The Mad Astra was generally egg-shaped, a hundred and fifty meters long, with the fusion nacelles clustered around the narrow end, and the hab ring forming a five-meter-wide cross section at the widest part of the oval. While spun up, the ring could only be accessed from the corridor that ran down the center of the ship from Engineering to the on-axis Bridge. Though inconvenient from a purely engineering point of view, the artificial gravity that the hab ring provided was essential to human health on long voyages.

Ivan arrived at the hab ring hatch just as he came within reach of the wall. Another perfect trajectory. Grabbing a handhold, he pulled himself to a smooth stop. He exited through the hatch, feet first, to the walkway encircling the hub, and pulled himself around to the nearest spoke ladder.

A quick slide down, and he was in the Common Room. Seth waved from a table where he, Tenn, and Dr. Kemp were sitting.

Ivan no longer felt any surprise at the doctor’s presence. Though nominally an officer, Charles Kemp spent a considerable amount of time mingling with the crew. He claimed the coffee was better.

“We’ll begin decelerating in two hours, sprout. Pretty soon, you won’t be a virgin.”

Ivan grinned at Tenn as he headed for the coffee machine. “Assuming we find something worth poking with a stick, of course.”

Dr. Kemp gave Ivan the stink-eye. “There’s attitude for you. Anyway, Lita told me they’ve already tagged several good targets for investigation, within EVA distance of our projected parking location. We’ve got three weeks of prospecting lined up for our first stop.”

Everyone looked up as the P.A. crackled. “Hab ring spin-down in ten. Please vacate the hab ring.”

Ivan’s sigh was echoed by several others. The half-gee in the hab ring was a luxury that would be missed, until they arrived at a location where it was worthwhile spinning back up. He looked down at the still-empty coffee cup he was holding, then handed it to the dishwasher. The mech snatched the cup, gave it a quick wipe and returned it to the rack, then glared at Ivan until he retreated.

* * *

Spin-down took a half hour, and for the crew it consisted of nothing more than listening to the Mad Astra make odd groaning sounds. To Ivan’s ear, it sounded like the ship was being slowly torn apart. However, none of the other crew were reacting, so he did his best to look relaxed and unconcerned as well.

Shortly after the noises died away, the P.A. announced, “Spin-down complete. Prepare for turnover.”

Shuffling sounds accompanied a general checking of buckles and seating positions. Seth looked over at Ivan and smirked. “Here’s hoping your stomach is thoroughly acclimated. You might want to hold onto a barf bag just for kicks.”