Cherryh, C.J.
HELLBURNER
C.J. Cherryh
Warner Books 1992
PB 393 pages
ISBN # 0-446-36451-7
Though Hellburner can be read as a stand-alone novel, I suggest first reading Cherryh's Heavy Time (see review) which will explain the events leading up to this story.
Hellburner is Earth's Fleet Strategic Operations new secret weapon, a space ship that supposedly will be able to outmaneuver and outfight Union ships out of Cyteen. When Belter pilot Paul Dekker and his crew blasted out of the station at R2, they caught the Fleet's attention. Hellburner is a very sensitive piece of equipment that requires a pilot with the fastest reaction time possible. Paul Dekker has it. Only problem is that one of MarsCorp's board members is hot to have him killed. Even though Fleet hides him behind their security screen, she still is able to strike out at the young man who ruined her life.
It seems this lady had a daughter who was supposed to follow in her mother's political foot-steps. Cory Salazar had other plans. When she turned eighteen, she skipped planet and joined her long-time Earth pen-pal Paul Dekker out in the Belt where she bought them a space ship and they went mining. Nice story, until a big mining corporation decided to ride right over them, literally. Even when the military commandeered the station and proved Paul Dekker had nothing to do with her daughter's murder, Ms. Salazar still wanted Paul destroyed for it--any way she could. She even stirs up trouble with Paul's mother back on Earth, which gets media attention that endangers the already politically sensitive Hellburner project.
Now, when Paul is nearly killed in another accident, some are saying it was attempted suicide. Some know better but since Paul can't even remember what day it is (again), Ben Pollard is called in as next of kin. Oh, that really makes Ben happy--not! Ben has just finished special schooling to be a top computer wiz and is headed for a top-notch job on Earth. He gets kidnapped by the Fleet and (just like in Heavy Time) is ready at any minute to "help Salazar kill Dekker!" He only half means it, but oh, these two find more trouble than either could have dreamed possible.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes Cherryh, &/or a science-fiction in the asteroid belt type story. This duology is engaging and satisfying.
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