Kody grimaced at that. He wanted to answer but very obviously did not want to reveal any of Blakeschiff's information.
"It's not about distance," said Morris, "It's about gravity. For long links and active links it's critical to minimize any gravity that doesn't come from your anchor beacon. Ms. Harper can't tell ahead of time what kind of gravitic swirls will be there after she jumps so if they're too severe she'll need to jump again."
"Attention passengers and crew," came Blakeschiff's voice, "Stand down from microjump protocol. Due to the nature of our upcoming mission we will be taking extra time for navigational vectoring. You may move around until linkspace insertion."
Everyone stood and stretched. Eisley still looked apprehensive but Polov reassured her. That gave Morris an idea.
"I have a question, Tran," said Morris, "Without revealing anything about our destination can you give us an idea of how long Ms. Harper will require for her navigational fix?"
Kody thought hard for a moment. "Yes sir. Interpolating from my experience minus the time to instruct others plus the number of waypoints modulo the absolute vector I'd place it between one and two hours. That also takes into account the Commander's skill at astrogation and his lack of patience when we're behind schedule. Why?"
In response Morris 'commed Lydia. Although surprised at his request she had no objection to it, which made both him and Kody smile.
"Ms. Eisley," said Morris, interrupting her conversation with Polov and Garrett, "Will the three of you come with me, please."
***
As the four of them walked toward engineering Morris pointed out access panels and repair points for various shipboard systems. Lydia was waiting when they arrived and she had chog along with extra seats dogged to the floor.
"Why are we here, sir," asked Garrett.
"Since Ms. Eisley is nervous about linking I thought she, along with the rest of you, might enjoy being right where it happens when it happens."
Eisley swallowed hard. She looked as though she wanted anything but.
"Nervous," asked Lydia, "Ms. Eisley, is it? I'm Lydia, dear."
"Tina."
"There is absolutely nothing to linking. The worst part about it is cleaning and servicing the unit for the first time after an incompetent engineer. Morris, we have a little time before we link, why don't you and I show them engineering?"
"Wonderful," he said, before the students could speak, "I do believe they will love it."
Lydia smiled and produced three datapads.
"I've outlined the preflighting procedure," she said, "and linked in to active monitor. That's if you want to watch what happens as it happens."
Lydia's terminal beeped and several devices responded.
"What's happening," asked Morris, "Mister Garrett?"
"Ahh..." Garret consulted the 'pad. "Umm... Jump capacitors charging?"
"Are you certain?"
"Y-yes sir."
"Chief engineer," asked Morris.
"Pre-charge activation," said Lydia without breaking stride, "Whyfor?"
"It's necessary," said Eisley with a hard look to her 'pad, "In order to... prepare the capacitors to take the necessary charge to thrust the ship into linkspace."
"And if the capacitors malfunction?"
"That's bad," said Garrett with an attempt to redeem himself, "The link drive works in conjunction with the thalyssium hull grid. If either the drive unit or the grid doesn't have exactly the right amount and type of power it could rut up the drives."
"Define 'rut up' please," said Morris, "Mister Polov."
Polov cringed. "The hull grid is carefully calibrated to the exact volume of the ship, sir. If the entire grid doesn't receive exact power levels at the time of link insertion it could result in distortion of the link aperture."
"Meaning," prompted Morris.
"Meaning error in the jump vectors," said Polov, furiously reading, "Meaning the ship would go drastically off course or even misjump."
"Meaning possible error in the phase sync," said Eisley, "Which would... Which could result in indeterminate emergence location. Umm... No telling what kind of deviation from the projected exit point would... result."
"Phase synchronization error," said Garrett, "resulting in not knowing how deep in link you really are. Too deep and any non-hardened ship systems would start torquing out. Umm... Sir and ma'am, what systems aren't hardened on this ship?"
"All critical systems are, signor," said Lydia humorously, "But I wouldn't worry about it too terribly much. Can you tell me why?"
"Lots of safety features?" Polov looked more hopeful than uncertain.
Garrett began working his 'pad. "One major safety, Greg. The thalyssium grid on all League and Halcyon ships includes a crystalline iridium alloy sheath. As long as it's below fifteen-C it maintains a state of superconductivity. That distributes the power evenly and quickly."
"One even better," said Eisley, "The power travels through the grid back into the phase field coils on the insertion drive. If the grid fails the drive won't activate and the link fails." She looked at Lydia. "That makes me feel a lot better, ma'am."
Lydia winked at Morris and smiled. "You're welcome."
The console beeped again and more readouts changed. Morris looked at Polov.
"Capacitor charge has begun," said Polov, more certain now, "The pilot is trickling in power and will increase the flow less than exponentially. The longer the charge time the deeper the link. It says here the caps are rated at 150% of the jump level of the ship. Umm... Why?"
"Safety again," said Lydia, "Sorry Morris. This is where link theory gets ruddy narsty. The L-drive itself has an overpower shunt with a failsafe trigger. The ideal power for a good jump is between five and ten percent over what the basic jump requires.
"The initial surge puts us a little bit deeper in link for a few seconds; that's long enough for the scanners to stabilize and get a solid fix. The power decay curve is exponential and smooth so the fix stays deeper than the link itself."
"Making the link more stable than the jump," asked Polov.
"Exactly," said Lydia, "It's like driving a hoverbus on instruments only but having a hovercycle full of scanners a few dozen meters ahead of you."
Eisley looked troubled over Lydia's explanation.
"It's a good thing, Tina," said Garrett, "Just trust that."
Eisley finally calmed down, whether from Lydia's reassurance or the data on her 'pad. The capacitors started charging faster as Harper or Blakeschiff locked in navigational data.
"Thirty percent," said Lydia, "We usually link between forty and fifty-five."
The charge settled to a steady flow at thirty-three percent. At forty quite a few indicators changed and Blakeschiff's voice sounded.
"All personnel to departure stations. Prepare for link protocol."
"Engineering," reported Lydia, "Jump capacitors at forty-three percent and charging. Link drive is pre-active."
"Bridge confirm," replied Harper, "Begin link drive synchronization."
While the capacitors continued to charge Lydia fed low power into the hull grid.
"Engineering. Hull grid is responsive. Drive link is confirmed. Thermal parameters are nominal."
"Bridge aye. Prepare for link sync pulses on my mark. Mark."
"Engineering aye. Timing signal locked, synchronization handshaking begins."
"Bridge aye."
Morris and the others kept quiet during this. He knew Blakeschiff knew they were there and he didn't object; Morris would give the commander no reason to regret it.
"Engineering. Drive linkage to navigation confirmed five-by."
"Bridge aye. Lock and hold."
"Engineering aye." Lydia looked puzzled at this. She keyed in the appropriate commands.
Eisley grunted when the lights went out and the emergency reds came on.
"We're fine, Ms. Eisley," said Morris softly, "This is a safety precaution. If power to the lights fails or surges it won't blind us here."
&n
bsp; "It also tends to sharpen the senses," added Lydia offhandedly.
The capacitors hit and passed sixty percent with no sign of slowing.
"Engineering. Capacitors at sixty-two and still charging."
"Bridge aye," replied Blakeschiff, "Hold steady, Chief Engineer."
"Engineering, aye sir."
"Is this unusual," whispered Polov, so softly Morris could barely hear.
"Very," answered Lydia, "Unusual but not concerning. It just means we're planning a long link. Higher power means we're going deeper in. The extra time should also cut down on jitter at the other end." She made a shushing motion and activated the 'comm. "Engineering. Capacitors at seventy-one and charging."
"Bridge aye." Blakeschiff. "Continue to hold, Chief Engineer."
When the capacitors passed seventy-eight Lydia scowled, furrowing her brow.
"Engineering," she said, "Capacitors at seventy-eight and charging. Thermal parameters within tolerance intervals but not nominal."
"Bridge aye," replied Harper, "It won't be long now."
As the capacitors continued to charge Lydia began engaging thermal dampers for the hull grid. It still lay below the temperature needed to maintain superconductivity but it had risen past its nominal levels. More readouts activated at seventy-eight percent and the charging slowed.
"Engineering. Capacitors at eighty-one and holding."
"Bridge aye. Prepare to initiate link insertion."
Lydia keyed in several sequences. "Engineering aye. Link drive is initialized and synchronized. Threshold is active. All safety systems are engaged."
"Bridge aye," said Blakeschiff, "Initiating link on pilot's count."
"Twenty seconds," said Harper, "Ten. Five. Two... One... Engage."
The hull clanged and popped as the capacitors discharged through the thalyssium grid. Several panels lit up and data flowed across the 'pads as the charge hit the L-drive and thrust the small ship into linkspace. Morris felt a moment of nausea as the ship departed reality but it passed quickly.
Not so the others. Polov grunted and Eisley cried out and fought the straps. Even as the reds died and the regular lights came on Morris unstrapped, rushed to her and began releasing her.
Morris thumbed his 'comm. "Medic to engineering. Medic to engineering, crash orange."
Released from the restraints Eisley bent double, grabbed her stomach and slid forward out of the seat. Morris grabbed one arm and Garrett the other.
"Ms. Eisley," said Morris, "Can you speak?"
Eisley moaned something like words. Lydia appeared with an ampule and popped it under Eisley's nose.
"Easy, Tina," said Lydia.
"Don't worry, Tina," said Garrett, "It gets easier after the first time."
Eisley retched but nothing came up.
"Stand up, hon," said Garrett, "Try to stand up. It'll help, trust me."
Eisley unbent herself a little but didn't come close to standing. Her breath came in short sharp gasps and she looked pale. After what seemed years Jackson arrived with a stretcher and a kit. The big man looked none to good himself but did not let that deter him.
"Just relax, Tina," he said reassuringly, "Loosen up and let us do the work. Just lay back on the stretcher."
When Eisley complied Morris noticed she'd bitten her lip. Hard.
"What happened," asked Jackson.
Lydia and Morris told him quickly.
"Hm. Popped a virgin, did we? Are you pregnant?"
"Hades no!" Eisley managed those words with some force. "Why?"
Jackson drew a hypo in response. "Because I'd have to charge double for this if you were."
Before she could respond he administered the dose and followed it with two more. Then he activated the stretcher and he and Garrett pushed her toward sickbay. Morris turned to Polov.
"Do you need to go, Mr. Polov?"
"No sir," said Polov gamely, "I just don't like deep jumps or active links."
Morris glanced at Lydia. "In that case, Mr. Polov, let's go to the lounge. I think Chief Engineer Keyson has some work to do."
As he guided Polov toward the bulkhead Lydia caught Morris' eye and stuck out her tongue at him.
***
In the lounge Kody and Harkin sat uncomfortably while Rackwell, Lace and Delroy sat in misery.
"What... happened," asked Rackwell.
"Deep link," said Morris, "The which means we'll probably be in link a long time. That's why the commander took so long lining us up."
"It six-sigma reeks," said Lace testily, "No blather. Do you know how many waypoints we'll be hitting?"
Morris shook his head. "No, but I'll take a guess. We won't have very many. Since we took so long calculating the nav fix the Commander will plot as straight a course as he can to minimize jitter."
"I hope so," said Rackwell, "I've been on more than a few extrasystem voyages and this is the deepest I've ever linked."
Garrett walked into the room, pulled chog and sat to enjoy it. Lace scowled at him but half-heartedly at best. Not long afterward Eisley walked in followed by Jackson. Eisley sat gingerly while Jackson grabbed chog for both of them.
"Cramps," asked Lace. She took out a pack of 'sticks, lit one and slid them toward Eisley.
"From hades," said Eisley, lighting a 'stick of her own.
"You don't smoke, Tina," said Polov.
Eisley looked heavily back at him. "I do now. That was rough, Doctor Taylor, six sigmas on the beam."
"It does get easier," repeated Garrett.
"That's true," said Morris, "You'll also acclimate quickly. I will admit, though, that was a deeper link than usual. Most of the time they're not nearly that bad."
Eisley and Lace merely stared at that and said nothing.
Chapter 7. An Eventful Trip
Morris and the rest spent some time unpacking into their cabins and settling in. He did manage a quick trip to engineering. Though glad to see him Lydia had things well in hand. They shared a too-short warm moment before she shooed him away.
"I've got things, my dear, and you have students to attend. They need you more than I do and I'm willing to share." Then with mischief, "For now."
Dinner was a subdued affair. Rackwell did not put in an appearance and Harper conversed with Lydia in low whispers. Kody appeared only long enough to eat then excused himself with a smile. After the meal Polov voiced a concern that, by their expressions, Eisley and Garrett shared.
"Are we going to be working all day and night now, sir? Since we are in link?"
"Unfortunately not, Mister Polov," said Morris, "Since we are aboard a relatively small vessel I'll be sharing resources and facilities as well as students. Also, I do believe your other instructors will keep me in hand."
Chuckles. Lace began forming a massive game of two-across. While she and Garrett made the preparations Polov approached Morris uneasily.
"I was wondering, sir, is there a pattern to this?"
The question caught Morris by surprise. He paused a moment to think hard.
"Yes, Mr. Polov, I'm certain there is. I don't know it though. Yet."
"Morris, Greg," said Lace, "Sit. Since you two are the last in you can partner."
After the first game Lace declared that never again would Morris and Polov partner! They won handily and brutally. Just before the end Garrett spotted the pattern Morris and Polov set up but not in time to prevent defeat. The next game Morris partnered with Eisley and Polov spotted the pattern almost as soon as Morris set it. That served Morris' purpose well: all three of the students started developing patterns and searching hard for others'.
Delroy spent her evening at the holocad. Occasionally she had words and a softer expression for the students but mostly she stayed cool and distant. When the others called it an early evening Morris lingered long enough to draw a bulb of juice.
"Specialist."
"What."
The terminal contained groups of equations Morris didn't recognize.
"I want to talk about ou
r mission."
"What about it?"
"What's the pattern?"
She looked up momentarily, then back down.
"What makes you think there's a pattern?"
"You've said as much already. That plus you are far too professional to behave this way for any ordinary mission."
That stung. She stiffened slightly and Morris saw her clench her teeth.
"The facts are there, Technician. Analyze them."
With that she focused her full attention on the holocad, effectively slamming down a wall between them.
***
After breakfast the next day most of the team worked on scheduling. At breakfast Blakeschiff appeared long enough to grab some food and announce they'd be around ten days in link. That was an amazingly-long voyage to an unspecified destination but the rest accepted it. Rackwell wanted no time wasted in educating his students.
They had times and subjects roughed out when Blakeschiff and the entire crew appeared for lunch. Lace, in good humor now, vociferously assured the three students multiple times that she wouldn't let Morris work them totally to exhaustion.
Morris felt his curiosity rising as they ate. Having all crew gathered with none at station violated several protocols. Never mind that they couldn't do much nor that it would take very little time if something did go awry; violating protocol simply did not fit Blakeschiff and that bothered more than just Morris.
After lunch Blakeschiff continued his uncharacteristic behavior by producing a dataspool and inserting it into the room's holovee. It cleared to a star system with several planets and some asteroid belts. He tapped in a release code and the astrographic coordinates of the star and the positional data on the planets and asteroids appeared.
"This is star system 9A-C-F37A, named 'Dustball' by the Halcyon survey team. It has a G2 primary with six planets, the second of which is in the star's habitable zone. It is marginally inhabitable with an atmosphere containing uncomfortably high levels of certain toxic trace elements and gasses." He switched to a closer view of the second planet which rotated and zoomed in. "A routine min-met scan revealed this."
Morris felt a thrill of excitement. Most of the area showed exactly what any average planet would but the center of the display showed something different. A routine mineral-metal scan would reveal nothing other than presence and approximate composition. Even a surface-penetration scan might miss this. Only a meticulous, probing deep-scan with AI interpretation would reveal what Morris suspected.
"There is almost a sixty-five percent probability that this is an undiscovered Imperium base," said Blakeschiff. He activated the enhancement overlays and AI projections. The basic heuristics gave the likelihood as 64.397% but for some Imperium sites this would indicate virtual certainty.