It is now Mission Day 330. Since leaving the K^Calpin, the navigators had returned to their usual routine. They took position measurements from star sightings and nudged the New Dawn's course accordingly.
“We’re adding more new stars and measurements to the navigation database than on any mission I can recall,” Drachcirn observed.
“Those measurements made when we left the K^Calbin portal will be helpful if we ever return,” Nerrawin said with pride.
“Well, that's not likely.”
The navigators documented their position using the angles to stars and other observable features like galaxies and black holes. It was an ongoing process to create a set of overlapping guideposts. Taking star field observations and documenting new relationships is what navigators do.
“I heard we can now see the star 26q395 through our telescope,” the junior navigator said Drachcirn.
“Yeah! That makes finding our way easier.”
“I didn’t think we could see stars on this side of the K^Calpin.”
“Starlight bends around the dark regions. On Tridon, our most powerful telescopes can see stars, distant nebula, and galaxies. The ship's telescope isn’t anywhere that powerful. But it was enough to find key reference points when we passed through the portal. Now we see much more of the star field,” Drachcirn explained.
When do we start the deceleration phase,” the young man asked.
We’re working on that now. We must be traveling much slower when we get to the asteroid belt. Anything to make it easier to dodge asteroids.”
The Commander had called a meeting of the ship's officers and senior crew. This meeting would be significant. For the first time since leaving Tridon, they would discuss plans for orbiting planet 26q395-3.
The atmosphere in the Command Center was one of anticipation. The length of this voyage probably had a lot to do with the excitement. Everyone was ready to start the last leg of their journey.
Commander Nireem entered and took his position by the command console. Everyone rose out of respect and gave the bent-arm Tridon salute. Then, the Commander said in a quiet command voice, “N^Woddan! We have a lot to cover.” The crew took their seats.
“I commend everyone for what you have accomplished on this unusual and most challenging mission. I have been reviewing your reports and especially the details about our passengers. But first, we need to address the approach to our new planet home.”
“Ecurben, when do we start the deacceleration phase?”
“Sir. We will need to start in six days. Deacceleration is earlier than planned due to using only the main and two secondary engines. You will recall that the controls of the number two secondary stopped responding during the collision. Therefore, we will not use two or four to keep a balanced deceleration. We should be down to a manageable speed before we reach the asteroid belt.”
“Will that affect the days to orbit?”
“It will add twelve days.”
“Now, the plan for getting through the asteroid belt. Gergin?”
“Sir, Retepin and I have been working on how to cross without damage. Not having forward radars is the most critical issue. Radar is how we spot the asteroids we have to dodge. We can solve that by using the radars near the engines that monitor the area behind the ship.
We will not reorient the ship after deceleration. Crossing with our engines pointed forward also solves the protective shields problem. The shields protect us from tiny objects that are hard to detect with radar. So, we plan to cross the asteroid belt with the main engine running on the lowest power setting. The engine exhaust will vaporize minor asteroids before they hit us.”
“Ecurben, anything to add?”
“No, sir. There will be a slight slowing during the crossing, but after we are through, we will rotate the ship and use the engines to reach orbit on the new schedule.”
“Any comments or thoughts?”
Heads nodded, indicating the officers were comfortable with the plan.
“Good. Now, let's turn to our passengers. I’ve been reading the daily reports, and some of our guests seem to have their own ideas about landing and organizing this colony. I noticed two of the travelers lost in the collision were Mamlaka. Still, it's time to clear up any misunderstanding. Therefore, I will address the passengers right after we cross the asteroid belt. Gergin, how long until we complete the crossing?”
“Sir, it will be 78 days from our current position.”
”We will get everyone out of sleep mode starting in 78 days. How long will that take?”
“Adnilla answered. “The passengers know the procedure. Three days will be enough to get everyone up and clear-headed.”
“OK. On the morning of the fourth day, I’ll address the passengers. I plan to play the holographic message I received just before we left Tridon. Eteppon, have one of your people test the projectors in each passenger lounge.”
“Will do!”
The officers all knew the holographic message would be a shock.
“I will outline the next phase of our flight, ending with orbiting our new home. And I will make it clear establishing a colony will be difficult. They will have the opportunity to ask questions or comment. Then, the medical specialists will put them back in sleep mode for one last cycle. I have a list of passengers in each module who should be the first up after this last cycle.”
“Sir. It will take time for the passengers to accept that no one will ever return to Tridon. Denial comes first. Gradually, they will come to terms with it. We should give them at least two days before putting them back in sleep mode,” Enaida urged.
“Adnilla, anyone else …reactions to Enaida's suggestion?”
“I agree, Adnilla responded.”When I found out, I needed time to grieve and accept the idea I would never see old friends and family. That will give them a little time to vent their anger and denial.”
“OK. Start the return to sleep mode on the 6th day. ”
“Anything else?”
“Sir, should we start going through the supplies loaded by the Space Directorate on the descent vehicles?” Retepin asked.
“Good point. Yes, inventory what's there. We’re done,” he announced and left the compartment. For a few seconds, there was quiet. Then, it seemed everyone was talking.
“How will they take the news?” Gergin asked Enaida as they gracefully drifted through the passageways.
“Like a laser shot to the head. It will shatter all their expectations in a few seconds. They don’t have to believe us, but they can’t deny the hologram.”
“This will be interesting to watch,” Adnilla added. “I expect the Commander will be direct and blunt.”
“The Mamlaka will explode. They expect to govern the colony,” Enada worried.
Eteppon had his maintenance guys working in one of the descent vehicles that afternoon. He was curious about what they would find. The process was tedious. The crew could access some cargo from inside. Then, they had to remove the storage containers, examine them, and stow them on the seats. Some cargo compartments opened only from the outside.
Gergin and Drachcirn focused on the asteroid belt, looking for a hole or sparsely populated region. Even if they had to detour off their flight path, it would make the crossing easier.
The two men systematically mapped small concentric rings around their flight path. Using the spacecraft's telescope, they counted the number of objects seen. They did this at three levels of magnification. Giant asteroids were the easiest to dodge. Clusters of small ones were the most difficult.
In Passenger Module One, the other medical specialists and their assistants gathered to hear news from the Commander's meeting. They knew from clues passed by the crew that they were on the last leg of the journey.
There were no passengers in the lounge modules. Whenever the Commander had a formal “Officer's Meeting,” all the civilians returned to their sleep capsules the day before.
When Enaida and Adnilla entered the module, their associates crowded close around. Questions pelted the two, who held their hands high, asking for quiet.
“Yes, we are on the final leg and will be starting deceleration in six days,” Enaida said, smiling. Deceleration definitively marked the end phase of any long flight.
“And Retepin promised they would give us notice before rotation and main engine start.”
Adnilla added, “This time, we are slowing down farther from our destination than when returning to Tridon. There is an asteroid belt to cross. The plan is to complete the deceleration and crossing in about 78 days.”
“I know some of you haven’t crossed an asteroid belt. The pilots and navigators have done this numerous times and are good at weaving through. However, we will have to alert the travelers who are not in sleep mode since there will be frequent course adjustments. That makes for a rough ride,” Enaida explained.
“Now for us, the big news. Starting immediately after the crossing, we will get all the passengers up. We have three days to do that and have them in their lounge ready for an announcement by the Commander. So do those who take the longest to get clear-headed first,” Adnilla directed.
“What will the Commander announce?” asked one of the assistants.
Enaida said calmly, “He plans to play the holographic message from the Space Directorate --the one we heard just after leaving Tridon. And he’ll have some blunt words about the challenge of establishing a colony. Then, everyone will remain up for two days to give them time to absorb the news.”
Someone in the back muttered,” crolee crocit!”
After a long pause, another asked,” And then we start getting them back into sleep mode?”
“Right! There will be a list of who to put down first. After that, it's our choice. I expect there will be a lot of questions and complaints. Be patient and understanding. Oh! This sleep mode cycle will be shorter than usual, but I don’t have the schedule.”
“Any word when we will be able to see our new home?” a voice asked.
“Right now, the navigators can see the planet's star in our telescope, but that's all. After the crossing, Gergin will project the image on the passenger module viewing screens. That's all for now,” Enaida answered.
The group moved off to their respective modules. One of the other medical specialists stayed behind. Then, leaning toward her two seniors, she said, “The Laka will be furious. We might have a rebellion on our hands.”
“I know, but what can they do now?” Adnilla replied.
“I don’t know, but I’ll add a note to the general passenger notes file. Then, the Commander can determine what's necessary,” Enaida replied.