HADRON Chaos

by Stephen Arseneault

  Johnny smiled. “See, there’s a solution to every problem.”

  Jasper picked up a wiggling tendril he had just dipped in butter. Johnny shook his head in disgust as he placed it in his mouth and slurped it down.

  “I bet you were one of those kids that ate worms when you were a toddler, weren’t you?”

  Jasper grinned. “Maybe. You should give one a try. You might find that you like worms.”

  Johnny laughed. “No thanks. I’ll stick to… whatever this thing is. And don’t tell me, because I know you’re just gonna lie.”

  Chapter 5

  *

  Ten days passed with no new activity at the Karthian rift. The Rogers was released from repair, and testing showed her to once again be fully operational. Mace and the others returned to Earth. The Organ Cave was released a day later. With the ramped-up production, the Targarian fleet had once again topped a hundred ships.

  The Union members had been busy with their own fleet. Among them, forty new cruisers were coming off the line every week. The fleet of five-hundred-odd ships that had survived the battle at the rift now numbered more than six hundred. Repaired ships were adding to those totals.

  Efforts to coordinate production with the Union members had fallen on deaf ears. Stark was content with his own progress, as the Karthians had shown no desire to come through the rift for the all-out war that was feared.

  Mace opened a comm from the Rogers to check on Jeff. “How’s it going? Any good news?”

  “We have the components used to create that wave under construction. All except two important pieces.”

  “I thought that weapon was really big. That’s not gonna fit on a ship, is it? We building an orbital platform for it?”

  Jeff shook his head. “We scaled it down. If the tests verify that it works, we can move to a larger platform.”

  Mace asked, “What are the two pieces that are missing?”

  “We believe one to be a dark matter generator. We have no idea yet how it produced what it did. The second is a fusion combination chamber. The dark matter is fused with diamond. The result is the crystal structure breaks apart and the particles that make up the diamond are turned into this quantum energy wave … which we still don’t understand.”

  Mace laughed. “Sounds like a technical problem.”

  Jeff nodded. “It is. And we will solve it. It won’t be today, though. We followed the instructions for creating these components as closely as we could. During initial tests, neither performed as desired.”

  “Well, just keep at it. How’s the team holding up?”

  Jeff smiled. “We’re all energized. This is the reason most of us got into science and engineering. The trial and error evaluations, the discoveries. Although I suppose we could do without the frustrations.”

  “Couldn’t we all. Hey, you said the weapon consumes diamond. You have all of that you need?”

  Jeff frowned. “Yes and no. We have enough for these initial tests. What we don’t have is a supply for use once this is operational. Our current configuration will consume a two-carat diamond with each burst. Once we scale up, that changes to six carats. Our supply there is very limited.”

  Johnny said, “Too bad we don’t still have Cancri. Some of the raw diamonds we were pulling out of there were immense.”

  Mace said, “We could go back through our exploration scan logs. That should identify any sources we found that might give us a good supply.”

  “One step ahead of you on that,” said Jeff. “We only identified one of those sites with potential for large stones. Jasper has a mining team out there now. Initial results aren’t all that promising. They’ve mined a quarter of the find and only have a dozen or so potentially usable jewels. For this to be a valid weapon, we need to be able to fire it more than a couple dozen times.”

  Mace stroked his goatee. “I think I might know where we could find more of those diamonds.”

  Johnny said, “I know that look in your eye. You thinking the Hoorka?”

  Mace nodded. “They cleaned out that planet. They have the diamonds. Question is, will they trade for them? And what do we have to trade back?”

  Johnny shrugged. “Gatrellium? We know they make use of it as well.”

  Jeff shook his head. “We can’t part with any. It’s needed for production. If you haven’t been following that issue, you would know that Stark took back the mines in the Union territories. The Targarians are down to their single mine again. And from what I’ve heard it’s nearly depleted… mined out.”

  Johnny said, “What about the big asteroid we gave him?”

  “We’re down to our last 10 percent being unrefined. Our stockpile is still enough to build six to seven hundred ships.”

  Johnny crossed his arms as he leaned back in his chair. “Wait, I thought we had enough for at least twice that. What happened?”

  Jeff frowned. “Reality happened. We realized the gatrellium plating blistered on the Organ Cave when it got hit by that green wave. We’ve had to double the thickness in order to prevent that from happening again. It’s just as well, too, we found that every trip through a micro-wormhole strips off many of the outer molecules. The way it was, we’d be replacing that whole skin every three or four hundred jumps. For whatever reason, the thicker it is, the longer it seems to last. At least that’s what our testing shows.”

  Mace sighed. “Still don’t have enough of that stuff. Have the deposits we’ve identified been mined?”

  Jeff nodded. “All but two of the smaller ones. We don’t see them as worth spending the effort to recover. The jumps out and back would consume a quarter of what’s there.”

  Mace said, “So it looks like we need to do some more exploring.”

  Jeff replied, “That would be my advice. The Rogers is ready for it. The Karthians have yet to start an attack. And if I were you, I’d be a bit uneasy sitting there on Earth. Who knows what Stark is planning for us? If he decides he wants the Rogers, he also gets all her technology, which I know we don’t want to share.”

  Mace took a deep breath as he looked over at Johnny. “Go ahead and call everyone in. And this time I mean everyone. If people want, they can bring spouses and kids. I don’t want to leave anyone here where Stark has some leverage over us. Tell them all if anyone wants to stay, they can, but if something happens, we won’t be making any trades or negotiations with Stark for them. We can’t afford to.”

  Johnny turned to his console. The message soon went out. Because the situation wasn’t urgent, the all-volunteer crew was given five hours to decide. Four hours into the order, Tres and Vanessa came aboard with their three girls.

  Mace was standing at the rampway. “Glad you decided to bring them.”

  Vanessa replied, “He was the one who took convincing. I know we’re all safe here. Back there you have people who might want something from you. I’d rather not give them the option to take it.”

  Tres said, “My only hesitation was with schoolwork. We were able to transfer enough aboard to keep them busy for a while.”

  Mace nodded. “Well, let’s get this ramp closed. And by the way, everyone is here. That includes thirty-six spouses and twenty-eight kids. Might be a little crowded, but knowing they’re safe should put everyone at ease.”

  Mace said into his comm, “Mr. Hobbs, close us up and get us to the first prospect.”

  “Coordinates are in, should be up and through a wormhole in about three minutes.”

  Tres said, “Tell me you got the boxes from the restaurant.”

  Mace nodded as they walked. “We did. They should be in the kitchen. You’ll have a lot more mouths to feed this time around.”

  Tres replied, “Only with beverages. We’re still on nutrient bars. I should have a better selection for us to drink, though.”

  The first twenty star systems showed a plethora of mineable minerals, without diamond or gatrellium. The twenty-first scored a twenty-ton gatrellium find spread across two planets. The fifteen systems that follow
ed showed nothing of use.

  As they came into the sixteenth system, Humphrey said, “Six planets. Third is in the habitable zone.”

  Mace nodded. “Mr. Hobbs, start with the first and we’ll work our way out.”

  An hour later, with results again disappointing, a short jump was made to the second planet. “I show a highly acidic atmosphere, Mr. Hardy. At those levels, our suits would start to dissolve after a few hours.”

  “Log it and add that as a note. We can’t leave any stone unturned out here.”

  When the scan run was complete, a short jump was made to the third planet.

  Humphrey said, “I’m showing 12 percent larger than Earth. Density looks about the same. Magnetic fields are similar. Nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere. And 63 percent ocean. This is as close to an Earth match as we’ve seen.”

  “Standard setup for the scan, Mr. Hobbs.”

  Several minutes in, Humphrey turned. “I’m showing a lot of bios down there, Mr. Hardy. Might be worth a look to see. Hold on … I have structures.”

  Mace held up a hand. “Bring us to a stop. Mr. Mallot, can you zoom us in?”

  Humphrey passed the image to the main display. “I’d say we have us a city down there.”

  Mace nodded. “That’s a harbor. Those are ships. Nothing looks advanced. Maybe comparable to medieval times?”

  Johnny zoomed in again on a section of roadway leading out of the small harbor town. “Wagons ho!”

  Humphrey said, “Bios are bipeds. Just over a meter tall. Computer counts about fifteen thousand in and around that town.”

  Mace frowned. “Log it for a revisit. While this is all interesting, it’s not putting gatrellium in our store. Let’s move along.”

  As the Rogers began to move, Humphrey yelled, “We have wormholes opening above us! Two ships coming through!”

  Mace turned. “Mr. Hobbs, take us up! If we need to jump I want to have that option!”

  “The ships are closing,” said Humphrey. “I’m detecting energy buildups!”

  Mace said, “Mr. Mueller, take whatever actions you feel necessary.”

  Humphrey again yelled, “We’re being fired upon! I show hull breach in section A26!”

  “Return fire, Mr. Mueller!”

  Two plasma rounds were followed by a half dozen microwave bursts. The attacking ships turned, avoiding the incoming fire.

  Humphrey gave more status: “They’re firing again! Section B26 just took a hit!”

  “Mr. Hobbs? How long before we can jump?”

  “Thirty seconds.”

  Hans fired the Rogers’ weapons. A microwave burst hit one of the ships dead-on. It leveled off and began a downward trend. Soon, flames covered most of its hull. A spectacular explosion told of its demise. The second ship turned away, jumping through a wormhole away from the planet, ending the short raid.

  Johnny said, “No way those were associated with those people down there.”

  Mace nodded. “I’d say we stumbled on some watchers.”

  Humphrey said, “Mr. Hardy, I have bad news. Our wormhole generator is offline.”

  “What? How?”

  Humphrey pushed a damage diagram to the wall display. “Whatever they hit us with penetrated the hull, went though the deck and into section C26. That’s the generator room, sir.”

  Mace stood. “Johnny, come with me.”

  Johnny followed Mace off the bridge. “I don’t know squat about those generators.”

  Mace scowled. “Me neither. And our scientists and engineers are back on Divinia. These were supposed to be cupcake runs.”

  “They didn’t even attempt contact. Looks like someone wants us out of here.”

  Mace huffed, “Then why’d they kill off our generator?”

  Johnny shrugged. “Luck?”

  Mace opened his comm to the bridge. “Mr. Mallot, can you tell us if the generator was targeted?”

  Humphrey replied, “I don’t see how. Not with the gatrellium skin we have. Unless of course they have better sensors than we do. Given the location of the first hit, I’d have to say it was a random shot.”

  Mace stopped at section C26. The bulkhead door wouldn’t open. “Do we have anyone in C26?”

  Bontu Montak replied, “Two of my men are in there, Mr. Hardy, sealing the breaches. The beams melted holes that are about two centimeters. When they’re done, we’ll be moving up to B26. We’ll have to use the bulkhead entry boxes we built.”

  Mace nodded. “Forgot we had those. How long before we can get to the generator?”

  Bontu replied walked around a corner. “Any minute now. The breaches are small and may be welded over.”

  Johnny asked, “Just welds? Why so long?”

  “They have to remove ceiling panels to get access. The walls, ceiling, and floor of that room are heavily shielded from interference.”

  A flashing light over the door went off. The door opened to a slight hiss. Two Mawga workers nodded as they exited the room.

  Mace turned. “Thanks, guys.”

  Johnny followed Mace into the room. “I can’t believe we came out here without one of our technical people.”

  Mace looked over one end to the generator as Johnny took the other.

  Johnny was the first to spot the issue.

  “Got it. Burned through here and into the floor behind.”

  “Any idea what that box does?” Mace asked.

  Johnny laughed. “You’re asking the wrong guy. Now, ask me about the comms and I can give you a reasonable answer. But this? I know nada.”

  Jane walked in behind them, setting a toolbox on the ground. “What’s the problem?”

  Johnny pointed. “Their weapon burned through this box.”

  Jane looked it over. “You opened it up yet?”

  Johnny said, “You have the tools?”

  Jane smiled as she reached in, grabbing a multi-headed wrench. “Here.”

  Johnny laughed. “What am I supposed to do with that?”

  Jane sighed. “Space has made you soft. Here, up underneath. Insert the wrench and twist.”

  Johnny fumbled for several seconds. Jane grabbed the wrench from his hand and began the task of removing the box cover. Johnny stepped back with a sly grin. Mace shook his head.

  The lid was lifted. “Hmm. Burned through this coil.”

  Jane pulled up her holo-display, flipping through several pages of parts. “Grr. Don’t have one.”

  Mace asked, “Anything we can substitute?”

  Jane sighed as she looked back through the list. “This is the closest we have. Inductance is double and the ESR is half.”

  Johnny tilted his head. “ESR?”

  Jane nodded. “The series resistance. And with both of those being off, I can’t say what that would do to the rest of this gear.”

  “Swap it out,” said Mace.

  Jane looked up. “You sure you want to risk that? Could fry this whole thing, for all we know.”

  Mace took a deep breath. “Without it we’re stuck here. I told Jasper we may be out for a couple weeks. He has a list of where we were going to check. But Liam and I decided to start from the bottom. No good reason why. Just one of those hunches that we might find something sooner that way. So put the coil in and let’s see if she’ll power up.”

  Jane shrugged. “You’re the boss.”

  Johnny said, “You’ll have to solder that in. You sure you know what you’re doing there?”

  Jane stood. “You wanna make yourself useful?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Jane pointed. “Then go back to the reactor room and have Mr. Jenkins help you get the new part. I’m sending the number to your data store. And while you’re there, have him give you the coil stretcher.”

  Johnny chuckled. “The coil stretcher?”

  Jane nodded. “Yes. It’s a tool we have in the reactor room. This new coil is too short. Ask Mr. Jenkins for the stretcher.”

  Johnny raised his hands. “OK. I’m going.”

&nb
sp; As Johnny left, Jane pulled out a small laser and a suction tube. Four posts were unsoldered and the burned coil removed.

  Johnny returned with the new coil and a smile. “Coil stretcher. You had me almost convinced.”

  Jane smiled as she took the coil.

  Mace said, “Did I miss something here?”

  Johnny replied, “There is no coil stretcher. She made it up to make me look like a fool to Mr. Jenkins, so she and he could sit back in that room giggling to each other about me. Well, it didn’t work. I quizzed Mr. Jenkins and my suspicions of foul play were confirmed. No coil stretcher.”

  Jane got to work replacing the coil. “Well, it was worth a shot. I’ll have to work on my delivery for next time. I never told you, but Gnaga had me searching high and low for a bovic oscillator one day. It was almost worth hearing him snort when I came back empty-handed because there was no such thing.”

  Jane stood. “OK, we’re in.”

  The lid was replaced and secured.

  Jane said. “Might not be a bad idea to watch this from behind the bulkhead. I have no idea what it might do.”

  The three walked from the room, closing and sealing the door behind them.

  Mace opened a comm to the bridge. “Mr. Hobbs, can you give us a quick test of the wormhole generator? If anything looks out of whack, shut it down immediately.”

  “One moment.”

  A full minute passed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hardy, the parameters all look green, but we have no indication of a wormhole.”

  Humphrey added, “Sensors detected a power build where the hole would normally open, but no space-time fracture.”

  Mace sighed. “Well, that’s just great.”

  Chapter 6

  *

  Mace sat in his command chair. “Mr. Mallot? I assume we can still scan?”

  Humphrey nodded. “Sensors are fully operational.”

  “Mr. Hobbs, put us back in the pattern. We might as well scan this world while we’re here.”

  Liam nodded. “On our way. Mr. Mallot, thirty seconds.”

  Mace asked, “How long to each of the next planets using gravity drives?”

  Liam replied, “Four hours, nine hours, and sixteen hours.”