8 TAU CETI EXIT
2253 A.D. DAY ELEVEN AT Tau Ceti
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TOM AND I WERE ON THE bridge, preparing the ship for entry into the system Oort cloud, which Nina reported as being approximately 0.83 light years thick, as defined by the route the ship would travel. The cloud would thin to nearly a total vacuum after less than 0.1 light years, so the ship was only in significant danger of collision with comets or other rocks for about a year.
Tom said, “Nina, bring the mag field up to operational maximum, and track all objects on our trajectory with the lasing system.”
Nina said, “Mag field and laser system online as specified. Final cargos of volatiles and metals en route from belt and cloud. The active personnel on board numbers 26,232 persons, mostly laboratory, emergency personnel, and ma
