The Enceladus Mission: Hard Science Fiction by Brandon Q. Morris

Author:Brandon Q. Morris [Morris, Brandon Q.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Hard-SF.com
Published: 2018-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

The dynamo was working, almost optimally. Siri reported an output of 8.4 kilowatts. That was enough for the life support system to provide fresh air to the command module. It was also sufficient to operate the computer and keep a few LEDs on. It was dim, but not completely dark. They were alive, at least for the time being.

Martin watched Amy, who sat in front of her console. She seemed to be concentrating. Is she afraid? She would have to give the order to restart the engines. Everything depended on the restart being successful. Nothing really depended on the way Amy gave that order, yet it seemed to be important to her. Her behavior is irrational, Martin decided, as he had previously experienced with many people. Amy sees herself as responsible for something she cannot influence. Finally, she made a decision.

“This is the commander, please identify.”

Martin watched the others. Francesca seemed to repeat Amy’s words in a whisper. Jiaying massaged her fingers. Marchenko was whistling.

“Identified, I am listening,” Siri replied. Siri was responsible for navigation, and by definition accelerating belonged to that.

“Restart fusion drives according to standard protocol,” Amy ordered.

“Initiating restart,” the AI complied.

No one had ever tried to start a DFD out in the midst of space. Even during initial ignition in the dock, not all DFDs had started successfully. Martin heard a deep rumbling being transmitted through the structural elements. This was the body-borne sound of their spaceship. It changed its frequency, increased a bit, and then faded again.

“Restart failed.”

Amy froze on her seat. Francesca banged her fist against the wall.

“Well, that would have been too easy,” Marchenko said, trying to defuse the tension they all felt.

“Watson, system analysis,” Martin requested.

“External drive offline. Cause: Lack of fuel.”

The energy required to start up the DFD was generated by a conventional motor that burned hydrogen and oxygen, creating water. As soon as the motor was no longer needed, another module split the created water back into its components, that were then stored until the next restart. Either this had not worked, or oxygen had been lost along the way.

Martin continued, “Watson, root cause analysis.”

“This is not possible. There are missing parameters.” The AI did not know why the oxygen was not there. All of their lives depended on the answer to this problem. Martin was gradually getting tired of these situations endangering their survival. It would be about time something actually worked, he silently grumbled.

In a halting voice, Amy said, “It looks like somebody has to go outside again and check.”

“I would suggest we simply refill the oxygen tank. It doesn’t matter whether it leaks a bit. The oxygen only has to last for a few minutes,” said Marchenko, pragmatic as usual.

“Is there no alternative? Our dynamo generates electricity, so could we use that to fire up the magnetic coils of the DFD?” Jiaying asked.

“The DFD needs about 2 megawatts. We only have approximately 8 kilowatts. We could make the ring rotate as fast as we want...” For a doctor, Marchenko is also pretty good at math, Martin thought, and then turned to the AI.

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