Guardian by McCrumb Cathy

Author:McCrumb, Cathy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Christian, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9798886050974
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Published: 2024-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

35

PERSONAL RECORD: DESIGNATION ZETA4542910-9545E

PALLAS STATION

478.2.6.04

>>Connection lost. Connection lost, scrolled over the drone’s screen. >>Suspected interference.

>>Utilize video and auditory processors to remain in contact, I entered.

>>No neural chip.

“I know.” Braving potential intrusions might be safer if the drone could assist, so I entered, >>Continue visual monitoring and pheromone detection. Connect with datapad.

>>Protect.

“Indeed,” I said aloud and inserted a tendril into my datapad, and the drone’s writhing slowed. It unspooled the tendril about my waist, allowing me freedom to move, but remained hovering two meters overhead, so I set Edwards’s pack down and lowered myself next to it. Jackson returned to the communication console to call for supplies and escorts, and the other two marines departed for whatever duties they had.

Zhen dodged under the drone to crouch in front of me. “You need rest.”

“We all do,” Jordan observed, “but real rest or even instant coffee will have to wait until we’re settled.”

“So . . . Timmons said there was a feeding frenzy outside deep storage.” Eric shuddered. “Do you suppose the bugs have moved on?”

“Probably, though I’m more concerned that no one outside our group heard about our arrival. We’ve been careful enough, so Ross”—Jordan spat his name—“and his cronies shouldn’t know where you are.”

“I studied the schematics,” Zhen put in. “The room is located at a dead end. It feels like a trap.”

“Maybe it’s a good place for that very reason?” Eric asked. “Defensible? Like having high ground in a fantasy vid?”

Jordan did not answer, and though I was inclined to agree with Zhen’s concern over Eric’s optimistic supposition, I remained silent. Tucking my knees to my chest, I rested my head against the wall. The drone’s grip slid down my arm.

“Zhen,” I said while staring up at the shadows pooling awkwardly around the stalagmites, “did the drone harm you?”

She lowered herself to sit at my side. “I’m all right, but my insides are still buzzing. I don’t think it approves of me in general and wearing the suit in particular.”

“It does not, but your violation of the AAVA code has been—” What was the word? Excused? Absolved? “Dismissed.”

“Hardly seems likely, but I’ll take your word for it.”

I kept my eyes on the ceiling. “It is more likely your attempt to free yourself provoked the reprimand.”

“It was bad,” she said slowly, “but yours have been worse.”

In the powerful floodlights, one of the rounded formations in the far corner resembled a nose. It made me uncomfortable that a large nose protruded into the control room, as if the moon could smell the drone and me and would inform the Consortium of our location.

“Perhaps.”

“That’s dross. This particular monstrosity nearly killed you at least once.”

Zhen’s rudeness lifted my spirits, but my thoughts drifted to my other friends: Eric’s distrust when he met me, then Tia’s personal questions on Agamemnon.

A thread of worry turned me toward her, the drone’s tendril tugging on my arm. “You are not pregnant, are you? I do not know if the reprimands would damage—”

She flushed. “No.”

Eric coughed. When I looked over at him, he shook his head.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.