Free Frontiers 07 - The Expanse by Ryk Brown Page B

Lieutenant Montgomery stated in awe, “it seems impossible, even with fabricators.”
    “Funny you should mention fabricators,” Nathan said. “We use a similar technology called 3D printing. It is nowhere near as advanced as your fabricators, but it was a lot better than the old methods of die-casting.”
    “But a space program requires a huge industrial base.”
    “We had plenty of industry,” Nathan said. “It just wasn’t high-tech at the time. Computers were the first thing to be produced using the information from the Data Ark, since it was a computer, after all. What resulted was an overnight renaissance of science, technology, and manufacturing. Within seventy years, we were building the Defender class ships in orbit.”
    “Defender class?” the lieutenant asked.
    “Very big, very slow,” Vladimir said.
    “The Defender class ships are sub-light vessels used to patrol and defend our home system. We built four of them over the last twenty years. They may be slow, but they are heavily armed.”
    “Why didn’t you construct faster-than-light ships?” Major Prechitt asked.
    “The technologies required for FTL-capable ships were a bit more advanced, and we didn’t want to wait that long to get some type of defensive capabilities in place,” Nathan explained. “In addition, there were many who feared that building FTL warships might appear a provocative act to the Jung, forcing them to attack before we were ready to defend ourselves.”
    “A reasonable point of view,” Lieutenant Montgomery said.
    “Perhaps, if you know the size and strength of your enemy, which at the time, we did not. We did eventually build a few small FTL ships for the purpose of reconnaissance.”
    “What did your people learn?” Major Prechitt wondered.
    “That the Jung were far greater in number than we had originally estimated, and that their wave of domination was headed our way. In fact, the Sol system is now the last of the original core worlds that is not under the control of the Jung.”
    “Do the Jung have jump drives as well?” the lieutenant wondered, concern for his own world obvious on his face.
    “Not to our knowledge,” Nathan told him. “All our intelligence indicates that the Jung still use linear propulsion systems that are similar in capabilities to your own.”
    “Then surely your people have a tactical advantage over them, and an enormous one at that,” Major Prechitt observed.
    “If we can get back to Earth, yes,” Cameron said. “As far as we know, our jump drive is the only operational prototype in existence.”
    “According to Doctor Sorenson, all data concerning the jump drive program is contained in the computer systems on this ship. Without us, the Earth has no jump drive. They can’t even build another one.”
    “That still doesn’t make sense to me,” Jessica mumbled. She noticed that Major Prechitt and Lieutenant Montgomery were staring at her as if they wanted her to elaborate. She looked at Nathan, who didn’t seem to object. “I mean, why? Why put everything and everyone in one place, especially when testing a prototype? Don’t scientists usually hide in a bunker somewhere and press a button remotely?”
    “She has a point, Captain,” Major Prechitt agreed.
    “You have to understand, Major,” Nathan explained. “The Earth is under incredible stress. Our industrial complex is strained to its limits. The international economies are spending money they do not have on spaceships, and the sons and daughters of every country on Earth are going through training to crew those ships. The governments of Earth still can’t agree on how to handle the Jung: with diplomacy or force.”
    “It still doesn’t make sense,” Jessica said.
    “Captain,” Abby interrupted, “if I may?”
    “Of course, Doctor.”
    “Fleet has been aware of Jung operatives on Earth for some time.”
    “I knew it!” Jessica declared, dropping her fork on her plate. “It was an ambush!”
    Major