Read Online The Martian Journal by Michael Burnside - Free Book Online Page A

smiled at Sarah and said he was impressed that she worked it out when it was mere hours away, but by then it was too late for them to do anything.
I asked that surely somebody on the Aldrin would have detected something was wrong and taken plans. They both laughed to themselves. Callaghan chillingly said that there were others in their circle, as he called it, dotted about various parts of the system, making sure things go according to plan.
Sarah shouted what did he and the Earthbinders want. Callaghan lowered his head, smiling to himself. He raised it again and declared that the Earthbinders were nothing more than a crude little set up that serves their purpose for them.
It was unbelievable and we all fell silent. Callaghan then signalled for Sarah to come over to him, but she moved a step back, almost behind me. Callaghan then told Sarah she was to come with him to the Clarke's communication room. She will contact the Aldrin and assure them everything is fine.
    I told him that wasn’t going to happen and to forget it. Frank pointed the gun towards Sarah, and then slowly moved it towards Hutchie. Callaghan smirked as he told Sarah to do what he said if she didn’t want to see her friends harmed.
    Sarah began to move slowly forward, when Lloyd from out of nowhere lunged at Frank’s arm, dragging the gun down towards the floor. This gave Hutchie enough time to rush over and throw a heavy punch across Frank’s jaw. Frank dropped to the ground and before we knew it, Callaghan had raced away down another corridor.
    I would have chased after him but I was more worried about Lloyd, who was trying his best to stay on his feet despite Hutchie telling him to take it easy. Lloyd refused, saying we had to somehow find the controls to the laser and stop it. He put one arm over Hutchie and told him to head towards where Callaghan ran to. Sarah took his other arm and together they began moving in that direction. I picked up Frank’s gun and followed behind them.
    At the end of the featureless corridor was a double door, similar to the one that lead to the chamber. I opened the door to see Callaghan standing at a control panel. When I shouted at him to stop, he turned to face us and that was when I realised that he was also holding a gun. He fired off two shots before I could react by firing back. I must have hit him three or four times as he hit the ground dead. I turned to see that Lloyd had fallen to the floor. He had been hit in the chest. Sarah was clutching her side as blood began pouring down it.
    Despite being shot a second time Lloyd, scrambled towards the control panel while shouting to Hutchie to check on Sarah. The blood just flowed from him but he fought on to work at the controls, covering it more and more with his own blood. I knew he wasn’t going to make it but his ability to carry on regardless was one of the most admirable things I have ever seen anyone do.
    I saw out of the corner of my eye, Hutchie ripping his sleeve and tying it around Sarah’s waist. I called over to Hutchie asking how Sarah was while making sure Lloyd was able to stand at the terminal. He informed me that she’s in shock but it’s just a flesh wound.
    Lloyd slumped down onto a chair at the control panel. He grabbed me by the shirt and pulled me closer so I could hear him. The weapon is primed to fire and the co-ordinates are indeed for the Aldrin. He said he couldn’t stop it from firing and the target is locked in. I asked if there was anything we could do. Lloyd closed his eyes and suggested we try to knock the Clarke out of position but we would have to be very quick as from what he could gather, we had less than twenty-five minutes. I thought for a moment and asked if the bomb that we found was strong enough. Lloyd just shook his head. My heart sank until Hutchie piped up. He said if the bomb was to detonate at a certain part of the ship then the explosion would be quite substantial.
    Lloyd said that could be enough to do it. He then