Exploring the Stars

Chapter 6 - The Habitable Zone?

(There are italicized words in this chapter that are foreign. Knowing their meaning isn't needed, but it helps know the characters using them a bit more. The final chapter of this book is a listing of these words with their meanings.)

Once they finished eating, Dannay said, "So, we've got a good collection of asteroid bits and pieces from this system. What else do we want to achieve while we're here?"

Ksenia spoke up, "There are four more planets, at least, for us to check. And I feel strongly that we'll see others on the far side of Nadyezhda, once we have a chance to scan that side properly."

"OK, so peeking at planets. Anything else?"

Hari said, "I'd like to have a discussion on how else we might change Mita."

"Agreed, but we are asking about what we want to do while we're here. We'll have that discussion during the down time when we're traveling. Anyone else have thoughts?"

When none of the others responded, Ksenia spoke up again, "We still need to have our next target. While we have images on the plane, we should take one from above so we can more accurately calculate the stars' distances. I think we should find one no more than another 60 light inbound."

"Also agreed, but again, I think we'll handle that just before we leave – unless that won't work, Ksenia ..."

"No, that will be perfect. We can bounce up ten AU, get a full view of this system, then up another one light and get a view inward – in fact, the view should be two pi with at least pi by six above and below us, I think, to help correct our star charts. The groups going the additional directions will thank us for helping get their star distances correct."

Dannay said, "True – we are now 40+ light inward, so those groups that head out to orthogonally will have much better accuracy than we've ever gotten from Terra. So, unless anyone can think of something else to do, Ksenia, would you please join me on the bridge and jump us to Molitvwi."

Ksenia smiled yet again. "¡S udovolstviem! With pleasure, Dannay!" she announced.

Snickering, Gamal joked, "I think she just wants to join you, Dannay, and doesn't care where she goes." More laughter ensued as they all walked toward the bridge.

Dannay gave Gamal a faux haughty glare, then winked at Ksenia and quickly took her hand. While they walked forward, she swung their hands as young children would. The others laughed as they followed.

– o O o –

Once on the bridge, Ksenia let go of Dannay's hand, stuck her tongue out at Gamal (with her own teasing grin, of course), and sat at her console. "Give me fifteen to get a position and we'll be ready to jump."

Dannay got Hari's attention and started counting seconds on her fingers. When her third finger popped up, Ksenia spoke.

"Tak, we are ready. Dannay, on your command?"

"Jump when ready, Ksenia," said Dannay as the help up three fingers to Hari and mouthed "Fifteen? Yeah, hell no!" Hari laughed and nodded.

Focused on her console, Ksenia said, "Jump on my count. Three ... two ... one ..." and she worked her controls. "We are now 20,000 klicks 'above' Molitvwi, and will fall into an orbit that should stabilize at about 200 klicks."

The ship was facing the planet, and was moving toward it. As they neared, the planet moved to the side of their view. After a few more minutes, they were orbiting the planet off their starboard side.

Hari sighed, and said, "Orbit stabilized at 200 klicks."  After checking things a second time, he added, "Couldn't have done it better myself."

"Well done, Mister Solovyova. Now, would you like to take us down to land?"