Star Virus by Michael Cole

Author:Michael Cole [Cole, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severed Press
Published: 2021-01-25T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

“Ow, damn it,” Soto snapped. The reflective panel popped off a series of sparks as he tried to repair the wiring. It proceeded to spark even after the wires fell away from each other. “So much for fixing the cloaking mechanism.”

“Just reroute the power,” Luke said.

“I already tried that,” Soto said.

“Use spare parts,” Luke said.

“Look, genius, why don’t you give it a shot?” Soto said. Luke growled something in his native language, which caused Soto to shake his head. He looked over at the Vickel. “You said something mean, didn’t you?”

The Vickel bared his teeth in a hideous attempt at smiling.

The levity lasted a moment, as high-pitched alarm sirens filled the air. Soto and Luke raised their weapons and looked around for any sign of hostile presence. So far, there was nothing, on ground nor in the air.

Luke grunted a series of growly words and looked at Soto, who simply shrugged.

“I have no idea what it is?! Do I look like I’ve built this place?” Soto placed his headphones on and adjusted his mic. “Sergeant Park. I’ve got alarms blasting in my ears out here.”

“We’re aware. We think we might’ve tripped an alarm somehow while accessing the computer. We’ll be coming to you shortly. We have coordinates to the hangar bay. Prep the ship for takeoff and await our arrival.”

“Affirmative, Sergeant,” Soto said. He hurried outside and yelled to Luke. “Help me close these panels. We’re about to make a fast getaway.” Luke holstered his blaster and sprinted around the bow to secure the open panels, while Soto performed a final fusion needed in the port engine. “Come on. Come on. Come on,” he muttered repeatedly.

********

“Get that alarm shut off, Corporal,” Livingston barked. Webb frantically tapped keys to scour the computer’s security systems. The swirling red lights flashed in his eyes, inducing a feeling of disorientation and madness. Soviar covered her ears and backed away from the computer, bumping into Neill. The gunner grabbed her by the shoulder and led her to the center of the room, grouping with Park, Ramos, Weatherford, and Jackman.

“I got it,” Webb shouted. He tapped a flashing button on the screen, ceasing the alarm. Another alarm immediately replaced it, this one sounding like a ringing bell. After several seconds, it subsided. The team embraced the silence like a cool wind on a hot summer’s day.

“Damn…that worked better than a hot mug of Joe,” Weatherford said.

“Is that download complete?” Parked asked, his tone expressing sheer impatience.

“Sorry, Sarge. Got a little distracted,” Webb said. He clicked a few buttons and resumed downloading all the necessary files. “Almost done.”

“Alright. I’ll wait here. Sergeant, move the team out,” Livingston said.

“Wait…sir?” Weatherford called out. He stepped toward the metal sarcophaguses at the back of the lab. “I hear something.”

All eyes went to the steel tombs. They were vibrating, shifting a few millimeters side-to-side. Deep within, a distant growl reverberated from each one. Next was a sizzling sound of air, identical to those during the opening of a pressurized door.

“Private, get your ass away from those things!” Park yelled at Weatherford.

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