Peacekeeper - God Complex by Farren Doug

Author:Farren, Doug [Farren, Doug]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B081XZPH2F
Goodreads: 48928743
Published: 2019-11-23T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Tom crawled out of the shelter as soon as the sun cleared the horizon. Despite having slept through the entire night, he was still tired. His abdominal muscles were sore and every breath caused a feeling of discomfort.

“Good morning,” Lashpa said, using her armor’s external speaker.

“I thought you would still be sleeping,” Tom said, stretching.

“I instructed Krish to wake me as soon as you were awake. I’m worried about you and Krish is concerned.”

“I’ll be fine,” Tom replied. “It’s just that this gravity is starting to get to me.”

“Krish recommends taking more frequent breaks and lying down during those breaks. Apparently, the gravity is causing your blood and body fluids to pool.”

“I have a mission to accomplish. I don’t have time to- - -”

“You need to be in top condition if you are to be successful,” Lashpa interrupted. “If you do not comply with this suggestion, I will have Krish take over your cybernetics.”

“You know,” Tom said, emptying his bladder. “There are times you sound like a nagging wife.”

“And there are times you act like a stubborn male. I am not nagging; I’m worried about your health.”

“Sorry,” Tom said. “I guess I’m getting irritable as well.”

Tom took a few minutes to eat an energy bar for breakfast then broke camp.

“Has that update to the cargo bot been loaded?”

“It has. The bot should have no trouble during the ascent.”

“Thank you. LD-36, follow.”

The entrance to the base was located about two-thirds of the way up the side of an ancient shield volcano. The higher gravity had caused the slopes to be relatively gentle.

Following Krish’s instructions, they meandered up the mountain following the path of least resistance. Several times, they had to carefully pick their way through fallen rocks that were still loosely jumbled together. Following Krish’s advice, Tom made it a point to stop and rest at regular intervals.

Five hours later, they were making their way around a large rock when they encountered a dome-shaped structure.

“LD-36, hold position,” Tom directed Lashpa.

“What is that?” Lashpa asked. “It doesn’t show up on Krish’s scans.”

“I’m not sure,” Tom replied. “I’m going to go have a closer look.”

The dome was about three meters high and black in color. Tom slowly walked around the structure. He could find no seams or protrusions indicating its function.

“Interesting,” he said aloud. Tapping on the surface produced only a dull sound. “Looks and sounds like armor. I’ll bet this is a defense station.”

“The dome is probably made of a material that evades our sensors,” Lashpa said.

Tom took a moment to rest then drank some water and ate another food bar before proceeding up the mountain. No further structures were encountered. An hour later, they were climbing through a loosely packed jumble of rocks when Tom spotted a dark hole in the side of the mountain about 50 meters above them.

“LD-36, hold position,” Tom said once again.

He increased the magnification of his eyes so he could get a closer look at the entrance. It had been carved into the side of the mountain through solid rock.

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