Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space (The Henry Gallant Saga Book 1) by H. Peter Alesso

Author:H. Peter Alesso [Alesso, H. Peter]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Video Software Lab
Published: 2013-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

Stella Bordeaux

17

Forty lumbering merchant ships trudged through space in a convoy escorted by two destroyers and Fighter Squadron 111. The destroyers intended to make the entire journey from Jupiter to Mars. The fighters were scheduled to tag along for only six days and were deployed in a lattice radar formation to detect converging asteroids and any alien ships that wandered into their path. As the ships advanced the density of the asteroid field increased, as well as the level of danger.

Gallant was surprised at how relaxed he felt in his Eagle. His mind felt comfortable with the control systems, adjusting the trim and thrust vector until the ship almost purred. As Kelsey diligently monitored obstacles in their flight path and updated the astrogation computer to help him maintain a safe course, Gallant smoothly adapted the Eagle’s flight path for each degree change.

Occasionally, the task-force commander in the lead destroyer, Fletcher, altered the convoy’s course to avoid denser asteroid concentrations, and Kelsey swiftly calculated a new course to maintain their position in the lattice.

We work well together.

Kelsey said, “Caine seems to have found a clever solution to his dilemma.”

“You’re right,” said Gallant. “He plans on having it both ways.”

“But will it work?” she asked. Seated tandem to him, she had to raise her voice for Gallant to hear her over the thrumming of the engines.

“It should. By the time we rendezvous with Dauntless and Devastator, the merchantmen will be deep in the asteroid belt. The convoy will be fine the rest of the way to Mars with the battle cruisers and destroyers. Then the squadron can hotfoot it back to Jupiter before the alien fleet gets there.”

“That’s cutting things close. I don’t want to miss all the action,” said Kelsey.

“Don’t worry. We won’t."

The convoy continued for a little over three days, Kelsey and Gallant alternating taking naps. While Gallant slept, Kelsey flew the ship using the manual controls. Gallant was impressed with how adept she was at making the delicate corrections with such crude instruments.

But then the plan changed.

Gallant had just resumed control of the ship after a nap when Neumann’s voice came over the radio. “Gallant, the Stella Bordeaux has suffered a fire and internal explosion and needs to repair her engines. You are to drop out of formation to provide escort and assist in repairs for three days, and then return to Repulse at maximum acceleration. Under no circumstance are you to fail to rendezvous in three days.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” responded Gallant. He banked his Eagle and positioned it adjacent to the ailing merchantman.

Neumann singled me out.

He cut off the radio and said aloud, “Now we have to play nursemaid.”

“Don’t pout. It’s only for a few days,” said Kelsey, as they watched the convoy diminish into a distant point of light. “Think of it as an independent command, an opportunity to excel!”

Trust Kelsey to find the silver lining.

He contacted Captain Edward Dawson on Stella Bordeaux and asked to be briefed.

Dawson explained, “We had a fire in the reactor compartment.

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