Star Runners by L E Thomas

Author:L E Thomas [Thomas, L E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Max Publishing
Published: 2014-12-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"Look." The voice sounded far away. "Hey, Austin, look!"

Austin peeled open his eyes. His mouth was dry, his jaw hurt. He blinked twice and looked at Skylar. It took a moment for him to recognize his surroundings and he wondered if it had all been a dream.

Skylar smiled and pointed out her window. The craters pockmarked the gray, lifeless surface like the site of an intense artillery barrage. The moon rotated by the window as the freighter moved into orbit.

"There's Armstrong's flag," she said pointing.

"Where?"

She giggled. "So gullible!"

Austin scowled and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Do you think this is strange?"

"Understatement of the year," she said, turning around. "Of course this is strange. That word doesn't even do it justice."

"We worked so hard for a scholarship, we get it, and it turns out to be in outer space. More than that, it's a game we both have been playing for years." He gestured to the window. "And now we're orbiting the moon. This doesn't concern you at all?"

She stared at him. "You're in a spaceship. Enjoy this."

Austin looked back at Bear who shrugged and tightened his harness. Skylar gazed at the moon as it passed by the window.

The ship's cabin rattled.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be passing through the curve in two minutes," the captain said over the intercom. "Crew, be sure all passengers are secure in their seats. Thank you."

The interior lights of the cabin flickered and dimmed. Blue track lighting illuminated the floorboard between the seats, preventing total darkness. Austin inhaled and bit down on his bottom lip. Power increased and the engines rumbled. Another sound like water gushing from a hose mixed with the constant growing hum of the engines. He pressed his head back into the soft chair. He smelled hot electronics like when he had his computer on too long.

The dark side of the moon glowed a deep green before transitioning to red. The glow must be coming off the ship. The cabin air felt very hot. Skylar turned away from the window, her grin vanishing. He grabbed her hand tight and felt sweat on her palms.

A ringing filled his ears as a crimson glow filled the cabin and flashed. Austin winced. As fast as they began, the sounds ceased, and the light in the cabin came back on line. Conversations resumed.

"Wow," Skylar whispered.

Beside her, the moon was no longer outside the window. He nodded toward the blackness of space. She pressed against the window and he leaned on her shoulder to get a better view. Stars shined outside and a cloud of blues, reds and whites glowed in the distance.

"What's that?" she asked.

"A nebulae." Austin shook his head. "Amazing."

"It's dark," Bear mumbled. "Space is so dark."

"Wow, good point," Austin said with a smirk. "I never would have thought space would be dark."

"Shut up."

The intercom crackled. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have successfully passed through the curve and are now resuming normal operations. We should be arriving at Tarton's Junction shortly. Those of you departing here will be asked to promptly debark.

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