Crucible of a Species (4 page)

*~~*~~*~~*

Ice-blue eyes
intently watched from their vantage on the Skyport as the shuttle turned into its final approach. Colonel Daniel Drake knew this would be the last supply run.

The gravitonic drive field of the vehicle laid the sub-electron graviton particles of every atom within it bare to the cosmos, intimately linking them with the massive waves of gravity permeating our universe. Every electron in every object of the shuttle was in a high-energy state.

A second gravitonic field blossomed within this tiny but very unusual pocket of the universe. In less than one-millionth of a second, this new field attempted to energize every already excited electron on the shuttle ripping the sub-electron particles from their quantum states and releasing the tremendous energy within.

In the next millionth of a second, the sudden release of raw gravitonic energy ripped the fabric of the local continuum. The materials of the shuttle, once solid matter, became a neo-ionized cloud of antimatter known as dark energy and they punched a deadly hole in the fabric of the universe. The hole existed for only a moment before collapsing and erupting waves of gravity outward like a cherry bomb thrown into a pond.

The reaction that began inside the cabin was a relatively small one because the fanatic’s coil interacted poorly with the field of the shuttle but it progressed so rapidly Drake’s eyes never saw the explosion. Violent waves of distorted gravity crashed into the still distant Skyport, slamming it back on its tethers as an archer pulls back a bowstring. A hundred thirty miles below the Skyport, an elevator of supplies was rising up the tether when the sudden tug jolted it free to begin a fiery, uncontrolled final descent into the atmosphere.

The Skyport lurched like a bobber in a stream before settling back into orbit, throwing Drake across the corridor to leave him sprawled across the floor. He was dazed and couldn’t understand the bright after-images that persisted in his memory. Alarms blared throughout the station as he crawled back to the bulkhead to stare outside at the glowing, formless cloud of hot particles that filled the space recently occupied by the shuttle.

Reason soon returned but the colonel’s face showed no expression. It held a stare that any front-line veteran would have recognized; a look of final, fatal acceptance framed by the words he first heard from a sergeant so many years ago. They badgered his soul for years and now returned anew, haunting him but somehow providing that last bit of strength needed to push on,
There is still much to do. Life goes on. It doesn’t really matter; it means nothing. Push on.

*~~*~~*~~*

Colonel Daniel Drake
was in a dark mood, a foul mood. He was short tempered, sharp and ornery and his aide, Lieutenant Thrumbold, was thoroughly pleased to see him like this.

Under normal conditions, Drake had little patience in waiting for anything, riding up and down the back of anyone who even hinted at a delay but now their situation was as bad as the lieutenant had ever seen. The sabotage of the shuttle meant more than just the loss of critical last-minute supplies. Earth First backed politicians from three separate countries were rising in one last attempt to block the launch. The mission would probably be scrubbed if they didn’t leave soon and ISA management was pushing Drake to accelerate the liftoff date.

Thrumbold nearly chuckled aloud in the grim humor of it as they rushed across the surface tube towards the vast staging area of Argos Hanger. This situation was more in line with his way of thinking. There would be no more delays, no more ISA civilian interviews or media pleasantries.

They hurried through an airlock into an enormous hanger. The Argos sat in ‘dry dock’ under a geodetic bowl-shaped lattice framework that maintained a gravitic barrier between the dock’s atmosphere and the cold vacuum of space. An airtight seal around the bottom third of the vessel allowed it to extend below deck and remain open to the hard vacuum.

Their path took them across the grey decking of the hanger while Alex examined the two-story high vertical midsection of the ship looking for changes or problems. This area housed the living quarters, work areas and storage for the Argos. Above the midsection, the sloping command section gracefully curved as it rose to the pitch-black bubble on the top of the ship.

Good. No more workers up near the sensor bubble,
thought Alex. They’d had a difficult time keeping the interface link up for two of the arrays. Anderson’s people must have finally driven out all the bugs.

Floaters moved through cargo hatches using four ramps spaced evenly around the circumference of the ship. No matter how much planning went into the expedition, last minute loading always seemed rushed and when people rushed, security weakened and mistakes happened.

Drake found it difficult to put the shuttle disaster behind him. Telemetric analysis of the last few milliseconds of the flight along with boarding records confirmed the loss was an Earth First operative’s suicidal action that somehow detonated prematurely.

Drake’s loathing for terrorists seethed in his gut as he growled at the trailing aide, “We lost the shuttle and the personnel in it. A minute’s delay and it would have atomized Skyport. That would have released twenty-two thousand miles of molecular tether cable free to whip down through the atmosphere of the planet. Enough exotic cable to encircle the globe and even with its individual strands as thin as a cheese slicer, they are tough and would not have burned up.

“Gravity would have accelerated its mass and when it hit the surface, the winds would have whipped friction-heated monofilaments across buildings, forests and mountains at supersonic speeds resulting in a disaster on a scale never before seen in history. These people are subhuman; they don’t consider consequences and care nothing for those who suffer from their actions.

“At least those ground-sloggers finally did something right. Somehow, they managed to pull off this extra shuttle run in just three days. It’s a miracle having the quartermaster work that fast. Did you have a chance to examine the manifest?”

“Yes sir.” Thrumbold replied, “They’ve resupplied the analytical equipment and most of the medical. What did not make it were the advanced perimeter security and surveillance systems.”

The colonel eyed a pallet of crates as a floater pushed them towards one of the loading ramps, “A rushed shipment means they were lax in security. Damn terrorists managed to sneak something aboard the Genesis, those SOB’s may have anticipated a replacement shipment. We need to keep our guard up Alex.”

Drake and Thrumbold entered a structure that was little more than a shack near the edge of the dock. Alex was trying to figure out how to best present his next question. It was a question he didn’t want to ask but had to. It was his job to present all alternatives.

A black-stained, over-used coffee pot sat on a folding table. Alex filled two mugs and walked over to the front of the room handing one to the colonel. He didn’t bother to add sugar, “The heavy security systems could be critical, sir. Maybe we should consider a delay and wait for replacements.”

Dan glared over the rim of his cup at his aide. Alex braced for the blast, but it came as a deep growl, “Goddammit Alex, you’re just trying to get me riled aren’t you?
You know if we allow that debate to rear its head then Doc Thompson will begin spouting off about the dangers of the Jovian Well and you can kiss goodbye to the whole timetable. We’d be right where these Earth Firsters want us; sitting up here on our asses and going nowhere.”

Setting his cup down on the table, Drake pitched his voice so it carried across the room, “Okay, let’s get this meeting started. The topic is last minute problems and I don’t want to hear anyone crying about lost supplies.”

*~~*~~*~~*

Yes!
Four years of sweat and hard work but it’s all going to be worth it.
Midshipman Brittany Thornsen grabbed her duffle from the passenger’s ready stowage. Swinging the duffle onto her back, she filed out the shuttle’s exit ramp and noticed an impatient, very young ensign standing on the platform. Brittany took a step onto the ramp and strode purposefully over to the officer, dropped her duffle and came to attention with a salute.

“Midshipman Thornsen, reporting for duty, sir.”

“Welcome aboard the Skyport, Midshipman Thornsen.” The Ensign returned her salute. I see you have your kit. Do you have additional bags?”

“No sir.”

“Well then, at ease midshipman. I’m Ensign Paul Patrika. You’ve been assigned to work with me in engineering but will report to Lieutenant Robert Anderson. I’ll escort you to his office and then take you to your quarters. You have until 17:00 hours to settle in and update your personal log. At that time, we will meet for mess and you will receive a familiarization tour of the Argos and your station. Follow me.”

Brittany shouldered her duffle and rushed to catch up to the young officer.
Kind of a cold reception,
she thought.
Doesn’t matter, I’m here and I made it.

“You seem to have an inordinate amount of luck for a midshipman, Ms Thornsen.”

“Sir?”

“Keep up! We have to hustle. That was the last shuttle before our departure so you just made the train. Frankly, I’m surprised you were able to get reassignment so quickly. You’re replacing a good officer. Her name was Midshipman Derek.”

“Yes sir. Janet was not only my strongest competitor she was also my bunkmate and friend.”

Paul stopped midstep and hesitated before turning to Brittany. “I’m sorry Ms Thornsen. I guess I put us off to a bad start. Janet and I spent a lot of time preparing for this expedition and I was very fond of her. Everyone’s a bit on edge between the disaster and the upcoming launch. Let me help you get settled and then we’ll do a quick tour.”

The midshipman shouldered her duffle only to swing it into a broad shouldered civilian with short, light brown hair who was trying to rush past. She saw the wave of anger flash across his rather handsome face as he braced himself against the bulkhead but it disappeared just as quickly when he looked at her.

“I guess I deserved that for trying to rush ahead of you. My apologies, Miss.”

Petrika provided the introduction, “This is Tom Bradley, our World Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. Mr
.
Bradley will be going with us to document our trip. Tom, this is Midshipman Brittany Thornsen. She’ll serve as a ship’s engineer and is here on her midshipman’s cruise.”

“Impressive, you must be very excited.” Tom said, shaking her hand, “Can I help you with your bag?”

“Sorry Sir, I’m expected to carry my own duffle.” Brittany answered coldly.

“Tom, we have to get moving.” Petrika interrupted. “Say, you said you wanted to learn more about the Argos. I’m giving Midshipman Thornsen a short tour of the ship at 17:00. Care to tag along?”

“Thank you, I’d like that very much. Where shall I meet you?”

“Central lift, main deck.”

“Good enough. See you then Paul.”

Tom watched the slim brunette follow Paul down the passageway. She had a nice firm step even with a duffle bag nearly her size slung across her shoulder,
Now there’s someone who might make the trip a bit more interesting.

*~~*~~*~~*

Ensign Petrika
, Midshipman Thornsen and the journalist had just entered a part of the ship where the lighting seemed to grow a bit softer. “Welcome to the Star Lounge Cafeteria. Get something to drink and we’ll meet at a table in the far corner.”

Cups in hand, they found an empty table by a walldisplay revealing
an external view of the Skyport. “I’m glad you were able to join us, Tom. We have ten minutes before Thornsen and I must report for duty. Then it’ll be all hands on station until after we launch so, any final questions?”

The journalist took a sip before asking, “Could you explain to me, in simple terms, why the sudden interest in aerodynamics? The shuttle descriptions all speak about how slim, trim vessels aren’t necessary anymore but this ship is sleek. Also, just what pushes it along?”

Ensign Petrika turned to the young engineering specialist with a sly grin, “Sounds like your assignment, Midshipman.”

“Aye aye, sir,” Brittany acknowledged. “The Argos design is optimized for both atmospheric entry and supralight travel, which is travel at faster than the speed of light. The sleek shape of the Argos simplifies gravitonic field tuning, a task that would otherwise be very complex since portions of the drive field extend a calculated distance outside the vessel.

“The vacuum of space isn’t empty. It contains small chunks of materials and gas molecules that are sparsely distributed but become more abundant as you approach a star system. Even the particles within a vacuum become a collision and frictional problem when travelling at supralight speed. The Argo’s solution is to extend its gravitonic field beyond the outer surface of the ship.

“Travelling through an atmosphere or space, this external field grabs each of the particles ahead of the ship but rather than pushing them away, it accelerates them to the side, outside the flight path. The wave drive thus eliminates the compressive bow wake leaving the Argos to fly in a true vacuum envelope even in an atmosphere. Flight is almost silent and frictionless. Sonic booms and high-G turns are all things of the past.