Unum Chapter Eleven
E Pluribus Unum
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Year 8 Month 2 Week 3 Day 3 Hour 10 Minute 13 Second 27 - Earth Date: 08-02-03-03-10-13-27 - Chapter Eleven
Year Eight
Year 8 Month 2 Week 3 Day 3 Hour 10 Minute 13 Second 27
Earth Date: 08-02-03-03-10-13-27
Chapter Eleven
Pasini clicked the ship broadcast icon on her CRT. “Attention crew. This is the Captain. Final approach. Secure ship for soft landing. Dress in EVs with soft masks in place and helmets in the carry. Start after five bells warning. Out.” She brought up the aerial map and entered the Bonghwang’s coordinates relative to the asteroid’s geometry.
Bliff started landing sequence. “Captain, landing is set.”
Pasini said, “Very good. Broadcast five bells and let’s start.”
“Aye, ma’am.”
Park watched the monitor closely. The Vandu smoothly and softly landed about 50 meters away. Seconds later the Vandu’s landing gear bolted themselves to the surface.
Over the speakers, “Captain Park, Vandu has landed. Permission to come aboard?”
Park’s smile was slight. She toggled the transmit switch on. “Captain Pasini, permission granted. The green ‘all clear’ LED will illuminate the airlock.” She toggled transmit off.
“Captain Park, see you in a few. Out.”
Park sat back. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Rescue and salvage. She pressed the Comm button to Mess. “Cookie?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Warm up that grog. We’re having company over.”
“Aye, Captain. Scuttle’s already made the rounds. Grog is nice and warm. Any special request other than Skilly?”
“Can you whip up a cheesecake?”
“Yes, ma’am. Methinks a chocolate mousse would do right?”
“Excellent, and add a – we have cherries?”
“Yesum.”
“Cookie?”
She heard Cookie’s hardy laugh. “Yes, ma’am!”
“A Cherry vanilla swirl, too.”
“On it Capt’n.”
She clicked off, got up and headed to the doorway. Tenzin pressed several buttons, got up and followed her out to the airlock. Guest was coming.
The airlock lights cycled from unsafe to all clear. Park pressed the open button and the door swooshed out of the way. Captain Pasini and Commander Bliff crossed the threshold. Both officers removed their helmets. Park extended her right hand. Pasini, then Bliff firmly shook.
“Welcome aboard the Bonghwang Captain, Commander.”
Pasini nodded, “Please, just Pasini. And, this is my first Officer Bliff.”
Park and Tenzin nodded. “Call me, Park, please. And this is Tenzin, my First Officer.”
“Please follow me. We have accommodations for you. We’ll dine in my quarters.”
Pasini smiled. She liked this captain. She also thought her natural beauty engaging. “Park, may I ask you a question?”
The group slowly drifted down the main corridor.
“Certainly.”
“Your course calculations . . .”
“Yes?”
“I had our computer run random scenarios. It took three hundred tries before it hit yours?”
Park nodded.
“How?”
Tenzin coughed. “Beggin’ your pardon and the Captain’s, ma’am, the Captain here is a computer. I’ve seen her work out maneuvers in her head, in seconds. She’ll only use a calculator when there’s too many unknowns.”
Pasini said, “I see.”
Park nodded and chuckles. “Tenzin is easily impressed. I’m good with numbers.”
“Well, I’m impressed too.”
“Thanks, and here we are. Your quarters and the Commander’s is next door. We’re informal here, more so since we’re running on ration shifts.” Park pressed a button and lead the two in.
The cabin was a 5 by 7-meter room. A single twin was at one end and a desk, monitor, and computer access at the other. The head had a vacuum-spray toilet with a vacuum-mist shower. An entertainment console was located at the foot of the bed.
Park said, “The pantry is stocked with snacks, drinks, and grog.”
Pasini replied, “Thank you. Very much appreciated.”
“What watch are you running off?” Park asked.
“Second Dog watch.”
Park clasped her hands. “Excellent, this would be our Afternoon watch. Dinner for you, lunch for us. Would 30 minutes be enough time?”
Pasini smiled. Yes, she liked this one. “Perfect. Plenty of time.”
Park nodded. “I’ll personally escort you two, then. Mark 30 minutes.”