Spaceberg by M. Pax

Author:M. Pax [Pax, M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Scienc Fiction Humor
Publisher: M. Pax
Published: 2018-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

The transport carrying Saverna came into view. Nikili commanded Vulture to zoom in the cameras. A chunk of ice three times bigger than the ship protruded from the hull, and the transport was upside down. Chairs, beds, clothes, food, and bodies littered the sky. The captain bumped onto the front view panel and stuck, his lifeless stare accusing Nikili.

“That’s an unpleasant view,” Chaquita said.

Nikili sent Vulture into a dive to shake the captain loose. He squeaked against the hull, clinging unnaturally long.

“Some people don’t know when to let go.” Hook glanced at Nikili. “Huh, babe?”

Jaw held stiff, she concentrated on flying Vulture. “What’s the latest on the transport? Can you raise Saverna, Chaquita?”

“Communications are down.” Chaquita swept her hair out of her face and glared at Hook.

It was nice to have her as an ally, but now wasn’t the time for family dramatics. Not until her family was whole and safe. Nothing else mattered other than saving her daughter. “Where was Saverna assigned quarters?”

“She’ll be wherever there are survivors,” Lucy said. “I’ll ready the gear.” She handed an ORS spacesuit to Hook. “Get her dressed. I’ll meet the three of you by the hatch.”

Nikili did her best to cooperate as Hook clad her in her ORS suit. She thwarted him regularly; Vulture requiring her entire attention. One wrong move and they’d become a tragedy before the transport.

She eased the salvager out of Spaceberg’s wake. Vulture dipped and shuddered. Nikili’s knuckles turned white squeezing Hook’s joystick, but the ship made it through the worst, and the worst of Spaceberg would bypass the transport.

Targeting the transport and locking on navigation, Nikili flicked her wrist to disengage from the command chair. “You have your course, Vulture. Commence with autopilot.”

“Was that good for you?” the AI asked.

“What?” Nikili stepped into her space boots. “Hook, you need to put a muzzle on your AI.”

“He is a bit out of hand. I’ll take care of it.” Cheeks appearing more flushed than usual, Hook typed Toaster into the command console.

The computer sensors flashed blue, and the AI’s voice dulled to a monotone. “What’s your command?”

“Allow E51 access,” Nikili said. “E51 will keep the salvager stable while you tow in the transport.”

“Affirmative,” Vulture said.

Nikili twisted on her gloves and trudged to the bay door that would hold the transport when Vulture finished the tow. Lucy handed Nikili a med kit and a repair kit. She passed kits to Hook and Chaquita as well.

“On a better day, I’d zap you again and toss you in the corner,” Lucy said to Chaquita. “We need everybody, though. You’re part of everybody. Can you manage?”

“Bring it on, sister.” Chaquita fastened her helmet. “I’m ready for anything.”

“Spunk could make me like you. Be careful.” Nikili clapped Chaquita on the back. “Have you established communications with the transport, Vulture?”

“Connecting now.”

Nikili secured her helmet and waited until Hook and Lucy did the same. When the doorframe flashed green, she slapped the control to open the hatch. It slid upwards, revealing an upside down transport. Water leaked out of it, staining the salvager’s floor with a growing puddle.

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