Jaunts of the Mantis by Jim Henderson

Author:Jim Henderson [Henderson, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-03T22:00:00+00:00

Jaunt 3: Mis-Jump

They spent the jump in relaxation and/or boredom. Ximon took some refresher classes on navigation procedures, spent time with Raiza, and generally checked on Mantis. Among other things, he taught Raiza some more rudiments of shooting. She’d never be a good shot because her brain just wasn’t engineered for that, but she could hold the gun properly, discharge shots consistently at a nearby target, and reload. You never knew when that might come in handy.

The rest of the crew got along well. There were no arguments and Elsbeth was never too visibly drunk and didn’t complain of nightmares. Iday was his quiet, studious self.

… and then all hell broke loose.

Mantis came out of jump suddenly and with a jarring lurch almost 2 hours earlier than planned. Ximon was knocked off his feet at the sudden and unexpected change in momentum. He got up yelling as he sprinted to the bridge, “Mantis, what the hell? Iday, to the bridge and PRAY! Elsbeth, what the holy hell?”

As he ran, Mantis said, “Captain, I’m checking our stellar position, but initial indications suggest that we have not exited jump at the intended destination. There are no immediate navigational dangers.”

Ximon dove into his seat and started scanning the area.

Ximon yelled at Iday as he sat down, “Navigational Fixes, now!”

They were relatively clear space, with a planet at about 15M km and a Red Dwarf star at 150M km. So they were a fair ways out in whatever system they were in.

Ximon started longer range scans and said, “OK, Iday, where are we?”

Iday somewhat sheepishly said, “Well we’re definitely NOT in the intended system, I’m still working on the final fix.”

Ximon, “Mantis, what do you show?”

Mantis said, “I concur that we’re not in the Chater system. My 2-star fix indicates a 95% probability of the Cruna Sigma system. Verifying 3-star fix now.”

Iday interjected, “I’m showing Cruna so far as well. Still working.”

Ximon took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. Then he said, “Elsbeth, what’s going on down there?”

“Ximon, I’m checking. I’ll let you know when I find something.”

Mantis then said, “Captain, my 3-star fix confirms Cruna Sigma with 98% probability.”

Iday just nodded

Ximon said, “OK, then Mantis, tell us about the Cruna Sigma system.”

Mantis read off the details. The Cruna Sigma System is 48.7 light years from the intended Chater system and approximately 30.6 light years coreward of Tixaya. Cruna Sigma is a Red Dwarf star. The system contains 4 planets and 8 dwarf planets. It contains no known permanent human settlements.”

Ximon, “… and the planets? How bad are we screwed?”

Mantis said, “Captain, I do not understand the reference to screwed. Does this refer to sexual activity or mechanical construction?”

Ximon, “Just tell me about the planets.”

Mantis reported, “Sigma 1 is a dense planet. 0.2 AU, 4500 km diameter, no moons frequently afflicted by flares in the solar corona. Sigma 2 is larger, rocky planet with an iron core and a trace atmosphere, 0.4 AU, 9000 km diameter, 2 moons. Sigma 3 is larger planet, rocky core, and a moderately dense, toxic atmosphere, 0.

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