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

routines that we all follow while shipboard.” The captain frowns. “Please let me stress, everyone shipboard follows these routines and no one is exempt, as per corporate regulations regarding deep-space travel. If anyone has an issue with this, bring it up immediately to your guides and we will get this resolved. Failure to do so will result in administrative or corporal punishment. Failure to follow rules on board a star ship will have serious ramifications. In the event that a life is lost and you are found at fault because you shirk your duties, then you will be facing a corporate court and potential posting to the penal colony.”
    A younger man and woman at the back of the group look at each other nervously. They stand out because of their longer hair; both have it tied back in a ponytail. Everyone in the hall has short hair, with the women present having either very short bangs or bright streaks through their hair.
    The three crew members gesture at their charges in a “come along” way and lead them off. Seven of the personnel follow; only two look nervous. The captain gazes after the group as they depart and smiles to himself.
    He turns to the last two personnel standing there in front of him: one man and one woman. They are both wearing skin-tight black ship suits that have a metallic look to them. Both have their hair cut in the same way; the man is blond and the woman’s hair is short enough that it is hard to say whether it’s black or very dark brown. She has a purple streak running from front to back on the right side of her head and an orange streak in the same location on the left side of her head. Both are clearly very fit, as their physiques are picked out in great detail by their ship suits. The just stand there with their ship bags on their shoulders and watch the captain and the smaller greeting party.
    The captain puts an insincere smile on his face as he turns to them.
    “Greetings to you both. Corporate headquarters announced the last-minute change just in time or we would not have had the pleasure of transporting two Corporate Marines to the Theta mining facility. I have had a chance to review your file with my security chief, Patroe Sveringening.” The captain gestures to the armed man at his side. “I understand that you are going out as replacements for two casualties, and I am sorry that had to happen, as I wish we could all get along. After all, space is vast and there are so few living beings.”
    The two Marines just watch the captain and have blank expressions as they watch him, unblinking. The absolute lack of expression seems to throw the captain off his planned speech and he hurries on.
    “The chief will take you around and show you how you can fit into shipboard activities. He will also let you know what else is going on shipboard and when drills are to be held.” He pauses. “I know you are highly trained and ready to do whatever needs to be done for the Corporation. Realize that we are a bulk hauler that acts as a personnel transport as needed. We do not see action, nor are we likely to, so at all times we will follow shipboard regulations.”
    The female Marine looks at the security chief and then the captain before asking the most important question to the two Marines. “Where is our armor and the rest of our gear?”
    The captain maintains his smile as he had maintained a sincere tone since he addressed the crewmen at the beginning. “Military equipment and weapons are restricted shipside at all times unless we are clearing for action. Your armor is a weapon and is secured in one of the holds along with the rest of your gear.” He nods his head and continues. “The chief can take you to your equipment and make sure you have access to any assistance you require to maintain and check it. Weapons are not to be loaded or prepped unless we come under some sort of hostile contact.”
    The captain nods at the security chief and continues. “The chief can also ensure that