Ep.#3.4 - Not The Hill We Die On by Ryk Brown

Author:Ryk Brown [Brown, Ryk]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Frontiers Saga Publishing Inc
Published: 2022-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Despite its rapid deceleration, the Seiiki still shot out of the canyon like a rocket, streaking only ten meters over the tips of the tallest trees. Fortunately, the valley was devoid of human life.

“I’m not picking up anything on surface scans,” Jessica reported as she studied the sensor screen.

“We’ll be within scanning range of the far coast in five minutes,” Nathan said. “There’s got to be some homesteads there.”

“And if there aren’t?”

“Then we turn and follow the coastline until we find one.”

“What about that sensor dish?”

“We’re far enough away that the horizon will hide us as long as we stay somewhat low,” Nathan explained.

Jessica leaned forward, peering out the windows at the treetops passing close under them. “Somewhat low?”

“Relax. The AI won’t let us hit anything.”

“I’m not worried about the AI, I’m worried about you.”

“Be glad Josh isn’t here. He’d be hand flying it…lower and faster.”

“If Josh were here, I wouldn’t be worried at all. All that guy does is fly, day and night.”

Nathan shot her a look, feeling a little insulted. “I’m a pretty decent pilot myself, you know.”

“Oh, please, Nathan. You’re fine, but we both know you’re no Josh.”

“Now I’m really insulted.”

Jessica smiled. “You’re too easy.”

* * *

There was a snap in the air. A crispness that signaled winter would be early, as well as long and cold.

This was to be expected. Allen had a somewhat elongated orbit around its parent star. Every winter since Angus had arrived over a decade ago had been the same. Long and cold. He had heard that the orbit changed significantly with each of Allen’s abnormally long years, but it was believed to run in cycles, and that over the course of twenty or so years, it would return to the shorter winters that Angus had known during his first few years.

Angus didn’t mind the winter much. His home was well stocked and his reactor had a fresh core, so there would be no need to burn firewood this year. Of course, he still had plenty of wood chopped and stacked, just in case. To survive on Allen, one had to be prepared for every eventuality.

Like most worlds in the badlands, Allen had not been well surveyed prior to the arrival of its first settlers. Many had died during those first few years. All of them had perished because they had not been prepared. Not out of irresponsibility, but ignorance. That was why Angus had avoided homesteading on a younger world. Too many unknowns. He didn’t mind risk, as long as he knew it existed and could prepare.

His wife, on the other hand, did not care for the long Allen winters. Were it not for the wholly enclosed cold-weather suit he had bought for her, she would have left him years ago. Now, they all had the suits: he, his wife, and their two children, although the youngsters rarely used them. They liked the cold, and usually went outside in basic gear.

Fortunately, Allen had predictable weather patterns. Rain or snow, both only fell at night.

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