The World Game by Allen Charles Page B

our buddies.”
    “OK we will look into that later. Right now, someone tell me.”
    Hannaford gestured to Shaw to explain. “Sir, we have the reaction mass of jet fuel on Air Force One and reaction mass of water on this transport. The fuel will not ignite without oxygen and as reaction mass it will only give up its kinetic energy potential. As jet fuel it will give up its chemical energy potential, hundreds of times more bang. On earth, an air-fuel device turns fuel into an aerosol mist and disperses it into an optimum volume of air to provide oxygen. Once ignited the explosion is devastating.
    We have the oxygen we need in the water on board, but we need to break it down to hydrogen and oxygen. I believe that if a layer of water is propelled towards the anti-matter fragments immediately followed by a dispersed layer of fuel, the anti-matter surface will dissociate the layer of water into oxygen and hydrogen, maybe their anti-matter equivalents, as a vapor layer ahead of the fragments. The fuel will hit this vapor layer and form a fuel air effect. We just need to ignite it if it does not ignite itself. The resulting reaction will either deflect the fragments, slow them down or even shatter them. Depending on the outcome, we may have to dodge particles, but they will be regular matter.”
    “We have some RPG’s on board from Air Force One. A rocket propelled grenade should ignite the mix.” Fuller beckoned an Air Force One crewman over and instructed him to locate and bring the RPG and launcher. “We need a method to shoot the water and fuel at the fragments. The travel time of the water and fuel is critical. We can use the refueling pumps and spray it out of the hoses at high pressure. We have to make sure our aim is right.
    How much can we use without leaving ourselves short?”
    “If this works sir, it really doesn’t matter. Where are we going to go?” Hannaford asked.
    “Sir, the energy release will be significant. I think we should risk half our mass. After all, we lose completely if we fail.”
    “You are quite right Shaw, so here is how we will do it…”

CHAPTER 31
    Carver’s Transport, Space Walking.
    The four figures floated near the hull of the transport, the only indication that they were not in atmosphere were the darkened faceplates extruded by the youniforms. They each had a small oxygen replenishment pack on their utility belts.
    Young and Hannaford were hauling at a long fueling hose that was coiled into the hull. Their task was to fix the hose outlet at the center of gravity of the transport facing directly into the oncoming fragments. Any deviation from this fix point would cause the jet effect of the high pressure water to impart a spin on the transport. Instead, this rocket effect would add to the velocity away from the fragments. On Air Force One which was still coupled to the transport, Fuller and Shaw were doing the same thing with the jet fuel, however their nozzle was an improvised spray head.
    “Are you ready Hannaford?”
    “Yes sir. We have secured the hose to a docking pylon that is close to the centre of mass point. Ready to open the valve on your command.”
    “Shaw, you have the calculations. You give the order.”
    “Sir.” There was a moment of silence. “On my count release on three Felicity. You will shut off at my call and I will release the jet fuel exactly fifteen seconds later. Starting count. One, two, THREE.”
    Felicity pushed the manual valve lever and a solid jet of water shot straight out into the void. A fine mist of particles dispersed around the edges of the nozzle and gradually formed a slow moving cloud that shrouded the glistening shaft of water which became a fine line in the distance and then vanished from view.
    The fifteen seconds flashed by and Felicity pulled back the lever on hearing “CLOSE NOW!” from Shaw. Instantly a new stream appeared, not as a solid pillar of liquid but as tendrils of noodles and buckshot, all gradually spreading out as