ship at night when no one was looking to ship prisoners out of town and to RPC headquarters for processing. The ship arrived just after seven in the evening after the sun went behind the main planet. Roderick was waiting in the back when he heard the soft humming of the engine, and backed away to the door to clear the space as the cloaked ship made its landing, putting four decent sized imprints into the backyard behind the Sheriff’s office and jail. Moments later the ship uncloaked and the door opened. A man twenty years his senior stepped out of the ship.
“Commander,” he said, offering him a hand to shake, “A pleasure to see you again.”
“Likewise, Captain,” Roderick said, walking up to shake the old man’s hand.
Captain Jim Rogers was a thirty year veteran of the Rocket Patrol. He was the best pilot in the solar system and was often sent out with a ship whenever prisoners needed to be transferred, or if high ranking members of government needed to be transported with discretion. Rogers was also the man who taught Roderick everything he knew about being a productive and thorough member of the Rocket Patrol. Roderick’s first assignment out of the academy was working with Roger in the same transport. That was before he became an active space ranger with a ship of his own. Rogers made Roderick the pilot he is today, probably second only to his mentor.
“How many do you have for us today, Benny?” Rogers asked.
“You know how much I hate to be called that,” Roderick said as he scowled at the old man, “I have seven.”
“You’ve been busy,” Rogers said with a grin, “Come on rookie, we have seven scumbags who have a date with a Rocket Patrol tribunal in Capital City.”
Roderick watched as a young woman, who couldn’t be any older than twenty-three, emerged from the transport. Her Rocket Patrol uniform squeezed her elegant hour glass frame and her blonde hair was rolled up only to make her less distracting, but also to not get in her way when flying in zero gravity between planets.
“Yes, Captain.” She quickly replied, walking past the two men and into the Sheriff’s station.
“Who’s the new rookie?” Roderick casually asked.
“A royal pain in my ass,” Rogers said with a smile, “Her name is Miranda O’Brien, graduated top of her class last year at the academy.”
“O’Brien?” Roderick repeated, “Irish?”
“Not hard to miss, is it?” Rogers answered with a grin, “Her great, great, granpappy was born on Earth but she was born on the Irish colony in the Neptune sector.”
“Only the Irish could put up with that planet,” Roderick replied. He’d known from experience. He was there several days and it didn’t stop raining the entire time he was there.
“They’re a tough bunch,” Rogers agreed, “When we separated each nation to a planet of their own, the human race has never know a greater peace than we have now.”
“I know,” Roderick said, thinking about it, “Having light years of space between these nations rather than a thin border has done wonders for the longevity of our species.”
“No shit.” Rogers replied, “There have been no major wars for over four centuries. That has to be a record.”
“Is she any good?” Roderick asked, watching O’Brien walk one of the prisoners onboard and then back in to get another once he was secured onboard.
“She reminds me of you when you were training with me.” Rogers answered, chuckling.
“In other words, she’s going to be the best?” Roderick asked.
“Also the best pilot,” Rogers also added. “She has a bright future in this outfit.”
“Good to hear the Patrol has a bright future, just in case we meet our makers sooner rather than later.” Roderick said, “Do you need any help rookie?”
O’Brien looked back at him, “That’s all right Commander. I’m sure you are busy enough checking out my ass every time I walk by, Sir.”
“Do you have a problem with that, Rookie?” Rogers snapped back.
“Of course not, Captain,” O’Brien answered, “I’m used to people staring at it, and I don’t blame them. It’s quite a sight.”
Roderick couldn’t help but grin at the rookie’s cocky attitude, which was very similar to how he conducted himself when he was in his first full year with the Patrol. O’Brien had a bright future indeed. “She has the right attitude for the job at least.”
“You can say that again,” Rogers agreed, “Need a lift to the HQ?”
“I’ve got Red Five here,” Roderick answered, “I also need to stay in town at least another day to finish up work here. Today’s events delayed the hearings.”
“Suit yourself.” Rogers replied, “I can’t understand how you can stand living in a tech free environment.”
“It’s almost like going on vacation,” Roderick told him, “Sometimes a more simple life is refreshing and relaxing.”
“Well that’s all of ’em, Benny,” Rogers said, as O’Brien went back onboard without so much as a word, “She’s not big on good byes.”
“That’s all right,” Roderick said as he shook Roger’s hand again, “She’ll be more friendly when she gets to know me.”
“I doubt it,” Rogers disagreed, “This is the friendliest she’s been in almost a month.”
Roderick laughed, “Get these guys back to HQ as soon as possible. No stopovers, this is a priority one arrest and zero contact with anyone unless it’s an emergency.”
“Understood,” Rogers said as he gave a half assed salute. “See ya around Benny, watch your six.”
“Always do,” Roderick replied.
Roderick watched as the old man got back onboard the transport and the engines started once the doors were closed. The ship started to hover upwards and when it was about six feet off the ground, it re-cloaked so that it could leave town unnoticed. After the ship disappeared, he went back the saloon. He had to get some sleep before getting back to work on the left over arbitrations. As he walked back to the saloon, he hoped that Mags has something left over for him to eat. He would not be disappointed.
As promised the previous day, Roderick resumed work and heard the rest of the grievances throughout the entire day. He took few breaks and was happy to be at the last case of the trip and was eager to get things settled quickly so that he wouldn’t have to stay another day. As much as he enjoyed the trips down, after a while he started to miss his condo in Capital City, which was located in the middle of Earth Colony Vega. Every time they came across a planet that looked and was very similar to Earth, it would be named after their home world out of respect to where all humans originate from. It was no where near as awesome or articulate as the original, but no one was allowed to reside on Earth unless they were born there. Those born off world could only move back to the mother planet if they passed as series of vigorous tests. The process took years and over ninety-five percent of all applicants were denied. Earth was a nice place to visit, but residence there was restricted to prevent another overpopulation event. Roderick tried not to think of his condo as he heard the final case of the day. It was a dispute over cattle, as they couldn’t tell which belonged to the other whenever they mingled amongst one another. After hearing the two cattle farmers argue for well over twenty minutes, Roderick finally stepped in.
“This is enough!” he called out. “I’m ready to rule against both of you and order all the cattle in contention slaughtered if you guys can’t come to a consensus!”
The famers were stunned by the statement. Neither knew how to respond and stood there in silence.
“I’m going to be back in a few months,” he informed them both, “and if this isn’t settled back then, I’m having red meat for dinner every night for a week and so is the entire town. Understood?”
They both nodded to signify their comprehension of the order. Roderick banged his gavel and the hearings were finally over. It took over two days to hear the rest of them out but it was finally done.
“Warm up the engines and prepare for departure.” he s
aid as he strolled out of the main room.
“How long do you require for packing, Commander?”
“I’m already packed and I brought my bags to the courthouse with me,” Roderick replied, “I will be walking out of town in less than five minutes.”
“Warming engines.”
Roderick handed his paperwork to the clerks, grabbed his bags and then left the courthouse. While he was walking down the street towards the part of town that lead to the path to his ship, he was joined by someone quite familiar.
“You’re not coming with me to my ship.” he immediately declared.
“I know,” Emma replied, “Just to the edge of town.”
“How is your mom doing?” Roderick asked.
“She’s doing fine,” Emma answered. “Mom found an old artefact where you said it would be. How did you know that?”
“I have my secrets,” Roderick answered, “I need to keep a lot of what I do here hush hush or it might upset the locals.”
“I figured it has something to do with technology.” Emma said as she was a bright one, “Are you afraid the Sheriff might take it away?”
“He can’t.” Roderick answered as he rolled up his sleeve to reveal a small screen and touchpad that had been surgically attached to his forearm. “He’d have to remove my arm to do that.”
“Wow,” Emma said as she looked at it, unfazed by the site of it. “What else on you is teched out?”
“I’ve already shown you too much,” Roderick said as the