Read Online The Darwin Elevator by Jason Hough - Free Book Online

farming. I doubt any immunes are living out there after all this time.”
    “Let’s follow the usual precautions,” Skyler said.
    “Why not wait for a lift?” Samantha asked. “The climbers will surely be fixed soon. So why not? Can’t afford it?”
    “Even if I could, we need to keep this one quiet.”
    Her eyebrows shot up. Excitement filled her face like a child at Christmas. “A smuggling op, then! Kick-ass. What are we looking for?”
    Skyler pulled the request list from his pocket. “Some kind of research data.”
    She frowned. “Boring.”
    “Maybe, but the price is right. It’s a memory cube or something.”
    Takai reached for the list and Skyler gave it to him.
    “Or something?” Samantha asked. “Can you recognize it?”
    “Takai can handle it.”
    She folded her arms again and fixed a withering glare on Skyler. “So he’s jumping with us?”
    “Sure. He’s done it before.” Skyler thought he did a decent job of keeping the apprehension from his voice.
    “Yeah, once. I’m not babysitting.”
    “Not asking you to,” Skyler said. “I’ll partner with him.”
    Jake and Samantha responded in unison. “You’re jumping, too?”
    “Angus handled the Nightcliff landing well, he’s ready to pilot—”
    “Fucking Christ, Skyler,” Samantha said. “Takai’s second jump. Your first in … what, a year? And Angus taking lead on the stick? I missed the ‘Amateur Night’ sign when I came in.”
    Skyler felt his fists clenching, and slowly released them. “That’s enough, Sam. Let’s discuss it in my room.”
    She got up and came to stand in front of him, her height ever intimidating. “Let’s discuss it right here.”
    Skyler stood his ground and tried to channel the voice Skadz had always used. “The truth is we’re on the ropes. It’s time we faced it. Time I faced it.” He clasped his hands and looked at each of them in turn. “This is a hell of a talented team, no question about it. Even so, we haven’t hit a winner in some time.”
    Samantha snickered.
    “As I see it,” he continued, ignoring her, “we have three assets. The Melville , a damn fine ship that can range half the Earth. Then there is Prumble’s faith in us. He continues to give us work. I’m not quite sure why.”
    He glanced around, meeting each of their eyes. “And, of course, our strongest asset: you people. This crew. You’re all immune, and you’re all the best at what you do. Not a single other crew on this strip can claim either trait. Even Blackfield can’t match that. So if there’s a flaw in this operation, it’s me.”
    Part of him hoped they would shout encouragements now, but everyone remained quiet. That hurt.
    He swallowed hard. “I know things haven’t run so well since Skadz left. I know I’m not the leader he was, but I am the senior member, so I’m asking for one more chance.” He settled his gaze on the young pilot. “Angus, you’re ready to take the stick. I’m trusting you to take good care of our girl.”
    He nodded once.
    The kid could do it, Skyler knew. “If I’m going to lead this mission, I can’t do it circling three klicks above you. That’s why I’m jumping with the rest of you.”
    “Huzzah,” Samantha said, without enthusiasm.
    “The primary goal is finding the data logs in this observatory. Yes, it’s a problem that the climbers aren’t running. A huge, nasty problem. But it’ll pass, and Prumble will fence the goods like he always does.”
    He stopped there, gauging their reactions. He realized he needed to offer more. “If we find what we need fast enough, and juice permitting, we’ll hit the nearest town as well. I’ve got a list of desirables, plus the usual sundries. Questions?”
    Jake asked, “What happens if this mission doesn’t hit, Sky?”
    Skyler tried to look his sniper in the eyes, and found he couldn’t. He blurted an answer that surprised himself as much as anyone. “I’ll step aside.”
    A bleak silence filled the