Paul D. Harrington - Light Speed: Ultimate Destiny

T here was a lot of traffic around the asteroid field. Captains and their freighters were scurrying to only-their-computers-knew-where. John Burke felt a little closed in as he looked out the viewport. Ships might be kilometers apart, but in space, distances could be traveled in a matter of seconds. Burke played with the maneuvering thrusters keeping his distance from the other freighters.

Suddenly the C3 computer system took control and announced, Mission delay due to pion wave interference. To Burke it sounded so routine, but delays were not what he wanted today.

Burke looked at his NAV console with impatience and asked the Command-Control and Communication computer to confirm the reason for the delay.

Pion wave interference confirmed. Vessel directly ahead. Slowing rate of acceleration to avoid turbulence. The class one ore freighter fired its retros and slowed to a near stop.

Thats the story of my life: Delay! thought Captain John Burke. With a sigh he sat in the command chair of Miner Five and waited. His hand brushed the pocket of his flight suit and he felt the ring that was inside. Opening the flap of the pocket he retrieved the engagement ring and let it float in the air in front of him. He watched as the ring spun in the zero-g environment It sparkled in the cabin lights like ice glistening in the noon days sun.

Burke was a man in his mid-twenties with striking features that made him quite attractive. He had dark hair, green eyes, a muscular build and a good sense of humor, yet he could never quite get the girl. He pondered, Why cant she just say yes? Weve been dating for over a year now. I love her. Maybe she just doesnt know that yet. I dont know. With impatience growing over the mission delay, Burke plucked the ring from the air and put it back in the pocket from where it came and inquired of the computer, How is the wave interference now, C3?

The computer replied, Pion wave interference still above normal. It is unsafe to proceed.

While Burke waited, he thought for a moment about his past. Pion wave interference is to spacecraft what air turbulence is to atmospheric craft. He knew about air turbulence all too well.

A few years ago he was a test pilot for Air Stream Limited. One of his later missions was to see how close a new style of aircraft with turbulence control could get in behind another while flying at high speed without stalling, sheering or losing control. He got very close on one run and almost lost all control. Going into a flat spin he barely pulled out of it as the ground was looming up at him like a nightmare. That was one experience he did not want to repeat.

Would turbulence in space have a similar effect? he wondered. There is no way to eject if something goes wrong. But I cant let another freighter beat me to the ore againthat would be the second time this week alone! How do these guys know where were going to mine, anyway? Theres something fishy about this.

He spoke out loud. What will it be, Burke, wait or go for it? Sweat began to bead up on his forehead as he wrestled for an answer. Then finally he decided, I wont be beat again!

C3, this is a command Alpha override; switch to manual control, said Burke with determination.

Alpha override acknowledged. Manual control restored. The computer gave Burke the control he wanted. His fingers danced over the controls as he felt the antimatter engines kick-in again and the deck plates hum with the sensation of power beneath him. The freighter began to shake and vibrate in the wave interference as the freighter surged forward. Burke maintained control, but memories came flooding back as he felt his chair begin to shake. His mouth went dry with anticipation while his heart pounded in his ears. Ahead, the other freighter continued to block his path allowing no quarter.

C3, scan the ship directly ahead for life signs.

Life signs negative, said the C3 with cold precision.

Burkes face took on a grim determination as he asked his questions out loud. A robot ore freighter? C3, what is the registry of that ship?

The ship is registered to Atoms Technical. It is a class two ore freighter with automated controls. It has a top speed of one percent light speed. Total cargo capacity is 200,000 metric tons.

Just as I thought. Only Atoms Technical would be so cheap as to use robot freighters.

Burke moved up on the Atoms Technical ship even though it was larger and more imposing. He fought the controls as his freighter began to shake like he was in the middle of an earthquake.

Pion wave turbulence now fifty percent over normal. Structural tolerance near maximum limit. The C3s words were like the dooming words of a prophet in Burkes ears as his ship bucked wildly under him.

Burke was starting to worry a little. How much more could this craft take? he wondered. How can I get around that ship without breaking up in the process? Theres not enough room to squeeze past him on either side. If I try, the gravity from the asteroids will pull me too close and I wont be able to hold it. And if I stay on his tail pipe Ill pull myself apart! Theres got to be a way! Burke thought. Then an idea flashed through his mind like a laser shot.

It might work! he told himself. The Atoms freighter was flanked on either side by asteroids. There was a small one to the left and a medium-sized one to the right. Looking at the larger of the two Burke touched the port thruster and Miner Five healed right, out from behind the other ship.

Pion wave interference now nominal, the C3 announced, Warning on course change, asteroid G2112 is ahead exerting point one zero-g of gravity and increasing. Burkes ship was now on a collision course with the larger asteroid.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire, but thats what Im counting on, thought Burke.

As the asteroid loomed larger in the main view screen, out of the side transsteel viewport Burke could see the other freighter making its run between the two rocky giants. It was time for Burke to make his move. He reached over and tapped the port thruster again and his ship banked right. Using his increased speed, the asteroids gravitational pull and the port thrusters push, the ship was sling-shotted around G2112 to come out just in front of the Atoms Technical ship, which then had to slow down to almost a complete stop due to the exhaust from Miner Fives antimatter engines. Burke let out a yell as he switched to rear view. It worked! The other ship came into focus behind. This is one time that you wont beat me to the payload, said Burke.

With a grin, a sigh of relief, and sweaty palms Burke returned the ship to automatic control. Almost immediately the C3 informed him, Near target site, beginning mining run on asteroid G2125. The Shepherd Industries freighter fired its retros and the ship began to slow as it came in over its target. With a soft thud the ship touched down a mere two feet off the programmed landing spot.

Landing complete. Mineral extraction has begun. As the computer methodically went through its paces, John Burke unbuckled himself from the command chair and stood up. He stayed on the deck, despite zero-g, because of the standard magnetic flight boots he was wearing. Walking past the airlock to the cargo bay he looked through the transsteel window making sure that the valuable ore was coming in safely and properly. As usual, it was. Time to full cargo capacity, C3? asked Burke expectantly.

At present rate of extraction and arrangement, one hour twelve minutes.

Listening to the answer, Burke looked at the mission clock on the upper bulkhead. Thats not too bad. I just might make it back to keep that date with Rebecca after all. As he walked back to the command chair and began a check of all systems for the return trip, Burke couldnt help wondering what her response would be to the question he wanted to ask her again.