Chapter 4

I gave Tammy a couple of days to see what the simulators had to say about the changes to the software for engine #3 before doing anymore live tests. After getting the OK from my engineering crew I scheduled live tests for Monday at 0800hrs.

Monday 0800hrs; "Prepare to get underway; Helm maneuvering thrusters; bring us to course 081 mark 29; Engineering bring us to 20% power."

"Course 081 mark 29, aye; 20% power, aye. On course 081 mark 29; passing 500kps; 1,000kps; 2,500kps; 5,000kps; 7,500kps; 10,000kps; 15,000kps; 20,000kps; 25,000kps; 30,000kps; 35,000kps; 40,000kps; 45,000kps; 50,000kps; 55,000kps; 60,000kps; Holding at 20% power; relative speed 60,000kps."

"Thank you Helm; Engineering; Bridge how are we doing back there Tammy?"

"So far so good Capt. I am going to start increasing speed slowly so as to keep a tight watch on #3."

"Very good; Helm, Engineering is going to handle speed you will maintain a clear course, Paul keep an eye out for anything that shows up on sensors." "Helm aye; maintaining course."

"Yes Sir.'

As we speed through the dark Tammy slowly crept our speed up approximately .1% per step. We were all a bit white knuckled as the power indicator got closer-and-closer to 21.2% power. Finally the readouts displayed 22% and 66,000kps.

"Engineering; Bridge, Tammy bring us to 25% and hold it for 1 hour and then we will see what is going on."

"Bring to 25% power, hold for 1 hour; Aye Capt."

For the next hour we speed across space at 75,000kps checking and double-checking and triple-checking every readout and sensor looking for the slightest discrepancy.

"Time Capt."

"Thank you Paul; All stop. All stations report. Engineering; how's it look back there Tammy?"

"Everything is in the green Capt. we are within .01% of tested nominal and the engines are synced to .001%. I would have to say we finally have it right."