One Ship in the Night: Prologue
The cafeteria on the Balthazar was sparsely populated this late into Night Cycle, with the only people around being those looking for a midnight snack or quiet. Doctor Barnes, old owl that he was, loved this place for both those reasons. But he wasn't hungry tonight. He was frustrated. And he needed quiet.
The established Psychologist sat down at a table closest to the cafeteria's wide windows that stretched up to the ceiling, and watched the stars for a moment before pulling out a small leather journal and a pencil. Scowling, he began to write.
Heidegger is a fool.
There are more reasons why besides "government meddling" and "fear of another Andross" that this line of research is forbidden! But of course Heidegger doesn't care. He ended our friendship over this. He's selling his soul over it. How can I make him see reason? And Bultman is gutless
"There you are, you old bird!" cried an unexpected but not unwelcome voice. A cheerful sheepdog came running over to him and pulled him into a very unprofessional hug that muffled Doctor Barnes' cry of surprise. This was Officer Adelaide, one of the leaders of troops onboard the Balthazar. She and the Doctor had an odd friendship—and exuberant and bubbly navy woman and a quiet psychologist. But Doctor Barnes wouldn't trade it for anything.
"I've been looking for you, after I heard you'd left the lab deck. You practically live there, you know," she said, setting the owl down.
"It's no different than putting a mattress in the library in college during exams," said Barnes. He hoped the joke would make him feel better. Though Adelaide smiled his mind drifted to the project. His mood plummeted. "But it does me good to see you. I've had too much coffee and too much stress."
"The stress comes from Heidegger and Bultman?"
"Heidegger mostly. Bultman, too. He's gutless."
"What are you three "Wise Men" up to?" said Adelaide. She knew very well Doctor Barnes couldn't talk. As much as he was angry at Heidegger and Bultman, he wasn't reader to break that secret oath. And Adelaide liked to tease him a little about it despite her not having the clearance. But it hurt Barnes to know that the one person he wanted to talk to was unavailable because of loyalty to a dead friendship, and the fear of punishment.
"Science," said Barnes.
"Always up to something," she said, sitting down next to him. "That's what you eggheads are all about."
Barnes was a scientists. He wasn't a schemer, and he resented Adelaide comparing him to one. But that description fit Heidegger now. Falsifying documents. Having only direct contact with the highest level of Cornerian R&D, and some of the most influential individuals at that. He was a schemer. The project was everything.
Barnes' phone beeped.
"Don't tell me you have to go now?" said Adelaide, frowning.
"Hopefully not," said the owl truthfully.
"If it was possible, I'd tell you to turn off your phone," she said. Barnes chuckled sadly at that.
The beep came from a text. It was from Bultman.
Something's wrong.
Barnes eyebrow quirked.
What is it? he texted back.
The weapons are acting up.
Don't call them that.
Now is not the time Barnes. They're disobeying.
A horrible chill spilled through Barnes' body.
What do you mean disobeying? he texted back frantically
One of them is yelling. It's pulling something out-
The Balthazar shook. A rumble thundered through the cafeteria, and alarms screamed out as everyone in the room got to their feet. Adelaide was on her communicator in an instant.
"Status!" she said, her chipper tone replaced with grim authority. Douglas caught words through his stupor. An explosion on the lab deck. Multiple decks fractured. A bomb. None of that mattered to Barnes. He stared at his phone as a single message from Bultman appeared on his screen.
it was all a mistake
The power on board the ship went out. The lights were off, and darkness covered the Balthazar.