The Quarry

[Rage Menelas]

[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]The next morning, after a quick breakfast, the newest member of Saar'floe's crew came onto the bridge where the master starflyer was watching his console.

Ah, Ryan... good morning... did you manage the sustenance system well enough?

Yeah, yeah... I made me a sausage biscuit and a cup of coffee... my usual fare in the morning.

Good, good, he grinned with genuine joy in his voice, how was it?

Best damn sausage biscuit I ever remember eating.

Good, satisfied, he turned back to the stars, I thought you'd find it so. Now come sit with me... it is time for another lesson.

Ryan walked over and waved his hand at the wall. A chair compliantly detached from it and swung in beneath him as he sat down. Yeah, he could learn to like this new life. So what is it today?

Navigation.

Great, he slapped his hands together in anticipation, right up my alley! I handled the charts on my destroyer...

I know, I read your files...

What? Is nothing sacred?

Charlie laughed, shook his head. The security on your world is abysmal, my friend.

I am beginning to understand this.

Okay, you know charts... that will make this lesson much easier... it is why I paid so much for you, by the way.

Ha... if I gotta be a slave I guess it's good to know I went for premium coin.

Ryan, we discussed this...

He waved a hand in the air to stop him, I know... just kidding... please go on...

Very well, he placed his hands on two indented areas on either side of the console before him. A second later the star vista in the window disappeared to be replaced by what must have been a star chart. Now let me ask you, since you have experience in navigation, how do you get from one point to another?

Generally speaking the fastest route is in as straight a line as possible, all factors considered.

That would be your first error. You see, space is warped, gravity wells pock-mark all star systems, wherein invariably lies your destination. It is always best to manipulate these gravity wells as much as possible in shaping your course. Suppose, for instance, that we take a sheet of cotton fabric and pull it as tight as we can. Now in the center of that blanket let us drop a heavy spherical weight. Now if your ship is a small ball bearing you will need to use the pressure of the weight bearing down on the blanket in shaping your course, no? So, heading away from your intended destination may actually get you there faster. Except in reality you will be contending with a multitude of gravity wells in any given system. Do you understand?

Yes, it is like factoring in set and drift on the ocean.

Similar, but unlike the current of your oceans and her winds, a savvy starflyer can actually manipulate these gravity wells to his benefit. In essence we use their force to slingshot us though space.

Huh, okay... I think I saw that cartoon...

Charlie looked at him sullenly. He was beginning to pick up on his sarcastic tones, didn't really appreciate them. Finally he went on. Now there is one other factor that is critical to efficient long-range navigation. These are anomalies that occur naturally in space called vortices. We use them to traverse long distances.

How does that work?

Do you understand the theory of wormholes as proposed by your Einstein?

Somewhat.

Well, his theory was incomplete, as theories many times are. Wormholes do not occur naturally, but our technology allows us to pinpoint where they may be easily created. They only last a fraction of a second but in that time we actually bend space back on itself. It snaps back like a rubber band and the ship remains in the new spot due to the physics of acceleration.

What's the catch?

Well, if it is previously explored territory there is little danger. New vortices however... well, no-one knows where one will come out until it is used the first time. That is why a probe is generally sent through a new vortex precedent to the ship itself traversing. The probe takes star readings, we pull it back and thereby determine where the vortex leads. That is the safe way... unless of course it is an emergency and you are attempting an escape.

Has that ever happened to you?

Just once... and I was lucky.

Well let's hope your luck holds... as least as long as I'm aboard.

Indeed, he nodded and turned back to the star chart, now to set course for our first mission together.

Ah, where to?

Pella'agre, he motioned at the chart and a glowing point of bright green light appeared. He moved it over to a star located in the upper right-hand corner. We have been commissioned to bring back forty hegredons.

O... kay...

Indigenous creatures... they are considered a delicacy in much of the federation.

Well alright then... let's get to it...

Ah... my eager young apprentice... I do like your attitude...