Shadow Space Chronicles 1: The Fallen Race Read Online Free PDF Page A

some of that right.”
    ***
     
    Lucius stood over the massive, bullet riddled corpses of the Ghornath, and wondered how things had gone so horribly wrong.
    Of course, he didn’t really stand there on the alien ship.  He sat on the edge of his command seat, and stared at the projected holograms from the marine boarding team.  He watched and let Major Proscia do his job.  Lucius knew his own skills; commanding a boarding operation was a task he knew Major Proscia would handle far more effectively.
    The camera feed from the Marines' helmets shunted into the ships computer.  That feed combined with shipboard sensors developed a three-dimensional overlay of the vessel.
    As a courtesy, Major Proscia relayed that to Lucius, keeping him informed of the operation.  “Looks like Ghornath weapons,” the NCO in charge of the team spoke, his voice seemed close.  “From the way they lay… they killed each other.”
    Lucius nodded, it looked more and more like sabotage--or perhaps--a mutiny.
    “Proceeding deeper into the ship, heading towards the bridge.”  The view expanded as the team of Marines proceeded deeper into the ship, the sensors on their suits gathering information on the environment around them.  “There’s a group of heat signatures ahead.”
    A harsh, guttural bark issued from the corridor ahead.  The computer translated it, even as the NCO responded to the challenge, “My name is Sergeant Govi, I’m—“
    A rattle of weapons fire and a hail of bullets ended the brief confrontation.  “Returning fire!”  The repeater view altered, quickly forming a close overlay of the area.  Enemy heat signatures appeared and faded as the Marines returned fire.  A cluster of them on the bridge surged forward.  They charged into the weapons fire of the boarding team.  Lucius shook his head at the waste.  They weren’t here to fight, these Ghornath had thrown their lives away for nothing.
    “ We’ve secured the bridge, multiple enemy casualties, most of them are dead.  One Marine wounded, we’ve performed first line aid.  We need a medic ASAP.”
    Lucius spoke, “Major Proscia, we’ll send the shuttle back immediately.”
    “Thank you, sir.  The medic team is a priority, but I’d like to get more personnel in there to secure the area.  We still don’t know what’s going on, and the situation is likely to get more confused rather than less.” Major Proscia’s voice was steady, but a rough edge of excitement lurked just under his words.
    Lucius got a jolt as he realized that this was what the Major lived for.  For him, the prospect of a dangerous boarding operation must be what commanding a ship in battle was to Lucius.
    “Very well, Major.  Have any of your personnel you’re sending assemble at the shuttle airlock.  Lieutenant Naevius is standing by.”
    “ Yes, Captain.  I’ll be going over myself to maintain better control.  We’re boarding the shuttle now.”
    Lucius realized the other Marines must have been waiting.  “Lieutenant Naevius here, sir.  They’ve been standing in their gear waiting outside the airlock.”  There was a pause, and Lieutenant Naevius’s voice was slightly more restrained, “Uh, Major Proscia informs me he’s ready to go.”
    “Very well, Lieutenant, take them over.”
    ***
     
    “ Well, Captain, I’ve got some organization here, finally.” Major Proscia said, a couple hours later.
    “ Do you know what happened yet?” Lucius asked.  He felt a little light-headed and he fought to keep his eyes open.  He couldn’t afford to sleep now, too many lives hung on his decisions.  Lucius had already taken stimulants twice now, he didn't want to have to take them again.  He hated the jittery, disjointed feeling the drugs gave him.
    “ Yes, sir, it looks like some kind of mutiny, though I’ve never heard of the like among the Ghornath.”
    “ It has happened before, but rarely,” Lucius said.  He felt saddened to hear it.  “Most of the time it