Found 5000 (Fleets, #6) / Fleets (ePub)

It drifted in unity with a large field of ice and unknown debris. The drone continually embraced and tugged against the surrounding bodies, like a school of fathom fish in the ocean, or particles in a closed container becoming excited when heat or pressure is applied. At the source of the magnetic field was a huge dense cluster of frozen water particles, known as the tail or coma.

His vessel had left the Earth's atmosphere, and it was debatable whether the mission had actually failed, or whether he was purposely hurled off to a point of no return. He only had his own conscience to debate with though.

A spinning platform was briefly visible, before the entire cylindrical object moved into view. It hovered momentarily before his window, before vanishing in a flash. It was followed by another and yet another, three identical cylinders in total. Bernard waited, expecting to find more of these objects, but instead he saw the familiar spray, similar to the ice formation found in Haley's coma, but not quite as solid.

The second spray brought back further memories, as he recalled seeing something similar when he was undergoing pilot training. His squadron had undergone severe pressure tests under water, to see if they were fit to handle the relative G-forces. But that's it! He now recognised the spray caused by swells and waves of the ocean.