Frontiers Saga 10: Liberation by Ryk Brown Read Free Book Online Page A

then,” Nathan said.
    “Almost. The launch tubes are not completed. More specifically, there are no launch airlocks or acceleration rails yet installed.”
    “As long as we have working airlocks within the flight deck and we have pressurized areas to process spacecraft, we can conduct flight operations,” Major Prechitt pointed out. “It may not be as efficient, but it will work.”
    “It’s better than using a breach box to come and go,” Vladimir agreed.
    “Captain, these are all short-term solutions,” Cameron said. “I’m wondering if they are even worth the effort.”
    “What do you mean?” Nathan asked.
    “I think we should first be asking ourselves if the Celestia can be turned into an effective combat system. If the answer is yes, then these short-term solutions are a start. However, if the answer is no…”
    “She’s right,” Nathan agreed. He looked at Vladimir. “We need to know if the Celestia can be made ready to fight and, if so, how long it would take.”
    “Captain, I’ve barely even scratched the surface with my inspections,” Vladimir warned.
    “I understand that. Unfortunately, I need to make a decision sooner rather than later.”
    “In the OAP, with our fabricators, she could be completed within five to six months. That’s assuming we have unrestricted access to materials and skilled personnel.”
    “ And that the Jung leave us alone,” Jessica added.
    “Da,” Vladimir agreed, pointing at Jessica.
    Nathan cringed slightly, not liking the direction Vladimir was going.
    “On Metis, or even floating freely in space, it could take a year or more.”
    “But it can be done?” Nathan asked.
    “Yes, sir, it can,” Vladimir answered.
    “Captain, we have to assume it’s only a matter of time before Admiral Galiardi gives up the Celestia’s location,” Jessica insisted. “When he does, the Jung will probably come in force.”
    “We might be better off stripping what we can from the Celestia and clearing out of here,” Cameron suggested.
    “Any chance we can get propellant to her and get her moved?” Nathan wondered.
    “Moved to where?” Jessica asked.
    “Anywhere other than where the Admiral knows her to be,” Nathan said. “Another Jovian moon, an asteroid, one of Saturn’s moons… anyplace other than Metis. Even putting her on another cold-coast out into space would be better.”
    “We can move propellant to her,” Vladimir said. “We have several hundred meters of propellant transfer hose. Rigging up a system to transfer some of our propellant to the Celestia is easy, but it will take time to pump enough propellant over to be of value.”
    “How much time?” Nathan asked.
    “At least a couple days. However, during that time, we can be making the other repairs necessary to make her more space-worthy.”
    “Then we should get started,” Nathan insisted. “No matter where we move her, she’s going to need at least some propellant.”
    “There is a better way to secure the Celestia,” Vladimir said. “We could get her jump drive working.”
    “Is that even possible?” Nathan asked, not wanting to get his hopes up. He looked at Abby sitting at the far end of the table next to Lieutenant Commander Kovacic.
    “I have spoken with the technicians that were part of the Celestia’s jump drive installation team. The Celestia’s jump drive is similar to the Aurora’s. However, there are some variations in its design.”
    “Then it’s not based on your team’s research?” Nathan wondered.
    “Only in the sense that it was derived from the same research data that was found in the data ark. I suspect that Admiral Yamori was running two simultaneous yet isolated teams in the hopes that at least one of them would develop a viable prototype.”
    “How different are the two drives?” Vladimir asked.
    “They work in the same manner using very similar equipment. It appears that the Celestia’s drive may be designed to have a greater jump range per charge. My