Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair by Marcus Johnson Read Free Book Online Page A

inform you of the situation,” Brian explained. He
motioned for Jesela to put their location on the monitor.
    “That’s
impossible,” Celi said with shock on her face.
    Meldi
had the same look on her face. “Are we really?” she asked.
    “Yes,”
Brian said. “We’ve been stranded far away from Confederation territory. In
addition, the main gravity drive is down. And to make matters worse we’re the
only officers remaining onboard.”
    “Seles,”
Meldi said. “Are you saying I’m in charge of the Raknas?”
    “Yes,”
Brian answered. “As of now ensign Meldi, I’m granting you a field promotion to
lieutenant.”
    Meldi
looked quite nervous as she saluted. “Yes commander,” she.
    “So,
the worst case scenario has happened,” Celi said. “How are we going to get
home?”
    “Without
the main drive it will take us several hundred thousand years to reach
Confederation space,” Jesela said while smiling sarcastically.
    “Alright
Jesela, tell us the real timeline,” Celi said.
    “Of
course,” Jesela said. She called up a number of models on the monitor. “If we tap
the Mjolnir’s gravity drive it’ll take us about two years to reach
Confederation space, barring any interference from the Greys. If we can find
some Aldenite along the way we can recharge the main drive’s particles, thus
shortening the amount of time to get home. Using that method it would take us a
minimum of six months to reach Confederation space.”
    “Six
months to two years,” Meldi said.
    “Given
that we’ll be away from any known allied vessels for a very long time, I think
it’s proper to inform the crew myself,” Brian said. “I want to explain to each
one of them the situation. There are a hundred and twenty two crew members
still onboard. I want to make sure everyone’s ready for this long journey.”
    “According
to the command structure Valis put in place, Brian will act as the captain,”
Zae explained. “I’ll act as his first officer with Celi acting as the second
officer. Meldi, you’ll need to choose at least one other pilot to act as your
second. She’ll receive the same rank as you.”
    “Myli,”
Meldi answered. “She’s the only remaining squad leader.”
    Zae
motioned to continue. “Also, because we’re down to sixty percent of the full
crew, each crew member’s shift will be changed to eight standard hours rather
than six. This means we’re using the three shift system instead of the usual
four. As of now our food and water stores are at half stock, which means we
have another six months of supplies left. Until we can find an alternative food
and water source we’ll have to cut back to half rations. Brian’s also suggested
that we conserve power by shutting down all unoccupied crew quarters, as well
as for all remaining crew to pair together and share quarters.”
    Baed
raised her hand. “What if we’re already in pairs?”
    Zae
smiled. “Maybe I should have been a bit clearer. Junior officers will bunk in
quartets and trios where possible, all senior officers will share their
quarters with one other. If energy becomes an issue power rationing will be
further enforced.”
    “It’s
going to be a bit cramped down below,” Jesela said.
    “Most
definitely,” Meldi sighed, “And I thought getting a promotion was a good
thing.”
    “I
want all of you to report what’s been shown to your subordinates,” Brian said.
“I’ll be by to speak with each crew member in the next few days.”
    Meldi
saluted. “I’d better get down to the pilots and tell them what’s going on,” she
said before leaving in haste.
    “I’ll
make sure to tell the engineering crew what the situation is,” Jesela said as
she headed out.
    “This
seems so unreal,” Celi said.
    “We’re
going to need you to keep an eye on the crew,” Zae said. “With the knowledge
that we’re stranded on our own with limited supplies it’s inevitable morale
will sink.”
    “That’s
why I want to meet each one of them