Read Online The Lost Fleet: Genesis: A Slaver Wars Novel by Raymond L. Weil - Free Book Online Page B

atmospheric suits?” asked Mikow. Mikow disliked wearing
the suits though they provided adequate protection from most radiation and a self-contained
environment.
    “No,” answered
Jeremy. “Ariel assured me earlier the atmosphere on the ship will be breathable
and the temperature acceptable. Even the gravity will be similar to what we’re
used to.”
    The shuttle
maneuvered to an open spot on the bay floor where a circle of lights were
flashing. The shuttle gently set down and the slight rumble of the engines died
away.
    “Shuttle is
secure,” the pilot reported as he turned to look at Jeremy, who was sitting
directly behind him. “Should I open the hatch?”
    Jeremy felt
his pulse quicken. After months of waiting, he was finally going to set foot
inside the Originator ship. “Yes,” he replied. “There’s no point in delaying.”
    Getting up,
Jeremy walked toward the now open hatch. Just before reaching it, Admiral
Jackson stepped in front of him, barring his path.
    “Let me go
first just to make sure everything’s safe. You’re the fleet admiral and it’s my
job to ensure no harm comes to you.”
    Jeremy
hesitated and then nodded. The admiral was only doing his duty.
    Admiral
Jackson walked down the short ramp to step out onto the deck of the flight bay.
He looked around, seeing nothing dangerous. However, everywhere he looked there
was mysterious and strange looking equipment. The flight bay was so different
from any he had ever been in before. “Everything seems to be okay,” he reported
over his minicomm. If there was something wrong, he wasn’t sure he would
recognize it.
    Jeremy and the
others stepped out into the bay followed by the four AIs. Looking around,
Jeremy’s eyes were drawn to a hatch that silently slid open. He wouldn’t have
noticed it if he hadn’t been looking in that direction. His eyes widened when
he saw a figure step through and begin walking toward them. The man was easily
eight feet tall and dressed in a high-collared dark red military uniform. He
was very Human in form except his skin had a more bluish tone to it than did
the Altons. His hair was dark black and his facial features seemed very normal
except he had no eyebrows and only minimal eyelashes.
    “I am Kazak,”
the man said coming to a stop in front of the group. “Welcome to the Originator
ship, Dominator .”
    “Was that the
name of the people who created you?” asked Andram curiously. In all of their
research, they had never discovered the name of the race that had inhabited the
ancient ruins on so many worlds. He was surprised to hear Kazak refer to them
as the Originators.
    “No,” replied Kazak,
shifting his gaze to Andram. “What they called themselves would be very
difficult to pronounce in your language. For that reason, I think it best if we
stay with the term you have come to associate with the race of builders.”
    “I heard your
footsteps as you walked toward us,” Kurene said, her eyes focused on the AI. “I
thought you were a hologram.”
    “No,” Kazak
answered. “I am an AI but I reside in this body. It’s an artificial avatar
built by the Originators for my use.”
    “Is your body
based on what the Originators looked like?” asked Admiral Cleeteus.
    “Yes,” Kazak
responded. “My creators felt this would make interaction between myself and
them easier.”
    “We have so many
questions,” Jeremy said as he took everything in. The fact that Kazak had a
physical body had momentarily stunned him as Ariel hadn’t mentioned this. “I’m
not sure where to start.”
    “Why don’t we
go to the ship’s Command Center?” Kazak suggested. “To make everything easier,
I will refer to various parts of the ship in terms you will be able to
understand. Ariel has briefed me on the nomenclature you are accustomed to.”
    “Your
computers, will we be able to access them?” asked ZED. The blue globe that
served as his head glowed brighter as he asked the question
    Kazak turned
to look at