“How do you mean lost? It’s in hyperflight.”

“Something went wrong. They jumped out.”

She was talking to the watch officer at the Academy. “Who’s on duty at Union?”

“I got the news from Peter.” That would be Peter Arnold, the watch supervisor.

“Patch me through.” Hutch was already on her way down to her living room, pulling on a stylish satin robe that she kept specifically for these occasions.

“Hello, Hutch,” Peter said, as she descended the stairs. “We have no idea where they are.”

“That’s Abdul’s mission, isn’t it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What happened?”

“We got a message from him about fifteen minutes ago. He said there was an engine problem. They were going to exit back into normal space.”

“And you haven’t heard from him since?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Okay. Get me an estimate of his probable location, and let’s start looking to see who else is in the area.”

“Already working on it, Hutch.”

She descended into her living room and switched to visual. Peter was a big, easygoing guy who had been an interior lineman during his college days. But at the moment he looked worried. “Where are they now? How far out?”

“About ninety light-years.”

“Okay. I take it there’s been no follow-up transmission?”

“No, ma’am, that’s why I’m worried.” His forehead was creased. “The engines may have exploded. During the jump. Otherwise, we should have heard from him by now.”

“He may not have been able to get a message off right away. He has passengers to worry about. There’s also a possibility the hypercomm failed.”

“At the same time as the engines? I doubt it.”

“The Heffernan’s a Colby class, Peter. The systems are interrelated. They could have gone down together. If so, they’re adrift out there somewhere. Waiting for help to arrive.”