Read Online Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair by Marcus Johnson - Free Book Online Page A

bridge.
     

Chapter 9 - In the Heart of Darkness
     
    Brian
and Meldi entered the elevator. Once the door closed she averted her eyes.
    “What
horrifies me is that I knew when I looked upon that place what had happened,”
Meldi said. “I can’t accept it.”
    “I
don’t think anyone can.” Brian put his hand on her shoulder. “We think we’re
hardened to such things, but there are things outside our comfort zone. You and
those who went with you saw something that should never happen. It’s something
that shouldn’t exist; therefore we believe it can’t exist. But as much as we
would like to deny it the evidence is there for all to see.”
    “What
do you think happened?” she asked.
    “They
were scientists on the edge of space. All they wanted was to know more, go
farther and fly free,” Brian said. “But something crushed their dreams, crushed
their hopes, and destroyed their home. I have a suspicion on what happened and
that’s why Zae’s reviewing the inner planets again.”
    The
door opened to the bridge.
    “Zae,
have you found anything?” Brian asked before going to the captain’s chair.
Meldi stood at the back of the bridge silently.
    “After
scanning, we’ve found that there are three smaller planets,” Zae said. She put
their images on the monitor. “But none of them could support life with their
current atmospheric composition.”
    “Are
any of them in the life zone?” Brian asked.
    “This
one,” Zae said. She zoomed on the image of the second planet. The image showed
a lifeless and bleak surface. “Strange,” she said before zooming in further.
Although there was no water present the planet appeared to have ocean floors
and continents. “The planet also has a large moon that would serve as a polar
stabilizer.”
    “Can
we see anything else?” Brian asked.
    “Not
unless we get much closer to the planet,” Baed said. “Do you want me to fly the
Avoni there after the repairs are finished?”
    “That
would be perfect Baed,” he said.
    Baed
stood up to join them. “By the way, what did you find?” she asked while looking
to Meldi.
    “Can
I tell her?” Meldi asked.
    “Yes,”
he answered. “But please, don’t show her the pictures right now.”
    “Of
course,” Meldi said.
    Brian
turned to Zae. “Would you join me in the conference room?”
    “Yes,
let’s do that,” Zae said. She followed Brian into the next room. He connected
the devices to the monitor. “What do you want to talk about?”
    “I
want you to see this with me Zae,” he said. He was ready to turn the video on.
    “What
is it?” she asked.
    “Have
you ever wondered what hell looked like Zae?”
    “Not
really. Wait, what do you mean by that?”
    “What
our subordinates saw was the aftermath of something awful.” He turned on the
video from the orbital station. The screams and growls Myli heard for but a moment
played for a lot longer before Zae turned it off.
    “What
was that?” she asked. Her cool demeanor was gone. “Is that the reason you asked
me to check the inner planets?”
    “Yes.”
    “Their
home was destroyed,” Zae said as she called up the image of the second planet.
“But how is it possible? If it was global heating it would take much longer for
the runaway greenhouse effect to take effect.” She stared at the image
intently. “No, that couldn‘t be because this planet has no atmosphere on it.”
    “The
Confederation needs to know about this incident,” Brian said. “From what I’m
seeing, the Greys terminated the homeworld of this species by removing their
atmosphere.” He stopped, barring his fists. “They didn’t even have the decency
to finish off the survivors.”
    “They
just left them to die like this?”
    “Of
course,” he said. “Without a home to return or supplies they weren’t a threat
any longer. That’s why we must see their homeworld. If there’s any evidence of
life left a closer inspection will prove it.”
    “Could
it be an atmospheric weapon?”