Star Traders (Corporate Marines Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

eight stand out. The first is the ship’s captain, who is old for star travel; he is in dress uniform with a dress sword at his hip. The other adult is middle-aged, with short hair and a well-trimmed beard. As you would expect of the head of security for one of the biggest corporate ships in existence, and likely the most expensive around, his faded blue eyes watch everything and are constantly scanning the area. He wears a very functional cutlass at his hip and has a laser pistol in his holster. Given current regulations, there is no energy cell in the weapon. In fact, given his size, the standard laser pistol would be like a toy in his hands. The last two of those four are waiting nervously as this is a big event in their relatively short lives. They keep fidgeting and adjusting their shipboard uniforms.
    The head of security turns to two of the youngest crew members aboard and speaks in his gravelly voice. “Boys, perhaps you could stop fidgeting quite so much? Shipboard uniforms can’t really be adjusted anyway, as they are one-piecers.”
    Both crewmen, who are really still boys, straighten up and quickly reply together, “Yes sir, apologies sir!”
    The ship’s captain, who is also with the greeting party, smiles at his security chief. “Really, chief? Don’t you think anyone would be nervous greeting these people for the first time? I remember that I was, so long ago. I don’t think it ever gets easy for anyone.”
    The chief nods and speaks as if the boys are not there. “But these boys need to get past that, fast. We all are potentially responsible for much more than our official job. Dealing with high-ranking corporate officials and keeping them happy is just a minor part of our task. They have to get past the awe so they can be ready to deal with bigger events, like first contact or pirate attacks!”
    The captain chuckles and waves his hand, dismissing his security chief’s seriousness. “We’re more likely to deal with corporate bigwigs and maybe one day a first encounter than anything exciting like a space pirate attack.” The captain smiles at the boys cheerfully. “I am afraid that those sims you enjoy so much are going to be as good as it gets.”
    The boys cease fidgeting as the airlock lights flash green and the door opens inward with a hiss. The frown on the security chief’s face takes a second to smooth away.
    Twelve personnel walk through the airlock in no particular order and mostly mill around in front of the greeting party. Behind them, the airlock door slides shut soundlessly and seals with a hiss.
    The captain steps forward, smiling, and addresses them. “Thank you all for the rapid disembarkation from the shuttle.” He chuckles. “Time is money for the corporation, after all. All extra personal gear is being unloaded from the shuttle directly to one of our personal storage lockers where there is currently some extra space. If you require anything from there, please speak to the ship’s crew about getting access. After all, those travel bags are not usually enough for a two-month voyage.”
    He gestures to one of the men in the party. “This is Mr. Smith, the ship’s purser. New ship crew, please go with him and he will get you settled into your quarters and make sure that you are introduced to your new section teammates.” Two men and a woman nod to the captain and step forward, hoisting their travel bags further up on their shoulders and walking off after the ship’s purser.
    The captain gestures again and the other three crew members step forward. The captain addresses the crowd again. “I understand that several of you are heading off to assorted mining facilities and research stations that are along our path and which we’re slated to stop at in the next week to two months.” Again, the captain gestures and three crew members step forward. “These crew members will take you to the mess hall and explain the layout of the ship, where you will be staying, and the