by Neely Dobbs
CHAPTER 10: Alliance
There was a tentative knock on the door of Vick Agriel's quarters.
“Come in.”
Yeoman Sindra Kaylin entered carrying a tray of food. Vick realized he had eaten little since the start of this crisis. She sat the tray down in front of him.
“What’s our situation?”
“Not good.” He looked up at her. More than ever, he appreciated how pleasant she was to look at. Her pale violet eyes and short lavender hair accentuated her indigo skin, high cheekbones and long earlobes. Her svelte curves moved in sympathy with her walk. She was several inches shorter than the average Khyltian, which reminded him that “treasures often come in tiny wrappings.”
With a start, Vick became aware of her questioning smile and realized he had been lost in appreciating her dusky beauty. Breaking the awkward silence, he said, “Mathlen Center is still working on our exact flight path, but the Wasp will collide with Kepren unless we can regain control of our position rockets soon— well, in just under three days. Failing that, it appears that the AIDDs on Kepren can neither destroy this vessel nor permit it to be destroyed.”
Sindra paled, but immediately focused on possible solutions. “What are our prospects of regaining the bridge?”
Vick absently scratched at the burgundy stubble on his dark chin. “We’re trying to get the doors open. Alten is toying with the idea of going outside and re-entering through another hatch to access the bridge. Because of the spin, the odds of his success are only about forty-sixty…with Shallen getting the short end of the stick.”
“Will you order it?” Sindra asked softly.
He knew that Alten was very special to Sindra. Still, the question irritated him.
“No!” Then, more quietly, “Sorry…well, only as a last resort. What makes it so hard is that the decision will have to be made in only a few days. After that, collision becomes unavoidable…unless the Wasp is blown up. If we reach that point, we will have to find a way to destroy the Wasp before it hits Kepren.” He looked stricken by his own words.
“Basic automatic override programs keep us from reaching the bridge! But if we cut all power and open the doors manually, we’ll have to start from scratch and our operational systems can’t be brought back on line in time!” He calmed himself and spoke with quiet authority. “At some point, Yeoman, I may have to do my best to destroy us all.”
“I understand, Sir. I know you’ll do everything possible and whatever is necessary.” Sindra sighed as she turned to leave, “Now, Vick, eat. It’s not your fault we’re in this situation, and you can’t think clearly on an empty stomach.”
“Or on a full one either, it seems,” he said sourly. He managed a grim smile, "We'll find a way... Uh, thanks for the grub, Sindra."
As he picked at the food, he noticed his hands shaking. I must be more tired than I thought. Of course— who wouldn’t be? But trembling hands? Shazz! In order to save Kepren, I may have to do my best to get us all killed. If I fail, it will only delay our deaths for a short time, but the Wasp still will wreak havoc on Kepren. And if Mathlen is destroyed…
How did we get caught in this gecking mess — and how do we get out of it?