The shopping gallery wasn't particularly busy, only a few people were riding the golden elevators up to the higher stories. Most people didn't notice the man and woman sitting quietly at a small table.
"What are we going to do now that we cannot return to the Searcher for several months while it is traversing the Holman galaxy?" said Wilma Deering.
"We could" said Buck Rodgers as he leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"You know what I meant" she said with a smile.
"I know, this is quite a change for you, not having any real responsibilities. But don't worry, I am sure Huer will find plenty to keep us busy in the meantime. You know he didn't really want us to join the Searcher in the first place." Buck told her.
"True, but after what happened, I did not feel that I could have continued with the Defense Directorate" Wilma replied.
"Why don't we just relax and enjoy some down time. Huer knows where to find us when he needs us."
"You are right I know."
The two enjoyed a glass of Vinol (Buck never really acquired a taste for it but Wilma enjoyed it) and did some old-fashioned people watching. After a few minutes Wilma said "Buck, do you know that woman sitting over by the railing?"
"I don't know every woman in New Chicago contrary to the rumors you may have heard" he told her. Buck glanced around causally and returned to Wilma. "No, I don't think I know her, do you?" he asked.
"There is something familiar about her, but I am not sure what it is" Wilma replied. "It appears that we are about to find out, she is coming in our direction."
The woman walked right over to Buck and exclaimed "Oh my it really is the famous Captain Buck Rodgers." Buck stood up to greet her with a bemused smile.
"Yes, I am Captain Rogers."
"I've heard so much about you from my brother, did you know him: Jon Hart?" she asked.
Wilma answered her, "No I do not think Buck ever met your brother, twin brother am I correct."
"Why yes Jon is my twin brother, I'm Jan and he is Jon. Do you know him Col. Deering?"
"Yes, I know you brother, he is an excellent pilot, how is he?" Wilma asked.
At this point though the woman face changed, and she looked like she was about to cry. "Actually, that's what I wanted to see Captain Rodgers about, I hope he can help me find my brother" she said. Wilma could tell Buck was disconcerted by the show of emotion.
"Please" said Wilma, "sit down and tell us about your brother."
Buck pulled out a chair for Jan and then sat down himself.
"Well, it all started when he didn't get the promotion he was expecting" Jan said with a sniffle.
"It happens, sometimes we do not know exactly what the officials are looking for when they promote. But go on" put in Wilma.
"Anyway, he didn't get his promotion and then he had an accident that he was afraid that they were going to blame on him, and then he had a huge fight with his girlfriend, and they broke up. Oh, and probably a couple of other little things that didn't go his way, so he got mad and left New Chicago."
"Do you know where he is now?" asked Buck.
"I thinks so," said Jan. She gulped and added "the last time I heard from him he was in the Vane Colony on one of the moons around the planet Konis in the Epsilon quadrant. The last time I talked to him, right after he got to the colony, he said some weird things about the place. About it being different"
"Vain like conceited?" asked Buck.
"N colony. It takes its name from the leader" Jan replied. "Any way I haven't been able to contact him at all since then either my messages aren't getting through or he is not responding, so I was hoping that Captain Rodgers could bring him back or something."
"I can't kidnap you brother" Buck was appalled at the suggestion.
"No, we cannot bring your brother back if he does not want to return," said Wilma. After a moment of thought she added "But what we may be able to do is find him and relay your message that you would like him to contact you, or at least bring back a message from him."
"Would you guys do that for me, us? I would be so grateful; I am so worried about Jon you have no idea," said Jan.
"It may take a few days, but we will see what we can do." Wilma told her. "How can we contact you?"
"I'm in the Health and Wellness directorate, you can usually find me there" she told them as she rose to leave. "I have to hurry I am going to be late. Thank you both so much" Jan said as she rushed off toward the exit.
"Okay so I guess we have something to do now" Buck said.
"Yes, I guess we do."
"So how do we do this? Fly off to the moons of Konis?"
"It could be as simple as contacting Jon Hart via satellite to relay her message. If he wants to leave New Chicago and his family that is really his own business. But we can at the very least let him know that she is concerned about him" Wilma replied.
"So, let's go back to unit and see if we can contact him." Buck said.
And the two got up and left the gallery and went to the housing unit they were assigned.