The Battle for the Ringed Planet Read Online Free PDF Page B

quickly into her eyes, he loosened his grip, “Ok?”
    The girl rubbed her arm and nodded.
    “Sorry, did I bruise you?”
    “It’s all right.”
    Sighing with worry he remarked, “This can’t be good.” Climbing into his cockpit seat Torian fired up some holo screens. The likelihood of detection was too great to use the powerful long-range scanners, but he could risk a momentary low-level scan.
    “It came down north of the city; made a big crater,” he transferred the data to his Con and switched off the floating screen, “I’m going to shut everything down.” If Callisto was in orbit they could contact him on his Con, but he had a sinking feeling that he knew the exactly where it was.
    The military specialist hopped down the stairs past Siiri to another cabinet next to the one with the sink that stored combat utility suits, utility belts and other equipment.
    “Siiri,” he faced the girl, “if there are enemy cruisers in orbit, they may detect and target this vessel. I’m going to leave and check out the crater because I need to find out if it is the Callisto.” He pulled out a navy blue backpack from the closet. “You can either stay here and take the risk, or come with me.”
    She hesitated at first, “Do you have another pistol?”
    “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
    “I need to protect myself!”
    “I’m not even sure I believe your story. You could be a rebel stranded here like me.”
    “If I was, what would you do?”
    “I’d shoot you. Considering what they did to me, I wouldn’t hesitate.” He began to load food rations, water, and ammo magazines in the backpack.
    “You would shoot me in cold blood?”
    “Before you cut my throat, yes.”
    “You are a Sky Demon! I’m not a rebel!”
    Torian checked Chang’s pistol and packed the dead pilot’s utility belt with the Con, a couple of flashlights, binoculars, and a few of his personal items, then he looked over at her in her tattered dress and worn sandals, “You coming or staying?”
     Folding her arms she glared at him, “I haven’t decided yet.”
    “Ok, but Hawkeyes blow up real good. I’ve seen a few.” He opened the hatch and ducked down the small ladder to the ground. Outside he wrinkled his nose at the stench of burnt flesh from the wolves and Chang’s body. Steam still rose from the ground in small patches where the force shield had touched and burned flesh. The drizzle had died off a bit, but he felt the moisture still in the air touch his face as he slung his pack and checked his Con.
    Then Tristan was standing there with folded arms and a smirk on his face, leaning against a rusted light post. “So? You’re still alive!”
    “And probably not for long. Was that the Callisto that just crashed?”
    “How should I know, I’m with you.”
    “I could use your help to fix the thrusters.”
    “Dream on.” Then the man with blue skin in a navy flight suit stepped closer, “Who is your hot date?”
    “The pain in the ass?”
    “Sounds about right for you.”
    “I don’t have time for that sort of thing. I need to concentrate and I don’t need a phantom around that won’t troubleshoot.”
    “All work and no play.”
    “Oh, shut up.” Suddenly he heard a noise behind and turned to look back.
    “Fine, I’ll go with you.” Siiri marched up beside him with annoyance in her eyes, glancing around the exterior, “Who were you talking to?”   
    “Nobody,” he replied quickly, “put this on.” He held up Chang’s dark blue utility belt with several pouches and components. “You can put rations in the pouches and you’ll need to use this,” pointing to a square device fastened permanently to the belt, “it’s a proximity shield, though a very basic one.”
    “What does it do?”
    “I’ll explain after … here, let me …”
    “Don’t touch me!”
    “Then you do it!” He started to hand over the belt, but she grabbed it from his hand and tried to snap it around her waist.
    “That’s