by S. H. Jucha
“I’ve learned what I needed,” Harbour replied. “I’m proud of your cooperative efforts to produce this first device.”
When Harbour and Tacticnok left, Drigtik eyed Olivia and asked, “Was my presentation not to the captain’s liking?”
“It wasn’t that, Drigtik,” Olivia said, laying a comforting hand on Drigtik’s shoulder. “The captain is thinking about the future. One intravertor doesn’t do us much good.”
“But it will prove the feasibility of the process,” Drigtik objected.
“And what if we can’t get components from you or we can’t raise the coin to produce more shells even if you do send us components?” Olivia asked.
“Taking incremental steps, which prove successful, is how greater goals are reached,” Gatnack intoned. “We are engineers; we build the tools. Captain Harbour and Her Highness Tacticnok are leaders and must have our successes to create a future alliance. Come, it’s time to return to work.”
Harbour and Tacticnok hadn’t yet made the shuttle when she received a call from Olivia.
“Captain, I think you need to return to the assembly site. We’ve a major problem,” Olivia said.
“Coming,” Harbour replied.
“Do humans enjoy walking so much that they refuse to install personnel movers to allow you to ride?” Tacticnok asked, as she hurried to keep up with Harbour.
“It’s a matter of priorities, Tacticnok,” Harbour replied, slowing. “We’ve been desperate to produce ships, expand the domes, add terminal arms to both stations, and repair what wears down. There hasn’t been the coin or the opportunity to produce some of the comforts I imagine the Jatouche enjoy.”
Harbour and Tacticnok caught the five engineers in a heated discussion. They weren’t yelling at one another, but, they were jabbing at images on a wide monitor, as if they were intending to poke holes in it, and earnestly arguing the pros and cons of the vessels displayed.
“You called?” Harbour asked from behind the engineers, who weren’t aware of her approach.
Olivia glanced at her comrades. None of them seemed inclined to reply. She took a deep breath and said, “We lack the right vehicle to launch the intravertor.”
“Which one do we need? Is it a matter of coin to hire a captain and his ship?” Harbour asked.
“None of our ships can handle the job,” Bryan admitted, before he examined his deck boots.
Harbour and Tacticnok’s mouths hung open for a moment before closing.
“Olivia, how did we get this far without realizing that problem?” Harbour asked.
“None of the engineers, neither ours nor theirs, have ever designed a ship or flown them, Captain. It wasn’t until we talked to various captains that we realized the problem,” Olivia admitted.
“Which is what?” Harbour prompted.
“The task is multifold, Captain,” Bryan explained. “First, the ship has to penetrate deep enough into the atmosphere to launch the intravertor and allow gravity to take over. This can’t be done in a flyby pattern, as if the ship were orbiting the planet at near escape velocity. According to the Jatouche, the ship maintains a stationary position when releasing the device.”
“And mining ships haven’t the ability to lift out of a stationary atmospheric position,” Harbour said, realizing the problem.”
“The other choices were mining shuttles,” Pete added, “but they’re too small to handle the device. The sled attachments need another five to eight meters in ship length, depending on the model that you’re considering. The only vessel that has the length is the Belle’s shuttle, but it’s too old. It could never handle the stress of the flight.”
The dejected faces of Olivia, Pete, Bryan, Gatnack, and Drigtik stared at Harbour, and her mind raced to find an answer. It was inconceivable that they could get the project this close to completion and be unable to deliver the device to the surface. Suddenly, Harbour smiled, pulled out her comm, and made a call.
“Danny,” Harbour said, when she reached the pilot, “how long before the Belle’s new shuttle will be delivered?”
“It’s been ready, Captain, about three weeks ago,” Danny replied. “I’m supposed to take it through its test flights, but I’ve been too busy with daily transport between the Belle and the YIPS. Once I approve the shuttle, they’ll want final payment.”
“Hold one, Danny,” Harbour said, and made a second call.
“Ituau, here, Captain,” the first mate answered.
“Ituau, I need pilots to sub for Danny, pilots who can handle the Belle’s ancient, over-sized shuttle,” Harbour requested. “Do you have them?”
“We’ve got excellent shuttle pilots, Captain,” Ituau replied. “If they’re given a couple of days training with Danny to check out the ship, they should be fine. I take it you’re only asking for transport between the Belle and the YIPS.”
“Affirmative,” Harbour replied.
“No problem, Captain. When do you want this done?” Ituau asked.
“It’s a priority request, Ituau,” Harbour said.
“Understood, Captain. I’ll communicate with the other captains. The pilots will meet Danny at whatever dock he’s occupying and begin training immediately. Is there an emergency?” Ituau asked, hoping that wasn’t the case.
“No, Ituau,” Harbour said. “We’re looking for the right vehicle to launch the intravertor, and it might be sitting, docked at the JOS, ready for us to test.
“Understood, Captain,” Ituau replied. “Safe flights for the tests. We’ll take care of this end,” she added, ending the call.
Harbour scrolled through her comm unit, searching for the imagery and specifications on the Belle’s new shuttle. When she found them, she handed her device to Olivia. “Will this do it?” Harbour asked anxiously.
Olivia knelt on her knees, as did Pete and Bryan, while Gatnack and Drigtik crowded around. The effortless way the engineers had adapted to the height differences made her smile before her concerns returned.
The conversation among the engineers went back and forth, as they examined the specifications and discussed attachment positions. Most important, they examined the ship’s thrust capability and maneuvering performance in low orbit and within the atmosphere.
The engineers deliberated for so long that Tacticnok felt compelled to remind them of who waited. “Engineers, I believe you weren’t asked to draft a performance evaluation of this ship. The captain is asking for an initial opinion. Is there a possibility of this shuttle being capable of performing the task?”
“Yes, Your Highness, there is,” Drigtik replied sheepishly.
“Engineers,” Tacticnok said, raising her arms in supplication. “You have your answer, Captain,” she added.
Harbour held out her hand for her comm unit, and Olivia reluctantly returned it. “Danny?” she asked.
“Here, Captain,” the pilot replied, around a mouthful of hot sandwich.
“Ituau is gathering pilots to relieve you. Give them the training they need in cooperation with our backup pilot. Don’t scrimp on that. Warn the engineering company to prepare our new shuttle for test flights. When you’re ready to hand over the daily transfer flights, get over to the JOS, and test that ship out.”
“Understood, Captain,” Danny replied enthusiastically.
“And, Danny, take with you one of the best of Captain Cinder’s pilots, who you’ll be training. He or she will be your copilot,” Harbour ordered.
There was a pause on the comm, and Harbour could imagine the thoughts going through Danny’s mind. He hadn’t flown with a copilot for years.
“What’s up, Captain, if I might ask?” Danny eventually replied.
“Looks like our new shuttle might be just the vehicle we need to deliver the intravertor to the planet,” Harbour said.
Of all possible reactions, Harbour didn’t expect to hear Danny chuckle.
“I knew that was how the intravertor was going to be delivered, when I saw that sled and the components being assembled,” Dan
ny said.
“That’s not common knowledge, Danny,” Harbour warned. “Don’t spread it around, especially on the JOS.”
“Understood, Captain,” Danny replied. “It might be helpful to tell Olivia to send me the specs on that device, how they intend to attach the sled, and what sort of maneuver is required to release it.”
“I’ll get the engineers on it,” Harbour replied and closed the call.
“You heard?” Harbour asked Olivia.
“I’ll send them to Danny,” Olivia said.
“And afterwards,” Harbour said, focusing intently on each face, “the five of you are responsible for taking Danny into your confidence for every element of the final operation. He’s to know everything you know about the attachment process, the specs of this device, and its deployment.”
Harbour was worried about Danny’s end of the operation. Focusing on her concerns created a lapse in control and caused her power to leak.
Immediately, the engineers who faced her were nodding to her requests, frowns evident. Belatedly, Harbour shut down her gate. “Apologies,” she said.
“None needed, Captain,” Bryan said. “The error was ours, and we’ll ensure that Danny and his copilot are well informed.”
Harbour nodded her approval and walked away with Tacticnok.
“So that is what other types of sharing feel like,” Tacticnok said.
“It was a mistake on my part, Tacticnok,” Harbour said, as they entered a corridor. “I overreacted. I’ve known Danny for years. He’s been diligent in caring for me, and he’s done a marvelous job keeping the Belle’s last original shuttle flying.”
“It was an instructive moment,” Tacticnok replied. “It made me feel the way I do in the presence of my father, when he makes an official pronouncement. I was ready to stand with the engineers and agree to anything you wanted.” Tacticnok displayed her teeth to indicate her sympathy for Harbour’s reaction, but Harbour’s face wore worry lines.
“All creatures capable of thought will make mistakes, Captain,” Tacticnok said. “My father has told me many times that the aftermath of a mistake is the more critical time. It requires an apology, followed by forgiveness of one’s self, and then actions to prevent the same mistake from occurring again.”
-42-
Danny
Docked at the YIPS, Danny’s pilot chair was leaned back, and he was taking a nap before the next return flight to the Belle.
“Permission to come aboard,” Danny heard a female voice call. He sat upright and called back, “Come aboard, I’m in the pilot’s cabin.”
Danny leveraged out of his chair onto his prosthetic legs and stumped back to meet his guest. Instead of one individual, Danny met three.
“Reporting for flight training, Danny. I’m Claudia Manning, a Spryte shuttle pilot,” the woman who’d called out said, and extended her hand.
Danny shook the pilot’s calloused hand, as Claudia added, “These two excuses for spacers are from the Annie and the Pearl.”
Claudia introduced the other two pilots, but Danny had trouble focusing on her words. Claudia had the typical spacer buzz-cut hair. Hers was blonde and topped a lightly lined face. It was the warmth in the green eyes and the quirky smile that captured Danny’s attention. She was what men would call a handsome woman, who wore her forty-plus years well.
“Ready when you are, Danny,” Claudia said, when she completed the introductions and Danny continued to stare at her.
“Yeah, sure, sorry,” Danny sputtered. “This way,” he said, waving them forward.
The Annie pilot started to tease Claudia about her new partner until he caught sight of Danny’s prosthetics, and the comment died in his mouth. There are too many of us with those, he thought.
Danny indicated the copilot seat to Claudia, and the other two pilots stood behind them, while Danny explained the system layouts and controls.
About five minutes into Danny’s explanations, the Pearl pilot, who stood behind Danny, said, “I thought this was going to be an hour’s orientation and then we would be flying this ship. How old is this thing?”
“From construction date, probably five hundred-plus years,” Danny replied. “I’m guessing that it was the last ship to be unpacked after the original colonists lost the Belle’s other shuttles setting up the first domes. If you’re asking how long it’s been operational, I’ve no idea.”
“Everything you’re showing us are manual operations,” the Annie pilot exclaimed. “Is anything on this ship automated?”
Danny thought for a moment, as if the list might be lengthy, then he looked back at the Annie’s pilot and said, “Nope.”
Claudia’s laughter bubbled out, and Danny grinned at her.
“How long do we have you for training, Danny?” Claudia asked.
“The captain said to make sure you were comfortable before I handed this ship over to you,” Danny replied. “The good news is that you’ll have the Belle’s backup pilot beside you.”
“Then why isn’t he or she flying this ship?” the Pearl’s pilot asked.
“You see these,” Danny said, indicating his prosthetics. “They’re nothing to what Isley’s wearing. He’s a great pilot, but this old girl challenges his prosthetics. He’ll be sitting copilot on every flight and guiding you.”
“Okay, I feel a lot better,” the Annie’s pilot said.
“One more thing before I continue,” Danny said, “One of you will be going with me to sit copilot and test the Belle’s new shuttle.”
“If you’re looking for the best shuttle pilot, that’s a done deal,” the Pearl pilot said. “It’s Claudia.”
“Without a doubt,” the other male pilot agreed.
“Looks like you’ll be stuck with me,” Claudia added, throwing a quick smile at Danny.
“We’ll see,” Danny replied laconically, covering the thumping of his heart and his suddenly dry mouth.
After three days of training, the new pilots met Isley. He was a snow white-haired man, with two prosthetic arms, who’d also lost the right eye. In addition, he walked with a heavy limp from a BRC operation that didn’t take.
“You’re probably happy I’m not sitting first position,” Isley quipped, holding up his arms. “Well, if you screw up, I’ll become your pilot, so keep that in mind.” He looked at Danny and said, “I understand you’re getting the best of these children. Which ones am I left to babysit?”
Each of the men raised a hand, and Isley growled, “Well, get your butts forward, and let’s see what you’ve learned.”
When Isley and the other two pilots disappeared into the forward cabin, Claudia looked at Danny and grinned. “You might have warned them about Isley.”
“That’s just Isley’s style. He’s making sure he has their attention,” Danny replied.
“Well, he sure had mine,” Claudia replied. “I’ve got my duffel at the rear. Are you packed to catch the next shuttle to the JOS?”
“Absolutely,” Danny replied.
The pilots walked the terminal arm, their duffels over their backs. They were headed toward the axis to make their way down a second arm, which held the YIPS shuttle dock. For the first time in a long while, Danny wished to have his legs back. He thought he’d gotten used to having lost them, and Harbour’s constant attention had done wonders for his acceptance. But struggling to keep up with Claudia made him feel inadequate, once again.
Claudia noticed Danny’s hurried and uncertain gait. She stopped, faced him, and said, “Danny, this isn’t going to work. We’re headed to the JOS to fly a brand-new shuttle design. Something larger and more powerful than I’ve ever had my hands on. You and I have to form a team, and team members talk to each other. Like now, you should have told me to slow up.”
“Understood,” Danny replied quietly. He glanced around to ensure no one was within earshot. “There’s something you should know. The reason that we’re in a hurry to test this shuttle is because it’s urgently needed.”
“For what?” Cla
udia asked, checking left and right like Danny had done.
“The Jatouche intravertor is nearly ready, and the captain is hoping this ship can deliver the device to the surface,” Danny replied.
“Wait one, Danny. Please tell me that we’re not going to try to land on Pyre,” Claudia said alarmed.
“No, not that,” Danny replied quickly. “But we have to enter the atmosphere, achieve a stationary position, launch it, and then climb out.”
“Oh, is that all?” Claudia asked, with mock relief. “Was this shuttle designed to do that?”
“Nope, but we’re hoping it can,” Danny replied. “It’s an involved story, but the important point is that this information is for you and me only. Copy?”
“Aye, latched on,” Claudia replied.
“We’d better get going if we want to catch the shuttle,” Danny said, shouldering his duffel. “And, by the way, don’t walk so fast.”
Claudia’s laughter warmed Danny, and concerns about his prosthetics were temporarily forgotten.
* * * *
Danny and Claudia met for a morning meal. They’d enjoyed some upscale cabins for the night, which Harbour had booked for them.
“Nicest accommodations I’ve ever had,” Claudia said, as they enjoyed their food. “By the way, I meant to ask you who designed this shuttle.”
“The architect’s name is —” Danny started to say.
“No, no, I didn’t mean that,” Claudia interrupted. “I want to know who created the wish list that the architect followed. Whose baby is this?”
“I guess that’s me,” Danny replied, after taking a sip of his caf. “The captain said to be sure to get what I wanted.”
“I’d love Captain Cinders to give me that sort of permission,” Claudia opined. “How long have you known Captain Harbour?”
“I was a jockey pilot at the YIPS, when I lost my legs,” Danny said, his eyes staring out, remembering events of the past. “I’d gotten my prosthetics and was laying up in a cheap, inward cabin, feeling sorry for myself. There was a rap on the door, and I told them to go away. Then I heard this woman’s voice ask, ‘Then you don’t want the job?’”