
Subj : New Beginnings(29)
To   : All
From : Skyhawk #1
Date : Thu Aug 10 1995 01:05:35 PST

                          New Beginnings(29)
 
     
     A sudden force slammed Candar to the back of her seat as, the engines from
the shuttles fired sending Outlander forward. She glanced up at the visual
reference she had set up. It was a telescope type device she had rigged with
lenses and prisms...enabling her to focus on the precise point they needed to
be, "Adjust pitch two degrees, Henry."
     "Roger." Henry said. The shaking of the engines continued as Outlander
built up more speed. "A frames are holding, it looks like we're in buisness.
How long do we have before fuel is exhausted again?"
     "If the engines are working properly, about twelve hours. That will enable
us to build to point four of light speed." Jerry rechecked the figures. "unless
we have an emergency and have to decelerate, we can continue to coast at that
rate all the way to Mirinda. After that, we'll be facing the landing."
     Candar nodded. It wouldn't be fun. So far, Kevin's desperate plan was
working. The shuttles interlinked through the network were driving the ailing
Outlander forward. But, what to do upon landing? And there was another problem.
They couldn't all stay out of cryo during this little trip. Some of them would
have to go under."Henry, are we locked on course now?"
     "Yeah..no deviations. Looks good for once." He grinned. "I know you didn't
wanna hear that but, I was beginning to think this ship was cursed after all
that has haappened."
     "I know." She turned to Jerry. "The engines are working properly. No other
problems?"
     Jerry shrugged. "Hard to say. If she holds up the next twelve hours under
continous burn, we should be okay. That's when her stress points will be at
their worst until we try to land. Then, we'll be experiencing ten times that."
     "Will be break apart upon landing? I have to know Jerry, no bullshit!"
     Jerry nodded. "Yeah. Unless we can find a way to reduce our speed...we
wont have much of a chance. This ship wasn't set up for quick burn reentry's
but nice easy landings under full control. We'll almost be out of control. I
don't know what else to do. I've done all I can. Maybe Kevin will be able to
help once we get there."
     "Thanks." Candar sighed. "Okay, were underway. If in twelve hours after
our fuel runs out we are still without system failure, I want both of you to go
into cryo. I'll stay out and make sure things run smoothly. If it gets hairy,
I'll bring you out."
     "And the others?" Henry asked. "Is Dr. Grayson staying out with Kevin?"
     "Kevin and him can go under as soon as Kevin is fit to. I'll make sure
things go smooth."
     Jerry shook his head. "Candar, I think I should be the one. I have the
best engineering ability currently and, I am as good a pilot as you or Henry no
matter what you say. And, your still recovering from losing your vision. I
wouldn't feel right about going into cryo."
     "Don't argue, Jerry. I make the decisions, this is my ship. Please do as I
ask."
     Henry stepped forward. "Captain, are you sure your okay? I mean, you need
to think about this. It'll take time to bring us out of cryo. If a real
emergency hits..."
     "Then I'll handle it. I'm going down to see Grayson. Continue on course
and watch our status closely. Henry, I want you to prepare four cryo tubes. You
and the others will go under in fourteen hours if all goes well."
     She started down the ladder. "Candar!" She turned and looked at Jerry. His
eyes were pleading. "I...I'm worried about you, babe. Please, don't do this."
     "Follow your instructions." She left without another word. As she
continued down the ladder, she heard Jerry swear and pound a console. His
problem. She had her own. What was she doing? She knew her condition might
worsen. It would make more sense for Jerry to stay out. She should change that,
tell him she was sorry. Why was she being such a bitch. The truth was, she was
afraid. Afraid of going under...the dreams. The terrible dreams...from Delazar.
But, that was light years away..and half a life away too. This was a different
situation, with a different crew. There would be no monsters on Mirinda. Only
loneliness. She thought of Hycenda, already mapped out as a perfect world.
Retirement would have been great. She might even have enjoyed it, not missed
being a pilot. What was she to do now? Assuming they survived the landing, what
would Mirinda be like? What sort of future was there? She knew from the long
range visuals taken it was colder. Habitable but colder neverthless. It was
probably more harsh...less vegetation. There was water there in abuncdance but,
little information about the actual climate. They could be heading to their
doom. How ironic. To cheat death until the very end only to lose the fight once
they reached their goal. Wouldn't that be a laugh!
     She entered the infirmary. "Dr. Grayson, is Kevin alright?"
     Grayson looked up from his desk, smiling. "Yes. He is asleep right now
but, I can wake him up. He should be ready to work tomorrow."
     "He's going into cryo in fourteen hours. And, so are you. I thank you for
all you've done..but we must take it from here."
     Grayson nodded. "I understand..the supply situation. Alright, will Jerry
be running things?"
     "I will." she said simply. "I'll awaken you all the day before we.."
     "Just a minute." Grayson cut her off. "You will? You can't do that,
Candar. You know your in no condition to stay alone. You could collapse at any
time." He looked at her hard. "Your experiencing some symptoms now, aren't you?
What are they? Don't try to hide it!"
     Candar swore. "I am fine. I just need a little time..."
     "And risk all our lives for your ego? I think not!" Grayson moved past
her. "I can't allow it. If you pass out or die, we could overshoot the planet.
If that happens..we're all dead anyway."
     "Die." she whispered. "I'm not going to..."     
     "You don't know that!" Grayson shouted.                       
