Doom Omnibus by Dafydd Hugh & Dafydd Ab Hugh

Author:Dafydd, Hugh & Dafydd Ab Hugh
Format: epub

Hidalgo answered: “You remember the director gave us the access codes and teleportation coordinates for one of the Gates.” He smiled at Arlene and me. “You heroes need to work out among yourselves our best route to the right Gate once we land. Command-er Taylor will get us as close to it as is humanly possible.”

For a brief second I thought he was being sarcastic when he called us heroes. Arlene and I could be telepathic at times like this. The same thought flick-ered in her eyes. The next second the feeling passed—for me, at least. Hidalgo had spoken straight from the heart.

“You men,” he said, and Arlene warmed up at that, “are the valuable cargo on the Bova.” Same as the way we treated Jill as a case for special handling on the road to Los Angeles. “When we hit Phobos, I’ll need the best intelligence you can provide.” “Conditions may have changed,” said Arlene.

“Yes. Or they might be the same as when you left. Whatever they are, you two are better acquainted with the situation than any other humans alive.” I was glad that Arlene was participating in this discussion. “When you came over, we were discussing whether there’d still be air on the different levels.” “We’ll wear space suits regardless,” said Hidalgo. “If everything goes according to plan, we have no idea what’s waiting for us on the other side.” “It’s a mission of faith,” Albert pointed out, and no one disagreed. “We must assume those on the other side will have the means to keep us alive. We can only pack so many hours of air. If we find ourselves under pressure we could save some of our own air for what’s on the other side of the Gate.”

“We’ll be under pressure even if there’s air,” Arlene joked, reminding us about the doom demons. “Maybe not,” said Albert. “The devils may have abandoned Phobos Base.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, Albert,” I said. “I’m surprised Arlene didn’t remind you of what we dis-covered about the Gates. No matter what you take with you, you wind up naked on the other side. So you’re dead right about having faith in the aliens on the other side.”

“True,” said Arlene. “That’s been our experience. But we’d feel foolish if we didn’t prepare and then found out for the first time that a Gate trip doesn’t mean a strip tease.” My buddy had a point. “We’ve been lucky up until now,” said Hidalgo. “We know the enemy has ships going back and forth between Phobos and Earth. The Bova uses a TACAN system, beaming out a signal showing them the bear-ing and distance of the ship. We may be the low-budget special, energy-wise, but we’re not flying blind.”

I hate flying blind.

“Are they using Deimos for anything?” asked Ar-lene.

“Not so far as the director and his team have found out. You two did such a good job of wrecking it that they may have given up on it.”

“Outstanding,” said Albert. ‘Course he was looking at Arlene instead of me.

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