Alpha Centauri: The Story Episode 16, part 2

Journey to Centauri : Episode 16, part 2

In the Command Center, Saratov turned to address the Captain. "Captain, we are ready for a pulse test. There is no more time to waste."

The Captain rose and walked over to the science console, where Saratov hunched over a complex web of figures and calculations. "You are certain the ship is as safe as you can make it?"

"Ninety-four percent certainty, Captain. Remember, there will only be one of the pulses, to measure its effects on the ship's structure."

"But it could still split us open in a fireburst."

"I can give you no more certainty, except to say that I wish to live as much as you do. If it is certainty you seek..."

Garland lifted his hand, seeing the anguish in Saratov’s face. "Test authorized. Give the crew the standard warning."

"Captain." A voice, unfamiliar and urgent, compelled Garland to turn around.

There, in the entrance to the command center, stood a slender woman with fierce black eyes in the uniform of a security officer, one shoulder torn to reveal bare skin underneath. Her hands were bound behind her. To her rear stood a tall, angular man, an engineer under Saratov’s command. In his hand he held a shredder pistol, leveled at the woman’s back.

"Here she is, sir, captured in Bay Three. As I mentioned, she wanted to see you anyway."

"From Santiago…" said Garland quietly, watching the woman’s dark feral eyes.

Ship’s Personal Logs
Corazon Santiago

All things grow rusty with disuse. It is time to move, and advance our negotiations with the Captain.

I have before me a record of one of his interviews from Earth. "The safety of my crew is my primary concern," he says. So far every action has confirmed this statement. His predictability will become his greatest liability.

Next episode will be posted Monday, September 14, 1998.