Fool's Gold (The Wandering Engineer) by Chris Hechtl Read Free Book Online

this load sorted out
and then I'll take a look at it. I'll need it to make a few plastic parts for
the cabin.” He waved as Jorge's mouth fell open then closed. “Thanks,” Jorge
said softly.
    Anita
and Junior caught them just as they were about to leave. “What are you doing
here?” Anita and Jorge asked one another. Both sounded exasperated.
    “Taking
advantage of my family? Going to rob us blind?” Junior started to snarl until
his father held up a hand.
    “He's
taking me to Io with the parts. We're going to get new parts for the tug.” He
looked over to Anita. “And he insisted I get a check up by the doctor.” She
froze then nodded.
    “Can
we see Juanita?” Junior asked. Anita's eyes lit. She was trying not to cry.
Jorge cocked her head at her. “Yes, that might be a good idea; if I am held up
you can visit our daughter while you wait,” he said softly. She nodded.
    “Sprite,
unlock the damn lifts, there is no way we can wrestle this up ladders.” He
watched the family talking.
    “Admiral,
I can't without linking in. And when I do it will raise a flag in Ops.” The AI
cautioned. Irons nodded. “No helping it. See if you can delay the notice.” He
started pushing the cart down the corridor. He stopped to let Jorge sit on top
of the pile.
    “You're
on a lunch break?” Jorge asked Junior. Junior shook his head.
    “They
cut power in our section. Barney sent us all home, there's no point working in
the cold and dark,” he sighed. Jorge looked grim.
    “It's
never been this bad,” Anita said softly. Jorge nodded quietly.
    “And
you?” he asked her.
    “I
swapped shifts half shifts. I go back in two hours,” she waved airily. Jorge
nodded.
    They
arrived at the lift doors. Junior and Jorge stared as the Admiral went over to
the universal jack and plugged in. After a moment and grinding of gears the
doors opened. A car squealed to a stop and brake dust seemed to leak around its
edges. Its door opened with a groan. “I see some things need repair other than
your tug.” The Admiral shook his head.
    “What
are you doing?” Junior asked as the Admiral pushed the cart into the lift.
“It's a cargo lift. We have cargo. Get it?” The Admiral pointed to the pallet.
“You coming?” He turned to see Anita and Junior on the wrong side of the doors
staring. Hastily they jumped into the car.
     “I've
never been in one in my entire life. Is it safe?” Anita asked nervously.
    “Hopefully,”
the Admiral replied as the double doors groaned shut and the car began to lift.
The Admiral jacked into the inner door controls. He was amused to see Proteus
making small repairs to the panel, fixing several shorts and rerouting a bus
around a fused chip.
    “What
are you doing?” Anita asked looking over to him.
    “Making
sure we get to where we're going. I needed to fix something.” The Admiral moved
to the side so she could see his artificial arm making repairs. She stared.
    “You
really are from the past!” she whispered. He chuckled.
    “Glad
that sunk in.” He felt the car jerk then begin to move sideways.
    “Oops,”
Sprite reported.
    “What?”
The Admiral asked softly.
    “What
is it?” Anita asked nervously. “It seems someone else wishes to use this car
and track,” the AI reported. The Admiral sighed. They groaned to a stop and the
doors creaked open slowly. Someone was swearing on the other side of the door.
Fingers wormed their way in and started to pull the doors apart.
    After
a moment and grinding of gears the outer doors opened. The Admiral opened the
inner doors manually. “Hello, it's a bit crowded but there is room.” He stepped
aside and motioned for the couple to enter. They looked at them in surprise.
    “You’re
going to the docks?” the woman asked. Jorge nodded.
    “We
have some trading to do with the Io 11,” Junior growled.
    The
Admiral smiled. “No way could we get this gear up a ladder.” He waved to the
pallet. The couple entered. And looked around. Hastily the man got