The Colony Ship Vanguard: The entire eight book series in one bundle

by John Thornton

  “No, the tip of the wire has not passed beyond the permalloy. The hole depth is one-half meter. That is the maximum cutting depth of the molecular torch,” Tiffany replied.

  “Paul, come back into the scout. It is my turn,” Gretchen stated firmly.

  “To do what?” Paul asked as he pulled the scanning wire out. “This stack is too thick to sink the test hole.”

  “We will have to cut the hull down by layers. Each layer will be a circle wide enough for us to work in. When that layer is removed, we then try another test hole,” Gretchen stated. “By removing the permalloy in layers we can carve a tunnel into the stack. Eventually we will be close enough for the test hole to find the hollow core.”

  “Or go out the other side of the stack. I will just start that carving now,” Paul said.

  “No you will not. It is my turn,” Gretchen insisted. “We are a team, and we are in this together. Out you come; there is not really room for us both in there. We share the risks. You rest now, and I will work. Then it will be your turn.”

  Paul opened the hatch and moved back into the scout. Gretchen had a communicator system on her ear and when there was room, she slid by and floated into the umbilicus.

  “Gretchen, cutting by layers will take some time,” Tiffany explained. “You will need to cut a slot wide enough for the molecular torch to enter. Then cutting sideways…”

  “I know how to do this, Tiffany,” Gretchen stated with unconcealed contempt.

  “I am sorry, Gretchen. I meant no disrespect. I was attempting to expedite the mission because of the time factors,” Tiffany stated.

  “I know. We are already running way behind, and neither of us has slept well for many hours, and we are not even inside the ship yet. So let me just cut this layer away.” Gretchen stated. She adjusted the molecular torch and started to cut a slot in the permalloy about ten centimeters wide, and as deep as the test hole. She created the slot in the permalloy all the way around the perimeter of where she wanted an opening. The cutting took longer than she anticipated.

  “From my extrapolations I estimate that the hull is probably one of the densest and thickest sections of the Vanguard, second only perhaps to the reactor shielding,” Tiffany stated.

  “Yes, this is thick stuff. But it is gradually cutting away,” Gretchen stated.

  She then adjusted the cutting beam and instead of cutting straight into the permalloy, she changed the angle and the beam now did a lateral cut from the bottom of the slot parallel to the hull. She again followed the opening. By doing that she was able to remove a section of permalloy and it floated next to her after it was freed. She had to cut several more slots in order to remove the while first layer, but she completed that. The tunnel she was creating was wide enough, but still was not yet open to anywhere.

  “I will bore the next test hole and see what we find,” Gretchen stated. She was getting tired, as working in zero gravity was exhausting.

  Gretchen bored the next test hole, and it had the same results as before. They had not penetrated through the hull.

  “Do you want me to take a turn?” Paul asked. “You have been working for hours.”

  “Okay, yes,” Gretchen said. “Did you rest any?”

  “Yes, I slept for a while. Nothing else much to do while you worked,” Paul admitted. “So it is my turn to work.”

  Gretchen floated her way out of the umbilicus and pulled the sections of cut away permalloy with her. There was hardly any spare room in the scout ship, but she got them out of Paul’s way. He gave her a kiss on the check as she passed.

  “We are making progress. We will succeed,” Gretchen said with a tired voice.

  “We have to,” Paul said and he went into the umbilicus.

  Paul took the molecular touch and changed it to cutting mode and following Gretchen’s example. He peeled away another layer of permalloy. It took him a bit longer to do that layer than Gretchen had taken, but when finished he bored a small test hole, and inserted the wire.

  “Tiffany? Are we through?” Paul asked.

  “No. However, I am getting some readings. There is a hollow space beyond the end of the hole. From the readings, the space is as large as I can scan. So it appears that we are making progress by the removal of layers of permalloy. I cannot estimate the exact remaining distance that is required before the test hole actually reaches that hollow space.”

  “That is at least an end in sight,” Paul said as he again traded places with Gretchen.

  She worked diligently and removed another layer of permalloy, then did the test hole.

  “The readings are showing the hollow space is almost within reach,” Tiffany announced.

  “I was hoping this one would get us there,” Gretchen said with some disappointment. “This is tiring and frustrating.”

  Paul traded places with her and he wrestled with the molecular torch and began the tedious process of peeling back another layer of permalloy. Bracing himself and wielding the torch were laborious, but he worked steadily and removed that next layer.

  “We should have already been inside this old ship,” Paul complained. “But instead, we get stuck here cutting permalloy. This is about as exciting as learning history of the times before the Great Event.” Paul grumbled a few more inaudible words.

  “I am sure this is very frustrating for you and Gretchen. I even feel frustrated. Shall I tell you a joke about frustration?” Tiffany asked. “A child once asked his teacher to explain the differences among irritation, aggravation, and frustration…”

  “No, Tiffany. Please spare me your attempts at humor,” Paul replied, although he did that with a grin.

  “The joke was from an ancient recording I have. The laughter appears genuine,” Tiffany stated.

  “Thank, but I will bore the next test hole, now.”

  “Paul, it is my turn. I slept for a while, and ate a food ration. You need to do that next. So it is my turn,” Gretchen said from inside the scout ship.

  “Fair enough,” Paul answered and pushed past the floating parts of permalloy he had just removed. He had them together at the side of the umbilicus. If he set one carefully there it did not float around too much. “This is tiring work. Tedious and slow. If this was a normal section of permalloy, we would have cut through this easily. This stuff is really tough.”

  Paul opened the hatch and moved back into the scout. Gretchen moved into the umbilicus. She shut the hatch behind her and took the molecular torch. Bracing herself with her legs, she set it to bore the test hole.

  “Gretchen, I have re-established the higher pressure levels. I will monitor the progress as you make the test hole,” Tiffany stated.

  “I am starting now,” Gretchen said as she applied the molecular torch to the permalloy.

  “Gretchen, place the wire into the hole,” Tiffany stated. “I have detected a drop in pressure. I believe we have achieved penetration.”

  “And it did not explode, or have decompression!” Gretchen replied. She pushed the wire sensor into the hole.

  “The readings indicate the remaining permalloy is 7.65 centimeters thick. The molecular torch will be able to cut the entire tunnel opening. There is adequate atmosphere in the hollow space beyond, mixtures of gases is suitable for humans. Temperature is 29 degrees, with humidity at 58%. There is also gravity manipulation in place. No lighting or illumination. No radiation. No toxic substances in the air.”

  “You found a good warm and moist place, Gretchen!” Paul said with admiration. His excitement was clear through the communication system. “I am opening up the hatch so I can watch you cut that last section. From what Tiffany said, just push it inside and it will fall somewhere.”

  “I do not think that is a good idea,” Gretchen answered. “Tiffany? What will our relative position be?”

  “You will be 19 degrees off directly vertical to the plane of what could be called a small floor or deck,” Tiffany answered. “The area is deeper than that deck. The gravity manipulation is at Earth stand
ard, drawing toward that floor. Shall I use the term floor or deck or some other nomenclature for a horizontal place to stand?”

  “Floor is fine. I always want down to be under my feet. So our hole will be up in some ceiling or roof?” Gretchen asked for clarification. “How high up from what will feel like a floor?”

  “You will be 4.12 meters off what we are calling a floor. However, the chamber is irregularly shaped, and the floor is not entirely flat and consistent. There are open areas which descend further. There are a large number of objects projecting into and through the area making conjectures difficult. Basically, I can perceive with the sensor what you will see when the opening in made. I conjecture that some of those are conduits and ductwork of some kind. Some show variations in temperature from the surround area, and one shows evidence of droplets of moisture surrounding it.”

  “Liquids just sitting around? Is it water?” Paul asked through the communication system.

  “I am unable to analyze the liquid precisely from this distance,” Tiffany responded.

  “Well, we are about to find out. But, Tiffany, will the gravity manipulation effect me when I open this the rest of the way?” Gretchen asked.

  “The wire is only responding to the gravity manipulation after it exits from the test hole. The surface tension of the gravity manipulation appears to end at the ceiling line. It would not make sense for the gravity manipulation to extend beyond the hull. You should be safe to remove the last section without worry of falling into the newly opened access. But beware, once any part of your body passes the surface tension of the gravity manipulation, it will be subject to gravity manipulation and that could very well drag you in.”

  “So we are about to enter the Vanguard!” Gretchen said.

  13 Corridors

  The tunnel from the umbilicus was completed. There was a new passageway into the Vanguard, made by the long hours and heavy labors of Gretchen and Paul. The opening was dark and somewhat foreboding with an odd aroma emanating from it. Gretchen had carefully stacked the remaining permalloy layers with the others.

  “So how do we get down in there?” Paul asked as he wiggled in next to Gretchen as they looked into the darkness.

  “First we illuminate the area,” Gretchen said and disconnected the molecular torch from the fusion pack. Then she activated the light on the fusion pack and shined it inside the Vanguard.

  The beam of light shone down on a chamber with pipes, ducts, and vents crisscrossing it in many directions. The overall color of the room was a smudged yellowish. Shadows darkened many corners as the sections behind the mechanisms were blocked from her beam of light. Some of the pipes were of spun permalloy with its smooth and seamless lines, but others were of antique metals and polymers. The old fashioned steel pipes had long trails of a rusty discoloration from water or other substances which had leaked out at some distant time in the past. One pipe was actually ruptured and had emptied its contents a long while ago. The nearest pipe-work was permalloy, but just past that was an old style steel pipe. The couplings where the steel pipe’s sections were riveted together flared to the sides about every meter or so as the pipe took its turn from running along the ceiling and then angled down nearly vertically.

  “Seems strange they would use steel, even though they had permalloy. Why use such an inferior substance?” Gretchen asked.

  “It does not make sense to me either. But that was over a hundred years ago. I imagine they thought they had some good reason, but we may never know it. Tiffany? What kind of place is this?” Paul asked.

  Tiffany replied, “The compartment ahead is a utility complex. Corrosion and rust deposits date to roughly the time of the Baldwin transmission, evidence suggests that this area may have been abandoned many years ago. Beware; there is gravity manipulation beyond the opening. I suggest you climb down the steel pipe to your right. Then you can construct a ladder for return trips to the scout ship. The communication system is functional. The data sticks, however, are not responding to any of my attempts at integration and initiation. I am unable to analyze the reason for this failure of the data sticks. I have run all the standard diagnostic programs, but I have found no reason for the failure.”

  Paul looked down at the area they were considering entering. He said, “If one of us falls from here it could be fatal.”

  Gretchen replied, “Then we just do not fall.”

  Paul double checked the supplies in his backpack and strapped it tighter around his waist and shoulders. Reaching out to the nearest pipe he grasped it tightly as the gravity manipulation began to affect his body. It felt odd to have the pull down toward the floor but he had expected it and was prepared for it. Moving hand over hand on the pipe he soon had his legs around the steel pipe that would lead to the floor.

  “You make it look too easy,” Gretchen stated with a grin.

  “It is not easy, but we need to do this. When I get to the floor I will construct a ladder to get up to you. It should not take long,” Paul said as he slid from coupling to coupling down the steel pipe.

  “We can build the ladder later, now we need to find a place for the teleportation pad. We already lost a lot of time getting to the Vanguard.” Gretchen reached out and followed Paul’s example and climbed over on the pipes. Soon they were both down on the floor; their clothing was covered in rusty smudges. Looking back up, they could see where they had opened the hull of the Vanguard to connect to the scout ship. The permalloy of the new umbilicus was a different color than the hull of the old ship. The floor was not much of a floor more of a horizontal reinforcing structure for the pipes. The flat area was only a few meters wide. Vertical pipes continued downward from their location, which was more of a platform than a floor to any kind of actual room.

  “Tiffany? Can you still hear me?” Gretchen asked.

  “Yes, and visual connections are good,” Tiffany the artificial intelligence replied through the communication system. “I am recording all of this for future reference.”

  “These pipes must lead to a chamber which hopefully will connect to somewhere. I just hope it is somewhere we want to be. But there really is nowhere else to go,” Paul lamented as he looked down over the platform.

  By careful motion, they could squeeze past the pipes, ducts, other vent work, but it was not easy. They found they could climb and slide downward from the small platform by bracing themselves against the pipes. They reached the next small platform. The lights from the fusion packs cast many shadows behind the ducts and other pipes. After a few minutes of squeezing and wiggling past the mechanical work Paul and Gretchen reached the bottom of the interior of the stack. On that last floor, the pipes went into the floor directly and there was no way to continue downward. But here they discovered a doorway which was stenciled with lettering. “Causeway 147” was on the door in white letters, but what it meant neither of them knew. The door was made from old-fashioned riveted steel so clearly was not a bulkhead or pressure door. There was some rust on the hinges and latch.

  “Tiffany? Can you sense anything beyond the door ahead of us?” Gretchen asked.

  “Unfortunately not,” the AI replied. “The scout’s sensors are still at less than optimum efficiency. Right now I am limited to audio and visual links to you through the communication system. In some ways my sensors are no better than the ones you have that are biological. I can make conjectures and extrapolations. However, until we know more, they are of low probability. For example regarding Causeway 147, I conjecture it is a connecting way, but between where I have no idea. The name does suggest a passage where your movement will be hindered less than in this field of pipes.”

  “Tiffany can you keep a map of this area so that we can find our way back should we get lost?” Gretchen asked.

  “I already am doing that. As you explore the Colony Ship Vanguard in more detail, we will have more detailed plans and maps. Using those, my conjectures will be of higher probability. Additionally, I am still working on the ship’s sensors and hope to hav
e them in better operational order shortly. However, with none of the data sticks working I cannot conjecture an exact time frame.”

  Paul reached out and pulled on the lever of the rusty door. The lever would not move. The door was designed to open into the area where they were standing, but the rust on the hinges, lever, and latch indicated the door had not been open for some time. “This steel door is rusted in the closed position. It will not stand against the molecular porch for very long. I could just cut off the hinges and let the door fall open. What you think Gretchen?”

  “This door is not a bulkhead or pressure door, that is certain. We are way behind schedule so I think cutting the door open is the right thing to do.”

  Paul gave the door one more hearty yank on its lever, and a grinding sound was heard. The lever and latch shifted a bit and then a large chunk of rusty metal fell out between the latches in the wall. Rust crumbled off the hinges as well. Paul could get his fingers into the area where the rusty metal had fallen out near the latch. He pulled at the door. With a very loud screech the rust and metal gave way and the door swung grudgingly inward. Rust and debris fell as it swung open. One hinge nearly completely disintegrated and the door canted at an angle.