Lorna and Hana 2 Lieutenants of the Star Patrol

By Cal pflugrath

Book 2 follows those continuing combat exploits of Lorna Gomez and Hana Garcia during Star Patrol's war against the Talon Consortium. Using teamwork, skill, and Cygnus Sector allies they hold off the enemy while seeking a peaceful conclusion to this interstellar conflict.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781387334353

Book preview

Chapter one    Retreat

Space rat today, space rat yesterday, and probably space rat tomorrow, Captain Volante complained grimacing at that big sizzling vermin.

Slowly roasting some large, skinned rodent-like mammal over the small fire a grinning Hana mused, this is a great source of protein. Good hunting, Maldonado. Tonight we should have leftovers for later when it really gets cold.

Varmint juices sizzled on burning logs. Hungry pilots huddled, salivating about that fire and cooking meal.

Pilots endured another sub-freezing evening on some small unchartered moon. Intentionally well off the beaten path those out of fuel Banshees waited for Lieutenant Gomez’ return with more C-drive energy. Lorna’s F-9 departed two days ago.

Those stranded flyers were getting nervous.

Huddling about that flame for warmth pilots sat and shivered, anxiously anticipating dinner.

By now Lieutenant Garcia was familiar with her fellow castaways. Sonya remained technically in command when awake. Still recovering from serious injuries most of her time involved sleeping, healing, and complaining.

That left Hana running the show until Lorna’s now overdue arrival.

Of limited help were Cabot Martinez and Babu Treni. Both badly injured pilots Hana patched them up but these wounds needed more than her limited medical kit and skills.

Most of their time they also slept and recovered.

That left Mike Maldonado, Ray Guzman, and Seth Suarez to help secure the camp. All clever and lieutenants with some ruffing it experience they were plenty of assistance.

Mike Maldonado served as their hunter. On this cold forest world he supplied a steady diet of meat from numerous sources.

Ray Guzman’s family members were fifth generation Brazilian farmers. His extensive skill provided survivors’ all their vegetation requirements.

Seth quite proficient in primitive shelter construction built and maintained a safe, warm sleeping place.

As the temperature dropped below freezing everyone curled up in their cozy enclosure. On sentry duty outside that evening beside Lieutenant Maldonado Hana asked, how’s the local game prospects?

Mike smirked, running out fast, Hana. We may soon need to move downhill for better prospects.

That could put us in competition with local carnivores, she mused.

Five hours later Lieutenants Guzman and Suarez relived them.

Nothing to report, Hana said. How is Sonya’s fever?

Ray shook his head. Holding steady at just over one hundred but it has come down from yesterday. Captain Volante’s not sleeping soundly.

Babu Treni is also beginning to cough, Seth Suarez announced. Sleeping on top of each other doesn’t help avoid that cold.

Hana nodded. Let’s mask up. Tomorrow we can erect a tent for the healthy. It won’t be as warm but is better than catching Sonya’s bug, whatever that is.

Mike smiled, if you don’t mind, Lieutenant I’m going to set up that tent right now.

I’d join you but someone must keep an eye on Cranky Pants. It’s my turn to babysit.

Inside the shelter that sick captain coughed and asked, where have you been?

Masking up she responded, guard duty. How do you feel?

Lousy and starving.

You barely touched your roasted rat.

I can’t eat that.

Putting more wood on the fire Hana said, you need to keep your strength up. At least that fever is dropping. How’s Babu?

How should I know.

Turning to him Hana found the lieutenant quietly sleeping. ‘That’s some good news,’ she thought.

Sonya swallowed a gulp of water and asked, Where’s your sidekick?

Still out on some fuel run. Hopefully she returns tomorrow.

Head shaking the captain insisted, we’ll never see her again. Gomez left us high and dry here to die on this freezing rock.

More interested in sleep than arguing Hana responded, wake me if you need anything. Good night, Captain.

Sonya lectured-ranted on, you never should have let that insolent imp go off on her own.

None of us know this star region like Lorna, Miss Garcia retorted. If there is faster-than-light propellent out here Lieutenant Gomez shall find it.

Should that mischievous midget have located fuel she’s halfway to Cygnus Station by now. Sonya giggled and added, boy did she pull the wool over your eyes.

The young Lieutenant sighed, goodnight, Captain, and returned to her rest.

Next morning it snowed hard. Huddled in their tent Lieutenant Suarez suggested, when there is a lull in this storm let’s cut down enough trees to make a simple lean to. With a fire at the entrance we might warm things up above freezing.

Hana grinned shivering, "Lorna will return to us before noon. If not I’ll help you with the new quarters project.

I hope she’s bringing breakfast, Ray Guzman suggested. I’m getting pretty tired of cooked vermin.

I’d settle for more rat and a ride anywhere from here, Mike added.

Just before mid-day Lorna landed her F-9 beside the camp. She did bring lunch.

Hugging a much-relieved Hana Lieutenant Gomez apologized, sorry I’m late. I’ve been dodging Talon fighter squadrons for nearly two days.

As Lorna passed out lunch packs to anxious squad mates Miss Garcia asked, how do you think they found us?

My guess is when we refueled at Scorpus 9 someone at that station alerted our adversaries. There must be quite the bounty on our heads.

That makes me nervous.

How’s Sonya doing?

Cranky as ever but her fever finally broke. Let’s join Captain Volante in the shelter and get out of this blowing snow.

As they entered, Sonya finished her lunch. You certainly took your own sweet time getting back here. What’s the story?

My best guess is we are being pursued by two, maybe three squadrons operating off an escort carrier supply ship.

How did you lose them?

Their leader is thinking in two dimensions, not three. This is our chance to escape.

Sonya considered then proposed, we shall take out their supply ship and strand them. See how they like it.

Lorna’s jaw dropped. That would play right into our enemies’ hands.

Just like Pyron, Hana insisted. These F-9s can barely fly let alone fight. This attack of yours won’t get anywhere near that supply ship through its’ fighter cover.

Some frowning captain insisted, I’m still in charge.

Hana smiled. Run that little plan of yours before Mike, Ray, and the others. They may have something to say about the scheme.

Loyal officers, they know how to follow my orders.

Lorna sighed, "come on, Sonya. You are not thinking clearly. There are six of us and at least twenty-eight of them. The Talon are well-fed and flying smartly maintained fighters.

We’ll get creamed before getting anywhere near that mini carrier.

Don’t make the men mutiny, Hana advised. They were all at Pyron as well and saw how that turned out.

Sonya again considered. With a disgusted grunt she asked, then what’s your plan?

Lorna smiled, "three-dimensional navigation at four dimensional speeds. It’s how I escaped hauling eighty-light-years fuel for all six ships.

We set course for Coma Bernice fifty-light-years above the galactic plain. There’s a Leflong mining and supply base well within our range. This should throw off Talon pursuit.

Sonya scowled, you better hope this works. Climbing that far above the elliptic exhausts our limited fuel. Climbing out of the galactic gravity pit also risks our overworked engines.

Miss Gomez smiled. This remains our best hand to play. Trust us.

Departing that icy refuge a few hours later Lorna and Hana settled into their Banshee cockpit. Once again leading those other five interceptors trailing some light year behind the young lieutenants discussed options.

Wow, Hana mused rubbing hands together with a satisfied grin. This is the first time I’ve been warm in days.

Lorna nodded. "Sorry I couldn’t get back sooner.

That was close with Crazy Pants, Hana smirked. What would you have done had she not come to her senses?

Lorna smiled. Never mind. Any sign of our bad guys?

Not so far. Their two-dimensional search pattern prevails. What can we expect up at Coma Bernice?

"We are three hours from full stomachs and fuel tanks. As a kid Hesperus visited here a few times.

"My parents helped the local mining guild bulk up defenses and drive off pesky Correllian pirates.

"I’m hopeful Cyrom Bekker remains the local facility chief. Carlos, Lyla, and that station manager became good friends.

On numerous occasions the trio collaborated to both sides’ advantage.

Three light years out Captain Volante and those other fighters rendezvoused with Lorna and Hana.

Sonya insisted, Miss Gomez, and I will dock at the station and see what’s up. We must avoid any more surprises.

Though disappointed with this development technically Captain Volante remained in charge. Neither Lorna nor Hana saw a reason to make some stink.

Contacting the station Lorna identified them as scout traders and sought docking privileges. Request approved they shut down engines at that medium-sized facility’s landing bay.

Much to Lorna’s surprise up walked Cyrom Bekker. Motioning towards deck crew he ordered them to cover the F-9, disguising it under a tarp.

Turning to Lorna and Sonya the station manager requested, please come to my office.

As they followed Cyrom said, I was fortunately in operations when radar picked up your Star Patrol signature. How many ships are in your retreating formation?

Six F-9s, Lorna responded.

Stepping into a cluttered cramped workplace the manager waved them to chairs and sat