by George Deeb
2
“Six of your people. I need them immediately if possible.” said Munen, smiling broadly with almost uncontainable glee.
“What do you need them to do?” asked Farber-Chatwell over the video link, his face displayed on the large wall mounted screen.
Califas, Plessa, Erika, Mersuul, and Mengu-sil-Valian were seated in the office. They all knew what the excitement was about, and it showed on their faces.
“I want to put more of my people on the mining team to increase the production rate. I need six temporary personnel to take their places at those stations on the ship. They will be monitoring and adjusting the equipment, and we can train them quickly in what needs to be done. Technicians would be best suited for the duties.”
“That's a large part of our staffing.” said Travellor. “Technicians will not be easy to replace quickly. It must be important.”
“It is! We have found... you have a name for it.. the mother lode of crystal-flow. You will not believe where it is.”
Travellor and Farber-Chatwell looked at the others as they nodded their heads in agreement.
“Mother lode of crystal-flow? How much are we talking about?” asked Travellor.
“As much as or more than the amount we presently have in the cargo hold. It's all in one location, and we are sitting on it – literally.”
“WHAT?...”
“How much?...”
“Yes! At least equivalent to the amount that has taken us years to find. That is why crystal-flow is so expensive. No one has ever found it in such a concentration before.”
“It is all because of the Aimsler Method!” interjected Plessa.
“The Aimsler Method. What is the Aimsler method?” asked Farber-Chatwell.
Travellor looked at his niece, who sat quietly with a very pleased look on her face. The Ganaphe' looked at her with an expression of pride.
“Miss Aimsler's procedure to free the Orysta has also become a new method of mining. From what we have determined by our measurements, her idea to turn the ground into an continuously agitated fluid caused the various materials to separate into layers according to their density. This makes it very much easier to find and obtain the crystal-flow. This method is also suitable for mining much more than crystal-flow. It will change the mining industry.”
“Clarify something for me.” said Travellor. “Where did all of this crystal-flow come from?”
“It was always there.” said Plessa. “In the crevice where the ship was trapped. We never thought to look for it in the area we were trying to escape from. Our only thoughts were to free the ship. Mining around it did not enter our minds because it might have endangered the ship.”
“Any questions General?” asked Travellor, looking at the video screen.
“Grilik Munen and I can work out the financial agreement between us later. The personnel issue is your decision Commander. Can you spare six technicians to work with them at this time?”
Travellor turned his computer monitor to face him, and pulled up the base work schedule. It took him a couple of minutes to organize his thoughts.
“How long will you need these people for?”
“I can not say exactly.” answered Munen. “At least one month and no longer than four months.”
“That's a long time to be short on technicians. Especially with the ongoing programs.” said Farber-Chatwell.
“Yes...., very true.” said Travellor. He locked eyes with Munen. “I will assign six technicians to work with you starting tomorrow,” he said, “BUT... in exchange for this loan of personnel I want the staffing limits for the base increased by six new permanent positions. While my technicians are on loan to you, their compensation and benefits will be payed by your company. Their work periods will meet all of 361's requirements for down time, workplace safety, and proper work environment. You will give me weekly status reports on their wellbeing and performance. Any of your personnel already scheduled to assist us in projects that are already on the calendar will do so as promised. Also, the technicians on loan will be rotated every two months so that more of my people can become familiar with your equipment. Is that agreeable to you?”
“Yes, it is agreeable.” said Munen immediately.
“Whoa – hold on. You didn't even think about it. That must be some mother lode you've found.” said Travellor, as he glanced at Erika and Mersuul.
Both women had expressions of pride on their faces. At first Travellor didn't realize that he was the object of that pride, and then he felt a little flattered even though he didn't know why. He brought his thoughts back to business and turned to Munen.
“I have already thought about it before coming with my request.” said Munen. “My crew had advised me on what to expect from you.”
Travellor looked back at the two women.
“They did, did they?”
“Alright then.” interjected Farber-Chatwell. “Grilik Munen and I will work out the left over details. I'll start processing six new people for you Commander. If anything else comes up we'll figure it out as we go along.”
3
“I told them what you said Commander, but they insisted on talking to you directly.” said Balfour.
Travellor looked at the two pilots, who had an 'I can convince you to change your mind.' look on their faces. John Smith and George Washington could barely contain their agitation at the hold order for the first test flight of the X-ECN-1. They tried to maintain a professional decorum but Travellor could see they were ready to burst.
“I don't mind you coming here to vent your frustration. I can even understand it. But I have no control over this, gentlemen. I have a boss and you have a boss, and my boss has instructed me to tell you that the test flight is on hold for now – which I have. Cove has designed some new instrumentation for the ship, and some mods for the engine. He wants them installed for the first flight. I know you want to get your hands on that ship. Hell, I want to get MY hands on that ship.”
“Sir, I think...”
“They're making updates to the simulator software as well.” said Travellor, holding up his hand to stop any comments.
“Sir, we are ready to go. We are trained. WE – KNOW – THAT - SHIP!” said Smith, emphatically. “There is no reason why we shouldn't be running that test flight right now.”
“He's right, sir.” said Washington. “We could be testing the airframe and mechanicals. No new instrumentation is going to make a difference with that.”
Travellor leaned back in his chair. He had to tell these men they weren't going to get what they wanted. The problem was that he wanted the same thing. Ever since that ship was ferried to the base he'd wanted to take it for a little Sunday afternoon joy ride – not to anywhere far – just to Mars for brunch with Mersuul and Erica. But that was just a daydream.
“Cove is coming here himself to supervise the installation of the new instrumentation. Until that's done, the simulator is as close as you're going to get, and I want you on that simulator. I want you to know that ship better than any other craft you've known before. There's great potential in that new engine – and proportionately great risk. I know it's frustrating, but until Cove says it's a go that ship stays grounded.”
The two men groaned at the inevitability of Travellor's response. They knew it would end this way, but they felt they had to try. They got up to leave, slowly followed by Balfour.
“I will try to get you a definite schedule gentlemen.” he said as they moved to the door. “Please stick around Flight Commander. I need to talk to you.”
“Yes sir.”
As the door closed behind the pilots, Travellor turned his attention to Balfour. She declined his offer of coffee and sat back in her chair.
“You haven't been read in on this delay, have you Flight Commander?”
“No sir. No explanation was given to me.”
“Then I'll make the decision to tell you. Here's the deal.” he said as his head went back and he looked at the ceiling. “Geni
us apparently can sometimes get ahead of itself. Luckily for us Cove was smart enough to know when he screwed up. Also luckily for us he knew how to fix his mistake.” His gaze came forward and he focused on Balfour. “That ship is potentially more dangerous than even what we already thought it was. So it's important for you to hear me clearly. No one, absolutely NO ONE is to leave the ground in the Folly. That responsibility is yours. I don't care if you put padlocks on the landing gear or bolt it the ground. Until Cove has cleared that ship for flight it is nothing more than a fancy arcade game.”
“I understand sir. I will make sure of it when I leave your office.”
She got up to leave.
“And Commander, don't be hesitant to come down hard on anyone you think might want to take that ship for a spin. Ground them if necessary. I'll back you.”
Chapter 19
Preflight
1
September 2014
Marisa "Radio" Herrera Delgadillo sat quietly in the shuttle and watched out of the view port as they got closer to the X-37B. The U.S. Air Force's flying test platform had been orbiting the Earth for twenty-one months, being tracked by the military control team as well as many civilian techies wanting to show their peers how good they were at finding the highly secret ship. There were also some countries that were not friendly to the U.S. that also tried to find and track it. The X-37B changed altitudes and orbits under the control of its operators on the ground, making it hard to find but not impossible.
Radio had volunteered for this mission because she wanted to see the Earth from this closer distance - closer being defined as not as far as the Moon. She checked her camera in its protective crystal-flow case made especially for her by her Ganaphe' friends – with the understanding that it was just on loan. Even a small case this size was worth a lot of money when it was made of crystal-flow. It would eventually be re-melted and used for other purposes, but for now it protected her camera from space radiation. She made sure it was turned on and in video mode, then attached it to the side of her helmet. This video would be used in future training of moon base personnel, and she was more than happy to be the one to mix a little business with pleasure.
Being an amateur photographer, she had chastised herself for passing up past opportunities to get pictures like this and she wasn't going to miss this chance for pictures of her home planet. She was using the term 'home planet' more often lately. Her knowledge of the universe and the many different species that existed in it had been expanded by the education from the Ganaphe' friends who were now part of her every day life. There were a lot of 'home planets' out there. Earth was hers – and from this altitude it looked beautiful.
The Ganaphe' camouflage system kept the shuttle from being detected by eyes and instruments, even as close as they were. Slowly the shuttle pilot maneuvered closer to the X-37B, until they were in jumping distance of the ship. This would not take long if everything went well. The shuttle flew aside and pacing the other ship.
“Prepare for extra-vehicular activity. Everyone place their helmets on. Confirm when you are ready.” said Tahn-grilik Califas who was piloting, as he set the shuttle to computer control.
Tonio Vargas attached his helmet, then checked Radio to make sure hers was secure. They had been part of the same team since the beginning, and he wasn't going to lose his friend now. He had more than an education on the universe to thank the Ganaphe' for. They had saved his life. He had come very close to having the distinction of being the first man to die on the Moon. After both were ready they both gave a thumbs up to Califas.
“Equalizing the craft.” said Califas.
The sound of air being sucked and compressed for storage in tanks reminded everyone that they should check their individual air supply. This method of storing the shuttles internal atmosphere reduced the loss of air when the ship had to be opened to space. Air, like water, was always in limited supply when traveling through space. You couldn't save it all, but could reduce the amount lost. They waited as the ship's internal pressure became a vacuum.
Vargas removed the small, almost flat rectangular shaped device from the shelf, and checked the display screen on it to verify the instrument package was working correctly. It was designed to take various measurements needed by Eckelberry Cove so that he could complete the design of updated instrumentation for the X-ECN-1. It was painted a mottled gray color, and he wondered why that was. He handed it to Radio, who attached it to her arm. Several seconds later the air compressors completed their job.
“I am ready to go, Tahn-grilik.” said Radio.
“Good. Remember, it will only require a gently push to get you across to the other ship.” reminded Califas.
“Yes sir. You've trained me well. I won't fail.”
“I know you will not.” he replied.
Her words brought a smile to Califas' face. He had no doubts about her skills. They had practiced the procedure many times using one of the base's shuttles as a stand-in for the X-37B.
The door opened and Radio moved to the edge of the opening. She tried to remember the feel of her successful attempts during practice. Placing her hands on the sides of the doorway, she pulled herself forward with just a slight amount of force. Slowly she traveled across open space, and seconds later she contacted the X-37B. She stuck to the vehicles skin using the same Ganaphe' adhesion material that gave the cleaning robots on the base the ability to stick to the walls and ceilings. The front of her suit and the inside of her gloves had been lined with the stuff. It held her to the ship like a gecko walking up a wall. She detached her upper body from the ship and pulled the instrument package from her arm. The bottom of the package had the same material coating it, and when she pressed it to the X-37B it stuck like it was glued there. A small electric current run through the material would cause it to contract and release its grip, which it would do at the right time.
Radio tugged on the package to confirm it was securely attached. She checked the display to verify it was working, then lifted her knees from the ship and pushed off in the direction of the shuttle. She was greeted by Vargas' hands that guided her through the door. Califas slowly moved the shuttle away from the X-37B, and moved behind and clear of the other ship.
“Just like we practiced.” said Radio, gleefully.
“Excellent work.” replied Califas. “I'll hold this position while you acquire your photographs.”
“If you don't mind, Tahn-grilik, I think I'll take them from outside the shuttle.”
Califas nodded his approval, and Radio made her way to the top of the shuttle, and stood up. It was a strange sensation. She thought she should be falling from the ship, but which way was up and which was down? Surrounded by empty space and looking up (down?) at the Earth, she grabbed her camera from her helmet, adjusted its settings, and snapped her pictures. Then she turned around and just randomly took pictures of various sections of space. There was no atmosphere and no weather to obscure her view, and the stars were bright enough to pluck from space.
2
The Study Group
They were a varied group of people, each with an individual style. Consisting of men and women from academia and industry, they were hand selected by General Farber-Chatwell. Some wore suits and ties, and some were more casual. Some dressed in shorts and sandals like they were attending a seminar in the Bahamas. They all had one trait in common – their wide eyes. Wide-eyed in disbelief. Wide-eyed in facing the unexpected. Wide-eyed trying to absorb and accept the new knowledge they were being exposed to. Their personal worlds, which so many of them had carefully crafted for a sense of security and comfort in their lives, was no longer a world – it was now a universe. And it was a universe inhabited by many other intelligent beings. A lot of the tenets they believed as truth throughout their lifetimes were being smashed – or was that expanded? They represented all the fields of modern day science from Physics to Physiology. From Botany to Cosmology.
Erika sat in the back of the room, watching their reaction
s. Listening to their questions. She was certain she had accepted the truth of it all more readily than these people. She tried to take in these classes whenever she could attend. There was so much to learn. Each class seemed to be for a different group of people being cycled through the base. Some of them were friendly, but most seemed insecure or lost in all of the knew information. She had stopped trying to be friendly to them several classes ago. These people were here for one week at most, unless they were stationed on the base in the future. Those that wanted to be stationed here had to request it. It was too dangerous a posting for people who didn't want to be here. Now that she thought about it, she was never really given the choice – but then she could not imagine turning it down, especially with her uncle here.
