through the entrance to the critical care area. Shepherd brought Burke up to speed.Entering Long's room was like entering the world of the sick. Monitors, tubes, sterile regen bandages and pain filled Burke's senses. Rebecca had told him in a holo message how much she disliked seeing Richard Long like this and now he knew why. What he saw was a weak man just back from the dead. Yet, as Burke approached the bed side he noticed a certain quiet determination to live. It was that never quit attitude that seemed to flow from Long's unburned hand and solidly set gray eyes. His determination and will to live encouraged Burke to keep approaching as Long weakly spoke with a thick, horse voice."John Burke. Good to see you again." With Micah Shepherd on the left, John Burke to the right and Edward Wills at his feet Long was encouraged to tell what he knew about what happened. Hardly able to grate the words out, Long related his experience as best as he could.The three men listened with rapt attention as the head researcher spoke. Finally he got to the point they were all waiting for. "Then, just before I turned the key I noticed a voice print chip on the passenger floor board.""Could you identify the number on the chip?" asked Edward Wills."I couldn't at the time but now that I think about it I seem to remember a number seventeen. But that couldn't be because that's Thomas' number and he hadn't been in my car for weeks.""It could have been Mr. Roundtree's ID chip. My sources tell me that Mr. Roundtree hadn't logged on to any secured data base until he was made acting head of research and assigned a new ID code and voice chip for security reasons," said Wills from the foot of the bed."Wait a minute. How could Roundtree have worked without his old chip. Surely he would have needed it before working on the new project," replied Burke.Wills picked up the conversation. "With Mr. Long out of commission Mr. Roundtree became the acting head of research. Therefore he had others helping him. It was their security codes that opened files. He simply had assistants open whatever he needed until he got his new chip. As for his old chip, it must have come lose from his badge when he planted the explosive device in Mr. Long's car." Wills finished with a serious look of contained fury at this possible evidence of assault."Wait a minute Edward, we don't know Thomas Roundtree did this! The evidence is all circumstantial," said Shepherd. "We need to get his story before we point fingers.""I afraid Wills could be right Micah. I have some information that adds weight to Roundtree's guilt." Burke went on to relate the events of the early evening to the disbelief of all in the room. He covered everything from Shannon O'Neil's thoughts, to his own observations, to the probes flight and his scuffle with Roundtree. Burke had a whopper of a tale to tell."I can't believe it!" Long choked out the words trying to defend the man he thought he knew."Neither can I Richard. However, if what Edward and John says is true, Mr. Roundtree has some explaining to do. First to me, then to the BPD," replied Shepherd rubbing the back of his neck trying to relieve the tension. Burke's stomach wasn't responding well either. Shepherd looked at this watch. "Well, its now 1:00am and my special waver for after hours visiting is wearing quite thin. Let's all get some sleep. There's nothing more to be done tonight. We'll all be clearer tomorrow." Shepherd looked at his friend of many years. "Thomas is contained and you're getting better. SleepRichard! Keep improving. I have a hunch that you will be able to join us soon. Meanwhile, Edward, John and I will sort all this out. See you later old friend."A little distressed but none the worse for the wear, Long agreed with Shepherd so the three men filed out of his room. The visitor's hall was all but empty when Shepherd and company returned. Leaving Joann Long with her husband, everyone including John Burke left for some needed sleep. The most logical place to get it was at the Shepherd's house. So with Micah's permission, Burke tagged along for the night much to the uneasiness of Rebecca.The morning came all to quickly. Burke was the first up or so he thought. As he made his way to the kitchen for some tea, he saw Rebecca staring out the dining room terrace doors."Good morning Rebecca." Burke walked over and kissed her on the cheek."Oh, hello John. Good morning." She turned back toward the view. Seeing only coffee ready, Burke poured himself a cup.Holding the coffee to warm his hands Burke leaned against the counter and tried to get Rebecca's attention. "What's on your mind? Must be something pretty important to wake a person up so early after such a late night."Rebecca turned to face Burke. Noticing the coffee in his hand, she replied. "Since when do you drink coffee? I've never known you to drink it before."Burke looked down at his cup, "I guess all those weeks at the shipyard with nothing else are habit forming. That's all they had."Rebecca smiled and took the cup out of his hands and put it on the counter. She turned toward the sink, put some water in a tea pot and started it to boil on the stove."If I remember, tea is more your speed," said Rebecca as a tear formed in her eye. She wiped it dry and ran out the terrace doors to the outside. Startled at her sudden response, Burke stepped back, then quickly followed her."Rebecca, wait! Where are you going?" Rebecca stopped at the deck rail. "It's kind of cold this morning. Why are you going outside?"A little shaky, Rebecca answered. "John, I have something to tell you but I don't know how." Stepping closer to her and rubbing her arms because of the cold, Burke encouraged her to come inside. Together they left the terrace and closing the doors behind they sat at the table. The silence seemed like forever before Burke broke in. He held her hand and asked, "What is it Rebecca? You can tell me."Rebecca still with some tears in her eyes replied, "John I've never been able to tell you this before but I want you to know that I love you very much."Burke smiled at her, "Thank you for telling me. I love you too. That's why I want to marry you." Rebecca flinched inwardly as he finished."Well, I wish you didn't!" Her emotions came to the surface. Burke was confused. "Wait! Let me explain. This is what I wanted to talk to you about. You've been so understanding and I don't want to hurt you but I can't marry you now."Burke touched her arm in a comforting gesture as he wiped another tear from Rebecca's cheek with his other hand. "I understand. There's a lot of action going on right now and were both in the middle of it. There will be time for us later."Rebecca flinched again. This time more noticeably. She could see that he didn't understand. Rebecca calmed herself and took his hands in hers, locked eyes with the man she knew she loved, and tried to make him see. "John, I love my work and the freedom I have. I love you too, but I don't want to give up what I have achieved...,"As Rebecca and John talked, Andrea was on her way into the kitchen but stopped short in the hall when she heard the voices. Her husband was right behind her, dressed and ready for this day of confrontation with Thomas Roundtree, the police and who knows what else along the way. Micah Shepherd almost ran into his wife."Hey!""Shh!" Andrea held up her index finger to her lips. "Listen!"Rebecca continued, "I want you to know that you've been wonderful and I'll always love you. But I'm not ready to make that commitment at this time in my life."Burke sat back pulling his hands free of her grasp. "Why didn't you tell me sooner. Like a year ago!"Suddenly the tea kettle sounded off breaking the awkward moment. Rebecca got up and poured Burke his tea while taking some coffee for herself. She handed Burke his cup and sat down again."I know I should have said something long ago but I really didn't know what I wanted till yesterday. I guess it took some time away from you to help me see my feelings clearer. Then when I saw you at the hospital after all these weeks I couldn't tell you. John please don't be upset or hurt!"Burke folded his arms across his chest in a self protective gesture as he spoke. "But why? I don't understand how marriage to the man you admit that you love could hinder you."Burke reached out to cup his tea in his hands. "If you had doubts about us why has a year gone by before saying anything?"Rebecca picked up her mug, eyed it for a moment then took a long drink as if for courage. She wished it was whiskey for this conversation but coffee would have to do. She answered him. "I know John. I'm at fault. I should've told you much sooner but believe me it 's for the best. I would be no good for you. You need someone who can share your life. Someone who can work with you, and take an interest in you."Burke cut in not wanting to give up. "But you do share my life! You do work with me!"Rebecca wrapped her hands around his tea cup and his hands, "No John don't. I love you. I truly do. You are good looking, smart, kind and more loyal than I deserve but I could never be the kind of wife you need. I'd always be somewhere else even when we'd be together. My heart could never be totally devoted to you. You see the love of Shepherd Industries has bitten me first. My first love would always come between us and you deserve better than that." She smiled a sad but freeing smile squeezing Burke's hands. At last she had said it. It was like breaking some long locked chain that had weighed her down. She was happy to have said it, yet sad.Getting up and walking over to the counter Burke braced himself on the cool smooth surface. With his back turned he sighed and slumped a little. "I don't know what to say," now it was his turn for a tear to roll down his face, "I love you Rebecca, but I should have known something was wrong when you never replied to my proposals. I never thought it would come to this."Andrea and Micah Shepherd, standing outside in the hall, looked at each other wondering what they could do. Sadly they knew there was nothing they could do although their hearts went out to the young people. Micah Shepherd was taken back by what he had over heard. He whispered to Andrea. "I thought she and John would get married?"Andrea whispered back, "I knew. Last night before Richard woke up she confided in me. That's why I was surprised at the way she greeted John at the hospital. I almost thought she had a change of heart when she saw him." ...The scene continued in the kitchen.Rebecca got up and embraced Burke from behind trying to offer some comfort. It wasn't easy for her to turn him away. Deep inside she knew she'd never find anyone like him again, but still she couldn't deny herself and imprison him in only half a marriage. Burke turned and hugged Rebecca tightly but then straightened knowing that prolonging it would only hurt more. Composing himself Burke tried to be kind and let her off the hook. "Thank you for talking with me. I'm sure your father is about ready to go." He tried to change the subject, "What will you do today?"Still standing close to Burke, Rebecca wiped his tears away as she sniffled herself. "I thought I would go into the office. I've been away quite a while. Miss Shaw has probably rearranged all the fixtures by now," she said with a mock smile."I suppose your father has Mr. Wills handling Richard's security by now," replied Burke taking a step back.Taking that as his cue Micah Shepherd called from the hall asking if Burke was ready to leave as if he wasn't up yet. Burke looked at Rebecca again. "Well I've got to go. Thanks for the tea."Just then Andrea walked in. Burke smiled at her and hurried past. Andrea walked over to her daughter with a knowing look. "You heard?" "I heard," said her mother. Rebecca put her head on her mothers shoulder and sighed.