Hetty studied the derelict with eager eyes. Six months out of the service, her freelance scrapping career had not been as profitable as she had imagined. Sure, she made enough to cover maintenance, docking fees, and feed herself but not much more. Her ship was too small for the bigger jobs. No room for spares Continue
Tag: Hetty Gaines
Maricella to the Rescue Pt. 2 (SF)
Previously: “Didn’t you cross-train on at least basic navigation?” Clovis’s voice held a hint of skepticism and impatience. “I’m sixteen, ma’am. I’m not old enough yet to sit for starship navigation certification.” “Understood, Forthright.” The chill left Clovis’s voice. “We will match your position shortly and render aid.” When Abarca arrived, instead of going to Continue
Maricella to the Rescue Pt. 1 (SF)
The com console was awash in blood. Maricela swallowed the frightened scream that threatened to erupt from her throat. Her EVA helmet slipped from her stuttering grasp and rolled across the command deck. Its final thump made her flinch again. “Mom? Dad? Aunt Hetty? Uncle Constantine?” The only sounds came from various systems rebooting. From Continue
Forthright Pt. 2 (SF)
Last time: “What was that?” Hercules asked, causing Hetty to jerk from her reverie once more. “Space junk, I think.” Val shifted the view screens from a close-up of the traffic flow around Sigma to their more immediate area. “A little big to be from a ship. You think Sigma is missing a chunk?” Hetty Continue
Forthright Pt. 1 (SF)
The chief problem with being a free trader during one of the most prolonged conflicts between two major galactic powers was both larger and smaller than one might suspect. The pressing issue that haunted Captain Hetty Gaines was that of spare parts. Spare parts were dearer than hard currency from either party in the conflict Continue
Triumphant Pt. 2 (SF)
Previously: “How did you get on our ship?” Estelle gave Zella a cutting glare, arms folded over her chest. “I helped load your crates and didn’t get off. I hid a crate that was about my weight station-side at Antrim. Then I got myself in behind your cargo and between the ship’s ribs so that Continue
Triumphant Pt. 1 (SF)
“I’m telling you again, Captain Barnes. This is a General Union authorized free-trader hauling from Antrim VII to Wexford Station. Wexford Station is still a GU station, is it not?” Hetty paused and took her measure of the unyielding GU captain. “Or has the General Union lost territory in the last standard week since we Continue
Voyagers (SF)
How come you don’t know about them? You can’t go on your first deep mission without knowing what to do if you see one. They’re out there in the black. Some say they’re from the before times, Some say they’re proof of alien life. Folks say if you see one, you’d better make a wish, Continue
