Odyssey One by Evan Currie

Author:Evan Currie
Language: cs
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-05-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Commander Roberts swung himself over the threshold, in the null-gravity of the Auxiliary Bridge, letting his momentum propel him into the lavishly sized room.

Compared to the main bridge, this room was at least twice the size and just as well equipped, mostly because it was the primary control center of the Odyssey, in the original plans. When the artificial gravity generators fell by the wayside, due to their enormous power requirements, the Bridge had been moved to the second cylindrical habitat, and this room had been turned into its backup.

“Commander,” a Lieutenant didn’t bother to come to attention or even salute as he approached, entirely for practical purposes since standing at attention in zero gee was about as effective as equipping firefighters with flamethrowers.

Instead the young man reached up as Roberts sailed past and hooked his hand, swinging the Commander down into the command chair.

“Much obliged, Lieutenant,” Roberts said calmly as he looked around.

The Bridge was built into the top of the Odyssey’s ‘Control Tower’, which was more of egotism than anything else, but it provided a magnificent view on three sides, through the clear transparent armor around them.

However, in battle, having transparent sections in your wall was contraindicated.

“Take us to battle stations, Lieutenant,” Roberts commanded. “And bring us completely online.”

“Aye Sir,” the lieutenant replied, tapping in a command code. “Sealing the Bridge now.”

The incredible view offered by the transparent battle steel vanished, as the armor shifted to block all wavelengths.

“Activating screens.”

Rolls of transparent plastic slid down from the recessed ports in the ceiling, the thin film covering the walls with a milky coating for a moment, before they flickered and the external view once again returned, in an ultra-high definition display that had been filtered through the computers and overlain with an electronic Heads up Display.

Roberts finished clipping in his restraints just as the ship rumbled, the screens lighting up with the red on red of a direct fire warning.

“Status!”

*****

The Bridge of the Odyssey shuddered and rolled slightly, as the crew gripped tightly to their seats and consoles.

“Damage reports coming in!” Lamont yelled over the screeching of tearing metal that could be heard right through to their teeth.

Weston grabbed for the console and slid it over as he punched up the damage control code, bringing the reports up on his own screens.

Not good. We’re venting atmosphere from the forward weapon’s stations. He grounded his teeth, “get damage control crews down there!”

“Aye Captain!” Ensign Lamont said instantly, hands already keying into the emergency channel, as she spoke quickly and calmly over the emergency frequencies.

“Incoming!” Waters yelled a warning.

“Take us up! All power to vertical thrusters!” Weston ordered, leaning forward in the command chair. “Pitch us forward! Bring the Primary array and the forward HVM banks to bear!”

“Aye Captain!”

The NAC Odyssey clawed for vertical altitude, relative to her opponent, climbing above the lethal beam that scorched vacuum, just shy of their position. As they did so, Ensign Waters stood on the proverbial stick, as he pitched the nose down, while the ship climbed.

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