Jordan's Dilemma
Copyright© 2022 by SW MO Hermit
Chapter 6
Karen stood and headed for the door to her ready room after Lewis & Clark broke orbit. Just before leaving the bridge, she said, “You have the con, Number One. I’m going to catch up on paperwork.”
The voyage to Atlantis was another dull, uneventful trip, disrupted by a mischievous captain. Although they weren’t a warship, Captain Smith insisted that her crew stay alert. She called General Quarters and conducted drills multiple times during the trip. All kinds of damage and failures that she or the XO could imagine were simulated, some with Elsie’s help.
None too soon for the crew’s happiness, they arrived at Atlantis. After docking at the space station, they were greeted by none other than the famous Commander Marcie Hayward. After the introductions, Marcie said, “Dad asked me to relay his apology for not greeting you in person. He is meeting with some Admirals this morning to discuss the treatment and rehabilitation of the wounded, and this afternoon he is receiving an update on our preparations to move MIT into one of our geofronts. You are all invited to our home this evening for the official greeting and a small barbecue. He says he and Mother are looking forward to meeting you.”
“Thank you,” Karen replied. “I would like to give my crew some liberty while we are here. Would that be permissible?”
Absolutely. We have fantastic beaches and recreational facilities. Just have your AI coordinate with ours. If you would follow me, I’ll take you to the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
When they stepped out of the arrival building, everyone paused to take in the park-like scenery. Caroline said, “This is even more beautiful than Cay.”
After giving the visitors a moment to enjoy the scenery, Marcie said, “We like it. Now, shall we continue?”
They walked a few feet, entered a large building, crossed the lobby, and rode an elevator to the top floor (or what passed for one off Earth). As they stepped into the upper lobby, they saw two large floor-to-ceiling glass walls with receptionist desks behind them. Marcie said, “The entire top floor is used for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, their staff, and meeting rooms.” She entered another set of offices and greeted the receptionist, “Good morning, Delphia. I have the guests from Cay. Is the Lieutenant Governor able to meet with them now?”
“Yes, Ma’am. She said to send you right in when you arrived.”
“Thank you,” Marcie said, looking at her guests. “If you would follow me again, I’ll introduce you and get out of your hair.”
Marcie knocked on the door frame, and a neatly dressed lady looked up, smiled, and said, “Come in, please. I’m Bella Catalia, Lieutenant Governor. Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Caroline said. “I’m Caroline Pataki, Lieutenant Governor of Cay. This is Karen Smith, our ship’s captain; Denny Potts, our Assistant Director of Engineering; and Shiela Laforge, Assistant Director of Artistic Expression.”
“Welcome to Atlantis. I’m not sure about the purpose of your visit. We mostly see combat ships and military visitors. How may we help you?”
Caroline replied, “I’m not sure you can, and I hope we’re not wasting each other’s time. Cay is a relatively new colony, initially established as an engineering colony with a mission similar to yours—to educate engineers, review Confed knowledge, and apply it to the war effort, hopefully with human improvements.”
“Unfortunately, we angered some powerful folks in DECO and were cut off, labeled a failed colony. Fortunately, we were advanced enough to withstand the setback, and we are now thriving, even if more slowly than we’d like. Governor Stotts has devised a plan to keep us going, based on a metaphorical three-legged stool: handmade crafts for trade with other races and colonies, our original R&D efforts, and a third leg we’re working on—education and diplomacy. We’re even considering opening a medical rehabilitation and R&R center for severely injured troops or those with severe cases of PTSD.”
“Our separation from the mainstream might turn out for the better, but we’ll have to wait and see. As for our visit to Atlantis, we hope to build a working relationship with you, at least in engineering and weapons development. We’ve heard a lot about the young Commander Haywood, and I must admit, I was impressed by her when we met.”
“I see. I hadn’t considered something like that. We’ve always communicated and shared technological updates through implants with the AIs or via message with other colonies, rather than in person. We’ve focused on using our own resources to advance our defense efforts, though we will soon extract the entire MIT campus to further our goals. You present an interesting proposition. How do you see it working?”
“That’s one thing we hope to develop while we’re here. Our initial idea is to exchange scientists for a period, but we might even swap young students to attend classes in each colony—especially if you’re going to have MIT here.”
“That is feasible. You do realize that, aside from the military geofronts, we are a nudist or naturist colony. Any exchange students would be expected to live as we do.”
Yes, I don’t believe that would be a problem. Much of our development follows a nudity dress code: we wear clothing only for protection or when visiting other systems. Even aboard our ships, nudity is common unless there’s a reason to be clothed.
Marsha smiled a slightly mischievous smile and said, “Good. Now, it’s past lunchtime. Why don’t we find something to eat, and then I’ll arrange a short tour of our colony? Do you have anyone else who might like to join us and is still on board Elsie? That is your ship’s name, isn’t it?”
“Thank you. Yes, if it’s not too much trouble, I do have two or three others who would enjoy seeing your colony. Our ship’s name is Lewis & Clark, but the AI is called Elsie.”
During the meal, Marsha used her implant to arrange tours for her guests. During dessert, additional members of Lewis & Clark’s crew arrived, and shortly afterward, Marcie and two other guides arrived as well.
After handing her guests over to Marcie, Marcia headed back to her office. Before leaving the room, she paused and said, “Don’t forget the Governor’s barbecue this evening. I’ll see you again around 1800, shall we say? And please bring as many of your people as possible.”
Marcie cringed inwardly when she heard Marsha reiterate her father’s invitation. She knew he had invited, or was going to invite, the visitors to one of his famous backyard barbecues, but she had hoped to extend the invitation herself. She remembered a recent visit by an admiral and his aide, when the dress code was sprung on them at the last minute. That had worked out fine in the end, though it was touch-and-go for a minute or two. This time, before they took off in the shuttle she was piloting, she made sure everyone understood that the event would be held in the residential geofront and would be sans clothing.
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