Read Online Starship Revenant (The Galactic Wars Book 3) by Tripp Ellis - Free Book Online
Authors: Tripp Ellis
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access codes should be the same to facilitate emergency rescue operations.
She entered 0000 into the keypad. A moment later, the display flashed: access granted . The Navy figured they would make the code so simple, no one could forget it. It was like the old nuclear football code.
Before she could open the outer hatch, the inner hatch had to be sealed. She keyed in the commands, and a moment later, the external hatch released and slid open. A rush of air blew out of the airlock.
Mitch and Zoey climbed into the airlock and sealed the hatch behind them. Zoey pushed the button on the bulkhead and pressurized the compartment. An overhead light flashed green, and a klaxon sounded.
Zoey’s fist mashed another button, and the inner hatch slid open.
The corridor in front of her was pitch black.
She activated her helmet lights. Two brilliant beams pierced the darkness. Dust and debris floated in the air. A pencil, a piece of paper, a coffee mug tumbling end over end. Her magnetic boots were keeping her affixed to the deck, but the ship’s gravity generators weren’t working.
There was clearly some available power. But the main system was off-line. Even the emergency lighting wasn’t functioning. It was possible that after all this time the ship went into some kind of hibernation mode to preserve energy.
“I hope you’re not afraid of the dark,” Zoey said.
Mitch gulped with fear. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
As Zoey stepped into the passageway, she felt a chill run down her spine. The hairs on the back of her neck stood tall. Goosebumps rose on her flesh, like skyscrapers. She didn’t know if it was just her imagination or not, but there was something chilling about this place. It felt like evil.
15
Walker
T he Officer of the Deck sneered at their appearance. One side of his lip curled up, and his big amphibian eyes grew even wider. He wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this tattered group of Saarkturains—or what appeared to be Saarkturains.
Malik, Saaja, and Walker stood at attention. With his battle armor and face shield, Walker blended in. Though they all stood out. Perhaps the fact that they were covered in dirt and mud drew some of the attention away from Walker.
“Permission to come aboard?” Malik said.
The OOD hesitated. When he spoke, he did so in Saarkturese. “Permission granted.” He looked them up and down again. “Perhaps you would like to freshen up before you meet with Emperor Tyvelon?”
“We had a little… engine trouble on the way over,” Malik said.
The OOD glanced at the damaged thruster. “Yes, so it seems.”
“We were ambushed by raiders. We had to make an unexpected stop on a rather unfriendly planet.”
“I see.” His big round eyes were suspicious. “Well, if we can be of any assistance in repairing your ship, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.”
The OOD’s eyes found Bailey sitting at the top of the ramp in the Phantom. “And that… thing? What function does it serve?”
“It’s highly trained in tactical explosive detection, gas detection, search and rescue.”
“I can assure you, there are no hidden explosives, or poison gas aboard the Korvectus . But the ship is large. I can’t promise you won’t get lost.” His tone was condescending. “I guess I will allow the beast on board.”
“He’s very well behaved,” Malik said. “Years of extensive training.” The only training Bailey had was fighting nasty arthropods on Thantos 6.
Walker motioned for Bailey. He bolted down the ramp and sat alongside Walker.
The OOD stared at Walker, but he couldn’t see through his visor. It perturbed him a little.
Bailey gave a subtle growl as the OOD stepped close. Walker petted Bailey’s head to settle him down.
The OOD turned up his nose. “Follow me. I’ll show you to your temporary quarters.”
As they followed him off the flight deck, Walker saw a slew of prisoners offloaded from a transport ship. They were humans. Frightened and
She entered 0000 into the keypad. A moment later, the display flashed: access granted . The Navy figured they would make the code so simple, no one could forget it. It was like the old nuclear football code.
Before she could open the outer hatch, the inner hatch had to be sealed. She keyed in the commands, and a moment later, the external hatch released and slid open. A rush of air blew out of the airlock.
Mitch and Zoey climbed into the airlock and sealed the hatch behind them. Zoey pushed the button on the bulkhead and pressurized the compartment. An overhead light flashed green, and a klaxon sounded.
Zoey’s fist mashed another button, and the inner hatch slid open.
The corridor in front of her was pitch black.
She activated her helmet lights. Two brilliant beams pierced the darkness. Dust and debris floated in the air. A pencil, a piece of paper, a coffee mug tumbling end over end. Her magnetic boots were keeping her affixed to the deck, but the ship’s gravity generators weren’t working.
There was clearly some available power. But the main system was off-line. Even the emergency lighting wasn’t functioning. It was possible that after all this time the ship went into some kind of hibernation mode to preserve energy.
“I hope you’re not afraid of the dark,” Zoey said.
Mitch gulped with fear. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
As Zoey stepped into the passageway, she felt a chill run down her spine. The hairs on the back of her neck stood tall. Goosebumps rose on her flesh, like skyscrapers. She didn’t know if it was just her imagination or not, but there was something chilling about this place. It felt like evil.
15
Walker
T he Officer of the Deck sneered at their appearance. One side of his lip curled up, and his big amphibian eyes grew even wider. He wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this tattered group of Saarkturains—or what appeared to be Saarkturains.
Malik, Saaja, and Walker stood at attention. With his battle armor and face shield, Walker blended in. Though they all stood out. Perhaps the fact that they were covered in dirt and mud drew some of the attention away from Walker.
“Permission to come aboard?” Malik said.
The OOD hesitated. When he spoke, he did so in Saarkturese. “Permission granted.” He looked them up and down again. “Perhaps you would like to freshen up before you meet with Emperor Tyvelon?”
“We had a little… engine trouble on the way over,” Malik said.
The OOD glanced at the damaged thruster. “Yes, so it seems.”
“We were ambushed by raiders. We had to make an unexpected stop on a rather unfriendly planet.”
“I see.” His big round eyes were suspicious. “Well, if we can be of any assistance in repairing your ship, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.”
The OOD’s eyes found Bailey sitting at the top of the ramp in the Phantom. “And that… thing? What function does it serve?”
“It’s highly trained in tactical explosive detection, gas detection, search and rescue.”
“I can assure you, there are no hidden explosives, or poison gas aboard the Korvectus . But the ship is large. I can’t promise you won’t get lost.” His tone was condescending. “I guess I will allow the beast on board.”
“He’s very well behaved,” Malik said. “Years of extensive training.” The only training Bailey had was fighting nasty arthropods on Thantos 6.
Walker motioned for Bailey. He bolted down the ramp and sat alongside Walker.
The OOD stared at Walker, but he couldn’t see through his visor. It perturbed him a little.
Bailey gave a subtle growl as the OOD stepped close. Walker petted Bailey’s head to settle him down.
The OOD turned up his nose. “Follow me. I’ll show you to your temporary quarters.”
As they followed him off the flight deck, Walker saw a slew of prisoners offloaded from a transport ship. They were humans. Frightened and
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