Hyperlight 11 - A Melody Played

[Jim Gamma]

The Sol branch of the EDF Academy is sending its second year cadets to explore the frontiers of known territory, under the guidance of experienced crews and captains. The Sikara Meritocracy sends along a science ship and a Defence Army vessel with each squadron, as part of an interstellar initiative to help integrate both Earth and Sikar Prime into galactic civilisation.

Susan Delaney remains in command of the AEV Asimov for her second year, and is relieved to be playing second fiddle to Captain Roldis of the India. Her squadron, joined by Orrin Varr's Solandis for some much-needed experience away from the core worlds, plans to follow the path taken by the Explorer One after it lost contact with Selene two thousand years ago. Their first stop, a world with lush vegetation and small vertebrate animals, should prove to be a stimulating experience and the perfect opportunity to practice survey methodologies.

When Cadet Charashi disappears after encountering a metallic door in a hillside tunnel, Susan calls in assistance from the Solandis, just as Phoebe Towers, commanding a survey team elsewhere, receives an urgent message to retreat to her shuttle due to an atmospheric storm when all evidence suggests otherwise. Add in the experiences of Karabou Falana's aquatic team-mates, with large eels and sprays of aromatic mist appearing with no explanation, and the planet 208-Xandril begins to worry even the experienced crew of the Umbra. Tabath Sentoris recalls nothing untoward on the Explorer's first visit, but could something have been lurking even then, beyond her ability to recall?

The melody is played, but where's the penny arcade, and who's calling the tune?

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[RJDiogenes]

Great, classic Space Opera, as always. There are a lot of intriguing mysteries out there in unexplored space.