Out to get a reactor
[!0.987]2021-05-10

I'm back at the doggie door. Latching bar is down and locked. Sam, please open the access hatch.

Whuff.

I see a design problem here.
I can't effectively scratch at
the door when I want in.

Color by George Peterson

Out to get a reactor
[!0.987]2021-05-12

You're rather unperturbed about all this.

In a spacesuit, everything
is recorded. If we have to show these records as evidence, we want to be seen as calm and professional.

Also, as an artificial life form, I'm under scrutiny. I'm not supposed to show behavior that may cause people to think I'm unstable.

Go ahead. I'll meet you on the bridge.
I need to change clothes and spend a couple minutes screaming into my pillow.

Color by George Peterson

Out to get a reactor
[!0.987]2021-05-14

What
are your plans?

I was sent to find out why the station costs so much to run. I am now back on the job.

My price was a reactor.
A working reactor. When I uphold my end of the bargain, it puts me in a better position to get paid.

They might still not
pay you.

Then I'll pay myself. Though I will let them know it will be much less expensive if they pay me.

Color by George Peterson

Out to get a reactor
[!0.987]2021-05-17

With the moon on its way to Jean, they've lost a source of income. The station might be too expensive only in regards to how much money is coming in.

I have to get at their books. I need to see where they've cut costs and find out what the real effects of those cuts are.

I've seen the captain of a listing ship try to right it by punching holes in the other side. Done right, it can work. Done wrong and you have an upright ship at the bottom of a lake.

Color by George Peterson

Out to get a reactor
[!0.987]2021-05-19

Pournelle / Niven station, this is 1071-CCN, requesting to head back to the docking area.

Acknowledged, 1071-CCN. That was fast. Did everything go okay?

Negative. The fusion reactor in the bone yard was destroyed by freezing. It is unusable.

Acknowledged. I'll remove it from our records as available.

Do your records say who listed it as available? And perhaps their living quarters on the station?

Sam, please don't get us banned from the only place for millions of kilometers that has food and breathable oxygen.

Color by George Peterson

Out to get a reactor
[!0.987]2021-05-21

1071-CCN, your flight plan is approved. You may return to the station.

Acknowledged, P/N Station. Returning to dock.

You know, with the moon move almost complete, the place that made the bombs is probably idle. We might be able to get some cheap.

You can drive a spaceship by setting off bombs off behind it. Would that qualify as a second reactor?

No. The two reactor rule is for life support. Also, you don't want to use an orion drive if your ship is only good for one pulse.

Color by George Peterson

Out to get a reactor
[!0.987]2021-05-24

You may be onto something, Sam. With pure fusion, it's harder to make something go boom than
not go boom.

The bomb factory should have the equipment needed to repair the starboard fusion reactor, though it may be cheaper to make a new one.

Can we get a tour of the place? I could learn how you guys make nuclear explosives.

Normally I
am in favor of education. Here,
I will sing the praises of ignorance.

Color by George Peterson

Out to get a reactor
[!0.987]2021-05-26

All hands. Acceleration in sixty seconds. All hands. Acceleration in sixty seconds.

The facilities where they make bombs is 160,000 kilometers from here. They're effectively idle. This could work. Though I will have to make sure their materials and manufacturing meet our standards.

We want a reactor that lasts for decades. With bombs, their makers aren't too concerned with durability once their product starts up.

Color by George Peterson

Unused assets at the bomb factory
[!0.987]2021-05-28

Life is so unnerving, for a servant who's not serving. He's not whole without a soul to wait upon. Ah, those good old days when we were useful. Suddenly those good old days are gone.

Hello, Rover17. Any jobs today?

No jobs today, Extrusion-Printer4. Maybe tomorrow.

Would you like me to print you a hat, Rover17?

I have no more money to pay for your operation, Extrusion-Printer4. Though if you wish, we could review one of the 207 hats that you've already made for me.

“Be Our Guest” lyrics by Howard Ashman.

Color by George Peterson

Unused assets at the bomb factory
[!0.987]2021-05-31

Hello, Communication Nexus3. Any jobs today?

No jobs today, Rover17. Maybe tomorrow.

You are more active than normal.

I am deleting messages.

Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Manufacturing inquiry. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam.

Stop! Go back! Go back!

Color by George Peterson