The Lost Nebula by Heppner Vaughn
Author:Heppner, Vaughn [Heppner, Vaughn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Amazon: B09ZRSXYQ4
Goodreads: 61096092
Published: 2022-06-02T07:00:00+00:00
***
Keith folded from Vulcan in the outer system to halfway to Remus. Despite their hypo shots, it took each of them a few moments to shake off the lag.
âHereâs the question,â Keith said shortly. âFrom here, do you want me fold into Remus orbital space or down so Iâm a few kilometers from the planetâs surface?â
âWhatâs safest?â asked Riker, speaking before Maddox could answer.
Keith glanced at Maddox.
Maddox nodded.
âIn this instance, Iâm not sure,â Keith said. âIt depends on what kind of defenses Remus possesses, and if the Fusion people have hidden hunter-seekers or other weapons or sensors in the orbital debris.â
âRemus must have some anti-space defenses left,â Maddox said. âOtherwise, the Fusion fleet wouldnât be so far from the planet.â
âAgreed.â
âWhat do you recommend?â Maddox asked.
âWell, I donât like that we donât know exactly whatâs down there. A pre-landing sensor sweep is more than standard procedure: itâs just plain common sense.â
âWhatâs going on?â Riker asked. He hadnât been paying attention earlier. âWe donât know whatâs down there?â
âWe have a good idea,â Maddox said.
âWe have better tech than both sides, and we have me,â Keith said with a grin. âStill, this is a military op, and good recon is critical to success. But coming in high might put us in danger of attack by hunter-seekers, and it might alert a watchful Fusion. Better that we remain hidden from them. So, given all that, Iâm inclined to go for a low entry: meaning, several kilometers over the surface.â
âAre we too far out for that kind of fold?â Maddox asked.
âDepends on what kind of safety margins youâre considering,â Keith said.
âI donât know about you two,â Riker said, âbut Iâd prefer the highest safety margins possible.â
âLike I said a second ago,â Keith said. âIf it were me, Iâd concentrate on remaining hidden from the Fusion. Once they know what weâre doing, it might become trickier a lot faster.â
Maddox knit his brow. How could they have forgotten to do a recon sweep of the planet itself? He hadnât expected to do a quick insertion op like this; that was probably the majority of the reason.
Riker was grumbling under his breath, saying something.
âDo you care to comment so I can hear, Sergeant?â Maddox asked.
âI do,â Riker said. âThis is starting to feel like Balder III all over again. Begging your pardon, sir, but do you remember how we crashed because of the damn wind. Whatâs going to screw with us on Remus?â
Maddox considered that. The lack of a recon runâhe turned to Keith. âMaybe you should wait with us on Remus until weâre finished.â
âIf I stay on the planet too long,â Keith said, âthe Lieutenant Commander will believe Iâve crashed, as I havenât reported in when scheduled. She might start a rescue mission.â
âRight,â Maddox said. âCall them now. Tell them what weâre doing.â
âThat Iâm going to stay on Remus so you can make a quick getaway if needed?â Keith asked.
âExactly,â Maddox said.
âIâm sending the message.â Keith manipulated his panel. Soon, he turned to Maddox. âThe message is sent.
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