Clidepp Requital by Thomas DePrima

Author:Thomas DePrima
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781619310247
Publisher: Vinnia Publishing
Published: 2014-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Fourteen

~ February 23rd, 2286 ~

"Mt. Requetti had been dormant," Lt. Olivetti said, "but in the weeks before the eruption, it began showing definite signs it was coming to life. There were powerful ground tremors in the vicinity on a daily basis, the wildlife was scattering away from the mountain, and the community's aquifer had become contaminated with sulfur. The people chose to ignore all of the warning signs."

"Are you a volcanologist?" Sydnee asked, surprised by Olivetti's detailed knowledge of an event older than she was.

"Only on an amateur level, Captain. But it's always been a passion of mine. I chose Space Command for a career in space over a career that would consist mostly of sitting in a lab on some planet while studying seismic readings, but I never lost my interest in volcanology."

"And you believe this location to be safe?"

"Yes. At the present, it seems like the ideal spot. The lava is black, so even without the holo-projectors, it'd be almost impossible to spot us."

"What if the volcano erupts? This ship is well protected by the Dakinium skin, but I don't know if it could tolerate the heat of molten lava."

"The maps created by the diplomatic ship are fantastic. We have normal imagery, infrared, surface contour, and thermal versions. The thermal readings for the volcano interior aren't any higher than those for the surrounding land mass. As you can see, vegetation has started to cover all of the outer slopes. It takes decades following an eruption for flora to establish a toehold as widespread as this in a lava field. And in addition to allowing us to hide in plain sight, the volcano is within an hour's flying time in a MAT to the three largest industrial and manufacturing centers on the planet. There are dozens of shipbuilding facilities at those centers."

"If we do this, what would be the best time to move the ship to the new location so we're always under cover of darkness?"

Olivetti glanced at the chronometer on the bulkhead before saying, "Six hours and thirty minutes from now."

Sydnee moved to the command chair where Weems was sitting. He started to rise, but she waved him down. Lifting the console cover on the chair's right arm, she pressed a contact point. "This is the captain. We'll be moving the ship to a new location in six and one half hours. Six hours from now we'll begin dismantling the holo-projector net. All equipment must be inside so the ship's exterior can be sealed and the ship can be made ready for flight. Carry on." Turning to Olivetti, she said, "Good job, Lieutenant." To Caruthers at the helm, she said, "Although the watch will have changed by then, I'd like you to take the helm for the move. It may be a tight fit getting into that cone, and you have an exceptionally fine touch on the oh-gee engines."

"Aye, Captain," Caruthers said with a smile.

To Weems, she said, "I'll be in my office."

"Aye, Captain."

Sydnee had barely gotten back to her office/quarters next to the bridge before Blade was at the door.

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