He was about thirty years old, with a full crown of thick
brown hair and deep brown eyes. This was Jesus Madera-Cruz, Chief
Ioneer for Starlight Enterprise. He was adept with engines and
micro-electronics. Noted for a placid nature, nothing ever seemed to
bother him, and his expertise in power systems had never failed the
trust which Richard Starlight had placed in him.
"You asked for me, Captain?" he asked.
"Yes, Mr. Madera. We need your skills urgently. This is Gene, one of
Zimbardo's men. Zimbardo has been gone for two hours. Gene tells us
that before he fled he burned out the power. Before the power went out,
he also redirected the asteroid on a collision course with Earth. I've
asked our ships outside to confirm that. In the meantime, I'd like you
to check out the power system and see if you can bring it back up.
Obviously, if what Gene says is true, this is a matter of extreme
urgency, not just convenience."
"Yes, ma'am," answered the man with a brief nod. The Captain detailed
several men to go with Gene and Madera to wherever Zimbardo's former
chief control officer wanted to take them. Gene took them first to the
control deck.
Captain Marks-Owens detailed the rest of her men to search the complex
in pairs. As other ships landed, minutes apart from each other, she
directed their crews to the search.
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