Pretty much stayed up all night figuring this one out. Here we get to see what the Event Horizon looks like and how the Master Chief likes to scare little kids.
After breakfast, I spent a bit of time picking Amelias brain for some basic info. Mainly when she was born and how old she was. The computer would be able to figure her exact age with that information cross referenced with astrological data taken during my investigation. That, and a small blood sample, provided all the data needed to get her identification in order citizenship would be taken care of by my adopting her. I just hope that some bureaucratic do-gooder who thought they were doing the right thing didnt get in the way of things.
As I got the last bit of data transmitted, the computer warbled for my attention. Amelia, seated in the co-pilots seat as she had been yesterday, looked the question at me and I smiled.
Were here, I replied as I took manual control and brought the ship out of the Fujikawa-Shaw non-space. The empty whiteness that filled the cockpits klaster glass dissolved into darkness shot with millions of brightly shining lights.
Contrary to popular belief, space is anything but empty, and Amelias awe-filled reaction was a worthwhile thing. That reaction was about to get better as I began to bring us in closer to the Event Horizon. The computer suddenly chirped in an urgent manner, a sign that a high-priority hail was coming in and being automatically put through.
Attention Pegasus number three-three-zero-one, said the Stellar Traffic Control officer that had been delegated to us. This is Event Horizon Stel-Con. We have you on our scopes. Please identify and transmit security codes.
This is CPO Rhodes, Manticore zero-zero-zero, I replied in my cool, clipped, military tone. I am now transmitting security codes and request permission to land at Ft. Whitcomb Starport.
Affirmative, CPO. Your codes are received and verified. Permission for landing at Whitcomb is granted. Welcome home, sir.
Thank you Stel-Con. Rhodes out.
I noticed Amelia giving me a curious look. She was undoubtedly wondering what that was all about.
Official stuff, I said. Stuff to make sure that no one bad gets through our defenses by disguising themselves. We call it a Trojan Horse tactic. You may wanna keep your eyes on that big white speck out there. I felt a huge grin creep across my face at this. Its gonna get a lot bigger.
Her brow wrinkled at that, but she turned to look through the klaster windows. And indeed, as I had predicted, that one noticeable white speck became more than just noticeable. Soon, we were close enough to make out some of the gross details of the Event Horizon the split-arrowhead hull of the massive bow-section, the series of six miniature Halos, counter-rotating against each other, and the cluster of seven of the largest, most powerful, ion-thrusters ever made in the aft.
And Amelia had no idea just how big it was, even though a corona of smaller ships could be made out. Amelia simply had no solid reference for the scale here. Nonetheless, I heard her voice for the first time.
Wow, she breathed softly. I looked over at her and grinned. She just kept her eyes on the spectacle before her. Boy, was she in for a real shocker. I plotted a close pass with the Adamant and confirmed it with Stel-Con. And, God bless them, they Okayed it.
Amelia gasped as we swung in close to the massive behemoth that was the Adamant. We were just close enough to see the one airlock set next to the huge, black letters that spelled out her name.
Wha, said Amelia plaintively as the sense of scale began to sink in.
Uh-huh, I said, that grin plastered across my face. Big, isnt it?
Uh-huh, she replied weakly, nodding her head. With the pass complete, I made for the gap between Rings 3 and 4, following the nav-markers on the HUD provided by Stel-Con.
Wow, said Amelia again, this time more fervently, as the gap between the rings became larger and larger to dwarf the tiny craft we were in. She then began to look around as the two rings began to surround us, one spinning down, the other spinning up. They spun at what seemed like a snails pace. This was actually carefully calculated to provide one gees worth of centripetal gravity and a twenty-four hour day-night cycle. To either side of us was one of either rings massive bundles of tethers with their intervening control blocks as we slowly passed them, and then we could see the inner surface.
Each ring held a different landscape, carefully engineered to provide a stable self-sustaining biome. Ahead, we could see mountains, rivers, forests, and small deep blue seas with crystal clarity.
Wow! exclaimed Amelia. This time, it wasnt just astonishment, but an excited sort of happiness I detected in her voice. I chuckled and grinned at her.
So, what do you think of your new home?
Amelia turned to me with an absolutely ecstatic smile on her face and nodded her head vigorously. I still remember that look on her face; her eyes so bright with wonder and joy, her smile so big that it nearly broke her face in two Even then I knew that I would never forget look. I laughed softly as her enthusiasm warmed my heart and she turned her attention back to the view outside.
It did not take long for us to swoop in low to the surface of Ring 4, skimming over the water at sub-sonic speeds. I would have loved to scream over the artificial sea at mach five, but that would have been against regulations. Besides, this gave enough sense of speed. Once we got overland, though, I throttled back to a leisurely one hundred knots.
Ft. Whitcomb was not far inland and was surrounded by a forest consisting mostly of sycamores and other hardwood trees and the base, while neat and clean, was not sterile looking living with Covenant had taught us about aesthetics. Here, the seasons were just about to turn from summer to autumn and there was a slightly damp and chilly edge to the air, a left over from the cool early-autumn rains that had deluged the area recently. The sun, sub-nuclear lamps mounted high above at the Event Horizons axial spine, was about to set and cast a deep golden light against the cool emerald of the forests that were not more than a few thousand feet from where we touched down.
The ground crew weren't the only people to greet Amelia and myself when we came down the ramp. I immediately recognized John, still wearing his Mjolnir armor, fresh from a day of training new Spartans, and waiting next to a Warthog.
Master Chief! I called out as I ran up, Amelia quickly following, and stopping at attention to snap a salute.
He returned the Salute and said, As you were, Rhodes.
I relaxed and smiled. Done with work for the day, Master Chief?
He nodded. I was in the area when Cortana let me know that you were inbound. Thought Id give you a ride. And whos this with you?
Amelia had been fascinated by the Master Chiefs appearance. When she suddenly realized his attention was on her, though, she swiftly flitted behind my back. It was not lost on John that she did so by flying.
Interesting, he stated flatly. New meat for the Spartan Program, Rhodes?
I dont think so, Master Chief, smiling and shaking my head. I then went on in a more sober tone, Shes had a hard time, lately, and Im going to be adopting her. Isnt that right, Amelia? I asked, looking over my shoulder.
Amelia was peaking over said shoulder, and darted back into hiding when she saw that John was still looking at her intently. I fought off a laugh at that.
Master Chief, would you please take off your helmet? Youre scaring her. The Master Chief grunted and took off his helmet, reveling a handsomely craggy and chiseled face with brooding dark eyes and nearly non-existent brown hair.
There, said the Master Chief. Better now, Amelia?
Amelia peaked over my shoulder once more and nodded her head.
Good, I said. Master Chief, meet Amelia Zot. Amelia, meet Master Chief Petty Officer John Spartan-one-three-five. We all just call him Master Chief, though. Gingerly, Amelia drifted out from behind me and John watched with interest. When she came close enough, he offered her his armored right hand.
A pleasure to meet you, Miss Amelia Zot.
Amelia, brave soul that she was, hesitantly took the Master Chiefs hand and he gave a gentle, yet firm, shake.
Uh-wha! said Amelia as even that knocked her askew. John looked mildly embarrassed which got a laugh from me.
Oh, dont worry you two. Im pretty sure youll get used to each other. Why dont we get going? Akis got the address for my new residence.
New residence? asked the Master Chief and then looked at Amelia as he realized what that meant. Ah. Lets get going then.
Black Aeronaut Technologies Group, LLC
Aerospace Solutions for the discerning spacer
"To the commissary we should go," Yoda declared firmly. "News
of this kind a danish requires."
After breakfast, I spent a bit of time picking Amelias brain for some basic info. Mainly when she was born and how old she was. The computer would be able to figure her exact age with that information cross referenced with astrological data taken during my investigation. That, and a small blood sample, provided all the data needed to get her identification in order citizenship would be taken care of by my adopting her. I just hope that some bureaucratic do-gooder who thought they were doing the right thing didnt get in the way of things.
As I got the last bit of data transmitted, the computer warbled for my attention. Amelia, seated in the co-pilots seat as she had been yesterday, looked the question at me and I smiled.
Were here, I replied as I took manual control and brought the ship out of the Fujikawa-Shaw non-space. The empty whiteness that filled the cockpits klaster glass dissolved into darkness shot with millions of brightly shining lights.
Contrary to popular belief, space is anything but empty, and Amelias awe-filled reaction was a worthwhile thing. That reaction was about to get better as I began to bring us in closer to the Event Horizon. The computer suddenly chirped in an urgent manner, a sign that a high-priority hail was coming in and being automatically put through.
Attention Pegasus number three-three-zero-one, said the Stellar Traffic Control officer that had been delegated to us. This is Event Horizon Stel-Con. We have you on our scopes. Please identify and transmit security codes.
This is CPO Rhodes, Manticore zero-zero-zero, I replied in my cool, clipped, military tone. I am now transmitting security codes and request permission to land at Ft. Whitcomb Starport.
Affirmative, CPO. Your codes are received and verified. Permission for landing at Whitcomb is granted. Welcome home, sir.
Thank you Stel-Con. Rhodes out.
I noticed Amelia giving me a curious look. She was undoubtedly wondering what that was all about.
Official stuff, I said. Stuff to make sure that no one bad gets through our defenses by disguising themselves. We call it a Trojan Horse tactic. You may wanna keep your eyes on that big white speck out there. I felt a huge grin creep across my face at this. Its gonna get a lot bigger.
Her brow wrinkled at that, but she turned to look through the klaster windows. And indeed, as I had predicted, that one noticeable white speck became more than just noticeable. Soon, we were close enough to make out some of the gross details of the Event Horizon the split-arrowhead hull of the massive bow-section, the series of six miniature Halos, counter-rotating against each other, and the cluster of seven of the largest, most powerful, ion-thrusters ever made in the aft.
And Amelia had no idea just how big it was, even though a corona of smaller ships could be made out. Amelia simply had no solid reference for the scale here. Nonetheless, I heard her voice for the first time.
Wow, she breathed softly. I looked over at her and grinned. She just kept her eyes on the spectacle before her. Boy, was she in for a real shocker. I plotted a close pass with the Adamant and confirmed it with Stel-Con. And, God bless them, they Okayed it.
Amelia gasped as we swung in close to the massive behemoth that was the Adamant. We were just close enough to see the one airlock set next to the huge, black letters that spelled out her name.
Wha, said Amelia plaintively as the sense of scale began to sink in.
Uh-huh, I said, that grin plastered across my face. Big, isnt it?
Uh-huh, she replied weakly, nodding her head. With the pass complete, I made for the gap between Rings 3 and 4, following the nav-markers on the HUD provided by Stel-Con.
Wow, said Amelia again, this time more fervently, as the gap between the rings became larger and larger to dwarf the tiny craft we were in. She then began to look around as the two rings began to surround us, one spinning down, the other spinning up. They spun at what seemed like a snails pace. This was actually carefully calculated to provide one gees worth of centripetal gravity and a twenty-four hour day-night cycle. To either side of us was one of either rings massive bundles of tethers with their intervening control blocks as we slowly passed them, and then we could see the inner surface.
Each ring held a different landscape, carefully engineered to provide a stable self-sustaining biome. Ahead, we could see mountains, rivers, forests, and small deep blue seas with crystal clarity.
Wow! exclaimed Amelia. This time, it wasnt just astonishment, but an excited sort of happiness I detected in her voice. I chuckled and grinned at her.
So, what do you think of your new home?
Amelia turned to me with an absolutely ecstatic smile on her face and nodded her head vigorously. I still remember that look on her face; her eyes so bright with wonder and joy, her smile so big that it nearly broke her face in two Even then I knew that I would never forget look. I laughed softly as her enthusiasm warmed my heart and she turned her attention back to the view outside.
It did not take long for us to swoop in low to the surface of Ring 4, skimming over the water at sub-sonic speeds. I would have loved to scream over the artificial sea at mach five, but that would have been against regulations. Besides, this gave enough sense of speed. Once we got overland, though, I throttled back to a leisurely one hundred knots.
Ft. Whitcomb was not far inland and was surrounded by a forest consisting mostly of sycamores and other hardwood trees and the base, while neat and clean, was not sterile looking living with Covenant had taught us about aesthetics. Here, the seasons were just about to turn from summer to autumn and there was a slightly damp and chilly edge to the air, a left over from the cool early-autumn rains that had deluged the area recently. The sun, sub-nuclear lamps mounted high above at the Event Horizons axial spine, was about to set and cast a deep golden light against the cool emerald of the forests that were not more than a few thousand feet from where we touched down.
The ground crew weren't the only people to greet Amelia and myself when we came down the ramp. I immediately recognized John, still wearing his Mjolnir armor, fresh from a day of training new Spartans, and waiting next to a Warthog.
Master Chief! I called out as I ran up, Amelia quickly following, and stopping at attention to snap a salute.
He returned the Salute and said, As you were, Rhodes.
I relaxed and smiled. Done with work for the day, Master Chief?
He nodded. I was in the area when Cortana let me know that you were inbound. Thought Id give you a ride. And whos this with you?
Amelia had been fascinated by the Master Chiefs appearance. When she suddenly realized his attention was on her, though, she swiftly flitted behind my back. It was not lost on John that she did so by flying.
Interesting, he stated flatly. New meat for the Spartan Program, Rhodes?
I dont think so, Master Chief, smiling and shaking my head. I then went on in a more sober tone, Shes had a hard time, lately, and Im going to be adopting her. Isnt that right, Amelia? I asked, looking over my shoulder.
Amelia was peaking over said shoulder, and darted back into hiding when she saw that John was still looking at her intently. I fought off a laugh at that.
Master Chief, would you please take off your helmet? Youre scaring her. The Master Chief grunted and took off his helmet, reveling a handsomely craggy and chiseled face with brooding dark eyes and nearly non-existent brown hair.
There, said the Master Chief. Better now, Amelia?
Amelia peaked over my shoulder once more and nodded her head.
Good, I said. Master Chief, meet Amelia Zot. Amelia, meet Master Chief Petty Officer John Spartan-one-three-five. We all just call him Master Chief, though. Gingerly, Amelia drifted out from behind me and John watched with interest. When she came close enough, he offered her his armored right hand.
A pleasure to meet you, Miss Amelia Zot.
Amelia, brave soul that she was, hesitantly took the Master Chiefs hand and he gave a gentle, yet firm, shake.
Uh-wha! said Amelia as even that knocked her askew. John looked mildly embarrassed which got a laugh from me.
Oh, dont worry you two. Im pretty sure youll get used to each other. Why dont we get going? Akis got the address for my new residence.
New residence? asked the Master Chief and then looked at Amelia as he realized what that meant. Ah. Lets get going then.
Black Aeronaut Technologies Group, LLC
Aerospace Solutions for the discerning spacer
"To the commissary we should go," Yoda declared firmly. "News
of this kind a danish requires."