Casinos in Space, a full-length novel serialized for Casino Detroit Magazine
Copyright © 2000 - 2010 By Howard Berenbon
Chapter 9
Chaos
The Las Vegas’ guidance system reacted to the massive explosion that occurred in the Luxor Casino dining room. The ship abruptly listed 90 degrees from its course and the artificial gravity failed. Everyone and everything not bolted down began to float and fling around as zero gravity took over. Debris filled the air. People were injured as they hurtled into walls, ceilings, floors, buildings and other passengers. It was pure panic, with screaming, injured and bleeding passengers floating aimlessly on all levels, thousands surrealistically roaming the interior like human bubbles emitted from a giant bubble-making machine. Up and down no longer existed. It was pure chaos.
“Passengers, may I have your attention. This is Captain White.” His voice boomed through every nook and cranny of the ship. “Please, do not panic. The Las Vegas is not permanently damaged, and we expect to regain control shortly. You are not in any immediate danger. Our first priority is to repair our artificial gravity. It is very important for all of you to make your way back to your rooms or somewhere below, and stay there. If you are at any upper levels when the gravity is restored, you may fall to your death. Please, and I mean, please make your way to safety, immediately. If you cannot get back to your rooms, get to a lower level and do not move from that spot. Once we repair the gravity, we will make an announcement prior to its activation. Again, I repeat, for your safety, it is very important for all passengers to return to their rooms. We estimate approximately one hour for repairs to be completed. When completed, we will make an announcement before activating.
“We are now investigating the cause of the explosion," Captain White continued. "If you are injured, please try to make it to our infirmary. We are completely staffed to help anyone in need.”
As the engineers on the bridge were feverishly working on repairing the ship, Captain White worried that some passengers would be injured or even fall to their death when the gravity was restored, despite his stern warning.
Hundreds of passengers who were floating above The Strip near the Plexiglas dome attempted to descend to tops of the high-rise hotels below. Some pushed off from the dome and accelerated to the street below like human projectiles, while others stayed suspended for a while to gaze at the starlight and vastness of the Universe above. Those already safely inside a hotel had an easier time getting to their rooms. The lobby offered various stationary fixtures allowing passengers to pull their way to safety.
An hour swiftly passed, and on schedule Captain White announced a 15-minute warning for artificial gravity to be restored. People, who were still at an upper level and in danger of falling, scrambled to safety below. Those individuals still perched on the Plexiglas dome, mesmerized by the beauty above, heard the warning. Then, one by one, bodies with arms and legs in motion shot down to the street below, enjoying their zero gravity experience.
The time limit was up. “We are now switching on our artificial gravity,” Captain White announced, his voice echoed throughout the ship. Lights flickered momentarily and then everyone and everything in free fall started falling. Fortunately, most managed to find the way to a safe and secure location. Unfortunately, any debris that floated now crashed to the street or floor below.
On the Bridge, Barry Cohen and Mark Simonson helped Captain White and the crew with final adjustments to the navigation system, which was disrupted by the explosion.
“Captain White,” the navigator announced, “our course is off by 15 degrees. I am now making the corrections.”
“Thank you, sir,” Captain White replied. “I now need a report on our AG system.”
“Working,” the navigator said as he quickly clicked the keys on this terminal. “Artificial gravity is now functioning at 90 percent, sir. Almost normal.”
“Excellent,” Captain White said. “Passengers won’t notice the difference.” He turned to the central control cubical opposite the navigator station. “I need a casualty report Mr. Freepas?”
“I am sorry to say sir, we have 35 dead,” Freepas replied. “Most were killed instantly from the explosion. We have 10 dead from falling when the AG was restored.”
Captain White looked irritated. “I warned the passengers. It’s unfortunate.”
Then, without warning, a second explosion rocked the Las Vegas. It centered in the entrance to the Dunes Hotel and Casino causing the artificial gravity to fail again, and the ship tumbled off course. Blood and body parts splattered the lobby, mixing with the red and black carpeting and matching upholstery. The ship with all its passengers went into free fall again.
“What is happening,” Captain White shouted to his crew as the Las Vegas started rotating and then gyrated out of control.
“Captain,” Freepas said. “We had an explosion at the Dunes. They’re reporting some 90 dead.”
“We have to scour the ship and find the perpetrators of these horrific acts,” White shouted, now highly agitated and anxious to stop the violence and disruption. “Let’s get this ship on course and repaired,” he ordered.
“Yes sir,” the crew said simultaneously.
It took another two hours for the crew to repair the damage caused by the second explosion and to care for the dead and wounded. Fortunately, when the second explosion jolted the Las Vegas, most passengers were safe and secure. Only a small number who disobeyed Captain White were in danger again.
Captain White was in the conference room adjacent to the bridge, deep in thought, considering his next move. He opened a communication channel to the bridge and said, “Mr. Freepas, do we have a any video of the entrance of the Dunes and the MGM prior to the blasts?”
“I’ll check, sir,” Freepas responded. After some typing at his terminal he called out, “Yes, sir, we do.”
“Good. Please transfer that to the conference room, and come on by. We’ll take a look.”
“Done,” Freepas said. “I’m on my way.”
When Mr. Freepas entered the conference room and sat down, Captain White began previewing the digital videos, transferred and now accessible from the conference room terminal.
“Captain, before we begin, I want to tell you that engineering will be re-enabling the AG.”
“Thank you for the notice, Mr. Freepas. Let’s hope this will be the end of the chaos and the beginning of some normalcy.” He looked tired and worn from the unfolding ordeal.
They reviewed the video over and over again. “Do you see him?” Captain White asked. He started the video sixty seconds prior to the explosion at the entrance to the MGM Grand casino. People were moving in and out of the casino entrance.
“See who?” Freepas said.
“That dark-haired individual walking out. He keeps looking back.”
“I don’t see anything unusual, except maybe that he is looking behind him,” Freepas said.
“He’s trembling,” Captain White said. “Look at his right hand.”
Freepas moved closer to the large plasma display and said, “Why, yes, you’re right. He is shaking.”
“Who is he?” Captain asked.
“I don’t have a clue,” Freepas said. “But let’s print out a still and have the crew look for him. It shouldn't take long to find this guy.”
Captain White replaced the video several more times, concentrating on their dark-haired suspect leaving the MGM. He then pressed a button on his computer terminal and made a call. Mr. Conrad, can you ask Dr. Cohen and Dr. Simonson to report to the Bridge?
“Yes, sir,” Conrad said, his voice booming through the communicator.
Minutes later, Cohen and Simonson appeared at the conference room entrance and they heard, “Please come in, gentleman.
“I want your help solving these bombings, and I have a suspect on video at the entrance to the MGM prior to the first explosion.” The plasma display flashed and flickered for just moment, and then the entrance of the MGM casino appeared, the huge slot machine appeared in the background. “Does this gentleman look familiar?” He paused the video with the dark-haired man in the center of the display.
Immediately Barry Cohen said, “Why, yes, that’s Martin Landry. But, I don’t think he had anything to do with this explosion. He’s too quiet; ands keeps to himself. We met him when we first arrived. Actually, he clumsily collided with Paul Erickson in the Luxor Casino, and since then, we’ve been somewhat friendly. He is definitely an introvert, somewhat self-conscious, and a bit nervous, but not the kind person that could set off a bomb to kill people, I think? But I could be wrong.”
“If he is the one, you have been deceived,” Captain said. “We shall see when we find him.
In the meantime, as Captain, I have the authority to detain and question anyone I suspect is involved in these criminal acts on our ship and passengers.” He looked to Mr. Freepas. “Please lead a team to search for Mr. Landry, starting in his cabin.”
“I’m on my way,” Freepas replied.
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To be continued .....
Chapter 2: You Can Count On Me
