“. . . And, what might it be?”
“We have officially assigned the first planet to you and your colonists,” Marc said. He realized he was being a bit petty, making the governor beg for the information. “Grow up!” he thought.
“That is very good news.”
“Unfortunately, we are not yet able to move your asteroid with our jumpdrive,” Marc continued. “I’m having one of the Paraxean carriers brought to Earth so you can use it as a colony ship. I assume we’ll both use the Sakira to start our colony, but the carrier will allow you to make a second mission with substantially more colonists while we figure out how to move the asteroid; We will provide the command staff and the pilots necessary for protection. I’ll send you the design we’re doing for the Sakira. For the carrier, you will be able to use three of the flight bays and the cargo bay to transport what you need to the planet.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” the governor said.
“If you convert a flight bay to passenger cabins, you’ll be able to accommodate quite a few colonists,” Marc said. “We’re planning to convert one flight bay so the carrier can carry forty thousand colonists. You could double that number if you put four per cabin. The two other flight bays can be made available for cargo.”
“So, you plan to ferry all of our colonists?”
“Hopefully, not. We thought you would like to start preparing the planet while we complete the changes to the jumpdrive so that it can transport your asteroid. We suggest you send a small group out in the Sakira, possibly four or five thousand. Then that could be followed up by a larger group in the carrier.”
“Ah, I see. So, we could accomplish our first year’s goals while you finish your drive. Then we would be ready to start moving larger numbers down from the asteroid.”
“Correct,” Marc said.
“When could we start?”
“The Sakira can be ready in two months,” Marc said. “The carrier a few months after that. We’ll also be using the Sakira to start our colony on Artemis, and we’ve started to convert one of our own space carriers to deliver colonists.”
“What about cargo?” the governor asked.
“As I said, you can put cargo in one of the flight bays or two, depending on how many colonists you want to take. And the carrier has a cargo hold. On the Sakira, you would only be able to use the cargo hold. But we’re working on a new class of ship, a cargo ship. We hope to have it ready in six months.”
“A new cargo ship?”
“Yes, it would be able to carry significantly more cargo than the Sakira or the space carriers. And as you know, the round trip is only a few weeks.”
“Thank you; this gives me enough information to lay out a plan. How many colonists may I bring here to Delphi Station to help me?” the governor asked.
“We’ve finished the build-out of the first set of rings,” Marc said. “We can accommodate another two thousand Paraxeans.”
“That should be more than enough. I cannot begin to express our thanks to you and your people.”
“Then I’ll leave you to your planning.” Marc excused himself from the governor’s office.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Liz, . . .” Marc messaged her once he got back to his office.
“Hello, Marc, what can I do for you?” Liz replied.
“The Paraxeans are going to bring a few more colonists out of stasis. I’d like you to lead the mission. Specifically, I’d like you to go with them when they land on the asteroid.”
“I can do that; how many colonists?”
“Two thousand,” Marc said.
“Oh, that’s a lot. I assume I’ll be using the Sakira.”
“Yes, it should be able to ferry that many with the mods Catie made to ferry everyone out to the asteroid belt.”
“I’ll check and make sure. But as I recall, she put in two thousand cabins, plus all that rec space. When am I supposed to leave?”
“I would expect the governor to have his list ready within the week.”
“Okay, then I’ll clear my schedule,” Liz said. “Is there anything else?”
“Not that I know of,” Marc said.
“You must want me to observe or learn something about the Paraxeans.”
“Not specifically. I do want to know their process for bringing their people out of stasis, and I’m curious to know more about the layout of the asteroid.”
“Didn’t we already send a team to it?”
“Yes, but they were a bit overwhelmed. You’re more comfortable with all the new technology, so you’ll be able to learn more.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Liz said. “Do you mind my asking about Catie?”
“No, go ahead.”
“Have you heard how she’s doing?”
“ADI reports that she’s doing fine. That’s all I’m getting right now. The new cadets are on communication lockdown for the first three weeks.”
“Is it okay if ADI lets me know if there are any problems?” Liz asked.
“Cer Liz, you are my third contact after Marc and Linda,” ADI interjected.
“Thank you; how did I beat Blake out?”
“I think Catie flipped a coin,” Marc said. “Don’t tell Blake.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“I relieve you,” Liz informed Lieutenant Payne, the current acting captain of the Sakira.
“I stand relieved,” Lieutenant Payne said. He was now back to his old job as First Officer of the Sakira, or First Mate since this was a civilian operation.
The Paraxean Governor had requested that Liz pick up his team and head to the asteroid the next day. He would communicate the list of colonists he wanted to have brought back once they got there. “He is obviously in a hurry,” Liz thought.
“Very good, please plot a course for the Paraxean asteroid,” Liz ordered.
“Yes, Captain,” the navigator replied.
“Time to destination?”
“Ten days, if we take eight hours off from heavy acceleration per day for rest.”
“Make it so.”
“Aye-aye, Captain.”
Liz was not looking forward to ten days where you needed to sit or lie down most of the time to deal with the increased g-forces. Liz decided she would try
