Mitchell's Revenge
Interim, Karhu System

The months leading up to the pylonrace and ballroom dancing championship passed quickly.

Flick settled well in to theco-pilots’ chair on board Mitchell’s Revenge. Jake learned quickly that she wasthorough, fast and efficient. She was also level headed, and far less prone tosudden decisions than Lucy. She was a delight to work with.

While they travelled from one jobto another, following Lauri’s very carefully thought out itinerary, someserious building work was going on at the shipyard. Following the accident atCX9, Universal Starship Enterprises began to add extra docking bays to housethe remaining military vessels. A team of engineers and building specialistswas brought up from EQ2 for the months of work. The shipyard teemed withworkers.

One of the docking bays needed tobe large enough to house the destroyer Cygnus. The logistics caused Lauri somesleepless nights. They were used to handling heavy freighters, but thedestroyer was another matter entirely. Then there were the issues of militarysecurity, crew quarters, provisioning, shipyard to planet transport, and themyriad other matters that came into play. He found that his military backgroundhelped throughout the planning and completion of the new facilities.

The teams moved quickly to finishthe work. The Cygnus arrived a month before the pylon race. It fitted snuglyinto the new docking bay. Lauri admired the skill of the pilots bringing theship in for the first time. Admiral Bokkveld headed straight for the controlroom where Lauri was directing operations.

The crew disgorged from the militaryvessel with alarming speed, taking their own craft directly to CovingtonSpaceport. They were anxious to get planet side after months of being in spacewithout fresh air and sunshine. Most of them had cabin fever. The Admiral wasglad to see them off for a much needed break.

Lauri turned as Admiral Bokkveld enteredthe control room. He smiled and walked forward to shake hands with his formercolleague.

“Welcome Andreus,” he said. “I hopethe new facility is suitable. I’m sorry it came about under such tragiccircumstances.” Andreus shook Lauri’s hand firmly.

“Space is a dangerous place Lauri,you know that,” he said. “These things happen. We’re very fortunate that youwere able to accommodate us so well at such short notice. It’ll be monthsbefore the CX9 facility is rebuilt. And the planet’s lost some of its charm dueto the toxic fallout. This is a much better option.” He smiled broadly. “Atleast I can take some time out here. I might even go down to the planet.”

“Just let me know what you need,”Lauri replied. “Come and see what’s happening at the yard. You can see almosteverything from here.”

He led Andreus towards the viewing screen.They stood together watching the crews below coming and going with tools andequipment. They could see the pylon course clearly from where they stood.

“We have an entry for your pylonrace,” Andreus said suddenly. “Our second pilot, Peter Wesseling, used to racewhen he was much younger. Wants to join the fray.”

Lauri’s heart sank. A well trainedmilitary pilot would be a serious challenge to Rufus. He continued to look atthe screen.

“Does he have the entry fee?” heasked quietly.

“Yes. Nothing to spend it on wherewe’ve been. Burning a hole in his pocket he tells me!”

Lauri nodded. “OK. How many supportcrew with him?”

“Two. Our engineer Cal Worsfeld,and one of our software techs, Wilma Bulten. Both very competent.”

Lauri nodded. “That’s good, he canhave only two. You know he’ll have to race in one of our craft?”

“Yes. Testing them for us, aren’tyou?” Andreus smiled at Lauri. “I know what you’re up to. I’d do exactly thesame!” Lauri continued to stare at the screen.

“Does he realise that in order towin, he’ll not only have to come first, but he’ll have to complete the coursein seventeen minutes or less?”

Andreus nodded. “He’s used to timedevents. How many entries have you got?”

“Peter will make five. We’rewaiting on one from Menageron. Looks like the Prince wants to compete, of allpeople! There maybe one or two others. Oncethose come in we’ll know the final make up. There’ll be heats with time trialsto determine the final three racers.” Andreus nodded.

Lauri went on, “You know that LucySavage is the only person I know of to complete the course in less than seventeenminutes? Even Jake and I couldn’t do it. The average time at full speed istwenty minutes.”

Andreus looked at him. “So we maynot have a winner at all?”

“Dead righ. That’s going to makethe betting interesting.”

“They’ll be feral over on Tiberion!”Andreus laughed, then he thought of something. “Is Lucy competing?”

“No, she has other priorities,”Lauri replied mysteriously. “They’ve got that dancing thing going on over thereat the same time as the race. I don’t envy whoever’s in charge of the betting kiosksfor that week or so!”

“Dancing thing? What’s that?”

“It’s a long story. Let’s go andget some coffee and I’ll tell you about it. Come with me. We might as well makea tour of the yard while we’re at it.”

While Lauri and the Admiral madetheir tour, Lucy was having a frustrating time with Grabb at the U.S.E.warehouse in Covington.

They’d “got the choreography down”as Grabb put it, in the first week of working together. Lucy was surprised toreplace she enjoyed the challenge of it, remembering the step sequences as theymoved around the floor. It was good to move to music. But now it was gettingharder. She discovered that Grabb was obsessed with technique. He wantedeverything to be technically perfect. It was frustrating, and, Lucy felt,unnecessary.

“Just dance!” she’d yelled at himduring the week. “Who cares if I don’t take a heel step? No one is going totake the slightest bit of notice. We’re not going to be there long enough, andwe are certainly not aiming to win anything!”

She went from enjoying the practiceto increasing frustration. After repeating a step sequence in waltz for whatseemed like the thousandth time, Lucy threw her arms up in despair.

“That’s it,” she said, as calmly asshe could, stepping away from Grabb. “The fun’s gone out of it. I know enoughto do what we need to do. You can practice on your own from now own. I’ll meetyou with Lou on Tiberion in a few weeks. I’m going back to the shipyard.”

She sat down to change her shoes. Grabbfollowed her.

“I’m sorry Lucy,” he said quietly. Hestood looking down at her as she fiddled with the laces on her ship boots.

“What for?” she murmured. Shelooked up at him.

“The thing is. You could be really,really good at this. In all my years competing, I never danced with anyone withas much natural talent as you. You understand the technical side, you areinnately musical, you can remember choreography. I like you. You have been ajoy to work with.” He shifted from foot to foot as he said this, half expectingher to physically attack him.

Lucy stared at him.

“I told you so!” came Em’s voice inher mind. “I knew you’d be good at this.” She glared at the panther lying onthe floor beside her. She turned her attention back to Grabb.

“Well, thank you. I think,” shereplied. “But it doesn’t change my decision. I’m going back to the shipyard. I’msure Lauri can replace something for me to do.”

Grabb sighed. It was such a shameshe wanted to give up now. His long buried competitive instincts had kicked rightback in. He suddenly wanted to do wellat the championship, even though he knew it would be dangerous to drawattention to himself. Lucy looked at his crestfallen expression.

“Stop that!” she said. “Tell youwhat. Why don’t we meet on Tiberion a week before the championship starts andwe can practice every day in the ballroom there. I’d be happy to do that.” Shesmiled at him. “You have to know that it hasn’t been all bad. I have enjoyedmost of it. I’m just not a very patient person!”

Grabb smiled with relief. “As acompromise, that’s not a bad one. I agree. We’ll meet then. Thank you Lucy! I’ll stay here and practice for a whilelonger. See you on Tiberion.”

Lucy gathered up her shoes andmotioned to Em to join her. She was relieved. She’d had enough for now. Theywalked slowly from the warehouse to Sibil’s atelier, where Lou was trying onher team manager’s costume for the first time. Sibil had produced yet anothermasterpiece. Lou twirled in front of the full length mirror as Lucy and Emarrived.

She was wearing wide legged softgrey trousers with a beautifully cut blazer of the same colour. It had silverlapels. The firefly motif was woven in silver into the top left side of thejacket. It had several zippered pockets inside that would allow Lou to carryuseful bits and pieces on her person. The suit fitted her beautifully. It wasmatched with grey court shoes with sensible heels and a soft leather carry bagthat she could hang over her shoulder.

“You look smashing!” exclaimed Lucyas she watched Lou admiring herself in the mirror. “Talk about ballroomcouture! You’re amazing Sibil.” Shehugged her friend. Sibil smiled.

“I’m glad you like it,” she replied.“Lou’s recovery allowed me to take my time.”

“How is your arm?” Lucy asked.

“Good as new,” Lou smiled at herand bent her elbow to demonstrate. “Thanks to you. I would have perished if youtwo hadn’t found me when you did. What are you doing back here now? I thoughtyou were practicing with Grabb.”

“Were, is the operative word,” Lucyreplied. “I’ve had enough. Far too technical for me, and not entirely necessaryas far as I can see. Time to go back to the shipyard.”

“Are you sure it’s good enough?”asked Sibil, looking worried. “It is my daughter you’re trying to rescue don’tforget. Are you sure you’ll blend in with all those other competitors?”

“I’m sure Lou will turn me intosomeone completely unrecognisable,” replied Lucy. She chuckled. “I’ve never hadmy hair done in my life, and you know I rarely wear makeup! Stop worrying Sibil. I did agree that Lou andI would meet Grabb on Tiberion a week before the championship for dailypractice in the ballroom. It’ll all be OK.”

Sibil still looked worried. Lucythought she looked terrible. The weight she had lost since Anja was taken madeher look so frail. Her hair was dry and the red nail polish she usually worehid the fact that her nails were brittle. The bags under her eyes did not suither at all.

Lucy hugged her friend again. Shestepped back and held Sibil’s hands in her own.

“You’ve come this far, and you’vebeen so brave,” she said. “We’ll get her back safely. I promise.”

Sibil smiled weakly at her. “We’dbetter get all your gear together then, so that you can take it with you. Whatabout you Lou? Are you going with her?”

Lou nodded. Sibil started tocollect up the outfits Lucy and Lou needed, carefully folding them into anothergrey carry bag with the firefly motif on the side. An hour later they were ontheir way to Covington Spaceport and the shipyard shuttle.