Only a few scraps of debris from the power unit and guidance system
remained—enough for identification purposes but not for reconstruction—and the
shock of the collision had shaken the overall coil structure apart.
On the screen the widely scattered hibernation compartments came together again
into a not quite complete coil: There were several sections missing,
particularly near the stern. Then the stem, its power and guidance systems, and
the entire support structure disappeared from the display leaving only the
incomplete coil.
“The central core of that vessel is a mass of pulverized wreckage many
light-years away,” Dermod continued briskly, “and we have decided that trying to
salvage and reconstruct it would be an unnecessary waste of time and materiel
when there is a simpler solution available. This requires the presence of a
second Emperor-class vessel to—”
“But why do you want—?” Conway began.
“I am in the process of explaining why, Doctor,” the Fleet Commander said
sharply. The image on the screen changed again and he went on, “The two capital
ships and Descartes will take up positions in close line-astern formation and
lock onto each other with matched tractor and pressor beams. In effect this will
convert the three ships into a single, rigid structure which will replace the
alien vessel’s central stem, and the branching members which supported the coil
will also be non-material but equally rigid tractors and pressors.
“In the landing configuration Vespasian will be bottom of the heap,” Dermod
continued, with a tinge of pride creeping into his voice. “Our thrusters are
capable of supporting the other two ships and the alien coilship during
deceleration and landing, with Claudius and Descartes furnishing lateral
stability and taking some of the load with surface-directed pressors.
After touchdown, the power reserves of all three vessels will be sufficient to
hold everything together for at least twelve hours, which should be long enough,
I hope, for the alien to leave its ship. If we can find somewhere to put it,
that is.”
The image flicked off to be replaced by the face of the Fleet Commander. “So you
see, Doctor, I need Claudius to complete this—this partly nonmaterial structure
and to test its practicability in weightless conditions before working out the
stresses it will have to undergo during the landing maneuver. Of equal urgency
are the calculations needed to extend the combined hyperspace envelope of the
three ships to enclose the coil and Jump with it out of here before this damn
sun gets too close.”
Conway was silent for a moment, inwardly cringing at the thought of some of the
things which could go catastrophically wrong when three linked ships performed a
simultaneous Jump. But he could not voice his concern because ship maneuvers
were most decidedly the Fleet Commander’s and not the Doctor’s business, and
Dermod would tell him so with justification. Besides, Conway had his own
problems and right now he needed help with them.
“Sir” he said awkwardly, “your proposed solution is ingenious, and thank you
for the explanation. But my original question was not regarding the reason why
you wanted Claudius, but why you needed my help in the matter.”
For a moment the Fleet Commander stared at him blankly, then his expression
softened as he said, “My apologies, Doctor, if I seemed a trifle impatient with
you. The position is this. Under the new Federation Council directive covering
extraterrestrial rescue operations by Rhabwar, I am required in a large-scale
combined medical and military operation of this kind to obtain your approval for
additional personnel and materiel, specifically another capital ship. I assume
it is forthcoming?”
“Of course,” Conway said.
Dermod nodded pleasantly despite his obvious embarrassment, but the lines of
impatience were beginning to gather again around his mouth as he said, “It will
be sufficient if you tape a few words as the physician-in-charge of the case to
the effect that Claudius is urgently required to ensure the present safety and
continued well-being of your patient. But you were calling me, Doctor. Can I
help you?”
“Yes, sir,” Conway said, and went on quickly, “You have been concentrating on
joining the coilship sections in proper sequence. Now I have to begin putting
the patient together, with special emphasis on the joining of segments which are