Free Crucible of a Species by Terrence Zavecz Page A

you can improve your coarse estimate for our return to Earth orbit. If you can’t get an update from the navigational beacons then run a solar fix relative to the inner system planets to refine your numbers. Coordinate with Lieutenant Anderson to calculate a best time estimate for transit back to Skyport under current ship’s capabilities. Send your results into my quarters as soon as you have the information. Commander Dalmas, you have the conn.”
    “Aye, aye sir. I have the conn.” The XO replied.
    The captain rose from his chair and turned toward the visitor’s gallery, “Colonel Drake, I would like you and Doctors Nolen and Thompson to join me in my conference room. I believe we have some things to discuss.”
    *~~*~~*~~*
    Midshipman Brittany Thornsen carefully pushed the control forward while watching the response of the Argos. The ship’s image had a thin, soft cyan colored aura surrounding it that deepened in color as she pushed the control forward.
    “Go easy when changing the field phase, Midshipman.” Lieutenant Anderson cautioned.
    Brittany strained to balance the spin-phase and intensity of the field linking the ship to the gravitic waves. It was impossible to keep the intensity uniform across the ship.
    Instability rose as she raised the power until the aura suddenly erupted into a cloud-like cyclone of color that transformed into a deep red funnel, shooting out from the opposite side. Her heart skipped a beat but her hand slowly pulled back without losing control.
    “I almost lost it, Lieutenant. The field suddenly unbalanced. Whatever is causing it seems to be located around that damaged section.”
    “Yeah, I noticed that too.” Anderson replied. “I guess we need to take the time and crawl through that mess now rather than later. Return to best safe speed.
    “Petrika, call the bridge and request permission to send out a robotic to examine the outside of the hull back there. Find the extent of any damage while Brittany and I go into the cargo holds. Midshipman, grab two sets of life masks on your way out.”
    *~~*~~*~~*
    Captain Lee was amazed when he entered his conference room. They already had a coffee and tea server waiting on the credenza. He had just told them to prepare the room, how the hell did Cookie’s mess crew manage to work so quickly?
    Lee motioned the doctors and Drake into some seats as he grabbed a welcome cup of tea, “Gentlemen, engineering recommends we return to the Skyport for repairs. I won’t be able to give you an estimate of repair time until I get their analysis but I fear it may be lengthy.”
    Captain Lee turned as Lieutenant Anderson’s image appeared above the conference table, “Sir, we have a preliminary damage report. Specialists Sykes and Lieu are both presumed dead. The ship’s hull maintained airtight integrity in spite of massive internal damage in four sections across three levels. We don’t know what caused the damage but everything stored in the area is gone. We are assembling a list of the lost supplies and equipment and will have that for you shortly.
    “There are major distortions of the structural frame and bulkhead in this section; I cannot guarantee it under stress. We are installing temporary patches.
    “On the exterior, there are sharp and irregular distortions and they will limit our headway but the Argos should be able to make it back to Skyport without assistance.”
    Lee looked up from his cup, “You can’t retune the gravitonic field?”
    “You need to see the hull, sir; it’s much more than simple warpage. The distortions are too sharp and irregular for field tuning.
    “I estimate three to six weeks in port. We’ll need to request Skyport to begin shipment of the major sections and materials as soon as possible so that they are waiting upon our arrival.
    “Staying within safety margins, we should be in port in six weeks or more. Sorry sir, but that’s the best time we can achieve with these constraints.”
    “Thank you