Starship Walker

The Local Bubble

The next morning, Gillian left her small cabin on the West Side half-G level to attend the Captain's emergency meeting. As she walked to the elevator concourse, she was aware of people staring at her with anxiety. Video of Abel's incident had been splashed across the ship's news for days, accompanied by Gillian's face - the only person now available to pilot the ship.

Gillian had grown accustomed to occasional greetings and encouraging words. But the gazes now directed at her, once curious and friendly, now carried apprehension. Nobody spoke to her. This morning, she too was growing anxious. Heavy expectations weighed upon her. She felt like an athlete about to take a high dive, with thousands of eyes upon her. But the lives of her audience depended on the success of her performance.

The Captain's conference room was up on the West Side three-quarter-G level. An imitation oaken table with a false varnished surface dominated it. The room and the table were an expensive use of the ship's space, calculated to emphasise the Captain's status and power. Gillian was impressed.

On one side of the table, the ship's senior officers, including the Executive Officer, Joan Rubilio, and the Navigation Officer, Mr Dryen, flanked the Captain. Gillian Berry sat opposite with three other non-officers, people she didn't yet know. Gillian noticed the Captain's cane, hanging on the back of his seat. Mr Dryen twisted the handle of his cane between his fingers. 

As the Captain opened the meeting, Joan Rubilio flashed a smile of greeting at Gillian.

"First, thank you, all, for attending. I'm obliged to inform you that this discussion is being recorded." Captain Xing looked around the table in emphasis, then continued, "As you are aware, we appear to be stranded, following the recent disaster with the Walk. But I don't want to discuss a detailed plan at this stage. Our purpose at this meeting is to identify possible options for detailed assessment and planning."

The Captain glanced at Gillian. "The young lady with us today, as I'm sure you recognise, is Gillian Berry, our apprentice Walker. I assume those of you who have not already met her have seen her on the shipboard news."

Gillian shifted and straightened herself in her seat. She felt her face grow hot under the scrutiny of the important people surrounding her. She lowered her eyes and gazed at the varnished tabletop.

"I want to take this opportunity to make a clear statement. We all appreciate the historical tension between Walkers and traditional merchant navy crew, especially navigators. This divide between interstellar and interplanetary navigators can lead to problems, but we can't afford that now. I want to see an effort to reduce this awkwardness. It may impede our vital work." Captain Xing glanced around the table.

"I agree," Mr Dryen said. "My department will certainly give Ms Berry all the assistance we can."

The Captain continued to gaze at him. Mr Dryen added, " - In terms of the navigational and related expertise she requires." He glanced at Gillian, with an odd, half shy expression.

All the officers gave their assurances. As the babble of encouragement washed over her, Gillian could not prevent herself blushing.

Captain Xing continued his introduction, gesturing at committee members as he identified them. "We also have with us Mr Barry, the elected representative of the passengers, and Mr Rogers, our astrophysicist."

Mr Rogers nodded at the group. His face looked nervous.

The Captain made the briefest of pauses before continuing, " - and Mr McWhirter."

The Captain and Mr McWhirter grinned at each other, without humour. McWhirter was a short, stout man who sat uneasily in his chair. Gillian noticed how he rubbed one of his hands across his chin, his eyes glancing from person to person.