Chapter 10

Hangar bay one

A short time later.

Admiral Roberts walked into the bay just in time to see Bruce, Selina, Steinbeck, and Emerson climb down from their Space Hornets and take off their helmets.

Upon spotting him near the doorway, Bruce and Selina went over to see him. Steinbeck and Emerson followed as well.

"Admiral, Captain Steinbeck told us that you got a message saying that NASA found a way to get us back home."

"They sure did, Bruce. As you four were on your way back up from your joyride. Space Fleet Command relayed a message to us saying that NASA discovered what they could best describe as an anomaly in the fabric of space. Apparently we flew right past the thing on our way into hyperspace and that was when your portal appeared."

"How come your sensors didn't pick it up?" Bruce asked.

"Because the anomaly operates on a very, very minute electromagnetic frequency. Its EM emissions were so low, NASA had to do some serious calibrations to their sensors in order to find it."

"Is it still there?"

"Yes. The plan we've drawn up is pretty straight forward. After we drop out of hyperspace in our home system, we'll fly up to the anomaly and wait for the portal to reappear. When it does, you and Cat will be free to return to your dimension."

"Sounds simple enough," Selina commented.

"Well I'm about to head back up to the bridge. If you two need me again, just buzz me over my earpiece."

"We know sir, thank you," Bruce said.

Roberts gave them a slight smile then left.

"So what do you kids wanna do now?" Steinbeck asked.

"I'm feeling hungry," Selina replied.

Mess hall

One minute later

Selina place her bowl of blueberry and strawberry Jell-O cubes on the table and sat down with Steinbeck and Emerson. Bruce was still in line getting his food.

For his meal, Steinbeck grabbed a cheeseburger and a salad with ranch dressing on it and Emerson grabbed a foot long BLT sub.

Selina's drink of choice was a cup of limeade while Steinbeck and Emerson had sodas.

"Wow, this Jell-O is delicious," Selina commented.

"Is there any difference between our Jell-O and the Jell-O back in Gotham?" Steinbeck asked.

"It has a more juicer taste to it than the stuff back home. You guys have it made here food wise. The only way we street kids can get access to good food like this is to either steal it from someone else engage in some other illegal activity to get the money for it."

"Normally I don't like the idea of engaging in criminal activities, but I'm not gonna fault you for doing what you must to survive."

"Thank you for your understanding, Captain Steinbeck. Gotham is a very gritty place. Not the kind of city I would put on my places to visit before I die list if I you."

"What happened to your mother and father that caused you to be a street kid?"

"Normally Commander Emerson, I don't share this kind of stuff with anybody. But for you two, I'll make an exception. I never knew who my father was and my mother abandoned me for no good reason. She just took off one night and I woke up to an empty apartment the next day."

"Do you think she'll come back?" Emerson asked.

"I don't know. If she does, don't expect me to roll out the red carpet for her. I'll probably say hi mom, where the fuck have you been all these years? Do you have any idea how much shit I've been through because of your absence?"

"If I was in your shoes and saw her again, I would just glare at her and walk away. But if she does return, my advice to you is be strong, fearless, and speak from the heart."

"That is excellent advice, Captain Steinbeck," Bruce said as he approached the table with slice of pizza and a cup of orange juice.

"You took the words right out of my mouth, B. and why were in line for so long? We're you having a hard time making up your mind?"

"No, Selina. There were a lot of people ahead me," Bruce replied then sat down and started eating.

"That pizza slice must be pretty good judging by the bites you're taking out of it," Selina commented.

"It is. How's your Jell-O?

"Very delicious, you should grab a bowl."

"Maybe I will after I eat this," Bruce replied then turned to Steinbeck. "I always thought military food would be bland, but you guys have just about every food item one could think of, how did this come about?"

"I can put it to you in a sentence, Bruce. Good food equals good morale, especially on a warship in deep space."

"Yep. The U.S. military has come a long way in the food department since its inception," Emerson said.

"And in everything else too," Bruce added then finished off his pizza and went to go get a bowl of Jell-O.

He returned shortly thereafter and they engaged in some more small talk.

"So what do you all do for fun on this ship? Selina asked.

"We have a workout room, a gym and even a simulator room that we pilots use frequently to keep our skills fresh on long voyages. Another thing we got as a result of the upgrades was a VRTC."

"What does that stand for?"

"Virtual Reality Training Center." You can replicate just about any type of environment on Earth or another planet. The marines love the hell out it because they can conduct more realistic training exercises in there," Steinbeck explained.

"In fact they consider it to be their own little piece of the ship. Which is just fine since they're the only ones that use it," Emerson commented.

"At least there's no fighting over training spaces on the ship. You pilots have yours and the marines have theirs," Bruce said.

"I gotta give credit to your shipbuilders. They really know their stuff."

"You got that right, Selina," Steinbeck replied.

"And she got this Jell-O right too, this is the best I've ever had. Thanks for pointing it out to me, Selina."

"No problem, B. No problem."