Chapter 20

The machinery cut, placed, and bonded the new bow plates into position following the instructions from the design chip. Human intervention was only needed if wear or vibration moved the tools.

Fully automated systems were not as effective for repairs of vessels because of the individual nature of each repair. The automation went so far but the skilled touch was provided by the humans. This was not a task for an assembly worker. Subtle changes and sounds had to be detected before things go out of control and skewed. A delicate touch occasionally with constant supervision produced high quality work – and so it was to be at GmBH.

The power barge was delivered next day, registered and inspected by the Harbour Master; MFH was experienced in their support and ensured proper procedures were completed. They charged well for their services but by preventing problems it was cheaper in the long term.

On the second day after the dock had started cutting, McCock had loaded the mangled bow into the power barge now named the "Horrible" – an ugly little beast -cycled the loading hatch and with Harbour Control clearance headed for the scrap yard. He contacted their office and was directed to his dumping area. He had to swing around a small freighter of a type unknown to him with a forward section looking as if it had been kicked by some giant. He dumped his load as directed. His curiosity about the stricken trader was stimulated for a reason he couldn't quite raise to the surface of his brain.

With the scrap yard's clearance, he put the power barge around the hapless vessel as it lay secure to the outer dock of the scrap yard. He noted the name "Hebrides Trader" on her side. The after end appeared untouched and the after hull unbuckled. The forward section was crushed back to about the accommodation – it gaped open empty of its contents. The nodes from the after impeller were missing and the after hatches were not fully sealed. McCock returned to his office and commed the scrap yard. An idea was forcing up to his conscious state

"The "Hebrides Trader"? My curiosity has got the better of me. She's a peculiar design and I don't mean that bow. Tell me about her."

"We don't want her as she is too big for us and the breakers say that bow makes it too expensive even as a gift to them. Don't understand it myself. Our firm is happy; we are getting demurrage for her. There is talk about sending her into the star to get rid of her. She did a regular passenger air car mover cargo run from the Junction, Scapa, Orkneys, Hebrides and here – three month round trip. Basically was an inter system air car ferry. She seemed to pay her way though as it was rare she left here with any space left in her holds. She was a special build because those after holds could be used for livestock out to the farms. Never carried carcasses back unless in the freezer 'tainers; about fifty passengers and about the same crew. She's been looted a bit. The nodes went missing one week and about a year ago the Harbour Master told us the 'tainer carts have been pulled out. What's your interest if more than curiosity?"

"None really. But livestock? I thought they used frozen embryo or whatever these days?"

"Seems there was problem with the breeder mothers - they tell me you can't reliably breed for them and so they get selected once they can be assessed at about a year old. A fertilized embryo or what ever is implanted in a lot of them at a time and they are shipped out – usually Scapa but sometimes Hebrides. We never got 'em here. They were stowed in the tween decks in the after holds pressurized and under gravity. Cost a bit for a live stock run."

"Never did a live cargo run myself. Thanks."

"Only too glad to help a potential return customer. We'll take the bow off her if you take the rest. Teeth, we would even cut the thing away for you. Clear?"

"Clear." McCock broke the connection.

The barge owner had left a message – the air lock was arriving the next day and would be cleared in about three days. Where did GmBH want it delivered. Faxed the reply - the front delivery lock and please advise timing. He checked with Polack on the repair process and saw a strange EVA suit sitting in the control seat for the molecular seamer. The cutter has been pushed back to its frame on the bulk head. He raised an eyebrow at Polack,