Free Stepping Up by Robert Culp Page B

coolant flow
direction control so the drives cool uniformly.  “Roger, Bridge, I’ve got it
handled.  We’re green to secure from Transit.”
    I switch to the private channel. “Gorb! 469B is showing a
drop in the coolant pressure.  Can you find out what caused it please?”
    “Okay Shownya.”  The roar dies down. Night Searcher is no longer in Transit.  Gorb and I each take off our helmets.  I run a hand
through my hair, I’m sure I look like a…well, something that had its head stuck
in a helmet for several hours.  The post-Transit diagnostics begin.  I direct
the computer to send a copy of the results to my notebook.  That fluctuation
Aria mentioned isn’t a catastrophe, and I’m not going to let it become one. 
When I get some time I’m going to find out why it happened and what needs to be
corrected.
    My workstation holoCom beeps. It’s Mack. “Yeah, Boss?”
    Mack’s face fills the screen “When you get the Transit
drives put to bed, I need you to come to the LEO.”  He’s not looking so
good. Must be something going on I don’t know about.
    “Roger.” After shutting down the holoCom channel, I nail
down a few more interlocks and double check the computer’s diagnostic routine
of the engines.  I tell Gorb where I’m going and he gives me a thumbs up. 
He’ll finish a few details then get started on that coolant issue. If the
engines aren’t engaged, it’s time to fix whatever may be broken. And there is
always something that needs to be inspected, repaired, or replaced.
    Preventative maintenance procedures typically have three categories: 
Before, During, and After.  Each is conducted at the appropriate time with
respect to the apparatus.  We’ll do the After maintenance checks when the
engines are cold.  When we get the warning order that Transit is approaching
we’ll do the Before inspections.
    I knock on the door and obey the “Enter!” bellowed from
inside the LEO.  Mack has one bare foot in a tub of ice and water. “Hey,” he
says and looks up at me. “Wow, you look like hell. I need you to go down with
the shore party and do the Engineering shopping.  I would go, but I sprained my
ankle. Here’s the list and the credit chip.”  He hands me a pocket sized
digital clipboard and the chip.
    I look over the parts list.  There’s nothing I don’t
recognize; I asked for over half of it. “My first trip on a starship and I get
to go on the shore party? My lucky stars must be ascending. I’ve never done
this before but I’m sure I can handle it.  Where do I need to be, when do I
need to be there, and besides the list and chip, what do I need to have?  And
if I come across any terrific bargains, do I have any discretionary money to
spend?”
    “Easy girl.  Sit.  Stay.  Good girl.”  He grins. I look for
something to throw at him.  He moves his clipboard out of my reach.  “Be in the
Commons at 1900, Aria will give a briefing and one of the Troopers will lead
the party. There’s two million on that chip. You may charge hotels, meals, and
any parts not on the list that you can get for a good deal, but be prepared to
defend your decisions.”
    “Wilco, Boss.  And thanks.”
    I get to the brief a little early.  I have the company
chip in one pocket and my personal chip in another, just to make it harder for
me to get them mixed up.  There are already four people in the Commons, two men
and a woman I don’t know are with Aria. Since I’m the last to arrive, the
meeting starts on time.  “If you do not all know each other, Sonia MacTaggert
from Engineering, Needa Williams from Medical, and Troopers Freddie Call and
Stanley McQueen.” She points as she introduces us.  “Listen up:  You have a
maximum of two days but are subject to earlier recall. If you finish sooner, by
all means return.  Everyone has his or her shopping list.  Freddie, you and
Sonia will pair up. Ladies, these men are with you for your protection, so do
what they say when they