Alicia Jones 3: New Frontier Read Online Free PDF

fusion reactors around in case we need
them.”
    Kristi snickered, “Very wise, those EPS manifolds are always
breaking down at the worst possible time.”
    I shook my head, hoping neither of us would ever grow up.
    I added, “And hey, we might not figure out anything, it
could be a dead end.”
    Kristi looked at me like I was an idiot.  What did I
miss?
    She shook her head, “You’re too naïve sometimes
Alicia.  What would happen if you flew that ship into a solar system, and
then shut down the sixteen gravity emitters on purpose.”
    Holy shit.  I turned white as the blood drained from my
face.
    She nodded, “That’s right, you just built the first bomb
that may be capable of ripping a solar system apart down to its component
atoms, sun included.  Assuming our theories are correct.”
    She was right, oh, probably not the way it was right
now.  But it could take out a good chunk of the solar system.  To
take out the whole thing we would need to increase the size of the singularity,
which would be really easy, simply expand the field generated by the gravity
emitters.  I had a feeling I was going to have nightmares tonight. 
To put in perspective though, the anti-mass FTL system has the potential to
create an extinction level even on Earth, we just need to make sure there are
enough safeties and protocols to make it as safe as the current fusion
reactors, ones that can’t be bypassed.
     

Chapter
6
    I groaned, as I read over the recent report and set of
orders from the USFS board.  Apparently a representative, Marlon, was
coming from one of the Knomen colonies to discuss the treaty.  Nora,
Senna, and a number of other races would be represented as well.  A few on
the board wanted me present during the talk to even out the Knomen’s unfair
advantage of soul reading.
    Not that there was anything to truly negotiate, the treaty
was pretty much take it or leave it.  But they wanted my presence to make
sure the Knomen were serious in their intentions, and that it wasn’t simply an
attempt to spy for the royal family.  That I was part of that royal family
wasn’t lost on me at all.  I also had the idea there would be hard
feelings from some of the other races.  Knomen had us under their thumb
for months, which meant I was only slightly annoyed at my birth race.  For
some of the people present it would be years, and in some cases,
centuries.  That’s a lot of pent up stress, and plenty long enough to
develop a deadly grudge.
    I wasn’t naïve enough to believe some of those races
would’ve rather we’d destroyed Knomen for their enslavement of the galaxy for
their high handed bureaucratic madness.  Perhaps enslavement was too
strong a word, it’d been more like many kingdoms being forced to be vassals and
pay tribute to one central kingdom.  Or maybe like the mob going around
the neighborhood for protection money.
    No matter how it was defined, it meant there was some
potential for nastiness.
    When the Knomen ship arrived outside the system, and started
their approach at sub-light speed, I sent him an invitation to shuttle over, so
we could travel together.  At least they were respecting our no FTL in
system rules.  I thought it wise to evaluate him first, and then the large
group of aliens at the meeting, rather than attempt to do both at the same
time.  I stopped by my quarters on ship to make sure both myself, and my
uniform was presentable, and then headed down to the shuttle bay to await our
guest. 
     
    I’d expected an arrogant person.  Instead, Marlon was
rather nervous and tentative as he exited the shuttle.  I walked over and
shook his hand.
    “Welcome aboard.”
    Marlon smiled, “Thank you, it is good, but strange, to be
here.”
    I returned his smile and waved for him to follow me over to
my sports shuttle.
    “Oh, in what way?”
    He didn’t respond right away, and I could sense his feelings
shift around from nervous, to hopeful, to doubtful.  It was almost
painful, but I