Thousand Worlds - 03x1 Nomads – Thousands World - Nomads – 03×1 Thousand Worlds

The Apollo was a nomadic ship, a huge work and trailer frigate whose crew roamed the entire galaxy building different complexes in all corners where these types of nomadic ships were required.

The crew was extensive, around 500 crew members. A multidisciplinary team led by the captain and CEO Kan, the head of technological and communications operators as well as XO Carlos, the scientific director Kusanagi, the coordinator of heavy operators Nicolai Nakki, and the head of life support and biological actions Diara.

All the crew members of the Apollo were highly qualified and experienced, some had spent their entire lives in this type of nomadic life. They had even had offspring in the rooms of the ship adapted for it. Most of them did not know another life, they did not know life on planets, some even came from a second and third generation of nomads, so their bodies gradually adapted to the conditions that occurred in this type of ship and in this type of life.

The nomads’ way of life was to wander from one side of the galaxy to the other, finding places to work, to put their knowledge at the disposal of others. Many pioneers entered this way of life but over the years half of them gradually settled on different planets, moons, even in space, modifying their ships to enter the orbits of the planets and suns. what was best for them.

Apolo was one of the pioneers and almost a reference in the world of nomadic construction, its experience, which included knowledge of construction of complexes in more than 100 different systems, made it a reference to take into account, for this reason it was directed to his new assignment. This assignment was a challenge for all of them, they had never worked in the conditions that their clients demanded of them, so they did not hesitate for a second to embark on this adventure.

A number of scientists had found a gaseous planet beyond Vega with significant electromagnetic anomalies, so they decided to build a series of scientific complexes within the planet’s gases, a very complex task that required the best builders.

The Apollo was already approaching the moon where the scientists waited anxiously in their small settlements, while the engineers and bosses had been drawing up an action plan and drawing plans so that when the operators arrived they could quickly get to work.

The interior of the ship was not sophisticated at all, but they had everything they needed, offices, materials, large hangars where they could stock up on raw materials. Several galleys, several sleeping quarters, and some large areas where crew members hung out when traveling from one location to another. It featured hibernation chambers for those who wanted to challenge time within its walls and of course an entire level dedicated to medicine, from basic necessities to a small laboratory where various aspects related to the world of medicine and biology could be investigated. On the other hand, a large hydroponic garden could not be missing, a section full of vegetation that provided food and maximized the oxygen consumed by all the ship’s personnel.

In the hangars, Nicolai was already preparing the groups’ shifts, even before contacting the scientists, he assigned the material and began to build parts of the structures that were essential in the development of the project.

They all knew what they had to do, they were all part of a great gear that made this team one of the best nomadic construction teams in the galaxy. Everything was planned, everything was to the millimeter, everything was ready when it was needed. The Apollo was like a great family anthill that left great achievements wherever it went.

After several days they finally reached the moon where they were placed in orbit to resupply and contact the scientists who had hired them. Kan and Carlos descended in a shuttle to see their new clients, and to be able to explain to them the entire process that they were already doing. Finalize details and go to the great gaseous planet.

While they were descending, from the windows they could both see how the gaseous planet remained on the defiant horizon, bluish and purple colors predominated but from time to time a very fast and intense green storm could be observed. It was the largest gaseous planet that he had been able to see to date, in the end a large blue giant that could be distinguished very well on the horizon adorned the image in which they both remained absorbed.

The planet was not far from the star, in fact it was the second planet in the system, it had a rocky giant with little activity and two gigantic gaseous planets, in which there were an endless number of small moons. This planet in question was made up of more than 100 moons, with two of them notable, the size of Pluto, in the distant solar system. The rest were just small moons similar to those of any system, with geological action, icy surface moons, volcanic activity, and other common compositions.

Kan and Carlos descended to one of the largest moons in this secondary system, where they were able to see a settlement of considerable dimensions. There the meeting with his clients who were eager to see their new workstation finished would take place. These scientists and investors almost settled in this extreme system were making history, they knew it and they were willing to do whatever it took to make the project go ahead.

In the meeting room, Kan and Carlos were able to see the architects of this great project, of course they had technology on their side, the settlement was full of instruments and resources, financed by an endless number of corporations from all over the galaxy and that they had their representation in one form or another on the planet. Among them were ABIC corp, always interested in exploration and a pioneer corporation in all the technology of the known universe, ARC Systems, interested in electromagnetism research, Lookinglass corp. Developer of spatial reflective mirrors, Terra Biospher company, animal and plant genetic engineering company and some others of lesser importance but that were noticeable throughout the facilities.

The scientists enthusiastically presented their ideas while Kan and Carlos debated them and talked about how many of the assemblies necessary to carry out the work were already advancing. The talk lasted hours and in it, not only the previous ideas were revealed, but also the protocols that the station had to follow with respect to possible mishaps that could arise, regarding the planet’s electromagnetism, radiation, the composition of gases, even the solar winds that came from the blue giant.

Once everything was ready, Kan and Carlos returned to the ship, they were exhausted and knew that they had a long challenge ahead of them, but they had always achieved their goals, all the structures they had built were still operational, something difficult to say in a universe so wild and plagued with adversity.

The team leaders and engineers met in the ship, who watched expectantly as Kan gave the work guidelines.

“During the next few months we will continue with the structures inside the ship, the drone ships can go out and assemble the first platforms, while all the team leaders and the chief engineer must prepare a plan for the manufacture and adaptation of the security elements according to the protocol that I am sharing with you in the database.”

They all looked at the files where they were looking at at least 30 different protocols to develop.

“There are too many protocols,” Kusanagi said.

“No doubt, but the success of the mission depends on it. Let’s remember that we are making a structure in two parts, one that will remain in orbit, knowing the experience we have in this type of structure, and a second part that will sink several hundred kilometers into the planet, we must take into account the radiation, the composition gases, electromagnetism and the other 27 security protocols.” Carlos said.

They all nodded in agreement, they seemed motivated and many of them could see how the whole project was taking shape in their heads.

“We report every four rotations. You already know what to do so let’s get to work.” Kan concluded.

The ship began to move away from the moon in the direction of the planet, they did not have to get too close at least until they had the parts that would go inside the planet ready. The main idea was to create all the basic structure close to the birth in full space and with little action of gravity and then go assembling the most delicate parts of the project closer to the planet, to be able to insert the structure on the planet.

The meetings became more and more frequent as the project progressed, the bosses resolved a security protocol and immediately had another on their hands. The pace became a frantic race that had already lasted six months, with a delay of at least one, within the stipulated deadlines.

The drone assembly ships were not enough, some of the drones, handled by professionals within the control of the assembly mother ship, were exhausted, they had barely finished the main structure and already had pressure to start assembling the intermediate corridor. that would connect the lower levels.

Life support teams were already working inside the finished sections of the great station. The ships followed one another in the locks, leaving material that they brought from Apollo and from the inhabited moons. They even had to bring more material from the closest system to correct errors and expand the internal technological model.

“I think we’re going too fast.” Carlos said to Kan with concern, in one of his daily meetings.

“I know, but we’re late, we can’t afford to lose credits for that. We can’t go slower.”

“Kan, look at me! We can and we have to do it, they are all saturated, some spend more than three turns, not even amphetamines and stimulants are helping them. If we keep up this pace sooner or later there will be an accident and you know it.”

“What do you want us to do? We stop the work, we tell the scientists that we can’t with it?

“We could request some essential part, the power core, or some part that would keep workers away for a few rotations.”

“It’s too early to include the power core.”

“Well we could study how to do it. I don’t think it was bad. Think about it at least.”

Kan kept thinking about his cabin. Carlos was right and if they didn’t do something soon the project could get out of hand, the over stimulated and overloaded workers could fail at any moment and this could lead to a disaster in the future.

Two rotations later Kan decided to halt the progress of the project, he told the scientists that they had to wait for the power core. The clients knew full well that this was not the time to include that piece, but Kan argued that it was a good time to give overworked workers a break.

A delegation representing the project scientists went to Apollo in a shuttle to be able to handle first-hand the delays and restructuring of the core installation plan, while the team leaders met waiting for the transportation of the core built in the neighboring system.

“Carlos is already happy, now they are sending a commission to review all the progress, we did not have enough with the delays, now we have them on oak.” Kan said angrily at her as she spoke to the bosses on the bridge.

“This was necessary Kan.” Nicholas said. “We were about to collapse. All the operators were tired, overloaded, on the edge.”

“I understand your concern about all the over-effort of the team but we cannot afford to lose the deadline bonuses.” Kan said more relaxed.

“You’ve done the right thing, Kan, it was a good move not to lose the bonuses. We can have workers advance delayed zones a couple of rotations before the core arrives.”

“No way,” said Nicolai, “the workers won’t leave until the core is here.” Nicolai said before the eyes of the rest of the bosses.

“Come on Nicolai, we are all in this project. We all have to give in a little to this situation.” Carlos finally said calmly.

A few hours later the commission was at the Apolo, where Kan gave them a guided tour wrapped in a tension that the latter could no longer bear.

“I understand that they want to speed up work processes but we have to avoid possible overloads to avoid accidents.”

“We have tighter deadlines than you, said the commission spokesman. Seeing that everything is in order, I think they should get back to work.”

“My men won’t work until they rest for at least one rotation.”

“If they do not join immediately, they will lose the deadline bonuses.”

“Great, so tell them yourselves.” Kan said as she entered a room with all the team leaders.

They all looked at each other in a tension that lasted several seconds in which they looked at each other, until the spokesman for the commission finally broke the silence.

“You must join us immediately to work or you will lose the time bonuses.”

All the team leaders looked at each other without giving credit and then they looked at Kan who was just as angry.

“We will return to work. But if any accident happened it would be only your responsibility. Until I sign a paper assuming that, at least my team won’t get back to work.” Nicolai said with a serious and challenging tone.

There was silence in the room, all the members of the commission looked at each other incredulously and one of them nodded to the spokesman.

“Okay, we’ll sign that petition.”

All the workers joined again, most of them very angry, more than a month after the arrival of the core.
Once again, the drone operations ships came out and launched all the drones available at the moment on the structure of the station. Each and every one of the workers took a dose of stimulants from eggs to be able to be alert at all times.

The internal support and biosphere operators had already finished their first habitats and Kusanagi’s men were advancing according to security protocols.

The nucleus was already a couple of rotations from the station, while the discomfort and fatigue of the entire nomadic crew of the Apollo grew. Even work accidents began to increase in all sections.

Carlos was on the bridge together with Kan arguing. Carlos was very irritated by the situation they had reached, while Kan had no choice and he had to continue to take responsibility.

“We are at the limit, this station is already costing us 30 operators and 40,000 thousand credits in drones and construction bots. Almost hit the bonus figure for meeting these damn deadlines. We are even at the limit of tension between heads of departments.” Carlos said indignantly.

“I know, I know.” Kan said. “But there is no going back now, we have to move on, after putting the core we will take a breather, I promise. There will only be two intense months left and everything will be over. Kan continued very diligently, accepting his decision without any other remedy.

“I’m sorry Kan.” Carlos reflected. It’s not an easy situation but you know that everyone puts pressure on me, it’s hard to lose a crew and even more so when your friends look at you even badly.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get ahead, we always do, remember.”

“Yes, said Carlos laughing, there is nothing that can with us.”

The core finally arrived, when the structure was already tremendously advanced, all that was missing was its insertion on the center of the structure and the sealing of all the connections to it.

The specialist operators for the installation of the core began, together with the nomads, with the placement maneuvers of the core, it was a most precise job, without forgetting that they were rotating around the gaseous planet at great speed. A millimeter of imbalance could damage the structure and the core could be blown up.

In the center of the structure, right at the top that would face into space, there was a large hole, where the transport ship was located that lines up with the hole for the operation. The energy core would be supplied with two basic components, the first would be taken from the planet’s gases, something very revolutionary, so the lower part of the entire structure had to have various processors and filters to convert these gases into energy. The second source of energy supply was one of the traditional forms, the nucleus will be powered by solar energy with panels that would be placed on top and that would divert all the power towards the nucleus, capable of distributing these two types of energy to the entire station, for its vital and research processes.

All the assembly drones gathered at the top of the structure next to the cargo ship, right at the large airlock where the core would exit. There they slowly began to remove the core, the ship had very powerful mechanical arms that helped to remove the core, the drone operators brought it closer to the fixed arms located at the top of the station in order to align them correctly. Once they were aligned, the ship began to release the core and the drones corrected for small variations in movement.

Kan and Carlos observe all the progress from the command bridge of the nomad ship, where an acute tension was breathed in the entire crew, Kan placed himself behind Carlos who was reviewing all the screens almost neurotic. After beginning the insertion of the nucleus they both breathed and were able to relax a bit, but there was still the final part of the nucleus, another complicated operation in which they had to hold their breath.

The cargo ship was already beginning to face the last part of the assembly, the final part where the mechanical arms had to release the core and leave control to the fixed arms of the station and the drones, which began to take positions, the arms mechanics.

Once the operation was closed, Kan and Carlos were almost praying that nothing would happen, all the drones proceeded to seal the upper part of the station, while a team of bots and operators will proceed to all the connection tasks from the inside.

The core cargo ship took a couple of days off, along with the rest of the Apollo personnel, who finally had their well-deserved rest, and who did not hesitate to celebrate in one of the Apollo recreation areas.

Kan and Carlos were mentally exhausted and their physique was taking its toll, they were finally able to relax and were having a long talk about all the work on the command bridge, where they remained alone while the rest of the team relaxed and attended to their families. .

A short time later the station was ready to descend to the planet, this maneuver was very complex, they had to descend little by little and introduce the structure slowly to see the behavior that could derive from the entire construction. It was the moment of truth, now they would see if the protocols worked, if the peculiar structure would resist the forces of the planet and if their work would be successful once more.

The station met all expectations and the scientists decided to settle there immediately, holding a party inside to inaugurate it. The delegated council that represented all the corporations was of course there, along with the scientists, Kan and Carlos, and many others. other guests from other systems. Everything was working as expected, everyone was enthusiastic and the job was done, so Kan and Carlos decided to retire to rest, they had deserved a great rest after everything that had happened. In the following days it was time to take stock, but now they had enough to get to Apollo and rest.

Kan went to the command bridge to look once more at the creation of his crew of which he was more proud every day. Carlos remained a few steps from Kan, also looking at the structure, which seemed to come out prominently from the planet, a large mass that was easily distinguished even on such a large planet.

“Good work.” Carlos said.

“Good work.” Kan said.

At that moment a great flash came from the lower part of the structure, which was quickly ejected into outer space in the direction of a direct collision with Apollo,

“What the hell happened.” Kan said very scared while she went to put all the controls in motion.

The station was out of control, small explosions were taking place inside the station and a large explosion was seen inside the planet causing a huge storm between the gases.

Kan and Carlos rushed but the structure was on top of them, so Carlos activated the emergency protocol. There was no alternative. They did not believe what was happening, the station had failed and was heading relentlessly towards Apollo. This could spell the end of Apollo.

The entire crew was running from one side to the other to board the evacuation capsules. Endless capsules spewed out from all parts of Apollo as the space station collided with it, splitting it in two.

The great tragedy struck one of the oldest human crews, all those who could be saved were now in the evacuation capsules, scattered in an unknown system, far from any urgent help.

The rest of the invited ships and that surrounded the Apollo were also affected when it exploded. All the frigates activated their aid protocols, but the catastrophe came so quickly that few ships were able to perform evasive maneuvers, because all of them had extensive damage to their structures, the scene was gruesome, and everything was spreading through space at great speed.

The fragments were scattered over a large area between the planet and the lunar settlement, until a great rain of debris fell on it. The tragedy was getting bigger this time, causing serious damage to the different lunar settlements and nobody knew the real scope of it. The communications remained silent until the Apollo began to emit an SOS, an automatic protocol that apparently was still operative, a last breath, a last hope of life for all the humans lost in that remote system.