NEBULAR Collection 1 - The Triton Base: Episodes 1 - 5 Read online

  Humanity had come very far and advanced almost to the edges of the solar system. Only the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud were left to be explored between the settled areas and the infinite inter-solar space while the so-called Outer Ring of the solar system was just a white blot on the space map. The Sun, when viewed from Triton, was only one star among many. Her heat and radiation became small factors in this distant corner of the solar system. The temperature on Triton’s surface was barely above absolute zero.

  Orders for Quaoar

  A hectic atmosphere prevailed in the control central when the men arrived. The Triton Base Central was also nick-named ‘The Brain’ and lived up to its reputation as all sections, consoles for space surveillance, flight control, and operations control were occupied around the clock. ‘The Brain’ had to always maintain radio communication with Earth and between approaching and receding ships. This computer resource was also the key in coordinating flight vectors of prospector drones and collecting, analyzing and forwarding the multitude of scientific data available through system resources.

  Donald Day had only a couple of seconds to glance at the activities in the room before the OIC (Officer in Charge) approached them, saluted both men and started rattling off his shift report.

  Major Jandar Pertasch, born in Nepal, endorsed the log book with his thumb-scan, and then reported:

  »Comet Prochnov II will pass through the Neptune system in one hour, as previously calculated. The comet will safely pass Triton at a distance of 520,000 kilometers. The space surveillance center informed ships in this sector and directed them into their particular standby corridors. We have successfully landed probes on the comet’s icy surface and have received numerous useful images. The comet may well break apart on its approach to Neptune. We might even have to blow up a few pieces to prevent any large debris interfering with space travel.

  »An instrument platform of the Mars Mining Company has ceased data transfer. The robotic lander deployed twenty drones on the surface of Kuiper object Quaoar and was intended to function as a relay station. Cause for its malfunction is currently unknown. Mars Mining doesn’t have any ship within the Neptune Sector and cannot send a recovery vessel to attempt any salvage operation on this valuable equipment. We were officially asked for assistance in either salvaging or repairing the platform.«

  Donald Day looked at the Major unenthusiastically.

  »What about the other corporations? Why aren’t any of the other companies getting involved?«

  »Competition, Sir,« the Major frowned. »Nobody is willing to give up valuable cargo space for their rivals. Time is money and space travel is expensive. A race for the best resources worth billions is currently going on in this sector.«

  Donald Day displayed exemplary self-control. If he issued the orders to the different mining companies to get on it and salvage the platform, their representatives would then find excuses why no ships were available. The Neptune moon system was still largely unexplored. All mining companies were busy staking their claims before a competitor took over a promising prospect.

  Donald Day just nodded.

  »All right, is there anything else?«

  »The Ryan is in a forty-hour orbit around Neptune; there is no direct radio or visual connection. We are still receiving location pictures via the communications satellites stationed in Neptune’s orbit. The ship is on the opposite side of Neptune from Triton. Shortly before it entered Neptune’s shadow we got the prearranged signal, then no further radio contact.«

  Major Pertasch noticed that Donald Day ignored Major Davis’ quick glance.

  »In conclusion, we have received a message from the science department. In two hours, the IRS will be in an optimal position to begin probing Tau Ceti. The scientists are requesting Flight Control to keep the sector clear of all traffic, which could interfere with the sensitive equipment. This request is due to the communication and noise emissions of civilian ships.«

  Donald Day acknowledged the request and issued the appropriate orders to his command crew. The SETI mission conducted by the IRS had absolute priority. Donald Day’s orders by the Fleet High Command were very clear and precise in this regard.

  Shortly after he had assumed the watch, he turned to his squadron leader.

  »Rock, ready the Hawk and pay Quaoar a visit. This way we can avoid endless discussions with the mining companies. Find out why this instrumentation platform malfunctioned; take a technician from the Mars Mining Company with you. He can check out the equipment and repair it if possible. I’ll also send you a scientific assistant who knows Quaoar. Did you ever work with Caroline O’Tubian?«

  Davis was apparently surprised and almost choked.

  »Yes, she is a distinguished astrophysicist and a qualified pilot,« replied Major Davis.

  And she smells like vanilla! he added inwardly

  »Well then, Bill?«

  Donald Day blinked at his squadron leader, amused.

  What does he know about Caroline and me? Davis wondered.

  »Did you listen … are you with me?«

  Davis repeated the orders without a hitch. Quaoar, about fifty-three flight hours from Neptune, was a large planetoid of the Kuiper Belt.

  Davis had imagined a slightly different start of his shift, but he had his orders.

  Donald Day approached Davis.

  »You'll use Neptune's slingshot effect on your trip,« the commander whispered, »although the planetoid is in a favorable position to Neptune, it is still ten astronomic units away. On your approach vector you’ll pass the Ryan; however, I want you to keep your distance from that ship. Fly to Quaoar, land and leave the rest to the technician. Then you’ll return to the base immediately. Is that understood?«

  Bill Davis shrugged his shoulders. Donald Day’s look was downright insistent. It conveyed an unspoken warning.

  »Of course Don, I fully understand!« Major Davis answered quickly and returned the commander’s stare. I’ll start with the preparations immediately. This will be a long flight. Has Quaoar ever been approached by one of the other squadrons’ scout-ships?«

  Donald Day shook his head slightly.

  »No, most objects of the Kuiper Belt haven’t undergone a precise analysis so far. There was no reason for it. Wouldn’t this suit your discovery instinct? We’ll talk about the Ryan and everything else after you’ve returned from the mission. Agreed?«

  Davis accepted the commander’s offer with pleasure.

  »All right, Don.«

  After a quick salute, Davis hurried out of the control central and walked straight to the high-speed transportation system. It would only take a couple of minutes until he reached the space fleet hangars. On his way to the hangars, he gave orders via his miniature wrist radio to his scout squadron. The words of his commander still rang in his ears: I want you to keep your distance from that ship!

  Karokan

  The fast Hawk-class scout ships were modern designs, twenty-five meters in length. The short, rear delta wings didn’t improve the aerodynamic behavior of the craft but served mainly as platforms for different instruments and mission modules.

  The craft’s uplift was achieved within a planetary atmosphere using a unique hull design. The design of the wing stumps had the most stabilizing effect during flight.

  The fighter’s bluntly rounded nose seemed rather clumsy at first glance. The Hawk had been nicknamed Duck because of its strange appearance. Anybody unfamiliar with this type of craft certainly underestimated its actual abilities.

  Aerodynamic laws were irrelevant in space and the design of this ship was based on practicality. The scout ship's over-sized Ion-Cyclotron propulsion system provided enormous acceleration. The Hawk was the fastest and most maneuverable unit of the space fleet. A Hawk scout-ship could reach 10 percent of the speed of light within 138 hours, the top speed of the craft. The effective top performance figures of the propulsion system were substantially higher, but the craft’s top speed was mainly dependent on the pilot’s acc
eleration limit. This limit had been established at 60 m/s²; more could have adverse effects on the pilot’s health.

  The Hawk’s blunt nose housed a High Energy Pulse Laser or HEPL, a small laser cannon, used as either a weapon or a meteorite smasher. The HEPL reached its highest degree of effectiveness at a range of two hundred kilometers with minimal refraction upon impact. The laser beam produced a temperature normally encountered only inside the sun. High-impact armored steel, typically used in spaceship design, melted like butter in the heat generated by this laser. When bombarded with this laser, even a massive iron-nickel meteorite broke up after a short time.

  The Hawk’s wing stumps could support carriage pods and could, at least in theory, be outfitted with different rocket systems. There was no longer a need for these types of weapons since 2090 when all terrestrial nations lived in peace with each other. Now the wing pods were used mainly as mounting brackets for instrumentation and scanner sub-assemblies whose equipment was vital in exploring the system’s moons and planets. The Hawk possessed a small, highly efficient neuronal computer system, responsible for system checks and navigation. The architecture of the ship’s neuronal network enabled the Hawk to act independently of the pilot to a certain degree, making intelligent decisions based on its ‘experience’. The computer monitored flight patterns and determined flight paths continuously; it also was able to register any foreign objects in the programmed flight path, provide optimal evasive course corrections and finally guide the craft to the original flight path with minimum fuel consumption considerations.

  Simply put, the Hawks were spacecraft designed for a multitude of tasks. They could be used as small transporters, as well as exploration and patrol units. Hawks could launch from a planet’s surface, a moon, and even from large space cruisers.

  When Rock Davis arrived at the hangar, he immediately singled out the sky-blue uniform of a techie among the ochre-colored uniforms of his squadron.

  He returned the ‘Ten-Hut!’ call of his deputy leader by merely touching the front edge of his hat with his right index finger.

  Davis turned immediately toward his Hawk. The craft rested on the rails of its induction-catapult, capable of launching the Hawk into outer space within seconds during an emergency alarm.

  Davis had already performed a couple of catapult starts, which were always hard on the pilots and the crew. However, this time Davis would employ the small engines for a ‘soft’ take off. The technician waiting by the craft worked for the Mars Mining Company as indicated by the large logo on the back of his suit. When the man started to render a military salute, Davis just waved his hand.

  »That isn’t necessary. We’re flying a civilian mission. What’s your name?«

  »My name is Karokan, Amdul Karokan. I am a prospecting technology specialist; I’m assigned to check out the instrumentation platform and, hopefully, repair it.«

  Davis noticed the look of awe on Karokan, who couldn’t keep his eyes off the Hawk. Davis shook the technician’s hand and smiled at him.

  »I’m Major Bill Davis and I’ll be taking you to Quaoar. Have you ever flown in one of the Hawks?«

  The question was purely rhetorical. Karokan had never flown Space Fleet scout-ships. Davis was therefore quite surprised about Karokan’s answer.

  »Not a Hawk, but on an Eagle. I dropped out of Space Fleet about ten years ago and turned to private work. Since I started working here, I have been shuttling scientific personnel between Uo and our base in the asteroid field. An Eagle is in no way comparable to this craft …« Karokan didn’t finish his sentence and smiled at Davis.

  Davis briefly cleared his throat.

  »Still, I’m glad you have flight experience. It’ll make the entire operation much easier and we can look forward to a smooth mission.«

  Karokan was really looking forward to this trip. He slowly ran his hands over the hull of the Hawk and said, »Strong nose armor! Specially tempered alloy. It was probably made with a high-speed centrifuge. This ship is impressive and very expensive.«

  Davis didn’t reply to Karokan’s remarks but showed him how to suit up. Modern space suits created a hermetically closed system with a helmet that easily folded back into the suit. These suits were classified as part of the scientific equipment since they contained small instruments which provided information on external and internal physical conditions. Air reserves of the compact backpack could last thirty hours. The suit also had an integrated communication system. Even with all the compact technology, pilots and crew found the suit quite comfortable to wear even on long flights.

  It was obvious that Mars Mining had sent a competent man on this mission; Karokan understood quite a lot about metallurgy and production methods.

  Suiting up was followed by the pilot’s routine check of the Hawk. Following the tradition from the earliest days of aviation, after the ground crew had prepared the craft for flight, the pilot physically circled the ship one more time to ensure that everything was flight-worthy. Karokan observed the process. This routine preflight check was virtually unnecessary with the constant automatic monitoring of aircraft status performed by the onboard neuronal computer. A short time later, both men were ready to board the Hawk.

  Karokan had already loaded a tread-propelled tractor inside the small cargo bay and taken his seat in one of the passenger seats. Spare parts and tools were fastened on the remote controlled tractor.

  The Hawk was designed as a six-person craft, a two-person cockpit with additional space for four people in the bottom hull cargo section. The cargo section and cockpit could separate from the hull and serve as a survival pod. The cargo passenger section was equipped with a side window, allowing a view into space. An audiovisual com system ensured communication inside the craft.

  Davis explained the launching procedure to Karokan.

  »The final tests before the launch will be completed by the onboard computer and Flight Control. If the neuronal computer detects a problem during these checks, then the appropriate redundancy systems will be activated. In the case of a major malfunction, the whole launching procedure will be aborted.«

  Karokan moved the mirrored visor of his space helmet upward and looked around inside the cockpit.

  »Has that ever happened?«

  Davis, who had concentrated briefly on the computer console, looked at Karokan.

  »No, a complete malfunction is highly unlikely. Each system and sub-assembly is monitored continuously and polled by the computer. During downtime inside the hangar or the dock, the onboard computer checks the systems over and over again and compares the data with the specs. Material defects, as well as malfunctioning electronic modules or devices, can be ruled out this way.«

  Karokan nodded.

  »Technology has certainly come a long way since I quit the fleet.«

  While Davis followed the scrolling computer protocols on the screen, he kept observing Karokan. »Don’t get the idea of manipulating the sensor pads on the consoles beside you. Some of the Hawk’s functions can be transferred to these consoles. I locked the consoles out but don’t get it into your head to operate them. Just relax and enjoy the flight.«

  Karokan followed the advice and activated the automatic restraining system. »Have you ever been on Quaoar?« the technician asked.

  Davis had expected this question.

  »No, we have only practiced a few approaches in the simulator, that’s it. As far as I know, no ship of the Solar Union has ever landed on Quaoar. That small, cold rock is, of course, the most unattractive place in the entire solar system.«

  Karokan laughed out loud.

  »There are worse places. You obviously haven’t been on Venus yet!«

  »No, I haven’t,« Davis confirmed. »Have you?«

  Karokan answered promptly.

  »Of course. Several corporations conducted research projects on Venus a couple of years ago. I even had the privilege of landing there to explore a certain area for raw materials. It’s still too expensive to tap into the r
esources on Venus. Transporting such materials into orbit would require propulsion systems with much stronger thrust values than are currently used. It’s not feasible, particularly when you consider the expenses to develop protection for the workers from the murderous atmospheric pressure and the hot climate. If, however, the raw materials on the moons and the asteroid belt are depleted, we might have no other choice but to seriously explore the option. We would possibly have to migrate somewhere else. The terraforming project, designed to improve the environmental conditions on Venus, would help only later generations.«

  »Migrating where?« Davis asked, amused, »Where do you want to go?«

  Karokan seemed to be surprised.

  »I didn’t expect a question like that from a fleet officer. To one of the nearest stars out there, where else? To colonize new solar systems, explore unknown worlds; perhaps one day meet extraterrestrial beings. Who knows? If we project our thoughts a thousand years into the future, then it might become inevitable.«

  Davis frowned. Karokan surprised him more and more. The technician and ex-pilot seemed to excel even in cosmological views.

  »I’m not only a fleet officer but also a logical and realistically thinking person. We will never be able to reach other solar systems with our current technology. A flight from Neptune to Earth can take days. Space travel to even nearby stars is pure fantasy.«

  Karokan shook his head. He seemed to be of a different opinion.

  »In the early days, the flight to Neptune took months instead of days. It’s all a question of speed. What is your opinion about other civilizations in the cosmos?«

  Davis smiled.

  »You mean aliens? ETs? I’m convinced they exist. However, they’re unfortunately unreachable for us.«

  »At this point in time! « Karokan added confidently.

  »Who knows, perhaps that’s lucky for us. Let’s take care of this mission and the instrumentation platform first. Your company might be able to make use of this planetoid, no need to migrate to distant stars.«