Step one was now complete.
With Jaxom's much appreciated help, we had successfully deployed the solar arrays on the three colony ships: the Yokohama, the Buenos Aires, and the Bahrain.
Still, I was more than a little concerned. After all, the three vessels had been parked in geosynchronous orbit over Pern since the colonists' arrival nearly three millennia past. As advanced as humankind had grown technology-wise, it was both naïve and dangerous to assume the vessels could've possibly survived this long without suffering some sort of wear and breakdown.
So far, we'd been lucky. Much to my surprise and relief, the solar arrays on the three vessels had deployed with only minor assistance and, remarkably, appeared to be relatively intact, providing much needed power to the orbiting vessels. With that power and the abundant charged particles Rukbat gave off every second, the three colony ships could now capture those charged particles… employing them in the vessels' electrostatic thrusters to provide orbital stabilization. Additionally, those same thrusters could also be utilized to reposition two of the three massive vessels into the equidistant orbital configuration I had in mind. The Yokohama would remain at its current location on Pern's equatorial plane in proximity to Landing. The Buenos Aires would eventually be redeployed on that same plane over the string of islands south of the great Western Continent, and the Bahrain would be positioned over the equatorial waters between Southern Boll Hold in the north and Southern Hold in the south. Before any of that could happen, however, it was imperative that each vessel be thoroughly inspected, refitted, and repaired, if necessary.
But how to do the repairs? The technology necessary to manufacture the advanced materials the Ancients used was unknown on Pern.
"I wish I could advise you how to proceed, Dana," Master Fandarel sighed, Rascal chittering nervously from his shoulder, "but we just don't have the skills yet to manufacture the materials the Ancients used when building their fantastic vessels."
"Has AIVAS been any help?" I asked, feeling just a glimmer of hope.
"Aye," Fandarel admitted, nodding, a slight grin on his face, "but we are still mere babes, as the infernal device stated, struggling to grasp the advanced concepts necessary."
"I know you and the others in the Smithcraft are doing their damnedest to renew the lost knowledge," I chuckled, thumping the good Mastersmith on the shoulder. "Jaxom told me about your discussions about setting up a Smithcraft Hall aboard one of the colony ships. I support the idea. We just need to be certain the vessels are fit for habitation before we risk sending anyone up there. And, to that end, I may have some good news."
"Oh?"
"While Jaxom and I were aboard the Yokohama," I explained, "deploying the solar arrays to begin providing power to the vessel, I downloaded the ship's inventory of onboard stores."
"And?" Fandarel wondered, growing a little more excited.
"Turns out the Ancients had planned ahead," I chuckled, tapping the sheets on my desk. "There are sufficient spare hull parts in storage aboard the three vessels sufficient to repair a significant breach in the hull of each vessel. We can tap those supplies if we need to patch the hulls in any fashion."
"Ah, that is most welcome news!" Fandarel sighed, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "How soon before you know the extent of the repairs that may be needed?"
"Within the next 24 hours," I replied, nodding. "While Jaxom and I were aboard each vessel, I had the onboard computers of each vessel initiate a ship-wide systems diagnostic. It's a time-consuming effort…"
"But necessary if we want to be certain how to proceed," Fandarel muttered, nodding. "You can count on the Smithcraft for assistance with the repairs."
"Never doubted it for a minute!"
"Let me know as soon as you learn anything," Fandarel said, touching the satphone clipped to his belt.
With a smile and a nod, he departed. And where was he headed? Back to Landing! AIVAS had informed me that the good Mastersmith had been spending much more time going through the related educational tutorials than anyone else in the Smithcraft. I had to admire his drive and determination to advance his craft and hall, something that would ultimately benefit all of Pern… even the Abominator purists.
Just as I was about to go check on some of my patients, F'lessan, bronze Golanth's rider, stopped by.
"Greetings, bronze rider," I said, shaking his hand. "How goes life at Honshu Weyrhold?"
"The place is a treasure trove of knowledge and surprises," F'lessan laughed, pulling up a seat. "Master Starsmith Wansor practically fainted when he first laid eyes on Kenjo Fusaiyuki's telescope."
"Ten-meter reflector, isn't it?" I asked, recalling what I'd heard.
"Massive, to be sure," F'lessan chuckled, leaning forward in his chair. "I'd be willing to bet I could see someone on the Yokohama waving at us if I bothered to look!"
"So, what's up?" I wondered, settling onto the edge of my desk. "I've a feeling this isn't a social call."
"You're right," F'lessan replied, chuckling. "I've a puzzle in Fusaiyuki's observatory that I'm having trouble figuring out."
"What sort of puzzle?"
"I can't explain it," F'lessan admitted, rising. "I'll have to show you."
I nodded, rising. Then, in an afterthought, I asked, "How's Golanth doing?"
F'lessan grimaced. "What's he going to do? That sharding feline hurt him bad… partially blind with a crippled wing. He'll never fly Thread again."
"Well, Wirenth lost an eye in that mating flight battle with Prideth," I responded, recalling. "Still, in spite of the damage, she's flying once more. Laneth was even worse, and she's back in the skies once more. If it's just simple scar tissue, some judicious oil to soften the skin and tendons plus a little physical therapy for your dragon might get him back flying again."
"Physical therapy?!" F'lessan guffawed, slapping his knee. "On a dragon?"
"Well, yes!" I persisted, frowning. "Why not? It works for humans. We just need to find us some dragons with the temperament to learn the routines and help out with Golanth."
"Physical therapy," F'lessan mused, rubbing his chin. Abruptly, he straightened, rising to his feet. "Tai and I will look into it, but later. I need you and your Star Service knowledge to help with a puzzle in Kenjo's observatory."
Without further word, the two of us hurried out to the dragon landing area just outside the hospital. Tai, aboard her green Zaranth, was waiting. No doubt she had ferried her weyrmate in search of my help. While F'lessan got astride Zaranth behind Tai, I boarded Tarnaa, strapping myself into her riding harness. Goldie barely landed on my shoulder in time to join us as our two dragons leapt skyward, climbing high into the tropical skies of the Southern Continent before winking between.
Moments later, we appeared in the skies over the region where Kenjo's former stake, now F'lessan's Weyrhold, was located. Golanth bugled a greeting to his fellow dragons as we circled to land. I could also sense a hint of longing and pain in his call over his inability to join us.
Tarnaa and Zaranth landed next to F'lessan's bronze. Goldie took flight, calling out greetings to her larger cousin. F'lessan and Tai both ran up to Golanth, scratching his eye ridges and patting him lovingly on the side.
"Hmm," I hummed as I stepped up to Golanth's damaged wing. "Golanth, could you please?"
F'lessan's lifemate tried to extend his damaged wing but had difficulty reaching full extension. Through my empathic touch, I could feel the pain as he tried unsuccessfully to reach his wing out as far as he used to.
"I see what you mean, F'lessan," I mused, giving Golanth's wing a gentle pat. "It's a wonder the two of you are still alive. Any further issues with the local felines?"
"No," F'lessan grunted, thumping Golanth on the shoulder. "Once the dragons realized they could use telekinesis, the big cats don't bother us anymore."
"Can you do anything for him?" Tai nervously inquired, nodding at Golanth.
"I think so," I replied, returning the nod. "I dealt with far worse with Darla and Laneth. Still, it's going to take time to correct… that is, if you still want to be a dragonrider, F'lessan."
"What do you think, old friend?" F'lessan asked his dragon.
I miss the skies, Golanth wistfully declared, glancing upward. Turning to me, his eyes shading to a worried orange, he asked, Can you help us?
"Only if you want me to," I replied, patting him on the neck.
Let's try, lifemate, he said to F'lessan.
"But how are we going to get you to Robinton Cove?" F'lar's son wondered.
"A dragon hoist," Tai replied, grinning, "like when a dragon is Threaded and can't return to the weyr. I'm sure the healer-riders at Robinton Cove have something along that line."
"We do," I responded, nodding. "The warmth there will do his stiff muscles some good, and, once the surgeries have healed over, we can conduct his physical therapy in the warm, salty waters of Robinton Cove."
"Physical therapy on a dragon!" F'lessan chuckled, shaking his head. "Wherever did you come up with such an idea?"
"Oddly enough," I explained, a wry grin on my face, "it came to me… in a dream!"
"A vision?!" Tai gasped, aware of my precognitive gift.
Chuckling, I shook my head. "Nah, just your average, every day, run-of-the-mill nighttime images. Still, it was a little strange."
"In what way?" F'lessan wondered, his curiosity piqued.
Chuckling, I told him, "I wasn't the one doing the physio!"
"Then who was?" Tai asked, frowning in confusion.
"Another dragon!" I replied, smiling at the looks of surprise on their faces. "A queen! She was working this dragon's wing, trying to get it back in shape. And she was using TK to help!"
"TK?!" F'lessan and Tai both gasped.
I nodded again, my smile growing broader at their surprise. "Had to have been just a dream. The queen had a name, but it's none of ours."
"What name?" Tai asked, curiously excited by the concept.
"Hmm? Oh, uh… I'm trying to remember. What was her handle? Oh! Yeah, right! Chlorith, I think."
"No queen that I'm familiar with," Tai sighed, feeling a little deflated.
"Still, the idea has merit," F'lessan commented, nodding. "Might be easier to have a wounded dragon respond more quickly when it's another dragon doing the physical therapy." Turning to me, he asked, "How soon can we get started? Me and Golanth would like to have one last go at fighting Thread before it's gone forever."
"As soon as we've sorted your little mystery here, Lord F'lessan!" I chuckled, bowing as I emphasized his proper title as Lord Holder of Honshu Weyrhold.
"Now, don't you get him started, Masterhealer!" Tai chided me, chuckling as she gave her weyrmate a hug.
F'lessan led the way into the weyr and up the several levels to the observatory that Kenjo Fusaiyuki had constructed all those millennia ago. To our surprise, the room wasn't empty.
"Oh! Master Wansor!" F'lessan exclaimed as we entered the observatory. "I wasn't expecting you."
"My apologies, dear boy," Wansor muttered, waving a dismissal as he was examining a mural on the nearby wall. "I just couldn't get this vexing conundrum out of my mind!"
"What sort of problem?" I wondered, stepping up next to the Starsmith.
"This depiction the late Kenjo Fusaiyuki drew on the wall here," he complained, tapping the mural with his finger. "Clearly, Master Kenjo was an eminent astronomer, to use the Ancients' term. This mural depicts Pern's star system, its planets, and even the Red Star with incredible accuracy."
"But," I prodded when the Master Starsmith hesitated.
"This part here," Wansor muttered, tapping a line that headed out of the plane of the Rukbat system at a rather steep angle. "The line heads out of the star system, but he doesn't indicate what it is. We're not even sure if it was Kenjo's input."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, see here," Wansor said, squinting at an object situated at the beginning of the oblique line. "There appear to be initials here… but they don't match any of the known colonists back then."
"Initials?"
"Here," Wansor indicated, pointing just below the depicted object.
One glance nearly stopped my heart. "Sharding hell!"
"What is it?" F'lessan asked, noting my agitation. "What's wrong? Do you know whose initials those are?"
"They're not initials," I muttered, my hands shaking. "Kenjo Fusaiyuki was an accomplished astronomer. His telescope is proof of that. Those letters refer to an astronomical term relating to celestial objects… It's an abbreviation… P.H.A.… potentially hazardous asteroid."
"By the First Egg!" Wansor hissed.
"Didn't Pern recently endure a sizeable meteor strike?" I asked.
"Two," Tai responded, joining F'lessan. "The first, smaller one struck the mines of Crom."
"The second larger meteor struck out in the Great Eastern Sea," F'lessan recalled, his expression grim. "Right around the time Golanth was injured by that feline. Caused a lot of damage and loss of life."
"That may have just been the initial salvo," I hissed, stepping closer to the mural. "Look closely. We only see the painted line of the asteroid heading out of the star system."
"What are you getting at?" Tai wanted to know.
"Kenjo knew the threat that asteroid represented," I muttered, running my hand over the mural. "We only see the painted line heading out of the system, and that's because he never finished painting it."
"What?!" Wansor gasped, clearly disbelieving. "How can you be sure?"
"Look closely at the surface of the wall," I directed, waving the other closer. "You can clearly see a faint, dark line forming the entire ellipse. Kenjo didn't finish the mural either because of his involvement fighting Thread or due to his death."
"Are you certain?" Wansor nervously inquired.
Grimly, I nodded. "If this diagram does indeed represent an asteroid, it will make that meteor strike look like a mere slap in the face. If that thing is as big as this diagram represents, it could trigger a life extinction event, killing everyone and everything on Pern."
"By the First Egg!" Tai gasped, turning white as a sheet. "Is that what Kenjo meant then when he wrote 'help' here?"
She was pointing at a different series of letters on the diagram.
Once again, I shook my head. "Another astronomy abbreviation. It means 'highly-elliptic long-period'. That's what this ellipse on his diagram is showing. The asteroid doesn't orbit along Rukbat's equatorial plane. As you can see, the ellipse is tipped up at a pretty severe angle. Judging by the acute angle, I'm guessing in Rukbat's past, a rogue planetoid passed through the system, torn apart by the star's gravitational well as it got too close. A portion of it, the asteroid, was catapulted into the elliptical orbit depicted here. If I were to guess, Kenjo may have spotted the fragment as the colonists first entered the Rukbat system. From the moment of that discovery, he was driven to learn if it posed any sort of threat to the residents of Pern."
"That would explain the existence of Honshu, then," F'lessan concluded. "High up in the Southern Mountain Range and away from other settlements and the light they gave off, it would've made an ideal location for his observations."
"Which all came to a disastrous end the moment Thread started to fall," Tai groaned.
"Now it all makes sense," Wansor concluded, his hands shaking nervously. "Kenjo must've realized the threat this asteroid posed to Pern. He just never completed his research. We must redouble our efforts to locate this asteroid and learn if it poses a threat to Pern!"
"And I think I have the perfect solution, Master Wansor," I told him, pointing skyward. "The three colony ships!"
"Of course!" F'lessan exclaimed, growing more excited. "High above the atmosphere of Pern, they would have an unobstructed view of the heavens around us."
"And with my plans to reposition the vessels equidistant around Pern," I added, pointing at the mural, "we'd have an unparalleled ability to triangulate and track any objects that may pose a threat to Pern…"
"Like this devil," Wansor hissed, touching the symbol of the asteroid.
"Indeed," I muttered, once more taking in the scope of the mural. "Given their star-spanning design, the colony ships undoubtedly had excellent equipment aboard to track obstacles in their path in order to avoid them."
"And now we can put those resources to a different use," F'lessan just as grimly added, laying a hand on my shoulder, "protecting Pern from a different sort of threat."
"There's something else," I said, meeting his gaze. "Once we've ascertained that the Yokohama is safe once again for human habitation, it might be better to perform Golanth's surgeries and initial physio aboard the vessel."
"Up there?!" F'lessan exclaimed, pointing skyward.
"Yes," I replied, grinning at his confusion. "Up there, we can control the strength of the artificial gravity. It will minimize the stress on his body following the surgeries. We can also employ hyperbaric therapy to help speed up the wound recovery. Once he's healed enough, we could start out Golanth's physio in zero G and gradually increase the strength of the field as his condition improves."
"Then, we could kill two birds with one stone!" Tai exclaimed, excited by the possibilities.
"And find a way to save Pern from an encounter with Toutatis," Wansor hissed.
"With who?" Tai asked, unfamiliar with the word.
"A what, not a who, my dear," Wansor explained, smiling kindly. "Something I read about in one of AIVAS' records. An old Earth asteroid. It never impacted the planet, but it came close enough to worry the scientists of the time."
"Well, this one's got me worried," F'lessan declared, touching the mural. "If those meteor strikes earlier were a warning, we'd better get to work right away on finding out where this damned thing is…"
"And coming up with a plan for how to deal with it," Tai agreed.
"Or Pern might not survive," Wansor hissed.