Free Guardian Stone 1: Stone Genesis by Don Koch Page B

efforts were then shifted to construction of the Type 2 stations. It was argued that the smaller stations were needed for several reasons. The first was that the area of space that could be covered by more of the smaller stations would increase dramatically. The second was that too many people would be exposed to harm if the continued to build only the larger Type 1B stations. Eighty of the Type 2 Stations were built and placed in operation. Aside from their size, the stations are not going to win awards for appearance since they look like an overgrown cylinder with a hollow center core running its length.
    All stations utilize the same diameter, 60 miles. This allows for some uniformity in the structure of some sectors of the stations. The military sectors and the storage sectors are the same for all stations. Habitats in the outer zone are identical for all stations. The inner zone Habitats are the identical on the Type 1A and Type 1B stations while the Type 2 station does not have an inner zone Habitat.
    The sheer size of the stations is the feature that tends to stagger even the most imaginative of those viewing it. The 60 miles diameter of each station and length varying from 90 to 260 miles certainly contribute to this impression. The core area or center, is eight miles across. Physical access to the interior of the station is through airlocks dotted along the surface of the core area starting ten miles from either end of the station. The Station's offensive capabilities were not operational when the inevitable attack came but the Antorans were able to leave without incident. Upon arrival at Tau Ceti, the Antorans exercised an ambitious construction program to build what they believed would be a fleet sufficient to counter the Glarin invasion. They then proceeded to seek persons with appropriate skills to assist in manning defenses.
    The station's most unusual feature however was not just its size. The entire outer shell of the station and its internal supports were one continuous construct of Herculenium the strongest alloy known then and now with no bolts, fasteners, welds or other connectors apparent. The construction of station components was accomplished through use of a fusing process. Programmed fabricators were also used extensively, particularly in the construction of habitat components such as the dwelling units. These processes left no trace of joining down to the molecular level. The alloy has a very low expansion/contraction coefficient and was ideal for this application. It also did not exhibit metal fatigue common to other construction metals. The exterior part of the hull that was integral to the station was two feet thick. The Antorans were able to reduce the construction facility to components that fit in the core of the prototype and its sister ship when they left Antor. The prototype initially carried 25 additional hull layers that were each two feet thick and could be used for the construction of additional stations. This was also done to avoid leaving this valuable material behind for the Glarin to utilize.
    The outer hull of the station is "down." Each deck has its own gravity generator that can be varied depending upon the function and use of the particular deck. This is achieved by artificial gravity at each deck. The flight decks use varying levels of gravity from 0.25G to 1.0 G. The storage areas use lesser gravity. Training areas can be brought all the way down to 0 G if needed. The station is intended to be a livable habitat. It has amenities not generally considered for space stations.
    The total dwelling units on a station vary by the number of outer zone and inner zone habitat there are on the station. The dwelling units are designed for occupancy of 4 persons. Average occupancy of a unit in use is 3 to 4 persons but is quite comfortable with up to 6 persons in a unit. 
     
    General
 
Type 1A
Type 1B
Type 2
Length in Miles
260
200
90
Diameter in Miles
60
60
60
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