The group watched the time on the monitor in silence. Five seconds passed, then ten, then twenty.
After a minute had passed, the captain turned away from the monitor toward the crew. “There are two likely scenarios here,” the captain announced. “One, they cannot communicate. Two, they will not communicate. Until we get confirmation otherwise, I'm going to give them the benefit of a doubt. We just restored our coms a few days ago. For now let's assume they have the same problem.”
Lack of sleep, stress, or both drifted John's attention.
“Dominic as a Spartan, that'll be the day,” John thought.
His thoughts turned to words, however, as his attention shifted back.
“They're not on the same side,” he said in a low tone.
Captain Sterling paused her conversation with Ensign Williams. “Commander?” she questioned him.
The captain's voice, snapped John's attention fully to the bridge.
“Sorry, Captain,” the commander apologized. “I'm still trying to puzzle through my other assignment.”
“You're not worth much to me like this,” the captain chided him. “In fact, you and Lieutenant are dismissed. Go get a couple more hours shut eye and report back to me. I can't have my two best detectives missing clues due to sleep deprivation.”
Lieutenant Mercedes motioned to John. “After you, Mr. Holmes.”
“No, after you Dr. Watson, I insist,” replied the commander.
“Get going before I throw you both in Scotland Yard and lose the key,” reprimanded the captain as she pointed to the lift.
“Aye, Captain,” replied the commander, not wanting to push her sense of humor in the middle of the night.
*
Chapter 19 Correctional Courses
The Nav computer gave the fleet several days warning to prepare for their next crisis. Ashley's team skipped the transport collision to the head of their think tank problem solving. After dozens of simulations had been tested, the team was confident within a three percent margin of error that the transports could be avoided. Utilizing the fleets maneuvering thrusters in precise bursts, their course would be altered by the smallest margin to allow the transports to pass. Once they passed, small thruster bursts would restore their original course. Given the warning time they had, it was a relatively safe maneuver. If the fleet had been caught off-guard, however, the results could have been disastrous.
The window for course adjustment had opened. On the bridge of the U.S.S. Columbus, the main vidcomm had visuals on each ship in the fleet. Dr. Quinn's team was coordinating the operation with the navigators of each vessel.
“The fleet is on standby for the thruster countdown, Captain,” stated Ensign Williams.
Captain Sterling acknowledged the Ensign and gave the go ahead to Dr. Quinn.
“Take it away, Dr. Quinn,” she ordered.
“Ensign, I'm starting the thruster countdown now,” informed Dr. Quinn as she faced the navigator. “Standby on manual controls.”
“Ready here,” replied Ensign Simmons.
The computer's voice activated at the ten second mark, “Firing thrusters in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one …firing thrusters.”
As the computer indicated, the maneuvering thrusters on the U.S.S. Columbus fired. Each ship in the fleet simultaneously activated their thrusters.
Ensign Simmons reported “Navigation systems indicate the fleet is changing course within acceptable parameters, Captain.”
“Very good, Ensign,” the she replied. “Now we glide our way to safety, let the transports pass, and get back on course. Excellent work everyone. We have four hours until those ships arrive. Return to station. Ensign Williams will page you for the next stage. Dismissed.”
“Dr. Quinn,” the captain stopped Ashley before heading toward the lift, “how are the contingency plans for deceleration coming along?”
“Our simulations haven't found a reliable means for the disabled ships to orbit Mars,” Ashley replied. “At this point, our best contingency is for the ships to use a gravitational assist from Mars to slow down, then sling shot around Jupiter for a return trip to Earth. The return trip will be significantly longer than our travel time to Mars.”
The captain paced a bit before replying, “Why can't we use the atmosphere of Mars to slow down the disabled ships in time to orbit Mars?”
“Those simulations haven't resulted in a desired outcome. The fleet wasn't designed for atmospheric travel a tradeoff which made this mission possible.”
“Captain, it would help immensely if had more people running simulations,” Ashley lobbied. “Any success on getting a transmission back from Mars? Or Earth for that matter?”
“Not yet, Doctor,” answered Captain Sterling. “It's not a problem on our end. Keep this need to know we've enough stress on the crew. Putting Earth on the list of problems is more than I want to add.”
Ashley nodded.
“Keep running simulations until you figure something out, or we're forced into a decision,” the captain decided. “Good luck.”
As Ashley stepped to the lift, she heard the captain send for John.
“Ensign Williams, page Commander Quinn to the bridge,” she directed.
“Aye, Captain,” acknowledged the Ensign.
#
Minutes later Commander Quinn and Lieutenant Jennings stepped onto the bridge. Both of them were dressed in sentinel uniforms and visibly perspiring. The Lieutenant waited by the lift as the commander made his way to the captain.
“Trying to get these sentinels in shape, Captain,” the commander greeted her. “I have a feeling we will need all the preparation we can get for planet-side.”
The captain nodded. “After we get on the ground and are established, I have an assignment for your team. I have several captains that are set on finding Dr. Andreou and serving him a special brand of military justice.”
“I was hoping you were going to say that,” the commander replied. “My team is ready for that assignment.”
The captain qualified her orders. “Commander, I know this one is personal, but every bit of regulation in me says your team shouldn't be within a hundred kilometers of this assignment.”
“Captain?” the commander uttered uncertain with the conversation's direction.
“Relax, Commander,” related the captain. “You're also the most qualified for this assignment by far. The fleet officers are aware of the kidnapping attempt on your wife. They're ignoring conflict of interest, knowing you could go after him like a bulldog. That's just it John. I need you to find out what the heck is going on. I don't need you going in guns blazing. If you don't think you can handle that, now's the time to tell me.”
John marshaled his resolve before acknowledging the captain's orders.
“I'll drag him back by his forked tongue and bloated ego…breathing if I must,” he related in earnest.
“I'll take that as your word,” she accepted. “When we dock with the MARC station I will personally obtain the arrest warrant from the admiral. The Argo will be impounded and I'll make sure you have access to resources needed to find him.”
“I'll chase him 'round the stars if I have to, Captain," John assured her.
“By the way, Commander,” Anita added, “what were you rambling about the other night?”
John sifted through his thoughts for an explanation.
“My brain is working the problem while I sleep," he reported. "My dream was giving me its take on the puzzle,” John related to the captain. “I think whatever Dominic and the Argo are up to is bigger than us. We're pawns at best in some sort of power struggle. A chess game where we can't see the board or know who's playing.
“Not a game I want to play,” pondered the captain. “Until we can get MARC Control on either planet to start sending us transmissions, we're literally in the dark. And John, as I told your wife earlier, communications status is on a need to know basis right now.”
“Understood, Captain,�
�� John replied.
"Resume your training, Commander," the captain dismissed him. "We'll need your team in top shape for what's ahead."
“Aye Captain,” John acknowledged. “Captain, you're mortal too. You can join us anytime. Healthy body, healthy mind and all that,” he waved toward the lift.
“If we can get some good luck around here and a few problems solved, I'd love to,” responded the captain as she waved him on.
#
The tech team reassembled on the bridge. Preparations for the passing carriers and subsequent course correction were complete. All that remained were three long minutes.
“Okay team, this is where we earn our pay,” Ashley directed to her co-workers. One station at a time, each team member reported their status as ready.
“Did those transports grow a few hundred meters?” asked Ensign Williams sarcastically.
“They just look bigger when they're aiming for ya,” answered Ensign Simmons.
“Cut the chatter,” retorted Captain Sterling, reigning in their focus. Slowly pacing across the bridge, the captain examined the various stations and screens. “I don't want any surprises. Any sign of movement by those transports outside of their projected courses is to be reported at once.”
“Aye, Captain,” responded Ensign Simmons. “The transports are within ten thousand kilometers now and following predicted trajectory.”
The main vidcomm showed the ominous size of the ore carriers. The entire fleet would fit inside a single cargo hold.
“It's too bad we can't have one of them taxi the fleet to Mars,” commented the commander.
“That's not a half bad idea, Commander,” Ashley jested. “It shouldn't be any harder than jumping onto an oncoming runaway train from the back of a horse.”
“My old-fashioned analogies are rubbing off on you,” smiled the commander.
As the captain was about to redress them both, Ensign Simmons gave a report.
“Captain, transports are now passing the fleet,” he informed. “All transports are traveling on a predicted course.”
The captain changed gears and walked over to the main vidcomm. She carefully eyed each transport, concerned one would veer off course, or explode.
It only took a few seconds for the transports to pass each ship remaining at a comfortable distance.
“The transports have cleared the fleet without incident,” reported Ensign Simmons.
Captain Sterling let out a short exhale and nodded her head.
“Stand down from General Quarters,” ordered the captain. “Prepare thrusters for course correction.”
The tension in the bridge visibly diffused. A few people patted each other on the back, others shook hands or gave a slight smile.
The tech team refocused for the course correction. Dr. Quinn and Ensign Williams organized a final systems check throughout the fleet.
Meanwhile, Captain Sterling had motioned the commander to her side.
“Commander,” the captain began in a serious tone, “you’re a command officer on this ship. The crew looks up to you, and if this were a comedy club I'm sure you'd get more applause than me. I run a tight ship during general quarters. So do my officers. Do we understand each other, Mister?”
John stood tall and silent, except for a single response, “Perfectly clear, Captain.”
“Dismissed, Commander,” said the captain as she walked back to main vidcomm.
“That was stupid, John,” he told himself. “You should have focused more.”
Stepping onto the lift, he saw the wear of command in her eyes. Anita didn't have the luxury of workouts to de-stress. Quite the opposite she was carrying the weight of the fleet on her shoulders. The kind of workout that aged a person quickly.
John's lift left the bridge. Ashley hadn't caught what was said between John and the captain, but it wasn't warm and fluffy whatever it was. She couldn't let herself worry about it now. They were preparing to fire maneuvering thrusters. These bursts were trickier than the first round. If a ship went off course earlier, there was time to simulate a course correction. Given their current distance to Mars, they needed a precise burn on the first try.
“Captain, I've fleet wide confirmation of readiness for course correction,” reported Ensign Williams.
“Dr. Quinn, go ahead with the firing sequence,” ordered Captain Sterling.
Ashley looked at Navigator Simmons. “Ready?” she asked.
He nodded his head. “Ready.”
Ashley stated, “Standby on manual controls, activating computer countdown now.”
Once again the ship's thrusters fired in concert with the fleet, although this time with different results.
“Captain, the Melbourne's thrusters are off-line!” announced Ensign Simmons.
“Confirmed,” reported Ensign Williams. “The Melbourne is reporting a malfunction with their maneuvering thrusters.”
The vidcomm displayed the Melbourne's heading. As the rest of the fleet moved off, the Melbourne continued on the same course. Ashley felt a moment of déjà vu. She recalled her projection to the Argo as though it was reality. Ashley vividly remembered the image of her pod separating from the Columbus. The sinking feeling that you could be lost in space, the smug pride Dominic had as he explained her transport to the Argo. It was the energizers, used like a giant magnet, which had been repurposed to attract rather than repel.
Ashley shook off the fog and without warning knocked Navigator Simmons out of his seat.
“I have an idea,” Ashley stated without further explanation.
The captain quickly moved to her side.
“Doctor,” calmly interjected the captain, “care to clue us in on what you're doing?”
Ashley worked the navigation controls at a feverish rate.
“Not much time, Captain,” she quickly said. “I need fleet command override, I need it now, Captain.”
Without hesitation Anita leaned into the navigation workstation.
“Override to navigation,” the captain said. “Authorization Sterling.”
With computer confirmation the captain relayed, “You have override, Doctor.”
Ashley executed her program. The ship immediately buckled under strain. Its groans permeated the bridge from all sides.
“Dr. Quinn?” the captain stressed for an explanation.
Ensign Williams spun in his chair toward the captain. “Reports are coming in from all ships of an unknown force acting upon them.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “We're receiving reports of malfunctioning energizers across the fleet, Captain.”
“They're not malfunctioning,” reported Dr. Quinn with a smile. “Look at the Melbourne!”
Like a fish being reeled in on a line, the vidcomm showed the jerking motion of the ship as it caught up with the fleet.
“Reconfiguring energizers,” Ashley informed the captain.
The ship buckled again as the slight, eerie sound faded.
“And fleet override disengaged,” she reported. The Melbourne jerked one last time, as though let off its hook, its heading now in line with the fleet.
The captain let out a laugh as though casting off her own weighted hook. "Well done, Ashley," she commended. The Melbourne came across the vidcomm reporting only minor damage and injury. The crew joined in with congratulations.
“Now about that explanation, Doctor,” Anita stated. “I’m about to field calls from a hoard of outraged captains. What exactly did we just do?”
“Let's say I turned a negative into a positive,” Ashley joked, but seeing the captain hadn't fully recovered her sense of humor she quickly continued. “Dr. Andreou used his ship energizers to pull my escape pod to the Argo. It hit me that we could use the same idea to help the Melbourne. It's fairly simple really to reconfigure the shields, but the problem in this case was more of an energy to mass relationship. The energizers of one ship can easily pull an escape pod, but not an entire ship. I needed the field strength that only the fleet could generate."
“So you turned the fleet into a giant magnet?” questioned the captain.
“More or less,” she replied. Ashley thought about qualifying the comparison, but she quickly thought better of it.
“It’s a good thing we have you along, Dr. Quinn.” smiled the captain. “Ensign Williams, I'm certain you have several captains on hold. Give them to me one at a time.” Examining her crowded bridge the captain directed. “Tour's over. My bridge was clean when you came let's make sure it's clean when you leave.”
Ashley gave the captain a smile, happy to see the other side of her friend returning.
“It's a good thing we have you too, Captain Sterling,” she said to herself. “Most people would have cracked right about there.”
*
Chapter 20 In and Out of Trouble
The lab's vidcomm pulsated announcing a call from the bridge of the H.S. Argo.
“Dr. Andreou, we have arrived at the designated orbital position,” informed Captain Dranius by audio.
Dominic finished the last of his calculations before responding. “Hold position here, Captain. I'll be transferring energizer control to the lab shortly.”
“Holding position, understood,” confirmed the captain.
Rising from his chair, Dominic walked across the lab and passed through the entrance doors to the bay. Striding out to the center, he glanced with satisfaction at his wonderful experiment. He gently kissed a massive cable that wound its way to the ceiling like a giant cobra.
“You shall be a glorious ride into the heavens,” he announced to an empty bay. “I have given you the strength of Atlas and the agility of Hermes. You shall dance around Phobos by night and by day. As you fall upon Mars, my station will rise.”
Dominic returned to the protective confines of his lab. Once inside he activated the exterior doors leading from the bay into space. As the doors retracted, a majestic view of Mars filled the opening.
After pausing to contemplate the planet's beauty, he began unfurling his creation. Several cables began to stretch out into space from the lab. They dropped from the Argo toward the surface like giant anchors.
Curious Sols (The Sol Principle Book 1) Page 14