by Ryk Brown
“Miss Bindi,” Nathan greeted, “I believe you have already met my chief engineer, Commander Kamenetskiy.”
“Yes, a pleasure to see you again, Commander,” Miss Bindi replied, shaking Vladimir’s hand.
“I thought you might like the commander to give you a tour of the ship,” Nathan suggested.
“I was hoping to get started with our meeting. We have much to discuss.”
“Yes,” Nathan agreed, “but we still need to jump back to the Rogen system to pick up Miss Ta’Akar and Doctor Sorenson, and then to the Orswellan system to pick up General Telles and Mister Montrose.”
“With your long-range jump drive, I would expect that to take very little time,” Miss Bindi commented.
“It still takes a few minutes to enter and exit orbits, and for the shuttles to land,” Nathan explained. “I expect to be ready for our meeting within the hour. During that time, the commander would be happy to show you around the ship.”
“I am quite familiar with the Aurora’s specifications, thank you,” Miss Bindi replied. “However, there is a member of my entourage who might enjoy such a tour,” she added, turning toward the young man standing behind her two android consultants.
The young man stepped forward.
“Dylan,” Nathan said, recognizing him from the first simulation.
“A pleasure to meet you in person, Captain,” Dylan replied, stepping forward to shake Nathan’s hand.
“I feel like I already know you,” Nathan admitted, smiling.
“It wasn’t actually me,” Dylan reminded him. “It was just based on me.”
“Yes, your mother explained that to me,” Nathan assured him. “Nevertheless, it is a pleasure to actually meet you. Commander,” he said, turning toward Vladimir. “This is Dylan Bindi. It is Bindi, right?”
“Yes.”
“This is Dylan Bindi. Apparently, he is quite knowledgeable about advanced computers and programming, as well as SilTek ships and their associated technologies. Perhaps you could show him around?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Vladimir replied, shaking Dylan’s hand.
“Don’t break anything,” Dylan’s mother reminded him.
“If you’d like, I can show you to your temporary quarters so you may relax while waiting for the meeting to begin?” Nathan suggested.
“That won’t be necessary,” Miss Bindi assured him. “We can wait in the command briefing room. I assume that is your preferred venue?”
“It is,” Nathan replied. “Please, follow me.” Nathan looked at Vlad. “Don’t break anything.”
“No promises,” Vladimir replied.
* * *
Nathan arrived at the main intersection on the command deck just as General Telles and Doran Montrose reached the top of the ramp. “Gentlemen.”
“Captain,” General Telles greeted.
“How are things going on Orswella?”
“There have been no incidents in the last few days,” the general replied.
“Hopefully this means you’re getting the upper hand on the remaining Dusahn operatives,” Nathan commented as the three of them continued down the central corridor.
“I suspect there is still a significant Dusahn presence on Orswella,” the general insisted. “However, for the time being, they seem to be inactive.”
“Are you settling in on Orswella, Master Chief?” Nathan asked Doran Montrose.
“We have the training command post set up and are working on some temporary structures to house the men on site. The stadium is fairly centralized, so it will be easier for them to just crash there after training before returning to their duties as constables. We just need to get some sort of a mess hall going. The only thing they have there are a bunch of pummel stands.”
“Pummel?” Nathan wondered.
“Some sort of processed meat sticks wrapped in fried bread dough,” Doran explained. “Sits in your gut like a brick.”
“They are very popular at Orswellan sporting events,” General Telles added. “I take it the representative from SilTek will be attending the meeting,” the general commented as they rounded the corner and headed for the command briefing room.
“They sent their president’s special assistant, Miss Bindi,” Nathan replied. “Along with a handful of android specialists.”
“And this person has the proper decision-making authority?” the general questioned.
“As far as I know,” Nathan replied. “She’s a sharp lady. Doesn’t mince words; doesn’t take any crap from subordinates, either. She can spot bullshit a mile away, so don’t even try to shovel it on her.”
“When have I ever shoveled bullshit?” the general responded, one eyebrow raised.
“How silly of me.” Nathan paused at the entrance to the briefing room. “Gentlemen,” and gestured for them to precede him.
The general and the master chief entered the briefing room followed by Nathan, who cast a sidelong look at the Ghatazhak guard at the door. “Don’t even think about it,” he warned.
The guard smiled as the captain passed.
“Good morning everyone,” Nathan greeted, as the three of them joined the others already in attendance. “Miss Bindi, this is General Lucius Telles, commander of the Ghatazhak, and Master Chief Doran Montrose, commander of the Corinari ground forces.”
“A pleasure,” Miss Bindi replied, nodding at both gentlemen.
“I take it you have already met everyone else,” Nathan surmised as he took his seat.
“I have,” she replied curtly. “I was especially delighted to meet Doctor Sorenson and Miss Ta’Akar,” she added, looking in their direction. “I am hoping that we can spend some time together before I return to SilTek. There is much both myself and my engineers would like to discuss with you.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Abby assured her.
“Mine as well,” Deliza added.
“As you all know, the purpose of this meeting is to discuss how to best make use of our new ally’s technological and manufacturing resources for the purposes of defeating the Dusahn and liberating the Pentaurus cluster.”
“Don’t you mean the Pentaurus sector?” Miss Bindi corrected.
“If I may?” Lieutenant Commander Shinoda asked.
Nathan nodded, yielding to his chief intelligence officer.
“Since they lost four battleships to us in a single encounter, the Dusahn have fallen back to protect just those worlds within the Pentaurus cluster.”
“According to your last intelligence reports, which the captain was kind enough to share with us, the Dusahn still patrol the worlds outside the cluster,” Miss Bindi pointed out.
“But with decreasing frequency,” the lieutenant commander explained. “This morning’s recon data indicates they have not visited Palee in three days; Volon in four; and Parador in nearly a week. They haven’t been spotted in the Haven system since our last battle.”
“Isn’t it possible that they have come and gone without detection?” Miss Bindi challenged.
“Not likely,” the lieutenant commander insisted. “Along with periodic cold-coasts, we park recon drones in all the systems outside the cluster these days. If a Dusahn ship shows up, the drone immediately jumps back to Rogen Command, who relays the report to us, wherever we may be.”
“And if a Dusahn ship is only in the system for a short time?”
“It would serve no purpose for them to pop in and out so quickly,” Jessica explained. “To be effective, their presence must be known and felt by the people in that system.”
Miss Bindi nodded in agreement. “Logical. The cluster it is.”
“Even if the Dusahn still had a stronger presence in the rest of the sector, liberating Corinair and Takara would in effect liberate the entire sector,” Nathan added. “All the other systems in the sector combined do not e
qual the industrial capacity of those two worlds.”
“Forgive me, Captain, I mean no offense,” Miss Bindi stated. “I do not challenge your assertions; I only wish to understand them. Our people have no first-hand experience in anything other than the defense of our own world.”
“No offense taken,” Nathan assured her. “For the record, I have already dispatched the Glendanon for SilTek, since the journey will take her six days. I’m hoping that you will have something ready to load once she arrives.”
“I’m certain we shall,” Miss Bindi promised. “I will make certain that our defense systems are expecting her.”
“Maybe we should have some sort of transponder system,” Jessica suggested, “like the system that Sanctuary uses.”
“We have already begun encoding transponders for installation in allied ships,” Miss Bindi replied. “We will send them in the first load.”
“Great.”
“We should consider using recon drones to scout out and establish dedicated shipping lanes between all alliance member systems,” Cameron suggested. “We’re going to be moving a lot of cargo between worlds over the next few weeks, and having dedicated routes would not only shorten their travel times but would greatly increase jump safety. We could even have comm-buoys along the way to relay distress calls back to Rogen Command in case something happens to one of our ships en route.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Nathan agreed. “However, I don’t want it to detract from more pressing needs, at least not yet.”
“Perhaps it would be better to simply upgrade the jump drives of every ship in your fleet to the long-range variant?” Miss Bindi suggested.
“That’s a tall order,” Nathan warned. “I’m not even sure every ship is capable of being upgraded.”
“At the very least, we should upgrade the Glendanon’s jump drive,” Miss Bindi insisted. “After all, she is your largest cargo vessel.”
“How long would that take?” Vladimir wondered.
“Since we have six days to prepare, we should have all the components ready for installation upon her arrival,” Miss Bindi’s android assistant stated. “Once she arrives, it should take eight of our standard days to complete the upgrade. That’s six point seven two five of your standard days.”
“A week?” Vladimir questioned in astonishment. “You do realize you’ll have to rip out her entire jump drive system? Field generators, power distribution systems, control lines, emitters…”
“We are aware of the details,” the android assured him. “Six point seven two five of your standard days.”
Vladimir turned to Nathan, his eyes wide in disbelief.
“We have studied the design specifications of all your vessels,” Miss Bindi clarified, noticing Vladimir’s expression. “If Mister Healy says it will take six point seven two five days, then that is precisely what it will take.”
“Actually, I added in a few extra hours for unknown variables,” the android added.
“Konyeshna,” Vladimir said. “Can we borrow a few dozen of your androids to work on board the Aurora?” he joked.
“I don’t see why not,” Miss Bindi replied.
Vladimir again looked surprised.
“We’ll only lose about a day then,” Cameron surmised, “and all future trips will only involve the time it takes to load and unload.”
“Sounds like a great idea,” Nathan agreed.
“I’m sure Captain Gullen will be happy,” Cameron commented.
“I’d like the first load that the Glendanon carries to be missile launchers,” Nathan told Miss Bindi. “We have managed to fabricate over one thousand jump missiles but have yet to produce enough launchers to adequately protect any one planet.”
Miss Bindi placed a data chip into the reader built into the conference table, activating the projection system. A holographic image of a tracked vehicle with missile pods on both sides appeared, rotating slowly as it hovered over the center of the table. “This is our G-Seven-Five tracked mobile missile launcher,” she began. “It uses the armored version of our standard tracked mobility base, topped with a rotating missile turret. It can be fitted with a variety of launch systems, including ones that can accommodate your jump missiles. The advantage to the G-Seven-Five is that it can easily be relocated, making it impossible for an enemy to map out the user’s defense points.”
“It looks a little large for the streets of an average city,” Jessica said.
“In order to carry your current missile designs, it would need to be the larger model. However, the G-Four-Five is about half the size and should be able to navigate any street with ease.”
“What about Rakuen?” Jessica wondered.
“Watercraft launchers are also available,” Miss Bindi assured her.
“It looks like you could only get two of our missiles on the G-Seven-Five,” Cameron realized. “We’d need twice as many launchers.”
“Which is why we have come up with an alternate design for your jump missiles,” Mister Healy told her. “One that is less than half the size of your current variant.”
“How much performance and lethality did you have to give up?” Deliza asked.
“None,” Mister Healy replied. “In fact, our variant is more maneuverable and has greater jump range. They would also be shield penetrating.”
“I’d like to see those designs for myself,” Abby said, doubtful of his claims.
“Of course,” Mister Healy promised. After closing his eyes a moment, he added, “I have sent the design specifications to your data pad.”
Abby activated her data pad, and she and Deliza immediately became engrossed in its display.
“You say you have smaller versions of this thing?” Master Chief Montrose asked.
“We do,” Miss Bindi replied.
“Can you send those specs to my data pad?”
“Consider it done,” Mister Healy promised.
“These things even have hot-swappable warheads,” Deliza exclaimed. “How did they manage that in such a small package?”
“I’m going to want your review of those designs as soon as possible, Abby,” Nathan said.
Abby did not respond, her attention still held by the missile design specs.
“You know, we can always use boxcars to ferry supplies between SilTek and the other allied systems until the Glendanon is ready,” Cameron suggested. “They can make the journey in about thirty hours.”
“We’ll keep that in reserve,” Nathan suggested. “The Glendanon still needs her boxcars to move pods between her deck and the surface.”
“We would not have anything ready for delivery in so short a time,” Miss Bindi warned.
“Perhaps a single boxcar could be utilized to provide us with a few of your automated fabrication systems for the purposes of developing a prototype for a more advanced combat armor system for my men?” General Telles suggested.
“That should be easy enough,” Miss Bindi assured him. “However, once your design is ready for mass production, it would be best for them to be manufactured on SilTek.”
“Understood.”
“Would you like me to assign an android engineer to assist in the design phase, as well as the operation of the micro-fabricator?” Miss Bindi asked the general.
“That would be most appreciated.”
“Looking to make super-soldier suits?” Nathan joked.
“Our current combat armor is somewhat outdated,” General Telles admitted. “For example, we would like to incorporate an automated shielding system, rather than having to manually operate a two-dimensional energy shield.”
“We have many different types of shielding systems to offer,” Mister Healy informed the general. “We were planning on recommending some of them for the Aurora as well, Captain.”
“What type of shielding?” Nathan wondered.
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“For example, we have a multi-phasic product that protects against both kinetic and energy weapons, for starters. We also have a very effective pressure shield that you might find useful.”
“Pressure shielding?” Vladimir questioned. “As in, atmospheric pressure?”
“That is correct, Commander,” Mister Healy responded. “We noticed that you still use airlocks and mechanical doors. Pressure shielding would allow ships to transition between pressurized and unpressurized environments without the use of airlocks, greatly speeding up the launch and recovery of spacecraft. It is also used as emergency shielding, in case of hull breach, by many ship builders in our part of the galaxy.”
Nathan seemed intrigued. “Could it be implemented on the Aurora?”
“On your transfer airlocks, yes,” Mister Healy replied. “However, installation as a protection against hull breaches would require considerable down time, as the systems must be integrated into the interior bulkheads and wall structures.”
“We’ll save that for later, then,” Nathan decided. “But we definitely would like that for our transfer airlocks.”
“And our launch tubes,” Cameron added.
“There are many more improvements that we can make to the Aurora,” Mister Healy stated. “Weapons, sensors, targeting, electronic countermeasures, maneuvering, to name a few. In fact, we find it odd that so many of your systems are not only of varied levels of technology, but also that much of it is quite outdated.”
“One of the unique characteristics of the Aurora,” Nathan explained. “By the time the need for the Explorer-class ships became apparent, the Earth’s technological and industrial base was not yet ready to handle the more advanced technologies contained within the Data Ark. After all, we had progressed several hundred years in less than a century. Therefore, design compromises were necessary.”
“Such as your ridiculously thick, multi-layered hull,” the android commented.
“The shielding technology contained within the Data Ark was far too advanced for us to implement at the time of this ship’s construction,” Nathan continued, “so her thicker hull was a compromise that we could pull off at the time. Much of this ship’s more advanced technology was provided by the Takarans and the Corinairans, as well as a few other worlds.”
