Frontiers 07 - The Expanse by Ryk Brown Read Free Book Online Page A

board, all of whom possessed considerably more scientific knowledge than she, Commander Taylor had offered Yosef the position of lead sensor operator. Since it had come with a promotion as well, Kaylah Yosef had accepted the new assignment, but only on the condition that she would be allowed to expand her scientific expertise under the tutelage of the Takarans during the journey back to Earth.
    “Right on target, sir,” Lieutenant Yosef reported, grinning widely as she turned toward Nathan. “You would not believe how close we came to the jump point.”
    “Try me, Lieutenant.”
    “Seven hundred thirty-eight meters, sir.”
    “You’re kidding.”
    “No, sir.”
    “You’re telling me that, after a nine light year jump, we came out only seven hundred meters off our target?”
    “Seven hundred thirty-eight.” She smiled.
    Nathan turned back to Abby. “Nicely done, Doctor.”
    “Thank you, sir, but I wouldn’t be too happy, not yet. It may not seem like a lot, but that is nearly a kilometer off target. If the error grows with distance, and if we had been jumping twenty-five light years, the error might have been considerably worse. We will have to become far more precise if we intend to significantly increase our jump range.”
    “How long until our next jump?” Nathan asked.
    “Just over nine hours to recharge the energy banks.”
    “Very well. Helm, put us on course and speed for the next jump, and steady as she goes.”

    * * *

    Major Prechitt slowed his stride slightly as he exited the service line in the mess hall. He scanned the room looking for a place to sit. Unlike the Takaran warships on which he had served as a young man, the Aurora did not have separate dining facilities for officers and enlisted personnel. The major liked the mixed arrangement, although there was naturally still some degree of separation within the mess hall itself.
    After a moment, he spotted one of the Takaran scientists sitting in a corner alone. Understandably so, the dozen scientists and technical specialists on loan from Takara had found themselves more segregated than most. For the most part, they dined together in groups of four or more and usually at the very same table where the lone Takaran currently sat. The major wondered what it must be like for the Takarans, serving aboard a ship full of people who, until recently, had been subjugated by their former empire.
    Of course, the Takarans currently aboard the ship were not of noble houses. They were commoners—well educated and well trained commoners, to be sure, and probably of at least moderate socioeconomic status on their worlds, all of them except their leader, Lieutenant Montgomery, the lone diner.
    Major Prechitt found himself standing at the lone Takaran man’s table, looking down at him. He could feel the eyes of the other Corinairans in the mess hall, all watching him to see what he would do. “Lieutenant Montgomery, isn’t it?”
    The lieutenant looked up from the data pad that he had been studying while dining, a look of surprise on his face. “Uh, yes,” he mumbled. He instantly noticed the rank insignia on the major’s uniform. “Yes, sir,” he said more clearly, standing in respect.
    “As you were, Lieutenant,” Major Prechitt told him. “May I join you?”
    “Uh, yes, of course, sir.” The lieutenant looked even more confused. “Why?” he added in a more hushed tone.
    “I figured I’d set an example for the rest of the men,” Major Prechitt said, “give them something to think about.”
    “I appreciate the thought, sir, but it is not necessary. I understand how they feel about us, and I do not blame them. I would feel similar were our roles reversed.”
    “That is exactly why it is necessary, Lieutenant,” the major said as he sat. “It will take some time for the animosity between our worlds to subside. Better that the process is started sooner rather than later. We Corinairans must realize that it was the regime that was our enemy,