The Lost Starship (Lost Starship Series Book 1) by Vaughn Heppner

Author:Vaughn Heppner
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2014-08-26T12:00:00+00:00

-25-

Captain Maddox sat down in the control room. Fatigue made his eyelids heavy. For the last few days, he’d been berating himself for failing to see the ploy with the hidden mine. Looking back, it was obvious why the enemy had been near the Class 3 Laumer-Point.

Well, he couldn’t help that now. In this new star system, they limped toward the next Laumer-Point, hoping to leave before the destroyer arrived by means of working its way through other jump routes. Had the enemy made it through the unstable point? Saint Petersburg’s destruction would be a great stroke of luck.

We could use some of that about now. He would have shaken his head, but Lieutenant Noonan might notice. She piloted the scout. Ensign Maker slept, while Riker guarded Meta as she continued to effect repairs to the engine and propulsion systems.

Maddox knew the importance of appearing confident. Never let them see you sweat. That intimidated opponents and bolstered allies. Right about now, his crew needed all the encouragement they could get.

Lieutenant Noonan took that moment to swivel around and clear her throat. Her intentness alerted Maddox.

“Captain, do I have permission to speak off the record?” she asked.

“Please,” he said.

“Sir…I’m not sure how to say this.”

He waited, feeling as if it might be better if she didn’t.

“Just how serious are Doctor Rich’s injuries?” Valerie asked.

“She’s recovering,” answered Maddox.

While watching him closely, Valerie asked, “Do you believe she’ll come out of the coma?”

“The robo-doctor gives that a high percentage.”

Valerie licked her lips. “Sir…did you drug her?”

“Of course not,” Maddox said.

Valerie brightened for just a moment. Then obvious suspicion furrowed her brow. “The robo-doctor administered the dosages, isn’t that what you mean?”

He didn’t squirm. That wouldn’t do. Instead, he nodded.

“Dana Rich is in an induced coma, isn’t she, sir?”

“No,” Maddox said.

“No?”

He came to a swift decision. “Lieutenant, speaking precisely, she isn’t in a coma at all. By your questions and manner, I suspect you realize I decided to…inhibit her consciousness for a time.”

“Because she’s too dangerous awake?” Valerie asked.

“I agree Dana Rich is dangerous, but that wasn’t the totality of my reasoning.”

“You’re trying to win Meta over to our quest, aren’t you, sir?”

The lieutenant’s perception surprised Maddox. She had guessed that with hardly any clues to work on. He nodded as an answer.

“Your methods are devious, sir.”

“I suppose one could make that argument,” he said.

“That isn’t the way to convince someone we’re trustable.”

“You’re correct,” Maddox said.

“But…” Valerie said. “You’re going to suggest that our mission means we must do whatever is necessary to achieve our goal.”

Maddox waited. There were times when it was wiser to let a person argue a point with herself. The lieutenant knew what would convince her better than he did.

“I can’t say I approve, sir.”

“If it’s any consolation,” he said, “neither do I.”

“I find that hard to believe,” Valerie said.

“Lieutenant, it’s a given that you and I will never do anything more important with our lives than to complete this mission. Without the sentinel, do you think Star Watch can

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