The Girl in the Tank: Are There Closets in Space?: The Galactic Consortium, #6

By R. J. Eliason

Less than five months ago, lights appeared in the sky. Days later the ships started to arrive. They call themselves the Consortium. They are human, or at least Simian, descending from the same genetic line as humans. They terraformed this planet centuries ago, sent settlers a mere forty thousand years ago. Now they are back, ready to begin the exploration of this galaxy. 

For Cheyenne Walker, Chief Petty Officer aboard the Cambridge, a USS destroyer, the arrival of the Consortium is just one more obstacle to finishing her final tour of duty and getting home to her kids. The political upheaval forces the US into an uneasy alliance with the Consortium against China, and puts the Cambridge on the edge of a nuclear blast. 

Cheyenne wakes to find herself aboard the Corelean, a Consortium Medical Evacuation ship. Floating in a medi-tank, she wonders if they really can’t repair the wreck of her body, whether these newcomers are friends or foes and most importantly, will she ever make it back to children? 

Are There Closets in Space? 

In the wake of the assault on Kavi, Dan comes out to his crewmates. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. J. Eliason
• Release date: Feb 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524278274

R. J. Eliason

R. J. Eliason writes immersive science fiction and fantasy stories that feature diverse characters. Her writing spans many sub-genres from alien contact, apocalyptic stories and epic fantasy. She also writes in a wide variety of formats, from full length novels to an ongoing serialized adventure. Her writing can be found in digital and print formats anywhere online that books are sold. Or check out her website at rj.eliason.com and sign up for a free book. 

Book preview

I dedicate this to the hundreds of sci-fi fans I’ve met over the years. Your many discussions and suggestions about how things might be and my reactions to those suggestions have gone, in some fashion, into this serial.

Chapter ONE

Dan woke with Janda’s fingers in his mouth.

He’s coming around, one of the security personnel said as Dan started to move.

Hold still, Janda commanded. I’m almost done. Moments later, the fingers retreated, and Dan sat up. He was on a small cot in the security bay. You lost a couple teeth, Janda said as he went to a sink to wash his hands. I’ve patched them up. You’ll be fine.

Dan looked around the crowded room. Memories of the assault rushed over him. Both captains stood near the door, watching over the scene. Three security personnel were there, Janda and—

He hit me. Why isn’t he bound? Klempke demanded from where he was sitting. His hands had been tied together.

Shut up, Sailor, Captain Lannister barked. We will deal with you later.

Janda pointed at Klempke and, with a coldness in his voice, said, You’ve lost some teeth as well. May I treat?

I don’t want one of them touching me, Klempke snarled, refusing to meet Janda’s gaze. Especially one who’s probably a fag.

I know what that word implies, Janda said. It is factually incorrect, but if I loved another man, I’d wear the word with pride. As to treatment, you can live without teeth if that is your wish. At a nod from Captain Dowlings, Janda left.

He hit me, Captain, Klempke continued to insist. You have to punish him too.

You stand accused of a very serious crime, Captain Lannister told him.

It’s her word against ours, Klempke said.

Lannister snorted. You think? You were caught in the act. Besides there is video.

But . . . Klempke sputtered, they don’t have access, right? His eyes cast about for support.

For routine surveillance, no, Bankim said. But the Legal Bureau does. And you better believe they’re involved.

For tonight, Captain Lannister said, he’s refused treatment, so he can go to your brig with his pal.

Come on, Bankim barked, yanking Klempke to his feet. Let’s go.

Sutton was waiting in the hall. He joined Bankim in escorting Klempke to the brig, leaving the captains, Fox, and Sukira alone with Dan.

Captain Lannister sat on the cot next to Dan. How are you feeling, Oleson? he asked.

Dan rubbed his jaw. Like I got socked in the jaw, sir. And the gut. How could they?

The captain sighed. I know. I wouldn’t have thought any of my men capable. But . . .

But you were concerned about fraternization, Captain Dowlings interjected.

I didn’t think something like this would happen, Captain Lannister said. A lover’s quarrel, some drama in the mess. I never dreamed it would be something like this.

Nonetheless, I should have taken your concerns more seriously. I see that now, she replied, her voice terse.

Lannister nodded, then looked at Dan. You did the right thing, Oleson. I want you to know that. I asked you to keep an eye on things for me, and you did. But I have to ask some questions.

Dan expected as much. I just, I just had a gut feeling, you know? I don’t know that I can explain.

You had no idea they were going to do what they did? Dowlings asked.

Dan shook his head. They don’t hang out in the common room much; I think that was what made me suspicious, actually. I’d never seen them there before. And, I don’t know, there was something in their eyes.

Did you have any contact with these men before tonight? Lannister asked. Did they say anything about this plan?

No, sir, I swear. I never spoke with them.

But you went to their quarters . . .

It was purely a hunch.

It was a good one, Dowlings said. You stopped a horrible deed.

I shouldn’t have hit him though.

Lannister pursed his lips and said, No, you shouldn’t have.

It is quite excusable, Dowlings put in. If I saw such a thing going on with my own crew . . .

Lannister sighed heavily, nodding. Yeah, me too, he said. I understand. But you know how men like Klempke are. He’ll raise a stink, here or back home. We have to be fair. You understand, Oleson?

Dan nodded.

No, Dowlings protested. He stopped a crime in progress. I don’t think pursuing any action against him is necessary. But under Lannister’s gaze, she relented. He is your crew. If you feel you must punish him...

I don’t want to, but discipline demands something.

Sir, Sukira put in, our legal system has some flexibility. They would take the situation into account. It would be a very light punishment, if any is called for.

Plus, it wouldn’t have to count against Oleson’s military career or legal record back home, Fox said. If you are serious, sir, about making it look fair, why not have them rule on it? Then when we go home, it’s a clean slate for Oleson, and if anyone says it wasn’t fair, then we can say he was tried too.

Dan nodded. I am willing. I mean, I understand I shouldn’t have hit him. And I’d do anything to make sure they get their due.

Lannister looked hard at Sukira. You’re sure they would go easy on him? I want it to be clear that we dealt with both sides of this issue, that it was fair. I don’t want Oleson in any real trouble or, God forbid, locked in some foreign prison.

Sukira shrugged. "Let him and the others have a legal advisor from our side and