Ch 1 P.6. Three By Three

The anomalous phenomenon known as the green wave was a supercharged CME. The mass of a green wave was greater than a CME, causing a geomagnetic storm typically under the level of nine on the KP index. The speed of a green wave was not only faster than that of a normal CME, but it was also directionally variable and able to change course in transit. Rolling green waves had occurred twice since they were first seen in the early twenty-second century. The fact that a green wave could trigger geologic events was bad enough, but its effect on sensitive equipment was worrisome.

Marle tapped the control pad anxiously; he needed it to work faster. Why did it take so long for the jet bay to recycle? He tapped again and was relieved to get the green light. Marle leaped into the jet, banging an elbow as he did. The packs sealed behind him, and the internal lighting came on. Too slow! He found himself easing beyond the core and shouted at the AI.

“Astra!” shouted Marle. “I need you to go faster.”

“I apologize,” answered the AI. “We are at the recommended speed set by Central Government regulations.”

“Damn!” shouted Marle.

Marle found the panel he needed, but he had nothing for the screws. He inserted his right thumbnail and twisted. It hurt like hell, but he felt the screw give. He knew that the trips below the panel could easily be interchanged and the speed restriction overridden. He had to work faster.

The observatory was on its highest alert. Three by three was a dire circumstance for a tin can hanging above the cone of Mercury. Even the protected circuitry was vulnerable to the green wave. As he raced to achieve greater speed, the observatory crew raced to pull the shields around the Core. Sealed inside the shields, the Core would be safe. The procedure was not a monumental undertaking; it took about as long as it would take Marle to reach his lab.

The thing that worried Marle was the experiment bay door. It opened from the main sun-facing shield. The experiment protruded mere centimeters beyond the door. The motor that extruded and retracted the experiment was not especially quick. The destruction of his experiment was a real possibility; it was a possibility Marle sought to prevent. He had put a lot of work into his experiment, and he placed a lot of hope in its results.

Marle worked a sore thumbnail into the final screw, gritting his teeth at the pain. He knew it was likely that the green wave would pass above the observatory. The station alert would reach Earth in time. However, if the wave rolled just a little, it could knock the observatory from its orbit. A physical blow of such a magnitude posed a real threat to the Tin Can. He thought to himself, No rolling, please and thank you.

Possibilities aside, the final screw was being a bitch. His thumbnail hurt badly. Marle placed it in his mouth and swore around it before trying again.

Astra spoke calmly through the jet speakers. “Three by three. Rolling detected.”

“Shit!” swore Marle.

The final screw came free, and Marle reached immediately inside. The lead he needed to disconnect was in the upper right corner; it would be difficult to accomplish in his position. The contact he needed to touch with the lead was in the upper middle, between connections that should not be broken by prying fingers. The operation would be delicate. As he groped for the lead in the upper right, the metal cut into his fingers.

“Access is not granted,” said Astra.

“Not now,” answered Marle.

Hera's voice came across the speakers. “Marle, the shields are closing. Where are you?”

“Don't worry,” said Marle. “I'm manually increasing the speed. I'll make it.”

Hera said, “That's not allowed.”

Marle replied with a smile of satisfaction for increased speed. “So I hear,” he replied.