“List constellation Cassiopeia. Load all relevant navigational data. Include latest updates on political andcultural activities, colonies and outposts.”
“What’s that for?”
“We want to know who’s friendlyif we need to put in somewhere.”
“That’s a lot of data to keep.”
“The computer can handle it. Youhave to be smart enough to know how to use it properly. The data, not thecomputer. Sort it to suit yourself, but you’ll want instant access. We’ll addCommand’s orders and Lynn’s stuff to it later.”
* * *
McReidy decided to call in somefavours. As an explorer, Magellan had made many friends. Since Komodo hadbeen returned to power as the Betelian Emperor, many of his supporters hadresurfaced. He was a visionary who had seen the benefits of a united galaxy. His years of imprisonment had only strengthened his desire. Back in power, hewas intent on making up for lost time.
It was on his instruction thatMark had been given the power of an ambassador. His advisors had seen thepotential in Mark. Their first meeting had proven this advice correct. Komodohad great influence through many planetary systems and his vision was becominga reality.
He believed he owed a lot to thecrew of Magellan. A stubborn young commander had answered a call from hisdying world. The resultant uprising, however indirectly it had come about, wasthe beginning of a new era.
In a crisis that was nowaffecting all of them, McReidy felt comfortable in asking for help. She wasput in contact with Captain Drago, whose damaged carrier was putting in forrepairs. Drago was not overfriendly, but he was efficient.
“Captain Drago, this isLieutenant Commander McReidy –” she began before he cut her off.
“I know who you are. What is ityou require?”
“Our ship has been ordered to thebattle zone.”
“Magellan was destroyed.”
“I have another ship. Bismarck.
“Bismarck? I do not know it.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” shetold herself, then raised her voice to the captain. “I’d like to know whatwe’re up against.”
“They are coming in packs ofthree. Heavily armed and all with fighters. They outgun us two to one. Staying grouped seems to be our best form of defence at the moment. I willsend you what I know when I can. We have sustained a lot of heavy damage and alot of systems are lost.” Drago was quiet for a moment before continuing. “Two Meropian ships joined us a week ago. I will put you in contact withthem.”
“Thank you.”
Drago made the connection andMcReidy found herself on the receiving end of a one way conversation. She hadonly one previous encounter with Meropians. They could talk non stop for anhour or so with such a speed that it was difficult to keep track of the topic. Not wishing to risk offending them, she allowed them to continue. The computerabsorbed the information; she would sort it later.
* * *
Gillespie, Kowalski and Red setabout upgrading the weapons. They found Ensign Wright on the station anddragged the confused man to the weapons room. The first thing they needed toknow was how much out of date the systems were. Wright’s response of “severalyears” brought groans all round.
Gillespie knew that all shipscontained identification files of all other ships in the fleet. Opening thenearest console, he brought up the Achilles. All the file contained was basicinformation. Bismarck required no more knowledge of a light cruiser.
Unwilling to let that stop him,Gillespie brought up a three-dimensional, scaled image on the screen. Wrightlocated the weapons area and Gillespie focused in on it. With a bit ofdescriptive help, they built a three-dimensional image of the Achilles’system. What they lacked in actual knowledge, they made up for in practicalskills.
With the image completed,Gillespie leaned back and looked at it. Wright turned his head to one side andlooked at. Then turned his head to the opposite side and looked at it again. He scratched his head and frowned.
“Well?” Gillespie asked.
“I guess so. Looks right,”Wright decided.
Kowalski and Red exchangedworried looks. They still had a long way to go yet.
An image of Yorktown was harder. Red had difficulty remembering the ship’s firepower. Trying to piece it alltogether left a lot of blanks.
“At least my memory’s complete,”Wright smirked.
Red glared. “Achilles is a tugcompared to that carrier.”
“We’re not here to argue,”Gillespie reminded them, fully aware the engineering disputes hadn’t resolved.
Comparing the two ships with therestrictions of Bismarck still gave them room to adjust. The engines wouldneed complete overhauling to handle the increase in power that would benecessary. A knowing glance between Kowalski and Gillespie showed that theyboth remembered how fragile the engines really were.
It was Kowalski’s turn to takethe initiative. “We’ll overhaul secondary and emergency systems as well.”
Gillespie nodded.
“Can the ship run on backup andstill have enough power to do these modifications?” Kowalski asked Red.
“I dunno,” Red answered,scratching his head. “If we realign to the main power grid, we could tap mostof the power while the main engines are offline. As long as we don’t get anyunexpected surprises.”
“Give me a list of supplies andI’ll see what I can do,” Gillespie took a notepad and pen out of an insidejacket pocket and passed it to Kowalski.
Kowalski scribbled quickly andchecked it with Red, who added a couple of items.
“You’ve got under two hours,”Kowalski handed the notepad and pen back. “Where are you going to get all thatfrom?”
“That’s my problem,” Gillespieglanced at the list then tucked it back into his pocket. “I’m going to needyou with me, Mister Wright. And have someone on standby in the transporterroom. Some of this stuff might be awkward to move.”
“How’s he going to manage that?”Red asked Kowalski, as Gillespie and Wright left the room.
“I honestly don’t know,” Kowalskishook his head. “But he’ll get it somehow. Do you want a hand with thebackups?”
“Nah, it shouldn’t take toolong. But you can run a check to make sure all systems are connected in.”
With a plan in mind, they headedto engineering. The ship would be leaving dock with the main engines offline. As long as she was operating normally by then, it wouldn’t matter.
* * *
John had logged his flight planand received approval. Giacomo, McReidy and Tan were on the bridge; the shipwaiting for clearance.
“Traffic control to Bismarck,” the main screen switched on to show the
