Able One by Ben Bova

Author:Ben Bova [Bova, Ben]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Science Fiction, cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
Published: 2011-11-13T18:36:39+00:00

ABL-1: Laser Fuel Tank Section

Harry made his way aft, down the length of the big COIL, through a narrow hatch, and into the plane’s rearmost section, where the stainless steel fuel tanks full of liquefied oxygen and iodine stood man-tall and frosted with rime. Rosenberg and Reyes were right behind him. Harry could feel their resentment at his insisting that they check every square centimeter of the tankage all over again.

It took the better part of an hour, but at last Harry was satisfied that the tanks were properly filled, at their correct cryogenic temperatures, and--most important of all--not leaking.

Now the two engineers stood glumly before Harry, both of them waiting for Harry to explain what was behind his sudden insistence on this inspection.

Rosenberg and Reyes couldn’t look less alike, Harry thought. Rosenberg had a long, narrow face with teeth that looked a size too big for his jaw and a thick mop of tightly curled russet hair; his body looked soft, potbellied. But his tongue was sharp. Wally always had a quip or a wisecrack at hand. He could be cutting. Angel Reyes was built like a Venezuelan shortstop--small, agile, almost a full head shorter than Wally. Dark brown hair cut in bristling spikes, big liquid dark eyes like you see on sentimental paintings of little waifs. Angie was quiet, soft-spoken. At first glance he looked like one of those gardener’s guys who runs leaf blowers all day. But Angie had an engineering degree from Florida State University, where he had indeed played four years of varsity baseball for the Seminoles. Shortstop.

It felt chilly and cramped back here near the plane’s tail. Harry imagined that’s what a morgue would feel like: cold as death. He could see his breath forming little clouds of steam in the air despite the tanks’ heavy insulation. At least he didn’t smell any leaks.

Rosenberg caught his sniffing. "There’s no leaks," he said, his voice resentful. "We’ve checked from end to end."

"Good," said Harry. But he was thinking, Should I tell them about the missing optics assembly? Should I tell them that we have a saboteur on board? Maybe one of them is the guy. Maybe they already know.

Somehow the steady growl of the 747’s engines was louder back here, Harry thought. Just like an airliner: first class is up front; the peasants sit in back.

"Okay," he said to the two men. "I want you to keep your eyes open. We’ve ... uh, we’ve got a problem."

Reyes’s dark eyes went wider. Rosenberg looked skeptical.

"What problem?" Wally asked, almost sneering.

"Somebody tried to sabotage the ranging laser."

"What?"

Reyes’s mouth dropped open but he said nothing.

"The forward optics assembly’s gone missing," Harry explained. "Monk’s replacing it from the spares."

"For crap’s sake, Harry, that doesn’t mean sabotage," Rosenberg snapped. "What’s the matter with you? It’s not like you to go off the deep end."

Harry studied Rosenberg’s face. Wally looks sincere enough, he thought. He’s sore at me for thinking it’s sabotage.

"Look," he said. "Monk says he checked the ranger last night and it was all right.

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