Breakfast with a
Starfighter
Chapter 15 of Starfighter! The
Iconoclast
By: Tom Sczepkowski
With editing and clean-up
by: Frederick P. Kopetz
Copyrights:
STAR TREK is © 2004 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. STAR BLAZERS is © 2004 by
Voyager International, and, STAR WARS is © 2004 by Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is
© 2004 by Disney Entertainment. The Technomugar Empire is © 2004 by Frederick
P. Kopetz and is mentioned here by the author's permission. All original
elements of this tale are © 2004 by Tom Sczepkowski. All rights reserved, not
to be copied without the author's permission.
Vaught felt
it would be better if the Inferno was at a location closer to him, rather
than at a remote location where he couldn’t easily get to it. Besides, there
would be no better time to move her than under the cover of the darkness caused
by the power outage.
He placed Inferno in an abandoned part of the
It was….Enterprise. As he walked forward, Vaught noticed there was a number
alongside the ship. He shuddered when he saw it. It was…1701.
“Why? I
don’t even want to know,” Vaught said to himself as he activated Inferno’s security system and left the
hangar after activating the lock. A few
minutes later, he found himself walking the streets of
He turned
to start walking again; he hadn’t realized that someone was standing next to
him. As he turned, he bumped into an individual and then heard a familiar
female yelp as the unsuspecting individual crashed to the ground. It was then
that Vaught realized who it was that he crashed into.
“Not again,” Vaught muttered as Nova
looked at him angrily while adjusting her sweater and pulling her sandal back
onto a foot that Vaught noticed was wet. She was carrying a small camera.
“Please
look where you’re going; running into you is like diving into a boulder!” Nova
complained as Vaught pulled her up. She noticed his look of concern and said,
“No, you didn’t twist anything…this
time. God, you’re big.”
“Rock,”
Vaught said “It’s what the called me in my youth when I played Football.”
“Yes. I bet
they came up with that for the most obvious reason?” Nova said rubbing her
backside than wiping the dust off of her jeans. “Running into you feels like
running into a massive rock.”
“That and
my middle name is Rockwell.” Vaught said.
“Vaught
Rockwell Corsair?” Nova said “What a name.”
“I do apologize.” Vaught said.
“Well I’ll
only accept your apology if you have breakfast with me,” Nova said.
Vaught
hesitated for a moment. “Nova…?”
“We never
did finish our conversation from
Vaught
nodded knowing that he could not get out of the invitation however, he tried
anyway.
“But…wouldn’t
the Captain object to me escorting you on a social occasion?” Vaught asked.
Nova looked
up at him and cracked a smile, “Right now the only person between you and the
Captain right now is me…So let’s eat. C’mon!” she said as she led the way.
They had to
walk a few blocks to the diner. As Vaught followed Nova, he asked, “What are
you doing on a cool morning with your jeans rolled up to your knees?”
“I was
running on the beach and taking pictures for a photo essay I’m working on every
now and then. Mostly then, because I’ve been so busy, except for these few days
of leave I’ve had with Derek. I actually asked him to come to breakfast, but he
told me he was busy at the ship, so I knew he wouldn’t mind if I ate with you.”
“Your legs
were wet when I found you; but the beach is two kilometers away…”
“Oh, that,”
laughed Nova. “I was standing barefoot in a pond in the park to snap a picture
of the Andromeda taking off.”
“Why a pond
on a chilly morning?” he said. He hated to pry into Nova’s business, but this
young woman seemed to have a knack for doing goofy things at times; things that
would get her sick or injured.
“Why not?”
shrugged Nova. “It was the prettiest shot, ship reflected in the pond.”
“You’re a
nurse. You know it’s a good way to catch pneumonia.”
“That is an
old wives’ tale, Vaught,” said Nova, as she caught a certain look in his eye.
“Really,” she said in a friendly voice. “I don’t bite! Here’s the diner…”
The diner
Nova had in mind was busy. Vaught realized that she and Derek frequented it
quite often since Nova ordered without doing anything more than glancing at the
menu. They sat at a corner table, away from all the commotion of morning
breakfast. Vaught was uneasily quiet at first, since he was very nervous about
the young woman sitting across from him. Finally, Nova couldn’t take the silence
any longer. She asked, “Do women make you nervous, Vaught?” with a sly smile on
her face.
Vaught was
astonished by the remark but was also just as quick with a retort.
“No. Not
women in general…Just you.”
Now Nova
was the one who was astonished as she stammered for words as Vaught laughed
quietly finally she blurted the words out. “Well…how…how do I make you nervous!? Do I have two heads or
something and no one else but you has noticed yet?”
“You’re so
blithe about your actions. You put yourself in harm’s way when you have no
business or reason to,” Vaught said. “You and Royster had no reason to be where
you were last night. That gravo-crane could have killed you, smashed you to a
pulp; and you’d be cooling on some doctor’s autopsy table about now. Most of
all it drew unwanted attention to myself.”
“How were
you able to do it?” Nova asked. “I mean…do…whatever it was you did?”
“I rest my
case,” Vaught said with a huff.
“You have a
hard time trusting people, don’t you?”
Nova snapped.
“Humans give
their trust so readily,” Vaught said
“You keep
on doing that!” Nova scolded.
“Doing
what?” Vaught asked.
“Referring
to humans in the third person,” Nova said.
“Are you not part of the human species, Colonel Corsair?”
In the
short few seconds that Vaught hesitated Nova gave him a hard stare then a look
of horror. Damn, she is observant, he
thought. Too observant. And some of this
is my own fault. He thought of an answer quickly, “Of course I am human,
Nova, I just can’t relate to humans,” Vaught said in a steady voice.
What he
said wasn’t a lie, especially since the Gargoyles always suffered at the hands
of the humans, until the early 22nd Century when they were accepted
into the Terran Community. Vaught considered himself part of the Gargoyle Race
even though he was just ¼ Human.
However, for someone as well trained as Vaught in being covert, Vaught
was having difficulty in hiding behind
his cover story; trouble he had never had before. Perhaps it was because these
people weren’t an enemy. He didn’t dislike human beings; he just couldn’t
relate well to them.
Nova would
have none of his story, and she pushed the subject further.
“No,” Nova
said. “I don’t buy all of that.”
“Then
what?” Vaught said
“There’s
the incident with the crane,” Nova said.
“What
crane?” Vaught asked.
“Vaught!”
Nova scolded “What would you do if you spoke to your daughter like this?”
“Knowing
Starsha-“
“Starsha?
Hmmm,” Nova said softly as she steepled her fingers on the table in front of
her for a moment in a gesture that looked very Vulcan. Vaught thought this had
to be a coincidence since Nova most likely had no idea what a Vulcan was.
Vaught also realized the error he had made, and chuckled to himself.
“You once said
I reminded you of someone named Astra.” Nova said.
“Perhaps a
little,” Vaught said.
“Are you
from Iscandar?”
Vaught
shook his head. ”No, I have never been there.”
“But your
daughter’s name is Starsha,” Nova said, “And you have said I reminded you of
her, too…”
“Yes,”
Vaught said
“But Queen
Starsha herself mistook me for her own sister.”
“I can see
that happening,” Vaught said.
Nova shot
him a quizzical look as Vaught leaned back into the booth at the diner.
“That can’t
be right,” Nova said.
“Why?”
Vaught asked
Nova let
out a sigh of exasperation, “Why are you making a game of it?”
“It would
be easy for me to sit here and tell you a story. If I did that how much of
would it be believed?”
“After what
I saw you do with the crane I would believe anything, no matter how weird it
sounds,” Nova said
“Perhaps,”
Vaught said
“You’re not
going to tell me?” Nova said. “After stringing me along like that?”
“No, Nova I
can’t tell you,” Vaught said, “I can assure you, however I am no threat to you,
Derek, or any other member of the Star Force. Nor would I permit any harm to
befall them.”
“That I saw
already,” Nova said. “Can you tell me at least how you were able to hold the
crane? You saved my life. I have a right to know how you did it.”
Vaught
thought for a second as breakfast came and the waiter placed their food in
front of them. Nova had ordered pancakes and sausage, while Vaught had ordered
scrambled eggs and bacon. Nova placed butter on the pancakes, then started to
look for the small bottle of syrup. However, there was none on the table.
Vaught, however, saw some syrup on an empty table. After making sure no one
else was watching, he pointed to the bottle of syrup. It then glided off the
empty table, flew through the air and touched down gently in front of Nova who
sat there with her jaw hanging open.
“You have
the power of telekinesis,” Nova said. “Amazing!”
“It’s a
power known as the ‘Force,’” Vaught said.
“What is
the Force?” Nova asked.
“The best
explanation is how my Master described it,” Vaught said. “The Force is an
energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us.
It binds the galaxy and the universes together.”
“And gravo-cranes,”
Nova said.
“At times,”
Vaught said, “Yes.”
“How do you
get it; is there a selection process?”
“No,”
Vaught said. “Like so many other gifts, it is one that you are born with, and
with training and discipline and a lot of hard work, that power can be
harnessed to your advantage.”
“To your
advantage for good…or for evil?” Nova asked.
“For both,
unfortunately,” Vaught said.
They both
ate their breakfasts without saying another word until they were done. Then, they
left the diner and were walking down the street to the base. As they were
walking, Nova noticed a long metal cylindrical object hanging from Vaught’s
belt. It had openings on either side with buttons along the center. Everyone
had commented on it; however no one seem interested enough to ask Vaught what
it was or perhaps they were afraid to ask. Nova also noted that it was a little
odd that a Space Marine such as Vaught wasn’t carrying a Astro-Automatic. In
fact, save for the cylindrical object, he carried no weapon at all.
“Isn’t it
odd that as a Space Marine, you don’t carry a sidearm?” Nova said.
Vaught
gently grasped the cylindrical object, “This is all I need, Nova.”
“I’ve seen
them before,” Nova said, “A Light Saber? How does it work?”
Vaught
gently grasped her arm as they walked down a deserted side street. Not certain
what he was doing or why he walked a few feet ahead of her, and then took the
object off of his belt. He spun it over his head and brought it down to eye
level. Where he pressed two buttons there was a whoosh followed by a low hum as a beam of energy came out of either
side resembling a blade of a sword. Next to Vaught there was an empty garbage
dumpster. As Vaught thrust downward, the energy blade did its job, as there was
a shower of sparks than in a millisecond the Dumpster was cut perfectly in two.
Then, there was another whoosh as the
blade disappeared.
“Oh my
God!” Nova cried, “Yvona!”
He could
tell that she was afraid as she started backing away, trembling like a leaf.
Vaught
walked forward slowly.
“Don’t hurt
me, please!” Nova cried.
“Easy,”
Vaught said
“Yvona,
stay away from me!” Nova said as she started to cry. She hid her face in her
hands and began to sob as she felt nauseated. Vaught could feel a tremor in the
Force at once, and he knew that it was affecting Nova. Nova herself couldn’t
see anything now; blackness and coldness was all she felt as a cold sweat came
over her, then like a light switch going off she heard the same high frequency
tone in her head than followed by the strange warmth that came over her when
the crane was about to fall. She heard the same voice over and over in her
head…Clear your mind of all things, the voice whispered gently….
“Huh?” Nova
gasped as reality rushed back, as if someone threw water on her. She realized
that she was still standing, as she started to lose her balance. Then, Vaught
steadied her.
“No more
falling down today,” Vaught said in a light tone.
“Was that
you?” Nova asked shaking her head.
“What’s
your mother’s name?” Vaught asked.
“Teri,”
Nova said, “Why?”
“Who is
Yvona?” Vaught asked.
“Some one
I’d rather not think about right now; just trust me!”
She gently
touched the weapon in Vaught’s hands. Vaught said, “It is the primary weapon of
our order…it is not as clumsy or as random as an Astro-Automatic….It is an
elegant weapon from a more civilized age.”
Vaught
handed her the weapon as Nova studied it closely then handed it back to Vaught.
“Than you
are part of a religious cult, aren’t you?” Nova said.
“Religion
has nothing to do with what we do. We regard the Force only as a tool; as a
means to serve our world.”
“So you
don’t believe in God?” Nova asked as they continued walking.
“The term
‘God’ is a very broad term where I come from,” Vaught said. “We have learned
that all religious beliefs should be respected.”
Nova didn’t
challenge the remark, and she said nothing further until they reached the
base.
Once they
got there they had ran into Mark Venture, who was also going to visit the Argo. Vaught spoke to him briefly and
then excused himself. Then, he went to the bridge, where he saw an unusual
sight. The Argo’s first bridge was
darkened, with the exception of the video panel which was playing some kind of
20th century night-time soap opera. There, Vaught saw three men
sitting there mesmerized as the saga unfolded.
At this
point, he hadn’t noticed Wildstar walking onto the bridge, nor did he notice
Derek huffing slightly at the spectacle. Wildstar disapproved of the video
panel being used as an entertainment center, nor did he approve of the bridge
being used as a hangout. He heard a deep, guttural, low growl come from Vaught
as he went over and cut the transmission and turned all the bridge lights on.
“Hey what’s
the idea, that was Dynasty!” someone
with an Australian accent shouted.
“All hands,
at Attention!” Vaught roared as
everyone jumped up at once. Wildstar for a moment was startled by the loud voice.
He stayed back enough so he would not be seen. He wanted to see how Vaught
would handle discipline on a starship.
Vaught
walked up and down past the three men where he faced a short stocky guy, who,
when he saw Vaught’s rank, said quietly, “Uh-oh.”
“Quite
correct, Mr. Eager,” Vaught said as Eager widened his eyes in surprise that
Vaught knew him.
“Lieutenant
Charles Eager, Lieutenant Homer Glitchman and Lieutenant Dashell Jordan; they
say you are the backbone of the Star Force….Well let’s just say that I am not impressed,” said Vaught.
“I don’t
think Wildstar would have minded,” Homer said.
“Are you
referring to Captain Wildstar, Mister?” Vaught snapped.
Homer
dropped his shoulders. “Yes sir,” Homer said.
“You’re
still at attention,” Vaught said calmly as Homer immediately stiffened once
again.
Wildstar
cracked a smile. Vaught clearly had them scared as he towered over all of them,
and continued to pace, walking up and down.
“Captain,”
Vaught said with his back to him. “Was it your wish to have the men continue
with their activities?”
Wildstar
was surprised that Vaught knew he was there without him even turning around. He
cleared his throat
“I indeed
do not wish for them to return to
their activities,” Wildstar said as he walked out in front of them; they were
startled by his appearance.
Vaught
nodded. “I see, Captain. I am aware that the maintenance crew is short handed;
since our bridge crew seems to have extra time on their hands, perhaps they
could better manage their time under their direction.”
“Sounds OK
to me,” Wildstar said as he looked at Homer angrily, “Leave the bridge and see
the Officer of the Deck and tell him I said you are on report. Then, you will report to Colonel Corsair when you are done.
He’ll find something for you and the
others to do!”
The three
left the bridge somewhat dejectedly. As Wildstar looked out the bridge windows,
Vaught knew that at one point Wildstar had been friends with the three men that
Vaught had just scolded. Vaught realized that in a normal world, he himself
would be Wildstar’s commanding officer. Vaught wasn’t impressed with the boy
and it was only Vaught’s own Marine discipline that respected Wildstar’s rank
as Captain. Vaught again felt that he was wasting his time here and that the
problems of these humans were their own concern. However, he gave his word to
Gideon that he would help the Star Force and Vaught Corsair’s word was not
easily broken.
Vaught let
Wildstar stay in his thoughts for a few moments, then he spoke.
“May I ask
how your meeting went with Headquarters?” Vaught asked.
“You know
the sound of a toilet when it flushes?” Wildstar said looking back at him.
“I
understand, sir,” Vaught said.
“Well,
anyway, I was on my way up here to get you,” Wildstar said. “Sandor needs some
help in our tactical center.”
Next Chapter: "An Intelligence Review…and its
Results"
To Return to the
Introduction to Starfighter: The
Iconoclasts, click here