Unum Chapter Twelve
E Pluribus Unum
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Year 8 Month 2 Week 3 Day 3 Hour 15 Minute 32 Second 01 - Earth Date: 08-02-03-03-15-32-01 - Chapter Twelve
Year Eight
Year 8 Month 2 Week 3 Day 3 Hour 15 Minute 32 Second 01
Earth Date: 08-02-03-03-15-32-01
Chapter Twelve
Cookie personally served dinner, which consisted of chicken Skilly thickened with chopped olive oil sautéed mushrooms and green onions. The grog was presented in slender ceramic thermos with rubber hand grips. Cookie made sure the initial temperature was perfect. Desert was a melon-lime-cucumber gelato with sea salt sprinkled on top. A dab of mint puree was on the side. The Cheesecake and mousse pushed the meal across the finish line.
“Park,” Pasini began, “What happened?”
“Saboteur. Our number two engine pod was rigged to vent fuel. After we detached and set it adrift the engine started up and headed for collision. It exploded crippling the ship. We lost some crew, of which I’m hoping the saboteur was among them.”
Pasini nodded. “Is the Bonghwang in shape to launch?”
“In a few more weeks. We cannibalized non-essential equipment and wiring. My Chief thinks we can be in shape to continue our salvage.”
Pasini raised an eyebrow. Anger momentarily flashed across her face.
Park caught it and nearly laughed. “Pasini, we are not heartless. We need your help with this salvage.”
Pasini relaxed.
“50-50 split.”
“Capt – Park, most generous!” Pasini blushed and took a deep breath.
Park’s smile widened. “This salvage really is the one. We got the big four and then some.”
“What’s the tonnage?”
“Five hundred billion.”
Bliff nearly choked on his grog. “Captain? Five double ought billion? We can’t move that!”
“We could, but it’ll be six months of moving. At least it would have been if only the Bonghwang were doing it.”
“But, Park. 500 billion? The most we’ve done is one million tons.”
“The Bonghwang’s done 20 billion before. It added two months space time but it was done. The cut from that allowed me to upgrade to bigger engines. We can get the other two engines working, but they won’t have any directional ability. The Vandu could work as steering –”
Pasini said, “I’m having a hard time processing this.”
“My idea is we’ll bolt Bonghwang aft of the asteroid. The Vandu will be bolted referred port. We’ll use reaction motors to rotate and steer.”
Pasini nodded.
Bliff finished his grog as Cookie brought in a new batch. He grabbed a thermos and sucked out half the grog. He sighed. “Okay, I think I can get this.”
Pasini’s smile was genuine. Bliff was a good Nav, but she could see his mind rebelling against moving such a large tonnage. “What’s total move time?” Pasini asked.
Park replied, “Two months. And that is only with one operational engine.”
“What’s your redline?” Pasini asked.
“115%.”
Bliff nearly choked on his swig of grog again.
“And how long can you run redline?”
Park waited for Bliff to finish a swig. He noticed, smiled, and put the thermos down. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“With all four engines and fuel capacity before leak it would have been 35 days.”
“Dear Goddess!” Pasini whispered.
“The Bonghwang’s engines are state of the art. We were in drydock for three-months of retrofit and upgrades. We’re classified as an extreme hauler. 500 billion metric tons is not her limit.”
Pasini was concerned. The very thought of having such a powerful craft hit her with awe. The scuttle had been true.
Park leaned in. “Pasini, with your cut you can upgrade or get a new hauler. Several more trips like this and you could beef up to a mega pusher. That’s my goal. After this haul the Bonghwang would drydock again for more upgrades. I planned on getting four more aft engines, additional fuel tanks and three remote anchor engine pods. We’d be able to drag two or three more additional smaller asteroids into transfer orbit.”
“Park?”
Bliff watched closely. He saw it on his captain’s face. He saw her hunger and the allure that came off it. The silence hung for several awkward seconds.
Tenzin realized that his captain was taking a liking to Pasini. The moment she stepped onboard he saw how Park’s body language changed. Personally, he hoped to one day warm her bed, but he knew Park wasn’t into men. At least not overly masculine men. Her taste leaned gynesexuality. But, then again, he saw great things happening with Park. If she partnered with Pasini there would be the question of hierarchy. Would Bliff outrank him? How exactly would he fit in a new power structure? He looked over to Bliff, who was equally concerned. Would the partnership involve a two-ship operation, or a single vessel? Both gave a subdued nervous laugh and nodded.
Pasini’s mind raced. She knew what she wanted to say. The question was how to say it and not sound desperate? This moment felt right, but scary at the same time. “Park?” She said a second time.
Park waited. Please ask the question was her thought. “Yes?”
“Ever thought about a partnership?”
At that moment, Cookie entered. “To show our gratefulness and celebrate our partnership!” He set a shepherd’s pie in the center table – the tradition. The top was a lovely collection of browns, yellows, and tan. The cheese was still bubbly along the edges. He set down additional thermos of grog, plus two packets of Pinot grigio. Each he placed in front of Park and Pasini.
Park clasped her hands. “Wonderful, Cookie! This looks delicious.”
Cookie smiled. “Aye, Capt’n. Perfection.” He scooped up small portions to each person, collected spent food tubes and dirty dishes. “Would you be needing anything else, Captain?”
“I think we are good, Cookie, but have someone at the ready for at least another couple of hours.”
“Aye, ma’am. Always.” He left humming an old shanty.
Park turned to Pasini. “I’m glad you asked. I have considered a partnership. I read your bio and that of your crew. Transitory crew thought you even and fair – that’s good in any book.”
Pasini visibly relaxed and smiled. The Vandu was committed. A door opened, and she willingly crossed the threshold.