Alpha Minor by Simon Haynes

Author:Simon Haynes [Haynes, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781877034282
Publisher: Bowman Press
Published: 2018-05-02T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The ladder ran up inside the fighter's belly, ending in an area little bigger than a cupboard. There were small doors on all four walls, with a narrow arch in the rear wall leading to a spiral staircase. While Alice went to look up the stairs, Teresa opened one of the bigger lockers, rummaged inside and pulled out a heavy jacket with a fleece lining. "Put this on," she said, handing it to Alice.

"Why?"

"Listen kid, if you want to come with me you'll have to follow orders. It could save your life."

Silently, Alice donned the jacket. It was too big, and when she did it up it hung off her like a sack. It was also uncomfortably warm.

"Good. Now get up to the flight deck while I close up."

Alice took the ladder quickly, the metal steps clattering with her eager footsteps. There was a handrail, the brass buffed to a shine from years of use, but she spurned it and ran upwards, sure-footed. When she emerged on the carpeted flight deck, she paused to stare. There were two seats up front, each moulded from a single piece of grey plastic, with thick cushions for support. They had wings to protect the occupants' heads, and the armrests held control panels covered in switches, knobs and status screens. Laid out before the seats was an even bigger collection of controls and displays, set into a brushed aluminium panel which curved from one side of the cockpit to the other. There were dual controls, with an aircraft-style joystick for each seat, and a set of throttle levers on a shared console in between.

She turned to her right, where there were two more seats, these intended for passengers. They lacked controls and status screens, but they still had six-point safety belts and the large, padded headrests. The sun beat down through the canopy, and what with that and her run up the steps, Alice was much too hot in the heavy jacket. She was tempted to take it off, but Teresa might carry out her threat to leave her behind. So, she perched on one of the seats and tried to figure out the safety harness.

There was a heavy thud from below, and the daylight which had been shining up the stairway was cut off. Lights came on, and then she heard Teresa climbing towards her, saw the woman's elongated shadow on the wall like some twisted, distorted monster.

Teresa stepped into the flight deck and, ducking her head under the canopy, made her way to the front two chairs. She sat in the right-hand one, then gestured at the other. "You can ride up front, as long as you don't touch anything."

"I won't," promised Alice, as she slipped into the left-hand seat. There wasn't much room, and what little space she had seemed to be filled with more controls and screens. She just hoped she didn't sneeze, because if she jumped suddenly her elbows were sure to change their course, or activate the jump drives … or even the self-destruct.

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