Chapter 30

Ray-ray held the door for Tiffany and Bill. Governor Danvers had requested their presence at the hearing. The morning seemed bright, very few clouds hung in the sky. Little or no breeze moved the air. Fortunately, the morning remained cool.

Tiffany leaned into Bill slightly, letting his hand drape over her baby-belly. "Will you keep any of the kids that don't make sponsor grade scores?"

Finding Tiffany's hand, Bill lifted it to kiss her fingers. "Joan really wanted to be a mother." Bill looked to Ray-ray, making sure he was listening too. "I still want everyone to become a sponsor. Our kids who do not make the cut are fortunate enough to be here on Wayward." Bill took several more steps. "Philip seems to really enjoy the time he spends working at the ranches and the farm." Bill stopped talking.

The look Bill sported was not one of the ones where his implant communication had commanded his attention. Ray-ray decided to probe with a question. "Do you think Randy will want to be a farmer?"

"Sorry," Bill looked at both Ray-ray and Tiffany. "I just remembered that Randy's last few science projects were in the botany category."

"What are his chances of being a sponsor?" Tiffany used an inquiring mom tone.

Bill smiled. This was beginning to feel like a parent conference. "I'll ask Dewey and Colinda to give us a probability curve for his CAP score."

By the time the group reached the Colony Building, Tiffany secured a promise of a snapshot of every child eleven or older.

"Do we know the dreams of the other kids?" Ray-ray's question stopped Bill in his tracks.

"I think," Bill paused. "I think Leslie may have the students write about their futures." He stopped and turned to look toward the house. "She has had each of them keep a journal or diary."

"It would be dirty pool to read them," Tiffany stated bluntly.

Ray-ray added his two cents, "Bill that would upset the house." He pointed to Tiffany. "They will not be pleased. I mean, not just one upset momma. There are what, five now." Ray-ray shook his head. "That much angry estrogen could be deadly."

Tiffany punched Ray-ray lightly in the nearer upper arm. "It doesn't take that much to create angry estrogen."

Ray-ray mimicked a stereotyped 'Uncle Tom'. "Please, Miss Tiffany, don't beat Ray-ray."

"If I didn't fuck you on a regular basis," Tiffany snatched Ray-ray's ear, "I'd turn you over to Leslie in a practice ring."

Ray-ray fired back a retort. "Yes, but we both have Bill's 'brand' on our asses."

Tiffany ran her hand over his hip. "Ray-ray, I climb into bed and make love with confident men who are good role models for my kids." She looked up, stroking both his and Bill's cheeks then stroked towards each chin. "Not some whiney fearful slave like, Kunta Kinte." Ray-ray bent down to kiss her belly bump. Bill gave her a peck on her cheek.

"Boys, while I have the two of you alone and clothed," Tiffany took a deep breath. "Being preggers makes us very horny." She ran her hands toward their crotches. "Me, Leslie and Joyce aren't getting enough cock."

Stopping dead in their tracks, Ray-ray and Bill were at a loss for words. "I always had trouble making love to Salome when she was bulging," confessed Ray-ray. "I am afraid I'll hurt her or the baby."

Bill never said anything; Ray-ray expressed his sentiment.

"That's bullshit." Tiffany's tone ripped the confession to shreds. "We have weekly checkups to monitor our pregnancies." Her index finger extended. Ray-ray stepped behind Bill a bit using him for protection from Tiffany. "Has Hobson ever told you that a good fucking was dangerous to any of us? Hmmm-." She tapped her fingers on her arm.

"He never mentioned that," admitted Bill.

"I think it's hypocritical." Eyes bored into Bill. "You used a sleeve to bang Eve. Yet you have three extra-horny women that you are afraid to touch."

"We have no defense." Bill pulled Ray-ray back to his side.

"Then I have an assignment, you two." Tiffany made eye contact with both of them. "Each of you will have a sleep study course on how to fuck a really pregnant woman." Both men nodded. "Good, then let's get going." Tiffany strode ahead.

"At least it wasn't Leslie," offered Ray-ray.

"I know. This message was much better received while standing." Bill paused, then added, "Not having a bruised ass makes the bruised ego easier to handle."

They exchanged glances, then a quick laugh. Ray-ray looked at Tiffany as she walked away. "Shit Bill, we had better catch up."

The grand ballroom on the uppermost floor of the government building hosted the hearing. Most of the daily activity on Wayward had stopped.

The AI, Vulcan, finished his testimony. Why the blacksmith and his apprentices had rushed into the Macramé Hut now became clear. Simple timing; they could reach Tiffany and Martha before the constables. Once Dr. Nguyen had tried to commandeer the Sandcastle, Corporal Diaz's stunner was deactivated.

Diaz could not testify. He was back in a med tube. Governor Danvers had had made him stay the night before in the home of the rug weavers. The Nez women had a new toy for the evening. Poor Diaz suffered a pulled groin from the attention the women demanded of him. He was promised a return engagement this evening.

The Sandgate's AI had partitioned itself to run a full set of diagnostics on its function and data. Two full sets of orders were found for the mission. The Office of the Chief of CAP Evaluation and Testing, along with both of the Training Departments of the Navy and Marines did order a survey of educational practices on various colony worlds.

An actual entry of the special orders from Admiral B. Elizabeth Parker sat in the log of the Sandgate. The ID signature for the entry bore the name of Legate C. Chestnut Barrow. That revelation brought about a groan from Constable Josh Polanski.

"Constable Polanski," Colinda interrupted the Sandgate's testimony. "Do you have additional information?"

Josh stood. He turned to face Governor Danvers. He waited until she motioned for him to speak. "What does the B stand for in the Admiral's name?"

The Sandgate AI responded. "The ID matrix attached to the orders identifies the B as Bonnie."

"Thank you." Josh took a breath. "The Admiral who initiated these orders is Bonnie Parker; the Legate would be Clyde Barrow." Several stifled laughs and a few guffaws permeated the room. "I have reason to believe these persons do not exist as they were killed on May 23, 1934 in the State of Louisiana."

Captain Rich Mead felt heat rise in his cheeks. He flexed every muscle under his command. It took three deep controlled breaths for him to center himself.

Janice Austin found herself the center of attention. The two Marines who had brought her to the hearing stood nearby. Everything had gone wrong. She had been setup.

"Dr. Austin, you are reminded that you are to answer all questions truthfully." Colinda established the ground rules. "Your responses will be monitored."

"Dr. Austin," Governor Danvers called for her attention. "Why was Dr. Nguyen interested in the concubine Tiffany Jenkins?"

Looking at Tiffany, Austin responded. "The impulse response time of her voluntary muscle and fine motor skills is statistically faster than that of an augmented Marine."

"What is that difference?"

"Her reaction to stimuli is three thousandths of a second faster." Austin paused recalling the data. "That places her three deviations above the norm."

Danvers asked her next question instantly. "Are you aware of the analysis made by the Kon Tiki AI during her recovery?"

A stunned Austin replied hesitantly, "What analysis?"

There was a pause. The collected observers stared. "The faster reaction time is due to two factors." Danvers opened a folder and began to summarize. "During her spinal cord's repair, her body adapted to the newer neural pathways. There is also the fact that the distances the impulses travel are shorter."

Austin's mouth fell open. She looked around the room. "I was never made aware of this analysis."

"You are dismissed." The two Marines led her away. Danvers then made eye contact with Rich Mead. He stood and looked to the Governor.

She acknowledged Mead, "Captain."

"Thank you, governor," Mead straightened his jacket. "We received these orders along with Dr. Nguyen and her team while we were at Artemis Moon base for a refit." He turned to look at the other personnel the Sandgate had ferried to Wayward. "Then we proceeded to Azharat to bring the other individuals here to the colony."

"May I ask how you received your orders?" The Governors tone was supportive.

"I was called to a joint meeting with the Deputy Directors of Training for both the Navy and Marines, Also present was a Deputy Director of CAP evaluation and Testing," Mead responded factually. "The orders for Dr. Nguyen were relayed and confirmed through Naval Command at the base."

Danvers asked another question. "Did anyone at that meeting mention Dr. Nguyen?"

"No one at that meeting spoke of Dr. Nguyen."

"Did you have any reason to suspect Dr. Nguyen?"

Mead paused. He ran through his interactions with the doctor and her team. "Until I was informed that her subordinate had tried to take command of my ship and threatened to fire on the colony, no." He shook his head to emphasize his point.

"Thank you, Captain." Governor Danvers waited until he took his seat. "We will adjourn until four this afternoon. I will announce my findings."

Tiffany pulled Bill across the room. She tapped the arm of a man facing away from her. Captain Mead turned to see who touched him.

"I want you to know that I believe that you and your ship were duped." Tiffany looked into the man's eyes, hoping he saw the truth in her words. "I am sorry you and your crewman were injured."

Rich smiled. In his peripheral vision, he took stock of how the man standing with her behaved. The tension that had built up in Mead, began to dissipate as the pregnant woman spoke. Rich unfolded his crossed arms. He made sure his hands where open. "Thank you. As strangers here we appreciate how we've been treated."

"In that case," Bill softly interjected himself, "would you and your officers join us at the cafeteria? We are waiting until we get more a greater sense of community before we open an entertainment club."

Rich was intrigued by the idea but", He pointed out, "Our concubines are in our rooms-"

Tiffany placed a hand on both men. "Have Colinda inform the companions. Then I will meet them in the lobby and escort them there."

"That's a good idea." Bill motioned for Mead and his subordinates to follow him. Tiffany waddled away toward the escalators.

"Could I ask a personal question?" Sergeant Fischer had one eyebrow raised. Bill lifted both eyebrows, inviting the inquiry. "Your concubine there is a bit forward. Why do you let her?"

"Simple; I have twenty five dependents and seven concubines." Bill stared counting in his head again. "I have a very stable household and a drained dick. Once I get home I'm just one of two boy-toys."

The Sergeant nodded, a grin slipped across his face. He let the others go first. Shaking his head, he brought up the rear of the party.

Several men sat around a small table. The device in the center of the table began to glow softly red. Everyone remained silent. Once the light shifted into a blue hue, the chairman at the head of the table spoke. "She sent how many?"

"Thirteen total SupraLuminal Communication drones, Sire." The response seemed hesitant.

"Thank you." The chairman turned to the opposite side of the table. His voice deepened a bit. "Our former hacker, the one with the sense of humor?"

To the right of the chairman a man with a hoarse voice offered an answer. "He suffered an accident." A groan came from several members at the table.

This time the chairman's voice projected. "Just what type of an accident?"

The hoarse man cleared his throat. "Sire, he was removing a computer from an Earth First Site when an explosion killed him."

Silence permeated the gathering. "Would that have been part of his normal duties?"

"Yes, Sire." The hoarse voice man gathered his wits. "The accident happened during his normal rotation."

"Providence has tied up our loose ends." The chairman stood. Quickly, the others followed suit. "I will retire, to my abode." He turned and took two steps. Stopping, he turned back. "We continue to erode the trust level in Central Command."