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Authors: Douglas Warren
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shoulder reassuringly. “It’s no big deal, Jacinda. We’ll let
you know when you officially get bossy .”
Everyone, including Jacinda, laughed at that.
“You have all done good work,” Deke added. “I need you to do something else for me.
You mentioned that there was a hole in the side of the ship. Is it big enough for you to go
through easily?”
They all nodded.
“Good, then I need the four of you to go and check out the ship from the outside. We
need to make sure that it is not in any more danger. Also, we need to see if we can access the
cockpit from the outside. The crew may be trapped in there and might need help. While you are
out there I also want you to check out the nearby area. Make sure you don’t go too far, but I’d
like to get a general lay of the land. You four are going to have to be my eyes and ears until I
feel up to going outside. Any questions?”
Flim raised his hand. “Deke, what about the wildlife? What if there are any of those
bowzers out there? They mentioned them in the briefing on our datapads.” Flim’s mention of
the bowzers made everyone think about the picture that had accompanied their description in the
briefing materials. Bowzers were big, four-legged predators covered in bristly black fur. They
looked very similar to Earth wolves, but were quite a bit bigger. They also had jaws more akin
to a crocodile than a wolf. All in all, they were about 250 pounds of pure mean.
“Very good, Flim. I’m glad you did your homework. However, the briefing also
mentioned that the bowzers are strictly nocturnal. As long as it is light outside, you should be
fine.”
The four friends nodded in relief.
“What I want you to do is see if there is any other damage to the ship. Also, check to see
if there is any high ground nearby. We might be able to set up the emergency transponder there.
While you are out there I want you all to stick together. Never be out of touch with your partner.
Make sure you all have your WristVids as well. We should have short-range communication
using those. Don’t wander too far from the ship, though. I want each of you to take a pack with
food and water, just in case.”
There was silence for a moment and then Devon stepped forward. “I think I speak for all
of us when I say that leaving the ship is a bit scary. I know the bowzers don’t come out during
the day, but it still makes me nervous.”
“I can understand that, Devon, but I need you to do this. I can’t explain it right now, but
this is really important. All I can do is to ask each of you to trust me.”
The four friends slowly nodded.
“Thank you, now please hurry. You have to get back before night fall. Remember the
bowzers.”
Chapter 10
Captain Leiber stood on the Bridge of the Boadicea and studied the report the watch
officer had just handed him. He shook his head in dismay. Rubbing his chin, he scanned all of
the available flight data received from the drop ship just before they lost contact. Everything had
been going as planned until the drop ship entered the ionosphere of the planet. The flight data
became erratic and then ended completely.
Something had caused the ionosphere to go haywire and the drop ship had been in the
unfortunate position of traveling through it just at the wrong moment. Despite their best efforts,
the crew of the Boadicea still could not get their sensors to penetrate the suddenly opaque
ionosphere. It was as if all of the electromagnetic interference in the atmosphere had suddenly
turned solid, cutting off all contact with anything inside.
The captain mentioned for Ensign Kepler. The fresh-faced young man practically leaped
to his feet and hurried over from his duty station.
"Mr. Kepler, have you found in any previous reports of an incident such as this in any of
our
you know when you officially get bossy .”
Everyone, including Jacinda, laughed at that.
“You have all done good work,” Deke added. “I need you to do something else for me.
You mentioned that there was a hole in the side of the ship. Is it big enough for you to go
through easily?”
They all nodded.
“Good, then I need the four of you to go and check out the ship from the outside. We
need to make sure that it is not in any more danger. Also, we need to see if we can access the
cockpit from the outside. The crew may be trapped in there and might need help. While you are
out there I also want you to check out the nearby area. Make sure you don’t go too far, but I’d
like to get a general lay of the land. You four are going to have to be my eyes and ears until I
feel up to going outside. Any questions?”
Flim raised his hand. “Deke, what about the wildlife? What if there are any of those
bowzers out there? They mentioned them in the briefing on our datapads.” Flim’s mention of
the bowzers made everyone think about the picture that had accompanied their description in the
briefing materials. Bowzers were big, four-legged predators covered in bristly black fur. They
looked very similar to Earth wolves, but were quite a bit bigger. They also had jaws more akin
to a crocodile than a wolf. All in all, they were about 250 pounds of pure mean.
“Very good, Flim. I’m glad you did your homework. However, the briefing also
mentioned that the bowzers are strictly nocturnal. As long as it is light outside, you should be
fine.”
The four friends nodded in relief.
“What I want you to do is see if there is any other damage to the ship. Also, check to see
if there is any high ground nearby. We might be able to set up the emergency transponder there.
While you are out there I want you all to stick together. Never be out of touch with your partner.
Make sure you all have your WristVids as well. We should have short-range communication
using those. Don’t wander too far from the ship, though. I want each of you to take a pack with
food and water, just in case.”
There was silence for a moment and then Devon stepped forward. “I think I speak for all
of us when I say that leaving the ship is a bit scary. I know the bowzers don’t come out during
the day, but it still makes me nervous.”
“I can understand that, Devon, but I need you to do this. I can’t explain it right now, but
this is really important. All I can do is to ask each of you to trust me.”
The four friends slowly nodded.
“Thank you, now please hurry. You have to get back before night fall. Remember the
bowzers.”
Chapter 10
Captain Leiber stood on the Bridge of the Boadicea and studied the report the watch
officer had just handed him. He shook his head in dismay. Rubbing his chin, he scanned all of
the available flight data received from the drop ship just before they lost contact. Everything had
been going as planned until the drop ship entered the ionosphere of the planet. The flight data
became erratic and then ended completely.
Something had caused the ionosphere to go haywire and the drop ship had been in the
unfortunate position of traveling through it just at the wrong moment. Despite their best efforts,
the crew of the Boadicea still could not get their sensors to penetrate the suddenly opaque
ionosphere. It was as if all of the electromagnetic interference in the atmosphere had suddenly
turned solid, cutting off all contact with anything inside.
The captain mentioned for Ensign Kepler. The fresh-faced young man practically leaped
to his feet and hurried over from his duty station.
"Mr. Kepler, have you found in any previous reports of an incident such as this in any of
our
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