The Nathan Daniels Saga: Part 1 (5 page)

Nathan nodded, she was doing well so far.

“What the FTL drive does is raise the energy level of the ship.  The better the drive components and their tuning, the higher the energy level you can achieve.  Theoretically, with the right drive components and a good engineer, you could achieve the energy state just prior to the big bang.  Every point in the universe would be right on top of each other, and travel would be instantaneous.”  She paused for a breath.

Nathan had a question ready to fill this break.  “The current FTL configuration on the
Nola
reduces the distance from here to Rhadasia to about five times the distance we have already traveled.  It took us less than an hour to get here.  Why a week travel time to Rhadasia?”

“
Several reasons.”  She closed her eyes and furrowed her brow.  “First, gravity wells disrupt the FTL process, so the drive can only be engaged in a region of neutral gravity.  We have to use conventional thrust to travel to one of those regions, adding to our travel time.”

She thought a bit more.  “This limitation adds even more time in another way, because on our trip, if we come too close to a gravity well, we return to normal space, and have to return to a null point to get underway again.  A well calculated route minimizes those delays. 

“The second thing working against us is the fact that we cannot move under power in the higher energy state.  We only take the momentum we have with us.”

“
So what's to stop us from gunning the engines, hitting the null point at full speed and engaging the FTL?”

“
One of the ironies of FTL physics.  The more momentum you have when you change energy states, the more you lose in the transition.  If we hit the transit at full speed, we would be essentially not moving once we transit.  However, if we are just barely moving forward when we transit, we will have reasonable speed after the transition.”  She paused for another breath, looking at him for approval.

“
And if we are at a dead stop it transit?”  Nathan asked.

“
Then we are at a dead stop after transit.”

“
O.K., so what goes into a good FTL calculation?”

Her brow furrowed again.  Nathan loved the way it did that when she was thinking.  “First, we find all the null points that are in line of sight to Rhadasia.  then we sort those null points two ways, first by distance to the null point, then by number of intervening gravity wells.  Once we've picked the best null point, we plot a course so that we hit the null point with the least non-zero forward momentum we can achieve.”  She smiled.

Nathan flipped a couple of switches.  “I've enslaved the flight computers.  we will each work the problem independently, then we'll use the solution that looks the best.  Let's get to work.”

They worked in silence for about an hour.  Just as Nathan was finishing, Remi proclaimed she was done.

Daniels compared the two calculations.  He had to admit she had done the better job.  Her null point was farther away, but it placed only one known gravity well between them and Rhadasia.  Also, with the null point being farther away, they used less fuel killing their forward momentum.  Using a null point that was a half day’s farther distance than his, saved them a day and a half of travel time.  Not to mention a substantial amount of fuel.

“
We’ll use yours,” Nathan announced.  “With you doing calculations like those, this is going to be a very profitable year!” Daniels downloaded Remi’s calculations into the autopilot and punched the execute key.  He felt a nudge as the
Nola
broke orbit.

“
Let’s go get some lunch.” Daniels said, unstrapping.  “Maybe we’ll see Max along the way.”

They made it all the way to the Galley before they encountered Max, and with the smell of fish, Nathan understood why.

Omany was chopping the fish and he had various vegetables scattered about.  A wok was on the burner behind him, on low heat.  Nathan could smell olive oil and simmering garlic.

“
You are early,” the old man said as he tossed the fish into the wok.  “Lunch is not quite ready yet.”

“
It’s because your pupil is a wiz at FTL calculations.  You must be an excellent teacher.” Nathan poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the Galley table.

“
She surpassed my ability a year ago.” Omany removed the fish from the wok, and replaced it with the vegetables.  After sautéing them for a few minutes, he added the fish back.  He spiced the whole thing, and brought it to the table, placing the wok on a stand in the middle.  He brought over some steamed rice, and they all began to dine.  Max leaped up onto the table, and lay down to watch them eat.

“
Remi, Omany, this is Max.” Daniels said between bites.

“
The feline introduced herself to me already.” Omany said.  “She said you were a good servant, and could always be trusted to keep her well fed.” Omany grinned.

“
So you speak feline?” Nathan asked the old man.

“
Verstaten teaches communion with all of God’s creatures through knowledge of self.  Once the self is fully known, all others become equally transparent.” The old man returned to eating.  He was using chopsticks, which he must have brought on board himself.

“
This is delicious, old man.  You didn’t have to, but I’m glad you did.”

“
Verstaten also teaches that no man should be idle when he can work for the benefit of others.”

Nathan had finished his lunch, and took a sip of his coffee.  “Have you ever been to Rhadasia, Remi?” he asked.

The princess paused from her lunch and shook her head.

“
What do you know about the place?”

Remi swallowed, took a drink of water, and spoke.  “Dominant life form, intelligent lizard-like people about one-half the size of humans.  Generally quadrupedal, they rear up on their hind legs when they need to use their hands, balancing with their tails.  I have met with their diplomatic delegation in Kurufet a number of times and they have always been very polite, but like most humans they give me the willies on a subconscious level.”

Nathan looked into her beautiful eyes.  “Good so far, now think like a trader.”

“
Let’s see, major import is Halifren gems, which are somehow tied to their procreation, even though the gems are not indigenous to Rhadasia.” She looked quizzical.  “How does a species come to rely on a product from off-planet for a need as basic as procreation?”

“
The way I heard it, the first spaceship to find Rhadasia was carrying a few of them.  This was about two hundred years ago and the Rhadasians weren’t even close to space flight.  They still aren’t, by the way.  Anyway, the human crew had Halifren gems, which they considered baubles.  They traded and gave them to the locals.  Next time a human ship landed, that was the only thing the Rhadasians asked for.  How and what they use them for is still one of the best kept secrets in the galaxy.”

Remi continued, “As you alluded to in your story, the Rhadasians aren’t very technologically advanced.  What little technology they do have they received from outside sources.  Because of this, their exports are basic handmade items, but of very high quality.  They have an extreme population problem due to the size of their litters and the improvement of their living conditions.  This leads to an active, legal, government-sponsored slave trade.” She paused and looked concerned.  “Nathan, we aren’t going…”

“Absolutely not!” Nathan replied.  “I don’t trade in slaves and I never will.  Slaving is nasty business, especially when it’s legal.” He finished his coffee.

“
So what cargo will we be getting on Rhadasia?”

“
I usually decide that in the marketplace.  I look around, talk to people, and then go with what feels right,” Nathan replied.  “However, in this instance, this trip to Rhadasia is part of a plan I put together a few years ago, and I am hoping what I need will be available at a good price.  The plan is a little 'out there' so I'm not quite ready to part with the details.” He got up to leave.

“
Omany, once again, thank you for the excellent lunch.”

Daniels headed to his cabin.  On the way he paused and checked the ship’s status in the control room.  Everything seemed on track.  In about sixteen hours the ship would spin and begin decelerating to the null point.  He instructed the autopilot to notify him thirty minutes before that time, and continued to his cabin.

Nathan changed for his workout, bringing out of storage little  used workout clothes.  Normally he would work out in just his skivvies.  That kind of routine change was part of the reason he didn’t take on passengers often.  He made his way to the gym and worked through a mildly strenuous routine, working up a nice sweat.

He was just about finished when Remi and Omany came in.  She was dressed in a form fitting leotard in lavender, giving Nathan the best look he had gotten at her body.  He tried not to stare, and continued into another weight routine.  Omany led the Princess through some stretches on a large mat that dominated the center of the room.  Nathan couldn’t help but watch as she contorted her body into positions like he had never seen.  Talk about flexible!  He found himself sweating, and not just from his workout.

The pair got up and each retrieved a quarterstaff from the wall.  They returned to the center of the room, bowed to each other, and began to spar.

Remini moved first.  The staffs connected in an easy left, right, left motion.  Omany had obviously anticipated the opening.  His staff went down for a leg shot, which was deftly blocked by Remi.  Bracing herself with her staff, she did a high sweeping kick which Omany ducked to avoid.  He aimed a left thrust at her abdomen, which she parried, jabbing quickly with the right of her staff.  Move and counter move continued as the pair picked up speed.  It was obvious they sparred often, and had learned to anticipate each others moves.  Remi was working up quite a delicious sweat, and was beginning to breathe heavy, while the old man looked as if he was strolling through the park.  After about twenty minutes the pair stopped, satisfied to call it a draw.  They bowed.

Nathan stood up and clapped.  “Quite an impressive performance!”

“
Thank you, sir” Remini replied.

“
Let’s see how you do with someone whose moves you don’t know quite so well.” He reached a hand out to Omany who tossed him his staff.

He strode to the center of the mat and faced her.  She began to bow.  He immediately swept her legs with his staff, knocking her flat on her back, before she could recover, he had the butt of his staff at her throat.  She glared at him, nostrils flaring.

“You cheated!”  Remi said in what could only be described as a snarl.

Nathan had never felt a pain like having this woman angry at him. He moved his staff and reached for her hand to lift her up.  “First rule in a real fight, Princess, is that there are no rules.  You are there to “do unto” the other guy before he “does unto” you.  If you aren’t ready for that when the time comes, you can end up very dead.”

She took his hand, and he could see her face soften a little.  He faced her and started to bow to signify the end of the match.  Remi’s staff connected with the side of his face.

'I suppose I deserved that,' Nathan thought as he lost consciousness.

*   *   *

He felt, rather than smelled, her scent as he regained consciousness.  He could distinctly feel her presence over him.  Her sweet voice calling out to him.  “Nathan, Captain Daniels, please wake up.” An uncontrollable smile flashed across his face, and was immediately lost because of the still receding pain.  He opened his eyes and saw her face go from concerned to enthusiastic.  It made his heart skip a beat.

An alarm sounded, saving them from a kiss they would both have lived to regret.

Nathan raced to the control deck, with Remi on his heels.

“What is it?” She asked.  All the monitors and screens were flashing in time with the alarm.

“
It’s a collision avoidance warning.” Daniels sat down and started taking in the data on the monitors.  He flipped a switch, silencing the alarm so he could think.  “Looks like we have another ship heading to our null point.  The problem is they are likely to hit us before either of us gets there.”

“
That doesn’t make any sense,” Remini said, pointing out the obvious.  She continued, “For that to happen by accident, they would have had to be following our exact trajectory, only trying to reach the null point faster than we are.”

“
Exactly.” Nathan was already activating shields and weapons as Remini strapped in.  She looked at him quizzically.

“
This class of ship doesn’t have weapons.”

“
Another of my modifications,” he winked at her.  “Even for an honest trader, they come in handy now and then.”

“
Do you really think they will be necessary?”

Nathan glanced down at the tactical display, he still had a few minutes to explain things.

“Here are the scenarios, as I see them,” he explained, one eye on the range indicator.  “One is the unlikely event that you mentioned, in which case they are just as worried as we are, and this is nothing more than a cosmic game of ‘chicken.’” Her brow furrowed, as she tried to place the reference.