Eric said, Tag, you cant put Leila in that position. It could cause her to lose her job and get arrested.
Leila put her hand over Erics lips and said, Hush, darling, but for Tag taking the chance he took, I would have never had this career. Did he take a smaller chance when he took that test? Look at what it cost him. He lost his parents and Danielle. He deserves our help and Ill not turn him down.
Leila, I feel terrible. Erics right, I cant ask you to do this.
Give me two days, Tag. There may not be anything I can do, but let me at least take a look and see. You can hang out here since no one saw you come in; its probably safe as long as you stay inside.
Tag looked at Eric and saw him nod. We have a lot of catching up to do, old friend. You need to take off that fake belly and glasses so we can recognize you. Then well sit down and eat.
Tag smiled, Sounds good to me. Its really good to see you again.
Leila came home from work the next day and told Tag while they were eating dinner, I dont think theres any chance of you being able to board a ship. Anyone that enters must have their retinas and palms scanned for identification. There is only one entrance and only one person at a time may approach the scanner. Theres no way you can hide behind anyone like you did our teacher when we were seven.
You remember that? Tag said.
Yes I do. And I only really thought about it after I found out that you had stolen my test booklet. I assumed that you used that skill to steal it.
I did. And youre right. If only one person can go through the scanner, theres no way I could hide behind them. Im sure there will also be overhead cameras that would also make that impossible. Are you saying, Leila, that theres no way for me to leave Earth?
Just before I left work I ran across a situation that might have some merit. But before I discuss it I want to take another look tomorrow to make certain.
Okay, Tag said, but now he was starting to worry that there was no escape.. Be patient, he thought. If theres a way, Leila will find it. He didnt sleep very well that night.
Leila came home the next day and Tag was waiting for her at the door. Arent you the inpatient one? she said.
Im sorry, Leila. Did you find anything?
I think so. But lets wait until Eric gets home to discuss it. I think he can add insight without letting his emotions color his thinking; like Danielle, he really is quite adept at seeing things clearly.
That evening at dinner Leila announced, I think Ive discovered a possible way for you to leave. We have a ship at the spaceport that has been there for reconditioning. Its a small one, but it does have interstellar capability. Its owner is a security official that lives on one of the planets weve settled out towards Andromeda and he is currently living there while the reconditioning takes place. It was completed last week, so the only thing that remains is for a cleaning crew to go in and clean up the mess that was made by the construction crews. The ship is fully fueled and fully stocked with provisions. If you could enter with the cleaning crew, then you have a chance to take off.
When is it due to the cleaned? Tag asked.
I scheduled it for tomorrow night at 8 p.m. Thats when the shift change takes place and the monitors wont be closely watched. Youll have to use your skills to get in without being seen by the cleaners.
That doesnt give me much time. What information do you have on the cleaners?
They board a bus outside the spaceport and then are dropped off at the various facilities that are scheduled to be cleaned. Since the ship is out on the edge of the landing field, it will be the last stop. Security is lax getting on the bus and once youre on, the bus is usually just waved through the gate. Where security is top-notch is boarding ships. However, construction and cleaning crews have the ships opened and waiting for them. If you can get with the cleaning crew you should be able to get on board. Once on board, youll need to hide and stay behind once the crew leaves.
I should be able to handle that, Tag said.
Theres more, said Leila. Once they leave and close the ship youre going to need the operation codes to be able to power it. I found out that the logs with the new operation codes are in the control room under the pilots seat cushion. When you turn on the power, the ships computer is going to demand the codes. First enter the bottom code, then the top one, and finally the middle one. You will then have control of the ship. Ive neglected to ask you, but do you know how to fly a ship?
Yes. During the last three years I used one of Richards childrens names and enrolled in several commercial pilot schools. Although Ive never actually flown, Ive had a lot of simulator time so I feel comfortable that I should be able to handle the ship. The controls are actually very similar to those of a floater. The main difference is when you energize the star drive.
Remember, you cannot energize the star drive closer than the orbit of Jupiter. The suns gravity will disrupt it if youre any closer than that.
I know it; we went over all that in my classes.
I have one more thing for you, Tag. With that, she opened a box that she had placed in the living room when she came home from work. Inside the box was a white uniform with green lettering on the back that read Spaceport Cleaning Crew. Youll need this.
Tag and Eric both looked at her and Eric said, How did you get that?
Dont worry, my love, I have my ways and no one can trace it back to me.
Tag looked at Eric and said, You really are a very lucky man.
I know, Eric replied.
Theres one more thing, Tag. We have a large commercial freighter due to lift off at 5 a.m. the morning after you enter the ship. Most of the controllers will be focused on getting that ship lifted through the shipping lanes. Time your liftoff with that freighter. Lift off at low altitude and move out over the city. Your ship is small and there is some commercial traffic over the city that is actually larger than your ship, so you shouldnt be noticed. Fly south until the spaceport and its sensors are no longer in view, then leave at an angle that keeps the planet between you and the spaceport. After that, head for Jupiters orbit and enter the coordinates of where you want to go into star drive. I wish I could give you another alternative, but I dont see one. Even this one is risky. One thing in your favor is that there is a lot of traffic that comes and goes from Earth every day. Hopefully youll be able to hide.
I need to start getting ready, but theres one more thing I need to give you, Tag said as he handed a sheet of paper to Leila. He told her, These are the directions and instructions on how to get into my storage space. Inside you will find an armored safe, and Ive written the combination for you. He then handed Leila a key and said, This unlocks the entry to the facility and also unlocks my storage unit. Inside the safe are some funds that I want you to have. The floater outside is also yours.
Tag, you dont need to give us anything, Leila began, and Tag interrupted.
Yes I do. I suspect that if Im not successful in my escape that those funds will go to waste. If I am successful, then Ill never have the opportunity to use them. Either way, I want you to have them.
Eric asked, How much is in there, Tag?
Two million credits in one-hundred-credit denominations. Use it whenever you need it, but I caution you to use it wisely and dont draw attention to yourselves. This will ensure that whatever happens to your jobs, your future will be okay.