Story: The Lethe, pt. VII

“Our mission is to find out what became of the Lethe, taking advantage of this new jump drive technology to follow the Lethe’s course, assuming she’s still on it, overtake her, and find out what happened. If the Lethe still is function and if people are still on board, we are to take them—and the ship, if possible—to Elysion and help them establish the colony. Hopefully, they’ve just had a communications system malfunction but are otherwise fine. Any questions?”
Brackers spoke up, “Sir, exactly how are we supposed to track the Lethe? I know that we can use the jump drive to jump instantaneously to any point within 5 light-years of our present position, but that still leaves a lot of territory to cover. It’s 46 light-years to 47 Ursae Major. It could take a year or so to explore all of that distance, even if we jump frequently.”
“The Lethe used a very powerful Ion Drive,” Dobbins replied, “and would have left a trail that we should be able to pick up once we’re outside the Solar System. Lt. Commander Sawyer, I am correct in thinking that this ship has the sensors to scan 3-5 light years ahead of its current position, am I not.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Sawyer quietly.
“Then, this is the plan: we head out of the Solar System along the Lethe’s original path, pick up her trail, and then jump outward in 5 light-year increments, scanning ahead of us each time until we either find the Lethe or reach 47 Ursae Major. Comments?”
“What if we don’t find any sign of the Lethe and we reach Ursae?” asked Skylar.
“Let’s hope, Mr. Skylar,” Dobbins responded, “that it doesn’t come to that. This search is already going to be difficult enough if the Lethe is where she’s supposed to be. Other questions?
“Good. That’s it for now. We depart dry dock at 1300 hours sharp. Be to the bridge by 1200 hours for your shift. Dismissed.”
The senior staff rose almost as one to leave from the briefing room. They exited as they entered, talking in pairs or threes, only this time the conversation focused on the Lethe, even the conversation between Marquél and Skylar, who seemed to be arguing about the origin of the name Lethe. Dobbins just shook his head at those two as he turned off the briefing room lights and left for his quarters.