The Definitive SpaceFed Trilogy (SpaceFed StarShips Trilogy).: A thrilling, action-packed Sci-fi space adventure. (SpaceFed StarShips Series Book 8) Page 18

  In the main, they were scientists and engineers. Plus a core of people more equipped to deal with the everyday running of the ship's facilities. And of the education and training of the crew's expected offspring.

  The Acarea, was self-sustaining, with multiple manufacturing facilities, purification plants, and the ability to synthesize provisions. It was also equipped with a few small shuttles, and a range of high-tech armaments to protect the crew and ship.

  A nuclear pulse engine powered it. Two massive rockets were also bolted to its side that, when the ship was finally launched in 2109, took it well away from Earth. Before allowing its nuclear pulse engine to take over, gradually gathering speed and heading for Procyon.

  It was expected to take about sixty earth years and was to be ‘The Great Adventure' Earth’s first real attempt at colonizing the stars.

  The next couple of chapters didn’t interest Frank. Then he reached 2146.

  By 2146, a still active UN agency, together with the European Community, USA, China, Russia, and many other countries, were eventually amalgamated into a single body called Earth Federation. All of them still retained some freedom of control, but the final say was with the Federation.

  Air transport had changed dramatically, with clean fusion reactors powering most planes.

  On the moon, a permanent base had finally been constructed, comprising of a few small habitations, plus material and synthetic food processing domes.

  One dome being dedicated to the production of plant-based foods. And to growing plants that produced oxygen. All of which, combined with the small amounts of water extracted from the permafrost, and minerals mined from below the surface, made the scientific and way-station almost self-sustaining.

  With a cargo ship that was stationed in orbit around the moon, holding backup water in the form of ice, in case insufficient water was extracted from the permafrost.

  By 2210, Mars was also settled. With habitation and industrial domes set-up near extinct volcanoes, where minerals were most prolific.

  It became a bit boring again. So, Frank scanned on until he came to 2235.

  In 2235, the Space Federation was established. Once this had taken place, work began on the StarShip construction facilities on Mars, together with the spacedock assembly, and repair platforms, both of which were in high orbit above Mars.

  By 2273, the first phase of the StarShip construction site on Mars was completed, and the orbital spacedock was fully operational.

  Henderson's prototype star-drive assembly was now ready to be tested. Although at first, he had been worried by a light blue, glowing, pea-sized energy bubble that always seemed to float close to a newly grown warp crystal. He was relieved in that when the warp crystal was placed in its containment sphere, the blue energy object had always vanished.

  Ignoring this anomaly, the Stardrive itself was split between several shuttles, enabling it to be ferried up to the orbiting Mars spacedock. There, the prototype was reassembled and installed in an enormous, old type Mars-Earth ferry ship that was waiting at the Mars space-dock.

  In 2275, Henderson’s Stardrive was finally launched but wasn’t at first successful. With problems of drag and directivity of the ship while in the newly created wormhole. These problems were quickly rectified, and an entirely new breed of StarShips was born.

  Within ten years, the newly formed Space Federation dispatched its first StarShip, called the Constellation, to Sirius in the Canis Major system. It returned three years later, confirming that no life was found to exist on any of the five planets held by the star. Cracks, in its outer skin, were found to be beyond repair, and she was sent for scrap.

  In 2290, the Hawk was commissioned and sent to Procyon in Canis Major, where it was believed that the settler ship, Acarea, had gone. However, by the year 2295, no word had come from the Hawk and she was feared lost along with her crew of sixty.

  This had brought Frank virtually up to date, so he stopped at that point. Of course, he knew that work had started on the new and more advanced type of Starship long before the Hawk’s departure for Procyon. That advancement was clearly reflected in the design of the Andromeda-class ships.

  Then he sat back and closed his eyes for a while thinking that Andromeda had done a jolly good job.

  Chapter 30.

  Time to waste.

  Both Andromeda and Derringer remained on alert while waiting for the Illustrious to return. Mostly via electronic detection systems, and with the support of the armed stealth drones that were patrolling, about eight million kilometers out.

  This week had seemed like a very long holiday for some of his crew of twenty, and at times, for him.

  He had seen Susanna several times, both in his cabin and hers, and they had decided to get engaged when they returned to Earth.

  Alice, the other female crew member, had begun seeing Professor Tim Watson from the astrophysics department. This adding extra zing to the usual twinkle in his eyes.

  While Susanna had asked Frank if they could have a celebration meal with Alice and Tim, before starting back to Earth.

  He hadn't liked the idea very much; it would look more like playing gooseberry he thought. But it might be interesting.

  Tim, despite his, usually, twinkling eyes, had always seemed nervous and out of place for a thirty-one-year-old bachelor. But he had changed recently, his black hair had been cut short. He was clean shaven, and his off-duty clothing had undergone a real transformation.

  No doubt it was due to Alice’s influence. Now, more comfortable in each other’s presence, they had fallen for each other.

  The meal was set for the next day and was to be held in his cabin, which, being next to the control room, was slightly larger than the general crew quarters. It also had the added ability to be able to be further enlarged, by moving an adjoining wall one meter back.

  Frank had agreed to select the menu and had been instructed to prepare the room ahead of time. Not a difficult task as it only required an audio command, to move the wall back. Then another one to reconfigure the table seating for four people. With the seats, also automatically rising from the floor, unfolding as they went. But it showed him willing, Frank thought.

  As Frank prepared the room for their dinner party, he realized that he was starting to ‘get into the mood’ for the occasion.

  Afterwards, he went to shower and change while Andromeda supplied a service droid ready to set the table, serve the food, and act as a waiter.

  Everything was ready, but only just in time, as Susanna, Alice and Tim arrived.

  “Hello, Alice. Tim,” he said, as he greeted them and gave Susanna a quick kiss on her cheek as they all entered.

  “Take a seat,” he said, finding it difficult to take his eyes off Susanna. She was wearing a loose pale blue ‘Mood’ top. Together with black slacks and looked fabulous.

  He’d seen these ‘Mood’ tops before. They apparently sensed the wearer’s emotions, or mood and changed color to reflect it. He then realized that Alice wore similar clothing, but her top was a slightly darker shade of blue

  “H’m you look as if you’ve been using the same machine, um, clothing dispenser, that is.”

  They all thought that was funny, except Frank.

  “I know we don’t usually, but would you like a glass of wine?” They all said yes, which encouraged Frank, as he was rather concerned about the reception his chosen meal would have on them.

  Then they sat down and enjoyed the wine while talking together comfortably, as people who work closely together seem to do.

  After a while, Frank ordered the droid to provide service. Then it flitted from one person to the other serving the meal on polymer dishes that could be auto cleansed, then reformed to suit the type of food and level of service required at the time. These were now the norm for use in spaceships.

  “What is it? Frank,” Tim asked, with his nose almost touching the brown chunks.

  “Well, it’s supposed to be a roasted beef. Of course, it's synthetic
, but I’m assured that the flavors and textures are authentic.

  Interestingly, I hear the Hydroponic section is on the verge of being able to produce important protein-rich foods. Which is surprising considering how little space they have.”

  “That'll be interesting,” Susanna remarked.

  “And these round, creamy colored things. What are they?”

  “Come on Alice. They’re potatoes! You must have heard of them. They were a basic food stuff a long time ago,” Tim joshed.

  “Well, perhaps I have a vague recollection of them. Has anyone else come across them before?”

  “No,” Susanna said. “I haven’t…. Have you, Frank? Before today, that is.”

  “No, so eat up,” Frank replied laughing nervously.

  After they had finished eating, Frank ordered the droid to clean the table and reconfigure it.

  They all stood up again, just in time, as the table began to recede into the floor. To one side of the cabin, an occasional table, and a sofa matching the room’s existing sofa, rose out of the floor. Each unit configuring itself as it rose.

  “OK. Let’s sit here, it’s more comfortable,” Frank suggested.

  Both sat down, each couple opposite the other.

  Then Frank spoke. “I've sort of invented a drink you might like to try.”

  “Oh no!” Susanna said, contorting her face in mock disgust.

  “You haven't tried it yet! Well, are you going to?”

  “Of course, we'll try it, Frank,” Tim said, getting into the spirit.

  Frank told the droid the combination he wanted, and it swiftly glided to the dispenser. In moments, coming back with the drinks.

  “That tastes good Frank,” Tim said, enthusiastically. “It’s certainly got a kick.”

  “They all agreed and finished their drinks, savoring them slowly. They knew this was the last alcoholic drink they would have on this voyage.

  “Can I ask you something, off the record Frank?”

  “Of course, Tim, Everything’s off the record tonight.”

  “Well, I haven't said anything before because Alan's your friend.”

  “Friend? Well, we were classmates for a couple of months. Why do you ask?”

  “Well, Astro isn’t his forte. He jumps from one thing to another and well, doesn’t seem to know as much as he should.”

  “I get that feeling every time I go to Astro to see Tim,” Alice agreed. “He hovers around,” Alice paused,

  “Sues, like those people at Data Analysis. You remember; Charlie Bryce was one of them.”

  “Yes, always looking over your shoulder to see your answers.”

  “I know what you mean. So, what are you saying, Tim?” Frank asked.

  “If we go out again. None of us in Astro wants him in with us.”

  “To be honest Tim, he won’t be on our next trip, but please keep that information to yourself.”

  “Of course, thank goodness for that.”

  Changing the subject, Frank looked at Alice. “Your parents live in Wisconsin, don’t they?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are they well?”

  “When we left, yes. Naturally, I miss them; we are very close. But I really love my work, and they understand that I have to be away for long periods. As we all are.”

  “Yes, it’s much the same for most of us.”

  They all sat for a while longer talking. Then finally, deciding it was late, Alice and Tim went. Thanking Frank and Susanna for an enjoyable evening.

  “Are you coming to my cabin later, Frank?”

  “Yes, but I have a few things to do. Hour tops.”

  “OK, see you later,” she said, and kissing him left.

  On day eight, a two-minute warning rang out, announcing the approach of the Illustrious.

  Moments later, a large swirling ring with a jet-black center appeared as the Illustrious shot out of the wormhole and came to a stop, three thousand kilometers away.

  Within minutes, she had maneuvered towards the Andromeda, ending up within a hundred meters of it.

  “Welcome back Captain. Glad to see you,” Frank said. As Captain Patterson's face looked out from his screen.

  “You too. We've got your bits and pieces,” he added, with a smile.

  “Excellent. Any problems?”

  “Only with your friend Jack Medcalf, at UK SpaceFed. Well. He went bananas when he was told there weren't any extra cores for you.”

  “I bet someone's face was red,” Frank said.

  “Yea. Did you know they can only produce six warp-cores a year at present? You can see why they were a bit reluctant.”

  “But that would have been for six ships,” Frank pointed out.

  “No. Just three. They're trying to kit out each ship with an extra warp-core. Pity they hadn’t thought of that for ours.”

  “Well, we'd better get the core installed; otherwise, Derringer's Captain Crisp will tell us off,” he joked.

  “Be safer to get it in, anyway,” Derrick finished.

  The Illustrious moved to align its holding bay door with Andromeda's. Within minutes, two Force craft transferred Andromeda's new jump drive.

  Once inside, the Andromeda, the door closed and the holding bay re-pressurized.

  Crew and service droids then worked flat out to remove the old drive and install the new.

  Fifteen minutes later, installation was complete.

  Andromeda then carried out balance tests and simulated system operation.

  Chapter 31.

  Homeward Bound.

  Frank watched, on his screen, as the last-minute preparations took place for their departure. It would still require three more jumps to get back to Earth.

  ‘It couldn't come soon enough,' he thought. ‘We all need some rest.'

  “Andromeda,” he ordered. “Set up a conference in ten minutes, participants as before.”

  “Yes, Frank.”

  He made his notes then sat patiently waiting.

  “Start the conference, please,” Frank said. Immediately, his main screen filling with the standard images, followed by those of Captains Patterson, and Crisp.

  “Glad to see you all looking perky,” he said. “This will probably be our last conference until we get home.

  Firstly, it's been my privilege to have known and worked with you all,” he paused.

  “Yes, Derrick?”

  “Permission to speak Sir?”

  “Very well.”

  “I would just like to say that Tony and I, well, this was our first mission, and what a mission. Jumping in at the deep end, it was a real baptism of fire. It was a really great experience.”

  Tony concurred. “We're both proud to have been part of it. Our men have been lucky.”

  “Thanks. Much appreciated, and we all feel the same. Now, let’s tie up the loose ends. You first, Susanna.”

  Susanna fidgeted for a moment while she checked her report.

  “Yes, Frank. Well, we noted that when Tarcan's five battlecruisers jumped into Normal-space near the old wormhole, Tarcan transmitted an electronic arrival pulse to the ships he'd left behind in Sector two. It probably told them that the wormhole was gone.

  Our problem then was to determine the location of Sector two.”

  “I'm sure you're going to be able to tell us,” Tim chipped in.

  “Of course I am Tim. It makes a change,” she replied, grinning.

  “Well, when we were getting close to Procyon, and Andromeda had to scurry for cover,” she said and paused momentarily as she felt a sharp stab in her implant.

  ‘Sorry Andromeda, but that’s the truth.’ she ‘mentally’ replied.

  “Well, The Crillon’s Fleet Twelve were searching for us, within minutes.”

  “That's right,” said Frank. “Go on.”

  “Therefore, I think that Procyon must be in their Sector two,” she paused, then added. “In fact, I believe they were near Luyten's Star.”

  “Why,” queried Tim.

  “Y
ou know more about astronomy than I do Tim.

  But looking at the data, we can see that Luyten's Star is only about one-point-one light-years away from Procyon. So, the timing is right, and it's a reddish-orange dwarf star, M3.55 I think. Correct?”

  “Close enough,” Tim replied. “Go on, you're doing fine at the moment.”

  “Good, and Luyten's Star is about twelve-point-three-six light-years from Earth. That meant as mentioned a while ago; the Crillon's could have only just started using the wormhole. Yes?”

  “Agreed,” Frank replied. “Otherwise, they would have destroyed Earth already.”

  “There is another problem,” Derrick Patterson said.

  “Arans thought his Fleet Twelve crew members would all be dead in a few months.

  However, I agree with Frank, in thinking that they could survive, and more importantly if they do, they might even be split up into two or more groups.”

  “Which brings me to one last thing,” Susanna interrupted. “Mark, how long can a stealth drone operate under its own fusion power pack?”

  “Under basic function conditions, about two years. Why?”

  “It’s obvious. Sues is thinking that we need to carry out wormhole picket duty, using a drone,” Frank said. Cursing himself at the same time for using Susanna's nickname.

  She reddened slightly. “Correct. It could then pre-warn us if any Crillon activity occurs. That would definitely be an advantage for us.”

  “I agree,” Frank added. “It's worth doing Susanna. Work with Brian and MIcky. How long do you need Brian?”

  “We should be able to set the stealth drone up today.”

  “Good. Tony, what are Illustrious and Derringer's orders? After helping us, I mean.”

  “Seeing you safely home,” Tony Crisp said with a broad smile.

  “Sounds good to me Gents,” Frank replied. “Any other queries? Tom, is your Geo section all packed away?”