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    Threat On The Horizon
    Threat On The Horizon
    Threat On The Horizon
    Ebook364 pages5 hours

    Threat On The Horizon

    By Mike Adams

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    About this ebook

    An alien invasion delayed by bad weather!

    Threat On The Horizon picks up in 2126, 3 years after the events of Fierce Girls. Since their arrival Gunnery Sergeant Molly Pickford and Lieutenant Commander Rick Cassidy have cemented themselves in positions of influence within the colony while running the colony’s Logistics Directorate.

    Ricks daughter Ciara is set to leave for the colony to join her dad after 4 long years of separation. She plans to attend the New Hope Academy, the colony’s only school and one that accepts only the best and brightest students. The long voyage to the colony will be anything but boring. Forces are afoot to stop the starship she’s traveling on from ever reaching the colony.

    The aliens who have come to remove the humans from the planet, the diminutive Rift and their giant Andoval mercenaries, haven’t shown themselves yet but they are watching the New Hope Colony closely and preparing their invasion force.

    No rest for the wicked though! Although the alien threat is still unknown to them Molly Pickford, Rick Cassidy and their friends in the Colonial Rangers still have to deal with the planet’s predators and some human predators as well.

    The colony transport ship Amundsen arrives in the system with 5000 passengers and crew including 500 Colonial Rangers under Colonel Colin Fox. Some very unusual and suspicious clouds hanging over some islands to the south of the Alpha continent come to the attention of the Amundsen’s commander who shares his concerns with Colonel Fox and the Colonial Ranger HQ. Some wonder what, or who, might be behind the strange phenomenon.

    Students at the New Hope Academy learn who’s going on the girl’s spring internship tour, a tour of the eastern settlements that includes some behind the scenes glimpses of how the colony is run. If only they knew what awaits them!

    If you like David Weber’s Honor Harrington series or David Drake’s RCN series you will love Threat On The Horizon, the 2nd installment of the saga of the ‘fierce girls’ war against the aliens. The saga began with Fierce Girls and very soon some of the ‘fierce girls’ will be going to war. Click the BUY NOW button at the top and begin your journey now and meet more of the fierce girls before they must go to war.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMike Adams
    Release dateJan 13, 2018
    ISBN9781370584369
    Threat On The Horizon
    Author

    Mike Adams

    Born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island, NY. Mike has a BS in Business Admin from Wagner College and an MBA from SDSU. A retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander, Supply Corps (Logistics), a former small business owner, and part-time substitute teacher. he's visited 6 continents and 36 countries, speak Spanish, some German, a little Italian and a little less French. He currently lives in Chula Vista, CA with his wife Chris.

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      Book preview

      Threat On The Horizon - Mike Adams

      Prologue

      The Rift – Earth Year 2117

      New Hope Colony, Tau Ceti 4

      The Rift survey ship Kenone’se was making a scheduled twenty-year visit to Rih’ta, a world claimed by Clan Miltcar, one of the thirteen great clans of the Rift Matriarchy. The Kenone’se’s commander, Captain Gara’e’ had been to Rih’ta before and was expecting to spend the equivalent of a local year in orbit while several survey parties collected mineral, wildlife and plant samples from the planet’s three primary landmasses. A contingent of Andoval troops hired for that purpose would protect the landing parties. They remained in transit sleep in between planetary visits. The seven-foot tall Andoval were immensely strong and in addition to their guard duties they could carry huge quantities of equipment and supplies for their employers.

      Captain Gara’e’, our sensors are picking up a signal of some sort, said communications officer Dara’ka. Kenone’se had been in the planetary system for the equivalent of a quarter of a local year, making its way to its fourth planet. They did not expect to encounter any other Rift ships in the area but they were always listening in case a ship from one of the other clans was making an unauthorized visit to the area.

      A perplexed Gara’e’ looked at his subordinate and asked, What kind of signal? From where?

      I cannot be sure yet, Captain. It’s coming from the edge of the system on a bearing approximately seventy degrees north axial, twenty-five degrees radial and eighty-two degrees spherical.

      Can you tell which clan signature it carries?

      It is not a clan signature, Captain. I, I think it is alien in origin.

      "What? Impossible! Recheck your instruments, Dara’ka’!"

      I have, Captain. Three times now.

      The signal is aimed at us?

      No, Captain. I am trying to track the signal. It is directional and appears to be aimed at a point somewhere in the inner system on this side of the sun. One moment, Captain. Ah! There is a relay point! The signal has changed direction and is headed to another point, mid-system. I believe there is another relay point there, a satellite perhaps. There is a faint signal. Captain, I think they may be sending a signal to Rih’ta!

      Rih’ta! Have they noticed us?

      I don’t see how. We would not know they were here except for their signal. We are not broadcasting anything.

      The Rift captain sat in his command chair thinking furiously. The situation was unprecedented. No other space-faring race had been encountered in the ten thousand years the Rift had traveled the stars. Gara’e’ came to a decision. We must know more. We will continue toward Rih’ta and find out what is happening there but we must not be detected. We will match the planetary orbit around the sun but in the opposite direction and let it come to us.

      They will arrive at Rih’ta long before us.

      Perhaps so but remaining undetected must be our priority.

      ###

      Remind me why we signed up for this! Tommy Parsons told his companion Donny Lowe. The two security officers were part of a twenty-man group of private security guards hired to escort a team of British and Russian geologists working for Aricola Mining in the mountains to the north of the small settlement of Novo Napoli 900 east of the colonial capital at New Hope Town. Novo Napoli was bounded by a broad bay to the south and west, by mountains to the north and a broad plain to the east.

      The colonial capital of New Hope Town was likewise situated on a broad bay on the southwestern coast between two rivers that flowed down from the mountain ranges to the north, east and west. The first landing there by the survey starship Searcher had only been fourteen years earlier and the colony now had over 6,000 contract workers and scientists exploring the 5000-mile-wide main continent referred to as Alpha.

      The surveyors were examining an area that was below the 4000-foot level searching for mineral deposits and possible future mining sites. The two men were advance scouts and they were checking the trail ahead before the main party entered the area. With the coming of the warmer spring season, there was less worry about the vicious native predators like demon wolves and snow panthers that roamed the higher elevations and came down only when the deep winter snows made it difficult to forage for food in their normal territory. The ironpine trees with their iron-rich, sap-filled, finger-like leaves that made up their main diet did not grow below 4,000 feet. Predators aside, the frequent rain and occasional flash floods made life interesting if not miserable at times and there was no guarantee that other dangerous and yet to be discovered native life forms weren’t in the area.

      Could it be the extraordinarily high salaries we’re getting for risking our necks protecting these rock hunters from the local monsters? Just keep your eyes and ears open, Tommy. Oh, and shut up! Lowe replied in disgust. Donny was getting tired of Parsons complaining about everything including the food, the weather, the terrain, living in tents, the occasional flood, etc. They were getting paid ten times what they could make back on Earth and Parsons needed to stop his griping and pay attention to their surroundings. Lowe didn’t want to get eaten by who knew what was out there because his scouting partner wasn’t paying attention. Donny was always on edge. As it was, he and Parsons were nearly a quarter mile ahead of the rest of the party and he did not like being out of sight of assistance if they ran into trouble.

      Changing the subject Parsons said, I hear that the next ship in is supposed to be one of the new colony ships. They’re bringing significant others and some kiddies; high schoolers, and there will be more women coming, I hear. Maybe you’ll find yourself a girlfriend, Parsons said with a chuckle.

      Speak for yourself. Two more companies of Rangers are supposed to be coming in on it and they can take this job. I’m done with field work. Those blokes who refused to go out without better protection and better weapons were right. Blackfoot group lost five of theirs last week to demon wolves. We shouldn’t be out here at all, I say.

      The first of the huge colony transport ships, the James Cook, was due to arrive soon with over 3,000 passengers. Arriving with her would be the second contingent of nearly 500 Colonial Rangers. They would join the more than 450 Rangers who were based at the small Ranger Base on the outskirts of New Hope Town. That group was composed of detachments of Americans, Russians, Chinese and French soldiers specially trained for the mission of protecting survey and exploration parties, and the mining facilities being developed in some of the mountainous areas, from the huge and deadly predators that inhabited some of the areas of greatest interest.

      Political considerations had mandated that the Ranger organization be an international force and every Ranger company had to be composed of detachments from at least two nations. All officers and senior non-coms were required to speak English, the agreed upon common language for all colony personnel.

      The Rangers had automatic rifles and high-powered hunting rifles with laser sights and personal side arms but nothing more powerful. Each Ranger detachment had three lightweight armored personnel carriers with machine guns. This was a vast improvement over the shotguns, smaller caliber hunting rifles, tranquilizer guns, and smoke grenades the first explorers and their private security detachments carried for protection. There was still tremendous resistance on Earth to bringing advanced military weapons to the colony; more modern, more destructive weapons were banned.

      With the arrival of the James Cook. other aspects of colony life were expected to change in fundamental ways as well. Along with the usual mix of passengers onboard, scientists of all kinds, engineers, and government representatives, were the first group of family members. Over 500 spouses and domestic partners, and some 60 high school aged children were aboard the starship. Construction personnel were working overtime to prepare housing for the new arrivals and to finish building the colony’s first school, the New Hope Academy.

      The colony transports were not designed to land on the planet’s surface. Coming with the James Cook were the first four cargo transport landers (CTLs). Each 850-foot-long lander would carry up to 450 passengers and as many as 300 cargo containers, vehicles of all types, boats up to 100 feet in length, and specialized loads of mining and manufacturing equipment. Two of the landers would be staying when the Cook departed allowing the colony to expand beyond the southwestern area of the main continent where all of the current settlements were located.

      Tommy grinned at his older friend. Good natured complaining was a soldier’s right and responsibility as far as Parsons was concerned and it helped to relieve the constant stress of being out in the field on an alien planet. You need to relax a bit, Donny. That doesn’t mean dropping your guard. Just don’t get so focused on things that you miss the real dangers out here.

      You mean like that? Donny Lowe stopped suddenly and replied in an almost whisper. He pointed ahead down the rocky trail they were following along the side of a mountain stream, one of several they had crossed over the last few days. The thing was nearly invisible against the similar colored boulders around it until Lowe had noticed a slight movement. About a hundred yards ahead of their position, the two ex-soldiers could clearly see a very large animal of some sort; it’s back was to them, drinking from the stream. Demon wolf?

      No, I don’t think so. No, no way. That thing is bigger, way bigger. It’s huge. I’ve never heard of anything that big reported. Better call it in, Parsons told Lowe as they ducked down behind a large boulder to avoid being noticed.

      Lowe nodded and activated his helmet comm. This is scout one. Be advised that there is a very large animal directly ahead, about a hundred yards downstream from us. Type is unknown.

      Geoff Scott, their senior officer replied immediately, "Roger that, scout one. Hold your position. Try not to attract its attention. We’ll be there in five."

      Roger that. Lowe responded then closed his comm. What the hell is that? The animal had turned and now stood in profile.

      Cross a crocodile with a rhinoceros and that’s what you’d get, I think, Parsons replied in wonder as he studied the squat, elongated body. It had a nasty looking horn protruding from its head. It’s damn ugly whatever it is. Looking closer through his field glasses, his eyes widened and he inhaled sharply. Oy! That thing has what looks like a kind of saddle on it!

      What? You must be kidding! Lowe took the field glasses and looked for himself. Well, fuck me from now ‘til Christmas, Tommy. You’re right, I think. Better turn your cam on. They’ll never believe this if it wanders off before the guys get up here.

      Tommy activated his helmet camera, Yeah, okay. Cam on. A sound of pebbles moving behind them attracted Parsons’ attention and he was beginning to turn his head and look for the source of the disturbance when something pounded into his helmet, knocking it off and crushing the small helmet mounted cam. Tommy let out a small oof then fell unconscious just as Lowe was grabbed from behind. Donny’s helmet was ripped off and thrown to the side, then he was lifted off his feet, his arms trapped at his sides. The attack was so sudden that he barely had time to cry out before a blow to the side of his head filled his vision with red then black.

      Minutes later Geoff Scott along with several civilians and three more security officers came up to where Parsons and Lowe had observed the unidentified animal that had now disappeared.

      What the hell happened here? Scott asked out loud as he looked at the scene. Both scouts’ rifles and travel packs were still propped up against the boulder they’d used for cover. Parsons’ crushed helmet lay a few feet from some bloodstained rocks along with his field glasses. One of his men found Lowe’s helmet several yards away, where it had been dropped, or thrown.

      Scott ordered the area searched for signs of the men but nothing was found. The video cam on Parsons’ helmet had been smashed and its image capture card damaged beyond retrieval of anything useful. Suspecting that a pair of demon-bears, dangerous grizzly bear-sized animals with red eyes, armored hides and long, steel-like claws and fangs had surprised the two scouts, Scott ordered the group to withdraw from the area until a survey drone could be called in to search for any sight of the predators or the two men. No sign of either man ever found.

      ###

      As Tommy gradually regained consciousness, he became aware that he was bound tightly and his body draped over something huge and reeking of a strong unfamiliar and unpleasant odor. He realized that it was moving and he was hanging upside down with his face against the animal’s muscular hide. He tried to look around and saw Donny Lowe hanging next to him, eyes closed and mouth hanging open. Tommy could not tell if Donny was alive at first but then he saw the older man’s eyes flutter open and look at him. Neither was in any condition to speak for the moment, and the two frightened men both gritted their teeth and tried to endure the painful jolting they were getting with every step the animal took.

      Both came instantly alert as the beast entered what appeared to be the cargo bay of an aircraft of some type. They were cut loose from the beast, and then roughly dropped to the metallic floor of the craft. Bound hand and foot they were unable to do more then look around from where they lie on the floor. They could see the cylinder-like inside of the craft and heard first then saw the rear cargo door close.

      Looking forward they saw their captors, several seven-foot tall, reddish-brown skinned aliens with tree trunks for arms and legs, each ending in large five-digit hands and feet; long rope-like black hair that was bound and braided behind them and hanging halfway down their backs. Two large dark eyes, two large ears, a wide flat nose and a wide, dangerous looking mouth with sharp rows of teeth like a shark. The ogres had sandal-like footwear and hide skirts down to just above the knee. They also wore what looked like a leather sleeveless pullover vest that had multiple pockets and hooks for hanging weapons and other gear. They carried nasty looking spears, curved scimitar-like blades and spiked iron balls hung from the leather-like belts around their waists.

      The aliens were looking at the two humans hungrily when two other figures emerged from behind them. They were smaller bipeds with yellowish-green skin and disproportionately large, hairless heads. Two eyes, ears that were barely more than ear-holes, a small nose and a small, narrow mouth. These aliens were obviously in charge and burbled something at a small box strapped to each of their wrists. Grunting sounds came out of the boxes and the giants grunted back then picked the two men up as if they weighed no more than a couple of small children and carried them to a pair of long, padded platforms where they were strapped down tightly. The smaller aliens moved out of sight up forward and the giants took places on the floor along the inner hull nearby, attached hooks that were fastened to the bulkhead and to the belts around their waists and grabbed on to large handholds. The huge animal was further forward. It was resting on its stomach and strapped down with a strong harness. Humming sounds and the vibrations of engines being revved up for take-off, could be heard through the hull of the craft.

      Parsons and Lowe each had had several hours to consider their situation in between bouts of unconsciousness and the experienced former soldiers knew they were in a bad spot. One of Tommy’s eyes was swollen shut from a fractured orbital bone and several teeth had been knocked out. Lowe’s jaw was broken and he suspected that he had a concussion to go with it. Their arms and legs were numb from the cords tied around them.

      I don’t think we’re getting out of this, Tommy, Donny Lowe mumbled though the pain in his mouth.

      Just think. We’d be famous as the first humans to encounter an intelligent alien life form. If anybody knew about it, that is, he groaned.

      Great, almost famous. A lot of good that will do us, he spat as blood dripped down his jaw. What do you think they want with us?

      Nothing good, based on the way they’ve treated us so far. They took us by surprise and we didn’t get a chance to fight back. I say we make them pay for whatever they get from us!

      We’re not exactly in a position to fight back, asshole.

      We’ve got to be patient. Let them think we’re afraid.

      Afraid? No problem. Check.

      Let them think we’re weak.

      Weak? No problem. I couldn’t lift a jelly bean right now. Check.

      Sooner or later, they’ll take these off us and we should act like two sacks of rocks. No resistance while we get our circulation back.

      No resistance, no problem. Check.

      Then we kill as many of the little guys as we can before the big ones get us.

      Sounds like a plan. Just one thing.

      What?

      What if they keep us tied up like this?

      Got to have faith that they don’t.

      Great.

      Both men closed their eyes to settle in for what was coming as they felt the aircraft lift off and rapidly gain altitude.

      ###

      It was quite unfortunate that the invaders got loose and had to be killed. The Andoval tore them apart and consumed them before we had a chance to examine them more closely, the ship's Security director Soa’e’ reported.

      That was more than unfortunate, Captain Gara’e’ replied testily. We risked much to capture them without being seen and they were allowed to get loose. They killed two Rift officers and three engineers even though they had no weapons. Then they were killed and devoured before we learned anything useful!

      I must disagree with you, Captain. We have learned that these invaders are extremely dangerous, perhaps as dangerous as feral Andoval, but smaller and smarter. I think they will not leave Rih’ta except by force. They carried no weapons that can threaten us but they are a violent and dangerous race.

      No weapons?

      The Security director shrugged, There were only some thin metal tubes which unfortunately our scouts failed to retrieve. The Andoval were ordered to withdraw quickly when more of the invaders approached and the metal tubes were left behind. We do not know their function. They carried small bladed weapons as well. We must assume that they do have some weapons to defend themselves from the local wildlife.

      Yes, we should assume that they have weapons to fight off the animals but we can’t assume that their weapons cannot threaten us. They are intelligent enough to build starships. Whether they have brought anything dangerous here with them is the question and we should assume that they have. We must remain invisible as we continue to observe them. Another alien starship has entered the system. We will observe as it approaches. We must bring as much information back to the Matriarchy as we can.

      Shall we send another expedition down to capture some more of them?

      No. It is too great a risk. They will be more alert now that two of their people have disappeared. We must let them think that the native predators got them.

      Yes, Captain, as you say.

      Chapter 1

      The Approaching Enemy

      February 2126

      Rift Flagship E’pinos’a

      Expeditionary Force Commander General Bysr Osmu’a stood on the bridge of the Rift starship E’pinos’a along with its Captain Hymay Ektor contemplating his mission and the planet they were approaching, the one they called Rih’ta. E’pinos’a was one of three transports carrying over 30,000 Andoval warriors waiting in transit sleep to Rih’ta, a planet long claimed by the Miltcar, one of the 13 great clans of his race but never colonized. Each clan claimed its own sphere of control; some claimed planets for their resources, others maintained monopolies on certain technologies or other sources of wealth and power.

      Periodically a Miltcar clan starship would visit Rih’ta to bring back samples of the local life forms and plant life. They would survey new areas for valuable mineral resources but Clan Miltcar had never built any permanent facilities on the planet. It was far away and considered a low priority since they had claims on other planets closer to their home world, which they could exploit more readily. Nevertheless, Clan Miltcar had considered the planet their property for nearly a thousand years.

      It had been a great shock when the Kenone’se had found another star-faring race trespassing on their property. Kenone’se's Commander had taken great pains to remain undetected, keeping his starship hidden in the shadow of the planet's moon. They’d observed the periodic arrival of ships delivering great amounts of material and large numbers of a bipedal species who were rapidly expanding over the main continent.

      For attempting to steal Rih’ta from its rightful owners, these aliens were declared enemies of the Rift and his force had been sent to deal with them. The Clan Mother had not felt the need to consult with the other twelve great clans before deciding to send an army to wipe out the thieves who were trying to take their property. It had never occurred to them to try to meet these creatures in peace and negotiate. That would have shown weakness in front of the other clans and might encourage one or more of the lesser clans to challenge them. They would take back their property before there was to be any consideration of peace with the invaders. A second force would arrive later for the second half of their planned campaign to recover their property and eliminate the invaders whose bodies they planned to use to feed the ferocious Andoval giants.

      Osmu’a had waited in the shadow of one of the outermost planets for almost a planetary year before there had finally come a period when they could approach the planet undetected by enemy starships in the system. The Rift Commander quickly moved his three-ship fleet to a position behind Rih’ta’s single moon, then they waited again as another enemy ship came in, landed and finally left again. For the long-lived Rift a thousand years was less than the span of two lifetimes and a year was just a brief interlude but even so, Osmu’a was getting impatient to get into launching distance for the atmospheric delivery ships that would carry his troops down to the surface. He was expected to complete the first steps in the plan to retake Rih’ta, the recovery of the eastern half of the main continent, before the arrival of Supreme Force Commander General Miltcar and the other half of their army.

      The initial destination and marshaling area for his force was a string of islands off the south coast of the eastern end of Rih’ta’s main continent. There his troops would assemble their watercraft and when all was ready, they would begin their campaign by attacking the two large coastal settlements on the east side of the continent simultaneously.

      It would take some time to prepare for the attack once the troops were on the ground; the watercraft delivered with the troops had to be assembled on the islands. While a waterborne invasion carried its own risks, it was less of a risk than exposing the vulnerable atmospheric delivery ships to any defensive weapons the invaders might have. Osmu'a had just six of these craft, two came with each of his starships, and to lose them, any of them, at the beginning of the campaign could be disastrous and end the operation to retake the planet before it had begun.

      Captain Ektor, are we clear yet to begin sending my troops down to the surface? Osmu’a asked impatiently of the E’pinos’a’s Commanding Officer. They’d made their way stealthily into the planet’s vicinity, they were being careful to not be spotted by any enemy ships in the system. Now they had been waiting for many days for one of the enemy’s departing ships to get far enough out for them to enter orbit undetected.

      If we're vigilant, then yes, Commander, Ektor replied, his greenish-yellow skin looking pink in the red light of the bridge. His large yellow eyes and small oily nose shined above his narrow jaw and small yellow teeth. In order to remain undetected, we must keep the planet between us and the enemy ship and when the enemy settlements are on the other side of the planet to avoid detection by the alien ground station on the western side of the continent. We will only have a short window to send your transports down to the designated areas then we must withdraw and hide behind the planet’s moon. We will not have time to recover the transports before this window closes and we must withdraw. It will require many days to land the force while avoiding detection.

      The two small earholes on either side of Osmu’a’s head flared open in irritation then closed again. The five-foot five-inch General was tall for his people and he gave the captain of the flagship the Rift equivalent of a nod with his over-large bald head, I see. I know that you are correct, Captain Ektor. I do not like it but I have to agree, the Expeditionary Force Commander added glumly. "Unfortunately, it will take many cycles to land all of our force although once they are no longer able to see us, we should be able to proceed more rapidly. The Rift general paused while making his decision then said, Very well then, Captain, send the order to the Gandr’a and Lopets’e to follow us in."

      Yes, General. At once.

      The transports were 300 feet long. Each transport carried two of them. One could carry as many as 300 Andoval along with several Rift officers and their riding beasts or an equal volume of cargo. The need for hiding would make this a long drawn out affair; none of his starships had been designed with this purpose in mind. They could not land on the planet’s surface; they'd been designed to carry raw materials from one world to another and had been converted at great cost for this mission.

      The wary Osmu’a did not want their enemy to know they were there before they were ready to launch their attack; he didn’t know what kinds of weapons the aliens might have. The survey ship that had discovered them had captured two of the aliens but they had not seen anything they recognized as a weapon. The Force Commander knew he couldn’t count on the aliens having no weapons but he hoped that they had no large military force beyond whatever they needed to guard against the planet’s aggressive native predators. Osmu’a’s and his small fleet continued their careful approach to the planet and entered into orbit unnoticed.

      Chapter 2

      Staff Meeting

      May 2126

      Geneva, Switzerland

      The conference room next to the office of Major General Robert Black at Colonial Ranger Command Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland was nearly full as Black sat down next to his chief of staff, Ukrainian Colonel Peter Rusikov. Black was about to leave for a week for a brief delayed honeymoon with his new bride Kelly Cassidy. He was planning to travel to New York later that week to rejoin his wife of two months then they would be taking her granddaughter Ciara Cassidy to the colony departure facility in Paris where she would be boarding the new cargo supply ship Asia for its first voyage to the New Hope Colony. After that, the couple was planning to go to Italy for a few days then Kelly would be staying with Black at his quarters in Geneva for a week before she returned to New York. Thoughts about that would have to wait though; there was less happy business to discuss at the moment.

      There have been two more incidents, General, said Colonel Geoffrey Reid, his British intelligence officer.

      What happened and where? Black asked.

      "The latest was an explosion at the GravTechInnovations facility outside New Delhi where they make parts for the anti-gravity plants on starships. This occurred about five

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