Lift-Off - [NS]

[Note: No Sex In This Chapter]
Starting at 0600 Hours (6 A.M.), the Boatswain woke up the sleeping members of the 5-EX. He entered the rooms that were unlocked without knocking, tapping on the doors that were locked. As the now-dressed men gathered downstairs, Doctor Birks appeared, clutching her bathrobe tightly closed.

"Oh, Richard," she sighed. "You should have awakened me and I would have prepared breakfast for everyone."

"Shhh," he replied, giving her a hug and a kiss on the top of her head. "Go back to bed and rest. Dawson can rustle up something for us when we get back onboard. You and the ladies sleep."

"Well, next time I am making you breakfast," she tapped his forehead with her forefinger.

"That's a deal," he replied, releasing her and starting to exit. Pausing, he added, "And thank you for throwing that party for me and my men."

"Yes, M'am. Thank you."
"We appreciate it, Doctor."
"Had a great time. Thanks so much."
Were some of the remarks called out by the Spacers as they filed out of the door.

When the hover-craft arrived at the 5-EX's landing site inside the spaceport, they saw two heavy lift transports parked close by, the cargo hold doors beneath the outer rim of the ship opened, and a team of longshoreman loading metal boxes. There were also two men wearing sidearms standing close by, watching the operation.

The Lieutenant standing at the foot of the boarding ramp, who had been placed in charge of the ship while the crew was at Doctor Birks, was a different man than yesterday evening. Which was expected. They probably stood eight-hour watches. Saluting Smith, the man said, "Welcome back, sir. You'll find everything as you left it. I did not push a single button." He looked up at the ship. "But, boy, I wanted to. My last assignment was on a Revenue Cutter." He shook his head in awe. "She was nothing like your vessel."

"Few ships are," Smith smiled while signing the clipboard the Lieutenant handed him, officially relieving him of his duties.

Again the Officer saluted Smith and then extended his right hand. "Good luck, Sir. And bless you and your crew."

By then everyone else from the 5-EX had boarded their ship and Smith was about to do the same when two limousines pulled up. The Port Captain climbed out and made the introductions of the other occupants to Smith as they exited the long, black vehicles. There were four members of the Council and two other riders. Commissioner Robert Anderson, and Doctor Philip Boyce of the Planetary Health Service. Those two would be passengers, with Commissioner Anderson acting as the Special Envoy in charge. The two uniformed men Smith had originally seen near the loading operation and were now approaching would also be passengers.

"Lieutenant Hammer," Smith yelled up the boarding ramp as he shook hands with the dignitaries. After a few moments, he called again, "LIEUTENAT HAMMER!"

The sounds of rapid footsteps on the boarding ramp announced the hurried arrival of the First Officer. When he stepped up to Captain Smith, he was told, "Escort these two gentlemen to the small arms locker and stow their weapons inside."

"With all due respect," one of the men, who was wearing a circular shoulder patch of the Centralized Banking Commission, said, "We will retain our weapons . . . Sir."

"With all due respect," Smith replied, "You will not."

"Richard," the Port Captain said, "Those are natural diamonds and platinum bars that are being loaded into the cargo holds to pay for the Zenite. You'll have a large fortune onboard."

"What? You think I'm going to hijack my own ship and turn pirate? Yo-Ho-Ho and a barrel of rum?" Smith asked the Port Captain. Then he turned back to the CBC Guard. "Once we are underway, how difficult do you think it would be for me to have your food poisoned? Or to order toxic gas injected into the air ducts of your cabin?"

Once more addressing the Port Captain, Smith said, "Paul, traveling through hyper-space is difficult enough, without having to deal with an accidental weapon discharge damaging critical circuits."

The Port Captain looked towards the Special Envoy who spoke to the Guards. "Accompany this Officer," he nodded towards Lieutenant Hammer, "And turn your weapons over to him."

The men looked none too happy to comply, but they obeyed.

"I hope you did not bring a large amount of luggage, Commissioner," Smith commented. "The interior space of an EX is rather limited."

"I brought an exorbitant amount," the Commissioner answered. Then nodded towards the loading team. "It is being put inside the cargo hold. Each of us are bringing onboard one suitcase a piece." He glanced towards the Port Captain, "As per the memo from the Space Port Administration."

Smith led the four Council Members, Special Envoy, Doctor, and Port Captain onboard his ship, giving them a detailed tour. Roughly an hour later, the Stevedore in charge of the Longshoremen reported that the loading had been completed. The CBC Guards, who had resumed their posts after surrendering their side-arms, came aboard as well, confirming the Stevedore's report.

"Well, Gentleman," Smith told the members of his 'tour group', "At the risk of being rude, I am going to have to ask all guests and visitors to disembark." He flashed a toothy grin as he imitated the announcement the Captain of a Passenger Ship would make. Then, turning more serious, he elaborated, "Since time is of the essence, I want to lift-off immediately."

Everyone understood, shaking Smith's hand one last time, wishing him luck, and thanking him again for what his ship and crew were doing.

Simultaneously pressing the button to retract the landing gear/boarding ramps and grabbing the microphone to the ships inner-craft, he announced, "This is the Captain Speaking. All personnel to your lift-off stations. All personnel to your lift-off stations. Passengers report to the mess deck. Passengers report to the mess deck."

As everyone rushed into the control room and sat down to begin flipping switches and turning knobs, Smith called back over his shoulder into the mess deck. "Petty Officer Dawson, make sure the Passengers are strapped in."

The Cook did as ordered, checking that the seatbelts and shoulder straps of the benches circling the tables were fastened properly.