Point of Origin (War Eternal Book 4) by Forbes M.R

Author:Forbes, M.R. [Forbes, M.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction
Publisher: Quirky Algorithms
Published: 2015-11-29T18:30:00+00:00

37

"Standard serpentine formation," Steven said as they reached the hatch out of the hangar. "Germaine, take the rear."

"Yes, sir," Germaine said, turning back to cover their tails.

The hatch slid open at their approach, revealing an intersection.

"If I didn't know I was in a cube built by an advanced artificial intelligence, I would say I was on an Alliance starship," John said, taking in the simple metal walls and floor, and the ductwork hanging above them.

"This is more narrow than an Alliance starship," Steven replied. "It reminds me of the Beatty. Remember her?"

"The Beatty?" Cormac asked.

"Yeah," John said. "She was a third generation battleship. Survived over two-hundred missions before she was decommissioned and turned into a museum."

"What does it mean?"

"It means this place is old and was based on old human technology," Steven said. "The question is, why?"

"More importantly," Germaine said, "which way do we go?"

"I don't think it matters that much," Steven said. He turned to the right and started walking, the others keeping formation behind him.

"What do you think this place is?" Cormac asked, keeping his voice low. "A museum?" He laughed at himself.

"I doubt it. I'm sure it has something to do with that massive ring out there. The whole thing was tethered to the star, probably to draw power from it."

"Whatever it is, it seems to be deserted," John said.

"We've barely scratched the surface of it," Steven said. "There could be someone here."

"It might take days to find them."

"Then it's a good thing we still have a decent supply of nutri-bars."

"Yum," Germaine said sarcastically.

They walked to the end of the first corridor, turning left at the next intersection. The corridor continued for some distance, both sides of it identical in appearance to the first hallway.

"It's going to be real easy to get lost in here without a p-rat or mapping drones," Germaine said.

"Yeah, we should mark our path," Steven said.

"I got it," Cormac said. He pulled a knife from his boot and scraped it along the wall, leaving an 'x' etched into it.

They walked for a while longer, taking two more intersections before finding a stairwell. They descended a level, emptying out onto the floor and finding it matched the first. More walking revealed more of the same.

They paused at one of the intersections, sitting with their backs against the wall, resting and eating.

"What would be the point of making something so big if there's nothing in it?" John said. "No hatches, no windows. Just lots of long hallways that don't go anywhere."

"There has to be a hatch that goes somewhere, somewhere," Steven said. "The hangar for instance. This station has a purpose."

"Do you think there's a crapper in here?" Cormac asked.

"You should have gone before we left the jumpship," Germaine replied.

"I, for one, am thankful that you didn't," John said. "Those nutri-bars do not process well in your intestines."

"It doesn't help that the Lanning's filters needed to be changed before we left," Germaine said. "I was just about ready to die twice daily."

"Who shits twice a day, anyway?" John said.

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