Chasing Shadows

[Cat]

Intermezzo #1

The Middle of Nowhere, several months ago

The dark nebula seemed almost impenetrable, even solid at times. Once could only guess that beyond this wall of black smoke a star was concealed. Yet the picture was deceiving. At any moment the star's outburst could pierce the darkness, disturbing the otherwise motionless picture.

- Sir, we have an incoming transmission from Administrator Keller.
- Direct it to my communicator.

The feed opens, showing Richard Keller. He is sitting in the captain chair of Oscar. Both the background and the source location of the feed confirm this.

- Good day, Director. Oscar has completed all required maintaince, the new cannon software installed and tested for compatability with AVIOS.

The Director nodded.

- I assume everything went smoothly?
- Indeed. Oscar is now ready to be installed with project Dark Fusion. I have reviewed the improvements myself and have deemed them to meet minimum safety requirements.I have also scheduled Oscar for a refit in 16 hours. I would like to test some of the newer systems within Ellesmere before attaching the new cannon. Oh and, I also have scheduled a live fire test within Zone 21 in 28 hours.

Despite the fact that Keller appeared to be confident of his decisions, the Director didn't seem to share his optimism.

- Are you sure, Mr. Keller? I've read your previous reports. Some of our analysts suggested that the prototype cannon needed additional tweaking before it could be used. They said the inhibitors installed on the cannon proved insufficiently durable. Just a little bit above the minimum requirements. Are you really sure that the risks are minimal? I'd rather play it safe this time.

Keller sat back in the chair, letting out a sigh and rubbing his eyes.

- Director, Dark Fusion is already 4 months overdue from its extended deadline. The original cannon failed safety requirements only becasue the team tried to keep the costs down by cutting corners. The problem with the inbibitors will only become a problem should we use the cannon multiple times before following the maintaince procedures.

The Director gave it a thought before continuing.

- I'm still not entirely convinced. The funding is not the main issue here, safety is. What if the cannon malfunctions during the test?
- The absolute worst case is Oscar is consumed while generating, accelerating or shortly after the projectile has left the gravitational stabilization rings. But I ran those events through AVIOS when the first cannon was constructed. We've got a higher chance of blending in with the Order than being sucked into our own gun.

Keller leaned forward. "It's clear that he is eager to have Dark Fusion mounted to Oscar, no matter the risks. This could work, but we really should play it safe this time. I'd rather have the cannon perfected." In the meantime Keller continued.

- Dark Fusion is the second largest attachment to Oscar next to AVIOS. With Dark Fusion we can finally start using Oscar to its full potential. We've had no indication whatsoever that any other house has been experimenting with dark matter like we have. We need to use this advantage while we have it. We can not spend more time developing the cannon, we need a live fire test to continue development at a reasonable pace.

"He obviously wouldn't take a simple "No" as an answer. I guess there's only one way to convince him."

- What we really need are guarantees that the Oscar will be unharmed. I've made my call on this one, Mr. Keller. You say that we can start using Oscar to its full potential... Unless we lose it during a test. We've invested much in that cruiser, and I don't want any chance of failure. The cannon will be refined, and the test will be performed at a later date, on a less valuable ship.

However, the Director's strategy didn't work. It was clear that Keller's patience was at a breaking point. He already had trouble containing his temper.

- Director....Project Oscar was designed to support project Dark Fusion and project Dark Fusion was designed to support project Oscar. If we shut down every project and every operation becasue there was a chance of failure then the LSF would have done nothing! Dirctor Copperfield took a chance on project Oscar. He took a chance on sending Oscar to the Omicrons for its first field test. Director, we can not continue development as an organisation, or as a speices if we do not take the occational, calculated risk.

These arguments made the Director think for quite a while. "He is right, a risk has to be taken. But not yet. It's still too dangerous! How can Keller fail to see it?!"

- And might I remind you, Director, that there are currently no other vessels with the mountings, or technology to support project Dark Fusion.

"He obviously can't be convinced. Time to end this." The Director seemed to be remaining calm, but his voice was colder than ever.

- Yes, I'm aware of that. And that is why we need to be more careful. Now more than ever. I am not shutting the project down, Keller. I am simply making sure that the cannon doesn't shut the whole project down preemptively. You once said you were not prepared to see the work that has been put towards it go to waste. Neither am I. The cannon field test will have to wait. That's the final decision.