Point of Origin (War Eternal Book 4) by M. R. Forbes

Author:M. R. Forbes
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Galactic Empire, Space Opera, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Alien Invasion, Space Fleet, Space Marine, Military, First Contact, Time Travel
Publisher: Quirky Algorithms
Published: 2015-11-29T07:00:00+00:00

38

It was a machine of some kind. Tall and rectangular, sitting on two squat treads that moved it slowly through the hallway. It was mostly smooth on the outside, the shell made of Tetron alloy, the surface broken only by small ridges of sensors that appeared randomly across its expanse. It wasn't immediately apparent what its purpose was, but as it reached the center of the intersection, it came to an abrupt stop.

Cormac moved up, stepping between it and Steven. He kept his rifle trained on it, ready for it to react to them.

It didn't. It sat there, motionless. There were no lights coming from it. There were no sounds other than the rumble of its reactor. It wasn't apparent it was doing anything, but Steven knew it had to be. Why else would it be sitting there?

"Seems odd, with the squeaky treads instead of a repulser and the Tetron frame," John said.

"It does," Steven agreed. "What do you think it means?"

"They didn't have the parts to fix it right," Cormac said. "Maybe."

They remained in alert status, waiting for it to do something. Minutes passed. It held in place, giving Steven time to overcome his initial anxiety and become curious instead.

"I think if it were going to kill us, it would have already," Cormac said.

"Do you think there are more of them in here?" John asked.

"I bet there are," Cormac said.

"Uh, guys," Germaine said. "Turn around."

Steven turned around. John and Cormac did the same. They had already traversed that corridor, making it more surprising to hear footsteps headed their way. It was enough to raise Steven's anxiety level again.

"It has to be a Tetron, doesn't it?" Cormac said.

"One of Origin's," Steven replied.

They kept their attention on the hallway, listening to the footsteps growing closer. The figure appeared in the distance a few minutes later, the lighting in the passage too dim to make them out.

"Stay on them," Steven said, swallowing his heart. "I'll make introductions." He started walking toward the figure. If it was dangerous, it was better to give the rest of his team some breathing room.

Shadows on the figure's face caused Steven to squint his eyes, trying to get a good look at who was coming. He could see the person was wearing a navy blue flight suit, and by the gait and general shape he guessed male. The closer the man grew, the calmer Steven became. What he wanted most were answers that he could bring back to Mitchell. To know what Origin had left here that would help them win the war.

They were still a hundred meters apart when Steven could clearly see that the incoming person was indeed a male, with short hair and olive skin, a pointed nose and a square jaw. The man appeared unarmed, his expression calm and confident as he approached.

Steven and the man faced one another, stopping two meters apart. Steven's eyes skipped to the embroidered patch over the man's heart. It read "Yousefi."

"Admiral Williams," the man said with a slight accent that Steven didn't recognize.

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