They Also Serve Read Free Page B

Willow could talk sense into Daga.
    Ray Longknife observed the activity on Matt's bridge, his face a placid mask, doing nothing to disturb those with a job to do. Matt swam with the easy grace of an experienced spacer, glided from ceiling handhold to stationhold, or even held steady above a workstation that had his attention at the moment.
    "Coming up on point of interest," the helm announced.
    Ray eyed the small continent that held their attention. If he remembered his old Earth geography correctly, this area was much like Australia. The smallest of the planet's landmasses, it, however, lay just off the southeastern edge of the largest landmass, separated by a large archipelago of islands, with two or three wide channels. If Ray had to choose a home for a pitiful remnant of humanity, this would be it, small enough to give them safety, big enough for growth, close enough to bigger things to let them spread out when their children were ready.
    "Any more pruned mountains?" Matt asked, sailing back to his chair beside Ray. Matt had moved Second Chance into a much higher orbit, officially for a broader view. Everyone breathed easier as they put distance between themselves and whatever could shave mountains.
    "No, sir," Kat replied before Sandy could. "There's agricultural and urban areas. Nothing on the electromagnetic spectrum but low-level static from electric motors."
    Ray studied the map on the main view. Farmland showed as a brown swath along the small south continent's eastern coast. Rivers lead it inland to wash up on the mountain range that had captured their attention so rudely. Black dots of various sizes denoted urban areas, most along rivers or coastal inlets. The map filled in as more data was processed, evaluated, and judged credible. Ray glanced at Matt the same moment the captain turned to Ray. "Suggestions?" Matt said.
    "Get some unmanned recon assets down there," Ray said.
    "Exec, put a communication satellite in lower geo-orbit that'll keep that continent covered."
    "Yes, sir." The XO turned to her board and got busy.
    Matt leaned closer to Ray. "Boss, I need some help." Ray smiled, glad for the skipper's asking. "I got some ideas about how to get home, but it's hunt-and-peck time. A ship's chances of staying in space increase if it's got a base to fall back on if things break."
    Ray chuckled. "Captain, you looking for an ambassador to some dirtside chums that can make mountains vanish?"
    "Got it in one, Colonel."
    Ray leaned back. "Never been an ambassador before. Might be less exciting than storming mountain passes guarded by Mary."
    "Might be downright boring," Matt quipped. "Thanks to you, we've got the assets on board to set up quite a base." Actually, Captain Anderson had insisted the next explorer ship carry damn near enough equipment to rebuild itself. Claimed that was the way they explored the Americas in Shakespeare's time. Ray adopted the idea only when Rita's dad found the gear at salvage prices. Now he hoped it was as good as Papa Nuu said it was.
    "You concentrate on finding a way home while I shake hands, kiss babies, and manage mountain moving," Ray drawled. "Just remember, I want to be there when Rita makes me a dad."
    "Right. Nobody wants to be the ship driver who has to explain to Rita why Daddy got home late."
    They laughed, as if getting home was a done deal. After all, they had all of six months. Around them, the bridge relaxed. The bosses were confident. Why shouldn't the rest of the crew be as well? What could be down there that they couldn't handle?
    Jeff Sterling settled into his usual chair.
    "How's the rape-and-pillage business?" came from the public room's kitchen in a light, dancing voice, Annie Mulroney's usual morning greetings to him.
    "How should I know? Vicky and Mark aren't talking to me," Jeff answered in feigned innocence.
    Annie bounced from the kitchen to set his usual brown bread and steaming tea in front of him, her black hair flying, green eyes shining. Resting her