Malfunction Junction: A Military Sci-fi Series (Waymaker Wars Book 3) by Rachel Aukes

Author:Rachel Aukes [Aukes, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2022-07-11T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 33

Mars Station

Jack landed Cabrón a full hundred meters away from what had been Mars Station, since he didn’t trust any of the wreckage from collapsing further. He didn’t like landing the ship in the open where it could be seen from space, but he had no other options.

“When this is all said and done, let’s talk about adding a shuttle back on,” Jack said as he unbuckled from his seat and grabbed his helmet.

Kana nodded. “I agree. I feel naked sitting out here like this.”

“Activate the defense system as soon as I’m off the ship and keep watch on the entire sector. Those Waymakers at Ceres may have picked us up and could get curious.”

After the run-in with the Waymaker and Glimmer on the journey there, entering Martian orbit had been surprisingly uneventful. Other than two Waymakers in the vicinity of Ceres, Cabrón’s scanners picked up no other signs of Waymakers or Glimmers in the sector. There were dozens of other Martian colonies, but they all remained intact and free of invaders. Jack hoped it stayed that way.

“The planet blocks some of the scans, but I’ll let you know the second I see anything,” she said.

He stood.

“Jack.”

He turned in her direction.

“Please hurry.”

“I will.” He exited the bridge and met the rest of the crew, all wearing hab-suits, in the cargo hold. Burn and Heddi were sitting in the small rover while Veda stood at the door controls, fully armed. Jack made sure the door between the hold and the rest of the ship was securely sealed behind him. He glanced across their faces to see no fear. He gave them a simple nod and said to Veda, “We’ll check in every hour. Back in six, whether we find what we’re looking for or not.”

“Kana will be monitoring comms, and I’ll be ready to assist. Anything you need,” Veda said.

With that, Jack snapped on his helmet and climbed on the rover, giving Veda a thumbs up as soon as he took a seat.

Veda pulled on his helmet and waited for Burn and Heddi to give him a thumbs up, the signal that their helmets were securely in place. Then he opened the door and lowered the ramp. Red sand swirled outside as pressurized air from the ship whooshed out.

The door was still cranking open when Burn drove down the ramp. Heddi waved at Veda as they left. As soon as the rover was off the ramp, Burn accelerated. The landscape near Mars Station was relatively flat, with only small rocks dotting the area. The trio made good time crossing the distance to the bombed-out remains of a city that had survived Sol Corps attacks and star snake attacks until finally giving way to the Waymakers’ photon onslaught.

Jack and his crew had spent more time at Mars Station than at any other colony. Jack had found comfort for a time in the arms of a woman there—Domino Wolfe, leader of the rebellion against Sol Corps. A star snake had killed her. He was used to death, but it never made it easier to lose someone he cared deeply about.

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