The Burning Dark by Adam Christopher

Author:Adam Christopher [Christopher, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror
ISBN: 9781783292028
Google: Qki_BgAAQBAJ
Publisher: Titan Books
Published: 2014-03-13T11:00:00+00:00

21

“This is exactly what I don’t need.”

Ida snorted and shifted the weight on his feet. The provost marshal paced back and forth in the ready room, apparently talking to himself. Ida wasn’t sure whether King was more concerned about possible infiltrators attacking his marines or about this screwing up his carefully planned schedule.

King stopped pacing and glanced at Ida and Serra. Serra stood to attention, looking pale and ill as she stared at the wall behind King’s commandeered desk. Ida followed her gaze to the painting there—a print, Japanese, of some nautical disaster. It must have been as expensive as the desk and the rug. The desk was clear, the book Ida had seen open there now absent.

“Where is Sergeant Major Carter now?” asked the marshal.

Serra’s heels clicked together. “He’s been admitted to the infirmary, sir, and is under sedation, sir.”

King nodded. “Very well. I’m moving this station to alert status. Our guests are due in just two cycles. We are going to sweep this station from top to bottom and get rid of our rats. Captain Cleveland…”

Here it came. Confined to quarters to twiddle his thumbs. He wondered if Izanami would at least keep him company. Ida glanced to his left, where she was standing demurely, smiling but staring ahead, her eyes apparently focused on the same point as Serra’s. Maybe she knew what the print was about. Ida wondered who was looking after Carter.

“You and Psi-Sergeant Serra will lead the search. Dismissed.”

Ida blinked, then coughed politely into his fist. “I don’t believe I heard you correctly, Marshal.”

King ground his teeth. “This station is operating on a skeleton crew, if you hadn’t noticed. Retired or not, you hold the second-highest rank on board. For the moment I’m going to forget about the radio—”

Ida drew breath to speak but the marshal held up a hand.

“I said for the moment. Until we get this situation under control, I’m officially reinstating you to service.”

Ida opened his mouth again, but he wasn’t sure what to say. King raised an eyebrow.

Reinstated to service? It was a surprise, but it made sense. Orders changed all the time in war, often suddenly; Ida had plenty of experience with that. And King was right. If the station was under threat, they needed everyone to pull together.

Ida felt a smile grow on his face. He saw King look at him, and quickly brought himself to attention. He snapped a salute.

“Captain Abraham Idaho Cleveland reporting for duty, sir!”

King nodded and moved back around behind his desk. With the marshal’s back turned, Ida glanced sideways at Serra, but she was motionless, her glazed eyes fixed on the wall. On Ida’s other side, Izanami had that damn smile on her face again.

“At ease, Captain,” King said as he sat behind the desk. “We need to flush out our rats, and quick. This station needs to be secure for our VIPs. I’m giving you a chance here, Captain. You say you’re a hero? Show us. You and Psi-Sergeant Serra will assemble your teams.

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