Star One: Neutron Star

by Raymond L. Weil

  “How are your observation instruments checking out?” Ty asked the three scientists, who were sitting across the table from him involved in heavy conversation.

  “So far, so good,” Pierre LaRann responded in between bites of his portion of the submarine sandwich the three scientists were sharing. “All the instruments check out as we expected, and we have been taking readings on the Sun for the last two hours.”

  “The instruments picked up the particle emissions from the Sun perfectly,” LeAnn Kelly added. “They should work just as well on the neutron star. We still need to take some more readings with other equipment, but we don’t foresee any problems.”

  “We still need to test the different telescopes,” Juan Raol added, holding a drinking container of fruit juice in his right hand, which had to be squeezed to force out the liquid. “Our main telescope is very similar to the old Hubble telescope from the late twentieth century. It has tremendous magnification capability, which we can project on any of the main viewscreens. We also have a small radio telescope to monitor electromagnetic radiation and a stellar spectrograph. We will test all three of those as we are leaving the vicinity of the Moon.”

  “Remember, the cargo bay doors need to be opened from the Flight Deck,” commented Ty, reminding the three scientists.

  The doors could be opened from the Science sections, but he preferred the flight crew to be responsible for opening and shutting the doors. The cargo bay was 20 feet long, 8 feet deep, 16 feet wide, and was located next to sections seven and eight.

  “Of course, Commander,” Pierre LaRann answered, looking slightly miffed. “We will let the Flight Deck know anytime we want to take specific readings that require the cargo bay doors to be open.” He had never understood why military people had to be so strict with their regulations. It was something he had learned to adjust to over the years in his research.

  The crew turned to casual conversation about how the ship was performing and their impending encounter with the Moon. There was some concern about how close to the Moon’s surface they were going to be on their closest approach.

  “Eighteen miles sure seems awfully close to the surface,” commented Karl, looking slightly worried with a frown on his face. “Do we really need to go that low? We don’t need to slingshot around the Moon. The ion drive can do the same thing and much safer.”

  “You have to remember how fast we’re traveling,” replied Lieutenant Strett, putting down her cup of strawberry yogurt and her light blue eyes gazing at Karl. “Our speed is so high that we will literally be slung around the Moon from its gravitational pull. We shall leave the Moon with slightly more speed than we have now. We have to be so low to maximize the slingshot effect. It would take us much longer to turn around with the ion drive.”

  “That’s right,” Ty said, entering the conversation. “It will also allow us to put some additional stress on the ship’s systems and help locate any potential problems. The slingshot around the Moon will bring the ship back safely, and we have the ion drive plus the SRBs if we need them. But I don’t expect any serious problems.”

  “I just don’t care for the G-forces we will be pulling,” Winston mumbled with a slight shake of his head. “I wish there was another way to put stress on the ship.”

  “Just think about the wonderful close up view of the Moon’s surface we will be able to see in the viewscreens,” Lieutenant Strett said, smiling at the two engineers.

  She knew the scientists would not like the extra G-force exerted on them due to the slingshot effect. She wondered if they would keep their food down. She had eaten very lightly knowing what was soon to come.

  -

  One hour later, the crew was once more strapped into their acceleration couches. Everything on the ship was secure, and the Moon now filled the entire viewscreen. Its heavily cratered surface and large lava covered seas spread out magnificently before them.

  “FarQuest, this is Tycho Control,” a strong male voice came over the ship’s com system. “Mase Colton here, Commander. We have you on our screens and are monitoring your approach.”

  “FarQuest to Tycho Control,” replied Ty, recognizing Mase’s voice. They had worked together several times before. “We are fifteen minutes away from nearest approach. Everything is in the green, and we are dead center in our flight trajectory.”

  “We concur, FarQuest. We have two rescue shuttles in low lunar orbit in case a serious problem develops,” Mase stated.

  “Understood, Tycho Control,” Ty replied. “Hopefully the rescue shuttles won’t be needed.”

  “Good luck, Commander,” Mase spoke smoothly over the com. “We will check back with you just prior to you starting your slingshot maneuver.”

  “Roger that, Tycho Control,” Ty replied.

  Minutes passed as the Moon’s landmarks continued to grow. Craters could be seen with remarkable clarity, and the Moon’s jagged mountain ranges could be seen casting dark shadows across the pockmarked surface. Every screen on the ship was focused on the Moon.

  “One thousand miles and closing,” reported Captain Simpson, keeping his hands just above the manual controls. Any deviation from their projected course and he was prepared to activate the SRBs to kick the ship up and away from the impending jagged lunar surface.

  Ty could easily make out the Moon’s main landmarks through the small cockpit window. He could see Mare Nubium, otherwise known as the Sea of Clouds, and just slightly southeast of that and below was Tycho crater. Tycho was in a heavily cratered section of the Moon near the Southern Highlands. This allowed Mase and his people to mine the water ice available at the south pole of the Moon. It also allowed them easy access to numerous ore bearing meteorites.

  “Seven hundred miles and closing,” Simpson said as the Moon’s gravity reached out for the approaching ship, trying to pull it down to its crater-scarred surface.

  Simpson was doing rapid calculations on his computer screen to know what he would have to do if it became necessary to activate the SRBs. He knew that the SRBs should be able to kick them up and away from the lunar surface fairly easily if needed.

  “Four hundred miles and beginning to go into our slingshot around the Moon,” Simpson said, drawing in a deep breath. His eyes were going back and forth from the main viewscreen to his flight controls.

  Ty watched the screen calmly as the Moon seemed to rush up toward them.

  “This is a systems check, FarQuest,” Mase Colton spoke over the com. “What is the current status of all onboard systems?”

  Checking each station quickly, Ty responded, “All systems still in the green, no problems noted.”

  “Roger, FarQuest,” Mase replied in a steady voice. “Good luck.”

  “One hundred seventy five miles and our angle of descent is increasing,” Simpson reported, his eyes scanning his instruments. He could feel the G-forces already climbing. He reached forward and turned off the ship’s artificial gravity. They wouldn’t need it until the slingshot around the Moon was completed.

  “Seventy-five miles, speed increasing, twenty-five miles, nearing closest approach.” There was a brief pause in Simpson’s voice as the jagged lunar surface swelled rapidly on the screen. He was also finding it more difficult to speak as the G-forces quickly mounted. “Eighteen miles and beginning to rise,” Simpson added finally, daring to breathe as the lunar surface began to fall away.

  Looking at the main viewscreen Ty felt as if he could just reach out and touch the surface of the Moon. It seemed so near. The details of the craters and lunar mountains seemed to leap out at them in explicit detail. The G-forces were now piling on. Ty felt as if someone was standing on his chest. It took an effort just to breathe. It had been a long time since he had been exposed to G-forces this strong. He knew that, for a few painful minutes, it would be nearly six gravities.

  Down below, the three scientists felt the G-forces increasing. Fortunately, the new acceleration couches helped to alleviate some of the pressure. The three had gone through intens
ive training and physicals to ensure they could handle high G-forces. All had passed, but none of them liked what they were now being subjected to as the pressure continued to mount.

  The Moon’s surface flew rapidly past beneath the ship as it strained to escape the Moon’s gravity. Ty could feel the force of gravity pushing him back deeply into his acceleration couch. The ship groaned and creaked as its metal components were taxed by the close approach and slingshot effect. Several instruments on his board began blinking with amber attention lights showing stress and possible failure.

  “Environmental controls are going amber,” reported Lieutenant Strett, forcing the words out in the heavier gravity with concern edging into her voice. “Karl, increase power to the environmental systems and place the reserve system on standby.”

  “Got you covered,” replied Karl, making the necessary adjustments in Engineering.

  “I’ve got amber lights on my board also,” Captain Simpson said. “Nothing red yet. All systems still functioning normally.”

  Ty nodded. He had expected a few ambers to show up as the systems were stressed. He was concerned about the reds. As long as they stayed absent, the ship would be fine.

  The ship continued to strain as it crawled up and away from the Moon. The minutes passed slowly as the ship gained altitude and the ship gradually returned to normal. The amber lights slowly began to blink out, being replaced by steady green ones. The excessive G-forces gradually lessened.

  “All environmental systems are back in the green,” Lieutenant Strett reported, relieved and breathing easier.

  “Same here,” Simpson added, satisfied that the amber lights had all gone out.

  “No problems here,” Winston stated from his console. “All the lights on his console had stayed green the entire time.

  “All systems check out down here also,” Karl replied.

  “FarQuest, this is Tycho Control,” Mase Colton’s voice came over the com system. “We are monitoring your flight and everything looks on the mark. Did you have any problems during the slingshot maneuver?”

  “We confirm, Tycho,” Ty responded. “We had a few minor system problems from the gravitational pull and the slingshot effect, but everything checks out fine now. Thanks for keeping an eye out for us.”

  “Anytime,” Mase replied. “Have a good flight on your way back to Star One. Tell Commander Larson that he built a good ship.”

  Ty leaned back and relaxed. Looking at Captain Simpson, he nodded and smiled. “The ship came through well,” he said, approvingly.

  “It sure did,” Simpson replied with a trace of satisfaction in his voice. “We have one hell of a ship, Commander. If it can handle the stress from what we just put it through, it should be able to handle just about anything.” Reaching forward, he turned the artificial gravity back on.

  -

  For the next several hours, the crew watched on the screens as the scientists tested out the ship’s telescopes. It had taken the scientists a few extra minutes to recover from the strain of the high G forces they had been subjected to as the FarQuest hurtled around the Moon. All three complained about body aches, but had gone back to their observations as soon as they felt able.

  A few moments after the scientists began their observations, LaRann began projecting startling views on the viewscreens, beginning with the Moon. Once they were through with the Moon, they focused their instruments on more distant objects such as splitting double stars and observing distant nebula. Everything performed flawlessly.

  -

  A few hours later, Ty watched as Star One and the Space Platform gradually grew larger, changing from brilliant unwinking dots to their actual shapes. He had spoken with Steve briefly confirming that the FarQuest had functioned superbly. Ty could tell that Steve seemed extremely relieved that the ship had performed so flawlessly. Ty looked at the main viewscreen and the waiting Space Platform, knowing that the next time the FarQuest launched, it would be toward the neutron star.

  Ty listened to the low rumble of the drive as it slowed the ship. It was barely audible throughout the FarQuest, and to Ty it seemed quite comforting. He was extremely satisfied with the ship’s performance. He felt a lot better about the neutron star mission after the test flight to the Moon. He felt as if the odds of their returning had greatly improved.

  -

  On Star One, Christy and Steve watched as the FarQuest returned to the Space Platform. Its flight computer gracefully used the ship’s thrusters to maneuver the ship back down onto the magnetic grapples. After speaking briefly with Ty about how the ship had responded to the slingshot around the Moon, Steve felt the odds of a successful neutron star mission had improved.

  Steve glanced at Christy, who was talking to Ty on the com system. The shakedown flight was completed. Next was the trip to the neutron star. Steve could only pray that it would be just as smooth.

  -

  Down in the observation lounge, Kathleen and Jennifer stood staring as the ship was safely brought to rest. Jennifer wondered if she would get to see Ty again before he left to go to the neutron star. She would like to be able to see him one more time. She still felt greatly surprised by her attraction to the young commander. Letting out a deep sigh, she thought about what she still needed to do. Teela was her main priority, and it was time to get back to the AI.

  Chapter Ten

  Jennifer was repeatedly running a hairbrush through her shoulder length hair in front of her bedroom mirror, listening to Teela as she reviewed the day's exciting events.

  “Commander Larson has allowed me to begin monitoring the ecological habitats again,” Teela said happily. “Julie was very pleased, and we spent a lot of time today talking about some of the projects she is working on. She wants me to be very involved in keeping an eye on everything. She said it was extremely important!”

  “That’s good, Teela,” replied Jennifer, hearing the pride and contentment in Teela’s voice. “Remember, you have some extremely important responsibilities in the station. A lot of people are counting on you. You must accept these responsibilities and perform them to the best of your ability.”

  “Doctor Blackwater says that I will understand a lot better in just a few more days,” commented Teela, watching Jennifer carefully through the room’s monitors, which Jennifer usually left on. “I have been studying several books that are stored in my core memory. We have been discussing some of the concepts in our daily sessions.”

  “It’s part of your development,” replied Jennifer with a gentle smile.

  “You are very pretty, Jennifer,” ventured Teela, wanting to impress her new best friend. “Do you like Commander Erin? I overheard Kathleen telling Julie that she thought you and he would make a terrific couple.”

  Jennifer blushed slightly as she finished brushing her hair and began applying her makeup. She was supposed to go out with Kathleen and the Grays tonight to Jensens and a movie afterwards.

  “Commander Erin is very handsome,” she responded carefully. “But he has an important mission coming up, and he may be gone for a very long time.”

  “The neutron star mission,” Teela commented, thoughtfully. “I have been studying the reports from Farside, and there is something very wrong with the data.”

  “What do you mean wrong?” Jennifer asked, startled and with concern edging into her voice. “Do you know something that we don’t? Have you told Commander Larson?”

  “Yes,” Teela replied. “I informed him that the neutron star is not moving in a straight line. Something is affecting it, causing it to change its trajectory.”

  “Do you know what is causing it?” asked Jennifer, pausing and looking toward Teela’s monitor.

  “No, the change is less than two degrees.” Teela responded. “I have been doing some calculations and research into stellar phenomena, but my conclusions are not very definitive. I need the latest observations from Farside that are due in a week. We won’t get them until after the FarQuest is scheduled to launch. Commander Larson aske
d me to keep him informed if I discover anything.”

  “If you find something, make sure you let the commander know,” Jennifer responded as she finished putting on her makeup. “If it’s something they have missed, and could be a danger to the mission, you need to notify him immediately.”

  The front door to her quarters chimed, announcing someone’s presence. Jennifer glanced up at the noise, rose from her chair, and went to the door.

  “This should be interesting,” Teela said gleefully. She could see in the corridor monitor who was waiting at the door.

  Jennifer opened the door expecting to find Kathleen, only to discover Commander Erin standing there with his lopsided grin. “Ty,” Jennifer gasped, surprised.

  Teela could have warned her. Teela probably wanted to see the expression on her face when she opened the door. She would have to have another conversation with the AI about surprises.

  “Hello,” Ty said, smiling. “Kathleen and the Grays asked if I would join them for dinner tonight. Julie asked if I would stop by and walk you to Jensens. I have a feeling we are being set up by our mutual friends. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not,” replied Jennifer, smiling and hoping her face wasn’t too red. She thought she heard a subdued laugh in her quarters behind her. Teela must love this, she thought.

  “Shall we go then?” Ty said, gallantly offering her his arm. “We don’t want to keep them waiting.”

  “Lead on,” replied Jennifer, putting her arm through his.

  This could be a highly enjoyable evening indeed, she thought as they walked down the brightly lit corridor. She knew that Teela would have a lot more questions when she got back to her quarters.

  “Teela believes there is a problem with the data we have on the neutron star,” Jennifer ventured as they arrived at the elevators.

  “We know that the data isn’t perfect and that it has a few holes in it,” Ty responded as they waited. “But the Super Crays down on Earth have gone through the data a dozen times and we feel confident about the initial part of the mission. If we find something else out later that will affect the mission, we will have plenty of time to react to it. That’s one of the reasons we’re sending a manned mission, because some of the data we have isn’t matching up.”