Ghost Surveillance: SPACE GH0ST ADVENTURES, #2

Chapter One

Daniel leaned back in his chair reading the magazine Space Miners Today. He was bored. It wasn’t often that he was bored. Usually there was always something to do. Clean asteroids, read a good book as they traveled to the next asteroid belt, and gather more minerals on asteroids.

But Daniel was no longer a space miner. Well, asteroid exploratory captain extraordinaire. Or, whatever. Daniel was not a Space Exploratory captain. To boldly go where no one has gone before. Or perhaps that was from an ancient Sci-Fi television show. Though, the premise was accurate. Daniel was bold. Or, at least, that’s what he told himself when he looked in the mirror every morning.

Instead, he sat at a bar, a disaronno in his hand as he drank the smooth liquid. This wasn’t just any bar. It was a bit fancier than the one on the Ghost. Though, the company wasn’t as pleasant. Justin was a good barkeep. He poured Daniel drinks, said a few words, and kept his mouth shut. The bartender on the space station, however, had a problem with keeping his mouth open, like he was trying to catch flies. He was a classic bartender who wanted to know everything about everyone’s mission. Daniel supposed he couldn’t blame him. The poor fella had to stay on the space station while everyone else traveled the galaxy. At least Justin got to see different views. Stars looked different everywhere.

Daniel was the new captain on the block, though he didn’t sing as well as the New Kids on the Block. However, the bar was populated with dozens of other captains between missions. It seemed that the other captains were very interested in a new captain, especially after hearing about his adventure. Though, Daniel could feel a bit of tension with a few of them. Daniel was the only Unwanted captain. A few of the clone captains looked down their noses at him. A few others seemed to be unaffected.

It seemed the captains over planetary exploration missions had more free time between their missions than asteroid exploratory captains. At least until they were established. There were also fewer of them. Asteroids were all over the place, and their minerals were desperately needed to keep all the space programs afloat. Pun intended. Exploring planetary systems, however, took a bit more research before a mission was initiated.

Daniel hated waiting. It was for the space birds. He was ready for a mission. But, since one hadn’t come yet, he sat at the bar, drinking. He didn’t drink a whole lot. It wasn’t his style. If he ever lost himself in drink, then he wouldn’t have become the captain he was. He couldn’t become the captain he wanted to be. Daniel didn’t want to be known around the galaxy. He didn’t want to be noticed. But, he did want to make a difference.

So, I hear you’re the youngest captain to be offered a position as a planetary explorer, the barkeep said.

Daniel pressed his lips tightly together. That’s right.

You’re also the only Unwanted captain, is that true?

Daniel nodded.

The barkeep leaned forward, his bald dark brown head gleaming in the dim florescent bar lights. You’re an inspiration to us all.

Daniel furrowed his eyebrows.

The barkeep laughed. I suppose not all of us have a target on the back of our head. Most of us who’ve climbed through the ranks tend to not try to bring notice to ourselves.

You’re an Unwanted?

The middle-aged man rolled his eyes. Do you really think they’d waste the resources to clone the perfect bartender?

Daniel wrinkled his nose. No, I figured they’d clone a brilliant psychologist and have him placed as a barkeep.

The man scratched his chin. Not a bad idea, I’d say. But, I don’t think they’re as concerned about such trivial things as that. Something I’ve come to notice, Captain Daniel, is the government doesn’t concern itself with the lower people. Don’t fool yourself. They don’t care about you. They don’t care about me. And I’ll tell you this too, they don’t care about the clones either.

Daniel frowned.

The barkeep laughed. I’ve been behind this bar for a long time. I’ve seen many people come and go. Unwanted. Clones. It doesn’t matter. The government doesn’t care about us. We’re all expendable.

Daniel gulped. He didn’t like hearing that, but he wondered if it were true.

They started Project Unwanted for one reason. They couldn’t keep up the resources needed to produce enough clones to do the job. They wanted to supplement the amount of people they could send into space. But now, they have more than enough. And because of that, we’re all expendable.

Daniel pressed his lips tightly together and moved them left and right.

What happens if a clone captain dies? They replace him. What happens if an Unwanted dies? They replace him with another one. Thanks to the Space Academy, they have more than enough.

Daniel tapped his finger against his lips.

And you’re going to make even more options available.

What do you mean? Daniel asked.

Never before had they thought a Captain could be an Unwanted. Nor half the positions making up your crew. Ten years ago, it was unheard of. Once they realize that Unwanted can do just as good of a job as the clones if we dedicate ourselves, they’re going to utilize us.

So all that we do is for naught? Daniel asked.

All the things the barkeep was saying were weighing down on Daniel hard. The man made everything sound like a vicious, endless cycle. The government ruled all. How was it any different than earth? They’d originally left for exploration, and for them to not be under the thumb of the earth government. Yet, over the years, they’d reestablished it in a way.

All hope is not lost. You, my friend, are the start to a new revolution.

Explain.

"It’s starting slow, but Unwanted are beginning to be allowed into ranks they never were before. Right now, we still face heavy discrimination for being lesser than clones. But, it will get better, if psychology of earth history tells us anything, then someday, we’ll have government officials who are Unwanted. And, if we ever do find life out there, well, then we’ve succeeded."

Are you sure you’re not a psychologist? Daniel asked.

The barkeep laughed and poured Daniel another drink. I’ve just seen enough clones, Unwanted, and even government officials stumble in and out of here over the years. And I listen. Just take it easy out there. Right now, you’ve given us Unwanted a good name. Please don’t take that lightly.

I won’t. Daniel grabbed the glass and tilted his head back as he took a large gulp.

Chapter Two

Daniel awoke, drool hanging out of his mouth. A large pile of it lay on the cold vinyl floor next to his face. He opened his eyes and looked around. It was dark. And it was cold. He groaned as he got to his hands and knees, struggling to stand on his feet. He found a bench to pull himself up. As he looked around his head throbbed.

Where am I? he whispered.

His head spun and everything around him was blurry.

He stumbled around the dark room but saw no bed. The last thing he remembered was having a few drinks at the bar. Hindsight, it was probably a bad idea. But still, he didn't remember having that much to drink. He rubbed his eyebrow, yawned, stretched, and coughed. He patted his chest and his legs to make sure he was still wearing clothes. He was. For that, he was thankful.

A beeping on his watch startled him. He swatted it. It continued to beep. He rubbed his eyes with his right hand while checking his watch around his left wrist.

The President’s face blinked on his screen.

Crap, Daniel muttered.

He hit the accept button on the call.

Captain Daniel? the President asked, where are you?

Um, Daniel replied. He scratched his forehead. I’m not sure.

Well, you are needed on the spaceship.

Daniel’s eyes brightened. Oh I am? Do we have a mission?

That depends, the President said, on how fast you get here.

Aye, Aye, President, Daniel said.

He hung up the call on the watch. Taking one last glimpse around, he tried to figure out where he was. And more importantly, how to get out. Spotting a door in the corner, he ambled toward it. Daniel opened the door. The hallway outside of the room was even colder, and he didn't know where it was. Still, he closed the door behind him, and began looking around. There were six other doors in the hallway.

He figured the others were similar rooms, like the one he had just occupied. A study, more or less. The room he had been in had desks and papers, but no bed. An office perhaps. Though Daniel couldn't fathom for the life of him why he was in an office or whose office it had been.

Daniel rushed to the door at the end of the hallway, opened it and peered inside. His eyebrows furrowed when he realized it was the bar. He didn’t remember there being a door on the side of the bar the night before. And why would a bar connect to a bunch of offices? Surely paper pushers didn’t need to be literally attached to a bar, did they?

Daniel began to wonder how observant he truly was. He rubbed his mouth with his hand and saw red residue appear. Lipstick? Why was he wearing lipstick? He shook his head, not sure if he wanted to remember the night before or not.

He took one last glance at the odd door at the side of the dark bar before shaking his head. Daniel rushed through the bar until he found the exit door. He reached down and touched the knob. It was locked. He found a small tool kit in his sash. And then he went to work on picking the lock. After 30 seconds, he succeeded. He opened the door, and stepped outside.

A man, tall, dark, and what some may find handsome, with a shaved face and bald head, stared at him.

I was wondering where you’d went, the bartender said.

Daniel's eyes bulged as he looked at him.

I’m sorry, Daniel said, I’m afraid I don't remember your name, nor do I remember what happened last night.

That is probably best, the barkeep said, next time, I’ll remember not to let you have that third drink.

Third drink, Daniel asked. What was I drinking?

Apparently something that’s too strong for you.

Right, Daniel said. Well, I’ve got to get back to my ship.

They’re probably waiting on you. Your First Officer came in here looking for you last night. By then, I didn't know where you'd disappeared to.

Don’t worry, I don’t know either.

Daniel scratched his head as he glanced from the bar to the barkeep standing outside the door.

Well, Daniel said, Thanks. I’ll see you around.

You know, some of those other captains were calling you the worst captain they’d ever heard of.

Daniel raised his eyebrows. But they have heard of me?

The barkeep chuckled.

Daniel smiled, walked around the man and made his way to the ship. He hadn't spent much time meeting with other captains, or going to bars because in the past, he’d kept busy with his exploratory missions. So, apparently, an asteroid Captain had a lot more to do than the standard space explorers captains, at least in the beginning, or so he was told. Daniel hadn’t yet established himself, but he planned to soon.

Perhaps he’d get tonic water next time he visited the bar at the space station. Apparently whatever he’d gotten was way too strong. It couldn’t have been only disaronno. That was all he remembered