Celestial Reach

Chapter 13: Problematic Journey

Chapter 13: Problematic Journey

The massive sphere of Jupiter diminished on the central hologram as the Endurance pushed away, burning a course across the blackness of space toward the planet Saturn. When we were well underway, I signaled through my console for Leo and Sheila to join me for a meeting. It took only a few minutes for them to arrive and take nearby seats around the circular counter.

"Are you aware of what we've been planning?" I asked Leo.

"The population of the Endurance is diminishing with every colony established, so word travels fast among those who remain," Leo replied.

"The Endurance is filled with the supplies we needed for the Saturn base," I went on. "We can't get them out, so the logical choice is to leave them where they are now. We can either keep the Endurance as part of the base, or we can collect the necessary seeds when the plants release them and build an entirely new environmental area on the Saturn station. Opinions?"

"Even if we wait for the seeds, we'll still have a period of time where the Endurance is the sole provider of environmental support," Sheila commented. "I think we should keep the Endurance as the primary base."

"Alright," I said. "Leo, what do you think?"

"I agree," he answered. "If the power, water, and air will be supplied by the Endurance, we wouldn't require the modules for them."

"Which would you recommend as being essential?" I inquired.

"Living space on the Endurance was seriously limited, compromising comfort for functionality," Leo began. "I'd say the best modules to put down first would be the habitation units."

"Very good," I accepted. Turning a few knobs on my console, I adjusted the hologram to display an image of the Endurance. As new modules were added to the list of requirements, I made them appear next to the transparent representation of the ship. I kept them clustered together for the time being as base design was next on the schedule after we decided what modules would be put into service.

"Our medical facility is fine for minor things, but for a growing colony, we'll need the fully equipped module," Sheila put forward.

I nodded my approval and added it to the hologram. "We'll also require an operating science lab as we don't currently have anything onboard to handle the research new colonies must undertake during their first years."

"It isn't a current priority with the quality of those here, but as population grows, security posts are recommended as well," Leo pointed out.

"We won't need power generators, water filtration centers, or environmental support because those work fine here," Sheila said. "It should be easy enough to run the connecting conduits from the ship to whatever module needs it."

"What order do you think would be best?" I questioned.

"May I offer a suggestion?" Philip injected into the conversation.

"Always," I encouraged. "What do you have?"

"Since the deployment of the Jupiter bases," Philip began, "the module holding bays have been emptied. Why don't you bring the modules online in one of these areas? They already possess sufficient space. You wouldn't have to run external conduits out to them for everything would be contained inside the hull. When the station is ready to expand, the modules not in use can be deployed to Saturn's surface without the need for new supplies sent from Earth."

"What a brilliant idea," I praised. Turning my focus toward my structural engineer, I asked a question. "How about it, Leo? Can you do it?"

"Easier than putting a base together on the planet's surface," he responded. "In fact, we could probably start on the work before we even get there."