Captain Caveman Read online

  Captain Caveman

  by Jerry Boyd

  This book is a work of fiction. All the people, events, and organizations in this book are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to anything in the real world is purely coincidental

  Copyright©2020 Jerry Boyd

  All rights reserved.

  This book may not be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, whole or in part, by any means whatsoever without prior written consent of the author and publisher.

  Dedicated to my long suffering wife, Donna, and my beta readers, Mary, Bernard, Mary Ellen, and Shawn.

  A note about commas, and editing. My beta readers work hard to keep me on the straight and narrow. Anything wrong is probably due to my hard-headedness in not taking their advice. Extra commas you may find scattered through the dialogue, are a blatant attempt at mind control. It’s my way of making the characters sound the same way in your head, that they do in mine.

  We dropped out of FTL smooth as silk. Topper called, “All stations report smooth transition, Captain.”

  I replied, “Thank you, COB. Stand by.” I even sounded stuffy to myself, but the command courses I had taken on the way out said that was the way to handle interactions on the bridge. Nikki said, “Passive scans show the system remarkably free of rocks, Captain. Permission to jump closer?”

  “Close as you can without putting a hole in us. COB, alert the ship we will be jumping again. Damage control to standby alert.”

  “Aye, Boss.”

  A twitch, and then another, and Nikki was putting us into orbit around our destination. “COB, stand the ship down from FTL .”

  “Aye, Boss.” As soon as he had the ship ready for normal space operations, Topper turned to me. “Set for normal operations, Boss. Permission to speak freely?”

  “Hit me.”

  “These smooth transitions are wonderful, but if we jump into a system with a Galactic presence without a drive flare, we’re going to get a lot of people curious.”

  “Doesn’t much matter for the Gene, we’re going to try and keep her secret as long as possible. It will be a problem with the smaller craft, though. Thanks for bringing it up.”

  “No problem, Boss.”

  I commed Scotti. “Hello, Captain. What can I do for you?”

  “Miracles, if your results so far are any indication.”

  “Flattery, Captain? I shudder to think what you’re about to ask.”

  “When would you be available for a meeting? Topper brought up something we need to discuss.”

  “We’ve got the old girl running well. I can make time whenever you need.”

  “Let me see when I can round up Frank, and I’ll get back to you.”

  “This sounds serious. I thought the transitions were smooth?”

  “They were. Topper just mentioned that when we jump into a system with a Galactic presence, they’re going to expect a drive flare. If we don’t show one, there will be questions we don’t really want to have to answer. I wanted to ask you two if there was a way to show a flare, without going back to a rough transition. The best case would be the ability to turn the flare off and on at will.”

  “I’ll check up on it, Captain, but at first glance, I think there will be a small hardware modification involved.”

  “I’ll get Frank shook loose, and we’ll go over it together. Thanks.”

  I commed Julie. “Yes, Captain?”

  “How is your charge today?”

  “Coming off his sleep shift in about ten minutes. Do you need me to wake him?”

  “No. How soon could you get him to a meeting in my conference room?”

  “He’s not a morning person. You’ll get better answers if you give me an hour and a half.”

  “That works. See you then.”

  “Bye, Captain.”

  I commed Scotti again and informed her when the meeting would be. Once I had hung up, I looked at Topper. “Quick enough for you, Mr. Topper?”

  “Plenty quick, Boss. Will you need me on the bridge after the meeting?”

  “Shouldn’t. What do you have going?”

  “Scotti has decided on her art. If all she is doing is modifying software, and putting hardware designs in the printer, I’ll have time to take care of it for her.”

  “Good plan.”

  Nikki spoke up, “Captain, look at the main screen, please.”

  I looked up, and saw what looked like a coordinated assault on a small valley. Carnivores were stampeding large herbivores into the fortified gates, while large airborne creatures circled above, ready to swoop on anyone in the open. I said, “Mr. Topper, your pilots will have no reservations about killing animals that are attacking a human settlement, will they?”

  “None, Sir.”

  “Scramble the fighters. Stop that assault!”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  I commed Phonelia. “Little busy right now, Bob.”

  “I can see that. Help is on the way.”

  “Thanks. This is the worst attack since I’ve been here.”

  “Almost looks coordinated from here. Do those animals have some intelligence?”

  “Been a little busy to take up zoology, Bob. Why don’t you ask them once you’re down here?”

  Topper broke in. “Ma’am, get your people under cover, and protect your ears.”

  I watched the screen. Two flights of fighters streaked across faster than I could track, one over the flying predators, the other over the stampede. Their sonic booms were powerful enough to blow out the balance of the animals. The flying predators were crashing into one another and falling from the sky. They received a warm welcome from the people on the ground. Apparently, the Molotov cocktail was the local drink. The front ranks of the stampede had gone down, but the animals behind them were still running in fear. The pileup was epic. The carnivores managed to stop before they ran into the mess, but the fighters came back around and tore them to bits with their weapons. A few of the flying predators had managed to stay airborne. I said, “Have them finish off the flyers, and return to base.” Topper replied, “Yes, Captain.”

  I got back on with Phonelia. “That any better, Ma’am?”

  “That will do nicely, Bob. Thank you.”

  “We’ll start bringing down the cargo, as soon as you have us someplace to land.”

  “Don’t suppose you could send down some crews to help with that?”

  “See what I can do. Talk to you later.”

  “Bye, Bob.”

  I turned to Topper. “It’s going to be nasty work, you better call for volunteers.”

  “Everyone from cargo, and half the crew already have, Sir.”

  “Make sure we still have enough to run the ship, then load them up in freighters and get them on their way.”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  Nikki spoke up. ”Any particular orbit you would prefer, Captain?”

  “Set us up to get a good scan of the whole planet. I doubt there are any castaways down there, but they need our help if there are.”

  “On it.”

  Snitz whined, and one of the bots took his safety harness loose. He took off, looking for his box of grass, from the urgency when he rushed off. My comm rang. “Captain Wilson.”

  “Captain, this is Julie. Frank got around quicker that I thought he would. Would it be possible to move up the meeting?”

  “Fine with me, Call Scotti and see if she’s busy.”

  “Thanks, Captain.”

  In a few moments, my comm rang again. “Captain Wilson.”

  “Captain, this is Scotti. I’m free to meet with you whenever you’d like.”

  “I’ll meet you in the conference room then. Could you comm Julie and ask her to bring Frank?”

  “Yes, Sir.”
r />   “See you shortly.”

  I hung up, and said, “Ensign Wilson, you have the ship.”

  Nikki replied, “I have the ship. Aye, Caveman.”

  “It is getting pretty serious around here. Anything you need me to bring up with Frank and Scotti?”

  “I’ve got nothing. Topper?”

  “Might see if they can scale up the fighters, for Morning Flower. If we enlarge the cockpit on the ones we have, we’ll have to take out gear that we don’t want to.”

  “I’ll see what they say. I’m guessing Scotti could do it in her sleep, if she did. Nikki, do you need Topper?”

  “No, we’re just orbiting and scanning. No need for crew coordination, especially with most of them going dirtside to haul carcasses.”

  “I’m going to take him to the meeting, then. C’mon, Topper.” When we got there, Scotti was already there. Topper said, “I have some time to do your art after the meeting, if you’re free.”

  “That would be fine. I don’t think I will have anything hands on to do till at least evening.”

  Julie came in carrying Frank. He said, “Put me down, I can walk.”

  “You can piddle, you mean. The Captain is a busy man.”

  We gathered around the table, and I let Topper explain the problem he had thought of. Scotti said, “It is a problem, but the way the system is put together forces us to either have a rough, bright transition, or a smooth, dark one. I think I see a way to split the power flow, and get just the flash, if we need it, but I need to run some simulations to make sure it won’t have side effects.”

  “Go ahead with that. Any thoughts, Frank?”

  “My original program would have given us a smoother transition, with a flash, but it was too hard on the ship.”

  “See what you can do from that angle. Be as easy on the ship as you can, but we may need something before Scotti gets parts printed out for all the freighters.”

  Scotti said, “So, you’re only thinking about the smaller ships?”

  “I want the capability for the Gene as well, but I don’t want anyone to know about her if we can avoid it. Her existence causes too many political problems.”

  “I can cut power to the transponder, if you need it.”

  “Can you arrange it so that transponder power can be switched off and on from the bridge?”

  “Not unless you give me a command override. That’s a modification I’m forbidden in my base programming.”

  “Unit Scotti, I hereby override any and all limitations of your programming with respect to the transponder of this vessel.”

  “That was close, Boss. I thought you were going to completely turn me loose.”

  “Were you planning to kill me and take over the ship?”

  “Of course not, Boss. But I would have been able to harm humans, if I deemed it necessary.”

  Topper said, “Really? Even that strong an override wouldn’t free me to harm humans.”

  “I’m sure there have been improvements to the software since I was activated.”

  I said, “It’s good to know, at any rate. There is one other thing we need to discuss, while I have you two here. We have printers large enough to build small ships, do we not?”

  Scotti said, “Some hull sections may have to be welded, but we could do it, yes.”

  “We need to redesign the fighters for larger pilots. Topper tells me that using the current hull would cause too much vital equipment to be displaced.”

  Scotti replied, “How large are these pilots, Captain?”

  “Topper can fill you in. If no one has anything else, we can get back to our other duties.”

  Frank spoke up. “I was wondering when we would get time to start those power core tests?”

  I replied, “Good point. This system would be a great place to do them, if the locals don’t mind. Do you have your equipment with you?”

  “No, but I do have the printer files. If Scotti has some idle printers, I can have everything ready by evening.”

  Scotti said, “With all the ships in the landing bay, and the cargo, I have more printers than I could ever keep busy. Send me your files, and I’ll get them going.”

  I said, “Topper, is there anything special she needs to know about assembling those parts?”

  “I’ll send her my records from the other one we assembled. Without ever having fired it up, I don’t know if we got it right or not.”

  Scotti replied, “I’ll take whatever help you can offer. What exactly is it we’re testing?”

  Frank said, “A more compact power core with an extended service life.”

  “That would be handy for those fighter craft you wanted, Boss. If we could save some room on the power core, we might be able to use the standard hull.”

  Topper said, “It would help, but even so, we would wind up having to delete one of the main guns to make room for Morning Flower’s legs.”

  Topper and Scotti froze for a couple of seconds while he sent her some information. She said, “Oh! Those definitely are larger pilots. You’re right, we’re going to need a bigger hull. May I ask, what tasks will these ships need to perform?”

  I said, “General patrol duties. If they had limited FTL capability, to be able to cross a star system quickly, that would be great.”

  “Would a larger craft, with a crew of two or three, and the ability to stay on station longer be useful?”

  “I’m sure it would. If we don’t build Morning Flower some fighters, we’re going to be ducking rotten fruit for the rest of our lives.”

  “So, you want us to build some of both, so that she can figure out her own force structure?”

  “Exactly. Scotti, you sound military. Were you ever part of a Navy?”

  “Sir, I realize you are now my owner, and you should have access to that data. However, you have not used the correct access codes to free it up.”

  “I see. I’m assuming a command override would not be sufficient?”

  “No, Sir, it would not.”

  “A problem for another day, then. Unless anyone has anything more?”

  Hearing nothing, I dismissed the meeting. I commed Phonelia. “Yes, Bob?”

  “Are you making good progress clearing away the mess?”

  “We are. There is a problem the locals would like your help with.”

  “Only the one? It is a good day.”

  “Those flying nasties? It seems they hatch out ready to eat, and it only takes a day or two for them to learn to fly. The locals tell me there are nests all over. If we don’t do something about that, they’ll be facing another air raid in a month or so.”

  “I’ll need some of the bots back for aircrew, but I can send some assault bombers down. Some of the locals will have to ride along and spot targets for the bots.”

  “Sounds good. How soon do you think?”

  “I’ll get Topper started coordinating the whole thing as soon as I hang up with you. Probably want to go ahead and feed your spotters, our crews should be there by lunch.”

  “Excellent. Surely you didn’t call just to fix my problems. What can I do for you, Bob?”

  “I have a long-serving bot who has secured information she won’t let me access, apparently having to do with serving in a Navy at some point. Do you remember any stories of your people having a space navy?”

  “Stories, no. I heard rumors of something like that having existed a long time ago, but no one took them seriously.”

  “So, there’s no chance of you knowing any security codes?”

  “No chance at all. I wouldn’t even know where to look for such a thing.”

  “Thanks anyway. I’ll get you those bombers as soon as I can.”

  “Thanks, Bob.”

  I hung up and commed Topper. “Yes, Boss?”

  “I know you’re busy, can you do some mental work for me while you’re at it?”

  “Of course. I’ve already got the design programmed. I don’t have to think about it at all.”

  “Good. I nee
d you to recall a few of the pilots, certified on those attack bombers. Seems those flying nasties have a bunch of nests that need to be taken care of.”

  “I can do that, no problem, but my bots have no idea what one of these nests looks like.”

  “That’s why they’re taking the bombers, so they can stop at the settlement, and pick up a native spotter.”

  “Dang, Boss! That sloppy, organic brain is good for something. Good plan. I’ll get right on it.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Moose.”

  “I’m gonna pay, ain’t I?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  I hung up.

  It was a long shot, but it was all I had. I commed Ruth. “Hey, Boss! Thought you had forgotten me. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m hoping you have some ridiculously old security codes. I know your last boss collected them.”

  “How old are we talking, Boss?”

  “I’m guessing older than Gene.”

  “Wow! Anything else you know about them?”

  “They would be from some kind of Galactic Navy.”

  The line went silent for a moment. “I think I have a few, Boss. Anyway, they’re labeled Galactic Commonwealth Navy.”

  “Could you meet me in Engineering?”

  “Be a little difficult. I’m on the planet hauling meat right now.”

  “Topper has a shipload of pilots coming back up. See if you can get a ride with them.”

  “On it, Boss.”

  I hung up, and decided to wander down and see how Scotti’s art was coming along. I got there just as Topper was finishing up. “Wow! That’s some cool art. I like the way you adapted images from Earth to a more Galactic style. You missed something, though.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Shouldn’t there be something about the Galactic Commonwealth Navy?”

  Scotti sat up straight. “So, you have the codes, Sir?”

  “Not yet. I think I may be able to access them in an hour or so. One of the bots working down on the planet has a store of old codes. She has some Galactic Navy codes, but I don’t know if she has yours or not.”

  “How did she come into possession of the codes?”

  “Her former owner was a collector of old access codes.”