Read Online Into the Sea of Stars by William R. Forstchen - Free Book Online

control personnel.
    Be sure to read this operations manual and attached errata sheet before attempting use.
     
    Ian skimmed through the booklet and found the errata sheet. It was printed in bright red ink. He examined it closely.
     
    Warning!!! Warning!!! Warning!!! Starting with the 23A series, arming achieved by pushing down all six levers which will trigger warning devices. In response to complaints that dropping the device in gravity conditions might cause it to detonate, an additional triggering is now required. To activate FINAL COUNT DOWN: pull up, repeat, pull up last lever. Unless otherwise programmed, detona tion will then occur in ninety seconds. Nonradio detonation has been chosen to prevent arming by high solar activity or broadcast from transmitters in nearby spacecraft. Check your manual for timer set tings. Default detonation interval is 90 seconds. This safety feature is added at the request of former dis satisfied users, their heirs, and assigns and has been implemented for your convenience.
     
    Ian stuffed the sheet into the middle of the book. Then, closing the case to the mine, he stuck the booklet into his back pocket.
    The object should have filled him with blind terror, but for some reason Ian felt a certain sense of quiet resolution. The Montezuma and Cortez argument was never far from his mind these days. He was a historian and knew the possibilities.
    So he had, asked Stasz not to tell the others about the device. Cortez had burned his ships to prevent his men from escaping from the expedition. Ian tried to push the thought aside that he might have to burn his ship, as well, before the expedition ended.
     
    It was no surprise to Ian that Ellen's dinner was ex cellent. She had even produced the right wine for the occasion, and after the first bottle of Brinar Chablis '64, Richard had, for the moment at least, settled into a polite conversation with their hostess for the evening.
    "But, Ellen, I thought you objected to spirits. Eight weeks ago you wanted to dump my treasured emergency rations overboard."
    "You mean that I wanted to lighten our vessel of a noxious brew one step removed from rat poison." Ellen smiled for a moment, her freckled face lighting up with a malevolent glow. "Of course, it was a mistake, my dear Richard."
    "I'm glad to hear you say that. And I must in return compliment you for this amazing repast."
    "I am thankful for your appreciation, Richard, and I was going to say my earlier move was a mistake. You see, I think keeping that rat poison was just perfect, con sidering who I hope it will eliminate."
    "Charmed, Ellen, simply charmed," Richard muttered as he produced a cigar and prepared to ignite it. Ian feared an explosion on her part and he knew Richard was simply baiting her. He could see her seething under the red-faced smile but she didn't let go, and there was an almost audible sigh of relief around the table.
    Of course, he could half guess the reason—she would occasionally smile in Stasz's direction. So, the cabin fever was already setting in, and her original disdain for the "ship's driver" was starting to thin. Stasz was attempting to ignore her, but that was difficult with only five people in the room. As the light conversation flowed back and forth, Ian was fascinated by the subtle interplay between the two of them as Ellen tried not to appear obvious, Stasz tried to ignore her while making yet another pass at Shelley, and Richard laid out bait and traps for both of them to fall into.
    Well, this craft is turning in a regular little potboiler, Ian thought as he settled back into his chair, bumming one of Richard's precious cigars.
    He was lost in thought for several minutes until Shel ley's voice brought him back into the conversation's flow.
    "I said, don't you agree, Doctor?"
    "Agree, ahhh , I'll have to think—"
    "You weren't listening again." There was a soft chastisement in her voice, like a mother gently scolding a favorite child. "I was saying that I