“I’m on it, Commander,” Cass answered, pressing more commands on her screen.
Buster answered Tucker’s question as he searched for a way to break through the radio static, “When we are aligned to the station, the command center is located to dead center. The docking port can be hard sealed to the Salvage-5’s cargo ramp.”
“How’d you know that?”
“He’s right, Commander,” Cass confirmed, “top dead center to the mag-ring.”
“I studied the jump ring’s schematics during our trip. I memorized all the functions and exit ports to help facilitate the repair of the station.”
“Uh, well...okay. Captain, take us to the docking port.”
“Aye, Sir,” Sam snickered.
“What?”
“It’s just you didn’t want him along in the first place and it looks like he’s a valuable addition...”
Buster peeked at the captain. Sam glanced over too, “But then again, why are you listening to a spoiled adolescent? This is your command, Commander...ah, Sir... Tucker.”
“Don’t worry Sam. Cass and I won’t leave you two alone for too long.”
“Tucker!”
“What? You wanted him along, so you’ll have to watch him.”
Sam gave Tucker another sneer, “Fine!” She growled at Buster, “You just keep your hands where I can see them at all times!” then she turned back to her controls, “We’ll dock in five minutes.”
“I think I’ve found a way to break through our communication problems,” Buster smiled.
“Okay, so how do you intend to do that?”
“By reading the light signals emanating from the ring’s command center.”
“Light signals?”
“Yeah, right there. Someone is sending a Morse Code from there,” Buster pointed at the massive jump ring.
“Huh, well I’ll be damned,” Tucker said.
“You have to admit, ” Cass smirked.
“Fine...fine! I would have never believed it, but this kid is pulling his weight.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
“Now just tell us what’s being said?”
“The message is three short, three long, and three short again. That’s the international signal for S.O.S.”
“Who’s over there?”
“The message is signed: Samuels...yep, that’s it, and he’s repeating the S.O.S again.”
“Cass, can you answer him?”
“Yeah, I’ll get our spot aimed...there. How do you want to respond?”
“Acknowledge we read him and are on our way in.”
“Got it,” Cass acknowledged. Using the computer to program the antique code, she flashed the light at the station, and then Buster noted the reply that he’s ready to receive.
Sam maneuvered Salvage-5 to the top side of the ring and lined the lower cargo bay parallel to the hard seal of the station.
“We’re directly over the ring hatch...10 meters and holding.”
“Give us a 10 second, Z minus 10 meters drop,” Tucker ordered
“Aye, Sir...10 meters at one meter per second... ... ...and in...3...2...1...skids down, mag-locks activated.”
“Spool down ship’s engines, but keep ‘em hot. Activate the hard seal.”
“Going low rider mode...hard seal established...engines are online and idle.”
“Cass, you’re with me. Let’s open the airlock. We shouldn’t be too long.”
“Hey, that’s what you said the last time, remember?” Sam cautioned.
“Right...you’re very right. I’ll try not to jinx it.”
Cass floated down the causeway to the rear cargo bay, followed by Tucker. He turned and closed the hatch, “Sam. You read me on this wireless?”
“Loud and clear, Commander.”
“Seal the hatch. We’re going down inside the ring.”
“See ya soon, Tucker...I’ll leave the channel open.”
“Good idea, Captain.”
Tucker helped Cassie with her helmet and locked it into place. She hit the valve, sealing her suit. Tucker donned his helmet and joined Cassie on the wireless, “Let’s open er’ up.”
“Venting environmental,” Cass reported as she pressed the computer code next to the hatch.
“We have zero environmentals in the airlock,” Tucker said, grabbing the lock ring. He gave it a few turns with Cassie. Then he pulled the lid open, exposing the ring’s airlock.
Cassie lowered herself head first down inside the mag-ring’s airlock. Tucker followed, also head first. He turned in the weightlessness, reached up and grabbed the hatch cover, pulling it closed and sealing them inside the ring’s airlock.
The ring’s airlock environmental controls flooded the compartment with air. The door made a loud clank as the locking bolts retracted and the inner hatch opened.
They were met with a floating and wide eyed Sergeant Samuels, who was frantically motioning with his arms to get their helmets off.
Tucker pulled his vent on his, to equalize the pressure between his suit and the station, then grabbed it and gave is a turn and lifted it off.
“Quit messin’ around Commander, we have a situation on our hands!”
“Geez, Sergeant! Nice to see you too...oh, thanks, Tucker for coming to rescue my damn ass,” Tucker mocked.
Cassie finished removing her helmet, “What’s going on, Samuels? What happened to the CSMO?”
“Well, Sir...”
“Yeah, yeah...I know it’s a long story...”
“Commander, please,” Samuels said with genuine concern.
“Hey, hey...take it easy, Sarge.”
“Three days ago, we were visited by a military frigate. Hargrove took the CSMO to Asteroid 10 Hygiea until they passed.”
“So why didn’t you go with them?”
“That’s the long story...what’s important is the fact that Hargrove launched eight mines as they left the sector.”
“What’s so odd about that?” Cass asked.
“Because that, my dear, is not standard military protocol,” Tucker said.
“...and that’s why I smell something fishy,” Samuels added. “I monitored their departure and they initially were headed to 10 Hygiea, but they changed course a minute later. With this limited equipment on board the station, I couldn’t get a good fix on where they were going.”
“Let me guess what happened next. The frigate ran into a couple of those mines out there?”
“Yep, someone didn’t want that frigate to pursue, but the bad thing is they disappeared from my scanners shortly after I was hit with the shock wave...let me tell ya...you don’t want to be unsecured when that hits...I’m pretty bruised up from that pounding.”
“Well, there wasn’t much debris out there large enough for another ship...so I don’t think they were destroyed,” Cass surmised.
“My guess is they’re hiding behind Mathilde out there.”
“I think you’re right, Tuck. Look, they’re not friendlies...they’re Russian, call sign Falcon. “
“You ever see them before?” Cass asked.
“During our little lay over here? No. But I do know of the captain of the Falcon. Ruthless as can be.”
“I’ll bet they’re the ones we missed at 15 Eunomia,” Tuck nodded.
“I’d place my money on it.”
“I think I remember a small tidbit that I nearly missed at one of our mission briefings,” Cass said, “I was late getting there, but they were talking about Russian intelligence and searching for the source of that Alien complex we destroyed.”
“Why are they still out here, then?”
“They’re still looking...”
“Looking for what?”
“Looking for another signal, I’m thinking” Samuels nervously added.
“No...no, tell me that’s not it...can’t be...there’s no way...DAMN...that’s it, isn’t it?”
“...and in the meantime, they’re raiding CSMO’s along the way.”
“...an
d,” Tucker said, with a finger in the air.
“...and, Hargrove isn’t in command of the CSMO,” Cass finished.
“Hey, that was supposed to be my line,” Tucker protested, “...and how’d you know that?”
“If you add everything up, it doesn’t make sense that Hargrove would know who they were, and it’s not military protocol...”
“Especially when you don’t know who’s knocking at the door,” Tucker felt necessary to reiterate.
“Can you send a signal to Earth Command from here?”
“Nope, sorry Tuck. This station only has emergency equipment. No long-range relay. Only your ship and the CSMO.”
“Okay then...assuming that they have a three day head start and their maximum speed on those CSMO’s are 45,000 KPH, without a jump ring; where could they have gone?”
“We’ll have to use your ship’s computers...”
“Yeah, yeah...I know, the station’s limited...I think our new wiz-kid can tell us fairly quickly where they might have gone.”
“What kid would that be?” Samuels asked, with hesitation.
“Oh, the wiz-kid...right, that would be Lieutenant Clark,” Tucker mused.
“Yeah, good ol’ Lieutenant Clark,” Cass smirked.
“Who’s this Clark kid?”
“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough,” Cass smiled.
“I don’t know if I like the sound of this.”
“Come on, Sarge, it’ll be a blast.”
“Alright then,” Samuels motioned, “Let’s get over to the ship.”
A few minutes later, Samuels sealed the lower airlock and broke connection to the hard seal, “We’re all buttoned up back here, Sam.”
“Sergeant Samuels! It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Nice to hear a familiar voice on this end too, Sam,” he answered through his wireless.
“Pressurizing the cabin now,” Sam announced, “the hatch is unlocked, you can move forward.”
“Why thank you Captain. Please have Lieutenant Clark meet us in the galley,” Tucker ordered.
“Lieutenant Clark, Sir?”
“Yes, Captain...what part of Lieutenant Clark do you not understand: the Lieutenant or the Clark?”
“Quite frankly, Sir?”
“Yes?” Tucker asked, passing through the hatch seal to the open galley area.
“Both, Sir.”
“What?” Tucker mused.
“You know...you never...”
“What?!
“...use his full title.”
“Oh, that!” Tucker smiled as Buster made his way down from the pilot command deck, “Wow!”
Samuels looked at Buster, who he presumed to be the wiz-kid, and then over at Tucker, “You gotta be kiddin me?” Samuels said, putting one hand up to his forehead, and then slowly shook his head, “...and you wipe that smirk off your face, damn it!”
“I’m not smirking,” Buster answered.
“I wasn’t referring to you. Lieutenant Clark I presume?”
“Oh, sorry, sir...ah...Sergeant...” Buster said, remembering his rank.
“Man...I’d give anything to click a picture of your face right about now, Sarge...Priceless,” Tucker laughed.
“Samuels...Sergeant Samuels.”
“Pleased to meet you, Sergeant,” then he saluted Tucker, “Lieutenant Clark reporting as ordered, Sir. Would you like me to give you a complete report on my findings in this sector now sir, or would you like me to give it you later? Either way is fine with me, Sir...I’m ready to do it now, I would be more than happy to...or I can wait.”
“Ambitious kid isn’t he,” Samuels smiled toward Tucker. “Bet’s he’s been a load of laughs.”
“Yeah,” Tucker chuckled, “you could say that.”
“Hey!” Buster protested, “How about you quit talking about me like I’m not here, already!”
“...and he says what’s on his mind,” Tucker said.
“Sounds a lot like someone else I know,” Samuels said, clearing his throat.
“Right...so...Buster, tell me. Have you been able to break through the radiation from the EM bursts from these mines?”
“I’m working on it, Sir. It’s really not a very simple problem...”
Sam poked her head down from the command deck, “Well you’d better figure it out soon, Buster.”
“Hey now...when did it become alright to use my name in a derogatory manor around here, anyway?”
“Derogatory? Huh? Oh gawd! Really Buster? You think that? I just used your name, sorry...”
“Oh...heh, heh, I guess you wouldn’t.”
“Captain, you came down here to tell us something? What’s going on?”
“We’ve got a bogie.”
“Give me location and how many?” Tucker asked, jumping into action.
“I think it’s the frigate, they’re on an intercept course for the jump ring.”
“Captain, get us off this thing...standard operations.”
“Aye, Sir! Standard OPS! I’m on it,” Sam acknowledged, ducking back up the hatch.
“Sarge, I want you on weapons and defensive systems...Cass, work with Buster here to determine the course of the CSMO.
* * *
Chapter 7
Salvage-5
Location:
Kuiper Belt - Asteroid 253 Mathilde
Earth Date: 04/13/2065 08:49
Mission Objectives:
DELIVER PARTS & SUPPLIES
FACILITATE REPAIR
CORRECT ASTEROID 253 MATHILDE
TEST JUMP-GATE
“In 3... 2... 1... skids up!” Sam confirmed the clunk that signaled the landing skids had locked into their upright position.
The ship’s engines vibrated the hull. The nose lifted off the station as Sam applied the thrusters. Tucker, Samuels, Cassie, and Buster buckled down in the safety of their seat harnesses.
“Rail guns and missiles are on-line, Sir!” Samuels reported, “Targeting the frigate ...target locked...weapons and countermeasures ready and standing by.”
“Cass, can you confirm the ship’s transponder?”
“It’s hard with all the static still lingering, almost have it now.”
“Buster, the CSMO’s maximum speed is 45,000 KPH. I need you to track the ion trail and extrapolate a heading...where do you think they went?”
“You’re putting a lot of trust on your wiz-kid, Tucker,” Samuels cautioned.
“Relax, Sarge. He’s got a doctorate in astrophysics.”
“He’s got a what? He’s just a kid!”
“I’m sixteen, Sirs.”
“Lieutenant,” Samuels began correcting, “You don’t need to refer to me as sir, you’re an officer...I’m the NCO...okay?”
“Yes, sir...I mean, Sergeant.”
“Samuels or Sarge is fine, son.”
“Okay...”
“Oh, right...sorry, Commander.” Buster turned back to his computer console and continued working on the problem.
“Do you need me to do anything, Lieutenant?” Cass asked, “Tucker did ask us to work together.”
“No, that’s okay, Captain...I’ve got this.”
“Okay, Colonel, I’ve got their transponder confirmed...it’s the Falcon alright.”
“Good work. Samuels, you say you know the Captain?”
“I don’t know him. I know of him.”
“Any insight on his tactics? That’d be most helpful...Sarge. Cass? What’s their current speed and ETA?”
“I know that he won’t back down from a fight and he’s more likely to attack if cornered.”
“Sam, I want a wide circular pattern, maybe fifteen degrees around his ship...keep his mid-section off our beam.”
“Aye, Sir. Making the course corrections now.”
“The Falcon distance is currently 20,000 kilometers...speed: 60,000 KPH.”
“That means they’ve made us, Commander,” Samuels announced. “That’s their flank speed; he wants you.”
�
�We’ve got twenty minutes unless we get moving... Buster, a heading... please?”
“I’ve come up with two locations they could have picked, Commander. I’m sending the coordinates now.”
“I’ve tried all communication frequencies. We just can’t cut through this distortion,” Cass nervously said.
“Okay, Lieutenant, quickly explain to me why 52 Europa or 10 Hygiea?”
“Those are the closest two C-Type asteroids. In other words, they can resupply their air, fuel, and water. They’re close to each other, only about a day and a half apart, and they’re both within three days of this position.”
“I know, Hargrove said he was taking them to 10 Hygiea over the wireless. That was their last communique,” Samuels offered.
“That means that Kurtis is taking them to 52 Europa,” Buster deduced. “And the fact that Europa was named after one of Zeus’s conquests...that’s a rather obvious Freudian slip.”
“Freudian slip, Buster?”
“Yeah, he seems to be proud that he conquered the CSMO.”
“Apparent take over...we don’t really know that for sure just yet,” Tucker lifted his index finger into the air, “But, I do think you’re right on 52 Europa.”
“I’ll place bets that Mr. Kurtis will be on the overconfident side.”
“Sarge, I think he’s that, and likely cockier than ever. Sam, set course for 10 Hygiea, but don’t engage yet.”
“10 Hygiea...I just thought you said they went to 52 Europa?”
“Yes, I did but... we don’t want to divulge all our Intel with these Russians now do we? That course will be the last entry in your flight computer. I need to prove we were planning on going there.”
“I’m beginning to see your plan unfold, Commander,” Samuels smiled.
“Course is calculating to 10 Hygiea, Sir. Awaiting orders.”
“Well, it’s really the only thing left to do...they will catch us, our maximum speed is 52,000. Cass? Can you get any kind of message through this at all?”
“The interference is beginning to dissipate, but it might be a few more hours before we have full audio.”
Salvage-5: The Next Mission (First Contact) Page 7