Read Online Rogue Command (The Kalahari Series) by A J Marshall - Free Book Online
Authors: A J Marshall
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name it. Spheron are into high-tech engineering, biomechanics, genetics, pharmaceuticals and lots besides. There was a concerted effort to break up these corporations, but they’re shadowy organisations, nothing could be proved. They were said to have ties with a couple of other disgraced conglomerates.”
David Chung nodded in agreement. Duval turned and gave him his full attention. “By those markings, David, could this vessel be Tongsei built? And if so, what the hell are they doing building this type of interplanetary craft? This is no replenishment job. I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all!”
“There is a conundrum here, Commander,” said Chung. “That type of thrust nozzle clearly indicates the use of an ion drive propulsion system, but clearly it has a relatively small capacity: one capable of maintaining momentum in space, but one, in my view, unable to achieve the initial acceleration – at least to a practical speed. And see those flanges towards the rear and the splayed receptacle structure? I would say that this craft is just the tip of a much larger craft. Either a booster stage or another larger section of the craft detached on its way here. And by the absence of any burn marks or scoring, I would say that it was another section with life support – the hot end was further back again. And one other thing, Commander, ion thrusters do not use plutonium as a fuel; invariably its xenon or bismuth gas.” Chung’s expression turned stony. “Plutonium . . . it makes no sense.” He shook his head.
“Ideas! Speculate!”
Chung took another look at the image of the vessel on the screen. He looked up slowly and repositioned his spectacles. “If I was to make an educated guess I would say that the vessel has a nuclear power cell. Why? Essentially, it’s a tube, black and functional. The flight deck is more a cockpit, barely illuminated and certainly not suitable for long-range missions by humans – so no life support required. I heard you mention a robot as I came in, again, minimum power demands. But there is not a single solar panel to be seen. Deutronium batteries would produce enough power and for an extended period, but not for a flight to Jupiter, it’s too far. I would say that a compact plutonium power cell would fit the bill.”
Alex interrupted. “The construction of a nuclear reactor, regardless of size, was banned back in 2016. Not even the ISSF or NASA is exempt. Contravening Section Six of the New Geneva Convention carries hefty penalties.”
David looked at Alex in a way as if to say: get real . “Compact power cells are completely insulated,” he explained, “and so they are almost undetectable. I would say that this vessel was probably built outside the jurisdiction of the ISSF, somewhere where the engineers were confident that there would be no inspections. Otherwise they would not have painted the radiation hazard icon and the handling instructions for their own people.”
Duval nodded. “Okay, I buy that – an illegally manufactured power cell to get an automated vessel this far. But what about the real question . . . Why is it here?” He looked back at Alex and Chung.
Alex walked over to the viewing portal and squinted through the blackness at the object holding station off the starboard bow, perhaps no more than 100 metres away. The cockpit glimmered red like a distant star. “A ship like that represents quite an investment,” he reasoned. “Engineering, technology . . . propulsion? Not even the ISSF is spending that much on pure research – not these days – and anyway we would have heard about it. If the Tongsei or Spheron conglomerates built it, or if they both had a hand in it, then clearly they would want to see a return.”
Duval stepped up next to Alex and looked over his silent bridge. “The Epsilon Rio Corporation designed and manufactured the Humatron series – that much I know.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “And if it’s here to
David Chung nodded in agreement. Duval turned and gave him his full attention. “By those markings, David, could this vessel be Tongsei built? And if so, what the hell are they doing building this type of interplanetary craft? This is no replenishment job. I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all!”
“There is a conundrum here, Commander,” said Chung. “That type of thrust nozzle clearly indicates the use of an ion drive propulsion system, but clearly it has a relatively small capacity: one capable of maintaining momentum in space, but one, in my view, unable to achieve the initial acceleration – at least to a practical speed. And see those flanges towards the rear and the splayed receptacle structure? I would say that this craft is just the tip of a much larger craft. Either a booster stage or another larger section of the craft detached on its way here. And by the absence of any burn marks or scoring, I would say that it was another section with life support – the hot end was further back again. And one other thing, Commander, ion thrusters do not use plutonium as a fuel; invariably its xenon or bismuth gas.” Chung’s expression turned stony. “Plutonium . . . it makes no sense.” He shook his head.
“Ideas! Speculate!”
Chung took another look at the image of the vessel on the screen. He looked up slowly and repositioned his spectacles. “If I was to make an educated guess I would say that the vessel has a nuclear power cell. Why? Essentially, it’s a tube, black and functional. The flight deck is more a cockpit, barely illuminated and certainly not suitable for long-range missions by humans – so no life support required. I heard you mention a robot as I came in, again, minimum power demands. But there is not a single solar panel to be seen. Deutronium batteries would produce enough power and for an extended period, but not for a flight to Jupiter, it’s too far. I would say that a compact plutonium power cell would fit the bill.”
Alex interrupted. “The construction of a nuclear reactor, regardless of size, was banned back in 2016. Not even the ISSF or NASA is exempt. Contravening Section Six of the New Geneva Convention carries hefty penalties.”
David looked at Alex in a way as if to say: get real . “Compact power cells are completely insulated,” he explained, “and so they are almost undetectable. I would say that this vessel was probably built outside the jurisdiction of the ISSF, somewhere where the engineers were confident that there would be no inspections. Otherwise they would not have painted the radiation hazard icon and the handling instructions for their own people.”
Duval nodded. “Okay, I buy that – an illegally manufactured power cell to get an automated vessel this far. But what about the real question . . . Why is it here?” He looked back at Alex and Chung.
Alex walked over to the viewing portal and squinted through the blackness at the object holding station off the starboard bow, perhaps no more than 100 metres away. The cockpit glimmered red like a distant star. “A ship like that represents quite an investment,” he reasoned. “Engineering, technology . . . propulsion? Not even the ISSF is spending that much on pure research – not these days – and anyway we would have heard about it. If the Tongsei or Spheron conglomerates built it, or if they both had a hand in it, then clearly they would want to see a return.”
Duval stepped up next to Alex and looked over his silent bridge. “The Epsilon Rio Corporation designed and manufactured the Humatron series – that much I know.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “And if it’s here to
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