Spindrift by Allen Steele Page B

at that point was making sure that the ship’s AI and computer subsystems were fully functional. An almost redundant task, since those systems would have long since alerted the crew to any anomalies. Indeed, the case could be made that Galileo itself was the smartest member of the flight team.
    â€œMedical, standing by.” Nick Jones sat in his chair, arms folded and legs crossed together, observing everything with calm detachment. No one would need his services unless everything went to hell, at which point he’d become the most important member of the crew.
    Next it was Emily’s turn. “Shuttle on standby,” she said. Like Nick, her job was redundant unless there was a dire emergency. Then she’d be responsible for packing everyone aboard the Maria Celeste and flying them to safety. Unless we’re so far away , she thought, that it’s a useless gesture. She didn’t want to think about that. Instead, she sat alone in a chair at one end of the command center, watching the rest of the crew as they went through the countdown procedure.
    â€œAll stations affirmative.” Ted sat next to Lawrence, his eyes on the lapboard he’d unfolded from the left arm of his chair. “Mooring lines detached. Galileo floating free.”
    â€œT-minus ten seconds.” Simone turned a key on her board, then flipped open a tiger-striped safety cover to expose a single toggle switch. “Main-engine ignition in nine seconds. Eight…seven…”
    â€œHey, guys,” Arkady said aloud, “I think I left something behind.” No one laughed, and the grin vanished from his face. “Sorry. Bad joke.”
    â€œFour…three…two…one.” Simone clicked the switch. “Ignition. Main-engine start.”
    From somewhere behind them, a low rumble, steadily rising in volume. A subtle tremor passed through the hull. Emily felt it through the seat of her chair and the soles of her shoes, and she grasped her armrests as weight descended upon her, just enough to push her back into her chair. Through the windows, she could see the scaffolding of the dry dock slowly move away from either side of the ship until only the black abyss of space lay before them.
    â€œAway from dry dock.” Arkady listened intently to his headset; he was all business now. “Trafco reports our attitude looks good. We’re clear to proceed to rendezvous with starbridge.”
    â€œCopy that.” Antonia tapped a command into her console. “Mission recorder started. Helm, stand by for starbridge AI interface.” She glanced at Lawrence. “On your mark, Captain.”
    â€œThank you, XO.” Lawrence stared straight ahead. “Com?”
    â€œReceiving uplink from gatehouse.” Arkady typed in a couple of commands, then glanced over at Antonia. “Ready when you are, Captain.”
    â€œThank you, XO…mark.”
    â€œCopy that.” The executive officer entered the code prefix that would slave Galileo ’s AI to the one aboard the starbridge control station. She studied her screens for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction. “Interface complete. Helm, stand down.”
    â€œYes, ma’am. Helm standing down.” Simone clicked one more switch, relinquishing control of her station to the comps, then let out her breath and folded her hands together in her lap. Until Galileo completed its hyperspace jump, there was little for her to do other than sit and watch. Emily felt pity for her; no pilots like to feel as if they have no control over their craft.
    The initial vibration subsided, the roar of main-engine ignition lapsing into a background rumble. Although there was sufficient gravity for the flight crew to stand up and move around, none left their seats. Emily hoped that the science team had obeyed Ted’s instructions to remain on Deck C; they didn’t need any visitors just then. Through the windows, they caught a brief,