Read Online Space Station Crisis: Star Challengers Book 2 by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, June Scobee Rodgers - Free Book Online
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question ended with an embarrassing burp, and she quickly covered her mouth.
“I can ride in a car without understanding how an internal combustion engine works,” Dyl pointed out.
Kloor smirked. “Internal combustion engine? How quaint.”
Ansari called for order again. “However they got here, these young people have joined us on the station, and I’m inclined to believe they can help us. They’ve proven themselves before.”
“Excuse me, Stationmaster,” said Pi, a muscular and cheery-looking man who reminded JJ of a young Jackie Chan. “I have practical concerns. We certainly have room on the station, and our solar-power arrays can provide enough power for additional crew, but our supplies will be strained by six extra people breathing the oxygen, drinking the water, and eating the food.”
“I’ll give up my rations if they taste anything like the meal we just ate.” Major Rodgers, the Sat team payload specialist, wiped his mouth with an expression of distaste. “That was awful.”
“We all seem to have lost our appetites,” said Lifchez, a civilian scientist on the Sat team.
“That’s why I couldn’t eat,” Mira said. “We’re all tense, and we have important work to do. Suspicions and arguments only reduce the probability of success. We have to launch the Eye in the Sky satellite.”
Dr. Romero added her support. “We just received a shipment of food supplies, so we’ll do fine for now. Remember, I’ve seen first-hand what these young people can do. They’ll earn their keep.” She turned to look at Song-Ye, who had worked with her in the moonbase medical center. “How long will your group be here this time?”
The Korean girl shrugged with one shoulder. “Long enough to help.”
Kimbrell, a civilian engineer who sat beside Lieutenant Kontis, muttered, “You kids don’t know very much then, do you? Didn’t you get a mission briefing?”
Stiff and formal, Mira crossed her arms over her chest. “I know you would all like to have explanations, but it’s classified. We have our orders. This is a vital part of the mission, specifically relevant to Earth’s response to the Kylarn. We are not authorized to say anything.”
JJ didn’t like the answer, but she was forced to agree. “Mira’s right. We’re not supposed to say much. It could”—she searched for the right words—“adversely impact the mission.”
JJ was surprised when Major Rodgers nodded. “If we’re not cleared for the information, then we don’t have a need to know. That’s for Earth scientists to decide.”
“Besides, we all know who the real enemy is.” Bronsky spoke up, defending the cadets. “It is as plain as the ears on your head. I was there when the aliens destroyed Moonbase Magellan—I barely survived myself. Stationmaster Ansari and Dr. Romero barely survived. These cadets were a great help. I say we must trust them.”
“Colonel Fox down at CMC vouches for them as well,” Ansari pointed out. “We’re all here with a common goal: to find ways to protect humanity and defeat the aliens.”
Dr. Kloor looked at the six young people who, scientifically speaking, should not have been there. “I’ve read the reports. We know the story of how these kids arrived at Moonbase Magellan just before it was destroyed.” He pursed his lips. “Aren’t we missing an obvious conclusion here? When these people show up, bad things happen. Trouble follows them. Since they’re here on the space station, maybe it’s just a matter of time before something goes wrong.”
As if on cue, a piercing alarm shrieked from the station’s intercom system.
***
Ten
Like birds startled from a roost, several crewmembers bolted from the Mess through the node room hatches, heading to their separate stations.
“Decompression alarm!” Ansari called.
The sound of the loud siren made Song-Ye’s heart pound. Although queasy from being weightless aboard the space station, she was determined to fight and get over
“I can ride in a car without understanding how an internal combustion engine works,” Dyl pointed out.
Kloor smirked. “Internal combustion engine? How quaint.”
Ansari called for order again. “However they got here, these young people have joined us on the station, and I’m inclined to believe they can help us. They’ve proven themselves before.”
“Excuse me, Stationmaster,” said Pi, a muscular and cheery-looking man who reminded JJ of a young Jackie Chan. “I have practical concerns. We certainly have room on the station, and our solar-power arrays can provide enough power for additional crew, but our supplies will be strained by six extra people breathing the oxygen, drinking the water, and eating the food.”
“I’ll give up my rations if they taste anything like the meal we just ate.” Major Rodgers, the Sat team payload specialist, wiped his mouth with an expression of distaste. “That was awful.”
“We all seem to have lost our appetites,” said Lifchez, a civilian scientist on the Sat team.
“That’s why I couldn’t eat,” Mira said. “We’re all tense, and we have important work to do. Suspicions and arguments only reduce the probability of success. We have to launch the Eye in the Sky satellite.”
Dr. Romero added her support. “We just received a shipment of food supplies, so we’ll do fine for now. Remember, I’ve seen first-hand what these young people can do. They’ll earn their keep.” She turned to look at Song-Ye, who had worked with her in the moonbase medical center. “How long will your group be here this time?”
The Korean girl shrugged with one shoulder. “Long enough to help.”
Kimbrell, a civilian engineer who sat beside Lieutenant Kontis, muttered, “You kids don’t know very much then, do you? Didn’t you get a mission briefing?”
Stiff and formal, Mira crossed her arms over her chest. “I know you would all like to have explanations, but it’s classified. We have our orders. This is a vital part of the mission, specifically relevant to Earth’s response to the Kylarn. We are not authorized to say anything.”
JJ didn’t like the answer, but she was forced to agree. “Mira’s right. We’re not supposed to say much. It could”—she searched for the right words—“adversely impact the mission.”
JJ was surprised when Major Rodgers nodded. “If we’re not cleared for the information, then we don’t have a need to know. That’s for Earth scientists to decide.”
“Besides, we all know who the real enemy is.” Bronsky spoke up, defending the cadets. “It is as plain as the ears on your head. I was there when the aliens destroyed Moonbase Magellan—I barely survived myself. Stationmaster Ansari and Dr. Romero barely survived. These cadets were a great help. I say we must trust them.”
“Colonel Fox down at CMC vouches for them as well,” Ansari pointed out. “We’re all here with a common goal: to find ways to protect humanity and defeat the aliens.”
Dr. Kloor looked at the six young people who, scientifically speaking, should not have been there. “I’ve read the reports. We know the story of how these kids arrived at Moonbase Magellan just before it was destroyed.” He pursed his lips. “Aren’t we missing an obvious conclusion here? When these people show up, bad things happen. Trouble follows them. Since they’re here on the space station, maybe it’s just a matter of time before something goes wrong.”
As if on cue, a piercing alarm shrieked from the station’s intercom system.
***
Ten
Like birds startled from a roost, several crewmembers bolted from the Mess through the node room hatches, heading to their separate stations.
“Decompression alarm!” Ansari called.
The sound of the loud siren made Song-Ye’s heart pound. Although queasy from being weightless aboard the space station, she was determined to fight and get over
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