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.

“Here’s the question,” Keith said shortly. “From here, do you want me fold into Remus orbital space or down so I’m a few kilometers from the planet’s surface?”

“What’s safest?” asked Riker, speaking before Maddox could answer.

Keith glanced at Maddox.

Maddox nodded.

“In this instance, I’m not sure,” Keith said. “It 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.”

“Remus must have some anti-space defenses left,” Maddox said. “Otherwise, the Fusion fleet wouldn’t be so far from the planet.”

“Agreed.”

“What do you recommend?” Maddox asked.

“Well, I don’t like that we don’t know exactly what’s down there. A pre-landing sensor sweep is more than standard procedure: it’s just plain common sense.”

“What’s going on?” Riker asked. He hadn’t been paying attention earlier. “We don’t know what’s down there?”

“We have a good idea,” Maddox said.

“We have better tech than both sides, and we have me,” Keith said with a grin. “Still, 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, I’m inclined to go for a low entry: meaning, several kilometers over the surface.”

“Are we too far out for that kind of fold?” Maddox asked.

“Depends on what kind of safety margins you’re considering,” Keith said.

“I don’t know about you two,” Riker said, “but I’d prefer the highest safety margins possible.”

“Like I said a second ago,” Keith said. “If it were me, I’d concentrate on remaining hidden from the Fusion. Once they know what we’re doing, it might become trickier a lot faster.”

Maddox knit his brow. How could they have forgotten to do a recon sweep of the planet itself? He hadn’t 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.

“Do you care to comment so I can hear, Sergeant?” Maddox asked.

“I do,” Riker said. “This 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. What’s going to screw with us on Remus?”

Maddox considered that. The lack of a recon run—he turned to Keith. “Maybe you should wait with us on Remus until we’re finished.”

“If I stay on the planet too long,” Keith said, “the Lieutenant Commander will believe I’ve crashed, as I haven’t reported in when scheduled. She might start a rescue mission.”

“Right,” Maddox said. “Call them now. Tell them what we’re doing.”

“That I’m going to stay on Remus so you can make a quick getaway if needed?” Keith asked.

“Exactly,” Maddox said.

“I’m sending the message.” Keith manipulated his panel. Soon, he turned to Maddox. “The message is sent.

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