Salvage-5: The Next Mission (First Contact) Read online

  Salvage-5

  The Next Mission

  Brian K. Larson

  Salvage-5

  The Next Mission

  Brian K. Larson

  Published by Slipstream Publishing

  Copyright 2014 Brian K. Larson

  Dedication

  I dedicate this book to all my wonderful grandchildren. They are all so special, and are my number one fans. Thank you, Jacob, Donita, Amanda, Carmela, Adam Jr, and Ariyah, for giving us such great joy.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Sneak Peek

  More Works

  Chapter 1

  “I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. But I'm an optimist. We will reach out to the stars.”

  -STEPHEN HAWKING

  The Daily Telegraph, Oct. 16, 2001

  * * *

  UTS Liberator

  Location: Kuiper Belt

  Asteroid 253 Mathilde

  Earth Date: 09/19/2064 16:00

  Mission Objectives:

  DELIVER EMPTY CONTANERS TO CSMO

  TRANSPORT ORE CONTAINERS TO EARTH

  Captain Steve Hodges completed the engine reverse burn sequence as they approached the CSMO at Asteroid 253 Mathilde, located in the Kuiper Belt, the main asteroid belt that lies between the planets Mars and Jupiter.

  “Reverse burn terminating...slowing to 25,000 KPH...distance to CSMO is 5,000 kilometers...contact CSMO and let ‘em know we’re 15 minutes out,” the captain ordered his co-pilot.

  Once the daily course corrections and engine adjustments were completed, there was a lot of free time. Since there was little to fill in this free time except exercise or read, Captain Hodges was in great shape. A thick unibrow gave the dark haired, medium built man an unmistakable look.

  Captains, and their co-pilots, only flew two out of six months for these missions, and for a total of four round trips per year. Fortunately, the Company’s hazard pay compensation was more than enough to live on the rest of the time.

  This was his fifth trip to Asteroid 253 Mathilde over the last year and a half. This hauler would be the last to travel here for six more months, as transport windows were closing for the season. It would be months before their location was within an acceptable distance to make the trip. Even with the powerful Mag-Ring technology that propelled ships to one tenth light speed, it would still take too long due to the great distance at those times of the year. Even the Salvage ships would have to wait until new engine technologies were developed in order to make it across within a four week survival window.

  With the current engine efficiencies, it would take eight weeks to travel one way. Salvage vessels can go three months before they begin to get low on fuel, so minimum safety standards were set, requiring double the distance capability before being propelled to the far reaches of the asteroid belt. Until then, these Asteroid mining operations would be isolated from any traffic four months out of the every six.

  The current production rate of the CSMO 253 Mathilde had been slow over the last several months, which reduced the number of ore shipments to twelve. Each shipment was made up of twelve containers locked into the racks hauled by the UTS. The other five CSMO’s scattered throughout the asteroid fields had nearly triple the output of this operation. Those CSMO’s were top performers and could afford nearly forty runs during the open window.

  “CSMO 253 Mathilde, UTS Liberator, ETA fifteen minutes to container drop...please prepare to receive empties,” co-pilot Kenneth O’Reilly squawked in his thick Irish brogue.

  Static was returned for a few seconds before a harsh sounding voice responded.

  “How many you got with ya?” Sergeant Samuels bellowed.

  Ken turned to his captain, “He’s gonna be pissed...”

  Kenneth O’Reilly, co-pilot of the Liberator and only other person on board, never made it through the academy. He washed out only one week into officer school, the instructors telling him he was too weak. He couldn’t help genetics, his family was never muscular. He tried as hard as his body would allow, but he would be cut regardless of the spirit he showed. That’s when the Company took him in and trained him as a UTS copilot. Though he never would be a captain, he did get to travel into space, a lifelong dream he had as a small boy.

  “Give it to him straight,” Captain Hodges answered, “That’s the only way you’re going to get anywhere while the military controls the CSMO.”

  The freckled faced co-pilot ran his hand though his red hair. Then he hit the transmit button, “Four containers...”

  Before O’Reilly could finish, the Sergeant spat back, “Whattya mean four!? We’ve got a whole lot of ore ready to pack up down here. Four containers! Geez, man...what were you thinking?”

  “We were only authorized to bring four due to the slow production of this facility,” O’Reilly answered.

  “Listen and listen good, UTS Liberator, We’ve got at least twelve containers of ore sittin’ on the asteroid surface ready to be scooped up...so you better come up with a plan or the Company...your employer...won’t be all too happy hearing that they’re losing money over here, because somebody didn’t send enough empties!”

  “Give us the coordinates where you want these empties dropped, and then we’ll stop by for a quick visit.”

  “CSMO, Liberator, we’re sending you the coordinates,” a new voice said, Lieutenant Hargrove entering the conversation from the CSMO’s control station.

  The empty containers would be dropped off next to the path of the CSMO as it carved a channel, moving across the surface of the asteroid. CSMO’s dropped full containers behind them. When it was full, a team of MECH’s, short for Mechanized Environmental Contained Housing, would bring an empty container and set it in position on the CSMO as it continued its one-quarter kilometer an hour course. Full containers were transported to the container cage housing by ships called grabbers.

  “Liberator, CSMO, we received the coordinates.”

  “Slowing to 900 KPH,” the captain announced, “On final vector to first asteroid drop coordinates.”

  “Liberator, this is Sergeant Samuels. You do understand that it is against regulation for any auto-hauler pilot ships to enter the CSMO?”

  “Yes, Sergeant,” O’Reilly replied, looking over at his captain, “We understand the rules, but rules are meant to be bent from time to time.”

  “Not as long Lieutenant Hargrove and I are running this tub.”

  “What do you mean by running?”

  “CSMO 253 Mathilde is under Military control until all the safety violations have all been addressed,” Lieutenant Hargrove stated with authority.

  “Come on...haven’t you broken any rules in your life? You haven’t lived until you have, you know,” putting noticeable emphasis on his accent.

  “Is there a reason you need to stop at the facility?” Samuels asked, “Any maintenance needs or repairs before you depart?”

  “Yeah, yeah...better do some fine calibration on our NAV computer. It requires our systems being off-line. Regulations require docking at any facili
ty to prevent any ‘roid strikes,” O’Reilly winked to his captain.

  “Drop your containers and proceed to the landing bay,” Hargrove relented, “But you will have to remain in the landing bay level, and no other access to the CSMO...clear on that?”

  “Quite clear...Liberator out. “See?” O’Reilly mused, “Ya jus’ have to know how to work it.”

  Thirty minutes later, the Liberator finished setting the four empties at the designated coordinates along the path of the CSMO, and flew back with its rear container rack. Each rack housed four containers, and could be connected in tandem to three others, increasing the total payload.

  “Prepare for pilot deck separation,” Captain Hodges ordered.

  “Transport cage is in position,” O’Reilly acknowledged, “Full stop...CSMO, Liberator, we are ready for you to load our rack. Beginning separation sequence...heading to your current location. Prepare docking bay for our arrival.”

  “Liberator, CSMO, we are dispatching clamp ships to load containers on your rack. You’re clear to approach CSMO 253 Mathilde.”

  “CSMO, Liberator...roger that...Liberator out.”

  “Docking clamps released,” Captain Hodges reported, “Firing thrusters...separation is complete.”

  “Separation successful, Captain, you’re clear to maneuver,” O’Reilly confirmed.

  “CSMO, Liberator, we are clear of the cage structure and are on final to docking bay.”

  “Liberator, CSMO,” Samuels answered, “Landing bay doors are open. You are cleared to land.”

  * * *

  CSMO 253 Mathilde

  Location: Kuiper Belt

  Asteroid 253 Mathilde

  Earth Date: 09/19/2064 17:00

  Mission Objectives:

  DELIVER EMPTY CONTANERS TO CSMO

  TRANSPORT FULL CONTAINERS TO EARTH

  The hatch popped open with a swoosh of air that passed over Hodges and O’Reilly’s faces, each taking their breath back.

  “What the hell is that stench?” O’Reilly gagged.

  Samuels stood at the airlock entrance and simply smiled, “You’ll get used to it after a while. Damn scrubbers have been saturated from the waste and garbage strewn about.”

  “I can see why you don’ not want visitors,” O’Reilly said, “I’d be ashamed.”

  “It’s way better than it was when we first got here, but new scrubbers will be needed...”

  “Maybe two sets at that,” O’Reilly mused, walking into the landing bay.

  “Captain Hodges, here,” extending a hand to the Sergeant, “Pleasure to meet ya.”

  Samuels stood with his arms folded, then the captain nervously retracted his hand, “Sorry about the miscommunication about the empties you needed...”

  “We’ve made a few improvements to production,” Samuels smiled, “still have a ways to go before she’s running the way she should.”

  “If I can use your long distance relay, we can request more containers before the window closes down on us.”

  “What about your NAV computer adjustments?”

  “Oh, that? Well, that was just a ruse,” the co-pilot smiled.

  “Well, I figured as much.”

  “Did ya now?”

  “Yeah, this ain’t my first rodeo.”

  “If, ya lead the way? The relay’s a wait’n.”

  Hargrove took Samuels by the arm, “Take the message for him, he shouldn’t be allowed on board.”

  “It’s okay, Lieutenant,” the Sergeant nodded, “I’ll be with him the entire time. Won’t be gone long.”

  “Okay, fine,” Hargrove pointed with a finger, “Just hurry back.”

  “Relax, Hargrove, nothing’s going to happen.”

  “How long you think it’ll take?” Hargrove asked O’Reilly.

  “Give us an hour,” O’Reilly said, “Takes about forty minutes for messages to go out and come back. Give or take their answer and ya got yourselves an hour.”

  “Good enough,” Hargrove said, relaxing his posture, “Captain? Ever tried coffee off a CSMO galley?”

  “No, can’t say I have.”

  “Well, come on and follow me then. There’s a galley on this deck. You have to try it at least once.”

  “Are you having any?”

  “Not on your life.”

  “Then what makes you think I do?”

  “You don’t get a vote.”

  “I see.”

  * * *

  UTS Liberator

  Location: Kuiper Belt

  Asteroid 253 Mathilde

  Earth Date: 09/19/2064 18:10

  Mission Objectives:

  DELIVER EMPTY CONTANERS TO CSMO

  TRANSPORT FULL CONTAINERS TO EARTH

  Hodges and O’Reilly shook hands with Sergeant Samuels and the Lieutenant. O’Reilly smiled, “I told ya I could fix ‘er up fur ya’. Eight more containers are on the way”

  “The CSMO crew thanks you. You are saving them countless hours of cleanup,” Samuels nodded.

  “Without containers, the CSMO crew has to dump the ore behind it. Then our digger ships have to run and collect it. This most certainly saves the Company a ton in fuel costs,” Hargrove added, returning the co-pilot’s handshake.

  “The containers should be arrivin’ in about two weeks.”

  “Thanks again. Safe travels on your return,” Samuels nodded.

  O’Reilly and his captain sealed the hatch and climbed into the cockpit of the Liberator.

  “Whew, I’m sure glad we got to close this hatch,” O’Reilly said.

  “Don’t know how much longer I could have stayed there without gagging.”

  The transmission was heard in their ear pieces, “Liberator, CSMO, you’re cleared for departure.”

  “CSMO, Liberator, commencing engine start sequence.”

  “All systems green across the board,” Captain Hodges acknowledged, “Ion turbine and thrusters online...avionics green.”

  “NAV check.”

  “Navigational gyros engaged, take off sequence. Course set and verified.”

  “CSMO, Liberator, we are green for takeoff.”

  “Liberator, CSMO, cleared for takeoff...ascend to 100 meters and hold.”

  “Lifting off,” Captain Hodges said, raising the control stick.

  The auto-hauler lifted off and retracted its landing rods before ascending to the holding position 100 meters above the CSMO. Once the CSMO cleared the Liberator, they flew to dock with the now fully loaded container rack. They would make the return trip as one ship.

  “CSMO, Liberator, begin Mag-Ring spool sequence...we’ve got the package and are heading to the Ring,” Hodges reported.

  “Mag-Ring is spooling. Proceed to jump coordinates at 20,000 KPH. Mag-Ring ETA 15 minutes.”

  “Affirmative, CSMO. On course to jump-ring...accelerating to 20,000 KPH...Mag-Ring coordinates locked and verified.”

  “Liberator, CSMO, you’re slightly off course to the ring. Adjust course 0.0025 degrees port.”

  “Roger, CSMO. 0.0025 degrees port. Adjusting course, now,” Hodges reported.

  “Liberator, CSMO, you’re still off course, correct immediately, or abort jump!”

  “CSMO, Liberator, I can’t correct our course! Terminate Mag-Ring sequence! We’re aborting jump! Repeat, abort jump!”

  “Liberator, CSMO, we’ve terminated the power up sequence. Mag-Ring is cold...repeat Mag-Ring is cold.”

  “We have a major failure on starboard thruster pack...we’re going to hit!”

  “Firing emergency breaking thrusters!” O’Reilly shouted.

  “No good!” Hodges yelled, “We’re going in!”

  The Liberator, with its cargo, hurled toward the giant one hundred and fifty meter round by thirty meters thick Mag-Ring.

  The captain, trying to steer the Liberator to starboard, turned from the Mag-Ring course. The ship struck the top starboard quarter of the Mag-Ring, damaging a large section of the ring assembly.

  “Liberator, CSMO...do you copy
? Liberator, CSMO, come in!” Samuels shouted, but the wireless only returned static.

  * * *

  Chapter 2

  CSMO 253 Mathilde

  Location: Kuiper Belt

  Asteroid 253 Mathilde

  Earth Date: 09/19/2064 18:42

  “Mayday, mayday, mayday!” Lieutenant Hargrove repeated over the long distance communication relay, “Base Command, CSMO 253 Mathilde, we have an emergency! I repeat, we have an emergency! UTS Liberator has collided with the MAG-Ring. We are dispatching an emergency recovery vehicle to search for survivors and survey the damage. We have lost all communications with the UTS Liberator. Readings indicate that the jump ring has been rendered inoperable. We will send updates as they become available...CSMO 253 Mathilde, out.”

  Hargrove turned in his control seat, “I want you with me on this one, Samuels.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m with ya, Lieutenant. I’ve got our ERV already loaded and ready for departure.”

  “Excellent- Dillan!” Hargrove shouted.

  “Yes, sir!” Smithton answered. Dillan Smithton’s long, stringy brown hair made his lengthy body look even taller. He had been 2nd in command to the foreman, Kurtis Daniels before his knee was shot by Colonel Tucker Petersen.

  Daniels took his new role as foreman seriously after being appointed by Colonel Tucker Petersen.

  “I want you to lock down the station, stop all production and reassign all available personnel to the recovery efforts of the UTS Liberator.”

  “I’m on it, sir!”

  “Thanks! Oh and make sure our friend Kurtis is kept in the dark on this...I’m serious, I don’t need any grief from that fat little pipsqueak.”

  “I’ll do my best, sir.”

  “Samuels, let’s go!”

  The never ending, dig-to-your-ears groan of the CSMO’s cutting teeth that constantly ground away at the rocks beneath the CSMO suddenly stopped. The CSMO was eerily quiet. The slow tread movement of the operation, which sent vibrations through the deck of the ship as it slowly gouged across the asteroid surface, ceased as the CSMO powerful engines shut down.