Dedicated to Brian, Jean and Stacey - who put up with my zoning out at the pub without calling the men in white coats. They just sigh and find me pen and paper....
After 23 years, the mathematics was perfect. Humanity's first star drive ship, capable of sending people to a different planet, distance immaterial, and back within a single year was perfected. This would bleed off the excess population to the new frontier. Dr. Micheal Ibrani could finally relax. The entire thing was his brainchild. It's success, or failure, was down to him.
7 million man hours were consumed in building it, in the face of massive indifference of the populace, grown fat and complacent on a diet of bread and circuses. There is one perfect mathematical design for a hyperdrive ship. The blunt nose holding the warp gear and shielding. The sharp taper in and then out of the jump drive and shielding. The living quarters and cargo bays. Then the gentle taper to the thrust nozzles, that apply a thrust not precisely of this universe.
A generation ago, they had discovered the secrets of holding a stable course through hyperspace. 10 responsive flutes, equidistant around the hull, that reacted to the thrust of non material flow to keep the ship on course. All was ready. The ship was finally built. And the first pictures of the ship in orbit finally transmitted to a mostly indifferent population at Launch minus 20 days.
We know there is an earth type planet orbiting Barnard's Star. The first destination for the first intestellar ship is a no brainer. We can breathe the air, walk comfortably on the surface, even eat some of the plant life. We are ready. We will claim the stars on behalf of human kind.
All is running smoothly, crew and consumables loading, colonisation equipment complete. All ready for the last great push that will send people to the stars. Loading has commenced. Nothing can stop us now. We will finally be away from all the fear of all humanities eggs in one basket.
****
Dear Dr. Ibrani,
It has come to our attention, as the legal representatives of the Coca Cola Corporation, that you are in violation of our patent number D48,160. Please refrain from using such a design in your starships, on penalty of litigation, civil fines and possible imprisonment. A lawsuit has been entered with the Supreme Court to grant an injunction against you using our client's patented design.
Yours faithfully,
M W Willis, for CBT Lowther and partners.
