IUSD23

==Chapter 23 - I used to Dream==
Kowloon System
Lyran Commonwealth
3091
Test series two.  We have to figure out if it's hazardous to humans.
If so, then we're still sitting on a gold-mine, just one that requires automated or remote-controlled cargo instead of passengers.
Risky.
The damage to the crew of the Mila Weintraub is weighing on my mind as the shuttle with our volunteers enters the gateway.
Minutes pass, and then...
"Snark Control, this is Shuttle One, we have cleared the other side, over."
I can breathe again.  
"Recheck my notes, Penny. Make sure I got the math right, the next test is going to be a jump-capable vessel.  We don't need KF interaction screwing this up."
"Already on it, Pat." she's already on it, she's got the same concerns I do.
Our taskforce in the Colleen system have been using their time between gate supply runs to conduct surveys. Checking out nearby systems and planting early warning sats. Also, checking to see if they can find any survivors on Haven or Honor.
The Star Adders were pretty thorough.  Every time I get a report, I want to visit vengeance on the perpetrators.  The problem is...uncomfortable.  I rage for a few hours, but then sanity dawns on me and I recognize we can't afford to start a war, even with a short-cut into their space.
Who'd would we target? After a certain point, it becomes murder not justice.
I don't want to be that guy. So our TaskForce on the other side biding their time. Get supplies but, at least we know we can evacuate the people.
I just don't feel good about leaving the ships...or the gateway there.
Next mission in the Colleen system in seven days.  We're pinging the other sites regularly, but for the time being, it's exploration ONLY, and low-profile exploration at that.  If we can verify it's viable for a wide range of manned traffic, safe, and reliable? We can start looking at trade routes and offering contracts.
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