PBs at 8.2. Dahlgrens at about 12, and the Exploder at about 20.”
“Sir,” Ford jumped in, “the Exploder drone was run up the rails from storage. If we were willing to warhead it and hold it in the forward firing tube, it should actually launch in about three seconds, I think.”
“Let’s not ‘think,’ Ford. Let’s test and confirm.”
“Aye aye, sir.”
Absen took a deep breath. “Okuda, how quickly could we pulse again?”
Okuda shifted, turning to face Absen. “The system will cycle in about four seconds. That’s how long it took Desolator , you remember. If I preset the course and we do not reorient much, the computers can achieve that without difficulty, but it commits us. Pulse in, pulse out, blind.”
“But except for the ready Exploder, we can’t do anything in four seconds, sir,” Ford objected.
“Then we’ll have to do better. I don’t want to wait twelve seconds to fire. Everyone start working on shortcuts, matched with associated statistical risks. I want to know what Conquest can do if she has to.”
“Speaking of Conquest ,” Fletcher said, “I’d like to point out that the AI can probably get those times down significantly. If, that is, she can be trusted.”
“Thank you, Mister Fletcher. It’s in the back of my mind, believe me. Now get to work on refining your procedures. Helm, on standard fusion drive, set course for Afrana orbit and rendezvous with Reloi Station.” That massive orbital fortress was the Sekoi defense headquarters. “Let’s take it easy, shall we? Say…three days.”
“Aye aye, sir.” Soon the sustained rumble of the fusion drive sounded through the deck plates.
“Fletcher, pass to Commander Ekara and Mister Nightingale. I want complete inspections of the systems we tried out today, with reports at 0600 and 1800. Once they are confident, we’re going to conduct some live fire. Comms, send a message to Sekoi Planetary Defense to that effect. We’ll want to commandeer one of the inbound asteroids. The biggest one you can.”
Fletcher cleared his throat. “They won’t be happy about that last, sir.”
Absen showed his teeth. “Tell them to make sure it’s one of the Nguyen Conglomerate’s. I think the richest human on the planet can spare it.”
Chapter 10
“All right,” Absen said from the head of the conference table. “We’ve had two days of shakedown, testing and live fire. Let’s hear your summaries. Scoggins?”
The tall commander patted her pinned-up hair and then stood from her seat. “Sensors are fine, except for an eight percent failure rate on certain extension servos – the ones that pop antennas and receptors out of their spider-holes. They were all manufactured by Letoi Conglomerate. I’ve replaced them all out of spares, but our tests indicate none of them will last through their promised lifespan.”
“Letoi. That’s a powerful Sekoi company, right?” Absen asked.
“Yes, sir,” Ellis Nightingale spoke up. “I’m having similar problems with their servos.”
“Are they manufactured to our specs?”
“No, sir. Deep scan shows the nano-metallurgy was rushed, probably to save time in the process.”
“And time is money in any economy.” Absen sighed. “All right. We need to start testing samples of everything that came from Letoi. Scoggins, consolidate a list and shoot it off to Desolator. Ask him to manufacture replacements and send them here by drone, and put him on to Letoi. We’ll do the work ourselves; it will be good practice for the maintainers.”
Commander Ekara cleared his throat. “I’ve also been having problems with some Letoi equipment. I’ll add to the list, and may I suggest that we test a sample of anything Sekoi-made?”
“All right. Can Engineering handle it?”
“Yes, sir. I’d like a week.”
Absen nodded. “We’re in no huge hurry.” His eyes narrowed at Ekara. “Commander, you look like you have more to say.”
The man glanced around for a moment, and
“Sir,” Ford jumped in, “the Exploder drone was run up the rails from storage. If we were willing to warhead it and hold it in the forward firing tube, it should actually launch in about three seconds, I think.”
“Let’s not ‘think,’ Ford. Let’s test and confirm.”
“Aye aye, sir.”
Absen took a deep breath. “Okuda, how quickly could we pulse again?”
Okuda shifted, turning to face Absen. “The system will cycle in about four seconds. That’s how long it took Desolator , you remember. If I preset the course and we do not reorient much, the computers can achieve that without difficulty, but it commits us. Pulse in, pulse out, blind.”
“But except for the ready Exploder, we can’t do anything in four seconds, sir,” Ford objected.
“Then we’ll have to do better. I don’t want to wait twelve seconds to fire. Everyone start working on shortcuts, matched with associated statistical risks. I want to know what Conquest can do if she has to.”
“Speaking of Conquest ,” Fletcher said, “I’d like to point out that the AI can probably get those times down significantly. If, that is, she can be trusted.”
“Thank you, Mister Fletcher. It’s in the back of my mind, believe me. Now get to work on refining your procedures. Helm, on standard fusion drive, set course for Afrana orbit and rendezvous with Reloi Station.” That massive orbital fortress was the Sekoi defense headquarters. “Let’s take it easy, shall we? Say…three days.”
“Aye aye, sir.” Soon the sustained rumble of the fusion drive sounded through the deck plates.
“Fletcher, pass to Commander Ekara and Mister Nightingale. I want complete inspections of the systems we tried out today, with reports at 0600 and 1800. Once they are confident, we’re going to conduct some live fire. Comms, send a message to Sekoi Planetary Defense to that effect. We’ll want to commandeer one of the inbound asteroids. The biggest one you can.”
Fletcher cleared his throat. “They won’t be happy about that last, sir.”
Absen showed his teeth. “Tell them to make sure it’s one of the Nguyen Conglomerate’s. I think the richest human on the planet can spare it.”
Chapter 10
“All right,” Absen said from the head of the conference table. “We’ve had two days of shakedown, testing and live fire. Let’s hear your summaries. Scoggins?”
The tall commander patted her pinned-up hair and then stood from her seat. “Sensors are fine, except for an eight percent failure rate on certain extension servos – the ones that pop antennas and receptors out of their spider-holes. They were all manufactured by Letoi Conglomerate. I’ve replaced them all out of spares, but our tests indicate none of them will last through their promised lifespan.”
“Letoi. That’s a powerful Sekoi company, right?” Absen asked.
“Yes, sir,” Ellis Nightingale spoke up. “I’m having similar problems with their servos.”
“Are they manufactured to our specs?”
“No, sir. Deep scan shows the nano-metallurgy was rushed, probably to save time in the process.”
“And time is money in any economy.” Absen sighed. “All right. We need to start testing samples of everything that came from Letoi. Scoggins, consolidate a list and shoot it off to Desolator. Ask him to manufacture replacements and send them here by drone, and put him on to Letoi. We’ll do the work ourselves; it will be good practice for the maintainers.”
Commander Ekara cleared his throat. “I’ve also been having problems with some Letoi equipment. I’ll add to the list, and may I suggest that we test a sample of anything Sekoi-made?”
“All right. Can Engineering handle it?”
“Yes, sir. I’d like a week.”
Absen nodded. “We’re in no huge hurry.” His eyes narrowed at Ekara. “Commander, you look like you have more to say.”
The man glanced around for a moment, and
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