Fixing the outer layers of the coating went smoother than they thought, but bringing basic functions of the reactor back was a different matter. John's crew moved on to work on the engine, which was considered the main reason behind exceeding the temperature, while doctor Grace Depoitre was stabilizing the cores.
Marlow was joined by people he knew well. Aside from the people he originally worked with on Future's construction, Sveta, Pavel and Ivan with whom he and Martin visited Zero were also there.
Checking the engines was always an arduous and very monotonous job, requiring a lot of focus. The initial inspection did not reveal any mechanical issues - all external parts were in place and defect-free, at least when checked with automatons and specialized repair bots. Only after involving an old, civilian Ursus allowed them to find traces of damage in the deepest parts of the structure. Nevertheless, the test they did afterwards excluded the possibility of this kind of damage being enough to cause any change in energy consumption.
- I think it's about time we crossed this one out, right? - Sveta was the first one to suggest that - This level of damage can be considered normal for an experimental application of the drive. Despite how it looks, the integrity is satisfactory, based on the design at least. Even if some kind of space waste, debris or whatever damaged the reactor compartment's outer coating got sucked into the engine, I find it unlikely for energy stream requiring much more power to digest something like this.
Others nodded in agreement, meaning they were still far from finding the cause of the reactor overheating.
- Maybe engine wasn't the cause, after all? - Liu suggested - Who inferred that in the first place and on what basis? I looked through all the logs saved on the main terminal and did not find anything that would point at change in settings or higher energy consumption of the engine.
- Grace was the one who gave me this piece of info - John started explaining - Supposedly, it came directly from Kaller, though I don't know the reason why he thinks that, and didn't consult with him since it is an official order. Still, if it's not caused by mechanical damage, I think we should pay more attention to the circuits and electronic systems. Maybe it was a result of a data mismatch between engine's and reactor's computers?
- That's possible - Thorsten nodded - If reactor's control computer misinterpreted engine computer's check as a request for higher power supply, that is. As a result, reactor's output could start raising, but since the engine's computer did not require additional energy to be provided, it would cut the surplus using a limiter, having the energy accumulate in the reactor and causing cores to overheat.
Thorsten's interpretation sure sounded logical. With that, Marlow instructed the team to start checking the electronic, while he went to request an access to reactor computer's logs from Grace.
On his way to reactor's compartment, a sudden shake made him hit the wall. Instinctively, he connected the stabilizer wire to the closest handle, expecting further problems, which - sadly - turned out to be on point, because the artificial gravity went down completely a moment later.
John quickly contacted his group - fortunately, they managed to survive with some small bruises and were pretty much safe, at least to the point possible in this circumstances. Hearing everyone's voices made him let out a sigh of relief, but seconds later, a general announcement gave him chills: "As per professor Mathias Kaller's orders, all personnel excluding bridge crews is to start an immediate evacuation. Please, head to the closest pod stations in orderly manner. I repeat..."
The message continued to be repeated, accompanied by alarms. Even though the whole crew had to go through compulsory emergency evacuation training in case of such situation happening, anxiety could be easily felt - people were bumping into each other and many looked visibly panicked, but Marlow was thinking about something else. His colleagues were currently in a far part of the ship, from where it was much harder to reach pod station. He could not just board the pod without ensuring everyone got out from there without problems, so he went back to the engine room.
At the very spot, Martin was the only person left.
- What the hell, John? Why are you still here? - Johnson looked really angry as he looked at him - I've sent everyone away about ten minutes ago, and stayed to connect everything back to the bridge.
- Why? Wasn't the bridge crew supposed to stay? - Marlow was surprised by his colleague's words.
- At first, I was also confused about the info on the main terminal. To be honest, I don't get this idea, but I'm not the one who makes decisions here.
- Wait, what are you going on?
- We are not only to evacuate. Those staying are supposed to disconnect the modules. Higher-ups must be hoping to save couple of them at least that way.
John found it hard to believe, so he went to the terminal himself to check the message and ship's status. The message did not make much sense until he saw damage report, though it was scary how bad it became in a matter of minutes.
- Is this for real!? What the hell!?
He tried to reach Kaller, but with no luck. Same thing with trying to contact McRae.
- I have no idea what could cause this kind of damage, but I know this kind of decision doesn't give us much hope.
- You don't have to tell me that, John.
According to the status report he read, in dozens of places appeared holes in coating, that would likely cause decompression. There was no information about meteorites or space debris capable of dealing such damage. But regardless of the cause, this kind of damage was sure to cause a catastrophe.
- Martin, it looks really bad - John bit his lip - With so many potential decompression points, everything could go to hell anytime if sectors are not secured properly. As long as all modules are together, we keep the pressure, but once we disconnect the corridors...
- Yes, John, I expected that much, that's why I sent others away, and already started launching repair bots remotely.
Marlow was honestly impressed by Johnson's quick thinking, but he also noticed his colleague is actually anxious and angry, which was an extremely unusual occurrence. Major quickly understood his attempt to analyze the situation, while Martin was already on the case, was simply a waste of time.
- Ok, right. Enough talking, I'll help.
They worked as fast as they could and managed to set everything up in a matter of minutes.
- Confirmation on the main energy relay's terminal is the only thing left - Martin informed as he checked energy circuit scheme.
- Ok, I'll take care of that, you move your ass to the pod.
- I can't let you...
- It's an order, go!
Johnson made an angry face, but listened to Marlow.
- You better make it out safe! If we won't meet down there, I'll kick your butt on the other side!
John knew his companion could not easily decline this order. They were talking with comms online, therefore all conversations involving official orders were registered - according to the official protocol of the expedition, refusing to comply would result in disciplinary action.
That way, Marlow was left alone in the sector, about three hundred meters from the terminal on which confirmation had to be authorized. Said terminal was located near the biggest windows on the ship allowing to look into space. After getting there, John saw floating remains coming from the ship, and broken pods. He even noticed shapes similar to human figures, but did not want to think about these right now to stay focused on current task.
However, a problem came up rather soon - terminal stopped responding as if it had not enough energy supply. At the same moment, everything kept shaking as artificial gravity kept fluctuating. Major connected several safety wires beforehand to be on the secure side and not end up as a bloody stain on the wall, but even with that, tinkering with the electric circuits was not an easy feat.
Marlow struggled for several minutes only to conclude everything was connected properly, and that the problem really lied in the power supply. Still, he could not rely on the main reactor, therefore he started checking subsequent energy models available for emergencies. In the end, John managed to find an option of using nearby terminal's power supply as a backup for the terminal he needed. It was a perfect solution since he was supposed to make just a simple confirmation for which he needed only a short moment. Once he did that, another series of artificial gravity fluctuations started, connected to engines' restart and modules' disconnection procedure.
- We have everything we need - major heard lieutenant Stankovich's voice coming from the speakers, but also received a separate notification to his PEC - Estimated start time for modules disconnection procedure is fifteen minutes. From this moment on, everyone who was unable to evacuate is asked to use pods located in modules they are currently in. Under no circumstances, connecting bridges should not be used.
- You no say, Adrian? - Marlow said to himself.
- It so happens I'm monitoring the situation in your area, so I can hear you, John - lieutenant said that with stoic calm - Leave that spot ASAP. It's two kilometers route to get to the closest pods, and you don't have much time. Unless you want to stay with the pilots, but I can't assure you it will be an easy ride.
- Damn, and here I wanted to pick some stuff from my quarters.
- I doubt you have enough time for that. I'm keeping all the shutter doors you will be needing open right now, so you can safely evacuate. Please hurry, because launching pods after we start the disconnection procedure will be dangerous.
Major replied with a short "Thanks!" and started running into the direction lieutenant suggested. On his way, he kept seeing damages caused by gravity field's fluctuations - it was not only about internal elements of the ship being torn apart or tools and equipment flying around, but also dead bodies. As he was passing blood stains and even more gruesome things, John was turning his head away, trying not to puke.
Marlow was about two hundred meters from the spot where pods were located as he heard a voice, calling for help. By the wall, there were two people - both were alive, one man and one woman. The man was wearing a heavy, military F-suit, while the woman had a light F-suit adjusted to the planetary usage. The man was bleeding and had some bruises, but the woman seemed to be all fine.
- Why didn't you evacuated? - John immediately asked the woman - Pods are just around the corner.
She shook her head.
- I couldn't leave him like this - she said with tears in her eyes - If it wasn't for him, I would've ended up like that - she pointed at the dismembered body several meters away from them - His F-suit got damaged and is too heavy for me to carry.
- Now I'm here, so you can go - Marlow told her - Go, prepare the pod for launch!
- But...
- No buts, go! We have no time!
John could never get used to ordering people around, and here it was yet another such situation within a short time he had to do that. It was all to avoid quarreling.
The woman nodded and went towards pods, while Marlow focused on preparing the man to move. Soldier's hand was bent unnaturally, and bleeding from the side. John did not know if it was due to shock or ignorance - though it was unlikely, but none of them used F-suit's first aid protocols.
Military Field Suits were much more advanced than standard, light F-Suits. Of course, all of them had the same base, but army version had better equipment, including wound sealing system and limb stabilizers. Major set the wounded arm in a proper position and started limb stabilization process - the man groaned. Afterwards, John turned on muscle fibril reconstruction system which also allowed regeneration of the skin. In a short moment, the soldier regained consciousness.
- What's happening...?
He still looked confused, but Marlow knew they had to worry if they did not want to stay behind.
- There is no time to explain right now. Can you move?
The man nodded, and John helped him stand up. They started walking together and managed to reach their goal. Unfortunately, the atmosphere they witnessed was not really nice.
- Stop fucking around! Why should we wait!? - some guy from colonists group punched the woman, whom John sent there before.
It was not his style, but major jumped in and hit that man in face.
- What hell? Fuck o... - he raised his hand, but stopped the very moment he saw who is standing before him - I'm sorry, sir, I...
- You should apologize - Marlow said to him, pointing at the woman, who was massaging her cheek - It was me who asked her to prepare the pod.
There were already people inside, many of them panicked. After a short checkup, John confirmed it was the only pod left in this section. Other ones could not be started due to energy circuits malfunction.
- Okay, we have about five minutes, so let's board and start the release sequence.
- Are we sure it's everyone left in the area? - the woman from before looked worried - What if we leave someone here?
- Pilots and support teams are staying to try and save modules - John started explaining - While it's dangerous, it doesn't mean they have no chance. We can start preparations for launch and delay should anyone be on the way - while saying that, he attempted to contact the one person who should have information about those who did not evacuate - Lieutenant, is there anyone who didn't make it to the pod yet?
- Several people, but I directed them towards different spot. You should go.
Marlow pulled the lever to close the door.
- Everyone, sit down and connect your F-suits. Anyone here can pilot?
Only the soldier from before raised his hand.
- Major John Marlow - John officially introduced himself, shaking the man's hand.
- Karl Winston. Lieutenant Karl Winston - soldier replied - I'm sorry about the problem I have caused.
Marlow shook his head.
- It's nothing. No soldier should ignore other people getting hurt. You did the right thing, and that's why you got hurt yourself. Ok, but back to the main topic, are you able to handle the devices?
Lieutenant confirmed, and they both started the pod's release procedure. Disconnection of the pod was automatic, and much faster than deployment of the standard transportation unit.
After a short checklist and accepting the starting sequence, te pod moved several meters from the Future's hull and made an instant turn into the direction of the New Gaia. As they were flying away, everyone could see the state of the ship they lived on for so long.
While looking through the damage reports, and based on what he saw inside, John did not expect to see something like that. Quick scan he made found out traces of numerous, small explosions, but it turned out situation was still not under control as even now short flashes could be seen here end there, disappearing once the air was sucked out from the compartments. Before, major was giving Future's modules much higher chances of survival than now - in this state, flight could be continued, but there was no guarantee outer coating could stay intact to keep key parts secured.
People inside the pod started whispering. Some of them looked as if they wanted to come closer and have a look at the terminals John and Karl were using. Major did not want to allow that - the situation was already bad before, and the last thing they needed was a group panick. After all, given current circumstances, being far away from the goal, they could not rely on autopilot.
Marlow took over the controls, made a slight turn and increased the speed, heading towards their destination.
In the distance, he noticed several other pods, but visibility was obstructed by debris coming from Future and space objects. John deliberately took over the controls to maneuver around and avoid collisions, though he still did not manage to avoid small hits to pod's coating. Whenever hit was hard enough for people inside to feel it, he could hear their panicked voices - some of them were trembling, but there was no other way. This area was full of cosmic trash, so it was hard to not hit anything.
According to previous assessment, they required about several weeks to get there. However, said data was based on Future's capabilities, but its top speed and maneuverability were on a completely different level. After making a recalculation, major found out they should be able to save about two weeks worth of time.
- Let us hope there won't be any complications - he muttered.
- I regret to say that, but it's unlikely we can make it through without problems - Karl informed him - Bridges got disconnected and one of them is in our current course.
- Beautiful, simply beautiful! We need to correct the course.
Stankovich warned him that evacuating at the very last moment would be really problematic, and their current situation perfectly reflected what lieutenant meant. Contrary to specific modules, bridges acting as arms of the main module were not equipped in engines and could move around only as a part of Future's central module. Unfortunately, circumstances forced the higher-ups to disconnect them, making them a part of space debris, which they could hope to retrieve in future. However, as these were now, they had no control over their movement.
- If only that shell had some armaments - Karl said, searching through board computer - We could easily change the trajectory of this junk.
- Too bad it's not a military unit.
John would really love to have some weapons for such moments. Creating enough force to push the junk away required just a small explosion, but without armaments, they had to rely on Marlow's piloting skills. Obviously, pod was equipped in decent engines, giving them the edge when it comes to maneuverability, though - on the other hand - the amount of obstructions would likely force them to slalom slower.
Hours were passing by, and they could not get past the line of debris and cosmic junk. Despite being far enough from the separated modules, they should have it easier with less elements from Future, but they kept coming upon more and more junk.
Major decided to scan them thorougly, but the results did not bring them any relief - to large extent, these were the parts coming from other pods, meaning many ended up their travel way too early. He could catch some weak signatures in the area, but there was too much noise to recognize which units these were.
- If we had a way to clean up the way...
As if responding to his request, an energy beam tore through the junk on their way, making a clear route. Moments later, they were passed by several Ursi heading in their goal's direction. John never saw them in actual action with his own eyes, but he clearly remembered that these were being dropped directly to surfaces of planets, moons, asteroids or planetoids as mining equipment. It was mainly because of their size. Nevertheless, despite these mechas' sturdiness, the distance they had to pass made this decision quite risky.
- Follow us, we will clear the route.
Assist from the Ursi helped them a great deal. Within about one hour, they have left the belt of debris and cosmic junk and could finally raise the engine output. Ursi did not wait for them and took a flight at maximum speed.
- Major, is it a good idea to sent Ursi for such a long distance? - Winston asked him once the situation stabilized.
- Definitely not - Marlow replied straightforwardly - I actually thought the same thing as you the very moment they appeared. It's a really risky decision, but higher-ups might have been worried to lose them alongside the modules.
John did not want to give away all his thoughts from the last several hours. While modules were overall slower than pods, he was actually surprised by how much distance they gained within such a short time. It looked really suspicious. He could not stop the feeling that something bad was happening at this very moment, something really bad. And here, he was too powerless to do anything else than reaching the New Gaia.
They had to get there in one piece.