Tachyon Web Read Online Free PDF

see. For a moment Eric was tempted to recommend they attempt an illegal hyper jump. But that would be sheer madness. They would only stall immediately outside the solar system’s web. It was only when he began to despair that a new possibility came to him. “Can we overlap a view of the bridge as it is now with the phony one we are transmitting?”
    Sammy nodded reluctantly. “Yes, but there will be discrepancies. We have lights and systems on that we didn’t have on when we filmed Strem’s uncle. We won’t have time to match everything. Also, we would have to interact with Daniel Hark, and that could get sticky. We can change his words but the program necessarily takes care of most of his movements. You’ve seen how he goes all over the place. If he were to step through one of us––”
    “Do it!” Strem barked. “There’s no other choice. We’ll stay near the edges of the room.”
    Sammy turned back to his computer. “I’ll erase the image in our holograph at least. It wouldn’t do to have Jeret see that.”
    And that would make it much harder to stay out of Daniel Hark’s way, Eric thought. He tried to focus on simplifying things. “Two of us will be enough to convince Jeret the passengers are safe,” he said, after a moment’s consideration.
    “You’re right,” Strem said. “Which two?”
    “I’ll be talking for your uncle,” Sammy said, working frantically to complete the setup. “Count me out.”
    “I’m not good at talking to people that aren’t there,” Jeanie said, trembling where she stood.
    “Cleo and I will greet Jeret,” Eric said with absolutely no enthusiasm. “We are both dressed as if we could have been in bed.” It was true the two of them had changed into sweats, but that was only part of the reason for wanting Cleo over Strem. She was a performing singer, used to acting in front of others. She should be able to play a simple straight role.
    “You mean, in bed together?” Strem winced.
    Eric ignored him and studied Cleo. Her eyes wavered and she paled but then she shrugged and forced a smile. “It’s just another stage to me,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant. “Where do I stand?”
    “We will come in from off deck,” Eric said, “following Uncle Dan. Can that be arranged?”
    “Yes,” Sammy said, momentarily withdrawing his hands from the keyboard, flexing his fingers like an athlete before the final quarter. “It’s ready.” He nodded to Jeanie and Strem. “You two get off deck and don’t make a sound.”
    “Won’t Jeret be able to hear you telling Uncle Dan what to say?” Strem asked Sammy, leading Jeanie to the hall adjacent to the sleeping quarters. Eric guided Cleo to the corner of the bridge.
    “No,” Sammy said. “I’ll fluctuate the audio reception. And yes, I know Jeret might notice the fluctuations. One thing, Eric and Cleo – if I should wave you in a certain direction, just move. I still have a visual of Daniel Hark on my screen.” Sammy checked his indicators one last time. “Get set. Come only a third of the way into the room. Ready?”
    “Yes,” Eric answered for both of them. He wished he were home and bored.
    Sammy waved them forward. Eric told his legs to move and was glad they were still able to hear him. Cleo followed a pace behind. He could hear her rapid breathing and worried that she was hyperventilating. Sammy slowly turned a dial next to his microphone.
    “I managed to fetch two of them,” Sammy said. “The others are out cold.”
    The identical statements were repeated by a disembodied Daniel Hark. Jeret nodded as though that were satisfactory and looked at them. He smiled, an expression he probably kept reserved for people eighteen and under. “Your names, please?” he asked.
    “I’m Eric Tirel.” There was a forever pause. Cleo was having trouble remembering her name. Eric took the initiative, “And this is Cleo Rettson. You wished to speak to us, Sir?”
    “I wanted to be sure that your passage is a