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Ascension II: Pumpkin Seed

Holmes rejoiced when he saw Reckall’s request for orbital collection of the prisoner. He could demand a larger than usual bribe for the service. The prison guards he sent were less pleased.

There was no sign of Bates. Nervously, they examined the shuttle’s weapons bays and propulsion nacelles with visual-light and infrared scanners while Horst, its pilot, slowly spun it for inspection. At last they spotted a heat source just within the main thruster.

After negotiating a larger bribe with Reckall, a team of two guards joined by Hart and Reyes suited up and made their way aft to the thruster. Warily, one guard crept into the combustion chamber while the rest of the party watched carefully, weapons drawn. Had Bates jury-rigged the thruster to fire when entered, or at his command? The guard emerged, carrying a warmer used for thawing frozen machinery.

In the silence of space, they didn’t notice the JDC shuttle moving away, until they saw its silhouette pass in front of Juno’s city lights.

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