Page 183 - The Chronicles Ser2 (6-10)

meant to be in operation at any one time, the system would pulse each one in turn. Thrust being
shared in that manner. The radiation shielding was a similar Epoxy based material to that on the
surface of the cylinder device.

“It looks like they used the scintillation from the shielding to provide
photons to a secondary Photonic wave guide drive on each unit. They
directed the resultant energy to optical transformation systems to
derive a bit extra power to the subsidiary grids” T’luha noted audibly.
The Kryst seemed to be masters at making systems do much more
than they were originally intended to do. The technical specs were in
the database of that console over there” she added pointing at a unit
on the far wall. The console she pointed at was reminiscent of an
ancient type of dual screen Radar console. “It functions more like a
navigable library data base. That joystick and its buttons allow fast
scanning or skipping through files. Once you get used to the interface
it’s relatively easy to use. Getting used to the Kryst language is
another matter!” she continued. Trok tried out the odd interface for
himself; he rapidly found out what she meant. Some of the allegorical
entries made no sense without knowing the context.

He was the first to notice something common to all the consoles on the ship. A domed red
cabochon set at about head height; and off to one side. During viewing of the allegorical entries it
glowed and he felt a strange buzzing sensation in the right hemisphere of his positronic brain.
“That’s odd; T’luha do you get a fuzzy sensation when viewing the allegorical entries?” he asked.

“Yes; a vague sensation in the right side of my brain, why?” she replied.

“Oh; I’m not sure. I’ll need to do some tests to be certain” He responded and took some scans of the
cabochons when they were idle and when they glowed. They were emitting some strange directed
EM radiation when active.

“AH! Look at this diagram” Michael suddenly yelped. The other two joined him at a “table” console.
He’d managed to find a schematic of the deck layouts within the ship. It turned out that the
spherical section was the main dormitory and living section above and storage and utility, laundry,
mess and medical on the lower decks. There was arrangements for a crew of eight; sleeping
arrangements in the form of strange hexagonal beds that would take two occupants.

“Inter crew member relations would be common it appears” Trok said flatly making the others
laugh. “Though it would appear that the crew consisted of two females and six males!” he added.
That made them laugh louder. “I fail to see the humour in this” he continued. Michael could not take
any more and whispered to Trok about alternate sexual proclivity and practices; T’luha was laughing
so hard she was almost breathless. Doc Stenerton walked in and Michael managed to explain during
sniggers and giggles what was so funny about their findings.

“It might be better to keep that titbit from general dispersal.” He said suppressing a chuckle or two
but couldn’t help bursting into loud laughter when he saw the expression of realisation eventually
surface on Trok’s face. The Kryst were proving to be more Human-like than ever, particularly when it
came to sexual relations.

“You Biologicals really like to complicate things” Trok said. That only made them laugh even more
and T’luha was almost breathless before the three of them managed to compose themselves. Trok
headed to the Docking port corridor shaking his head and muttering something about primitive and
inefficient. He paused and looked back; turned back and shrugged his shoulders as he walked away
toward the front of the ship. Something was puzzling him about the missing crew member.