Earth Ship Protectress: Book Two in the Freddy Anderson Chronicles by John Ricks

computer simulator that the shop computer and I had worked on that made it look like everything was fully operational. It was built on a frame that suspended the mock-up between gravity fields so that the unit could move and feel real. Eight generators were concealed inside eight pillars of different heights, which stood out several feet from the shuttle mock-up. The shuttle itself was over thirty feet wide, fifteen feet deep, and fifty feet long. It was smooth and formed like a stingray, with wings that slanted back and were pointed.
    I had finished the programming only an hour ago and tested it out. It was connected to the shop computer for lifelike situations. There were sixty planned scenarios, the outcomes of which were completely dependent on the movements and actions of the people running the shuttle. It could be a real thrill ride if you messed up, or it could be as gentle and fun as a walk in the park if you were really good. I put a protective coating that was nearly impervious to weather on everything so that my trainer would stay shiny. The entrance was through a hatch in the back.
    As soon as I brought it out, the commander and most of the crew came out to have a look. I went inside the craft to finish setting up the programs. The commander came in, and so did several others.
    “Commander, please shut the hatch.” She motioned to one of the team, and I heard the hatch close. I turned on the outside speakers and view screens and said into the microphone, “Everyone, stand back. Commander, please take a seat.” I motioned for her to take the seat next to mine before I started pointing out the different sections. “That is communications. Please have one of the girls take a seat there.” The commander motioned for Petty Officer Henderson to take that spot. “Next is the science officer’s spot, which includes sensors, diagnostics, and monitoring equipment.” She motioned for Petty Officer Swanson to take that spot. “Right in front of us are the controls for navigation.” She motioned for Petty Officer Smith to sit there. “To the left are the weapons and shield controls.” Petty Officer Parks sat there. “The rest need to sit down and hold on tight, Commander.” They took the extra seats that I had installed for monitoring the exercises. “Ready, Commander?”
    “No, but go ahead.”
    I laughed and said, “Computer, start scenario number one.”
    “ Confirm scenario number one. Loading. Starting. Home Base Shuttle One, this is Prime Tower. You have clearance to depart for high stationary orbit. Please take off using standard departure vec tors.”
    No one did a thing.
    “ Home Base Shuttle, please acknowledge my last transmis sion.”
    I looked back at Petty Officer Henderson. “You’re the communications officer. Please acknowledge receipt of that message.”
    “Yes, Captain.” She put on a headset and powered up her equipment. Then she toggled the transmit switch. “This is Shuttle One, acknowledging departure for high stationary orbit.”
    “ Good luck, Shuttle One. You are cleared t o go.”
    I looked down at Petty Officer Smith and said, “Navigator, please take us straight up to a high stationary orbit above home base.”
    The commander yelled, “Wait!” She turned to me and cautiously asked, “Freddy, are we really going to go into stationary orbit?”
    I nearly died laughing. When I finally calmed down, I said, “No, silly. This is that practice game I said I had for you. I won’t be finished with the real shuttle for weeks yet.”
    “ Shuttle One, if you don’t take off soon, you will lose your launch spot. The next opening is not for three more h ours.”
    “ Navigator, take us straight up for five miles and then set stationary orbit.”
    Petty Officer Henderson looked at the commander and then started working the controls. She was not doing very well, but she finally started moving us up. At one mile, we hit a satellite and crashed.
    “ Scenario one terminated. Restart