by David Wiley
CHAPTER 6
By unspoken agreement, they had all gathered on the Arkhangel's bridge for the big moment. Even the damn cat was there, hissing at Horst until he moved further away. The ship had finally come far enough to allow them to peer into the end of the structure.
Ernie toggled the knob to switch the view screen to visual. The wormhole appeared like a perfect, dim-white circle. "Well, that's just great, we still can't make out a damned thing," Sean complained.
"Hang on a second, let me up the magnification," Ernie punched in a command and zoomed in. The circle flared making it hard to look at. "I've got it," Ernie quickly added a filter before they were permanently blinded.
The structure now looked like a thick white ring with a small center of black. Ernie pushed the magnification to its limit and pinpricks of light shone in the black center.
"I don't know what the ring is, but you can see to the other side," Sean conceded.
"It's not really a ring, it's more like a sphere," Ernie said.
"Regardless, there's no wormhole," Sean growled. "Can we go back to Haumea now?"
"No, you've got it wrong," Horst said. "Show him, Ernie."
Ernie split the view screen. On the left was the white ring. On the right was just an anonymous group of stars.
"Oh, excellent, Ernestine," Qing murmured.
"Yeah, that's brilliant," Solo drummed his fingers, ignoring Ernie's look.
It took Boris a moment to realize that the view on the right must be a view in the same direction as the one on the left through the wormhole. However, the stars were completely different. All that reading about wormhole theory must have paid off. Ernie had realized they would need a point of comparison and recorded one sometime during the last week. Boris frowned as he realized she must have discussed this with Horst, but not him. Well, he could live with that. Now, they had another decision to make.
As Captain, Vladnitz had the option of simply making the decision, but he agreed to decide the matter by a formal vote of crewshares. He would have done it that way, even if Qing had not visited him the night before for a chat. She was not nearly as subtle as she thought she was or maybe they just knew each other too well after so many years. Although she never directly addressed it, Boris knew what she was angling for. In fact, Boris found following the arcane voting protocols much less stressful than having to make the decision himself.
Each person with valid crewshares got a brief chance to speak, in reverse order of the number of shares they owned. In the case of the Arkhangel, that was all of them. Boris prided himself on including everyone; not to mention, it was essential for filling the roster on an old ship like this. After everyone spoke, they would hold a simple majority vote of shares.
As the junior member, Ernie went first. Her message was delivered with heartfelt sincerity. "It's the chance of a lifetime or more. How often can any of us say that? Besides, I'd love to show those Navy jerks up. I say we see what is on the other end of that wormhole."
Sean, although older than Abasolo, had joined the Arkhangel at the same time, about five years ago. Pilots got better compensation than deckhands, however, so Sean, with fewer shares, went next. "I don't have the brains the rest of you do, so I know what I say probably won't matter, but I'd like to point out that the Arkhangel is not equipped for scouting or survey or whatever. We've had to futz with the sensors just to detect this negative mass. Now, we have no idea of what is going to happen. I say we head back to Haumea and let the professionals take over." He glanced first at Ernie and then at Solo as he said this last.
Solo spoke next. "Well, we could go back and let the 'professionals,' none of whom have ever found a wormhole yet, take over and get all the credit. We could also go back, refuel, unload those who don't want to participate, and come back here. But that would take forever and we would not be any better prepared than we are now."
"Except for a few minor things like food and fuel," Sean interrupted.
"It might mean going without dessert for a few meals, but I'm sure we could tough it out," Solo patted his stomach. The gesture was not lost on Sean who, although wiry, had a noticeable pot belly, although nothing compared to the Captain's. As if realizing this, Solo quickly added, "I suggest we go on."
Horst was his usual blunt self, "I say we go back. If the rest of you can keep what we found and where it is located a secret, we can auction off the information to the highest bidder and make a fortune."
Qing may have had the smallest stature of those present, but she stood tall. "I'm disappointed in you, Horst. Something like this should be for the benefit of everyone. The future possibilities for all wildcatters, including us, would transcend any small profit you would make with selling out to the multicorps. Not to mention, I think someone with access to one of those telescope arrays, like around Triton, would be able to backtrack our path and discover the wormhole's location, even if we prove capable of keeping our mouths shut. No, I say we go on or we will come to regret missing our chance."
Solo looked over at Horst and rolled his eyes, a gesture noticed by Boris. Without alcohol, Boris found himself noticing more than he liked.
As the largest shareowner, Boris spoke last. "I would rather not go charging through immediately. The wormhole should first should be thoroughly studied, but we do not have the supplies for a long stay. As far as going back, reprovisioning, and returning, I am afraid I have some bad news about our finances. The noteholder on the Arkhangel is likely to seize her, and auction her off for debts. Our options would either seem to be charge through, in spite of our lack of knowledge, or head back to Haumea and see if we can get anything for our knowledge, knowing full well that we will have to live with any regrets and likely losing the ship."
"At least we would be alive," Sean added.
In the end, the anonymous vote was 57 to 43 percent shares in favor of proceeding. Sean slammed the hatch open and stormed off the bridge. Ernie almost bounced off the walls, as she pumped her fist. Horst sat deathly still, his face a blank mask. Solo nodded at each of his supposed allies in turn, graciously acknowledging their support. Horst abruptly stood and headed for the hatch, followed by Solo. "Listen, Horst, I think it is for the best. If we-" the hatch closed, shutting off the rest of Solo's attempt at persuasion.
"He just doesn't know when to shut up, does he?" Ernie stared after them.
"No, he doesn't," Qing agreed, standing up. "If you could give us a minute, dear."
Ernie nodded and scooping up Lucky, left the bridge, automatically avoiding the hatchway's worn spot with the rivets showing.
Qing smiled after her. "You know I'm going to have to leave the cat to her. I'm getting too old for this." She looked down at the Captain's timeworn features. "I'm rather surprised none of the others, especially Horst, has done the math."
Boris raised an eyebrow in interrogation. "How so?"
Qing patted his shoulder. "Oh, you know very well, Boris Stepanovich Vladnitz. You hold 33 percent of the crewshares. Assuming each of the rest of us voted our full shares one way or the other, you must have split your vote. The way I figure it, 17 percent for and 16 percent against. You really are of two minds about this, aren't you?"
