Burnt Worlds by S.J. Madill Read Free Book Online

ever created by humans.”
    Dillon nodded.   “Yeah.   Larger than the Washington dockyards, or the entire Mumbai spaceport.   Nearly ruined their economy to build it, and they had originally planned to build two.”
    “It is folly, Captain.   But the engineering involved is quite interesting.”
    “Apparently they couldn’t get the second ship’s power plant delivered.   And costs were out of control, so they cancelled it.”
    Saparun shook his head.   “The Dosh have no ships nearly that big.   I do not think the Palani do either.”   He paused.   “Humans are strange sometimes, Captain. I do not understand many things you do.”
    “Yeah.   And we don't understand the Dosh either,” said Dillon, trying to sound as casual as he could.   “I’m scheduled to take the xeno relations course this summer.   August, I think.   They’re going to teach me how to get along with Dosh and all the other races.   Apparently I have to take classes so I won’t piss everyone off.”   He peeked out of the corner of his eye, and could see that Sap had a hint of a grin.
    “I think you will do very well,” said the red-and-yellow-skinned alien.   “I am uncertain what they would be able to teach you.   You already know a lot.”
    Dillon nodded.   “Thank you.   I was thinking the same thing.”   He took a breath.   “For instance, right now I’m pretty sure that there’s something bugging you.”   He saw the grin disappear, as the green eyes looked downward.   “Sap,” he continued, “it’s going to be a hell of a long trip home if everyone keeps bottled up all the time.”
    The Dosh’s catlike eyes glanced sideways at him.   “Are you speaking as Captain, or chaplain?”   It was carefully spoken.
    He looked the Mechanic in the eye.   “Whatever you need, Sap.   Captain, chaplain, or friend.”
    The eyes blinked and looked away.   With a heavy sigh, Saparun leaned back beside Dillon, his head coming to rest on the bulkhead.   The Captain watched him, saying nothing.   When the Dosh spoke, his voice was deeper, quieter.   “I could use all of them.”
    “Okay,” the Captain said gently.   “What’s on your mind?”
    “Something I wish to discuss, though I hesitate.   I am concerned about something.   I believe you should know about it.   But it is… unprofessional.”
    Dillon glanced outside, checking the location of the crew.   They were far enough away to be safely out of earshot, especially with the roar of water.   “If you think I should know, then I’ll listen.   Go on, Sap.”
    “Yes, Captain.”
    Patiently waiting for the Dosh to continue, Dillon looked at the wall opposite.   He heard the shuttle’s pilots laughing behind the cockpit door.   Some shared joke, no doubt at the Navy’s expense.   The Air Force types who crewed the Navy’s shuttles were a different breed.   Maybe not breed , he thought; that suggested a natural process of some sort.   More like a terrible genetic accident.   Some sort of chromosomal mishap that made people join the wrong branch of service.
    “Captain,” Sap began.   “I take my trade seriously.   The Dosh Guild of Mechanics has very strict codes of professional conduct.”
    Dillon nodded, but said nothing.
    “I have done extensive testing of the site of the destroyed jump drive.   Very extensive testing.”
    “You’ve been at it for days, Sap.   You’ve been thorough.”
    “Captain, I do not seek compliments.   The testing… there is no evidence of failure.   The jump drive had no reason to explode when it did.   The long jump had been successful.   It was powering down.   It did not fail.”
    Dillon wanted to blurt out his surprise, but managed not to.   He didn’t want to alarm anyone, least of all himself.   “Go on.”
    Saparun turned toward him.   “Captain, the hull of the engine room, and the jump drive… I do not believe they exploded.   I believe they were torn apart.”
    As this began