Superdreadnought 6 by C H Gideon

Author:C H Gideon [Gideon, C H]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642025651
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2019-11-02T22:00:00+00:00

The Gate drive opened a wormhole into the Jeranth system. The Reynolds arrived exactly where predicted. “Nice work, team,” Reynolds told them.

“No energy signatures,” Jiya reported. “The system appears to be uninhabited.”

“Taneral’s database said Jeranth Four is a post-inhabited world,” Ria said. “That sounds bad.”

“It could mean the sentient civilization migrated to the stars,” Maddox said. “Maybe it’s not a very nice place, and they left.” He turned to his console. “I see what appears to be the ruins of cities.” He whistled. “The whole place was inhabited at one point! It’s a carpet of dead buildings.”

“You aren’t making it sound any better,” Ria complained.

“And dead cities mean there’s no one to target,” Tactical muttered. “This trip is a drag.”

“Maybe we’ll find some Terubine raiders to shoot,” Asya comforted the personality. “We’re weapons-free when it comes to them, remember.”

“Better than nothing,” Tactical grumbled. “If they ever show up.”

“Shoot them with my authenticator ray first,” Geroux reminded Tactical. “To see if it works.”

Tactical groaned. “Shooting non-lethal ray guns? What am I, a preschooler?”

“Enough,” Reynolds said. “You have your orders, Tactical. Geroux, Jiya, Maddox, with me. Taneral, you too, if you wish. Comm, have Takal and Ka’nak meet us at the Pod.”

Taneral demurred. “I can’t help you find the polybdinum, and Jeranth Four is too cold for me.”

Do you mind if Rohan joins us? Jiya asked privately. He wants to join a landing party.

Is he any good on defense? Reynolds asked. I’m not putting my people at risk so your booty call can visit the planet.

Jiya growled. If “booty call” means what I think, you’ll pay for that, Reynolds! I wouldn’t recommend him if he weren’t competent. I checked his records.

“Comm,” Reynolds said. “Have a couple maintenance crew meet us at the Pod. Takal might need some help if this civilization was advanced.” He glanced at Jiya. “Get that Rohan fellow. He seemed to have a level head.”

“Yes, sir,” Comm replied. “And he’s cute, too. Or so I’ve heard. If you’re into Larian males.”

Jiya’s normally red face flushed even redder.

“Sometimes, it’s like herding cats,” Reynolds said. “Or children. If I’d wanted to be a father, I’d have adopted.”

“You kind of did adopt us,” Jiya said, following the AI off the bridge. “And with your vast experience, you shouldn’t be surprised you have to share your guidance. You might want to work on the fatherly tone of voice, though.”

Reynolds ignored her.

Takal, Ka’nak, Rohan, and another maintenance worker named Petro met them at the Pod. The team strapped in, and as L’Eliana flew them to the surface, Maddox briefed them.

“Based on the scans, this planet was inhabited by a highly technological civilization. We don’t know why they left, or if they intended to come back, so we need to use extreme caution. Expect booby traps. Based on my experience of the universe, people don’t leave their stuff unprotected.

“We’re looking for a material called polybdinum. It’s not a naturally occurring element, but the scientists on Serifity said their ships’ scans of Jeranth, many years ago, indicated a cache of it here.

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