Obsidian Ressurection

by T J Bryan

  Abel saw Wain continue to wave his arms about and for the first time noticed that Jerry Renner was female and like too many others in the Habitat had only clumsy prosthetics for arms. She was actually playing pilot on the command con consol with her feet. Abel thought for a moment that must be really hard. Almost impossible he thought and then corrected himself; impossible.

  For the first time Abel focused on the instructors vid screen. The scores were showing for booth three. Abel clicked on Peters and the screen changed to display Wain's history on the CTS. Wain had achieved level four on the weapons station. And he had gained that level in one hour sessions going back to June 28. Abel thought for a moment. That's only 78 or 79 days and in one hour sessions each day! He tabbed next to Jerry and she had a similar score but for the pilot's station. Impossible Abel thought. She was flying the pilots station only with her feet and some sticks attached to her prosthetic arms that managed the foot pedals controlling the jector pressure. Abel shook his head in amazement. Two young people, one without legs and the other without fully formed arms had reached flight status level in an amazingly short time.

  He decided that in the morning he would recruit both Wain and Jerry into the program. They clearly had amazing skills regardless of their physical limitations. Or Abel thought perhaps because of them. Clearly they were motivated to succeed and determined to win.

  Abel was about to leave when he clicked on the Nomi Ketill tab. Abel stopped breathing. Nomi was a fully certified astrogator. Fully qualified to astrogate for the expedition to Girots. But she is only a child Abel thought. Just a little girl. Well, at 14 not exactly a little girl, but clearly still a child.

  Abel rose, opened the hatch and silently left the CTS. He had a lot to think about.

  ...

  Jamon System - Ore Dock Seven - Year 3245. August 26 ET: 15:34

  Ragnarök pulled into Ore Dock Seven with an enormous container of Algae sludge in tow. Dock workers activated the grapples and pulled the container into the vac-d dock and then repressurized the docking station. Then Ragnarök returned to the Old Mining dock where Abel waited.

  As the hatch opened Silvi stood awaiting for Abel who quickly entered the hatch, paused momentarily to tell Captain Karrlson to assemble the crew in the mess, including the trainees, in five minutes. Then he adjourned to the cabin he had been occasionally occupying and donned his ship suit and white shorts. He arrived at the mess three minutes early and found the entire crew was assembled. As Abel entered the entire crew and Silvi in her red shorts and tank top stood up. This is getting bothersome Abel thought. All this standing up when he entered a room.

  "Sit down, sit down" There were only nine chairs in the mess but only Emmitt and Helen chose to sit.

  "How was Dios?" Asked Abel clearly aware of the tension filling the mess.

  Silvi responded, "Fine. No problems. The algae is delivered. We took our time." She paused waiting for Abel to give them a status update.

  After a long pause Abel spoke, "The Assembly meets tomorrow and I suspect we will be inundated with suggestions on how to collapse our schedule and leave yesterday."

  Before Abel could continue Helen spoke, "Can't. Were not ready. And we have no astrogator. We can't rush the schedule."

  Abel sighed, quite loudly. "Of course we can't. But that does not matter if the citizens are in a panic and demanding action, even if that action is self defeating. It is hard enough to get the Chairman to understand the restrictions under which we labor, but then there is the Assembly full of bickering factions. And some of those factions will inflame the citizens simply in order to gain some political leverage." Abel paused.

  Abel turned to address the crew and he chose a formal tone of voice, "Crew of the Ragnarök some of you are about to take shore leave. The citizens and indeed some politicians will try to learn as much as possible from you. I am not asking that you mislead or obfusticate what you have seen. But please make sure you tell only the facts." Abel paused a moment to see the very serious expressions on the entire crew's face. "Tell the truth. A ship died at the portal. We have no identity for that ship. It might be the Bountiful, but then again it may well be another ship. There were thousands of ships built that match the samples you took. We simply do not know what ship she was and the metallurgical analysis by the Collegium has not been successful in identifying the ship. Now you will undoubtedly be approached by some of our more difficult politicians, those serving on the Council, or those who work for them, and I urge you to take great care in providing the facts. Do not speculate, because I guarantee you that such speculation will hurt both yourselves and the Navy. Not that Silvi or I will be upset with you, but that you will be dragged into a power struggle that you will live to regret. Am I understood?

  The entire crew and the trainees nodded in agreement.

  "Helen and Silvi, I would like to speak with you after the crew is released for shore leave."

  Silvi turned to the crew. "All right. With the discovery of a potentially hostile force on the periphery of the Jamon system we are going to adopt a rigid watch procedure and duty roster. At all times the ship will have aboard one qualified pilot. Right now that is either Pilot Larry Nillson or Pilot Lennie Karrlson. A second person will also be on board. That position will rotate among the crew. Each watch will be 12 hours in length. Those on the watch rotation are to board the Ragnarök at least 30 minutes before the relief of the watch. I'm sorry but that means Pilots Nillson and Karrlson will only have eleven and a half hours of leave. Our first watch is assigned to Pilot Lennie Nillson and Defence Station Operator Buddy Brunner. They are to be relieved in eleven and a half hours by Pilot Larry Karrlson and MS operator Emmitt Wong. The rest of you are released for the next 23 hours. We depart tomorrow at 16:00. You are dismissed."

  As the crew dispersed Abel found Silvi's entry into formality, using titles and last names intriguing. But given the potential threat of The Dark entering the Jamon system such formality and readiness was called for.

  Moments later Silvi, Helen, and Able sat together in the mess. Abel looked at Helen, "Helen, do we have any more of those combat training simulators, those CTS systems in stock? Or for that matter any simulators we can add to the ones we have here in the Habitat?"

  Helen thought a moment and then consulted her inter-tab. "Yes we have two more CTS systems and several stand alone simulators. Why do you ask?"

  Abel thought a moment before responding. "I think we might have this whole selection and training methodology wrong."

  Helen looked surprised. Silvi's stern expression did not change. "Go on." said Helen.

  Abel then explained the success of Wain Peters and Jerry Renner. In less than 80 hours both Wain and Jerry had made remarkable progress in the CTS. He did not mention Nomi Ketill or the extraordinary level of attainment she had reached in astrogation. Abel was still struggling with the implications of Nomi being completely qualified for the critical position yet still only 14 years of age.

  Abel continued. "I think our selection and training program was sound, but we are missing something. Wain and Jerry clearly demonstrate that there is talent, real talent, in critical skills that we have missed."

  "Are you proposing we change our selection criteria?" Helen asked.

  "No. Not at all. We are too far into the training process and the pressure to move on to Girots will become unbearable in the next few weeks. Therefore we stick with the program. But I am proposing a radical departure from what we have been doing."

  Both Helen and Silvi looked intrigued.

  "What I propose is that we bring to the Habitat any simulators we can find and put them into the gymnasium. We invite anyone who wants to try for a position to play the game. Just set up signup sheets for time, say four hours at a shot. Perhaps a short lecture and classroom exercise before they begin. And then we stand back. It's a crude attempt at identifying crew, but with the easy availability of the simulators we will attract those most interested. Those who grow bored or simply cannot hack the dif
ficulty will soon fade away. Those who have talent and potential skill we failed to recognize will probably continue on and gain skills. It's a risk in a way, but we have nothing to loose. Consider it a kind of self selection mode."

  Helen thought for a moment, "Well, if we got only one qualified pilot it's worth the effort. Those simulators sitting out there in cold storage are doing no one any good. I like the idea. We bring the simulations to the Habitat and let them loose. Then we monitor progress and for those who do well we initiate an evaluation and recruitment efforts."

  "What do you think Silvi" asked Abel.

  "Sounds good to me, just as long as the current training program for those we previously selected continues. We have too much invested in the trainees and I am confident that even though our progress is slow, that within two or three months we will have a sufficient crew to man both the Ragnarök and R76."

  Abel thought to himself if only we have that long. "Now how did our trainees do on their voyage?"

  Silvi responded first. "Quite well. I was surprised. We trained them hard at the simulators and when we were manoeuvring and operating the ship they sat on those jump seats on the bridge and observed our crew at work. Miley Daugherty went from grade one to three during our two voyages. Rod Galindo made significant progress. But it was Farn Mayer who made the most progress. Abel, this on-ship exercise for our trainees works very well. Their motivation increased and the intensity of their concentration surprised both Helen and me."

  Abel turned to Helen, "Farn?"

  "Yes, Farn worked with me at the environmental station, the ES. She is a quick learner and mastered most of the systems on our voyage. Another month or so and I am certain she will be fully qualified. There is something about Farn. A quiet confidence in herself that I find unusual in one so young. In any event our trip to the portal and then to Dios seemed to have brought out the best in her.

  "Good," Abel responded. Lets expand this program and take those trainees who show progress out on our future missions."

  "Agreed," said Silvi.

  "Now I have a question that may seem ridiculous but please bear with me,"

  Silvi and Helen looked puzzled.

  "What if we had a qualified astrogator today. What would be the impact on the schedule."

  Helen responded, "But we don't. And I don't like to speculate."

  "Humor me," said Abel.

  "What if we had the single most perplexing bottle neck in our entire program removed. What if we had an astrogator."

  Silvi responded, "I don't know. I'll have to think about it. It's not just an astrogator we need, but a more seasoned crew."

  Abel looked intently at Silvi and then Helen. "A qualified astrogator at this point in our schedule must have some impact. "

  Silvi thought a moment. "Our current crew is good. But we need at least two more months at a minimum. Of course this is speculation because we don't have an astrogator."

  "Without putting words in your mouth Silvi, with an astrogator and another month of crew training you would be ready with the Ragnarök? Say October 15th?

  "I didn't say that," Silvi responded. "But we can try. But we still don't have an astrogator."

  Helen looked puzzled for a moment. "It's Nomi isn't it?"

  Abel nodded his head. Silvi looked stunned.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Jamon System - Ragnarök Mess - Year 3245. August 28 ET: 10:50

  Abel had called a meeting with Helen and Silvi in the mid morning to discuss expediting the departure date of the Ragnarök and other organizational issues of the nascent OCN. The need for security and the ever growing food crisis in the Habitat proper dictated that they meet in the ship.

  "I feel guilty drinking coffee this good," commented Helen. Silvi nodded in agreement.

  Abel began. "Before we discuss what I know is on both your minds concerning astrogation, let's get some organizational issues out of the way. We need to prepare not only for the sailing of Ragnarök to Girots, but we must also prepare R76 to follow. Helen I would like a complete update on the status of R76 and R71."

  Helen replied, "R76 is new build as you know, and she is in excellent shape. If we had a crew we could sail tomorrow. At least Ragnarök has a skeletal crew and within months I am confident that her crew compliment will be complete. R76 however is far far from having an able crew. Yes we have some trainees progressing through the simulator's training program, but I fear we are at least three of four months from even beginning to engage in ship board exercises."

  Helen continued, "However, when we have a full complement of crew we should be able to take R76 out. R71, which we recently warmed up enough to take a careful survey of her obvious damage appears to be space worthy. She clearly was repaired in Greayson yards, albeit hastily. But we have refurbished her command comp, sealed her and tested her atmospheric integrity. She seems fit. She does however have one significant difference from R76. Three of her decks have been removed and several enormous hatches added to the decks. If I were to speculate I'd say the decks had been converted to a launch bay for smaller ships. I think SAR Frigates."

  Abel was surprised, "How many would she carry and why?"

  "Given the berthing cradles she clearly could carry five SARs. And launch them and recover them through her enormous hatches. As to why I am unsure. Perhaps it was to ferry SAR's from one location to another. Or possibly she was some kind of carrier for ships that needed to protect the fleet or attack remote locations. The latter explanation I don't like, because SAR's are 20% faster than the R71 and fully capable of interstellar travel. So why would you carry them into battle in a slower freighter. I simply don't know. R71 does have minimal repair facilities for the SAR's but any real battle damage would require a repair ship or the yards. And like R76 she seems to have had a full marine compliment of 430 soldiers and quarters for six SAR crews."

  Abel asked "Is she ready to fly?"

  Helen thought a moment, "I would prefer that we take R76 on our voyage to Girots. It's not that I don't trust R71, but she is older, has suffered some damage, and while her cargo holds are still enormous, she has perhaps 25% less cargo carrying capacity due to the launch bays. Not that it matters because 25% is about the full capacity of the Bountiful and we only saw her once a year to renew our foodstuffs."

  "And the second SAR frigate? The 1044. Our training ship. Is she ready?"

  Silvi responded, "Let me answer. Larry and Lennie have been taking turns with her and all looks good. However because we lack crew we have not gone beyond 100,000 kilometres from the Habitat and we have as yet to test the gravity well propulsion. I am not willing to test the GWP without a full crew. We could transfer Ragnarök's crew over to 1044 for a few days, but that would be too disruptful to our current supply and training missions."

  Abel looked first at Helen and then at Silvi. "I am going to exercise my authority as OCN Admiral and make some changes to our plan. Personnel changes first. Now I know you will at first object to these changes, but with thought I am certain you will come to agree with me. Especially as we get a slow trickle of qualified, if inexperienced crew. In fact these changes won't really go into effect until those crew members appear at our hatches."

  "First I am sorry to disappoint you Helen, but a return to academia is not possible at this time. And if Farn proves qualified I want you to remain here in Jamon and let her man the ES on the trip to Girots."

  Helen appeared surprised.

  "Helen I am appointing you Captain of R76, You need to gather a crew, train them in R76 flight operations, and be prepared to sail the moment Ragnarök returns from Girots. Congratulations Captain Helen Rebbah."

  Helen thought of objecting but after a moments thought it was clear that R76 needed a captain and that the only logical candidates were herself or Emmitt Wong. Abel must have other plans for Emmitt as well thought Helen.

  Silvi turned to Helen, "Congratulations Captain Rebbah." Then Silvi chuckled.

  "I guess I'll have to accept Abel, after al
l your the First Admiral of OCN."

  "Now for the other changes. While Ragnarök is making 'milk runs' within the system I want Larry Nillson assigned as pilot to R76."

  Abel could see Silvi starting to object, but he shook his head and she remained silent a scowl upon her face.

  "I am sure we all agree that R76 must leave immediately upon Ragnarök's return and we cannot afford a brand new pilot with no real ship handling experience on a ship as large and challenging as the R76. To that end Larry will remain with us here in the system when Ragnarök leaves. Assuming of course we have a qualified second pilot and at this point I am confident that we will have at least one."

  It was clear to Abel that Silvi did not want to loose Larry but she hoped to retain Lennie.

  Abel looked closely at Silvi, "Captain Karrlson you will keep Pilot Lennie Karrlson on your ship. He is simply the best pilot we have and who knows what we may find at Girots or for that matter within any of the intervening systems. Larry is a good pilot. But Lennie is something else and you may well need his extraordinary piloting skills."

  Silvi remained quiet but clearly annoyed.

  "And I will also be retaining Emmitt, assuming we have a replacement at MS."

  "Oh Abel," Silvi sighed. "First you take Helen and then Larry. And now Emmitt. I'm not sure that we can make it with a green crew."

  "We don't have a lot of choice Silvi. The Assembly is facing a panicky citizenry and I am not sure that reason will hold."

  Helen stood, "Now out with it. You have avoided the Nomi issue long enough. She is just a child and there is no way we can justify taking her to Girots on Ragnarök. I won't stand for it. I think Silvi agrees with me. Don't you Silvi."