First One Hundred by D.W. Patterson

Author:D.W. Patterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, hard science fiction
Publisher: D.W. Patterson
Published: 2021-07-28T00:00:00+00:00

6

The space walk was going well. Andy had chosen to check the deuterium oxide tanks while Jerome checked the helium 3.

Just like before, thought Jerome as he opened up the access port to the manual readout.

Tapping the numbers into his Emmie.

Just as I suspected.

He called to Andy when he was finished.

“Andy you ready to head back.”

“Roger.”

“Okay, meet you at the walkway.”

Jerome was there first with Andy not far behind. This time Jerome took the lead heading back. Even though he had promised himself he would keep his eyes on the walkway he couldn't help but look up at the spinning crew wheel, spinning as the ship had ceased motion until the readings were taken. This time it wasn't as overwhelming without the habitat in the background.

He continued walking but before he had taken a couple of steps he felt a shove from behind that sent him sprawling. When he rolled over he saw Andy standing back and the robotic fuel service arm returning to its neutral position.

“What happened Andy? Did you push me?”

“Yeah I saw the arm there swinging towards us and pushed you to keep it from hitting you.”

“Okay Andy, I think you just found out what killed Homer. Let's get back and report.

The Captain had called another meeting of her crew and the engineers.

“First I'd like to thank our ship's psychologist Dr. Maccoby for sitting in. As you will see we will need her expertise.”

Dr. Maccoby nodded her head in response.

“Okay we've got a couple of things we have to cover people. First, we have to establish what we should do about these fuel readings. We can't proceed with business as usual. We are going to have to make some changes in our mission plan. We may even decide we will have to scrub the mission.”

A look went around the room.

“Next we have to find out how this fuel discrepancy arose and how that robotic arm decided to move just when engineers Andrews and Jackson were passing. And why we can't get any vid of this latest incidence either. There is just too much coincidence involved.

“Okay what do we do about the fuel situation?”

Seeing no immediate response was forthcoming the Captain turned to the Chief.

“Chief you want to tell us about your idea?”

“Of course Captain,” said Chief Carlos. “I've run the numbers using the readings that engineers Jackson and Andrews returned. We have enough fuel to continue the mission if we cease to use the fusion engines in the recharging operation.”

“But what does that do to the schedule?”

“It adds about one hundred thirty-five days to our schedule.”

“That means two hundred and five days rather than the seventy days of the original mission.”

“That's true ma'am but we do have the ability to generate enough food supply for an extended mission and we have all the other stores necessary.”

“Thank you Chief but I am more concerned with the impact on the crew and colonists than the ship's supplies. They, especially the colonists, didn't sign up for seven months aboard this ship.

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