Bootstrap Colony 5 Snippet 5

 

 

Capital,Bootstrap Colony

 

Jacklynnoversaw the shuttle’s maintenance ninety-day tear down. The bird was on herwheels in the hangar; panels were opened up and various components were out orhad cables and hoses plugged in.

On top of afull life-support purge, they were doing a full cycle on the equipment. Theexterior tiles had all checked out. She was relieved by that; she didn’t wantor need to recreate the Columbia disaster.

The groundcrew was taking the shuttle down to the frame in some spots to do a fullinspection and swap out of some components. The engines were already out andwere overhauled. She wasn’t taking any chances, especially since they hadn’tgotten a chance to do that on Earth.

Fortunately,they had a new design for the rockets and jet engines. These were nearly 50percent 3D printed out of composite metals and integrated a lot of componentsand hoses, cutting down on parts. She liked the idea, though she felt it wasn’tquite fully tested. But there was a fix for that too.

She wouldtake the shuttle up for a test flight before the return trip. But first … shesaw her target in the hangar and wandered over to him.

“The BellBA609 civilian version of the V-22,” Jacklynn said as Mitch opened his mouth toask about the shuttle.

“Um, yeah?What about it?” he asked.

“I want one.Actually, more than one and parts and stuff,” she said.

He looked ather and laughed softly, shaking his head.

She put her handson her hips. “No, seriously.” She tapped her index fingers meaningfully.

He soberedand looked at her for a long moment, sizing up her determination. “Look, I getit but we don’t have the fuel and parts for it.”

“True.”

He looked ather again.

She had aninnocent expression on her face.

He groaned.“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”she asked innocently.

“That,” hemock growled.

She chuckled.“What? This?” she fluttered her eyes and then put on a sad, slightly poutyexpression on her face. He groaned again and her Cheshire grin broke out.“Don’t make me trot out the puppy eyes,” she said with a slightly jutted outlower lip.

“You? Puppyeyes?” He shook his head. “You have puppy eyes?” he chuckled.

They laughedtogether.

“Seriouslythough …,” he said when they sobered.

“I know it isa tough bird to fly and keep in the air. But think of what we can do with it!”

He sighed.“Yes, I realize that.” He shook his head. “I also have a feeling you won’t letthis go easily.”

She smirkedagain.

“Okay, misssmarty pants, how do you propose to get one or more over here?” hedemanded as he turned to her. This time it was his turn to have his hands onhis hips.

She startedto say something, stopped and then frowned as she mentally regrouped as theproblem suddenly unfolded in her mind.

“Well?” heasked with his own smirk.

“I’mthinking!”

He snorted.“Well, when you have an answer, let me know.”

She shook herhead and sighed.

“And I highlydoubt they’ll let us license it to build here. It would be horrendouslyexpensive. That is the best option but … I’m betting no.”

She groaned.

“We’d have tomake tools and dies, equipment …,” he shook his head. “In the meantime, why notbreak out the simulator program and see if they have a sim for a V-22. If theydo, try it in the simulator and see how it really handles here.”

She blinkedand then nodded. “You know it won’t be enough. I was serious about having it inour inventory.”

“I know. Butmaybe it will give you some thoughts on its cons along with the pros you are sofixated on. Crank the realism up and see how it handles then.”

“Okay,” shereplied with a nod.

“In themeantime, we’re moving along,” she said as she began to brief him on theirprogress. He nodded along as she showed him the reports.

>>>*<<<