“I’ve heard about this drive. Timothy Parker told me a bit about it.”
“Yes, he’s familiar with it because Parker Industries and two other companies are building the sections for the circular pusher plate,” she replied.
“The plate’s a hundred metres in diameter, and one point five thick, I believe,” Micky informed her, smiling smugly.
“If you’re going to tell us all about it, then I needn’t bother,” she replied, gritting her teeth.
“Sorry Smits, carry on.”
She gave him a hard glare, then continued.
“OK, so you already know about the pusher plate assembly. So I’ll move on,” she said, pointing her laser pen to the next section.
“Well, this is Cebro’s baby, the delivery system,” she paused for a moment expecting Micky to butt in, but he kept quiet.
“This is the pusher plate. The primary hydraulic shock-absorbers are connected between the back of the pusher plate and this circular mounting ring, here.
Situated in the middle of the circle of Primary shock absorbers. And attached to the pusher plate assembly, are the two flexible-conveyer delivery systems for the nukes,” she added, pointing at each part as she spoke.
“Behind the delivery system, there is a twin-section storage container. Each section of holds eighty Nuclear charges and their control systems,” she added.
“The container is, in turn, also attached to the same circular mounting ring. With Secondary shock absorbers being mounted on the other side of the ring,” she continued, pointing at the absorbers.
“Both the storage and delivery systems are controlled by a computer that is housed inside the storage container.
However, the delivery systems are, of necessity, computer controlled, and the operation of this is our primary concern,” she ended.
She looked at Micky and Charlie, thinking about how she could explain this in layman terms.
“Let me try to explain this to you. We have to prevent this computer system from being radiated by EMP pulses; which is a pulse of electromagnetic radiation that is produced by a nuclear detonation.
Each of the containers will hold 80 of these 3 Megaton nuclear charges, so a total of 360 charges altogether,” she said, then stopped as Baxter interrupted her.
Saying, “Yes but only 80 will be used initially, the rest when the ship reaches her destination.”
“Ok,” she irritably replied. “But that’s not the important point at the moment,” then continued speaking.
“We’ve made low-level tests and know that the pusher plate will protect the ship from the nuclear charges to some extent. But the detonations will produce vortexes behind the pusher plate which may effect this computer system, in particular,” she said pointing at it.
“Of course, we all know that you can’t mimic the impact of a full-blown EMP pulse,” she added.
“Right, to continue. As each charge is shot out through the hole in the pusher plate, we then have to be able to safely detonate it, on the other side of the plate.
More importantly, we have to detonate each one exactly at the same time interval. And at exactly the same distance from the pusher plate. To ensure continuous and safe acceleration.”
“So would this be classed as a critical junction?”
“Yes, Micky.” Hanson agreed, nodding his head. “A very critical and dangerous part of the operation.”
“Isn’t the pusher plate too small to protect the ship from the nuclear blast?”
“Well, that’s why the distance between the detonation and pusher plate is critical,” Hanson replied. “Done correctly, it’s quite large enough, I assure you.”
“Can I continue?”
“Sorry Smits,” Hanson apologized, as Micky then asked a question.
“Is that what the flap on the pusher plate’s hole is for? To let the Nukes through?”
“Yes, exactly Micky. The flap over the hole opens automatically, to allow us to eject the nuclear charge through the pusher plate. Then to position it, and close the flap again before the charge is detonated,” she said.
Then added. “But we are probably years away from finally testing the system.”
“The killer wouldn’t be able to wait that long,” Charlie interjected.
“True,” Micky agreed. “Sorry Smits. Please carry on.”
“As Baxter has already told you,” she said, giving him a nasty look. “The first eighty nuclear charges are to be used to get the ship up to speed on the outward journey.
Then, when the ship nears its destination, it will be rotated 180 degrees, and the other 80 charges will be detonated to slow it down again.”
“That could be a bit hit and miss,” Charlie muttered.
Smits looked at her. Then, moving her laser pen, pointed it at two large round bun shaped objects on the screen, which were connected to each other.
“These are the Secondary shock absorbers which are attached, on one side, to the top fixing plate of the primary hydraulic absorbers. While on the other, they’re fixed to the habitable part of the ship. They are enormous and are made of a synthetic material that has the cushioning characteristics of rubber to make them more absorbent.
This is another crucial part of the design. Without these, the shock of the nuclear detonations will run right through to the habitable part of the ship. And although, the primary absorbers will reduce the shock waves from the nuclear explosions considerably. Without these extra absorbers, it would still be high enough to kill everyone.”
“We haven’t placed contracts for the manufacture of these shock absorbers yet,” Hanson interjected.
Smits pointed to the next section.
“This is the main habitation section, then next to it is the equipment storage part of the ship. The blunt forward end of this area has a giant airlock for loading and unloading equipment, especially heavy machines and hopefully, some small scout ships.”
“Scout ships?” Charlie inquired.
“Yes. By the time this ship goes live, the designers expect us to have smart-craft. Which will be smaller, higher tech, and with more efficient power plants than are possible today,” Professor Clayton pointed out.
Smits then pointed at two sets of manoeuvring jets along the ship’s body.
“These are steering rings, or manoeuvring jets, which are positioned around the outside circumference of the vessel's body. They’ll cater for course corrections, and enable the ship to be flipped over180 degrees when they near the end of their voyage.”
“Don’t forget to mention the rockets, Smits,” Baxter interjected.
“Ok, you might as well continue as you’ve started.” she said.
“Right, two huge rockets will also be mounted, one on each side of the ship, here,” he said pointing them out with his finger.
“These will take the starship far enough out into space, to then fire the nuclear pulse charges,” he said. “It would be much too dangerous to use these charges close to Earth.”
“So that’s basically it Micky,” Hanson said.
“I don’t think there’s anything else that is critical enough to worry us at this stage of the design process. It’s too early,” Smits pointed out.
“Maybe Smits, but even so it’s not too soon for someone to cause a major delay, and we think that’s all the killer has to do.”
“So, are you saying that you think that sometime in the future there will be a critical moment? Or an incident?
And that any delay that this killer causes now will change something that may have been going to happen. Thus putting mankind’s future at risk?” Baxter asked.
“Yes, exactly. It has to be something like that.”
“Like the slight difference in time could maybe prevent us from meeting an alien species. A species which might be beneficial to our survival?” Charlie speculated.
“Or,” Micky said “In the worst case scenario. We could meet a nasty alien species. Who wouldn’t have been there if we hadn’t had the delay,
and who we couldn’t win against.”
Micky paused, then said. “Yep, it may be just as simple as that.”
Chapter 23.
The Meeting.
As the meeting continued, Hanson asked Micky if it had been any help to him.
“I think so. If we could just verify a couple of things with you.”
“Go ahead.”
“Well, looking at the timeline of the project. We’re talking about almost a lifetime before completion and launch, right?”
“Yes. Only the pusher plate and the Nuke delivery system’s contracts have been awarded so far. Although a lot of research is going on it could be years before contracts for the rest of the work will be authorised.”
Smits agreed. “In my opinion. At this stage, Parker Industries, their two contributing companies, and Cebro are the only ones who could be affected by a delay in the project.”
“Smits is right Micky,” Baxter added.
“But while I appreciate that Parker Industries themselves are not only casting specialists but are also the top designers in the area of bespoke metal castings. The companies working with them, however, are primarily Steel foundries specialising in close tolerance casting and manufacture of machined parts.
I appreciate they all have to be experts to produce such massive mouldings and fine quality finishing. But, in the end, what they are doing isn’t high risk.
Not like the products and technology our company is involved with on this project, and not forgetting that other firms, like ours, will eventually be involved as well. What do you think Clayton?”
“That’s very true. So at the moment that seems to leave us as the prime target.”
“OK. So what are the critical points in your programme Hanson? Say, over the next two months?”
“There aren’t many, Micky.”
“Only three that I can pinpoint, two of which are unlikely to cause a problem,” Smits muttered.
“Spit it out Smits,” Micky directed.
Smits then changed the projected image of Acarea to that of the killer’s weapon, which had been sent to Cebro by Timothy Parker. Then standing once more in front of the screen, said.
“I’d like to just talk about this picture first. As you can see, it provides us with a detailed view of the killer’s weapon.
I know it’s not very clear, and his hand is covering the butt. But what can you see now that we’ve enhanced the picture?”
Micky was beginning to like Smits. He had to admit that she was contributing much more than the others, and in a practical way.
“Micky, I ought to tell you that Smits area of expertise is in particle beam development. She’s one of the best in that field.”
“Thank you, Hanson. Flattery works wonders, even with me,” Smits smugly replied.
“Get on with it Smits,” grumbled Baxter.
“OK. The basics,” she said, pointing at the killer’s weapon.
“See this sphere, at the top of its butt. This protrudes above the killer’s fingers. We’ve made an approximation of its size by referencing it against his hand,” she said.
Then paused, looking around to make sure everyone was listening to her.
“This sphere, must be a micro nuclear reactor. You see the rod attached to the trigger. Here, just below what would normally be a barrel. It’s got to be graphite or a similar absorber.”
“Oh, Ok. So, you pull the trigger, which draws that rod out so far, and hey presto, you’ve got your power source,” Micky interjected.
“Correct Micky,” she said approvingly, then continued.
“The conical section next to the sphere, which would normally be the barrel, must be the ‘exciter,' then next to that is the beam’s collimator.”
“What is the collimator in this particular application?” Charlie asked.
“It’s a device that narrows a beam of particles, so the beam’s density is sufficient for it to be used as a weapon.”
“So where exactly are we going with this?” Charlie asked sounding slightly puzzled.
“To this, my dear,” Smits replied, pointing to the graphite rod.
“This is the moderator-rod,” she said as she zoomed in on it.
“Now, look carefully. Can you see what I’m looking at?”
They looked and saw that the graphite rod had several rings showing on its surface, all of which were a slightly different colour than the rod itself.
“These rings caught my attention.”
“Get to the point Smits.”
“I’m getting to it, Hanson. I believe these discoloured rings, show the state of the weapon’s reactor. They also have some relevance to the timescale that we are talking about.”
”
“So, what are you saying?” Micky asked.
Then, suddenly, knew what she was going to say.
“It’s obvious to me. The killer has to pull the control rod out further each time he fires that weapon.”
“So?” Baxter said getting exasperated.
“The weapon is slowly running out of fuel. The fuel rods inside must be almost spent.”
“Yes,” Hanson added.
“And just like our own reactors, the fuel rods have to be replaced when they’re spent.”
“Correct, Hanson. But, he can’t change them in our time; we don’t have that technology yet.”
“Very true.”
“Then he has to achieve what he set out to do, and very soon,” Charlie added.
“Absolutely. That’s what makes Cebro a very tempting target.”
Micky, finding himself drawn to Smits, mentally scanned the area again. Then, concentrating his attention on her for a moment, realised that she was exhibiting an ‘I know where he’ll strike’ emotional flavour.
“OK Smits. You seem to have an answer. Yes?”
“Well, yes I think I do. If it were me, Micky…I’d be hanging around.”
“Why?”
“Because I think the killer knows that we’re about to carry out tests.
I think he also knows that we are going to test one of the nuke storage containers. Including tests on the computer controlled conveyor system,” she paused a moment then continued.
“He knows that the tests will utilise fissile materials.”
“You mean using a real bomb?”
“No, not exactly. But the tests will be made using the same type of fissile material,” she replied.
We’re also checking the computer system’s protective housing, to ensure that it prevents radiation from affecting the computer’s operation. Then, finally, we’re testing the delivery system and flap control.”
“So when exactly are you planning to carry out these tests?”
“In three days.”
“And, if the tests were to fail…?” Micky asked.
“Then we would be at least six months behind schedule,” Baxter replied.
“That may be all the time he needs,” Micky said thoughtfully.
“So, what do you think the killer can do to derail the project?”
Smit’s, thought about it, for a while. “Well, the only way I can see that he could do anything. Would be to somehow place an explosive charge right next to the position the fissile material stops in, and immediately before the time the test is activated,” she said pausing to think.
“However, and this is a dangerous scenario. If his explosive charge is large enough for the explosion to rupture the test building as well. Then this would spread radioactive contamination over Cebro’s whole site,” she added pausing again.
“Then, he won’t just have derailed the project. He’ll have stopped Cebro’s involvement in the project altogether.”
“Yes, the site will be radioactive for years,” Charlie said.
“Charlie, not just years. Perhaps a thousand years,” Micky replied.
“But. If he doesn’t rupture the building, we’ll be ready to test again within a couple of weeks,” Smits interjected, smiling smugly as she spoke.
Wearily interrupting her Hanson said, “Yes Smits, you also forgot to tell them that the whole test system is small enough for us to easily bury the radioactive materials after the test.”
“Alright, and, as I said. Leaving us able to run the test again within a week,” Smits exasperatedly replied.
“Well, you seem to have most of it covered, Hanson. Except, of course, if the building is ruptured. But I suppose you wouldn’t be able to cater for that eventuality anyway,” Micky said.
“So, is that the only critical point in your programme?”
“There are bound to be several Micky,” Clayton said. “But I agree with Smits. This is the most critical point, and probably what I would go for if I wanted to delay the project.”
“But how is he getting your timetable in the first place,” Charlie asked.
“Good question. But schedules for all our experiments are available if you know where to look,” Hanson replied.
“Especially if he’s got Nano surveillance devices. You’d never be able to find those if he’s actually put them in here,” Micky added.
“But anyway. We did see him. Or rather, I felt his presence, on the Chester Pike earlier. So he’s definitely around,” Micky added.
“Then, he’s probably been sussing out the test location, Micky,” Baxter added.
“By the way. What did you mean when you said that you felt his presence?” Smits asked
“Smits, I may tell you when this is all over.”
“Why not now?”
He mentally nudged her off the scent then carried on as if she hadn’t spoken.
“I agree with Baxter. I’m pretty sure he’s been trying to suss out, your test location. Hanson, you’d better make sure that your security bods know he’s wearing a bulletproof vest. Otherwise, he’ll kill them while they’re wasting time pumping lead into it. Tell your men to aim for his head and arms only, if you want your men want to survive.”
Death of Time (SpaceFed StarShips Series Book 4) 2nd Edition.: A thrilling, psychological, Mystery and Suspense, sci-fi detective thriller. (SpaceFed StarShips Trilogy) Page 16
