Forward Crisis by Daniel Gibbs & Steve Rzasa

Author:Daniel Gibbs & Steve Rzasa [Gibbs, Daniel & Rzasa, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-03T00:00:00+00:00

13

Natara Amir shifted in her flight couch. The cockpit of her Chimera was arranged to offer minimal comfort, given the propensity for the stealth fighter to be deployed on long-range missions that sometimes involved jumping from star system to star system. But it was no cocktail lounge sofa either.

When this is over, I’ll be happy to go on a run with Jerome. The pair had been out for a couple of jogs through the station, including the length of C-One and many laps around Public Garden Three. Dr. Pruitt had advised it as good therapy for Natara’s recovery from the bombing—though she suspected the doctor was putting forth her best effort to assist in the fledgling relationship.

Natara rubbed her bleary eyes. At least Jerome Hunsaker was away from the station, aboard the CSV Thomas S. Gates as it carried out its patrols, so he wasn’t in danger on the Arch.

“Things are shaping up, Major.” That was Captain Keating again.

She and Natara had been trading communications, serving as anchor points for the undamaged vessels as they lent assistance where they could.

“The Zavlots have deployed every space recovery ship they have, which are heading out-system to the crippled ships drifting the fastest. I know they’re not in danger of hitting anyone or anything, but we don’t want them to speed out of the Zan System and get stranded in the interstellar void.”

“A valid point, though I wish they would lend their engine thrust to the Arch reorientation.”

“From what I understand, the Zeivlots are bringing whatever ore haulers and gas tankers they can round up. Latest tac readout should be coming to you from my TAO any moment.”

So it was. Natara’s console alerted her to the incoming data. Six haulers and four tankers burned toward the station, but most of those were coming from the gas-giant planets and ice moons at the farthest edges of the Zan System. In the meantime, another dozen civilian craft were forming up with TCF 8777 and Raiju Squadron.

“One, this is Two,” Flinch said. “I received word from the CIC—no luck yet on getting thrusters repaired. And they have no way of telling if anyone is available to open docking bay doors down on either the CDF or civilian pylons.”

“Disappointing but understandable. If emergency bulkheads are still in place throughout the station, external doors and hatches will remain closed as well to guard against hull breaches and the accompanying loss of atmosphere.”

“I get it, ma’am, but it will make evacuation difficult.”

“We can do little to effect repairs aboard the Arch, Flinch, so I suggest we focus our efforts on getting the station back on course.” Natara toggled her comms. “Raiju One to 8777. Captain Keating, you may commence with the thrust maneuvers. Arrange the available vessels precisely as our simulations show. Thrust should be applied for the exact intervals, but those vessels should ensure they retain enough fuel to get clear.”

“Confirmed, Raiju One. Don’t you worry, Major. I’ll herd these civvies into something resembling an orderly formation.”

Keating was true to her word.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.