The Starchild Compact by Robert G. Williscroft

Author:Robert G. Williscroft
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mars, jupiter, islam, saturn, jihad, tether, lagrangian points, gas core reactor, iapetus, vasimr
Publisher: Robert G. Williscroft

Chapter 20

The first thing they did was relocate the topside team so that the ropes dropped directly over the location of the lock. Once in position, Jon and Ari had a terrible time forming the polyaramid sheet into a cylinder. Their problem was lack of traction. After several fits and starts, they managed to form a loop at the end of one of the ropes, which they passed around the sheet, pulling into a cylindrical shape. As they worked on the project, it became clear that they needed to install a brace around both top and bottom before they attempted to push the cylinder through the accumulated dust atop the elevator.

Once the cylinder was completed, they had to determine exactly where they would push it through the dust. Ari dropped through the dust layer with an extended brace that he attached to the back of the open hatch with a dollop of adhesive. When Demitri hoisted him above the dust layer, he and Jon manipulated the awkward cylinder until they were able to push it down over the extended brace. Then they each removed their outer soles to expose the jet nozzles, and positioned themselves on opposite sides of the cylinder. Jon had thought there might be some awkwardness in getting their feet above them, but that turned out to be easy. A simple tuck and roll brought their feet above them in a gentle arch, and at the right moment they both tapped their big toes.

The effect was immediate and startling. Nearly simultaneously, they both tapped again to shut off the jets as the cylinder moved smoothly through the dust to rap against the hull below them.

"We're gonna bounce back," Ari warned, and they both tap-tapped again, which effectively removed the upward momentum.

Intellectually, Jon had known that visibility would be zero, but it still came as a surprise to find nothing at all…total absorption of all light. He could feel Ari on the other side moving to the base as he did. When he reached the elevator hull, he felt around for anything that would orient him to his position, but there was no way. "Ari," he said, his signal traveling up to the surface through the fiber-optic thread trailing behind him, and back down through the thread attached to Ari's suit, "let's move the cylinder until it backs against the hatch, and then let's manipulate it until we are certain that the hatch is square against the inside. Then we can pull it back a short distance, and we should be fine."

"Works for me," Ari answered, grunting with effort.

It took them about fifteen minutes before they both were convinced that the cylinder was positioned as accurately as possible for the time being.

"Bring us above the dust, Demitri," Jon ordered.

"Guess what?" Ari said. "This isn't going to be as easy as we imagined. We're going to have to ascend a bit, and then attempt to rappel down into the cylinder mouth."

"So, why didn't we attach a line to the cylinder edge?"

"Didn't think of it, I guess.

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