Parker Interstellar Travels 4: The Trilisk Hunt Read Online Free PDF

Maxsym became almost alarmed.
    “That’s a big mother,” Imanol
said, showing he was doing the same as Maxsym. “I hope it’s not a Space Force
base ship!” His voice expressed bitterness.
    “What?” asked Maxsym.
    “I don’t like it any more than
you do,” said Imanol.
    No one else commented on it.
Their transport flew into the huge vessel and came to rest.
    When Maxsym stepped out of the
dingy transport, he felt another shock. They were in a hangar large enough to
be in a spaceport.
    “I thought we were meeting a
ship,” Siobhan whispered.
    “We did. This is a ship,”
Imanol said. “And as you can see, it’s gigantor.”
    The hangar floor was vast and
flawless. It looked new. Or advanced enough to be kept like new. Something else
felt wrong about the place. Maxsym couldn’t put his finger on it. The angles of
the construction were odd.
    Probably built by a company I’ve
never heard of out on the frontier.
    Maxsym spotted two people
coming out to speak with them on the wide-open floor. One was a man—muscular,
wearing military garb with a rifle on his back.
    And a knife big enough to be a
sword at his hip , Maxsym noted. Is this the norm for the
frontier? He looked over at Krellis but saw only a sidearm. Siobhan and
Imanol appeared unarmed.
    The other was a woman. She
looked young, attractive yet professional. Maxsym could not help but rank her
against Siobhan in looks. He decided the new one was even more interesting.
Besides, she was closer to Maxsym’s height than Siobhan. She also wore a very
durable-looking skinsuit, probably military grade. He saw a pistol and a large
knife at her hip.
    What have I gotten myself into?
Am I about to be forced into service?
    “I’m Sheridan, and this is
Calder,” she said. “Welcome to our ship. We’re glad you came to speak with us
about Parker Interstellar Travels.”
    Well, she doesn’t sound
threatening.
    The woman seemed to notice
everyone including Maxsym staring at the huge hangar.
    “Our ship is quite impressive.
Yet another reason you should consider joining us.”
    “Is this some kind of
paramilitary group?” asked Caden. His gaze had moved quickly from the hangar
around them to the weapons worn by the pair who had greeted them.
    “That’s a good question. One
that deserves an answer. But first, I have to ask all of you to go through a
quick screening procedure. I realize that it’s very much on us to convince you
to join us. And I intend to do that, which will include giving out a lot of
information. This screening has to come first. It’ll be very quick, and I can
promise we’ll make it worth your while whether you join us or not. You turn us
down, I’ll send you home on us and toss in 1000 ESC for your time.”
    “What kind of a screening?”
Siobhan asked. She sounded skeptical.
    “I’ll go with each of you into
that room for five minutes. I’ll ask you some questions. Very basic stuff,
nothing about your personal lives, just career-type questions. It will be one
at a time, and the rest of you can speak with the first person when they come
out if you have reservations. I realize this could feel a bit creepy. It will
all be clear shortly.”
    She pointed at Maxsym. “What do
you say?”
    What the hell is going on here?
At this point, if they’re some kind of crazy kidnappers, I’m pretty much at
their mercy.
    “Very well,” Maxsym said
guardedly.

Chapter
5
     
    “I don’t know what you’re
talking about,” asserted the young man. His last name was Krellis. He sat in a
simple metal chair. He wore a skinsuit that exposed only his hands and his
close-shaven head.
    “I’m talking about the fact you
never left the space force,” Telisa said. “You still work for them.”
    The man leaned forward and
feigned anger. Telisa could see his perfect white teeth as he spoke. His eyes
held determination. For all the good it would do him.
    “I passed your truth check.
What’s your issue? You know I had a falling-out with the