Chapter 38

Polack and Cowboy, with intermittent assistance from McCock put in the ducting and ran the harnesses. They placed hatches for access to the tender bay and put in the access tunnel. Main environmental was fixed just forward of the engine space bulkhead, the plumbing connected and the duct isolation connections made. The power connections to Enviro were made at that end.

Denny and Slow were working on the forward area using the model. The Flock often assembled on the bridge mock up to sit in their command chairs which were put onto the model. They tested the positioning of the chairs and of the screens and holes to get the best fit. The final selection of layout was eventually made with a slightly less than optimal fit with a five person crew so that two using tactical and engineering positions could control and fight the project.

Bit by bit the project was assembled. The bridge components were positioned and secured (with a few prayers offered to Murphy). Cowboy fabricated his ten missile nest opting finally for a six inboard four outboard. He moved the nest forward three metres with extension to the hull to cover the nest; this gave the option of a small missile magazine; there can never be enough missiles. Polack made the disengenious comment that the space would do well for additional bunkerage. To head off the potential nit picking McCock announced he wasn't going to buy into that one either and would leave the choice to higher.

The inertial compensator and then the power plant were secured with the power connections to environmental. The power plant had been statically tested on its stand prior to mounting; Murphy might have struck since the factory testing. The power was connected to enviro and the IC. The bus bars were connected but isolated.

The side and bow wall generators were fitted and then the weapon cameras. The last things fitted were the beta nodes. The minutiae was attended to and internal inspections working from 'puter lists were undertaken. The project was complete; now would it work?

McCock stood the Flock down to give them all a break together. They spent several days dirtside at "the Green Man" where Erin and 'Mina had joined them.

Upon their return to the yard, "Horrible" and "Offspring" were filled with victuals and water. At three day first watch, the portside B hatch was opened. With Slow in "Offspring" as guard ship, "Horrible" with Polack at the helm pulled the inert project out of the hold. McCock, Denny and Cowboy acted as human buffers in the hold. Once clear and B hold closed, Denny entered the Project and McCock and Cowboy joined Polack.

Having obtained the Harbour Master's authorization, GmBH was spacing to Gorgipest's smallest moon; technically, being so small it was an asteroid trapped in outer orbit. It was used by space yachts as an occasional overnight stop on a weekend's sailing. It was now closed off space as the Harbour Master, at the behest of GmBH and payment of the necessary fee, had issued a NOTAM informing all concerned that testing was to be undertaken.

A fairing had been placed over the missile tubes but the gun mount cameras were there for all to see.

The party tied up at the unofficial mooring and repaired on board "Offspring" to use the fresher and eat. Between them, they established the watches with one on a duty watch at all times. The Flock including the OW would work on the 'Project', as it had become known, according to the testing schedule issued by the Navy for acceptance of vessels.

The power plant was restarted and Polack did the full power static tests monitoring the progress on the Engine Space position. When he was satisfied, power was brought back to 'alongside standby'. 'Alongside' was no external power available as compared to harbourside where it was. A HAC was not expected to moor in space. The Flock took up their positions on the bridge. Enviromental was brought up first and its condition monitored. When it had come fully up all but the OW doffed their skin suits helmets. As a safety measure the OW was to be suited fully at all times even on "Offspring" and not working. They all tested the ablutions – Murphy disdained to indulge himself here. One at a time each bridge system was powered up and tested; then in combinations until the full suite was powered up. Murphy did make an appearance when the Tac and Nav functions were up together. It took the Flock three watches to locate the fault – a minute short across the bridge bus bar. The emergency shut down and compartment isolations were carefully tested several times and monitored.

A work session was diverted to going over the 'puter records at that point; each of them went over each of the records so that five brains had scrutinized those records.

"Offspring" was secured in the Project's tender bay. A period of rest and Polack used "Horrible" to tow the Project off the asteroid's surface. With the others at their bridge positions, McCock, at the Engine Space position, slowly threw power onto the beta nodes. Slow at Nav tested the thrusters individually at low settings. McCock took a deep breath and gave the command,