{"id":1557,"date":"2016-07-20T07:24:19","date_gmt":"2016-07-20T12:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1557"},"modified":"2016-07-23T07:27:49","modified_gmt":"2016-07-23T12:27:49","slug":"buck-rogers-part-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1557","title":{"rendered":"Buck Rogers – Part 16"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buck Rogers<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 16<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Buck raced to the hanger as the alert rang though out the building. He had a feeling this one was a training alert based on how some other people were acting around him.\u00a0 He ran up to the fighter where the ground crew were already prepping it for launch.\u00a0 Jumping up into the cockpit he took the helmet put it on and watched as the fighter\u2019s system booted up.<\/p>\n

The fighter taxied out of the hanger and onto the runway along with several others as he felt his adrenalin pumping throughout his body. He got clearance to take off and he pushed the fighter\u2019s engines to the limit and pulled back on the stick feeling it climb up through the atmosphere and into space.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, everyone form up,\u201d he heard Wilma\u2019s voice say. \u201cTime to do some training.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no alert?\u201d another voice asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not idiot, if there was she\u2019d be telling you where to go,\u201d another voice said as Buck shook his head.<\/p>\n

He already had a feeling it was a training exercise before they took off.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, groups one though six, with me, the rest with Aaron, take them though a few maneuvers,\u201d Wilma said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it,\u201d Buck heard Aaron\u2019s voice say as he turned to line up with Wilma being number five.<\/p>\n

Sometime later they were heading back down to the air field to land after running though several maneuvers. He lined up after being given permission to land and looked at his fuel level, still very high which mean they probably would not do anything at this time.<\/p>\n

The Thunderfighter was vastly different in fuel compared to other fighters he had flown. He was used to having to wait until they fueled the fighter, and then watching it as they flew, or needing to be refueled. \u00a0\u00a0Now he could fly into combat and be on alert for days before needing refueling.<\/p>\n

Climbing out of the fighter he made his way over to where the rest of the group waited.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you did your usual best,\u201d another pilot said as Buck walked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just try my best, some people have it,\u201d Buck replied to him not letting the bickering get to him. He was used to it from his days in the air force.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurprised a cave man can do so much?\u201d another one said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two are idiots, aren\u2019t you,\u201d a third voice said as they looked over to see Allen looking at them. \u201cYou obviously know nothing of history, if so you wouldn\u2019t be saying such stupid things, were you educated on an asteroid?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before anyone else could say anything Wilma approached along with Aaron who walked up to them breaking the groups back up as Wilma walked up to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey giving you a hard time?\u201d Wilma asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing I can\u2019t handle,\u201d Buck said. \u201cHeard worse back in my training days in the air force.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me know if they get too bad,\u201d Wilma replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they are part of the squadron, if they can\u2019t get along then it endangers us all when we have to go into combat,\u201d Wilma replied back logically. \u201cWe can\u2019t afford to have people who don\u2019t trust each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck opened his mouth to reply and realized she was right, they were going to have to trust each other with their lives. He would find a way to handle it before it became a problem.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Buck relaxed a bit in the lounge, having some time off at the moment. It was empty as mot others were off either getting something to eat or enjoying the time they had to go back home.\u00a0 He looked over as the door opened allowing someone he didn\u2019t expect, Twiki walking into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cBiggy, biggy, there you are Buck,\u201d he said, walking over to where he sat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, to what do I owe the pleasure?\u201d Buck asked, sitting up a bit straighter wondering why they were here.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe came by to see how you were doing, we\u2019ve received some reports but nothing beside the normal from Colonel Deering,\u201d Theopolis replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, actually going better than I expected,\u201d Buck answered. \u201cIts amazing how similar the fighters are from my time era, guess somethings just never change.\u00a0 Though, I\u2019d have thought all the fighters would be remotely operated, or some sort of drones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some like that, but they are considered inferior to the human piloted fighters. Computers, no matter how sophisticated, still lack that ability which is called common sense,\u201d Theopolis said. \u201cIt\u2019s a strange quirk, the very thing which makes me so good as an advisor also makes me a poor pilot needing those feelings to make critical decision which could be the difference between war and peace, or victory and defeat.\u00a0 When a human has something to fight for, they can become almost invincible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so, never thought of it that way,\u201d Buck replied. \u201cDrones and such were becoming common when I was in the military.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, such limitations were discovered shortly afterwards. As for drones, they\u2019re communications were too easily hacked or cut to be of value in major combat situations,\u201d Theopolis replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose concerns were being raised when I was testing them,\u201d Buck said. The possibilities were tremendous but he guessed the technology to secure tem never rose above the technology to hack it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose concerns were valid, fortunately they were not tested in real battle as the flaws were never overcome in tests,\u201d Theopolis said and Buck realized he was probably part of those beginning tests before moving on to NASA. \u201c\u201dBut we\u2019re getting sidetracked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck heard that and was surprised that a computer could get sidetracked in the first place.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been some progress in diplomatic areas with the Rizonian Empire, they\u2019ve requested you to finish clearing everything up,\u201d Theopolis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Buck replied a bit surprised, especially considering the last time he saw them. They were the rudest people he ever met, and they wanted him to visit?<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we\u2019re not sure exactly why, so you\u2019ll be going with an official envoy, it was the only way we accepted,\u201d Theopolis said. \u201cWilma and I will be going with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBiggy, biggy, don\u2019t forget about me,\u201d Twiki said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not Twiki, I wouldn\u2019t go anywhere without you,\u201d Theopolis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDarn tootin,\u201d Twiki replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, when do we leave?\u201d Buck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll leave in the morning, taking the Thunderfighters,\u201d Theopolis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, those are one man ships, how are you going?\u201d Buck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can fly,\u201d Twiki said which surprised Buck.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor such things there are several modified Thunderfighters for such occasions. They are more maneuverable and faster than a shuttle,\u201d Theopolis said.\u00a0 \u201cAs such we use them when flying into an unknown situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can fight?\u201d Buck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe modified Thunderfighter has no weapons,\u201d Theopolis stated. \u201cThe escorts are there to make sure we have time to leave again, and a shuttle\u2019s engines takes much longer to charge back up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re taking the shuttle to get me was different,\u201d Buck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery, we knew they had a human, and we anticipated bringing you back which we couldn\u2019t do with the fighter,\u201d Theopolis said. \u201cMeet us in the hanger in the morning and we\u2019ll head on over to Rizonian space.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Buck said, watching as Twiki left. Tomorrow would be interesting indeed as he hoped this time they would be more hospitable.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Buck climbed out of the fighter and headed over to where Wilma and Twiki were waiting. Wilma landed first, followed by Twiki and finally Buck.<\/p>\n

Off to the side stood three Rizonians, much like he remembered, and very stoic. He learned that they were a standoffish race, and one who viewed every other race with distain which stemmed from their view that other races were beneath them.\u00a0 For them to actually request someone was very rare but even then Buck had no idea how to act towards them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s get this over with,\u201d Wilma said, moving her eyes towards the Rizonian and Buck had to agree, the welcoming so far was anything but warm.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least they aren\u2019t pointing guns at me this time,\u201d Buck replied hoping for a bit of humor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would at least be showing something,\u201d Wilma said as they moved towards the group.<\/p>\n

Buck managed to look around as seeing the planet didn\u2019t seem that different from Earth, blue sky, clouds, and what could be considered planet-life all around. He would have to be careful anyways for anything which might be poisonous to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am Doctor Thropolis, my aide Twiki, and to my left is Colonel Deering and my right is Captain Rogers, who you requested,\u201d Theopolis said speaking up for the group, something they agreed upon before leaving.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome,\u201d the middle one said not giving any names before turning to Buck. \u201cYou are the one we wanted to speak to, the pilot of the primitive ship?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one I used to find myself here by mistake, yeah,\u201d Buck answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have questions, this way,\u201d the middle one said motioning for them to follow.<\/p>\n

Buck looked on as the three turned to walk away and looking at Wilma and Twiki he shrugged and followed along with the others wondering what questions they had. They reached a transport, not much different than the ones on Earth and whisked along the pathway past many buildings and such as Buck looked on with interest.\u00a0 The view was fascinating to him, to see another alien race and how they lived, something he never thought he would see.<\/p>\n

Arriving at a building they exited in silence, which made him uneasy they made their way along the path, passing few others, all of whom never even bothered to look at them, almost as if they expected to see them, or as Buck thought, they figured these humans were unworthy of being looked upon.<\/p>\n

Their society was too strange for Buck to really comprehend as the more he looked and observed the less he understood. They finally reached a room and were led in as the three left.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell that was friendly,\u201d Buck said to the other two.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually Buck, humanity is a very social race compared to many other races,\u201d Theopolis said. \u201cThe Rizonians are not the worst out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a lot to learn,\u201d Buck said. \u201cThey could have at least introduced themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey only do that if they feel it\u2019s important enough,\u201d Theopolis said. \u201cI did so because it\u2019s part of our customs and they expect it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door opened allowing two others into the room. They went over and sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease sit,\u201d one said surprising Buck at the tone. This one wasn\u2019t one of superiority and Buck walked over and sat down, as did Wilma, Twiki remained standing.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m,\u201d he said something which sounded like to Buck jeelaxialibrex.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a mouthful,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHumans have trouble pronouncing the Rizonian language, their vocal chords are not like yours,\u201d Theopolis said. \u201cBiological limitation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, how about Jeeelax then,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll work,\u201d Buck said. \u201cYou wanted to see me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the mysterious pilot of that wonderfully mysterious craft?\u201d Jeelax asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazing, we\u2019re surprised you survived in one piece at all,\u201d Jeelax replied, now buck wasn\u2019t sure what to think as the other Rizonian spoke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe engine had a major flaw in it, you were luck y to even reach light speed, and the reason why you probably survived at all, though the odds of if not exploding was low at best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo a flaw saved my life and sent me to the future?\u201d Buck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but we also need to know what you actions were during the test flight, we have all the information your government has, but not what you actually did during the flight,\u201d Jeelax said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, that makes sense,\u201d Buck said, thinking back only a couple of weeks ago and wondered at in such a short time so much had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you run us through the flight?\u201d Jeelax asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Buck replied and went over how the day went. He climbed in, what the procedure was to start the engines.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat fuel source did you use?\u201d the other Rizonian asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, not really sure, some sort of matter-antimatter converter thing,\u201d Buck said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t sure what it was, only to regulate the flow into the engine to power it up and if the flow rose up too high to cancel the flight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it\u2019s what we thought,\u201d Jeelax said. \u201cAn unusual design, normally such a converter isn\u2019t mounted to a Thu\u2019lue warp drive.\u00a0 The normal power plant is a type of fusion reactor, which might explain even more of why you survived.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hadn\u2019t discovered such a reactor yet,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, another unusual advance,\u201d Jeelax said. \u201cPlease continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck continued on saying everything was going fine, the engine looked good and right before the test was to start there was a sudden, and brief, power surge from the engine.<\/p>\n

\u201cNormal reaction of a Thu\u2019lue drive, and typically happens only seconds before it explodes, why did it not this time when every other test has?\u201d the other Rizonian asked, confused about the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I did try to abort the flight as it started, but the abort wasn\u2019t working,\u201d Buck said watching as the two Rizonians looked at each other for several seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t suppose?\u201d Jeelax said looking at the other one.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts very possible, a very slim chance,\u201d the other one said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazing, absolutely amazing,\u201d Jeelax said.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, what\u2019s amazing?\u201d Buck asked confused about what was going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou theorize that his aborting at that exact moment prevented the Thu\u2019lue drive from exploding by starving it from fuel at the moment it required the most?\u201d Thoepolis asked, speaking up for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, its makes perfect sense, the fact he had the ability to with this drive, unlike a fusion drive which takes much longer to shut down could, theoretically, have saved him, and thrown him, as it should have worked, into warp,\u201d Jeelax said.<\/p>\n

Buck sat there listening to Jeelax and Theopolis discuss theories which all went over his head, but it sounded like his trying to abort the test actually saved his life, although it did toss him into the future by some four hundred years.<\/p>\n

End part 16<\/p>\n

Continued in part 17<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buck Rogers by AJ Marks Part 16 Buck raced to the hanger as the alert rang though out the building. He had a feeling this one was a training alert based on how some other people were acting around him.\u00a0 He ran up to the fighter where the ground crew were already prepping it for […]
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