Synchronicity Trilogy Omnibus by Michael McCloskey

Author:Michael McCloskey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ai, first contact, military science fiction, space war, space warfare, war machines, war robots
Publisher: Michael McCloskey

One

“Ni zai na’er zuo shenme, kong jun shao wei?”

Feng stopped fiddling with his light vacuum suit and processed the words of his superior officer: What are you doing there, Junior Lieutenant?

“Going through the transport module boarding checklist, sir!” Feng replied smartly in Beijing Mandarin.

“And what part of the checklist are you at now?”

“I just verified the integrity of my vac suit,” Feng replied.

The light vac suit was standard issue for Chinese soldiers engaging in space warfare. It wasn’t a full duty suit capable of lasting the ravages of space for an extended period of time, but it would most likely save his life if a section became depressurized by an explosion or an armor-piercing projectile.

“Then I suggest you seal your rib vents,” said the officer in a scalding tone. “I believe that will considerably improve the protection afforded by your suit.”

“Aye, sir,” Feng said, feeling his face turn red.

His training unit, composed of junior officers such as himself, had boarded a transport module of their capital ship, Ascending Dragon. The battleship fielded two such modules, which detached from the main vessel to move robots and soldiers onto other ships and stations in nearby space.

Feng floated slightly as he finished the checklist. The Ascending Dragon only simulated gravity while en route, and otherwise was not capable of providing acceleration for the comfort of its crew. Fortunately for Feng’s health and the wellbeing of his fellow soldiers, the vastness of space required they spend a great deal of time moving from place to place, so they were able to enjoy the illusion of gravity for the majority of their lives in the space service.

Once Feng’s suit was ready, he hefted the weapon he’d been given for the training exercise. He accessed the short rifle through his cranial link, reviewing its capabilities. He could select between a non-lethal crowd-suppression slug or a small gas grenade for its next launch. He left it on its current setting for the rubber bullet. The rifle interface in his PV showed that it carried fifty of the soft bullets and ten of the gas rounds. The target profile was for a human in civilian clothing. He could fire at anyone or anything with a special override, but the interface indicated he didn’t have authorization for the override today.

Feng suppressed his annoyance at the lack of a real weapon. If he played their games long enough, he’d have true military issue someday.

Acceleration warning, his link told him. Feng grabbed onto a stabilizing handle with one hand and pulled his rifle close with the other.

The soldiers had several channels of communication open in their links, a hierarchical set of streams for a man’s squad, his group, company, and battalion. Other channels linked the men to various logistics and support units on board the Ascending Dragon. Feng felt very much a part of the large team, and hoped he’d never get cut off from that support in a real battle. They’d had to train without it from time to time,

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