DJ's Mission Read Online Free PDF

government.
    “Okay…how did it get here?”
    “Master Spartan received this as part of a salvage
claim against the Sylvan government eight years ago.”
    “And now, he is lending it to me?”
    “Negative sir.”
    DJ cocked his head to the side. “Huh?”
    “No sir. The Aetós is not being loaned to you.
Ownership of the ship and all equipment onboard has been transferred to you
effective thirty-seven minutes ago.”
    “But….what? You mean this is my ship?”
    “I’m sorry sir; I was under the impression that
you understood English. I can speak ninety-three other dialects if you so
desire.”
    DJ shook his head. “No, never mind. It’s fine. I’m
in a rush.”
    “Very good sir. If you will climb onboard, Aeolus
will take care of you and I will return to my duties. It was a pleasure to
serve you.”
    Before DJ could ask what he meant, the
multi-limbed caretaker android was gone and the pressurized doors were closing.
“Come on UR-L8, let’s get onboard.”
    The boxy yellow and black android whistled once
and followed the ex-Marine toward the impressive looking starship. The
gangplank, located at the stern of the ship in between the twin engines,
lowered at their approach. Climbing onboard, DJ was shocked at the interior.
    He was expecting a very plain and simple decor,
far from it. Granted, it only had one major compartment with sleeping pods on
each side, a small table and two comfortable looking chairs were strategically
located to one side. The interior was crafted in a polished dark wood which he
didn’t recognize. The whole of the inside was constructed with care and
decorated with earth-tones which he found very relaxing. He spied a short
passageway which obviously led to the bridge where two seats could be seen. All
in all, the Aetós was smaller than the Nemesis but much larger than the average
starfighter.
    When DJ and UR-L8 cleared the gangplank, the hatch
closed and the engines fired up.
    A mellow voice with an ever so slight British
accent spoke from the ship’s intercoms. “Welcome aboard, captain. I am Aeolus,
the Aetós’ resident artificial intelligence. I have been in communication with
Pax and have a full dossier on your exploits and mission summary. We are
cleared for departure and only await your command.”
    Once again DJ found himself overwhelmed at Iaido’s
generosity and paused.
    “I’m sorry captain, are we waiting for another? I
can open the hatch again if need be.”
    DJ shook his head. “No, no we aren’t waiting for
anyone. I take it that you are fully capable for flying.”
    Aeolus took on a slightly insulted tone.
“Absolutely, sir. Although, I will admit it has been some time since we’ve
flown.”
    “Go ahead and take off. Set course for…”
    “Saturn, yes sir. I have been fully briefed. Our
course is laid in and we are currently taxiing to our exit point. Might I
suggest that you strap yourself in? I would recommend the captain’s chair,
which would be the seat closest to you on the bridge. The front chair is
actually designated as the gunners mate’s chair.”
    DJ dropped his duffle bag and climbed into the
chair and strapped himself in. Immediately, the command console came to life.
Every gauge, sensor or control was completely holographic with the exception of
the flight control stick. DJ found that with a simple flick of his finger, he
could move or zoom in on any particular gauge or monitor. It was amazing.
    Aeolus spoke. “Firing thrusters and retracting
landing gear.”
    The Aetós zoomed out of the lower section of Haven
and DJ felt himself sink backward into the chair by the G-forces of their
acceleration. Aeolus took the ship through several barrel rolls and quick
banks. DJ wasn’t a fighter pilot by any stretch of the imagination but he’d
been in a few dogfights in his time and he realized that the agility the Aetós
was displaying was incredible.
    “Aeolus, how long has it since you’ve been out of
that hanger?”
    “Using the standard