Trinity by Dave Bara

Author:Dave Bara [Bara, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Military, Action & Adventure, General
ISBN: 9781982125660
Google: IOc2zgEACAAJ
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2021-10-05T04:00:00+00:00

13

Twelve hours later, after a full cycle of sleep and refreshment, Clement found himself back on the Beauregard’s bridge, staring intently at the input from the long-range radio telescope on the main wall display. All of the primary bridge crew were watching the image of the Earth Ark as it bore down on Alphus, the innermost habitable planet of the seven worlds that composed the Trinity system.

The tactical display showed the Ark as it decelerated into the gravity well of Alphus. If she was planning on making for Bellus to pursue the Beauregard, she would have to make her turn and accelerate by skipping off of Alphus’ atmosphere and then firing her main engines in a five-gravity burst to change course. If, however, she intended to stay on her original course to orbit Alphus and deploy her forces there, she would have to make a much smoother turn and continue to decelerate until she had established a steady orbit over the planet.

The bridge was tense and quiet. “Distance of the Ark ship to Alphus, Navigator,” Clement asked.

“One hundred fifty thousand kilometers and closing, sir. At this pace she’ll touch the atmosphere in twelve minutes, then she’ll pass behind the planet and out of our line of sight. After about four minutes she should reappear on the other side of the planet, then either keep to an elliptical orbit and continue decelerating, or fire her mains and accelerate toward us,” said Massif.

“How difficult a maneuver is this, Mika?” Clement asked of his pilot.

She shrugged. “I’ve never done it with anything remotely that size, sir, but my guess is they have a programmed autopilot carrying out the burn. They also have the gravity well of Alphus to help them, and although she’s not as massive as Bellus or Camus, if I was betting on it, I’d say they can pull it off.”

Clement nodded and turned to Yan. “Ship’s status?”

“Ready for anything, sir. Locked down and prepared for any order you give.”

“And if we have to go to ground?”

“We have a spot in the northern hemisphere at the convergence of three river valleys that we can set the Beauregard down on, about twelve klicks from the nearest of those settlements, sir.”

“Thank you, Yan,” he said, then turned his attention back to the display. The crew waited in silence, with Massif giving occasional updates. Finally, there was a glint of light as the Ark started her pass to the far side of Alphus.

“Atmospheric contact confirmed,” said Massif. “They’ll be out of viewing range for the next four minutes.”

Clement fidgeted in his couch, which he was finding increasingly uncomfortable as time went by.

“Is it raise or call?” said Yan absently.

Clement looked at her, surprised by the poker reference, then turned back to the screen. They’d know soon enough.

There was another flash of light as the Ark ship came around the far edge of Alphus right on schedule, then the screen lit up with a bright flash of light that temporarily blinded the screen sensors. There could be little doubt now as to their intent.

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