Sneak Peek—Stories from The Expanding Universe Anthology #4: ‘Warp Three’ by David J. VanBergen Jr.

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There are 20 short stories in the latest volume of Craig Martelle’s The Expanding Universe anthologies. Today, with Craig's permission, we are taking a sneak peek at the start of David J. VanBergen Jr.’s story, ‘Warp Three’. Here’s how it begins:
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Even the best pilot in the galaxy can have a bad day when traveling at three hundred times the speed of light.


Chapter 1

Cyrus didn’t remember opening his eyes or waking up, but he was suddenly aware of his surroundings. He was alone in a bright, stainless-steel room, but had no idea where he was or how he had gotten there. In fact, he wasn’t even sure he was actually there, but that didn’t make any sense. How could he see if he wasn’t there?

Before he could contemplate any further, everything faded away.
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Cyrus Jones stood at attention in the front row with nineteen other IMF starship pilots—at least, soon-to-be pilots. Four more rows of twenty cadets stood behind him. One hundred of the toughest and smartest men and women on the planet. The truly elite of the human race. That was what had been drilled into them for the last eighteen months, at any rate.

Admiral Ablak himself stood at the podium addressing the cadets, imparting words of wisdom to the men and women who would be the next generation of IMF officers. Cyrus didn’t hear a word the leader of the Intergalactic Military Forces said. His attention was focused on the ship the admiral was standing in front of.
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Location: Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

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