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

around you. That protects you from the feeling of the curve. In these tubes, it’s all you.”
    His stomach turned. “I get it.”
    Behind Ryan, people scurried in countless directions like a stadium parking lot after a game.
    "This place sure hasn’t changed. Come on, man," Ryan said, placing his hand on Austin's shoulder. "Let's get you through customs and out for some fresh air."
    "Sounds good."
    Ryan led him slowly through the crowd. Austin's stomach ceased tumbling, and the pounding in his head lessened. They stood in line for ten minutes leading to customs. A man with thick brimmed glasses and a curved nose shaped like a vulture’s beak sat behind the desk, asking Ryan a few questions Austin did not hear. Ryan turned over his laser pistol and stepped into what looked like a mobile fitting room. When he came out, dark blue jeans and a ratty T-shirt replaced the Lobera uniform. He looked ten years younger.
    "Next!"
    Austin blinked and stepped forward. "Sorry. I have a headache."
    The man stared down at him through the thick glasses. "I don't care. Business?"
    "No, I'm on leave."
    The man sighed and stared at the ceiling. "What is your business here?"
    Austin swallowed. "I'm a Legion Star Runner on leave. I am returning home to Atlanta later today."
    "Good for you. I need your weapon, wings and any other identification linking you to your service with the Legion."
    Austin slipped off the wings and unbuckled his holster.
    "Are you carrying any other Legion or off-world technologies or fruits, vegetables, living organisms or drugs?"
    "No. Nothing."
    “Did you have any artificial limbs, organs or other prosthetics installed while off-world that you’d like to claim?”
    “Are you serious?”
    The man lowered his gaze, causing his sharp nose to appear all the larger.
    Austin took a half step back as if the man’s nose would collide with his face. “Sorry. No, I have no fake body parts.”
    "Very well." He pointed to the fitting room. "Change there. Drop your uniform and other belongings in the silver box provided inside. It will be waiting for you upon your return. Next!"
    "Thank you," he said.
    He walked to the fitting room and shut the door behind him, placing his duffle bag containing the outfit he wore during his first day at Tizona on the bench. As he changed out of his uniform, he thought of Skylar coming to see him while he packed just before he left Tarton's Junction. It felt strange leaving her. They had arrived at the same time, but now he had graduated before she would have the chance. With what Ryan said, they could be sent to opposite ends of the galaxy within the next month.
    He put on the dark green collar shirt Mom had given him and buckled his jeans. He took a deep breath and glanced in the mirror.
    A familiar stranger stared back at him. The old reflection mirrored one from high school, although leaner with much shorter hair. He shook his head. He had worn nothing but Tizona blue for more than a year. The green shirt felt traitorous.
    He dropped the uniform in the silver box under the mirror and stepped out into the flow of people.
    "Come on," Ryan said as he walked next to Austin. "Let's go finish the rest of this and get that coffee."
    *****
    "Good, Lord that's good," Austin said.
    The delightful, bitter taste of coffee washed around his mouth, igniting Austin's taste buds.
    "What?" Ryan said, sipping on his drink. "They don't have coffee on Tarton's Junction?"
    Austin shook his head and took another sip. "Not like this."
    A cool breeze drifted past their table. The California sunshine beamed down, washing everything in a golden hue. Beautiful women walked past and waved.
    "With military bases all along the California coast, the local women hunt this area," Ryan said with a smile. "You have a girlfriend?"
    Austin winced. He didn't know how to answer the question. He and Skylar shared an awkward kiss earlier in the year, but he had grown close with Ryker since the rescue on Flin Six. He thought of