Disclaimer: I still don't own Red Dwarf or any of its characters.
Chapter Ten
Lord Gambran was beside himself with anger. Just as the white light dissipated, the grappling link failed, and the Usurper was slingshot away from the Wildfire just as it was about to overcome it. By the time they were able to regain control, they had lost all traces of the enemy ship. The Timlar high command still wasn't responding on any channel, and now to top things off, their cloak was faltering. He was ready to tear his head off and use it as a bowling ball.
For now, all he could do was wait, something that Gambran loathed and detested with every ounce of his being. He had to sit and wait until his crew came up with something--anything!--that would explain what the hell was going on, and more importantly, how they could manipulate it.
But first he had to wait.
The manic murmuring of the bridge crew was slowly driving him insane. Wasting their energy on research instead of in battle; it was sickening. What were they doing? he asked himself. Timlars live for the fight, not the strategy! There wasn't a need for such planning and preparation. What the high command would think if they saw this crew; they would banish them all.
The crew seemed to sense Gambran's impatient stare, and quickened their pace. Gambran clawed at his chair, struggling to maintain control of his temper. He would need it for the battle, if there was one, and he wasn't about to waste it on the crew.
Still, it was quite tempting. He began to wonder how far he could throw his first officer.
Finally the ensign swiveled around. "Sir, I think I've discovered what the enemy's weapon is."
In his most calm and even voice, Gambran asked, "And what is that?"
"The computer believes that we are in a different dimension."
"And why does it think that?"
"Well, first I correlated--"
Gambran put up his hand. "No. I don't want to hear the damn research results. Let's just take the computer's word for it." He stood up and stroked his goatee as he began to consider their situation. "So what you're saying is that the Wildfire is equipped with some sort of drive that can traverse dimensions?"
"Apparently, sir. That would explain why we can't establish contact with T.I. or the high command. They're back home, in our dimension."
"And that's the jolt we felt before. Incredible." He turned around to face the crew. "Just think of what we could do with a device like that! The Timlar Empire could move beyond our dimension and spread throughout others! We have to capture it."
"But how sir? We've lost all traces of his ship."
"Well, there can't be that many holograms around. Narrow your search and find him."
"Already have done, sir. I've got a definite lock on something. It's too early to tell if it's him or not, but at least it's a start."
Gambran grinned at him. "Impressive, ensign. Very impressive. Set a course and get us there now. We might still have a chance at this."
Nirvana handed Kochanski a cup of tea, which Kochanski readily accepted. "Thank you. I'm...sorry I acted so rudely before. I've just been through a terrible ordeal." She shook her head as she remembered, then looked back at Nirvana. "I'm sorry, what was your name?"
"Flight Coordinator Crane," she replied as she shook her hand, "but there's no need to be so formal. Call me Nirvana."
"I'm Kris, Navigation Officer Kochanski if you need to know the rest." She took a sip of her tea. "Now could you please tell me where I am? Whoever is supposed to answer this courtesy button has taken a leave of absence."
"You're onboard the SSS Enlightenment."
Kochanski nearly spit out her tea in surprise. "The Enlightenment? The hologram ship? But that's impossible! How am I possibly able to board a ship composed entirely of light?"
"We have recently developed a hard-light drive. When we came across your ship, we switched to hard-light to rescue you."
"Incredible. So I'm the first non-hologram to step aboard the famous Enlightenment?"
"For what it's worth", she mumbled, and looked at the report on their guest.
"What?"
"Never mind. We have your ship in our maintenance bay and are repairing it as we speak. You'll be back home in no time."
Kochanski looked down. "I sincerely doubt it."
Nirvana sensed something was wrong but decided not to pry. "I'm not sure how much food we have onboard. We have only come across one derelict with real food supplies so our quantities are extremely limited. Still, I'm sure we could find something, if you're hungry."
"Yes, anything, just get me out of this room."
"I'll have someone bring it to my quarters. We can dine in there." She entered the request into Stocky and opened the doors. "If you'll follow me, please."
They walked back to the lift in silence. Nirvana was still preoccupied with Jason's threat, and Kochanski was trying not to let her grief overcome her senses. Both women caught each other's eye every now and again, seeing the sadness hiding behind the dignified officer exterior, but both figured that the other wouldn't understand, or at least wouldn't care. Both faces stared at the ground as they walked, preferring to study the plainness of the floor instead of trying to make small talk.
It wasn't until they reached the lift that either of them noticed the world around them; the doors opened to reveal Jason standing proudly, like he had just accomplished something earth-shattering. His smug smile brought them out of their trance. Paying no heed to Kochanski, he immediately turned on Nirvana, greeting her with a grave look.
"1800, commander" he hissed. "If you don't come on your own, I have orders to escort you there myself."
Nirvana ignored him (or at least tried to look like she was), and Jason turned his attention to Kochanski. "Ah, the stranger. Enjoying your stay on the magnificent Enlightenment?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
"I bet you can't believe your good fortune. Becoming the first non-hologram ever to walk among the greatest officers in the Space Corps. I hope you don't feel too inferior, surrounded by such greatness." The lift doors opened. "If you'll excuse me." He gave Nirvana another look, and slipped out.
Kochanski turned to Nirvana. "Did I miss something?"
"No. But you'll probably wish you had." The lift doors opened on her floor, and Nirvana led Kochanski out.
The sensors picked up the ship from quite a distance, but the ensign could already tell it wasn't what they were looking for. It was far too vast to be the Wildfire, and the frequency didn't match exactly. He tried to think of the best way of breaking the bad news to his leader, but decided to let him discover it for himself.
It didn't take long.
"That's NOT the Wildfire," Gambran grumbled from behind him. "What the hell is that thing?"
"I'm checking that now, sir." He punched it up and let out a surprised chuckle.
"Ensign?"
"Sorry, sir, but this is just--it's incredible. I've never seen anything like it."
"Well?"
"That is the SSS Enlightenment, sir, and it is the source of the hologram signal our sensors locked onto. It seems that both the ship and crew are completely computer generated."
Gambran's eyebrows raised slightly. "All holograms, eh? This dimension is getting more and more interesting. Any sign of the Wildfire?"
"No, and I don't think our sensors are going to be able to detect a lone hologram signal with such a strong signal in the area."
"So we can't find him."
"I'm afraid not, sir." He braced himself for the inevitable tantrum that Gambran would throw, but none came. He turned around, half expecting to see Gambran lying on the floor unconscious. Instead, Gambran stared back at him with an unsettling, evil grin.
"Sir? Is something wrong?"
"No not at all, ensign. I was just thinking. If we're unable to find Mr. Rimmer ourselves, maybe there's a way to bring Mr. Rimmer to us."