The Deep Black Space Opera Boxed Set by James David Victor

Author:James David Victor [Victor, James David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fairfield Publishing
Published: 2021-01-25T22:00:00+00:00

9

“What the hell just happened?” Hep’s voice came out as a yell though he had not intended it. “Where is the puddle jumper? Why isn’t Sig answering? Someone answer my damn questions!”

Akari cleared her throat, whether to muster the steel to speak or to alert Hep to his outburst, he wasn’t sure. “The comm channel is still open, Captain. He just isn’t responding.”

“That in no way makes me feel better, Officer Akari, thank you very much.” He paced around his chair, staring at the floor through his fingers. “Any sign of hostile ships? Was he attacked? Did he hit an asteroid? I want some answers. Launch a probe immediately. Get me eyes on Sig’s ship. And all hands to battle stations.”

The crew scurried about the bridge, prepping themselves and the ship for a fight. Hep was lost in his head. Running through scenarios, cursing himself for letting his XO and friend fly blind into the unknown. He stopped pacing as he stood behind his chair. He looked at it like a hiker crossing a feral dog in the wilderness.

“We are battle ready, sir,” Akari said.

Hep pressed the comm button on his collar with his thumb. “Where are we on the probe, Byrne?”

“Ready to launch in two minutes, Cap’. Getting it into position now. Just—” Her voice died.

“Byrne?” Panic pierced Hep’s chest, along with the sudden realization that everything was falling apart. “Byrne, what happened?”

“Look out the window.”

Hep leaped off the command platform and ran to the viewport at the front of the bridge. “What am I looking for? Anything on scans?”

“A small ship,” Akari answered. “Looks to be the puddle jumper, sir.”

“Looks to be? Is it or isn’t it?”

Akari squinted at her monitor. Hep couldn’t understand why it was such a difficult question to answer.

“It is.” Her answer lacked finality.

“What?” Hep probed.

“The energy signature is different. Same registration number. Same comm frequency. But it’s radiating something. Initial scans can’t determine the composition, but it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. Forwarding it to the lab. Perhaps the techs can break it down.”

“Start decontamination protocols in the shuttlebay,” Hep ordered. “Lock onto the puddle jumper and fire a tether. Reel him in.”

Hep broke into a full sprint as soon as he was off the bridge and didn’t stop until he reached the shuttlebay. He entered as the tether reeling in the puddle jumper neared its end. The yellow deck lights swirled, alerting all present to the opening of the bay doors. Once the small ship was inside, the doors closed again. The airlock stayed shut, sealing the little ship off from the rest of the Fair Wind as the decontamination protocols went into effect.

Everything appeared normal. The puddle jumper looked the same. It was wholly intact. No visible damage. But the vein in Hep’s neck pulsed as violently as if he were about to watch a friend pulled from a burning building.

“What’s the word?” he asked Byrne.

“Everything seems normal. Ship is running fine. All systems are operational. We just have to wait until decon is done before we can get the skinny from Sig.

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