The Oceans of Emptiness Read online

  “He doesn’t speak unless he has to.”

  “Another fine choice by Capena.”

  “Is John too mad about it?”

  Patricia rolled her eyes. “He’s not happy. I’m hoping in a few days he’ll feel better. He really is better suited doing something technical.”

  “He would have done a fine job as captain,” Xana said. “He did very well getting us to Europa and back.”

  “He had a crew of seven. This one’s slightly larger.” Patricia shook her head. “Besides, if he were captain, I’d probably never see him. He’d lock himself in the control room again.”

  “How are you two doing anyway?”

  “Good. Really good.” She smiled.

  Tuft reached out and touched Patricia’s stomach. “He knocked you up yet?”

  Patricia smacked his hand away. “Do that again and I will kill you. And no. Not yet.”

  Xana smiled. “Speaking of which, you two have an appointment in a week. You better make it.”

  “Just what I want to do. Discuss fertility with a friend.”

  “I promise not to make it awkward.” She turned to Tuft. “You should really consider finding someone as well before we get too far into this journey. You don’t want to be single forever and we’re going to need to populate as much as possible on the way there.”

  “I’m alright on my own.”

  “Can I just say that was a very disgusting way of describing this trip? Not to mention that Tuft here, no offense, probably does not need to be repopulating.” Patricia said. “So do you have to work today?”

  “Unfortunately. Most of the medical staff pull double shifts on a three day rotation. I’m in the first rotation. I take it you don’t.”

  “School starts tomorrow. Today I guess I’m free.” She turned to Tuft. “What about you? Want to get into some trouble?”

  “I got to lay down. Get mentally prepared for the first night of work.” Tuft then pushed his way through the thinning crowd to the door that was closest.

  “I should get going as well,” Xana said. “Try not to get into too much trouble.”

  “You got it.” Patricia waved goodbye to Xana and leaned against the wall. She watched as the others began to filter out of the room one by one. Some had duties they needed to report for and others were just headed to get acquainted with their tiny living spaces. She, on the other hand, thought that food sounded like a far better idea.

  However, as she entered the elevator, Patricia found herself saying level six instead. The door opened and she immediately walked through the hall to her room. Her hand grazed the door and it slid open.

  “Excuse me.”

  Patricia turned around. A woman with soft blue eyes and a sleek uniform held out her hand for Patricia to take. She did. “Hello. Are you on this floor too?”

  “Yes. Two doors over. I’m Kitty Troubalene, first mate.”

  Patricia smiled politely. “First mate? That’s cool. I’m Patricia, shaper of young minds.”

  “And you’re on this floor?”

  “I’m married to the lead technician on the ship. We’re in this room.”

  “Good.”

  “Are you married?”

  “Yes. My husband is one of the chefs on board. He’s on the second shift and I’m on the first. Should make things interesting.”

  “Like ships passing in the night.”

  “Indeed. What ages are you teaching?”

  “Fifteen to eighteen year olds. I have been given the responsibility of determining their final job assignments. Well, they’re more of suggestions to be approved by the board, of course.”

  “Still quite a responsibility. You’re from Earth, aren’t you?”

  Patricia glanced down at her hands and her clothes. “Do I really look that different?”

  “You talk slightly different. It’s subtle, but definitely there. It’s interesting that Capena would have assigned you the older kids.”

  Patricia smirked, biting her tongue.

  “I’m making it a point to introduce myself to all members on board that I see. I hope to meet everyone on the ship within the week.”

  “Good luck. There are quite a few, from what I understand.”

  “Shouldn’t be a problem. If a plan is set, then a goal can be met. I will meet every person. As second in charge, it will be my responsibility to help with all issues of crew members. For them to come to me with their problems, they must first know who I am.”

  Patricia nodded. She found her eyes growing heavy just talking to Kitty. “Yeah, I can see that. I suppose I should let you get back to it.” Patricia took a step into her room through the still open door. “I’ll see you around obviously.”

  “Yes, you will. Good luck on your first day tomorrow. I might be by to check out the students.”

  Patricia paused a moment. “Why?”

  “Part of my duty roster tomorrow includes an inspection of each of the classes. It should also give an accurate account of the ages of the children on board. We have the original rosters which have been compared to those who signed in, but I want to double check that everyone makes it where they are supposed to be.”

  “So how many am I supposed to have in my class?”

  “You’ll have three students. In just a short amount of time, another one will join your class.”

  “Well at least I’ll have students,” Patricia said with a smile.

  Kitty didn’t appear to find it funny. “I will expect you to be within accordance of all rules and regulations during my visit. Don’t give me a reason to write you up.” Then she turned and walked down the hall.

  Patricia shook her head as she stepped all the way into the room and watched the door shut. She was making all sorts of friends.

  2

  Class is in Session

  Patricia woke with a start at the sound of the door sliding open. She knew it wasn’t loud, but she had trained herself to react to the smallest of sounds. This was something that was hardwired into her brain despite her desire to rid herself of all such things.

  John walked into the room, looking slightly disheveled. “I see you’re still here. Did you at least try to go talk to some of the crew?”

  Patricia sat up with a deep breath. “Yes, I went up to the gathering room and mingled. Ran into Tuft and Xana. Did you know she didn’t get lead medical officer?”

  John shook his head. “I’m not surprised, judging by those I’ve met in the officer’s positions.”

  Patricia checked the clock engrained in the wall. It was well into the third shift. “You’re supposed to be on the first shift. Where have you been?”

  John walked forward and plopped himself face down on the bed. “I wanted to meet with all of my crew. Everyone, on every shift, to see who will have the capacity to maintain the systems properly and who is just going to be in the way.”

  “And what is your diagnosis?” Patricia held back her sigh.

  “I sure hope incompetence is not a disease.”

  “John, really. They can’t all be that bad.”

  “Most of them are young. Some helped to design the systems used and are a bit bitter that I was given lead.”

  Patricia laughed. “Xana wanted us to remember that we have our appointment with her in a week.”

  “I’m not going,” John said into the mattress.

  “I’m not sure we have a choice. That was definitely a part of the contractual agreement when we signed up for this voyage.”

  John turned his head toward Patricia. “I suppose if that was what we agreed to, then we do not have much of a choice.”

  “Unfortunately.” Patricia ran her fingers through her hair. “Did anything interesting happen up in the control center?”

  John shook his head. “The captain strung together barely three words. The first mate’s a bit annoying.”

  Patricia smiled. “Well we agree on that.”

  “You met her?”

  “Yeah. She caught me as I was coming back to t
he room. She’s definitely different.”

  “From all that I was able to gather, she is a stickler for rules. However, by the same token, she has a tendency to overlook certain rules for herself. She’s an enigma. The second and third mate are married to one another. Michelle and Tristo Bateson. I don’t trust either one of them. There are three main engineers, all of whom are arrogant.”

  “Was it the navigator that gave the speech? That’s who Xana said it sounded like.”

  “It was his voice. Capena thought his voice was the most soothing to use over the intercom system, as well as the most informative. It’s just a computer program. Mimics real infliction and changes in tone.”

  Patricia nodded. “Well maybe you should get some rest. You’re going to have to get up in just a few hours.” She scooted over so John could crawl up the bed a bit further to his pillow. They were both asleep in minutes.

    

  Patricia woke up first the next morning and was completely ready before John began to stir. “I’m headed to the cafeteria to get some breakfast before class begins. Kitty told me I should have a few students, so that’s good news. Bad news is she’s going to inspect me this morning already. Joy.” Patricia rolled her eyes. “Save you a seat?”

  “No. I’m not hungry. I’ll see you this evening for dinner.”

  “Or for lunch?”

  “Probably not. We’ll see how things go today.”

  Patricia shrugged. “Suit yourself. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” Patricia then turned and made her way to the nearest elevator. She went up to the third floor, immediately heading to the center room, the cafeteria. In the early hour of the day, there were just a few people there. Mainly, anyone who was supposed to start first shift within the hour.

  She walked through the room and took a seat at one of the empty tables. The chairs were bolted to the floor in an S form. The tables were simple, designed only for eating. In the center of each was some fruit and muffins. She grabbed a muffin and began to slowly pick at the top while looking at the wall. She wondered how the class was going to go. If the kids were smarter than she, she suspected that they would fire her. Then what? Without a proper job she wouldn’t be allowed on the ship. What would they have her do? Probably make her work under Tuft. Patricia shuddered.

  “Are you okay?”

  Patricia gave a glance around to see who had spoken as a woman sat down in the chair beside her. She was older, with a gentle face. “I’m fine. Just a bit nervous.”

  “Are you one of the teachers?”

  Patricia nodded. She held out her hand. “Patricia Meyer. I’m in charge of the fifteen to eighteen year olds.”

  The woman laughed and took Patricia’s hand. “I can see why you’re nervous. I’m Susanna Creighton, teacher of the six to eight year olds. A bit easier of a job.” The woman let go of Patricia’s hand. She gestured to the muffin on the table. “You might want to finish it. Teenagers will eat you alive, my dear. You’re going to need your energy.”

  Patricia nodded. “At least I won’t have that many yet. When I have more kids than I can count, they’ll be harder to control.”

  “Is that what has you nervous?”

  “No. What has me nervous is wondering what makes me think I am qualified to teach anyone anything?”

  “How long have you been out of the classroom?”

  Patricia paused. She actually had to think about it. When was the last time she taught? There was the war and the water crisis. She had been with John and on Mars. It was at least ten years. “A decade, I guess.”

  “Did you take the refresher courses?”

  Patricia nodded. She glanced over at Susanna. “I don’t remember seeing you there.”

  “My license hadn’t lapsed. I was a teacher on Mars.”

  “Why’d you come?”

  “My husband. He saw the opportunity and leapt at it.” She sighed with a smile. “As long as we’re together. I can teach anywhere.” She grabbed a muffin as well and took a large bite. She swallowed before speaking again. “Why did you come?”

  “My husband. And Mars isn’t my home.”

  “So you are from Earth. There are quite a few of you running around here.”

  Patricia nodded. She glanced up at the clock. Fifteen minutes and counting. It was almost time. She quickly devoured the rest of muffin. “I think I better get to the room. At least beat the kids there.”

  Susanna smiled. “Of course. Well if you run into any issues, I’m only a few doors over.”

  Patricia made her way to the classroom. No one was there yet. Good. That gave her time to look official. Would it be better for her to stand by the door? Greet them as they came into the room? Or maybe sit at the desk? Patricia looked at the stage in the center of the circled desk. That seemed right. A position high up to demonstrate her authority.

  She had barely gotten on the platform when the door slid open again and two teenagers walked in. The first was a girl. She took a seat right in front of Patricia. Her hair was cut short and spiked up. Behind her was a boy. He must have been pushing eighteen. He had long greasy hair and an oddly patchy beard that she was sure he thought was cool. He took a seat on the opposite side of the gap and pushed his seat back.

  Then, at the last second, the final student entered the room. He took a seat beside the girl and looked up at Patricia. “Is this it? I thought Capena would have done a better job with all of this. They’re losing their touch.”

  Patricia looked at the other two, but neither seemed interested. The greasy haired boy had his eyes closed, leaning back in his seat with his arms crossed. And the girl was messing with the desk, tapping every icon that popped up. She was on her own. “Capena stocked this ship with the latest technology. Sure we’ll have to do system updates every quarter and by the time we arrive at our new home, all this will be completely outdated, but that’s not Capena’s fault.”

  The student scoffed. “This junk is hopelessly outdated now. I could code the systems better in my sleep.”

  Patricia looked through the tops of her eyes at him. “Maybe someday you’ll get your chance.” She looked at the other two. “My name is Mrs. Meyer I will be your instructor until you turn eighteen, at which point it will be my recommendation that sets you in an appropriate career for the remainder of the journey. I am not completely biased to hearing your opinions on the matter, however, if the career you have chosen appears to be unsuitable for your skills or your character I will do what is best for this crew.” The greasy haired kid was still trying to sleep. Patricia jumped down off the podium and walked outside the desks to where he was seated, the other two watching closely. She pulled on the back of the chair. It leaned back, the boy flailing his arms, trying to regain control. Then he fell sideways out of the chair onto the floor.

  “What the hell?” he said angrily. “You can’t do that.”

  Patricia smirked. She bent down so she could speak to him and look him in the eye at the same time. “In my class, it is polite to pay attention when I talk or if any of your classmates are speaking.” She then stood up and walked back around to her stage. “Get back up. In this class, you will stay awake or I will wake you up and you don’t want me to wake you up.” With her arms wide, she said, “We should get to know one another. Maybe we should start with you.” She pointed to the smart boy.

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I don’t have to tell you anything about me. If you knew how to do your job, you’d be able to look up anything about each of us you wanted.”

  “What’s your name?”

  He shrugged.

  “If you don’t tell me, I’ll be forced to call you something else the rest of our time together. It’s really up to you.”

  The boy scowled.

  “Alright. Well my young ineffably sybaritic rapscallion, I suppose you are done sharing.” She turned away from the boy. “Maybe you’d like to give it a go.” She pointed to the girl.

  The girl shrugged. “I’m Cu
bina Astral. I’m sixteen and my parents volunteered almost immediately for this mission.” Patricia could hear the bitterness in Cubina’s voice.

  “Any hobbies? Favorite subject?”

  She shrugged. “I loved to be outside. I won’t be able to do that anymore.”

  “Maybe not for a while.” Patricia turned to the last kid. The greasy haired boy who at least was trying to stay awake since his tumble. “And would you like to share?”

  He rolled his eyes. “I guess. I’m Teral Creighton.”

  Patricia stopped him. “Are you Susanna’s son?”

  He sighed heavily. “Yeah. I take it you’ve met her.”

  “I’m sorry. I won’t judge you by your mother. Continue.”

  “I’m seventeen and was dragged on this death trap by my parents.”

  Patricia kept smiling. It was stupid how the kids had to suffer for their parents ambitions, but they weren’t useless. She turned back to the first boy. “Are you ready to share, my sybaritic rapscallion?”

  “That’s not my name.”

  “What is your name?”

  “Lance Fisher.”

  “And how old are you?”

  “How old are you?”

  She was going to enjoy breaking him. “Your name will do for now, but I will get to know you a bit better. Today I thought we’d do some basics. I need to develop a base line to see where each of your levels are. The good thing with so few students, I can definitely tailor individual lesson plans for each of you.”

  “This should be good,” Lance said.

  Resisting the urge to smack him, Patricia moved on. “If you engage your desks, you’ll be met with the core subjects. Math, science, history and language. Obviously, there will be a weighted emphasis on math and science given our current state. That being said, history will be important because we should never forget where we come from.” She paused for comments, but none of them spoke. “Feel free to click on each of the core subjects for their subcategories. We will spend enough time in this room to cover every single one of them.”

  “Do you know anything about this stuff?” Lance asked.