Frontiers 07 - The Expanse (5 page)

The bridge of the Aurora quickly filled with the blue-white flash of the jump fields despite the view screen’s attempt to filter out the intensity of the light generated by the system’s jump field emitters. An instant later, the flash disappeared, and the screen reverted back to normal.

“Jump complete,” Loki reported.

“Position?” Nathan asked. As usual, he couldn’t really tell any difference in the positions of the stars. Tug had been able to notice even the tiniest shifts in the positions of the stars after a max-range jump, but he had spent years piloting his FTL-equipped interceptor through deep space. Despite his current position, Nathan was still a neophyte in comparison.

“One moment, sir,” Lieutenant Yosef reported as she verified the sensor operator’s findings. She was one of the original crew from Earth and had come aboard as an ensign assigned as the Aurora’s science officer. Past events had thrust her into the position of sensor operator, a role in which she had excelled. Now that there were nearly a dozen Takaran scientists on board, all of whom possessed considerably more scientific knowledge than she, Commander Taylor had offered Yosef the position of lead sensor operator. Since it had come with a promotion as well, Kaylah Yosef had accepted the new assignment, but only on the condition that she would be allowed to expand her scientific expertise under the tutelage of the Takarans during the journey back to Earth.

“Right on target, sir,” Lieutenant Yosef reported, grinning widely as she turned toward Nathan. “You would not believe how close we came to the jump point.”

“Try me, Lieutenant.”

“Seven hundred thirty-eight meters, sir.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No, sir.”

“You’re telling me that, after a nine light year jump, we came out only seven hundred meters off our target?”

“Seven hundred thirty-eight.” She smiled.

Nathan turned back to Abby. “Nicely done, Doctor.”

“Thank you, sir, but I wouldn’t be too happy, not yet. It may not seem like a lot, but that is nearly a kilometer off target. If the error grows with distance, and if we had been jumping twenty-five light years, the error might have been considerably worse. We will have to become far more precise if we intend to significantly increase our jump range.”

“How long until our next jump?” Nathan asked.

“Just over nine hours to recharge the energy banks.”

“Very well. Helm, put us on course and speed for the next jump, and steady as she goes.”

* * *

Major Prechitt slowed his stride slightly as he exited the service line in the mess hall. He scanned the room looking for a place to sit. Unlike the Takaran warships on which he had served as a young man, the Aurora did not have separate dining facilities for officers and enlisted personnel. The major liked the mixed arrangement, although there was naturally still some degree of separation within the mess hall itself.

After a moment, he spotted one of the Takaran scientists sitting in a corner alone. Understandably so, the dozen scientists and technical specialists on loan from Takara had found themselves more segregated than most. For the most part, they dined together in groups of four or more and usually at the very same table where the lone Takaran currently sat. The major wondered what it must be like for the Takarans, serving aboard a ship full of people who, until recently, had been subjugated by their former empire.

Of course, the Takarans currently aboard the ship were not of noble houses. They were commoners—well educated and well trained commoners, to be sure, and probably of at least moderate socioeconomic status on their worlds, all of them except their leader, Lieutenant Montgomery, the lone diner.

Major Prechitt found himself standing at the lone Takaran man’s table, looking down at him. He could feel the eyes of the other Corinairans in the mess hall, all watching him to see what he would do. “Lieutenant Montgomery, isn’t it?”

The lieutenant looked up from the data pad that he had been studying while dining, a look of surprise on his face. “Uh, yes,” he mumbled. He instantly noticed the rank insignia on the major’s uniform. “Yes, sir,” he said more clearly, standing in respect.

“As you were, Lieutenant,” Major Prechitt told him. “May I join you?”

“Uh, yes, of course, sir.” The lieutenant looked even more confused. “Why?” he added in a more hushed tone.

“I figured I’d set an example for the rest of the men,” Major Prechitt said, “give them something to think about.”

“I appreciate the thought, sir, but it is not necessary. I understand how they feel about us, and I do not blame them. I would feel similar were our roles reversed.”

“That is exactly why it
is
necessary, Lieutenant,” the major said as he sat. “It will take some time for the animosity between our worlds to subside. Better that the process is started sooner rather than later. We Corinairans must realize that it was the regime that was our enemy, not its people. That regime no longer exists.”

“An enlightened attitude, to be sure,” the lieutenant stated. “However, I served that regime willingly.”

“Did you kill any of my countrymen?” Major Prechitt asked plainly.

“No, sir. I am a scientist, not a combatant. My rank is only for the purpose of leading others.” The lieutenant looked at Major Prechitt with as honest an expression as he could muster. “However, had I been ordered to do so, I would have complied.”

“Because you wanted to kill Corinairans, or because you were afraid of the consequences should you refuse that order?”

“Because it was my duty, sir. Those that kill out of desire are not honorable men; they are savages.”

Major Prechitt looked at the lieutenant, studying him for a moment. “You don’t sound like any of the nobles I met during my forced service to the empire.”

“Not all of us believed in the babble that spewed forth from the mouth of our former emperor.”

“Then what is it that the nobles are loyal to?” Major Prechitt asked. “Other than wealth and power, that is.”

“I am not about to defend the nobles whose interests were focused on such concerns. I can only speak for the loyalties of myself and my house, which were to our society. Upholding it was the duty of every nobleman.”

“One might call that a flawed system,” Major Prechitt said. “However, I appreciate your honesty, Lieutenant, and I respect your sense of duty and honor as well.” The major took a bite of his salad. “I suspect we have more in common than you might think.”

“I might add, Major, that I am quite happy that the leader I currently serve is unlikely to ever give such an order.”

Major Prechitt looked at the lieutenant, who was smiling. “As am I, Lieutenant. As am I.”

* * *

“We have completed the analysis of jump eight,” a Takaran scientist reported as he handed the data pad to Doctor Sorenson.

Abby looked at the information displayed on the data pad, mentally sifting through the numbers as her trained eye searched for the relevant data. The Takarans were technologically more advanced than the people from Earth, but at times, their methodology for presenting data left something to be desired. “This is very promising,” she noted as she continued to study the information.

“It appears that the new emitters and energy banks are more efficient than originally expected,” the young man reported with obvious pride. “I’m sure it is safe to begin practical test jumps of at least fifteen light years.”

“Perhaps.” Abby looked at the young man. “I apologize. I am very bad with names.”

“Rinne,” the man responded eagerly, “Pyotor Rinne, and I am not at all insulted, Doctor. In fact, I am honored to be working with you.”

“Thank you, Mister Rinne.”

“What you have created is beyond description,” the man began, stumbling with his words as he elaborated. “The possible applications for instantaneous interstellar transportation are staggering to say the least…”

“Thank you again, Mister Rinne, but I am not its creator. It was my father’s vision, not mine, that brought the jump drive into existence. I was merely a facilitator.”

“I did not mean to detract from your father’s accomplishments, good doctor. He was a brilliant man. But do not discount your own contributions. I have read all of the project reports and journals. He may have had vision, but I believe that it was your guiding hand that led to his eventual success, as did your father.”

“Pardon me?”

The young Takaran scientist noticed the Terran physicist’s reaction. “I am sorry. I just assumed that it was permissible to read all of the documentation, including your father’s journals.” The young man was becoming more defensive as he continued. “There were no locks on his files, so I just assumed…”

“It’s quite all right, Mister Rinne,” Abby assured him, sensing his discomfort.

After an uncomfortable pause, the young man continued. “You have not read them?”

“No, I have not,” Abby admitted as she studied the data pad.

“If I am not being too personal, might I inquire why?”

“I guess I’ve just been too busy since we left Earth.” Abby stopped, lowering the data pad. “Actually, now that I think about it, I’ve been too busy for much of anything for going on ten years now.”

Mister Rinne noticed a look of sadness cast upon her face. “Do you have family back on Earth?”

“Yes, a husband and child,” she said, “both of whom I fear I have not given enough attention.”

“I am sure they understand,” Mister Rinne assured her in his most comforting tone. “At least, they will once they realize what you and your father were working on.”

Surprisingly, his comments made her feel better. “I hope you are correct, Mister Rinne,” she said as she handed him his data pad, “about my family and your analysis. I will speak to the captain about increasing our jump range.”

* * *

“Jump nine complete,” Loki reported.

“Position verified,” Lieutenant Yosef confirmed.

“Very well,” Commander Taylor said from the command chair. “Begin full sensor sweeps of the area and start long-range scans of our next jump target. Time to full charge?”

“Nine hours twenty-three minutes,” Loki said.

“Very well. Set course for the next jump point and maintain current speed, Mister Hayes,” Commander Taylor ordered as she turned her chair slightly left and noticed Doctor Sorenson entering the captain’s ready room at the aft end of the bridge.

“Setting course for jump point ten. Maintaining current speed, aye,” Josh answered in a monotone voice.

“Getting bored, Mister Hayes?” Commander Taylor asked as she turned her chair forward.

“Pretty much.”

“Sorry that there’s no one shooting at us,” Cameron said.

“I’m not,” Loki added.

“Sir?” Naralena interrupted. “The captain needs you in his ready room.”

“Very well,” Cameron answered as she rose. “Lieutenant Yosef, you have the bridge.”

“Aye, sir.”

Josh waited until the commander had left the bridge. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

“How much more of what?” Loki asked.

“Jump, recharge, jump, recharge, jump, recharge… it’s worse than flying recon,” Josh complained.

“You really are an adrenaline junkie, aren’t you?”

“I just want to do some flying; that’s all.”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing now, Mister Hayes?” Lieutenant Yosef stated as she took the command chair behind them.

“That’s not what I’d call it. I’m just pushing buttons here. Hell, other than the simulators, I haven’t had my hand on a flight control stick in weeks.”

“Well, with all the time you’ve been spending in the simulators, I’d expect you to be rated for every ship the Aurora carries and then some,” the lieutenant said.

Her tone carried more meaning than did her words; of that Josh was sure. He had been spending most of his spare time in the simulators, a fact that she had complained about on more than one occasion. Between her new responsibilities as a lieutenant and as head of her department and Josh spending all his off-duty time in the simulators, they had little time together.

“Yeah, maybe it’s time to seek other forms of entertainment,” Josh added with a sly smile. “Hey, I hear they’ve got a huge collection of old Earth vid-flicks in the database.” He could feel the lieutenant glaring at him.

* * *

“You asked to see me, sir?” Commander Taylor stated as she entered the ready room. She was not surprised to see Doctor Sorenson sitting at the captain’s desk, as she had noticed her entering earlier. “Doctor.”

“Commander.”

“Yes, have a seat,” Captain Scott instructed. “Doctor Sorenson feels it is safe to dial our max jump range up to fifteen light years.”

“That’s good news,” the commander stated as she took her seat. “Will it increase our recharge time?”

“Apparently not.”

“How is that possible? I thought it was one hour per light year jumped.”

“The Takarans replaced many of the jump drive’s components during our repairs,” Doctor Sorenson explained, “most notably, the emitters and the energy banks. The Takaran energy banks are capable of taking a charge at a much faster rate than our original energy banks—at least fifty percent faster.”

“Then why are we still taking nine hours to recharge after each nine light year jump?” Commander Taylor wondered. “Shouldn’t it be taking more like four and a half hours?”

“Because we lack the energy production capacity.”

“We have four antimatter reactors,” Cameron said.

“Each of which is designed to deliver a smooth, even flow of power. In order to charge the energy banks at a faster rate, much larger amounts of power are required. They are not designed to deliver large pulses of energy. The safety protocols won’t allow it.”

“And for good reason,” Cameron said.

“Of course, Commander,” Nathan said. “No one is suggesting that we attempt to do otherwise. However, Abbey has some ideas.” Nathan turned to Doctor Sorenson.

“The Takarans have proposed a way to use the mini-ZPEDs to directly power the jump drive. This may or may not increase our range per jump. However, it would allow us to execute repeated maximum range jumps without recharging. Although at the time of our departure they had not yet attempted jumps of greater distances, theoretically, they should be able to reach a single jump range of at least fifty light years.”

Nathan looked intrigued. “Imagine how quickly we could get home if we didn’t have to recharge between every jump.”

“A pair of mini-ZPEDs running as low as ten percent maximum output would provide enough energy for a twenty light year jump in a single pulse,” Doctor Sorenson explained. “Energy banks would not be needed.”

“Seriously? No recharge time?”

“Even if we were taking an hour to scan ahead as we calculate each jump, we’d still be home in less than a week instead of three.”