by Gary Weston
* * *
'Craggy? Craggy? It's Dillow. Craggy?'
'Err. Hang on. Damn stupid switches. It's me. Err. Morgan.'
'Where's Captain Cragg?'
'Err. Asleep. I think it might be the beer.'
'Beer? Is Craggy drunk?'
'I've lived on Moon all my life. I don't know what drunk looks like.'
Dillow said, 'Boy, have you lived a sheltered life.'
'He did look sort of tired.'
'Well, go wake him up.'
The idea of waking the captain terrified Morgan. 'Me? Go wake him up?'
'Yes. And take a sharp stick with you.'
'I'll need a sharp stick?'
'Don't make me come over there. Get bloody Craggy. Tell him my ship's not happy.'
Morgan scurried to the door and hesitated outside Cragg's room. He'd been ordered to do this by a captain. He had to do it. He knocked. 'Captain Cragg? Sir.'
'Go away,' said Cragg, or something very like that.
'Sir. Captain Dillow wants you. She says her ship isn't happy.'
'She said what?'
'Her ship. It isn't happy.'
There came an assortment of clambering about sounds and bad language. Then an untidy looking Cragg emerged, wrapped up in a robe. He pushed unsteadily past Morgan to his seat on the deck. 'Dillow. Damn. Who the hell messed with these switches? Morgan. You mess with my switches? Never mind. Go get me syncoff. In a bucket. Dillow? Dillow?'
'Here Craggy. Are you drunk?'
'On Mars beer? They don't brew enough to get me drunk. Your ship isn't happy?'
'I had a really scary wobble and a bang.'
'Full systems check?'
'Everything normal and acceptable, according to the computer. I tried that trick of yours with my hands on the walls. Something not like before.'
'Describe it.'
She struggled for the words. 'From the back. There was an odd rumbling followed by the slightest feeling of movement.'
'Check it again.'
'Hang on.' She concentrated. 'Craggy. It's kind of a persistent rattle, not massive, but steady.'
'Is that what you felt before?'
'Not quite the same. Something is going on back there.'
Morgan arrived with the syncoff and Cragg downed half the beaker. 'Jeez. You make crap syncoff. Dillow. Slow down to one tenth. We'll catch up and take a look and see if we can see anything. If it bangs and bumps again, consider stopping altogether.'
'Right. Slowing to one tenth. You should be with me in half an hour.'
'Okay. Stay calm and focussed. We're on your tail. Carlos? Are you awake?'
'This is Mario, the good looking one. What's the beef, Craggy?'
'Captain Dillow has experienced some unusual noises and vibrations on her ship. She reported it a few minutes ago. We are catching her up so we can look over the ship. Can you send us a copy of the loading plan? I want to know what has been loaded and where.'
'That will be with you in about five minutes. Shall I inform Commander Forbes?'
'Not if he's asleep, otherwise, yes. We'll keep you updated.'
'Will do.'
'Craggy. This is Rocky. Is Dillow okay?'
'Yes. something is rattling around in that tin can of hers. We have to do something about it.'
'We'll put on some speed and catch up with you.'
'More the merrier,' said Cragg.
Something told him this was serious.
Chapter 66
Cragg put the schematics of the big ship and the loading plans on the screen. Most of the load was building sections. One quarter of the domestic buildings had been taken apart and the occupants happy to share accommodation with others. The ship was divided into pressure sealed compartments, each one twenty metres long and the full diameter of the ship. Each had its own hatch, one third the length of the section, so precisely constructed, it fitted almost seamlessly into the body of the ship. It was an engineering marvel.
There were internal inspection hatches connecting the sections to allow access from the flight deck through each one, right to the rear of the ship and the engines and thrusters. Cragg wanted to try to locate the problem area and assess the potentially unsafe sections before letting Dillow venture anywhere near it.
'Look at that. Precision loading. That, Morgan, is a work of art. All available space utilised, perfect weight balance and distribution.'
Morgan said, 'Amazing work. Craggy. I don't understand why the computer didn't diagnose a problem in the full systems check.'
'I don't trust computers. Even more unreliable than some people. Dillow realised there's a problem simply using her hands.'
'How is that possible?'
Cragg said, 'If there's one thing I can pass on to you, this is it. Unfortunately, most people think of ships as being soulless machines. To my way of thinking, anyone thinking that will never make a good pilot. Think about a ship compared to a human. Does the ship have a brain?'
'It has a computer.'
'That's its brain. How about a heart?'
'I suppose it has fluids circulating like our blood. It has engines, a body,'
Crag said, 'Not unlike a human. Now, if you made a hundred ships, exactly the same, identical in every way, over time, they'll develop their own idiosyncrasies. Call it character. Computers don't recognise character like we do.' He stood up. 'Come with me.'
Morgan followed him, wondering what was coming next.
Cragg said, 'Place the palms of your hands on the wall. Now your face. Good. Close your eyes. Just stay quiet and feel the ship.'
Cragg stood quietly, letting Morgan feel the ship. Finally he said, 'What are you getting?'
'Lots of different tiny vibrations.'
'A happy ship?'
'I'd say so.'
'Okay. Come and sit. That may have seemed a little weird. One day, I'll have that in the training program. Now, when you have a ship of your own, you should not just study the manuals about her. Get intimate with her. I do the touching thing at least three times every shift. I feel for changes. That way you build up your empathy with her. Time for me to suit up.'
'And you're going outside to touch the ship?'
'That's the plan.'
'Let me go.'
Cragg said, 'No. I need you here, driving the bus.' Cragg suited up. 'Are we along side yet?'
'Yes.'
'Right. Close in to one hundred metres.'
That distance worried Morgan. 'That close?'
'You can do it. I'll get ready, you get us nearer.'
Cragg got ready as the rookie nervously manoeuvred the freighter alongside the ship. 'I'm out the airlock now. Just remember, you have an old man out in space on the end of a line. Don't do anything stupid. That's my department. Nice and steady. Dillow?'
'Craggy?'
'I'm just popping outside for a moment. Don't get taking off and roasting me with the thrusters.'
'Understood, Craggy.'
'Good luck,' said Morgan.
'A walk in the park. Or deep space. Same difference without the danger of being mugged. I'm going outside now and may be some time.'
Cragg jumped out of the airlock, and Morgan watched as the strange old timer calmly walked into deep space. The old man in a suit, held by a safety line, took a walk in the park.
Chapter 67
'Is that Craggy?' said Amethyst.
Rocky watched Cragg jump out of the airlock. 'Sure is. I hope I have his guts at his age.'
Cragg let himself float over to Big Bird, the line trailing behind him. In typical Craggy style, he went to the pointy end and knocked on the side.
'Craggy. You sacred the crap out of me.'
'Can I come in?'
'Don't be silly. No room in here.'
'Only kidding. Any more bumps and bangs?'
'Nothing.'
'I'm going to feel if there's anything going on in here. Don't go dashing off, cooking me in your thrusters.'
Cragg “walked” his hands along the
ship, his eyes closed, relying on touch only.
'What the hell is he doing?' Amethyst asked.
'Feeling the ship,' said Rocky. 'I heard he does that.'
'What's he feeling for?'
'Anything that doesn't feel right. This is fascinating stuff. I thought it was an urban myth.'
They watched Cragg move slowly along. After twenty minutes, he was almost halfway along. Suddenly he stopped at one section. He took his hands away and stared at the ship, as if his eyes could bore inside so he could see what was going on. He reached out again and placed both palms on the ship. He went back to the previous section and did the same then back to where he was before. He left there and moved further along and concentrated going back to the area causing him concern.
'Section eleven. Morgan. Can you see what's in there?'
'Packed with metal pipes.'
'Small or large?'
'Large. Almost as long as the section. Ten inches in diameter, heavy gauge.'
Cragg said, 'Dillow. Run another check, but only on section eleven.'
'Doing it now, Craggy.' Seconds later, 'Nothing.'
'Something is going on in eleven. Dillow. I'm coming in. Open the hatch.'
Cragg climbed along to the open hatch. 'Hi. Got the kettle on? I could do with a cuppa.'
It was cramped, but they were both inside.
'Eleven isn't right,' said Cragg. 'Something worked loose, perhaps. I want to go through all the sections and check each one out.'
'The inspection hatch is above us here.'
'Right. I can get through that, just about. The whole ship is pressurised, but you're sure to lose air quality when I open it, so keep your helmet on.'
There was a hiss as Cragg opened the hatch. It was easy in the zero gravity to pull himself through. 'Any inspection lights, Dillow?'
'I have them. Here goes.'
'I really will have that tea with you when I get back. Or a beer, if you have one.'
'You've had enough beer, from what I heard.'
'That's a matter of opinion. See you later. Don't go away. You just...'
'Fly the bus. I know.'
Chapter 68
Cragg went along the inspection passage, stopping at each section. Everything was in order until he reached eleven. As he approached the hatch into eleven, he listened. He heard some disturbing sounds. He checked his suit pressure and air quality. It was all good. He cranked open the small hatch into eleven. Immediately, the noise was much louder. Cautiously, he looked inside.
'Oh, Jeez.'
'Craggy?'
'One section of pipe has come adrift at one end. I don't quite see how...Ah! The webbing held, but the buckle fractured. The end of the pipe has been hitting the inner wall. Any pressure loss from eleven?'
'None.'
'Nor should there be with the sections all self contained and double hulled. I'm just taking a closer look.' Cragg had a close call as the rogue pipe suddenly lifted off and swung around. 'Damn.'
'Craggy?'
'Dillow. Somewhere in your rats nest are some repair tools. The pipe has fractured the inner wall of the section. Nothing too bad at the moment, but we need to secure the pipe and plug the breach. There's only the outer shell keeping the pressure in. I'll have to sit on the pipe to stop it flapping about. You get me some spare webbing, yeah?'
'On my way.'
Cragg settled on the pipes and waited.
* * *
'You took your time,' said Cragg. 'Didn't bring tea, I suppose?'
'No. And this is all the spare webbing I could find.'
'In that case it will have to do. I'll hold the pipe down. You wrap that around the bundle.'
'It won't go all the way around.'
'Tie it to the existing webbing. Nice and tight. Okay?'
Dillow pulled hard on the knots. 'As good as I can get it.'
'It just has to get us home. Now let's look at the damage.'
They both checked out the series off small slits caused by the end of the pipe.
Dillow said, 'That's all the rubbing noises I heard.'
'The ship talking to you,' said Cragg. 'There's no computer keeping an eye on stuff like this. We need to patch the holes. There's only the outer skin between us and space, which makes me nervous.'
'I did see something in the repair kit. I'll be right back.'
'Missing you already.'
Chapter 69
Dillow arrived with a patch kit. 'Its ready to go. Just pull them out of the wrapping.'
'Not very big. You'll need all of those.'
Dillow removed the patches one at a time, covering the splits. She had to work fast as they hardened like rock within two minutes. 'Only just enough.'
'More of a precaution than anything. Strapping that pipe down was the important thing. So. How are you managing on your own?'
'I'll go stir crazy if I'm in here too long. I'll have a few days off on Mars.'
'I think we'll all need that. I had better go and see how Morgan's doing. Come on.'
They crawled along the inspection tunnel and through the hatch into the flight deck. Cragg secured the hatch. 'I never did get that tea.'
'Next time. Thanks, Craggy.'
'You're welcome. Keep an eye on eleven. Morgan? Are you awake?'
'Yes, Sir.'
'I'm coming home. Get the line closer.'
'It's right by the hatch, Sir.'
'Good job, Morgan. On my way.'
'See you on Mars,' said Dillow.
The line was a short leap ahead of him. Cragg opened the hatch and wriggled out. Dillow sealed it behind him. A slight push away and he had the end of the line and was fixing it to his suit. Minutes later, he was on the deck of his own freighter.
'Syncoff?' Morgan offered.
'You read my mind. A beer will go down great.'
Chapter 70
'Can you feel anything?' Amethyst asked.
Rocky was hugging the wall. 'She's still happy. Don't knock it. This really works.'
'I wasn't. Now, leave the other love of your life and come here.'
'Sounds interesting.'
'Put your hand on me. A little higher. Feel anything?'
'Your heart.'
'And that's all yours. The ship's on auto, isn't it?'
'She's just doing the boring bits.'
Amethyst took his hand. 'So let her get on with it while we do the interesting bits. Come on.'
* * *
Cragg had a much needed shower and changed into a clean, regulation blue undie-suit. An awe struck Morgan excelled himself providing a feed and Cragg decided to limit himself to just two beers. He had fobbed off Morgan's enthusiasm for his courageous act as just something freighter captains did.
But once again he had surprised himself. He must have broken some kind of record for space walks by now. But his days of crazy antics were coming to an end. All he wanted to do was to spend time with Misty. No more space cowboy living. He would have to be training Max Morgan to take his place. Tomorrow was another day.
'You think that was dangerous. Did I ever tell you of the time I was about to crash into Westmont, with a heat seeking missile on my tail? Well. There I was....'
Morgan listened to another lightly embellished story, knowing he was on a journey to Mars with a living legend.
Chapter 71
When Cragg put the call through to Loading Captain Jay Moore, he had already decided to be as tactful as he could. He liked her and didn't want to offend her. He kept his voice light and friendly.
'Hi. Jay. Old Craggy here. How are you doing?'
'Flat out, Craggy. Is the flight going well?'
'Yeah, not too bad,' said Cragg, casually. 'Well, we did have a bit of an incident, as it happens.'
'Loading related, I take it, seeing as you requested a talk with me. Out with it, Craggy.'
'A pipe came loose in section eleven on Dillow's ship. Did a little bit of damage.'
There was an uncomfortable pause, not all down to the time d
elay.
'A pipe we loaded broke loose?'
'Yes. No other way to put it.'
Another pause. 'Any idea how it came loose?'
'Yes. The webbing held, but the buckle broke. I suspect the buckle was faulty and possibly cracked when the tension was applied. It wouldn't take much of a movement to let it break completely.'
'At least it wasn't due to sloppy work.'
'I never thought it was, Jay. I've always admired the way you and your team do your job. Always underrated, in my opinion. I just thought you should check the buckles you have there. Maybe even under a microscope to look for hairline fractures.'
'I was thinking the same. I'll get engineering onto it. What damage was done to the ship?'
Cragg said, 'The end of the pipe breached the inner wall of the section.'
'Shit! That's pretty serious. Is it fixed?'
'I went over there and gave Dillow a hand with the repair. We strapped the pipe down. Not to your high standard, obviously, but good enough to get the ship and load to Mars.'
'Thanks, Craggy. I bet Captain Dillow isn't too pleased with me.'
'Look,' said Cragg. 'Things happen, especially in space. It was fixed, that's the main thing.'
'I'll give Dillow a call and apologise for the problem. I'll have all the buckles tested in engineering, before we use them.'
'Good idea. See you in a few months for another load.'
'Bye, Craggy and thanks again.'
* * *
'Hi, Jay. A bit of a surprise getting a call from you,' said Dillow.
'Craggy told me you had a problem with a load.'
'I hope that old goat hasn't been having a go at you.'
'Not at all,' said Jay. 'But of course I take it personally if my department causes an accident. I'm so sorry it happened, Fawn.'
