Asteroid Crisis: Star Challengers Book 3 by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, June Scobee Rodgers Page A
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us.”
“And I flew the captured alien ship,” JJ said.
“Right … just before Mira stole it,” Dyl added.
“As in, she’s still trying to sabotage our efforts to save the Earth,” Song-Ye said. “And she has all the plans for the asteroid mission.”
Zota’s face was grave. “That does not surprise me. I don’t know how far Toowun will go.”
JJ proudly withdrew the index cards from her pocket. “I have the dates and coordinates we need.” In a rush, they told the commander about the plans to send three separate modules out to the asteroids, and then use nuclear explosions to knock the space rocks into different orbits, just like a cosmic game of billiards.
When JJ explained about placing the pingers aboard each module, Zota was both pleased and troubled. “An ingenious idea, Cadet. Now we’ll be able to send you precisely where and when you’ll need to be.” Then he frowned. “But now the ISSC crew knows you’re from the past? They know who you are?”
“No, just a few of them,” Dyl said.
“Believe us, we had no choice—Dr. Kloor figured it out himself,” Tony said.
JJ sighed. “We told them as little as possible, but we couldn’t hide it anymore.”
“I suppose you are right,” Zota said. “They already realize how much damage the Kylarn can inflict—perhaps it’s a good thing. You helped expose Mira along with Toowun’s plans.”
“They’re not going to underestimate the danger, that’s for sure,” Tony said. “All in all, I think it helped.”
Zota looked at the notes JJ had written, silently making calculations in his head. “We’ve only just started the mission, cadets. Refresh yourselves. Have something to eat and drink. And when you’re ready, I will send you into the future again. Your next stop will be the asteroids.”
***
Fourteen
Now that he had the asteroid mission specifics, Commander Zota gave them another briefing before sending them back to the future.
“There are practical matters you didn’t need to consider on your previous travels. In the mission modules, every item will be carefully rationed. For a voyage that lasts a month each way, the crew have to bring everything with them—the oxygen they breathe, the food they eat, the water they drink, and the energy they use for all systems aboard.”
“Right. So we can’t stay long,” JJ said. “In and out, that’s all.”
“We could take them some extra supplies, too. Like energy bars,” Dyl said. “I know I always like getting a surprise treat on a long trip.”
“That’s a good idea. There are some in the pantry. I also have spacesuits for you to put on before I transport you to the asteroid mission modules,” Zota said. “Quarters will be tight aboard, and the commanders needed all available space for supplies. I doubt they will have spare helmets and equipment.”
“So this is strictly a Bring Your Own Spacesuit party,” Dyl said with a chuckle.
Song-Ye grinned. “Get serious, Junior.”
“Also,” the commander continued, “to send all of you into a single module would be too much of a drain. You’ll have to split up—two sets of two, and one of you will have to go solo.”
King raised his hand. “Eagle Scout King, reporting for duty, sir. I’ll go solo. I’m used to being independent.”
“Thank you, Cadet King,” Zota said.
“Tony and I will go together,” JJ said, not just because she preferred to be with her close friend, but because she knew Dyl would want to be with Song-Ye.
“Very well. Because there are locator devices in each of the three modules, and you’ve provided me with the mission timetable and coordinates, I can easily place you aboard each craft.”
Tony showed his enthusiasm. “We’ll go first.”
“Pfft,” Song-Ye made a face. “Since we’re using a Kylarn time machine to travel to any time we choose, being ‘first’ is kind of irrelevant.”
“We’ll each get our turn,” JJ said.
In the briefing room, they ate chips and
“And I flew the captured alien ship,” JJ said.
“Right … just before Mira stole it,” Dyl added.
“As in, she’s still trying to sabotage our efforts to save the Earth,” Song-Ye said. “And she has all the plans for the asteroid mission.”
Zota’s face was grave. “That does not surprise me. I don’t know how far Toowun will go.”
JJ proudly withdrew the index cards from her pocket. “I have the dates and coordinates we need.” In a rush, they told the commander about the plans to send three separate modules out to the asteroids, and then use nuclear explosions to knock the space rocks into different orbits, just like a cosmic game of billiards.
When JJ explained about placing the pingers aboard each module, Zota was both pleased and troubled. “An ingenious idea, Cadet. Now we’ll be able to send you precisely where and when you’ll need to be.” Then he frowned. “But now the ISSC crew knows you’re from the past? They know who you are?”
“No, just a few of them,” Dyl said.
“Believe us, we had no choice—Dr. Kloor figured it out himself,” Tony said.
JJ sighed. “We told them as little as possible, but we couldn’t hide it anymore.”
“I suppose you are right,” Zota said. “They already realize how much damage the Kylarn can inflict—perhaps it’s a good thing. You helped expose Mira along with Toowun’s plans.”
“They’re not going to underestimate the danger, that’s for sure,” Tony said. “All in all, I think it helped.”
Zota looked at the notes JJ had written, silently making calculations in his head. “We’ve only just started the mission, cadets. Refresh yourselves. Have something to eat and drink. And when you’re ready, I will send you into the future again. Your next stop will be the asteroids.”
***
Fourteen
Now that he had the asteroid mission specifics, Commander Zota gave them another briefing before sending them back to the future.
“There are practical matters you didn’t need to consider on your previous travels. In the mission modules, every item will be carefully rationed. For a voyage that lasts a month each way, the crew have to bring everything with them—the oxygen they breathe, the food they eat, the water they drink, and the energy they use for all systems aboard.”
“Right. So we can’t stay long,” JJ said. “In and out, that’s all.”
“We could take them some extra supplies, too. Like energy bars,” Dyl said. “I know I always like getting a surprise treat on a long trip.”
“That’s a good idea. There are some in the pantry. I also have spacesuits for you to put on before I transport you to the asteroid mission modules,” Zota said. “Quarters will be tight aboard, and the commanders needed all available space for supplies. I doubt they will have spare helmets and equipment.”
“So this is strictly a Bring Your Own Spacesuit party,” Dyl said with a chuckle.
Song-Ye grinned. “Get serious, Junior.”
“Also,” the commander continued, “to send all of you into a single module would be too much of a drain. You’ll have to split up—two sets of two, and one of you will have to go solo.”
King raised his hand. “Eagle Scout King, reporting for duty, sir. I’ll go solo. I’m used to being independent.”
“Thank you, Cadet King,” Zota said.
“Tony and I will go together,” JJ said, not just because she preferred to be with her close friend, but because she knew Dyl would want to be with Song-Ye.
“Very well. Because there are locator devices in each of the three modules, and you’ve provided me with the mission timetable and coordinates, I can easily place you aboard each craft.”
Tony showed his enthusiasm. “We’ll go first.”
“Pfft,” Song-Ye made a face. “Since we’re using a Kylarn time machine to travel to any time we choose, being ‘first’ is kind of irrelevant.”
“We’ll each get our turn,” JJ said.
In the briefing room, they ate chips and
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