Starslave by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb [Tubb, E. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780575107700
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2014-01-30T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

A riot of colour shone where there should have been the empty darkness of normal space; brilliant greens, reds, blues, yellows. Orange, puce, violet, the hard whiteness of eternal ice, the warm browns of autumn leaves.

A plethora of variegated hues and, amongst them, drifted objects; pyramids, cones, spires, cubes, spheres of different shades, polyhedrons, things like snowflakes, others like sponges.

An alien universe Varl had seen before.

“We made it.” He said into the intercom: “Maintain battle-alert.” To Koslenko he said, “Any sign of the other ships?”

“No.” The man checked his scanners. “But there’s something moving towards us on the upper-port side. One of those pyramids.”

“Veer away. Use rockets.” Varl snarled his impatience as Canale was slow to obey. “I’ll take over. Go and check the ship.”

It trembled beneath his hands as Varl fired the rockets. A touch that sent streamers of flame stabbing into the void. Another and their velocity was negated relative to where they had emerged.

“Koslenko?”

“Clear now. Still no sign of the others.” He added, “Should we radio? A sharp signal to let them know we’re here?”

“It would attract what attacked us. We’ll wait.”

Time in which to remove the suits and ease aching muscles. To change watches and check the ship for damage,

Canale was bitter. “Two men dead and for what? Because you couldn’t wait. We had a plan and you jumped it. The others could all be dead now. Ripped apart by that thing you attracted. Turned inside out like Denton and Vogel and left with their guts trailing the deck.”

Segman said, uneasily, “Take it easy, Max.”

“It’s the truth, isn’t it? We broke through so they paid the price. Someone always pays the price.”

From his board Koslenko said, “Still no sign, Commander.”

Ignoring him Varl stared at the first officer.

“You don’t like me and you don’t like taking my orders, right? Well, mister, you were warned. Stand down and report for normal crew-duties. I’ve another to take your place,”

“You can’t do that.” Canale glanced at the others then met Varl’s eyes. “I’m under direct orders from the Comptroller. He assigned me to be your second in command. To take over in case of need. I figure that time is now.”

“You’re lying.”

“You think so?” Canale fumbled in a pocket. “I’ve his signed order. It entitles me to take over the ship. I’m doing just that.”

“Like hell you are!”

Varl lunged forward as the officer’s hand appeared, his own slamming out, the fist smashing against the bicep, paralysing it, the arm, the fingers holding the laser. As it fell to the deck he struck again, a savage, vicious blow with the stiffened edge of his palm. Canale’s neck snapped with the sound of breaking wood. As he fell light and noise blared from Koslenko’s panel.

“Metal,” he reported. “Something big coming at us and fast.” His voice rose as he checked his instruments. “A ship! Commander, it’s a ship!”

The Keil and it was a wreck.

Varl guided the Dalio towards it, matching velocities, studying the vessel as it came close. The hull was indented, scarred as if by tremendous claws.

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