Acarea. A Triumph or Disaster? (SpaceFed StarShips Series Book 5): A Novel by Gerry A. Saunders (SpaceFed StarShips Trilogy)

by Gerry A. Saunders

“Tony and Nick. Once we’ve landed, we need you to find a way to be able to keep the settler stasis chambers working for…, um…at least another year.”

  “No problem Captain. The stasis chamber’s backup systems were designed to keep them running for about six months,” Tony pointed out. “The ship’s reactor can support them far longer than that, anyway.”

  “Yes, Nick. But we have to assume that we won’t be able to stay on the ship, for long, after landing,” Traven pointed out. Then, gathering his thoughts, continued.

  “Right. Now to the issue of making a safe landing, albeit a crash-landing.

  The reinforced ski section, stroke heat-shield, should provide some protection to the Acarea’s front section. Then, we anticipate that the pusher plate will dig in and act like a brake.

  Assuming this all works. When we’ve slowed down enough, we’ll release the Radioactive pusher plate. Then, hopefully, come to a stop with it far enough behind us for any radiation to have minimal impact on us.”

  He looked questioningly at Trisha and Joe. “What do you think?” He asked them.

  Trisha gave Joe the nod, allowing him to speak for them both.

  “Agreed, the pusher plate’s going to be highly radioactive for sure, and there’s no way that we could bury it. However, releasing it a mile or two behind the ship should be sufficient.

  Even so, the plate’s always going to be a radioactive hot spot.”

  “That can’t be helped,” Traven replied.

  “Steven. When we land, you and Nick will be in charge of finding a suitable site for the underground laboratory and storage area. A site that will give them protection from the environment. I appreciate that may be difficult, at least until we’ve experienced the planet’s environment at first hand.

  In the meantime, you need to draw up a work schedule for the site excavation, and construction. Henry can provide you with all the plans and schematics.

  We also need to construct the underground habitation prefabs, for all the settlers, most of whom will still be in stasis.

  Not forgetting the need to build the hydroponic food production facilities, and then move the vast seed bank into it, from the ship. Along with the more mundane items.

  In fact, most of the things the settlers are going to need to enable them to generate a productive society.”

  “We’ve got two earth movers for the excavation process, Captain. Therefore, that shouldn’t be difficult, assuming the planet ‘works with us,” Steven answered.

  “I assume one of the rest crews will be brought out of stasis to help when we land. Yes?” He queried.

  “Well, if we find that we’re short of food or anything else, we may have to stagger the number of people undergoing stasis revival.”

  Steven looked disappointed on hearing that statement but said nothing.

  “Joe, Trisha. You will be working together. Will that be a problem?”

  “Not for me, Captain,” Trisha interjected.

  “Nor me, Captain,” Joe added.

  “That’s good to hear. Next, we will eventually need one of the nuclear reactors to power the underground complex.

  So, you’ll both need to work out how you can shut it down. Then, how you’ll be able to move it to the underground complex when that’s been completed.”

  “That’s going to be relatively easy, Captain. The nuclear reactors are separate and self-contained, with their control systems and generators mounted on the same chassis as each reactor.”

  “So, Can I assume that once the reactor has cooled down enough, you can move it lock-stock-and-barrel?”

  “Correct, Captain.”

  “What about the breeder reactor’s nuclear fuel supply?”

  “Captain Merance has produced enough fuel to keep all three reactors running for the time being. But, eventually, as each facility comes online, planetside, we’ll have to find a way to produce more fuel.”

  “Well, that’s good news. Jeff, what has Captain Merance’s crew left us?”

  “They’ve left us pretty well set-up, Captain. The tanks we built to hold the Biofuel for the manoeuvring jets are full to the brim. And they added a few treats in the food department.”

  “Pretty impressive, Jeff. Now, you’ll have to start producing extra food for when we land.”

  “I assume there’ll be a maximum of thirty crew members to feed?”

  “Absolutely. But just the ten of us, until we’re sure that the conditions on the planet are alright.”

  “Leave it to me. I’ll start producing long-term survival packs for us. Tablets, the lot.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Traven replied. Then turned to speak to Henry.

  “I assume you’ve had time to go through Captain Merance’s log. Has he recorded seeing that blue visitor?”

  “Not that I can see, so far. It doesn’t look as if Captain Appleton saw it, either.”

  “It’s just us having fun, then,” Trisha remarked, her voice sounding strained.

  “So, Henry, we’re the only ones to have seen that blue object?” Traven remarked. Seeming to ignore Trisha’s remark, while glancing surreptitiously at her.

  “Looks that way Captain. All in all, it appears that both crews had uneventful legs,” he replied, then paused.

  “I did see a rather unusual entry in Appleton’s Log, relating to experimental brain implants.”

  “You’d better look into that more deeply, Henry.”

  “Yea…Really strange,” Henry muttered, almost to himself, as he nodded acceptance.”

  “Any more questions?” Traven asked as he looked around. No one replied.

  “Ok then. We will go through it again in…, say, two weeks. After you have had time to think about your tasks.

  Anything else we need to talk about?”

  No one had any questions at this stage, so they all dispersed.

  “Henry, we’d better unlock the navigation system.”

  “I’ll bring up the disable password control,” Henry said, as he brought up the security menu, then tapped his password in.

  Traven then put his password in.

  After which, Henry entered the Execute command, and the message ‘Navigation block has been disabled’ was displayed on the screen.

  Chapter 24

  Last leg

  2166

  Acarea was now fifty-eight years out from Earth. Approximately one light-year out from the Delta Pavonis star and travelling at 0.41 light speed.

  A palpable air of urgency permeated the ship as Tommy and Paul nervously double-checked the accuracy of the latest readings showing their distance from Pavonis.

  “No, it’s right Tommy. The reading is accurate. It’s only one hundred and fifty-one billion kilometres to the star itself.”

  The rest of the crew listened in while looking on in dismay.

  “So, what are you saying, Paul? Are you actually trying to tell us that we’ll be there, in just over two weeks, flight-time?”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  “Geeze! How come we’re suddenly in this much trouble, Paul?” Traven asked him, sounding very irritated.

  “I can’t explain it, Captain…,” Paul said, speaking slowly while thinking about what had happened.

  “One moment the readings were tracking as we expected. Then, it was strange; I had a feeling, like a sign in my mind.

  Purge, reboot, something seemed to urge me. So, before I knew it. I did it. Automatically, without even thinking.

  Then, when the system came back online, the readings had inexplicably changed.”

  “OK,” Traven said his voice sounding hard. “So, which observation is correct?”

  “The latest one, Captain,” Tommy confirmed.

  “Damn,” an infuriated Traven exclaimed. Then paused for a moment thinking about the problem.

  “Okay, Paul and Tommy carry out your final checks on our target planet,” he ordered them, his voice sounding calmer now. “Everyone, take note, we only have three hours, then we have to commit,”
he added.

  “Did anyone else feel anything strange?” Paul asked, his voice sounding fraught.

  The crew just looked at him, not even answering.

  “No good dwelling on your mistake Paul, three hours and we’ll have to commit,” Tommy, reminded him.

  “Bah,” Paul muttered. Then turned and followed Tommy, who was already heading for the forward observation domes.

  “The rest of you, carry out the pre-checks, so we’ll be ready to initiate zero gravity mode.

  Then, when Paul and Tommy’s readings checkout. We’ll be able to decide on the correct time to start it before we begin to turn the ship. Oh, and don’t forget to pick up your mag boots.”

  When Paul entered forward observation dome number two, he saw that it was bathed in an eerie pinkish glow that was clearly emanating from the Delta Pavonis star.

  At first glance, Delta Pavonis had seemed a very welcome sight as it came into full view. Looking again, Paul could see that it was like a large, yellowish-orange ball that appeared to be burning with a fiery heat.

  The star looked very close, and he could almost feel its heat permeating his body. This frightened him

  “Bloody hell,” he exclaimed, and sweat began running down his face as he realised just how big and close the star now seemed.

  He hurriedly checked the tracking telescope’s log. Then, he saw it. There was a distinct point where the reading had suddenly changed.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” he said aloud.

  “What is it, Paul?” A voice, from behind him asked, startling him. He turned, and saw Captain Traven.

  “Sorry, Captain. You surprised me. I didn’t expect anyone else to come here in person.”

  “Sorry, Paul. I wouldn’t have. However, this is special, and viewing it on the control room’s screen doesn’t have the same feel. You know what I mean. Seeing it just out there and almost close enough to touch,” he said as he looked out at the scene around them through the dome’s glass-like walls.

  “I know exactly what you mean Captain,” Paul replied. Then looked at the readout again.

  “Captain, look at this readout. It doesn’t make sense,” he said, pointing to the place on the tracker’s log readout where the readings suddenly changed.

  “And just look at the size of this damn thing. We’re too close, Captain.”

  Traven studied the readout for a few moments.

  “It certainly looks huge. So, is the distance really one hundred and fifty-one billion kilometres?”

  “Yes. But look, see how our target planet’s reading has changed,” Paul urged him, pointing to the readout area.

  “H’m you’re right. The habitable zone’s now showing as being at 1:06 AUs, not point nine,” he said as he continued to study the data.

  “So, the orbital period is three hundred and twenty Earth days, Paul. That’s less than we thought, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. It is strange. I know they’re small changes, Captain, but if we’re to succeed in landing at the right location on the planet, then this discrepancy could be dangerous.”

  “I agree. OK. Liaise with Tommy. Once you’re both decided on the point at which we need to start the slow-down operation, we must be ready to go.”

  “We also need enough time to be able to guarantee that our interception point will be at the right angle and speed,” Paul added.

  “Of course. I’ll leave it with you.”

  “OK, Captain. However, I still think it’s strange that we appear to be much closer to the star than we should be,” he commented.

  “Comparing our readings from two days ago, that is,” he added. Then paused for a moment, thinking it through.

  “Looking on the bright side, however. This means I’ll be able to get three-dimensional EHD images of the location where we believe we can land.”

  “Even better Paul,” Traven agreed, then went out, heading back to the control room.

  Five minutes later, Captain Traven was studying the images, showing on his console, that Paul was feeding to everyone’s workstations. Then he contacted Jeff.

  “Captain,” Jeff’ said, as his image overrode Paul’s data on Traven’s screen.

  “Jeff, I know you’ve checked that the manoeuvring jets fuel tanks are full. But, are you able to access more biofuel, to allow us to replenish the main tank in a hurry if we need to?”

  “Yes, Captain. Nick’s already coupled my reserve container to the main fuel tank.”

  “Excellent. How much additional run time will that give us?”

  “I don’t have that info, but Tommy will know.”

  “Of course. Thanks, Jeff,” Traven concurred, and then closed the contact.

  He leant back in his swivel chair, relaxing for a while. Then suddenly felt a warm sensation, immediately behind him.

  He swung his chair round, to see Trisha facing him.

  “Trisha. What do you want?”

  “John, I have a request to make, well really, a recommendation.”

  Surprised by this, he looked carefully at her and saw that she had tears in her eyes.

  “Trisha?” He said, concern showing in his voice. Then stood up and hugged her tight for a moment. He looked at her face again, as they parted and saw an expression of pain and sorrow.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “John. You must bring Alex Chapmen out of stasis. He’s Captain Merance’s nuclear engineer and a damn good one at that. You could revive Captain Merance as well. I think you’ll need him.”

  “And?”

  “I want to go into stasis.”

  Taken aback by this statement, Captain Traven looked carefully at Trisha, slowly running his eyes over her.

  Then remembered the time when he’d first felt that she had something special about her. Though he hadn’t been able to define what it was at the time, he had decided that she was their secret weapon.

  Then, he vividly remembered the fear he had felt of her as he had realised this.

  Now, Traven felt as if he’d pushed himself into a corner again. He knew he was treading on dangerous ground if he ignored her request.

  He was also aware that she hadn’t addressed him as Captain. Which probably mean she would revert to her sexual attack on him if he didn’t comply. Mind you, he thought to himself. I wouldn’t mind that at all, now.

  “If that’s what you really want? Then we’ll do just that,” he finally concurred.

  Taken aback by this, she just stared at him.

  “You still don’t have any feelings for Jeff, do you?” He asked her.

  “No. You know we’ve been over for years, John. Remember what I said to you when I grabbed you by your pe..?”

  “Yes,” he hurriedly interrupted her, not wanting to hear more.

  “I remember every word. You said I’ll have you very soon John Traven, you see if I don’t,” he told her. Then stopped, seeing her eyes staring intently into his.

  “I particularly remember the physical pain of it. But that was years ago,” he finished, and couldn’t help smiling as he remembered that encounter.

  “See, you’re smiling. You still want me,” she said as she stepped closer to him.

  He tried to take the smile off his face, but it lingered longer than it should have.

  “But…Trisha,” he said, almost stuttering. “You’ve kept to yourself all this time. So, why are you saying this, now?”

  “I have my reasons, John. So, will you help me?”

  “Of course, I will. I’ll set it up with Tony, at today’s meeting.”

  “Thank you. That’s all I can ask,” she calmly said as she put her hand down between them, and then touched him, holding her hand there for a moment or two.

  “Oh. Not that pleased to see me, then?” she joked, winked and left.

  Little did Trisha know that, if she had waited a few seconds longer she would have got the reaction she wanted.

  The meeting commenced three hours later.

  In the meantime, Traven had d
ecided that he would ensure there would be no more wasting of time on pointless discussions.

  They were fast approaching the most critical point in their voyage. So would be even more dependent on each other than before. Therefore, he needed everyone to be up to speed and fully focussed on the job in hand. If this voyage was to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

  “Paul, Tommy. Are we tracking with the new set of readings, now?”

  “Yes, Captain,” Paul, confirmed. “Unfortunately, the ship’s hull temperature is already starting to rise.”

  “It’s going to be pretty hellish then. Are we expecting to take the same time for the deceleration, as we did for acceleration?”

  “Afraid so, Captain. Another six hours of sheer hell and torture,” Tommy answered.

  “And, how long after that are we expecting to achieve target acquisition and realignment?”

  “That depends on how much plasma stays with us… We may even have to flip the ship to start the slow-down sequence, without being able to use our instruments.”

  “Damn it, Tommy,” Joe grumbled.

  “I can’t help it. Fourteen days’ flight time is about all we have.”

  “Henry, what are your calculations for commencing the deceleration sequence?”

  “Right, Captain. Tommy already knows this by the way. We will need two to three days to rotate the ship and correct for any shift in alignment. Another day for the deceleration.

  Then, going by the acceleration strain we had to endure coming out from Earth, we’ll all need a day or so to recover, both physically and mentally,” he added. Then checked his screen again.

  “Yes, that’s all I can give you. The rest is really up to Tommy and Paul.”

  “Right. Over to you, Tommy?”

  “Well, Captain. If it were up to me, I would stop gravity spin and rotate the ship now. So that we are ready to set the nukes, off.

  Then, when we’ve determined exactly where, we want to be when we’ve finished slowing down. We can easily set the nukes off at a time that will ensure we end up just days away from the planet.