area51novel Chapter 43 Spaceport
Chapter 43 Spaceport
The porthole armor panels remained closed, but the images on the sensor screens showed a grayish-yellow rocky planet. The surface was devoid of clouds and water, consisting only of rolling wastelands and occasional mountain peaks. The atmosphere was thin, and surface temperatures fluctuated between -20 and 30 degrees Celsius. There were no lights, no buildings, and no trace of human activity.
Hawke stared at the screen, remaining silent for a few seconds. "Spatial anchoring preparation."
Enp walked to the cargo hold. Nearly a thousand beetle-like mechs awoke from standby mode, their plasma nozzles blazing with blue trails of flame, and six robotic arms unfolded from their sides, the data lights on their end-effector interfaces flashing green. They lined up and flew out of the cargo hold one by one, dragging the cargo containers of the spaceport module into the vacuum.
The first module was launched. Small thrusters ignited, propelling the module toward its predetermined orbital coordinates. The module slowly rotated in the void before automatically unfolding—a metal frame popped out of its folded state, solar panels opened, and docking ports revealed standardized interfaces. The space anchoring device activated, and an invisible force field firmly secured the module to its orbit. This was technology from the golden age. One module, one coordinate, one force field—the space station took root in the void.
Space stations are a common type of orbital architecture throughout the Empire. They can be anchored in orbit around planets, satellites, or other celestial bodies, equipped with various facilities for population, trade, defense, and ship repair and resupply. From deep-space research stations in the border sectors to defensive platforms on the periphery of the Forging World, to mega-hubs in the orbit of the Hive World, most space installations utilize this space anchoring technology. It does not rely on a surface base; simply activating a force field at orbital coordinates is enough to secure the entire space structure in space. It requires no foundation, no space elevator, and no decades-long construction period. The wisdom inherited from the Golden Age continues to operate in every star system of the Empire into the 41st millennium.
Spaceports can accommodate all kinds of ships—from shuttles to cruisers, from transport ships to battleships—provided the berth sizes are suitable and the anchoring force field is strong enough to secure ships of any tonnage. Large spaceports can have dozens of berths, filling an entire fleet of ships, with crew members moving through corridors and cargo flowing through cargo holds. The spaceport built by Enp, however, is a small version—a few berths, a signal tower, a row of warehouses, and an artificial gravity zone. Small in scale and simple in function, it can be expanded further in orbit, from small to large, from simple to complex, step by step, until it becomes a true node.
Within the Empire, the facilities capable of constructing space elevators are a completely different type of orbital architecture—the geosynchronous spaceport. The core characteristic of this type of facility is its powerful attitude correction thrusters, granting it autonomous maneuverability and the ability to flexibly adjust its position and attitude within orbit. Unlike ordinary space stations, geosynchronous spaceports are not passively anchored to a fixed coordinate system. They utilize a sophisticated vector propulsion system to counteract planetary gravity, rotation, and external disturbances in real time, stabilizing themselves in a specific orbit above the planet's equator. Only when a spaceport possesses this autonomous attitude correction capability can it dock with a space elevator—because the elevator cable must extend straight from the Earth's surface into geosynchronous orbit, and the spaceport must maintain absolute synchronization with the planet's rotation at a speed of several thousand meters per second; any angular deviation will cause the cable to snap. It also possesses an energy system dozens of times more powerful than that of ordinary space stations, sufficient to drive giant cargo elevators between the Earth's surface and orbit via the elevator cable.
These colossal spaceports, typically anchored in orbits of hive worlds or forge worlds, are symbols of the Empire's industrial prowess. They are not built in a day; they require decades, even centuries, of construction, countless servitudes, and technical priests shuttling between orbit and the surface. Furthermore, the planet's geological conditions must be sufficiently stable, and its axis of rotation must maintain adequate perpendicularity to the orbital plane. Garros—this grayish-yellow rocky planet—has an axis of rotation nearly ten degrees off-center, its surface riddled with volcanoes and fault lines, and its geological activity is unknown. Even if a geostationary spaceport were forcibly constructed, it would require extensive measurements of the entire orbital plane, anchoring with stakes deep within the planet, and years of effort, investing countless resources, just to extend a single cable from the surface to geostationary orbit.
This is not in Enpu's current plans. At least not now.
So for the foreseeable future, his spaceport will remain obediently in orbit. Supplies will be transported by cargo ships, personnel by shuttles, and communications by relay arrays. This is how space facilities in most of the Empire's border worlds operate: an orbital platform, a few cargo ships that dock periodically, and a busy but empty berth area. For a fledgling industrial world, this is sufficient.
The beetle-shaped robotic arms towed the second and third modules out of the cargo hold. They traversed space, delivering the modules one by one to their designated locations. Robotic arms silently welded, fastened, and connected pipelines in the vacuum. The basic framework for the three berths took shape within hours—one medium-sized berth and two small berths.
Hawke stood on the bridge, watching the servitors' work via data link. His mechanical right arm hung at his side, his fingers trembling slightly unconsciously.
The Resolute is less than two kilometers long. The small berths are just enough for it to dock.
Enp returned to the bridge from the cargo hold and stood behind Hawke. "The spaceport framework is anchored. Continued construction will take time, but the berths are ready for use."
Hawke turned to look at Enp. The young face beneath the hood was expressionless.
"Sir, are you planning to stay here?"
"right."
Hawke paused for a few seconds, then nodded. "After the Resolute unloads its cargo this time, what are your plans for the next trip?"
Enpu took a data panel from the inner pocket of his robe and handed it over. "This is the list for the next batch, containing supplies for the immigrants. Food, water purification tablets, basic medical kits, and warm blankets—that's enough for the needs during the journey. There will be other ships specifically transporting these to Garros. All you need to do is return once the ships are full."
Hawke took the data panel and glanced at it. It was all personnel support supplies. He looked up and glanced at Enp.
"There are plenty of people in Amegiddon. It's just a bit far from Garros. You'll handle the specific arrangements. You can modify the Resolute in Lucis, resupply it, and purchase supplies. Then go to Amegiddon to recruit more people. I estimate the first trip will be back in six months, which would be very fast." Enpu's tone was calm. "Like I said, the Resolute should carry as many people as it can." Enpu paused and lowered his voice to continue. "There are too many people in the Hive. Give them a ticket, tell them they can eat their fill, and they'll be willing to go with you. You need to strengthen security and management, equip them with weapons, and carefully screen them." Genestealers haven't received enough attention from the Empire yet, let alone in Amegiddon, located in the Solar System, which ordinary people have never even heard of. Liu En didn't want to say it outright.
Hawke nodded. "You've spent your whole life on ships, sir, you can rest assured."
"The crew's wages, supplies, and other expenses—the Throne Coins here are enough for several round trips. Remember to recruit more helpers; manpower is needed here too."
Hawke tucked the data panel into the inner pocket of his robe. "The Resolute will do everything in its power to transport it. Take care, sir."
Enp nodded.
A few days later, the Resolute was preparing to return home.
Hawke made final preparations for departure on the bridge. The first mate entered the course parameters into the navigation panel, and the communications officer sent a departure signal to the spaceport's makeshift array—the signal was weak, but functioning correctly. The crew returned to their posts, the cargo doors closed, and the docking supports were released from the spaceport's berth.
"Sir, are you sure you don't need to leave a few people behind?" Hawke asked one last time.
"No need. You don't have enough people to begin with."
Hawke nodded in agreement. He gave a somewhat perfunctory salute, then turned and headed towards the gangway. The first mate followed behind him, paused at the airlock, glanced back at Enp, his lips moved as if to speak, but ultimately he said nothing and followed.
The thrusters ignited, and the Resolute slowly reversed from its berth, turned, and accelerated. The hull traced a gentle arc across the starry sky as it headed towards Mandeville. Hawke's silhouette grew smaller and smaller in the porthole, finally disappearing into the cockpit lights.
Enp stood on the observation platform of the spaceport, watching the Perseverance's tail flame gradually disappear into the darkness.