Dalvaron Station (Singularities Book 3) by Anthony James

Author:Anthony James [James, Anthony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

A branch from the northern passage took the mission personnel west, then a northern turning ended at a door a short distance ahead.

“Think you can stand, Captain?” asked Gabriel.

Lanson took his arm from the other man’s shoulder and tested his injured leg. The pain was gone – or at least it was at such a low level that he hardly noticed it – but the leg itself was still weak. However, it was noticeably stronger than when Lanson had first taken the bullet.

“I can stand. I’m not sure if I can run,” he said.

Gabriel nodded. “What about you, Private Davison? You’ve been running well enough.”

“Yes, sir. I don’t sprint with my guts.”

Something akin to a smile flickered briefly on Gabriel’s face, and then it was gone. “Private Hennessey – open that door,” he said.

Hennessey touched a hand on the access panel, but the door didn’t open. She tried again, with the same result.

“Red light, no access,” she said.

“The Ghiotor must have subverted the door controls,” said Lanson. He limped towards the door panel. After a couple of paces, he realised he didn’t need to favour his leg so much, and he put more weight on it. “Let me give it a go.”

Pressing himself against the wall, Lanson touched the access panel, knowing that if the door failed to open, this was likely the end of the road.

Lanson need not have worried. His Tier 0 access was enough to overcome whatever security blocks the Ghiotor’s crew had imposed, and the door opened. The soldiers didn’t open fire. Instead, Gabriel and Chan darted into the room.

“Clear,” said Gabriel after a moment.

The room wasn’t large, and contained a half-dozen generic consoles of the type Lanson had seen many times before. A metal cup rested on the top panel of the nearest console and when he glanced inside on the way past, he saw a thin layer of dark-coloured matter – type unknown, but more than likely the residue of an Aral beverage.

“We have 175 metres to go,” said Hennessey.

“North, west, and then north again,” said Gabriel, approaching the exit door. “The transportation node is accessed from that final passage.” He half turned. “Captain, there’s a red light on this panel.”

Lanson had already guessed that he’d be required to open the doors between here and the node and he hurried across the room. His leg was getting stronger by the second, such that he could now walk normally without fear of it crumpling beneath his weight.

The soldiers were in position. Some crouched behind the Aral consoles, with their guns trained on the northern door, while others were keeping an eye on the two additional exits – one of which was south and the other east. Lanson placed his hand on the access panel and the door opened with only the faintest hum of its motors.

“Move!” ordered Gabriel, dashing past Lanson and into the passage.

Having allowed two additional soldiers to precede him, Lanson followed. His leg didn’t fail, and he was able to keep up without difficulty.

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