The Cagliostro Chronicles II: Conflagration Read Online Free PDF Page B

sheepishly.
    “Coming up the gangplank int o the ship slowly and carefully five of them.”
    “Lori,” Mark turned to a young red head who sat at the comm station where Ariel normally sat, “ turn off that damned alert. Red, show these newcomers our hospitality we reserve for invaders.”
    “You got it , Boss.” Red thumbed a button on his virtual console. The image of the walkway leading to the outside on the gangplank filled with gas. Instantly the invaders dropped to the floor unconscious.
    “Red , get a security team to take them all to cells on the detention level. Obviously relieve them all of their weapons, and post a team on the ramp outside. If anyone else comes out of those holes shoot them.” Mark paused a moment, then added, “But only to stun. Don’t kill them, unless it’s a life threatening situation. Then do whatever you have to.”
    Red nodded stoically. “Understood, Mark.”
    “Good. Let me know when you get them secured. I want to have a talk with our guests when they wake up.”
    Red nodded, then turned and exited the command deck.

Chapter 4
     
     
     
    “What do you people want?” Mark asked. The loincloth clad red skinned aliens looked quizzically at him from the floor of their cell. The five of them sat cross-legged upon the floor and rocked slowly back. They sat in a circle.
    Mark turn ed to Red who stood next to him. “They just sit there rocking. They haven’t said a word since they awoke,” Red affirmed.
    “I assumed as much. Let’s leave them for now. When Ariel is better she can talk to them telepathically. If they start actually talking the ships language system can begin to put together a translation. But they have to speak first.”
    “I know Mark, you don’t have to explain it to me.” Red replied.
    “I figured you would Red, I sometimes just like to think out loud .”
    “Understood boss.” Red quietly answered. He was still feeling guilty about missing the aliens tunneling under the force field, and both men knew it.
    Mark turned to the security men who stood on either side of the force field door . “Make sure at least two of you are on duty at all times. If you think you need more men, then get them down here. I don’t want any surprises with these uninvited guests.”
    “Yes Sir,” A security officer name Jacoby answered.
    “C’mon , Red. Let’s go.” Mark turned and headed back toward the command deck.
    The comm unit built into the sleeve of Marks tech suit lit up and the voice of the comm officer taking Ariel’s place, Lori Westin, called to him, “Mark?”
    He tapped it and replied, “I’m here , Lori. What can I do for you?”
    “Mar k, we have what looks like an Agalum G’Kor class battle cruiser entering the system and heading straight for this planet.”
    Mark and Red exchanged stunned and serious glances. Both men ran down the hall to the maglovator and entered it.
    An instant later they barged onto the command deck.
    Mark queried, “Update us, Miss Westin.” Both men surrounded her console.
    “Uh , Mark, or Captain, it, the big ship I mean, just slipped into orbit. I can’t get any images but tridar readings indicate it’s just parked up there.”
    “Are they scanning the planet?” Red asked.
    “No, they’re not.” Lori replied.
    “Then what are they doing?” Red questioned.
    “N-nothing… Sir. They’re just sitting there.”
    Mark stood quietly a moment and then ordered, “Okay I need to see this. Let’s send a couple of stealthed probes up there immediately.”
    Red nodded in agreement, punching a button on his security console. Instantly two magno-disc powered probes shot out of the ship’s bow, immediately curving upward and streaking away, disappearing in the sky. Both were no bigger than a softball.
    “Are the camera s live yet, Lori?”
    “Yes Captain ,” she replied.
    “Lori, it’s ‘Mark’, not ‘Captain’. I may have that title officially, but I like things loose and fast on this ship.”
    “Okay ,