seems to be 43% the anticipated mass. There is now a 72% chance we will have sufficient fuel for their vessel to achieve a stable orbit."
"Wonderful... What about us?"
"The Arizona is considerably heaver that the alien vessel. We will not achieve a stable orbit. Calculations indicate we will impact near Olympus Mons in 36 minutes."
Cat listened to Ben's cold and analytical assessment of their pending demise. In some ways, she envied his detachment. But Death was not an option she was willing to entertain.
"If we ejected the LFTR power cores and VASIMR drive unit would our mass be sufficiently reduced to achieve orbit?"
"Yes, however, the nanite mesh that repaired the port reserve tank failed during the engagement with the aggressive alien. Fuel reserves are now at 43%. There is no longer sufficient fuel to both save the remaining alien and this vessel."
"Nuts..." Cat said under her breath. "Ben, new orders. Continuously calculate the orbital status of the vessel we are assisting. The moment it is in a likely stable orbit disengage thrust and attempt a controlled reentry into Mars. Eject the cores and main drive now."
"Orders accepted. Please note the Arizona in its current configuration is not aerodynamic."
"That's OK... We are not going to glide. I want you to time our reentry so we gently kiss the trailing slope of Olympus Mons... With any luck, we can dissipate our excess reentry energy in a controlled slide down the slope of Mons."
"Shall I calculate the odds of success?"
"Absolutely Not!"
***
Yarin's consciousness came back online at 4352. It noted eye stalk seven was missing and instructed construction nanites to replace it at the earliest opportunity. To be honest, Yarin was amazed it was still alive. The collision with the D'lralu had resulted in massive system failures. It was unlikely the repair systems within its craft would have sufficient time to effect repairs prior to impact with the planet they were orbiting.
Once the Heshe's external sensors and their associated system log came online Yarin had its answer. The human had sacrificed herself to save the Heshe!
Remarkable. Yarin could not remember a time in recent memory when a non-Heshe had saved a Heshe's life... Certainly not while forfeiting the creator’s gift of one's own life. For all practical purposes, this forced Yarin's hand. For the first time in dozens of millennia, a Heshe would repay a life debt!
***
"Ben... Give me all you have on reverse thrusters... We're about to hit, and we are coming in way too hot."
"I'm sorry commander. Fuel reserves are depleted. Impact in 2.4 seconds"
"It's been an honor Ben..." Cat began. Before she could finish, the ESX Arizona impacted with the north wall of Olympus Mons at six hundred and forty three miles per hour. It was December 7th, 2067. It would be the first time Lt. Commander Catherine Kimbridge would die... But certainly not the last.
Chapter Two - The Awaking...
Hesitant eyes opened. Light filtered in... 'In where' was the question. The room was stark white and sterile. It could be a hospital but for the fact that nothing was right. The walls were too short , and the light seemed to emanate from everywhere. The air, while fresh was... 'Wrong'.
Sitting up on an oddly warm metal table she looked down at her hands... She was a 'she'. She knew that... But precious little else. Who was she? Why was she here? Why didn't she remember anything? She had a feeling she should but her existence prior to this room seemed just out of reach.
She was alone and yet she was not... There seemed to be another within her. It was confusing.
***
The Yarin Prime construct watched the human construct awaken. The human, this construct had been based on, had been irreparably damaged fifty three of her years ago. Yarin Prime's progenitor had created a Yarin Prime construct in order to
"Wonderful... What about us?"
"The Arizona is considerably heaver that the alien vessel. We will not achieve a stable orbit. Calculations indicate we will impact near Olympus Mons in 36 minutes."
Cat listened to Ben's cold and analytical assessment of their pending demise. In some ways, she envied his detachment. But Death was not an option she was willing to entertain.
"If we ejected the LFTR power cores and VASIMR drive unit would our mass be sufficiently reduced to achieve orbit?"
"Yes, however, the nanite mesh that repaired the port reserve tank failed during the engagement with the aggressive alien. Fuel reserves are now at 43%. There is no longer sufficient fuel to both save the remaining alien and this vessel."
"Nuts..." Cat said under her breath. "Ben, new orders. Continuously calculate the orbital status of the vessel we are assisting. The moment it is in a likely stable orbit disengage thrust and attempt a controlled reentry into Mars. Eject the cores and main drive now."
"Orders accepted. Please note the Arizona in its current configuration is not aerodynamic."
"That's OK... We are not going to glide. I want you to time our reentry so we gently kiss the trailing slope of Olympus Mons... With any luck, we can dissipate our excess reentry energy in a controlled slide down the slope of Mons."
"Shall I calculate the odds of success?"
"Absolutely Not!"
***
Yarin's consciousness came back online at 4352. It noted eye stalk seven was missing and instructed construction nanites to replace it at the earliest opportunity. To be honest, Yarin was amazed it was still alive. The collision with the D'lralu had resulted in massive system failures. It was unlikely the repair systems within its craft would have sufficient time to effect repairs prior to impact with the planet they were orbiting.
Once the Heshe's external sensors and their associated system log came online Yarin had its answer. The human had sacrificed herself to save the Heshe!
Remarkable. Yarin could not remember a time in recent memory when a non-Heshe had saved a Heshe's life... Certainly not while forfeiting the creator’s gift of one's own life. For all practical purposes, this forced Yarin's hand. For the first time in dozens of millennia, a Heshe would repay a life debt!
***
"Ben... Give me all you have on reverse thrusters... We're about to hit, and we are coming in way too hot."
"I'm sorry commander. Fuel reserves are depleted. Impact in 2.4 seconds"
"It's been an honor Ben..." Cat began. Before she could finish, the ESX Arizona impacted with the north wall of Olympus Mons at six hundred and forty three miles per hour. It was December 7th, 2067. It would be the first time Lt. Commander Catherine Kimbridge would die... But certainly not the last.
Chapter Two - The Awaking...
Hesitant eyes opened. Light filtered in... 'In where' was the question. The room was stark white and sterile. It could be a hospital but for the fact that nothing was right. The walls were too short , and the light seemed to emanate from everywhere. The air, while fresh was... 'Wrong'.
Sitting up on an oddly warm metal table she looked down at her hands... She was a 'she'. She knew that... But precious little else. Who was she? Why was she here? Why didn't she remember anything? She had a feeling she should but her existence prior to this room seemed just out of reach.
She was alone and yet she was not... There seemed to be another within her. It was confusing.
***
The Yarin Prime construct watched the human construct awaken. The human, this construct had been based on, had been irreparably damaged fifty three of her years ago. Yarin Prime's progenitor had created a Yarin Prime construct in order to
Similar Books
The Only Thing Worse Than Witches
Lauren Magaziner
The Phantom
Jocelyn Leveret
Messenger by Moonlight
Stephanie Grace Whitson
Sea Breeze 04 - Just for Now
Abbi Glines
All the Way
Jordin Tootoo
A Wild and Lonely Place
Marcia Muller
Death Day
Shaun Hutson
The Tin Collectors
Stephen J. Cannell
Uncharted Stars
Andre Norton
Blueeyedboy
Joanne Harris