Invincible by G.P. Hudson

Author:G.P. Hudson [G.P. Hudson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thavma Press
Published: 2023-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

“Final repairs should be completed this week, Sir,” Commander Johansen said. The XO stood before Captain Milburn, who sat at his desk, studying a star chart of the Kemmar side of the gate.

Milburn looked up from his display at Johansen. “Good. Seven months is far too long to be sitting here.”

“The repair work was extensive, and we needed to mine the resources first.”

It was true, but Milburn worried that his crew was becoming complacent in the relative safety of this system. Safety, of course, was an illusion. The Juttari could appear at any time. The Kemmar could discover the jump gate. Anything could happen.

Complacency was the great invisible enemy. “Yes, it’s a shame we have to dismantle our mining operations. They’ve proven extremely productive. But, it’s high time we strike out for the colonies again.”

“About that, Sir. Some of the crew have expressed concerns about traveling through Kemmar space.”

“It’s to be expected after our last attempt. As are the cobwebs.”

“Sir?”

“We’ve been sitting here too long, Commander. Cobwebs have set in. The crew will bounce back once we resume our mission.”

“That’s the thing, Sir. Many of the crewmembers have expressed a desire to stay.”

“Stay? Here? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Under the circumstances, many have come to believe this system is our best hope for the future,” Johansen said. “We haven’t seen a Juttari ship in years, after all.”

“That doesn’t mean we won’t.”

“No, Sir. It doesn’t. But why would we? There is no reason for the Juttari to come out this far. We’re two-hundred-and-fifty light years from Earth, and they don’t know this jump gate exists. Nor do the Kemmar. Of all the star systems we’ve encountered so far, this is the safest bet.”

“It sounds like you share this view, Commander.”

“I’m keeping an open mind. Permission to speak freely, Sir?”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m tired. So is the crew. In a few years, the new generation will start having babies of their own. This ship is not big enough to accommodate expanding generations. We could settle down here. This system has plenty of resources. We could establish a colony of our own.”

Milburn couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Establish a colony? Here? Are you joking, Commander? Have you even bothered to look around? This is an inhospitable star system. Not one world here is habitable, and we are hiding in an asteroid field. What kind of life would that be?”

“A better life than one on the run in an aging starship.”

“I see. I understand your son has recently become engaged to be married. Could this have something to do with your new perspective?

“I would be lying if I said it didn’t. But it has also helped me see things in a different light.”

“I understand. But, I think you’re missing the point. The colonies are only fifty light years away from the other side of that jump gate. There are Earth-like planets there. Cities. Humans. The last of our civilization. Are you saying you just want to give up on that, for the safety of some desolate rocks?”

“Only fifty light years,” Johansen said sarcastically.

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.