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Jailhouse Rock [MultiFormat]
eBook by James P. Hogan
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eBook Category: Science Fiction
eBook Description:  Early "Knight" military caper.
eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Cosmic Stories: Adventures in Sol System, 2004
Fictionwise Release Date: November 2005
Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [228 KB], eReader (PDB) [42 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [30 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [27 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [85 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [99 KB], hiebook (KML) [117 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [55 KB], iSilo (PDB) [25 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [31 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [59 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [42 KB]
Words: 8434
Reading time: 24-33 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
 
It was storm season in the southern hemisphere of Mars. Above the turbid orange clouds obscuring the western parts of Hellas Planitia and the region toward the equator, the "Mocha" freighter flew on a heading north of west. A thousand yards behind, the Skyguards escort gunship that was accompanying it to Lowell base, still a quarter of the planet away, maintained station slightly above and to starboard. Unseen satellites passing high overhead sent periodic updates on the vessels' progress to a monitoring program running in the computers at Skyguards' headquarters, located at Lowell.
As flying machines went, the Mocha was ugly and ungainly--a boxy, open-frame center-body designed to hold a variety of cargo modules; an independently maneuverable crew module in front; one from a selection of propulsion modules attached behind; and on the sides, either high-lift wings for atmospheric duty, or boosters capable of low-orbit injection to connect with the satellite transfer stations. But it was well suited to its role of hauling miscellaneous loads around the newly-opening-up planet. Its name derived from the official designation of Modular Cargo Handler. Naturally, everybody called them Mocha ships. At the rear of the flight deck in the crew module, rookie recruit trooper Kieran Thane sat cramped on a folding jump-seat between the rear bulkhead systems panel and an equipment rack, one arm resting on a run of power cables crossing the wall ribs, a close-quarters autocarbine wedged next to his leg beneath. The vessel was owned and operated by a general carrier at Zerolon base on the far side of Mars from Lowell that styled itself grandly "Haulers of Fame," and was carrying a cargo of space weaponry and programmable munitions that would fetch premium bid prices among the various mercenary forces, commercial rivalries, and other squabbling enterprises taking form among the Belt habitats and beyond if it happened to go astray. Hence the armed escort ship. Kieran had been put aboard the Mocha as link man between its crew and the escort commander, as routine required. The vessel was built to minimal surface utility standards, which meant that everyone was wearing EV suits with helmets close by, ready at hand. "Escort Leader calling Mocha." The voice of Lieutenant Coombs sounded in Kieran's phones. "Acknowledge and report." "Roger. Everything normal here," Kieran responded over the circuit. "I read you. Out."
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