Read Online Blood and Fire by David Gerrold - Free Book Online Page A

plate, and waited
for the panel to turn green, silently praying that the Norway would recognize their authority. He didn’t want to manually force the hatch, he didn’t want to cut his way in. He wanted this operation to run smoothly. By the book. The panel went green and Korie whispered soft thanks to the unseen crew on the other side. “That’s a good sign,” he said.
    â€œYeah, they’re only paranoid, not crazy,” agreed Hodel.
    â€œIt’s wartime. Everybody’s crazy. The only question is whether we’re crazy enough . All right, here we go. Bach, Easton, Shibano—” The security officers pulled themselves into position just behind Korie. They unshouldered their weapons. They raised blast-shields into position.
    Korie punched the OPEN panel with his gloved knuckle. The panel flashed red and showed the word TESTING—and then the hatch popped open in front of them and they were staring into the empty airlock of the Norway .
    They waited a moment, to see if anything would happen. Nothing did. “It’s still a go,” came the captain’s voice.
    The chamber ahead was dark and featureless—except for the lack of light, it was identical to the lock they had just exited. Korie released his grip and allowed the repulsor field to push him forward into the silent ship. The security team followed. They oriented themselves vertical to the Norway , moved through the airlock hatch and dropped to the deck.
    When the last crewmember had entered the airlock—it was Helen Bach—they sealed the hatch and waited while the Norway ran its own air pressure checks. The throb of the repulsors faded behind them.
    â€œLooks like the autonomic system is still up and running,” Korie noted, as much for his team as for the listeners still aboard the Star Wolf : Parsons, Tor, Brik, Williger ...
    â€œThat’s good news,” said Hodel. “Makes all our jobs easier.”
    â€œMission Team, we copy that.” Tor’s voice came through their suit-phones.
    The last panel flashed green. “All right, let’s go.” Korie popped the final hatch. The interior of the Norway lay before them ...
    It was not a reassuring sight. The Airlock Reception Bay was dark. There were two starsuits still hanging on the racks and one fallen to the deck. A scattered assortment of equipment lay about—as if someone had tried to dress in haste, without regard for procedures. Without regard for anything except escape.
    â€œHodel?” asked Korie.
    â€œAlready scanning.” Hodel was studying the readouts on his suit arm. “Nothing yet.”

    Korie switched on his external speaker. “Ahoy the Norway ! Is anyone here! We’re here from the Star Wolf . We’re here to help you! Ahoy the Norway !” He held up a hand for silence. The mission team held still. Listening to the silence.
    â€œAhoy! Anyone ...?”
    No one.
    Korie gestured and the team moved forward—from the Airlock Reception Bay into the keel. It was bad news. Too many lights were out. The keel was shadowed and gloomy.
    â€œSir?” Hodel pointed. Korie followed the direction of his gesture.
    Something in the darkness. Something that flickered insubstantially. And was gone. And then flickered again in another place. Like fairy dust or very faint fireworks.
    â€œWhat is it?” Hodel asked. “What does it mean?”
    â€œIt means ... I guessed wrong.” There was a cold hollow feeling growing in Korie’s gut. “We should have come in the other end.” To Hodel’s look, he said, “I expected them to be thinking logically. Sorry, Mike. The job just got harder.” I made a mistake .
    â€œMission Team, report,” said Tor dispassionately. “What are you seeing?”
    â€œSome kind of ... it’s hard to describe. Fireflies? I’m not sure. Adjust your display. It’s very faint.”
    â€œOkay, we’ve got it