“Please do so, if it will not compromise the flight and interception. Then give us a report on what is discovered,” Gretchen commanded.
“Thank you. It will not be a distraction from the interception flight,” Tiffany replied. “Correlation of data and comparison with historical records taking place.”
“The ship must be rather large, for us to see it from this distance.”
“Analyzing the readings now. The Vanguard is somewhat different than expected from the old and limited historical reports. The ship is basically seven different sections. There is a central drive section which has the engines. Presumably there are also the controls for navigation, communication, and space flight contained in that central drive section. The overall length of that portion of the ship is 180.028 kilometers with a consistent five hundred meters in girth. Initial readings show active energy utilization on the surfaces of that central drive section.”
Tiffany displayed a three dimensional graphic of the central drive section.
“I have been able to increase scanner function to 72%, but there remain some physical instabilities in the scanners. Here are the findings up until now. Attached to the central drive section are six cylinders, not the eight which was suggested by the historical records. The connections seem to be pressurized as well. Those cylinders are likely the biological habitats. Each of the cylinders is 80.4688 kilometers long and 16.117 kilometers in diameter. They are attached to the central drive section in two sets of three, equal distance around the central drive system.” The animated display showed each cylinder in a different color, but each was nearly identical in size and shape.
“Those are enormous,” Gretchen stated.
“And rather odd sizes,” Paul commented.
Tiffany replied, and showed a new scale graph next to the display of the Vanguard. “Using one old style measuring system, each of those cylinders is almost exactly 50 miles long and 10 miles wide, considering room for the hull and compartments in a hull. Perhaps the antiquated Imperial or sometimes calls Standard measuring system was used?”
“Was that still used when the colony ships were built?” Paul asked. “If I recall, that system was illogical and not consistent at all.”
“Paul, the records from the time after the Great Event and around the Colony Ship Program are incomplete and often contradictory, so I am not sure which measuring system was utilized in the colony ship’s construction,” Tiffany replied.
“Well, when we get there, we can keep in mind that they use antique ways,” Gretchen stated. “They are from about one hundred years ago. Considering how old that is, it is a wonder that ship is in as good a condition as it appears. From the scans I am reading energy signatures in each of the six cylinders, and even larger emissions from the central drive part of the ship.”
“Have we picked up any communication signals?” Paul asked. “Shall we try to make contact with a crew?”
“Paul, now that sensors are functional I have been looking for any type of communication sources, but except for the robotic probe’s signal, there is nothing to indicate any external communications,” Tiffany reported.
“Can we send a message back to Dome 17 via the robotic probe?” Paul asked.
“And tell them what?” Gretchen said. “We have not even docked with the Vanguard, so why contact them at all. We should wait until we get the teleportation pad established and then make contact.”
“That issue is already decided,” Tiffany interjected. “The robotic probe is no longer replying to our signals. I cannot determine if our sending equipment is faulty, or if our receiving equipment is faulty, or if the issue is with the robotic probe. Our scanners can still lock onto its position, and there is still partial functionality, but we cannot interact with it.”
“Can that be part of why the crew of the Vanguard has not responded to us? Perhaps we cannot hear them?” Gretchen asked.
“Or there is no crew there at all,” Paul said.
Gretchen smiled. “We can tell it is not a derelict hulk. From the energy readings, I am confident there is a sentient crew operating the Vanguard. That crew could be human or artificial intelligences. If the scanner were working properly we could tell a lot more. However, the Vanguard’s crew would not put much effort into external communications, would they?” Gretchen asked. “After all, from what we know of their mission, they would hardly be expecting any visitors. So we should keep scanning and recording. With the scanners functioning like they are, right now we cannot peer inside the Vanguard, but it will still be good to gather as much other information as we can until we get there.”
12 A hull is thicker than water
The hours passed ever so slowly as they approached the colony ship. They were tired of the harnesses which held them into the pilot’s seats. Occasionally they released themselves to float a bit in the tight cabin, but that was only a temporary reprieve. Sleep came, but it was troubled and not restful. While awake, they continued to try to fine tune and repair the scanners, but with no additional success. Finally, after what felt much longer than it really was, they intercepted the Vanguard.
“That is the last of the thruster fuel,” Tiffany said as the sound of the final burst from the thrusters stopped. The last few minutes have been a rapid series of small thrusts and counter thruster firing in a short series of maneuvers. “Our position is not perfect, but is adequate for our purposes. Our velocity is slightly less than the Vanguard’s velocity, but we are in the best possible position considering our situation. We have twenty-seven minutes until the Vanguard pulls away from us. We have no way to increase our velocity.”
“I think we need an orientation, so ‘down’ is toward the hull, and ‘up’ is away from the hull. So where do we deploy the grappling cables?” Gretchen asked. “The hull looks varied in so many ways. However, I have not been able to identify any airlock, docking port, or other means of external entry.”
“Nor have I, Gretchen,” Tiffany replied. “I honestly cannot recommend one spot within our range as superior over another for potential docking. The hull here is permalloy and properly identifying what exists beyond the hull, immediately inside the ship, would be conjecture with low probability of accuracy. Scanner function is only 61% of expected operating level, and hull penetration by scanners is inconsistent and not valid.”
The Vanguard was enormous when seen from the scout ship. It stretched far into the distance ahead of them, like a metallic giant floating in space. Paul was reminded of Dome 17. Both the Vanguard and Dome 17 stood out against their respective backgrounds. The contrast of permalloy to the background landscape he saw was profound. Dome 17 contrasted with the vast tan wasteland of Earth. The Vanguard contrasted with the vast blackness of interstellar space. But there were also differences in the comparison. Where Dome 17 was obscured by flying dust and winds, the vista over the Vanguard was pristine and clear and pure. Paul could see further out along the hull than he had ever seen in any one direction before in his life. Or so his mind told him. While pondering the vision through the clear permalloy, he made a decision.
“So we grab that stack there,” Paul pointed out through the clear permalloy at a part of the hull which stuck up from the hull. Across the hull were lights and shadows and a vast multitude of shapes and items. Some were just boxes or rectangles or cubes, or projections. None were readily identifiable.
“Any reason why that stack?” Gretchen asked. “It looks pretty much like everything else.”
“Because it is there, and we are here, and we have limited time,” Paul replied. “Most importantly, our hatch is pointed toward that, and I am afraid we have limited options. Tiffany, we will need to create our own docking port with an umbilicus spanning the distance from our hatch to the hull, correct?”
“That is accurate, unless we find an airlock or hanger, or exterior door of some kind, which we have not been able to locate. Yes, that is our only option,” the AI Tiffany responded.
The stack was about twenty meters
in width, breadth and rectangular. It projected up from the hull about three times the size of its width. It was one of many projections from the hull, but the closest one to their location and was in general alignment with their hatch.
“Good by me,” Gretchen replied. “Tiffany, shoot a line to that stack.”
“The process of projecting a cable toward that stack will slightly decrease our velocity, giving us about two minutes less time near the Vanguard. Do you still want me to deploy the line in that direction?” Tiffany asked.
“Do you have a better plan?” Paul asked. “Can we shoot a line in the opposite direction and gain some time?”
“Our scout does not have cable projectors in the opposite direction,” Tiffany replied with a tone. “I am just informing you of all the consequences I can think of for our actions. Since the FTL malfunction, I find myself doing more rechecking of systems and re-conjecturing of potentialities.”
“So just connect us to that stack,” Paul commanded. “Then winch us over to the hull so we can get inside this place.”
“Firing first grappling cable,” Tiffany reported. “This operation will take three different cables to allow us to get into position to create the docking port needed. I will be firing them at appropriate times.”
A thin wire shot out from the FTL scout ship. It struck directly against the stack Paul had indicated. There was a metallic clang which vibrated through the scout as the line struck. The end of the cable had an electronic glue apparatus which, when activated, would cling to whatever substance it encountered. It held fast to the permalloy of the stack.
“Adhesion achieved,” Tiffany reported. “The first cable line is in place. The winch has begun.”
Slowly the scout ship was drawn toward the hull of the Vanguard. “We do not have any thruster fuel so our progress must be slow or our inertia may cause a collision with the hull. I can stiffen the cable just before impact, but that can process can only absorb so much stress,” Tiffany reported as they were drawn toward the stack.
“So we will need to look for a specific place on the stack to dock. Have you observed any more clues as to an entry place?” Gretchen asked.
“The stack all looks pretty much the same to me,” Paul said. “There could be an airlock there, and I just do not see it, but I doubt it.”
“I am going to intermittently stiffen the first cable and align our hatch with the stack. Lacking thruster fuel, this process will take some time. I have also fired the second grappling line to allow for some more precise maneuverability,” Tiffany reported.
There was a slight bump as the second cable line made attachment. The first stiffened and their progression changed slightly. Looking outward they could see the slow rotation of the scout as alignment was being achieved.
“So now we shoot another cable to the hull. Then those three will serve as a basic framework for the new dock we are creating,” Gretchen commented while monitoring the equipment. “I am still unable to evaluate or penetrate the stack with any of our scanners, so we do not know what is behind where we are attaching. We have energy readings, but that is all.”
“Alignment adequate and we are nearly in position,” Tiffany reported. “Additionally, the robotic probe has just ceased to transmit and is completely nonfunctional. It is unknown why it is no longer functioning. From this distance I have no way to further assess its condition.”
“Well, the probe served its purpose, it worked as a guide to get us here,” Gretchen said with a smile. “And Paul, we are here. We have found the Vanguard!”
“But we are not inside yet. We still need to find a suitable place for the teleportation pad to be built. This ship is huge, and I hope we find a safe place soon.” Paul was worried about the time which had been spends just trying to reach the Vanguard. “We do not even know if they are using gravity manipulation inside or not. I would enjoy feeling gravity right now.”
“We are in optimum position for creation of the docking port. Once we spray the liquefied permalloy, we are committed to entry into the ship here. The scout ship will be sealed and secured to the hull,” Tiffany said.
“Do we have any other options?” Paul asked.
“No,” Gretchen said. “Tiffany, please build the new docking port for us.”
“Affirmative. Deploying the nozzles to spray the liquefied permalloy.”
“Paul, we will need to gain entry into that stack, but I am concerned about what we will find inside. The scanners cannot even tell for sure how thick the permalloy here is, and that matters. We can drill through the permalloy with a molecular torch set for tight beam, but what if there is a combustible substance behind that? Or vacuum? Or toxins?”
“Gretchen, I share your concern. I had hoped for an airlock, but our bumpy arrival here prevented any search. I feel lucky we even made the attachment. The umbilicus will serve as our airlock. I will go inside with the molecular torch and drill a test hole. You stay here, if there is a toxin or something dangerous behind that hull, you will be safe,” Paul replied.
“I will do the test hole,” Gretchen insisted.
“Please let me do this one,” Paul quipped. “You can do the next one.”
Gretchen nodded. “I have configured the scanners to use this wire as a conduit for information. Plug this end of the cable into the access panel near the hatch. Then after you drill the test hole, slide this tiny wire inside. The end will allow us to scan and measure and know what is behind the hull.”
“The umbilicus is completed. I am pressurizing that area now. Pressure is holding steady. Heat and atmosphere are being added. There is still no gravity inside the umbilicus,” Tiffany reported. “Be advised that we are unsure of the thickness of the Vanguard’s hull. If I increase the pressure in the umbilicus area, that may prevent any toxic fumes from reaching that area via the test hole. But without knowing the pressures behind the hull, it is only an unproven theory. Additionally, pressurization would not stop explosive decompression. I conjecture it is highly unlikely that inside the stack is vacuum. The pressurization also would not totally prevent explosive effects from incendiary incidents should the molecular torch ignite something. I conjecture that risk is low using the molecular torch.”
Paul and Gretchen unharnessed themselves and floated above the seats to unpack the supplies. Paul connected the molecular torch to a fusion pack. “So I will go and drill a test hole for us.” He also looped a communication system over his left ear. That way he could still talk to Tiffany and Gretchen after the hatch was closed.
Gretchen gave him a hug and held tightly to him.
Releasing her, he looked deeply into her expressive brown eyes. Then he floated himself around and into position. Holding onto the molecular torch and the scanning wire, he then opened the hatch into the umbilicus area. There was a whoosh of air as the higher pressure from that area rushed into the ship. He closed the hatch.
“I am again increasing the pressure in the umbilicus. I also have attempted to interact with the energy sources we can sense in the Vanguard, but have had no success in that regard,” Tiffany reported.
The umbilicus area was not large. Paul was snug in that area. “Gretchen, you could stand up in here, if we knew where up was, or had gravity.” The newly hardened permalloy was slightly different color than the old permalloy of the Vanguard. “On with the work. Tiffany? Any suggestions on where to drill the test hole?”
“You mean besides into the Vanguard?” Tiffany stated.
“Tiffany, are you attempting humor?” Paul chuckled.
“Yes. Brink programmed that as one of my potential methods of reducing human stress. I am not familiar with its usage, did it work?” Tiffany asked in all seriousness.
“Yes. It surprised me as well. When we see Brink you can thank him for making you funny.”
“Looks are not everything,” Tiffany responded, “Now to seriously answer your question; I do not have any suggestion on exact placement of the test hole. The risks are the same no matter where you p
lace it, since we are uncertain what is behind the hull.”
Paul adjusted the molecular torch for a very tight beam drill. The sensor wire was not much thicker than one of his own hairs, so he made sure the hole that would be bored was of the size to fit that exactly. He plugged the sensor cable into the panel near the hatch, and then propped himself against two sides and set the molecular torch against the hull of the Vanguard.
“I am drilling the test hole,” Paul announced.
“Paul, remember, I love you,” Gretchen said.
“Thank you. You know how I feel about you. Besides, if this fails, we are doomed anyway,” Paul replied.
“Such a cheerful thought,” Gretchen replied. Paul could hear the grin on her face as she said that.
The molecular torch made the hole neatly and precisely.
“No untoward effects from boring the test hole. It is down to the maximum penetration depth. Tiffany, are you reading anything different?” Paul asked as he slid the tiny sensing wire into the hole.
The Colony Ship Vanguard: The entire eight book series in one bundle Page 11