Earth's First Starfighter Volume 3: Advancement Science Fiction (Humanity's Integration and Colonization into the Galactic Governance of Astroba) by Han Yang & Michael Angel

Author:Han Yang & Michael Angel [Yang, Han & Angel, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Royal Guard Publishing LLC
Published: 2024-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

THE GRAND TOUR

ALDEBARAN SYSTEM – GAS GIANT ALDEBARAN-K

“Hold up a moment,” I said, as everyone began unbuckling. “I just realized something big. Pun intended. And I’m not sure everyone here is going to like it.”

“So long as this revelation is quick,” Tully replied. “We can’t keep Bains Thissel waiting aboard her own ship!”

“Yeah, about that,” I said. “We’re not on Bains Thissel’s ship. Because this ship … actually is Bains Thissel. We’re inside of her right now.”

“Are you serious?” Natasha asked, before pursing her lips in thought for a moment. “I suppose … yeah, it does make sense if you think about it.”

“If it’s true, it’s even more awesome!” Tully exulted. “It’s poetic, almost. The galaxy’s best starship designer … is herself a gigantic starship!”

Odette let out a distressed squeal. “It’s not awesome, it’s terrifying!”

“But … but…” Tully sputtered. “This is an amazing moment…”

“No, it’s not!” She jabbed a tentacle at him as her voice got more and more frantic. “I don’t know what your mother taught you and the rest of your brood, but I’ve got a healthy fear of being eaten alive! Look at those organic surfaces out there. This ‘Bains Thissel’ could flood this chamber with digestive juices any time she wishes!”

Maybe Odette technically had a point. But I had to put a stop to this before she tipped over into a blind panic.

“Odette, I’m your friend, but I’m also your Captain,” I said, in what I hoped was a firm-but-reassuring voice. “Bains Thissel doesn’t plan to eat us, and if she changes her mind, I won’t allow it under any circumstances. You’re too good a weapons officer to be reduced to a midafternoon snack.”

“But … but how can you…”

“Think logically about this. If she meant to do us any harm, she’d have done it already. We’re not getting any more nutritious just sitting here.”

Odette settled back into her seat with a little thump. Tully was at her side in a second, stroking her with his tentacles to calm her. But she wasn’t having any of it. Her mantle shifted from silver to a dull gray, and her fins had been drained of all color.

“I just don’t know! I’m trembling inside my encounter suit!”

“Then you and Tully wait here,” I said with a sigh. “I’ll go out first, if she pulls anything suspicious, we’re out of here.”

“All right,” Odette said faintly.

I got up and went aft. Natasha followed at my side and then triggered the exit ramp switch. It lowered with a mechanical whirr. The atmosphere that swirled in from the outside smelled surprisingly fresh, like a recently laundered hotel room. Meanwhile, Tully cooed and urged Odette to at least come to the central compartment to watch us step out.

Natasha’s hand found mine as we walked down to the end of the ramp. Judging by her expression, she wasn’t alarmed. Perhaps a little bored, even. But her grip was cold and tight. I felt her pulse racing.

“Hello there? Bains Thissel?” I said into the air, as I looked around the hangar.

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