PLAGUE
THREE
Jack had led Wil on what felt like a two kilometer jog through scores of tunnels that finally led into an enormous cavern.
Inside was the most beautiful spaceship Wil had ever seen. She gasped at the sight of immense silver membrane mirrors she estimated were at least a half kilometer wide. Shimmering softly, the ship looked alive and alert.
"This is 'Sunjammer'," whispered Jack. "I named her after a ship in an Arthur C. Clarke story. She's got photon sails that can be powered by massive ground-based lasers and optical mirrors we have in a different part of the complex as well as at other terran ground stations. She's an inter-stellar light sail ship of alien make and design, and she's all mine."
He smiled and folded his arms, gazing at his gorgeous ship.
"Her sails…?" Wil murmured.
"Her sails are nanotube mesh weaves created by using molecular manufacturing. This technology is not available on present-day earth. They are hyper-light, hyper-strong and incredibly flexible – they can be folded and unfolded countless times without damage, both in the atmosphere as well as the vacuum of space. Plus, they're smart. They self-deploy and to some extent self-steer.
"She's unique; priceless. And like I said, I've kept her in reserve in case…" He looked at Wil and then looked away, slightly embarrassed. "In case I ever need to make a quick escape.
"She's got a limited payload and is not built to hold a lot of people; four or five tops.
"Getting her up there is going to be tricky; getting her back could be a real bitch.
"She's designed to travel 500 light-years, not 500 kilometers. I'm gonna need your help to adjust that."
"I'm here." Being nearly six feet tall, she didn't have to look up at him. He liked it.
"I won't order you to come along, but if you're willing, I'd like you to accompany me into space." He gallantly offered his arm to her, which she took.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Jack gently touched his headset. "Toshiko, get the lasers ready; we're going for a drive."