Rift Breaker Read Online Free PDF

panels had been removed, exposing disconnected wiring with several shut-down switches. The outer casings were stacked on a nearby shelf next to an open box of tools.
    Black padding lined Milton’s seat. Its bounciness, along with the untouched leather covering, indicated it was new. But the deduction somewhat altered when Milton ran his hand over the adjustable armrests, uncovering a thin layer of dust. Both his and the pilot’s seats were positioned in rectangular gaps in the front flight console, and separated by a short block of additional switches and buttons.
    The captain relaxed in the well-chiselled grooves of her pilot’s chair. She had set it back on its rails, allowing herself room to cross her legs over the console to the right of the flight controls. She stared ahead with one of her guns crossed over her chest, the barrel pointed in Milton’s general direction.
    Tazman sat in the reserve pilot seat to the captain’s side of the cockpit entrance, with his head snuggled against the wall and his opposite leg draped over the armrest. The muffled hum of the ship’s engine dominated the conversation. Tazman, eager to make noise, began to whistle. His tune ranged from slow and sombre to bright and spritely, at which point he projected his whistle to the back of the captain’s seat. He was a good whistler and Miltonfound the tune entertaining at times. The captain half rolled her eyes at the noise and sighed, subtly tensing as the volume increased.
    For the whopping finale, Tazman sat up and puffed out his chest. He spread his arms and drew out the note with his usual gusto. When he finished, he twirled his arms and began tapping the armrests. The captain kept a steady gaze. A few quanuts later, the noise ended and Tazman tried his luck with engaging her in friendly conversation.
    â€˜I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name,’ he began.
    â€˜You won’t know me long enough to need it,’ she replied.
    Milton broke into a restrained smile at the awkward silence. Tazman shot him a look that said, ‘Well okay, how about this,’ and tried again.
    â€˜What happened to your arm?’ he asked.
    â€˜None of your business,’ she said.
    â€˜Oh come on, it’s probably a real exciting story. I’d like to hear what happened to the other guy,’ he said.
    Milton turned and eyed the simian, urging him to stop lest he hit sensitive territory. Tazman simply smiled back, probably at the realisation he was bothering two people for the price of one.
    A beeping sounded throughout the ship, joined by a flashing rectangular red light on the middle of the main console that lit up the entire cockpit.
    â€˜Approaching Orisurrection space colony finally,’ muttered the captain. She folded her legs away and adjusted her chair,sliding closer. Sitting straight-backed, she put her pistol down and flicked switches to unlock the flight wheel, gripping it in her respective gloved and metal hands. Milton watched her movements with curiosity. She glanced at him before self-consciously turning to the front, obviously not used to company.
    The smooth glide of hyperspace travel shifted into the rugged uneasiness of the known realm. The Inhibitan vibrated and thrusters fired to ease the slowdown. The photon reactor numbers dropped and the visual levels shrank from the screen. The hyperspace tube with its streaking energies blasted forward in a blurry mess and dissipated completely. The horrifying scene of their intended destination lay before them.
    Orisurrection ’s disc-shaped hull was ripped wide open. A fragmented expanse of twisted metal littered the surrounding space. Shattered remains of docking hangars and machinery floated to the side. Chunks of living quarters were smeared across the area. Milton felt sick.
    Tazman’s hands crept over the shoulders of both seats. He leaned in, wide-eyed, his pupils dilating. ‘We were here only two shifts ago,’ he