Fiction: The Girassian Debacle Chapter 5: A Magnificent Flyby

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Previous Chapter 4: This is Not Impressive https://onthebeachatnightalone.com/2022/09/23/fiction-the-girassian-debacle-chapter-4-this-is-not-impressive/

“How did he get invited?” Song nodded towards a man who stood out in crowd of the reception.  He wore a drab gray jacket with his pants nearly covering his shoes. Unkempt, ragged hair hung to his shoulders. His appearance contrasted with the colorful, prim style of the dignitaries and politicians and with the clean-cut, tailored appearance of the military.

“Who are you looking at?” Maureau looked over at two men who stood conversing in the middle of the hall. He sniffed his drink. “This is hard to do?”

“I’m referring to that short guy talking to the Senator over there. He really looks out of place. What’s hard to do?”

“Standing here pretending to sip this drink,” Maureau said.

“No kidding. Are you punishing yourself by ordering whisky? It smells pretty potent.” Song took a sip of her drink. “You could have ordered a seltzer, like me.  I’m surprised there’s a cocktail reception so close to our departure. A lot of officers are taking advantage of the open bar.” Song sniffed her own drink. “Discipline, Captain. Always act with discipline.”

“You’re a paragon of discipline, Song. I recognize the Senator. I don’t know who the other man is, do you?”

“Yeah, I do. That’s Rance Yeoman. I think his Progressive Nationalist Party only has one, maybe two, seats in the legislature. I wouldn’t expect him to be here given how little influence he has.”

“Ooh. That smells delicious.” Maureau took two hors d’oeuvres from a server, aromatic cheese with olives on toast. “Thank you, so much,” he said with a little bow.

“They sure make an odd couple,” Song said.  

“Given the theme of our Task Force is ‘Renewal,’ it is ironic that the manufacturer of androids is hanging out with the leader of the cult of celebrating classical culture. You should try these cheese crackers.” 

Admiral Rankin joined the Senator and Yeoman. “No way. They smell like wet socks. And now Rankin joins them. What an unlikely trio!”

“All we need is your friend, Plotkin, to join them and we will be forced to go over and say hello,”Maureau said. “You can’t appreciate the aroma of the toasted bread?  Oh shit, they’re coming over here.”

Rankin led the two directly to Maureau and Song. He looked more impressive in person than on a bridge monitor. Taller than most of the guests, he had a practiced way of looking down on people he was talking with. Golden medals and rows of ribbons adorned his scarlet uniform. In contrast to the crisp tightness of his uniform, his hair and beard flared out like the mane of a lion. He lived up to his moniker of being the “Lion.”

Senator Araden Vastatis appeared distracted, searching the reception while being introduced to Maureau and Song. The cut of his dark blue suit accentuated his lean body. A manicured, short beard complemented the razor cut of his chocolate colored hair. Scant gray flecked both. His gray eyes focused on the mid-distance, always searching. He snapped back to them with surprising intensity upon being introduced. 

Rankin introduced Maureau and Song. “It’s a pleasure to meet the son of Senator Maureau,” Vastatis said. “And the XO of the London.” He let his gaze linger on Song while he gave her a slight bow.

“As his son, I hope I do him proud. It is my honor to meet you, Senator.”

“And this is Rance Yeoman, Head of the Progressive Nationalist Party,” Admiral Rankin said, introducing the diminutive man. Despite being small in stature, Yeoman demanded attention with his gaze. He was the opposite of Vastatis, who made you want to look over your shoulder and find out what held his attention. Yeoman made you feel like excusing yourself to escape his stare. Up close, his skin was a pasty white with sunken eyes pulling you into a black pit. Song turned away from Yeoman. Maureau decided to engage Yeoman in a staring contest. 

Vastatis was a corporate giant relying on order. Yeoman’s influence relied on promoting disruptive politics. Maureau wondered what they had in common. What an unholy pair we have here. The android manufacturer and the demagogue for Anti-Emissary paranoia. And I’m getting the creepy feeling that one of them is behind my addition to the Task Force, the way are interested in meeting me.   

“I expect your father is very proud you are included in this Task Force,” Vastatis said. Vastatis’s comment gave Maureau a reprieve to break from locking his gaze with Yeoman and attend to Vastatis’s comment. He realized that Yeoman would have won the staring contest. 

“I don’t know that, Senator. I have not communicated with him in the last couple of days. Projection of League military power through the Portal is something that he does not support.”

“But the exercise is being done with the Emissaries. On their invitation. I hope he can support this,” Vastatis said. “He’s always been comfortable with them.” 

“For the occasion of celebrating this Task Force, I don’t think it is relevant what my father’s position is regarding our Mission.”

“Senator, Captain Maureau has shown exemplary preparation for inclusion in the Task Force.” Rankin said. “Despite the late assignment,” he added with a knowing look at Vastatis.

Song laughed. “I’m sure Senator Vastatis is relieved to hear we were able to turn our ship around as fast as we did.”

“I am honored and grateful to be a part of Admiral Rankin’s Task Force,” Maureau quickly said.

“You have been selected to be part of an elite group of Confederation ships ,” Vastatis said.

“Do you mean the United League, Sir?” Maureau said. “After all, my ship is from the Union of Europe.”

“Oh, of course, of course,” Vastatis said. “It’s so easy for me to misspeak when I am with the our Admiral, we both being from the Confederation ”

“It will be magnificent to see all of the ships leaving together,” Yeoman said.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but it really won’t be so exciting, Mr. Yeoman,” Song said. “The ships leave one at a time and in a line kilometers apart so that the first one is quite distant by the time the last one leaves.”

“No. That is not what we are doing for this occasion, Commander,” Rankin said, “We are forming up for inspection, as tight as regulations allow, within half a kilometer of each other. We will form up five kilometers from Alpha One so that the delegation can observe the Task Force from a view port in the Station’s amphitheater.”

“What!” Song did not hide her incredulity.

“And I have placed your ship as the last one to leave Alpha One.” Rankin showed no emotion. Yeoman sniggered.

“Thank you, Sir. A place of honor as the rearguard,” Maureau said. “I’m glad the London will be at the rear, to appreciate the grandeur of the Task Force.”

“Who’s inspecting us?” Song fought to keep her voice level.

“I’m with a group of fifteen from the League Parliament,” Vastatis said. “The CSA has sent seven representatives.”

“The CSA has the largest contingent,” Yeoman said.

“And, Mr. Yeoman,  you represent what interest in this Task Force?” Maureau said.

“All of the major parties of the Confederation have sent someone,” Yeoman said. There was a pause as they considered how Yeoman, as a representative of a party with only one person in the legislature, clearly over-represented the importance of the Progressive Nationalist Party in the Confederation of Southern America. “Senator Vastatis agrees, the Progressive Nationalist Party is the future.”

Maureau’s curiosity over Yeoman transformed into distaste. Wow. This guy is full of himself. So why is Vastatis associating with him? 

“Definitely a party of the future,” Song said with an exaggerated smile. Maureau flinched. Song’s sarcasm was subtle but it did not escape Rankin. Maureau feared it would get her into trouble. 

“I look forward to reviewing the flight plan. I’m sure we will put on a magnificent flyby,” Maureau said. “It will make great video for everyone to use.” He looked for a tray to put down his drink.

“Are you leaving?” Rankin said. “You have to stay to hear the three of us make some remarks.”

“We absolutely will stay. Song and I will  give you time to gather your thoughts. Thank you for coming to say hello. We feel honored.”

Maureau and Song left and silently moved through the buffet line. They found a high-top table and joined some officers from the cruiser ULE Diomedes, including their Executive Officer. Alcohol had loosened them up a bit and Maureau and Song found out that the bridge of the Diomedes resented their “outrageous”maneuver to skip line.   

Yeoman was the first of the three to speak and the most interesting. He could not help but criticize the Emissaries for their requirement to escort the ships from Earth. He was so negative regarding their participation that Maureau could not tell if he was supportive of the mission or thought the League should not be working with the Emissaries. 

Vastatis looked like he was tolerating Yeoman. After Yeoman, they had to endure Vastatis rhapsodize about how the Task Force was a symbol for the recognition of human civilization by the Hidden, the aliens represented by the Emissaries. 

Maureau and Song had planned to leave immediately after Rankin spoke. Unfortunately, he was the last to speak. Rankin had looked put off by Yeoman’s rant against the Emissaries. He worked into his speech his appreciation of the Emissary welcome of  Confederation of Southern America ships into the League’s Task Force. It pushed The United League of Earth forward towards greater independence.

Maureau and Song were silent until reaching the isolation of the gantry tunnel from the Station to the London. Maureau stopped. “What incredible bullshit,” he said quietly. “The political pressure on Rankin must be tremendous for him to have to put on this show at this late moment.  All he wants to do is work closely with the Task Force so that alignment with Mars and the Emissaries is pulled off without hitch. ”

“I don’t know. Maybe he likes all of this attention. I’m surprised the bridge crew of the Diomedes was drinking at the reception,” Song said. 

“Yeah, I agree they’re cutting it awful close.”

“And that they’re doing with enthusiasm,” she said. “Anthony, we’re leaving in six hours!  ”

“Well, they may think the same of us.As you put it, my aromatic whiskey was noticeable. Diomedes was Rankin’s command until he took over the Poseidon as his flagship. Nothing surprises me with this Task Force, Krista. ”  

“Guess they’re used to special treatment. I’d have expected the Admiral to instill discipline in the Diomedes’ crew. We now know the Admiral is capable of horse crap.”

“Careful, Krista. You have to work on not showing your disdain so clearly. You’re not making friends doing that.”

**********

A specially-conformed  cushion was placed in a jump seat on the bridge. Song instructed Yoshi this was his seat. Directly to the left of the captain’s seat, the station had  every control and monitor that Captain Maureau had. He sat in his seat in apparent repose, his bicorn hat over his face.

“Is it against regulations for a BDP to sleep on the bridge?” Song said.

“Just consider him in a deactivated mode for now,” Maureau said. 

Most of the star-sailors relaxed as they waited for the initiation of departure from the Station. “Captain, may I ask how the reception was?” said Lieutenant Akhtar-Gatewood.

“Not really, Lieutenant. However, I will say the food was excellent. You would have enjoyed that.”

Captain Maureau and Lieutenant Commander Song stood by the holographic display of the Station with the nine ships of the Task Force in their docking bays selected for projection.  A tug moved the first ship out of its bay.

“This is the XO. All crew to their stations.” Song announced. 

The Poseidon also started to move. Infinitesimally. One had to stare at the gap between it and Alpha One to convince yourself the distance was increasing.  Song watched the movement.“Navigation, what is the acceleration of the Poseidon?”

“Zero point one meters per second-squared, Sir.”

“The Poseidon is slow again,” she said. “I guess we want everyone moving slowly. That’s ok. I think this flyby exercise is ill-advised. Let’s wake up, activate, our BDP.”

“I am awake and alert,” Yoshi said, from beneath his hat. He moved his jump seat upright and put his hat on the top of his head to look at the display. “You are correct in questioning their movement. The tugs are below standard power rating for moving a ship as large as the Poseidon. They can’t afford to let her get faster than forty kilometers per hour. That’s approximately eleven meters per second. They will have a problem breaking the Poseidon if the have to.”

“Rankin wants to have us all in place within an hour,” Song said. “Surrounding himself with those cruisers is going to be hard if Poseidon has trouble slowing down.” 

“Let’s get moving ourselves,” Maureau said. “I don’t want to sit here and watch them maneuver around one another. Let’s get in our position and hold it.”

A tug brought London out of its docking bay. The ships of the Task Force had fallen behind the Alpha One and looked like a pod of whales floating close to one another, except the these whales were crossing behind and in front of one another for position.

Once the London had cleared the gantries, Song requested Central Operations give them clearance for independent navigation. Given their past demonstration of precise flying, Song had no problem getting the clearance. Yoshi plugged into the system and worked to integrate with the ship.

“Godspeed, Captain Maureau,” their tug pilot radioed as she released them. 

“The London thanks the Hedgehog,” Maureau responded as they were released by the tug. 

Tug ships moved all of the Task Force’s ships into place except the London which moved to the rear of the formation under its own power. If the Poseidon moved slowly shortly after detaching from Alpha One, it soon was moving faster than forty kilometers per hour under the continual propulsion of its tugs. 

“Yoshi, engage in plotting the projected course of all of the ships,” Song said.  “Plot a course to get us to fall back into place at the rear of the column. Captain, they all are too close. This is so unnecessary.”

“I agree. Yoshi, do you detect any problems?”

“Poseidon is drifting into the Diomedes. The tugs of the Poseidon will not be able to slow it down  or redirect it enough to prevent it from running into the Diomedes. Both ships are dependent on their tugs. Diomedes is nearly powered up. Poseidon has not engaged their impulse reactors yet.”

“What will prevent a collision?” Maureau said. 

“Immediate action  by Diomedes. Maximum starboard yaw with maximum brake,” Yoshi’s said in a slow, calm voice.

“Song, give the Diomedes an O-day alert,” Maureau said calmly.

Song looked at the holographic display.“O-day! O-day! O-day mark to Diomedes!This is London. Collision imminent with Poseidon. Advise maximum starboard yaw. Advise starboard yaw.” 

The Diomedes did not acknowledge the alert, nor heed the recommendation to rotate clockwise away from the Poseidon that was drifting into it. No response came to her warning. Instead, Diomedes’ aft thrust rockets lit up. “God almighty!” Song said. “They’re going to try to power underneath the Poseidon instead of rotating away from it!”

“Yoshi!Will they clear Poseidon?” Maureau said.

“The Poseidon will drift into Diomedes in one hundred and ten seconds given current bearings and its ineffective deceleration.” Yoshi affected Song’s drawl. “A maximum break and maximum starboard yaw within thirty-five seconds by the Diomedes will prevent collision. The Poseidon then will drift by in front of the Diomedes.”

“O-day, O-day, Diomedes. This is London. Maximum break with maximum starboard yaw needed to avoid collision with Poseidon. Repeat. Maximum break with maximum starboard yaw needed to avoid collision with Poseidon.” Song said, clearly hammering the warning out. “Do not try to accelerate under it.”

“London. Diomedes has its own Navigation. O-day message acknowledged. We have our own solution.” Maureau recognized a voice from the pre-launch reception.

**********

Lieutenant Madelaine Gray anticipated before anyone the slow-motion shipwreck as it unfolded before her eyes. She did not need holographic projections to see what was going to happen. Two behemoths inexorably floating into one another, tug ship rockets flaring futilely in attempts to break the Poseidon. She could see exactly how the superstructure of the Diomedes would collide into the aft of Poseidon as it tried to get under it,hitting the underside of the ship. 

Like her own command of marines, the Poseidon’s security force would be gathered in the airlock bay near the engineering section, watching the Task Force gather. Unlike them, she had her command ready in space suits in case anything happened during the maneuvers. She did not want to watch the wreck. Instead, she sprung into action. Every moment might make a difference.

“All squads, stat prep for space-side. Stat!” She repeated her order. The sixteen marines scrambled for their extra-vehicular activity (EVA) gear. In the zero-gravity environment they floated across the bay in a practiced pattern, avoiding colliding with one another. 

“Prepare for rescue mission,” Gray said over their com sets.

**********

Maureau and Song reacted before the ships collided, before “Maydays” came from the Poseidon and Diomedes.

“Security. Prepare for rescue action,”Song said at the same time Maureau said, “Yoshi, take over the helm. Get us as close to a Poseidon breach as soon as possible.”

In a squeaky voice, Yoshi said over the com system, “Prepare for hard stop in ten seconds.” He looked at Maureau with raised eyebrows.

“Maureau here. Our BDP, Yoshi, has the helm. His alert on hard stop is an order from me,” Maureau said. “Our BDP has the helm. He will alert you on acceleration.” The crew braced for a sudden stop.

There was no time to strap into jump seats. Everyone had to prepare for the breaking deceleration that flipped the ceiling into the floor before the internal compartment modules of the ship could reorient the environment. They cruised at a speed that allowed high maneuverability, allowing the London to rapidly stop and reverse propulsion. In zero gravity it was critical to get to a bulkhead and find a hand-hold before deceleration or acceleration initiated.

“Yoshi, make sure everyone is secure,” Song said. “Use the ship’s video.” 

This took fifteen seconds, not the ten seconds Yoshi initially announced, as he scanned the ship and found a few of the crew delayed in securing themselves. He waited for them to get a handhold on something before stopping the ship.“Breaking ship,” he announced.  

The deceleration was not challenging; they had been traveling only at a steady one hundred twenty kilometers per hour. From a standstill they changed direction and started accelerating back within seconds towards the two ships.

The Diomedes slipped under the Poseidon as it continued to drift towards the smaller cruiser. It almost  cleared the Poseidon except for its superstructure. The Diomedes collided near a cluster of Poseidon’s impulse rocket engines as it drifted into it, tearing off nozzles and rupturing open a chamber where off-watch engineers and security personnel had gathered to watch the Task Force leave Alpha One.

An explosion of debris from the Poseidon included a flow of crew members within the debris. As the London closed in on the Poseidon for rescue, Maureau could see they numbered over twenty. 

“Yoshi. Can we save them?” he said.

“Yoshi can align to catch every one in time for their survival except two.” He spoke as if reciting an equation.  “Two security marines each can be launched towards the two star-sailors whose vectors are off from the others.”

“Do whatever needs to be done to catch them and launch our security team.” Maureau said.

“Gray, is your team ready for space-side action?”

“Almost ready,” Gray said. “Give us ten more seconds.”

“Yoshi will rock the ship so that extra push can be used to propel two marines towards the star-sailors to be brought in. There are two star-sailors from Poseidon who needrescue by London’s security.  Yoshi will launch two marines times two towards the them.

“The rest of London’s security should hold on.” Yoshi’s voice was intense, lower than his usual squeak. “On my mark. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.” The ship suddenly rolled, throwing two marines, who stood on the launch platform of the airlock bay, sideways in the direction of one of Poseidon’s stranded crew. They were launched out of the bay towards a drifting star-sailor. Everyone else on the ship jerked out of their seats.

“Yoshi! You have to explain what effects your maneuvers will have on the crew,” Song said. “You are doing things we are not prepared for!”

Yoshi repeated the maneuver, this time with a warning for all of the crew. Then he gave the crew of the London a roller coaster ride as he picked up the spaced crew from the Poseidon. It called for exquisite maneuvering from hard acceleration to hard deceleration. 

The London moved in close to the Poseidon and scooped up the expelled crew within a minute of the collision. For Yoshi, maneuvering  the ship was like moving a hand to catch the floating crew.

Lack of oxygen quickly lead to their unconsciousness, but they did not freeze in the short time they were in the vacuum. Gray’s marines caught the star-sailors and moved them to the medical bay. Once it was filled, patients needed to be treated in the passageways. Dr. Robert Gladman assigned non-medical personnel to assist in providing oxygen and warming blankets.

There is no way a human pilot could have accomplished what Yoshi did flying the ship. And Gray’s squads of marines carried through the rescue with synchronized precision. It was a commendable execution. 

  After gathering in the crewmen from the Poseidon, Maureau ordered Gray’s squadrons to go to the Poseidon and assist in any salvage they could. Gray’s sixteen marines were so efficient, they reached the large breach in the Poseidon before its own repair crew and bots arrived. 

Maureau was an expert in EVA navigation, but he could not remember the last time he used extra-vehicular activity gear. He wanted to get out of the ship and join Gray’s team in inspection of the damage. “I’m going space-side,” he said to Song.

She looked concerned. “Sir, is that necessary? There’s a lot of debris out there and Gray’s team will handle all problems.”

He paused to look at her as he was about to leave the bridge. “I know. I just feel I need to go out. It’s been a long time since I used EVA navigation gear. And I have’nt left the ship for months. Except for that damn reception.”

“I have not either, Sir. You are leaving the bridge to me?”

He was surprised over her discomfort and resistance of him going space-side. “Commander Song. You are perfectly capable of making decisions without me on the bridge. Just keep us in place off of the Poseidon. Between you, Yoshi and Ahktar-Gatewood, the task is routine.”

The EVA Maneuvering Unit, with its life support pack and propellant system, took longer to put on than a g-suit. Maureau was in a hurry and opened the airlock door before he had secured his helmet and for an instant he heard the air inside the helmet get sucked out. It took a while for the oxygen pressure to equilibrate to normal pressure. In the meantime, he steadied himself at the portal door, waiting for the light headedness passed. That was stupid. Maybe Krista is right. This might be a bad idea. 

When ready, he used the launch platform to propel himself towards the Poseidon. making only a few fine adjustments in direction with the EVA Maneuvering Unit . He still had his touch in efficient control. He traversed the four hundred meters to the Poseidon and slowed to a stop next to Lieutenant Gray.

“Song. This is Maureau. Have you obtained confirmation that Poseidon knows we are here? They need to hold their speed? Confirm.”

“Song, here. Yes I have confirmed they know we have a team inside the breach, Captain. They will maintain present course and speed. But they want us to withdraw as soon as their repair team comes in.”

“I understand they will want to take over,” Maureau said.  “But what’s their hurry?”

“I don’t know, Captain. We are also trying to get them to listen to our report of a leak of fuel inside the breach.”

Maureau could see Gray’s marine team securing loose equipment inside the breach of the Poseidon. Some of her team were inspecting a section near the impulse rockets. They were wildly gesturing towards an area with the repair team that had just arrived from the Poseidon with their repair robots.

“Lieutenant Gray. What is the status?”

“We found a fuel leak that Poseidon cannot confirm on their own system. We are trying to get them to hold on trying to seal the breach of atmosphere and attend to the fuel leak. They fucking won’t listen.”

The robots moved into the area. The marines were trying to wave them off, without effect. Instead, the repair crew of the Poseidon dismissed the marines who finally rocketed away out of the breach as the robots set to work. 

A flash blinded Maureau and a shock wave transmitted through the leaked atmosphere was enough to concuss him. All went black. 

Continue on to Chapter 6: Time for Most

https://onthebeachatnightalone.com/2022/11/27/fiction-the-girassian-debacle-chapter-6-time-for-most/