Read Online HAB 12 (Scrapyard Ship) by Mark Wayne McGinnis - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mark Wayne McGinnis
Tags: Science-Fiction
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slightly out of phase with our perspective. For instance, if you were to travel to Halimar, you would not see the animals and terrain of HAB 12 …although they are there, occupying time and space, it’s a time and space slightly out of phase with our own.”
“And accessing those habitats could be accomplished via the same technology we utilize with our DeckPorts and phase-shift capabilities, correct?” Jason asked.
“Theoretically, that is correct,” Ricket replied.
“And just as we have port access to each of the habitats via The Lilly ’s Zoo, it makes sense that there would be a secondary port, within the habitats themselves, to access these corresponding planets, yes?” Jason asked, now looking around the room to make sure everyone was following along.
“Yes, each habitat has a minimum of one, often more than one, portal to their originating home world reality. This information is already provided within the accompanying habitat meta data—although not the exact locations,” Ricket explained. “The Caldurians, original designers of the Zoo and habitats system, not to mention The Lilly itself, built in security safeguards for this very reason. The habitats were never intended for subversive use, for the very same reason we wouldn’t want inhabitants of other planets infiltrating The Lilly ’s Zoo.”
“I’m sure you already know what my next question will be,” Jason said.
“You want to know if I can bypass the safeguards,” Ricket replied flatly.
“Yes. Jailbreak the thing—not only get us into HAB 12 but eventually onto Halimar itself.”
“Whoa, whoa … hold your horses, everybody,” Jack exclaimed, wide-eyed and looking around the room. “HAB 12 is one of the most dangerous, if not THE most dangerous habitat. It’s an environment that makes Earth’s own Jurassic period look like a trip to Disneyland in comparison. Not just carnivores inhabit the place—we’re talking killing and eating machines. Feeding drones are never idle—meat supplies never stop. Hell, I’ve seen Serapins even try to eat the drones.”
Fidgety, Admiral Reynolds got to his feet. He gestured for Nan to sit. “Even if Ricket can get us access to HAB 12, and we deal with the environment and wildlife situation, and, let’s suppose, we also navigate to where the alternate portals are located, and after we do all those impossible things, what then? What’s the end game?” the admiral asked, looking at Jason.
“Simple. We locate and destroy the Craing’s ability to move about the universe. Somewhere on each of the eight planets in their solar system is a powerful laser. Those lasers work in conjunction with each other in forming a massive wormhole. They call this system the Loop—for the last two hundred years the Loop has enabled the Craing to conquer and subjugate any society they’ve come into contact with—even those thousands of light-years away.”
“Wait a minute,” Orion said confused. “So why are we going to the Craing worlds?”
“We need to bring down the Loop. Destroy the Craing’s ability to quickly move around the universe. But, primarily, we have less than seven days to stop the Craing from deploying those three warships—warships that may be as advanced, or even more advanced, than The Lilly . They call them the Emperor’s Guard.”
“Why don’t we just take a ship into HAB 12?” Orion asked.
“We thought of that. Even our fighters have a larger wingspan than the portal openings. According to Ricket, if you can’t enter directly through the portal window, there’s no way to enter the habitat. Phase-shifting into a habitat is not an option,” Jason said, looking to Ricket for confirmation.
Billy, who’d been quiet up till that point, asked, “So we’ll also need to figure out how we’ll get from Halimar, where the HAB 12 portal opens, over to the laser fortification. I’m still not clear on that part …”
Jason nodded. “From what Glenn said, he has people loyal
“And accessing those habitats could be accomplished via the same technology we utilize with our DeckPorts and phase-shift capabilities, correct?” Jason asked.
“Theoretically, that is correct,” Ricket replied.
“And just as we have port access to each of the habitats via The Lilly ’s Zoo, it makes sense that there would be a secondary port, within the habitats themselves, to access these corresponding planets, yes?” Jason asked, now looking around the room to make sure everyone was following along.
“Yes, each habitat has a minimum of one, often more than one, portal to their originating home world reality. This information is already provided within the accompanying habitat meta data—although not the exact locations,” Ricket explained. “The Caldurians, original designers of the Zoo and habitats system, not to mention The Lilly itself, built in security safeguards for this very reason. The habitats were never intended for subversive use, for the very same reason we wouldn’t want inhabitants of other planets infiltrating The Lilly ’s Zoo.”
“I’m sure you already know what my next question will be,” Jason said.
“You want to know if I can bypass the safeguards,” Ricket replied flatly.
“Yes. Jailbreak the thing—not only get us into HAB 12 but eventually onto Halimar itself.”
“Whoa, whoa … hold your horses, everybody,” Jack exclaimed, wide-eyed and looking around the room. “HAB 12 is one of the most dangerous, if not THE most dangerous habitat. It’s an environment that makes Earth’s own Jurassic period look like a trip to Disneyland in comparison. Not just carnivores inhabit the place—we’re talking killing and eating machines. Feeding drones are never idle—meat supplies never stop. Hell, I’ve seen Serapins even try to eat the drones.”
Fidgety, Admiral Reynolds got to his feet. He gestured for Nan to sit. “Even if Ricket can get us access to HAB 12, and we deal with the environment and wildlife situation, and, let’s suppose, we also navigate to where the alternate portals are located, and after we do all those impossible things, what then? What’s the end game?” the admiral asked, looking at Jason.
“Simple. We locate and destroy the Craing’s ability to move about the universe. Somewhere on each of the eight planets in their solar system is a powerful laser. Those lasers work in conjunction with each other in forming a massive wormhole. They call this system the Loop—for the last two hundred years the Loop has enabled the Craing to conquer and subjugate any society they’ve come into contact with—even those thousands of light-years away.”
“Wait a minute,” Orion said confused. “So why are we going to the Craing worlds?”
“We need to bring down the Loop. Destroy the Craing’s ability to quickly move around the universe. But, primarily, we have less than seven days to stop the Craing from deploying those three warships—warships that may be as advanced, or even more advanced, than The Lilly . They call them the Emperor’s Guard.”
“Why don’t we just take a ship into HAB 12?” Orion asked.
“We thought of that. Even our fighters have a larger wingspan than the portal openings. According to Ricket, if you can’t enter directly through the portal window, there’s no way to enter the habitat. Phase-shifting into a habitat is not an option,” Jason said, looking to Ricket for confirmation.
Billy, who’d been quiet up till that point, asked, “So we’ll also need to figure out how we’ll get from Halimar, where the HAB 12 portal opens, over to the laser fortification. I’m still not clear on that part …”
Jason nodded. “From what Glenn said, he has people loyal
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