CHAPTER 1 – Sumar’s Ship
Boran reduced the image of the star Azar in Orun-7’s forward observation section. Sumar was now behind them. The ship’s route extended to the outer regions of the Nerum System. They had not gone this far on their previous journeys.
Adar sat at the workstation beside the captain and compared the observation results with the ship’s movement log.
“The final measurement is complete as well. There is nothing that requires a change in the route,” said Adar.
After Boran responded with a nod he turned to the communications section.
“Nira, send our position to Sumar. We are continuing to the next observation point,” said Boran.
Nira saved the open text on her computer. The keyboard in front of her was used for two languages. She corresponded in Nerumian with the other centers in the Nerum System, and used her own native language in the reports she sent to Sumar.
She switched her keyboard to the Sumarian layout. She added the position Boran had reported and Adar’s measurement result to the report. After checking the lines one last time she sent the message.
“Sent to Sumar. I’m also checking the Federation connection,” said Nira.
Boran came over to her. The communications link added to the ship after their admission to the Federation operated through Orun-7’s existing computers. Sumar’s ships and centers had not yet replaced their hardware, and had adapted the new connection to their own systems.
Nira started the connection test. A short while later a receipt notification arrived.
“The connection is open,” said Nira.
“Add it to the journey log,” said Boran.
Sumar in the Amara Galaxy was a developing third-dimensional civilization. After their admission to the Federation Orun-7’s mission had also expanded. The crew now not only sent observation reports to their own planet, but also prepared the information they collected during the journey in a form that could be transferred to the shared system.
As Boran left the communications section he felt a brief change in the ship’s movement. The route was being maintained but the speed value had dropped for a few moments.
“Suma, check the movement section,” said Boran.
Suma, the computer and hardware engineer, answered from the maintenance area in the lower section.
“The measurement is being refreshed. I checked one of the connections a moment ago,” said Suma.
Boran returned to the controls. Orun-7 used a machine that enabled it to move by tracking electrical frequencies in space. The values received throughout the journey were transferred to this machine, and the movement pattern was adjusted according to the incoming data. Frequency tracking had to continue without interruption.
A few minutes later Suma came to the observation section and opened the inspection result in front of Boran.
“The connection check is complete. The machine took the measurements again. The operating values are normal right now,” said Suma.
“What caused the drop in speed just now?” asked Boran.
“Data refresh was delayed during the check. If it happens again I’ll stop movement and examine it in more detail,” said Suma.
Boran added the result to the journey log.
“Monitor it from here until the next measurement,” said Boran.
Suma sat at the empty workstation. Adar advanced the route. There was a large planet in the next observation area. Orun-7’s transit path had been kept far from the planet.
“We’re approaching the Sarnak region,” said Adar.
Boran enlarged the image. Sarnak occupied a significant portion of the area ahead of them.
“We’ll maintain the observation distance. We won’t go any closer,” said Boran.
Adar ran the transit calculation again. When he took Orun-7’s current speed and direction into account the route continued far from Sarnak.
“With this movement we’re maintaining our distance. The measurement point is on the same path as well,” said Adar.
Nira opened a hardware notification prepared in Nerumian.
“What do these two terms in the maintenance log mean?” asked Nira.
Suma continued monitoring her own measurements as she explained the terms. Nira wrote the answer she received in Nerumian and added it to the notification log.
Boran asked for the new observation to be started. While Adar took the external measurements Suma monitored the results from the movement machine. Nira combined the incoming information in the journey report.
When the first measurement was complete Suma checked the movement data. The new value that should have followed the previous data was missing.
“Boran, the movement data hasn’t refreshed,” said Suma.
Boran looked at the speed indicator.
“How long is the delay?” asked Boran.
Suma waited for the new measurement. The value still did not arrive. She opened the maintenance connection and sent another query to the machine.
Adar saw the change in the route.
“There’s a deviation in our direction,” said Adar.
Boran gave the correction command but there was no change in the ship’s movement. He tried the same operation again at a lower speed.
Suma got up from her seat.
“I’m going down to the machine. It isn’t transferring the incoming measurement to the movement system,” said Suma.
Boran opened the new route in front of Adar. Orun-7 was no longer heading toward the observation point they had designated.
The ship was turning toward Sarnak.
