The Colony Ship Conestoga : The Complete Series: All Eight Books

by John Thornton

  Sandie replied, “Excellent question. Expediency was the main factor. Covertness was a secondary consideration. Lastly, was minimizing your installation duties.”

  “Tell me more.”

  Sandie was happy to elucidate. “Initially, I conjectured the need for twelve jumbo fusion boxes to power the large sending pad. We only have four here. That meant an additional eight would need to be fabricated. Gamma’s Reproduction and Fabrication facility had never built jumbo fusion boxes, and from what I learned by asking Alpha’s SB Bodowa in their Reproduction and Fabrication center, it would have taken far too long for the additional eight jumbo fusion boxes to be fabricated there. For Gamma to do it was an additional risk in both time and cooperation. I was concerned about how the lattice of compeers in Gamma would react to the jumbo fusion box technology. Remember, they thought the sending unit was a ‘worthless contraption’ and agreed to build it for you. That worked to our advantage in getting their cooperation. I conjectured a higher than acceptable risk that they might detain you if they saw more advanced technology.”

  “Thank you,” Eris replied.

  Sandie continued, “The jumbo fusion boxes were adequate for the small number of people that were teleported on the small system for the relative short distances from the surface to orbit. For this mission, they have a slower than acceptable recovery period. The Conestoga’s energy system was not initially compatible with the desired teleportation sending pad. This would be especially true for a long-range teleportation sending unit, such as to Earth or another target in a different solar system. The needle ship is a relatively short-range target compared to the engineering parameters Master Engineer Brink designed into interstellar teleportation. The sending aspect of teleportation is 72.98% of the energy load required for matter transmission. The total energy required is related to the size of the orifice that is opened, the mass being sent through, and the distance it will travel. Therefore, I configured this new sending pad to meet the specific requirements to send the refugees to the needle ship. Basically a moderately large orifice, a moderate mass, and a short distance. I repurposed the components here, along with using the ship’s power for this one-time teleportation of the large number of people we want to evacuate.”

  “Well it is completed now, and all we need to do is finalize the test,” Eris stated. She walked back to the grid which covered the floor of stall six. She stepped up to the console which she had taken from the small sending unit and installed in the larger one.

  “Eris you will need to initiate the command console while the next refinement phases are being finalized,” Sandie said. “The checklist is now showing on the console’s display. I apologize that I was not able to build in a premade and locked system like the smaller unit had.”

  “Sandie, no worries,” Eris replied. “You have made it a step-by-step process, and I am an engineer. Not an engineer like that Brink you keep speaking about, but I know the Conestoga and her systems. You have made this teleportation sending pad as comparable and compatable as I could have hoped.”

  “I estimate that you and Brink would have enjoyed each other’s company,” Sandie replied. “Yes, I styled the controls off the conservation slates you showed us in Gravity Manipulation Works: Oscillator 6. That was very helpful to my understanding of the dynamics of the Conestoga’s systems.”

  “Well, it all would work much better is the whole ship’s lattice of compeers was functioning, and I can see why the nonphysicality would look like a mess to you because of all the destruction,” Eris commented.

  Eris opened the command console. A light blue three dimensional interface appeared over the top of the console. “Signal from receiving pad located and secured. Beginning synchronization.”

  Eris followed all the steps, and every one locked in, linked up, or synchronized properly on the first attempt. Eris smiled and prayed a thank you.

  “The system is now ready and standing-by,” Sandie stated after she reviewed everything and every connection.

  “So where are the people?” Eris asked.

  “They are just entering the town of Quady now,” Sandie answered. “They are seeking the best way to proceed here.” Sandie was quiet for a moment. “There is a problem, I have hesitated to share with you.”

  “What is the problem, maybe I can help?” Eris offered.

  “You have already been exquisitely helpful in assembling the teleportation sending unit. I did not want to distract you, but now that it is completed, I will ask you about it,” Sandie’s AI voice held hesitation and concern.

  “Sandie? What is the problem?”

  “The safe route which has been marked by the automacubes involves a convoluted and twisting pathway through the corridors,” Sandie stated. “In my probing of the nonphysicality I have not been able to find a better channel for them to get here.”

  “So what is the problem? The people just work their way here… Oh, I think I see. The elderly people in their wheelchairs, and the young children.” Eris nibbled on her lower lip a bit as she considered.

  Sandie interjected, “And the animals. Several of the roustabouts insist that the horses accompany them, but the stairways are an obstacle not only to the wheelchairs, but also to the horses and the bovine.”

  “And the cargo loading ramps and gangways are dysfunctional? Do we know why they are not working?” Eris asked.

  “I have no records of places with those designations,” Sandie replied.

  Eris walked back into the alcove, and pushed the remaining spacesuit to the side. She unfolded a desk from the wall near where she had connected in the main power supply for the teleportation sending unit. Placing her hand on the interface surface a green glow emerged around her hand and a scrolled message appeared. ‘Access granted’ in white letters on the dark display.

  “Configure possible cargo ramp gangway to Dardanella 135,” Eris commanded. “Widest possible diameter, minimal ramp angles. Priority Captain Level Disaster Alert.”

  The displayed flickered and then showed a deck plan. On the deck plan blue colored lines represented walls. There were some red lines where damage had inhibited those sections, but quickly the walls were realigning and creating a wide open passage directly from Dardanella 135 to the exterior wall of the town of Quady. The diagram’s newly created passageway was green in color, and had only three turns. A blinking phrase at the bottom of the display asked, “Open Cargo Gangway?”

  Sandie’s voice spoke, “Eris! That is amazing. I had no idea the walls and floors in those sections could shift, rotate and elevate like that.”

  Eris pointed to the diagram. “It has some problems. The gangway should be a straight line from the hanger bay to the habitat. No bends, no turns, no obstructions. This system was designed for the original loading of topsoil and other large and bulky items. Every hanger bay has the capability. I assumed you had checked it and it was defunct.”

  “We had no idea it was even possible. Nothing in the nonphysicality showed that potential,” Sandie stated.

  “It would have been in the logs of the artificial intelligences and synthetic brains, but with so many of those destroyed, I can see how it was lost. It is kept function for emergencies. When operating properly a runabout shuttle should be able to fly egress the biome. I have never known of anyone doing that, but it is in the specifications for emergencies. But see the spots here, here, and here?” Eris traced several turns and corners on the map. “Those areas are still at least five meters wide, and five meters high. Even with the ninety degree turns, will there will be enough room for the caravan to reach those final turns?”

  Sandie replied, “The horses and all the animals can be led around those corners, but the wagons will not pass. I am relaying this information to Jerome and Cammarry.”

  Eris pressed her hand against the display. “Open cargo gangway and deploy ramps immediately.” Eris prayed it would actually work in the physical world, and not just on the plans.

  The scrolled response came back, ‘W
orking. Working. Working.’

  “Excellent. The large bulkhead and pressure door at the back of the hanger bay is where the cargo ramps and gangway opens to Dardanella 135,” Eris stated. She typed in a few commands to the display. “I have locked the external hanger bay doors, so that the bulkhead and pressure doors will open without hesitation. Tell them everything is ready here.”

  Eris looked over at the spacesuit which was hanging from its cradle. She began opening storage compartments and assembling more gear. As she found items, she stacked them near the spacesuit.

  “Eris? Are those items needed for the evacuation?” Sandie asked.

  “Yes, for an important and final evacuation. I have a plan.”

  ***

  Outside, in the biological habitat, Jerome and Cammarry were standing before the ruins of the water desalination plant. The entrance they had expected to use, the one S-1DT had led them to, was just a pile of melted, crumbled, and twisted rubble.

  “I told you, a crusher hit this place earlier today,” Adeilson stated. His sweet voice carried no trace of hostility, more just a resignation or fatalistic tone. “I saw it from out by the sea. I was skipping rocks waiting for the bodies to float up.” His medium complexion, somewhat protruding teeth, dark and deeply set eyes all were childlike, but his words carried the weight of all he had seen. “Yes, all the people went into the sea over the last week or so. Maybe that whirlpool is keeping the bodies from floating back up.”

  Jerome rubbed Adeilson’s tightly twisted black hair. “I am sorry for your family and friends.”

  “I thought it was either the Ferryman or the crushers, but they all chose the sea. Just walked out on the pier and dove in. Tied metal belts to their waists,” the child said. “I suppose that too is keeping the bodies down in the sea. I was just watching the sea when I heard the crusher start to rip at this building again.”

  “We will find another way in,” Cammarry said as she too patted the child trying to offer some measure of comfort. “You will come with us to a better place. There are those other children, and all of us.” She gestured to where the children were walking about, next to the covered wagon.

  “Jerome? Cammarry? Eris is opening up a new path, a gangway, from Quady to Dardanella 135. Head to the wall at the side of the town.

  “Not through the desalination plant?” Jerome asked.

  “No,” Sandie replied. “Use your vehicles. This new route will allow the entire caravan to get within fifty meters of the hanger bay. The animals can pull the vehicles along most of the gangway, however, just before the hanger bay there will be two sharp corners where the wagons cannot pass. All the people, and the animals, will be able to reach the teleporter in Dardanella 135. I am giving S-1DT the location right now.”

  “Jenna!” Jerome called out. “Sandie has found us a way to the hanger bay. Up by the end wall. Follow the automacube.”

  S-1DT rolled up the street, avoiding the chunks of broken buildings, topples trees, and other debris. The other automacubes followed like their own small train of machines.

  “Load everyone up again,” Jenna commanded. “Bigelow, get up there quickly. Vesna and Khin, take all the hunters and set up defensive positions around that location. We are almost there, and we do not want some hoodlum ruining things now.”

  “Anika, you heard the pretty lady. Show your new friend how it is done.” Bigelow clicked his teeth and whistled. The two horses he was driving pulled the troika away.

  “Come on dogs!” Khin called out to the Border Collies. “Zmaj, Kiddie, bring the sheep!”

  There were only two sheep left, but each dog guided the sheep along as Khin, Vesna, and the other hunters sprinted off on foot. They were as fast, if not faster than the wagons, for they could leap over the rubble, rather than roll around it. They all had their rifles and handguns ready, but only each individual knew how much ammunition was left.

  Siva, and Peter helped the two elderly people who had gotten down to use the commode, get back into the converted mechanic’s wagon. After they were secure, Peter drove the horses and they headed after the troika.

  It took a bit longer for all the children to climb back into the covered wagon. Dewi and Nabila gently aided them.

  “Adeilson, you can ride with us,” Dewi called out. She extended her hand.

  In a slow walk, lacking enthusiasm, Adeilson walked over and stood on the rear bumper of the wagon. “I will just hang on here. I think I know where we are heading. Deathtown is not so big anymore.”

  Nabila looked at him, and pulled him by his shirt up and over and into the wagon. “You are riding in here. I will not let you fall off. Understood?”

  With his eyes showing surprise, Adeilson replied, “Yes!”

  “Go Jenna!” Dewi called out. “All accounted for.”

  Monika and her carriage rolled up to Jerome and Cammarry. “Walking or riding?”

  They climbed in.

  The motley caravan reached the end of the street and came to a large section where the wall extended upward as far overhead as they could see. At some point in the distant past, the area, had been an outdoor eatery. Tables, chairs, and some various other items were scattered about the plaza.

  A line on the wall lit up with a bright green color. The color traced around the perimeter of a large rectangle. Then several hidden sirens sounded a warning. The horses nickered and stomped their feet, but remained under control. After the sirens quit, the wall smoothly rotated to reveal a brightly lit passageway.

  “Well, look at that!” Jerome exclaimed. “I guess it is true that joy comes from times in our life when good things flow through doors we did not open ourselves.”

  “Working technology!” Cammarry observed. “Bright lights, and undamaged passageway, and we are almost there.”

  “A good thing too!” Monika said and gestured over her shoulder.

  The whirlpool in the sea was getting larger, and the center of it was so low it could not be seen anymore. Waves, winds, and junk fluttered all around that swirling disaster. Large sections of floating debris were cruising around that whirlpool. From the distance they were away, Jerome recognized that those floating items were large trees, and parts of wooden buildings. He even caught a glimpse of what might have been a boat of some kind. All being swirled away.

  “You are usually the one with the old quotes,” Cammarry said, “But that reminds me of antique water powered toilets I saw in our history classes. Flushed away? Was that the term?”

  Jerome smiled broadly. “Yes, it is all being flushed away.”

  The automacubes all rolled ahead and into the cargo gangway. The decking was at a slight angle, but easy to navigate. The passage was large enough that only Toby, Monika’s horse, balked at all about entering. The hunters grabbed onto the sides of the wagons, and rode along, ever vigilant for some threat.

  Just as Sandie had described, the gangway was large enough for all the caravan to pass. By the time they reached the first of the sharp corners, they had no more sheep. Both had dropped dead in the gangway. The Border Collies looked somewhat lost without something to herd, but sat down on their haunches and with cocked heads, observed as the horses were unharnessed. Only the bridles and reins remained. The roustabouts held tightly to those reins as everyone else proceeded ahead of them.

  “The cubies are not stopping,” Khin stated as he watched them roll around the sharp corner. “Cubie white knows what is right.”

  Vesna wrapped her arms around Khin and whispered, “Will this really be the right thing?”

  Khin laughed and kissed her. “Yes, back with my people you will be safe. This is one Wizard’s Quest everyone will hear about. We are even coming back with better animals!”

  The elderly people were placed into their wheelchairs, or carried by Vesna’s people. The children walked along and as they did, the two dogs decided that children were something they could herd, and so they escorted the group of children.

  “If a crusher comes, we will all die,” Adeils
on said as he walked along with the group of children.

  Dewi grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him to face her. She slapped him smartly across the face. “You shut up! These children are scared enough without your whining.”

  Face reddened from the blow, Adeilson responded with only a nod.

  Lastly, each horse and the unflinching cow were led along by their reins. Bigelow stood next to his troika. “I guess no more rides here either. I thought it was hard to say goodbye to the carousel, but I will miss my troika just as much.” He pulled four bottles out from beneath the seat and placed them into pockets in his pants. They jangled a bit as he led Anika away after the others. “Come on girl, I guess a new kind of ride awaits us.”

  The pressure and bulkhead door opened to the automacubes and they rolled into Dardanella 135. Sandie activated the large teleportation sending unit.