by T J Bryan
"Ok, now give me a summary of the weapons systems on board?" Asked Abel.
"Let me reply first," replied Silvi. "Offensive weapons on the SAR consist primarily of three systems, two of which I think we understand, and the other we can only guess its' full purpose. First are the Anti-matter Torpedoes. These are ship killers or perhaps even fleet killers. The torpedoes are relatively dumb given that they have very limited guidance or seek and destroy capacity. The anti-matter containment bottles seem to have interfered with any comp based system of control They were essentially ready, aim, fire weapons and hope your enemy does not move away too fast. However their 'dumb' flight characteristics were more than compensated by the killing radius of their detonation. Anything within 40 kilometers of the detonation was reduced to plasma and gas. Further anything from say 40 kilometers out to 100 was badly, very badly, damaged. It was a very effective weapon against poorly built Unity ships."
Silvi paused a moment before continuing, "Of course that is useless to us given that the anti-matter containment bottles on every torpedo we have has been removed. The supply ship has perhaps 1,800 torpedoes, Ragnarök has room for four and currently has two on board. But they are all useless. We fired one while on a training mission and it flew straight and true for 64,000,000 kilometres or almost four light minutes. We ended up denting a planetoid. The torpedo accelerated for about 10 minutes before exhausting it fuel and then went ballistic. At ballistic speed she was approaching 26,000 kilometres per second or perhaps 9% of light speed."
Helen interrupted, "We looked everywhere for anti-matter supplies but found nothing. Unity was efficient in removing the threat. We did find equipment for handling the dangerous stuff and for moving it about, but that was all."
Silvi continued, "The other basic weapon of Greaysons was the 'K' fusion missile. The warhead of the missile can be dialled up or down as to its' explosive power from a few megatons to about 10 gigatons. The supply ship has almost 9,000 of these things and that leads me to believe that it was a more commonly used weapon than the torpedoes. On Ragnarök the autoloaders support 16 each or 64 in 'K' missiles in total. The missiles are fast and reach about 60,000 kilometres per second. They are also smart. You plot them to a target and as the target moves they follow. We shot two of them at the same planetoid but with a blocking field of debris in the way. The missiles dodged and jinked through the debris and they then dug some very deep holes in the planetoid. For the weapon to be effective you need a hit, or at least you need to be within a kilometre or so for any damage."
"And those 'sand casters'? What are those." Asked Abel.
Silvi replied, "Sand casters seem to be both an offensive and defensive weapon. They are brutally simple and the full extent of their use remains a mystery. But imagine that I launched at you from a great distance two metric tons of sand in a can. Simple sand. And the canister of that sand was propelled by a fusion engine tied to a GWP system to 60% of the speed of light. You probably fire these things off at least a ten light seconds or more distance because to attain that speed takes time and distance. Then as the sand canister approaches its' target it explodes sending out a cloud of sand travelling at enormous speed and whose mass has been increased greatly by its' speed. Say that cloud becomes perhaps a kilometre or two wide and your ship, or incoming ordinance is hit by a few particles of sand travelling at that speed. It may not seem intuitive that a grain of sand would destroy an incoming missile but that is the case. And enough grains could probably take out a small ship as well. However there are aspects of its' use we simply do not understand."
"And the defensive systems?" Abel asked.
"Greayson ships are wrapped in a kind of magnetic array. It's primary use is to deflect radiation from space during normal travel. The common type of radiation we find in the void. This is to protect the crew from radiation diseases. But while under attack the energy from the fusion engines can be diverted to this system to mitigate radiation damage from a nuclear explosion near by. Not a direct hit. But a nuclear explosion kilometres away. Even then damage will be substantial. The purpose of the magnetic field is crew protection, not ship protection. Then we have an array of plasma cannons whose utility is not much greater than 35 kilometres. More than enough to destroy an incoming missile, but not enough to take out an anti-matter warhead. Since anti-matter weapons are fired from an extreme distance 'sand casters' may have been used to intercept them. Other anti-mater torpedoes or even the 'K' missiles could be used to defeat incoming." Silvi paused, "That's about what we know."
Abel thought for a moment, "I don't think the loss of the anti-mater weapons is much of an issue in our re-establishing of commerce and trade. I still believe it is unlikely we will find any 'fleets' of warships. But the missiles might well be of use if we are attacked. I want to emphasize here the word 'attacked.' We have no intention of engaging in wars, supporting factions in wars, or siding with any intra-system conflict."
Helen spoke, "If I may Abel, I'd like to point out that these weapons systems were developed to fight Unity. Their origins may well predate the Great War, but tiny Greayson was able to fight Unity to a stalemate for 150 years using these weapons. Now, I have no idea what we will find in The Dark. At worst I can think of some Unity society that managed to survive and keep a few ships intact or perhaps many. If that is the case then these weapons should prove more than sufficient to defend against them. On the other hand The Dark is very large and the void even larger. If we encounter hostility these weapons may prove of value or they may be useless." Helen paused a moment. "And then there are the protected species and those beyond human space. About them we know nothing since the EG has gone without an update for 150 years or so. Undoubtedly non-human species have advanced and others, new to human kind may well have entered our sphere. Caution is warranted in the void. As the ancient sage said, 'nature abhors a vacuum.' If humanity fails then someone else will fill in."
Abel thought for some while before responding, "I am glad you mentioned that Helen. Because I have been working on two sets of rules for our voyages. The first are rules for military engagement. The second are rules for commercial engagement. I'd like your input on these rule based systems. Establishing rules of conduct prior to an engagement is critical, although such rules never prove to be much more than guidelines given that nothing in war or in commerce ever evolves as one expected."
Abel continued, "As for the rules of military engagement I suggest we think about what the term SAR actually meant to Greaysons. Officially is was 'Strategic Area Reconnaissance,' but we know from the records that the real meaning was ' Search, Attack, Run.' So let me emphasize 'Run.' Our mission is commerce not war or conflict. If we find hostility we run from it, regardless of how weak that hostility may be. If some culture or system finds us offensive we leave. If there are factions in a system, and one is hostile, and one friendly, we depart. We will not engage in violence or warfare, except if cornered and attacked. In which case we use only enough violence to escape and return home."
"We are in agreement" Silvi said. Emmitt and Helen nodded their heads.
Emmitt commented, "We are not an invading or imperial power Abel. We are a tiny outpost on the fringe of a forgotten arm of the galactic spiral. We lack the resources, people, or ambition for such a venture. I agree, when faced with hostility of any kind, even a slingshot, we run."
"Now for the rules of commerce. These are more difficult to write down than our rules of engagement. But I will try. I am open to any suggestions for change."
"First - We engage in trade. That is for goods we need, we offer goods in return. There no longer is money as a medium of exchange so our exchange will be barter for the things we produce here in the Commonwealth or earn by fair trade with others."
"Second - We are not pirates. We do not steal. Any exchange of goods will be agreed upon by representatives of the systems we choose to deal with."
"Third - Many systems will have widely different systems of governance, however if a commercia
l exchange is not fair to the populace of a system, in other words it enriches a small minority at the expense of the overall good of the populace we will not conclude an agreement."
"Fourth - Any exchange that reduced a population's food reserves to the point of shortage is forbidden. We will not starve others to serve ourselves."
"Fifth - Goods we offer in exchange for what we need will not be of such an impact on the local system as to destroy that system. In other words, if we find a primitive society who has not yet discovered iron, we will not provide iron tools. Or a culture which lacks modern pharmaceuticals, we will not provide modern medicine; no matter how hard that hurts us personally."
"Sixth - We do not sell or exchange weapons of any kind. Not pistolas, not nuclear bombs, nothing. We do not spread violence as we voyage."
"Seventh - Interstellar piracy if found is to be suppressed. Planetary piracy is to be resolved by the populace alone. We will not participate."
"Eight - If possible we will leave the Encyclopaedia Gallectica to those we trade with. For the primitives we will leave it hidden in such a way that they must reach orbital space before uncovering the EG. For those systems who are technically and socially advanced we will provide an outright grant. I leave this decision to the individual captains to decide. But always be certain that such a powerful knowledge base has the potential for great human advancement as well as the suppression of human freedom and technical progress."
"Lastly - We update the Encyclopaedia Gallectica at every opportunity without fear or favor from that update. Our goal must be to complete the EG even if we find it unfavourable to ourselves. Without the EG our tiny Commonwealth would have died long ago. We must be the beacon of knowledge in The Dark so that The Dark may end and enlightenment return."
Abel stopped and asked for agreement. All agreed.
Abel would be surprised if he realized that his rules of engagement would, with slight modification last almost eight centuries.
Chapter Thirty Four
Jamon System - Old Mining Dock - Ragnarök - Year 3245. December 14 ET: 12:24
The Ragnarök lay ready in the Old Mining Dock preparing for departure to Girots' system. The official departure date had been released on the mid morning news-vid as December 24, but Abel and Silvi had decided to depart early. The Commonwealth held more than 200 exchange students at the Collegium from Girots and countless families with ties or relatives on that distant planet. There had been some worry that some might in desperation try to board the Ragnarök in attempt to return home. Rather than risk any confrontation the decision had been made to depart quietly and in secrecy.
Abel faced the crew of Ragnarök. Silvi as captain stood with Abel for a final inspection of her team. Lennie Karrlson was First Pilot. Toni Hamilton was Second Pilot having advanced rapidly thought simulations and flight tests in the last three months. Nomi Ketill was first astrogator, and there had been much public and Assembly opposition to taking such a young girl on a potentially dangerous voyage, but eventually everyone agreed that life in the slowly starving Habitat was equally dangerous at this time, and if accompanied by her brother, such an assignment was acceptable. Dilli Ketill was appointed second astrogator, although like Taylor Schmidtt, he had yet to pass the full astrogation test. Buddy Brunner was to sit at the defence station and a new weapons officer Mabel Schneider took the weapons seat. She had been another of the 'outside the profile' volunteers who rose to prominence on the gymnasium floor. To this was added Farn Mayer who had proven the skill to man both ES and EM stations. Further Silvi sensed she needed someone of a calm reasoned demeanour to assist a crew of aggressive over-achievers. Further Farn and Nomi had bonded in a way that both amazed and astonished both Silvi and Abel. Ana Njall a promising young lady was added as 'Cadet in Training.' Ana was bright, funny, and enormously talented despite her young age of 17. After all Abel kept saying 'kids grow up fast in a vacuum.'
Lastly the Assembly had insisted that Matt Brnseon represent the Commonwealth in any commercial negotiations with the government of Girots. Brnseon was added as 'supercargo' in the tiny one bunk quarters labelled as such. Abel and Silvi knew little about Matt, but clearly someone with commercial experience, an understanding of prior relations with Girots, and the backing of the Commonwealth, was needed to engage with the government and economy of Girots.
The small cargo hold of Ragnarök had been crammed with maintenance equipment that was thought might be needed to return the Bountiful to service. Two fusion engines, jector jets and gimbols, auxiliary pumps, steel plating , and a hundred small items crammed the hold many taken from the Greayson fleet. Ragnarök was ready to go.
Silvi spoke almost in a whisper, but Abel who stood next to her could hear. "90 hours to the Giwiso exit portal, 40 hours through the tunnel, then 20 hours through the Giwiso system followed by 120 in another tunnel through to Girots entrance. Then 50 hours in flight to Girots' planet fall."
Abel realized that Silvi was envisioning the voyage and all its' potential dangers. Her vocal description of the voyage was for her alone.
The crew stood at the dock dressed in their silver ship suits and the shorts and tank tops the color of which indicated their function on Ragnarök. Even Brnseon had been given a color called 'international orange.' The color was unlike the orange shorts worn by Farn as responsible for the environment and maintenance. The color of international orange almost hurt the eyes under the intense lights of the docking station. There was no mistaking Brnseon as a full member of the crew. He was 'supercargo'.
Abel and Silvi had agreed on a line of succession should the captain fall. Abel knew that placing a hot shot pilot in the line of succession was always a risk so the line began with Farn Mayer before proceeding to Lennie. Abel doubted that Lennie would even notice because his soul and indeed his spirit was in flight and not in command. Yes, Lennie could bring Ragnarök home even if heavily damaged, but without her mission completed. And in this case completion of the mission to bring news of food to the commonwealth was everything.
The Crew was lined up against the hull of Ragnarök and the dock. They were at what Abel knew was 'attention.' While he did not approve of military bearing as inefficient and silly, somehow at this moment is seemed appropriate. Abel had not prepared any words for their departure but felt compelled to say something.
Silvi turned to face Abel "Ragnarök ready for departure Sir." She saluted. Abel returned the salute.
The Abel spoke, "Women and Men of Ragnarök, The Obsidian Commonwealth Navy expects each and every woman and man to do their duty." That was all the could think of saying. The entire crew saluted. Again Abel returned the salute as for the first time he felt real pride in the OCN. Little did Abel Stoneman know that in hundreds of years his command on the duty of this single OCN crew would be repeated at every departure of an OCN ship.
Silvi then said, "All aboard now. We depart for Girots."
...
Giwiso System - Ragnarök - Year 3245. December 20 ET: 12:24
The passage through the Jamon System exit portal to the Giwiso system had been uneventful in fact boring. The entire journey had taken five and a half days. Silvi knew they could have reduced transit by perhaps a day, but she was in no mood to press a ship built perhaps 200 years ago into 'red pedal' flight. They took it easy reaching intra-system flight at no more than 40% the Speed of Light or SOL. Transit through the tunnel was fixed regardless of the speed entering the exit portal and she knew that the speed on exiting was always at dead stop.
Giwiso was an odd system out here on the slender arm of the galactic spiral. She had only one entrance from Jamon and one exit to Girots. She was in effect a one way street. But her sun and planets were as odd as her name. The sun was a binary white dwarf which had probably consumed its' near planets ages ago, but there remained three giants at orbitals far from the binaries. Why they had not been cast off into the void only an astrogator could tell, but the gravitational hold on the three giants was small and lessening with ea
ch million years. Eventually the hold would break. Other than the three giants only a scattering of comets on odd ellipticals remained in the system. Giwiso was as dead as any system in the galaxy.
Nomi Ketill had little difficulty plotting the transit through Giwiso. She said little if anything in response to Silvi's command to calculate a transit upon entering the system. Nomi only set to work and within half a hour had a plot. "I have a plot." was all Nomi said.
Silvi looked at Dilli who had stood over Nomi's shoulder. He nodded in approval.
"Astrogator Nomi set the plot on my mark."
Nomi said nothing until Dilli leaned down and spoke into her ear.
'Oh," she said. "Yes. The mark."
"Mark," responded Silvi and she felt the deck of the Ragnarök begin to hum to life. They picked up speed as the GWP set in and they soon began to traverse Giwiso.
Twenty hours later they approached the entry portal to Girots. Silvi could feel the tension in the entire crew. The goal of re-establishing contact with Girots and bringing the Bountiful to Jamon hung into he air like a presents under the Near-Pine on Bodhisattva Nicholas' Day. Silvi could sense the expectations of her crew as well as herself. Months and months of hard training, and her steadfast opposition to those who would risk the entire enterprise to haste and ill planning, was about to end. Soon Girots, with its' beautiful oceans and grain filled continents would appear before them. Silvi wondered how the folks of Girots would welcome them. In fact Silvi remembered that she like most of her crew had relatives, close and distant, on Girots.
