Firebrand Tours To The Galaxy Now Boarding. Kevin Colbran

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ is where it is supposed to be and put the kettle on, any takers?”

      “Yep, NATO with a sandwich,” Bill acknowledged with a brew order, “I have the con heading 010 Sol centre.”

      “Okay, coffee two sugars I will warm the other seat,” Tom accepted.

      “That’s two NATO since you are hanging around with service types best you learn the jargon,” Steve advised.

      “I will tie down the luggage and set the bunks; it is going to be a long trip if the lame jokes have started,” Kev stated.

      As they set about their assigned tasks it wasn’t long before cups in hand they were back observing the cosmos unfolding before them.

      “This Hyperdrive how does it work besides damn fine?” Kev asked.

      “It is a slight variation of my parallel universe doors where there is one which has very close star systems. The ship then travels at near light speed to your target system and then step out again nearby,” Steve paraphrased, “A mass bigger than 10 metres at 10 kilometres pops the bubble, and then you drop back to interplanetary drive to arrive at your destination.”

      “That’s a bit close if you are high C velocity?” Kev noted.

      “The shields would bounce you off unless you were square on, the chances of that are remote. Earth-size or bigger mass you bounce out at one AU, so even at light speed, you have roughly eight minutes to duck,” Steve calculated, “So we approach the exit on the brakes with hands on the controls. In Humph's case because he is faster than any computer he can cut the fudge factor to a minimum.”

      “So when do you expect to train up one of these Droman?” Kev asked only slightly reassured.

      “When we have the big ship, I nip over to Droma and ask if someone is interested,” Steve related, “According to Mike an adult may be curious or because there is a shortage of home territories you can offer a home for a meld of 21 juveniles making one adult Droman. Then you have the training task ahead not long because some are older than us.”

      “Oh something to work out in a corner when you have some spare time on your hands,” Kev said sceptically.

      “The bigger ship will have navigation computers which can’t fit in this one,” Steve assured, “Actually if you look in that cupboard you will see something familiar.”

      So with a wry face thinking that Steve was taking the Mickey went over and looked to find a dome-headed barrel with sensor and lens arrays. “Bugger me dead an R2 robot.”

      “Not even alive, that cute little beastie I have dubbed Gizmo, he doubles as a short-range nav computer as well as a repairman if the shuttle needs fixing,” Steve smiled, “Makes us a little standby but he is a useful crew member.”

      “He hasn't been steering?” Kev looked bemused as he was a pilot and not keen on autopilots.

      “No just monitors the ship serviceability, assess the navigation maths and sets the exit points. The drawback is that Gizmo is programmed not to endanger anyone, so is very cautious. You have to switch him out of the system when someone like Humph is steering, or he gets the conniptions and freaks out,” Steve explained, “For now it means he scans ahead and before we even approach one AU he pulls the switch and drops us out well clear. The early dropout gives us an extra few hours planetary cruising; safety first is the go.”

      That left Kev plenty to ponder about so when it was his turn to command he was quite happy to do so. The time estimate to drop out was running down on a small clock beside the control panel and still read in high twenty hours.

      Still, after a sleep time, the readout counted down to zero, and the stars returned to normal with a new system in view ahead only blurred in the middle where the filter cut the glare. This view would be for another day as they cruised in closer.

      As they did a light started blinking on the panel, Steve tapped the readout; it displayed that there was a distress beacon transmitting. “That’s odd; Humph reckoned no one visits here as there are no habitable planets nearby,” Steve mused, “Still we must investigate though with caution as it is apparently an old pirate trick to bring you close.”

      “Gizmo, would you plot a course to take us close to that beacon. Now we all don the suits with stunners at the hip, and we sidle up nervously until we can assess the situation,” Steve decreed, “The ship doesn't have the resources to do much, I suppose we can holler to Grnatz for help.”

      “If there are Bogies, be ready to stick your foot on the accelerator,” Kev agreed.

      "We slow down on our tail ready to apply full power if something is on the nose,” Steve assured him, “Normally that would be considered bad manners as the rocket flare can blister the paintwork. I will be speaking in Galbasic.”

      This plan was carried out, and they arrived within radio hailing distance, ready to run if required.

      In Galbasic, the distress frequency was used to call, “Occupants of distressed vessel this is Solterra Little Red do you copy over,” Steve announced and with no response, “Gizmo data screech.”

      This time, they received a return signal, “This is Rambling Gambler, require assistance, Hyper disabled.”

      “Gambler what can we do? We are limited as this is a small ship.” Steve replied then aside “Gizmo display specifications.”

      On the main screen appeared an outline with size, mass and power emissions, with side notes as to the origin and possible crew. “Gambler, Captain Firebrand in command, who are your crew?” Steve asked.

      “Captain Roos, Sucos and Ruckos race Goosos air oxygen-nitrogen 25 75,” Roos replied.

      “Wait out, I will confer with my crew,” Senior said then asked away from the radio, “What do you reckon, Gizmo race readout?”

      The screen lit up with a question sign and further data on ship origin regarding air specification which was consistent with a remote planet this with a flashing orange line reading caution 'that race is unreliable'.

      “That means take it steady,' Steve considered, “Gambler what help do you require, we have limited resources.”

      “Could you tow us to Sigma Epsilon there is a repair facility there,” Roos replied.

      “Gizmo do we have the capability and what do you know about the requested destination?” Steve asked away from the radio.

      The screen lit up with a YES for the ship's capability, and a red CAUTION for the indicated destination with a recommend for Grnatz, as being closer.

      Steve made a decision, “I don't have the capability, perhaps I should contact Grnatz for rescue.”

      “Negative Red, Oxzen are antagonistic to us, have weapons sighted will fire if a transmission or the drive detected,” Roos sent.

      “Gizmo do you detect radiation?” Steve asked the screen lit up POSITIVE, so he flicked two switches, twisted the controls and aimed a reticule centred on the offending ship, “Full shields, Fire sleep gun.” At the same time, a blaze of light flicked through the last position and continued; Steve had spun the shuttle out of range. The gun ran out of energy and faded to glow.

      “Asleep СКАЧАТЬ