Chapter 44

Compared with "Crawler", the HCL project was light years more complex. The hull alone was estimated at two years although this was not time which the Flock had to exclusively provide; their experience of the building and fitting out of the HAC was put to good use. There were no entrenched positions to defend; there were only open minds dedicated to solving a problem.

A major shift in approach to the building of the prototype was reached. The craft would be prefabricated and then joined. With forethought, most of the fitting out including the mounting of the power plants could be completed as a work in progress. Careful redesign of the power and control harnesses would enable the all too many junction boxes a warship of this size required for redundancy to be positioned as work in progress. Much attention was paid to potential damage to prefitted equipment that might be caused by the energy fluxes of the final bonding. This resulted in the re-positioning of equipment with the resulting modifications proved in mock ups.

In A tween there was a full scale mock-up of the HCL into which equipment sets were fitted, moved, and re-connected. Wayne Burton-Avers was kept busy with the recording of these changes and determining the structural changes required. Cowboy once described Wayne with unkempt hair circling the holo of the HCL, illuminated with that green light and muttering incantations. Wayne had defended himself by claiming that he was using a sensor probe from the black 'puter to recalibrate stresses. Shortly thereafter a warning placard was placed on the hatch to the Crew's Mess "Mad Scientist at Work". Cowboy stoutly denied any responsibility.

The power plant of the HCL had been mounted during the prefabrication and in short order the hull sections were brought together and particle bonded. The newly joined hull was then swarmed by work teams, often led by a member of the Flock, each tasked with a specific responsibility under supervision of Wayne. Careful records were kept of the progress of the work and the overall project as it developed was scrutinized by Wayne and McCock.

The hull was completed and the inner hull ceramic composite was positioned and sealed leaving exposed enviro vents and junctions boxes. Command chairs were fitted at their stations and final ergonomic assessments performed. External power was connected and preliminary testing of systems begun. Murphy was frequently beaten into submission. Finally all the static testing of systems and hull pressure and integrity was finished. Several further weeks were required for an intense physical scrutiny of everything that could physically be inspected and a tedious but necessary review of the construction record completed.

After consultation with Rowan, McCock had decided not to install the Navy tac nav 'puter for security reasons. As a tempory measure, a civilian 'puter was utilized.

Arrangements were in train to start up the pile at completion of these inspections. Rowan had made arrangements for officers from Renmark Space Navy to fire up the fission piles. He had confirmed the request and four officers were now enroute direct from Renmark. Their vessel would be met by a Navy tug from the Yard and the party transferred to "Trader" under cover of darkness. The Renmark vessel would stay in deep space.

Unkind comments about quartering the Renmarks in the crew's quarters were ignored by Sally who bunked them in the second class passenger accommodation. Upon arrival, the Renmarks were fed and given a short tour of the accommodation area. Their circadian cycles were not synchronous with "Trader's" and that had been allowed for by not starting their programme until a day later.

Rowan had precipitated some dissension by bringing in 'outsiders' to initiate the fission piles. He caused an almighty row when the Flock were belatedly informed that named Flag Officers and senior engineers from the Yard were to attend the process. Rowan later said that he was astonished at the amount of shouting and screaming that could be expressed in the dry jargon of official signals – but he was adamant. The Flock later (much later) grudgingly conceded his argument. The Flock had no experience in this power plant type; in fact no one in RMN had. Rowan had also bluntly stated that he wasn't having the Flock at risk.