Conclave (The Silver Ships Book 20)

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Conclave (The Silver Ships Book 20) Page 9

by S. H. Jucha


  Gerhardt chewed his lower lip, which was a habit his marketing director had constantly urged him to control. He knew if he announced Maria’s participation, and she publicly declined the invitation, the media would destroy him for fumbling the opportunity. The requirement to send a SADE with the delegate hampered Gerhardt’s choices. Briefly, he wondered if Oliver would attend the conclave with another choice, but, as quickly as he thought of the idea, he eliminated it.

  Gerhardt relented.

  Maria sent politely. Then, at Oliver’s prompting, she added,

  Gerhardt said resignedly.

  Alex interjected.

  Gerhardt took Alex’s suggestion as a veiled threat, meaning either include the statement about Maria’s status or face the consequences when she refused the offer. Rather than respond, he ended the comm call.

  “Maria, didn’t you say something about hauling New Terrans kicking and screaming into a better future?” Renée inquired.

  “I was referring to an improved technological future. I guess I should have included the willingness to embrace a more pluralistic universe,” Maria replied.

  “Pack for a long trip, Maria, Oliver,” Alex said with a broad smile. “We’re about to broaden your horizons.”

  9: Re-Gen

  The combined capabilities of the Omnians, the outpost, and the Pyrean miners descended on dome number two’s system, which had been nicknamed Regeneration or Re-Gen for short.

  Miriam and the other SADEs stationed the Tripper above an asteroid in the system’s far belt. Three modules were opened containing the cargo shuttle, the drone, and the test equipment.

  The first step was to load the traveler with the equipment and set it down on the rock. Afterward, Miriam accessed the drone’s command module. She and the other two SADEs had studied every menu operation within the Elvian module. Consensus was that every operation they required was available.

  The drone was directed to guard the equipment on the asteroid. The moment the command was given, the drone swiftly exited the freighter and shot toward its destination. At a height of about one hundred meters, it halted. As the iron-based rock slowly turned and circled its distant star, the drone maintained its position over the test equipment.

  Next, the SADEs disconnected the cradle from its power supply, wrestled it into the cargo shuttle, and landed it next to the pile of equipment. Then the cradle was connected to an Omnian power source.

  A second command from Miriam ordered the drone to return to the cradle. Immediately, the Elvian fighter descended and settled over its companion ring.

  Within the drone module was a procedure for reversing the cradle’s flow of energy. Instead of the cradle being powered by the Omnian crystal, the drone’s power plant would feed the cradle. In turn, the cradle’s connections could be used to supply external equipment. According to Julien, this was how the Elvian domes on the World of Light were supplied with power.

  However, the drone’s energy output specifications were never able to be defined. The SADEs intended to solve the problem by employing a transducer between the cradle and the test equipment. Anticipating multiple trials, they brought a plethora of transducers and test equipment. Furthermore, they outfitted those devices with signal transmitters.

  Their precautions were warranted.

  After connecting the cradle to the transducer and the transducer to the test equipment, they left the asteroid, landed aboard the freighter, and moved the Tripper to a safe distance. Then the Elvian command module sent a signal, which activated the cradle’s energy transfer process.

  Instantaneously, the transducer and the receiving equipment detonated.

  The signals that managed to be transmitted showed a huge energy spike. None of the transducers the SADEs had brought were prepared to handle the extreme load.

  Rather than accept defeat, the SADEs investigated the command module. A relatively innocuous menu item opened to present a series of choices. Each choice held a series of Elvian numbers with labels.

  The SADEs searched the translation databases, but the labels were never identified. They appeared to be shortened mathematical or engineering connotations. Of the five settings, the final menu item was selected.

  It was easy to achieve consensus, and Miriam selected the first menu item. The SADEs returned to the asteroid, replaced the damaged equipment, and repeated the exercise.

  This time the transducer held out for a quarter hour before succumbing, and the SADEs were able to collect a sufficient amount of information to enable them to make adjustments to their most robust transducer model.

  Test number three proved to be successful.

  Then the SADEs reversed the setup order and sailed the Tripper toward the Re-Gen test moon. Behind them, they left no indication of ever having been there. They knew Alex and Mickey would appreciate that.

  Arriving at the dome site, Miriam maneuvered the freighter over the new excavation location. The carrier had arrived before them, and the miners’ equipment was scattered around the site.

  Miriam sent to Luther and Minimalist. she queried.

  Luther sent.

  Minimalist inquired.

  Miriam shared the details of their experiments with the two SADEs.

  Luther sent.

  a SADE on Miriam’s team inquired.

  Luther sent, sharing his amusement.

  Miriam asked.

  Minimalist sent. His mirth was as evident as Luther’s.

  Luther explained.

  Minimalist sent.

  Miriam sent.

  Minimalist quipped.

  Miriam sent.

  Kasie interjected.

  The SADEs’ laughter filled the conference comm. Obviously, Minimalist had linked the humans just before he sent his acerbic comment.

  Miriam asked.

  Kasie replied.

  Miriam admitted.

  Kasie shot back. Her thought carried her humor,
and the SADEs realized she was getting even with Minimalist.

  Miriam inquired.

  Kasie explained.

 

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