Star Runners 2: Revelation Protocol Read Online Free PDF Page A

had been rushed and on foot, so he didn't have time to take in the sights. The trolley moved fast, but he relaxed and marveled at the variety of spacecraft located in the hangar.
    "I thought there were mostly military freighters in Atlantis," Austin said.
    "This is the sole Legion port on Earth not monopolized completely by the military. All kinds of ships come through here."
    "Like what?"
    Ryan shrugged. "Officers on a pleasure cruise, company men with clearance to conduct business on Earth, Legion agents conducting counter-espionage. Who knows? You'd be surprised how much traffic comes through here, and no one in the dark has any idea."
    The trolley pulled into a circle. The speakers beeped twice again.
    In one wave of motion, the passengers left the trolley and marched up the wide, steel stairs leading to three arches. Two led to the right, bringing passengers to a business or pleasure destination. Two Legion Marines flanked the arch on the right, their laser rifles resting on their chests. The Marines clad in black gear and helmets surveyed passengers as they filed past, staring through their thick, clear goggles. They appeared ready for a riot to break out at any moment.
    Ryan approached first, his ID card in his right hand. Austin followed his lead. They passed the Marines without incident. Austin took a deep breath.
    “Are they always there?” he asked.
    Ryan laughed. “Relax, man. They’re just keeping the place secure. When you’re stationed on a carrier, you’ll be around Marines all the time.”
    “You know any Marines?”
    “Sure. We had Marines come and go during my time fighting in the Orm Minor Rebellion. Got to know a bunch of the guys. Lost a few, too.” Ryan waved his hand dismissing the thought. “Anyway, no matter what else happens—you’re home for the next two weeks.”
    The arch led to a pathway winding to the left and culminating in a steel wall. Without slowing, Bean marched toward the gray obstacle. The steel dilated, revealing the Atlantis control room stretching several hundred yards. The massive Earth hologram hovered over the room, tiny points of multicolored light falling in and out of orbit. Radio traffic buzzed in countless conversations. Hundreds of Legion crewmembers wearing headsets sat at their stations, some reviewing personal holograms while others seemed engrossed in their transmissions. The dark "sky" above the bubble featured none of the luminescent creatures from the depths he viewed during his sole other visit to Atlantis. Instead, one freighter climbed away from the port, disappearing into the blackness.
    Ryan led him through the sea of terminals and moving crewmembers. Austin bumped into a desk as he stared at the hologram of Earth. He marveled at the amount of shrouded traffic arriving and departing from all over the globe.
    “How many ports does the Legion operate on Earth?” Austin asked, his gaze fixated on the hologram.
    “There are four main ports and several smaller ones they wouldn’t tell a lieutenant about. I’m probably not on a need-to-know status.”
    As they weaved between the lines of control stations, a bulky officer in a red Excalibur uniform stepped up to Ryan, who offered a crisp salute. Austin glanced at the bars over the officer's wings signifying the man was a commander.
    "At ease, Lieutenant," the commander said, smiling as he shook Ryan's hand. "Made it back from the Orm Minor I see."
    "Yes, sir."
    The commander’s expression darkened. "Tough as they say?"
    Ryan shifted. "It wasn't easy, sir."
    The commander stared at Ryan for a moment with his black eyes, slowly nodding as he rested his hands on his hips. His eyes darted to Austin. "And who's this?"
    "This, sir, is Lieutenant Stone, fresh from flight school."
    Austin saluted, but the commander waved it off.
    "I can see that from his shiny new wings. Where you from LT?"
    "Around Atlanta, sir." Austin placed his hand at his side, his face warming.
    "Ah, North Georgia's some of the prettiest