The Outer Worlds: Book One of the Epherian Chronicles Read Online Free PDF

gigantic rectangular block; it was at least two
kilometres in length and about seven hundred metres in width and
floating in a close orbit around a small red dwarf star called
Ambrose 80.
    ‘ We have clearance to land in docking bay 28,’ said
Sara.
    A series of
large docking bay space doors were located about half way along the
mid-section of the station. Some of them were big enough for larger
cruisers to dock, but most of the bays were for small transports
and single pilot spacecraft. Larger ships would have to connect to
the station using an extendable corridor with a security door
affixed to one side; such corridors were known as extender arms.
Sara glided the Out Drifter toward the docking bay. The ship slowly
drifted through the directed artificial gravity field. Directed
gravitational fields were used throughout the galaxy to prevent a
pressurised atmosphere escaping into space.
    The Out
Drifter entered one of the largest docking bays and three strobe
lights indicated their landing site on the steel platform. Sara
brought the ship gently down and powered off the reactor.
    Michael, Sara
and Ajax then walked back to the cargo bay. Ethan had placed Ivan’s
body on a hover trolley.
    ‘ All right, let’s say hello to X5126. Be careful; this station
has a bad reputation,’ said Michael. ‘Remember there’s no law
here.’ He slung his rifle over his shoulder. ‘Ajax; I want you to
buy the supplies. Ethan and Sara; the two of you can replenish the
oxygen tanks and life support systems. I’ll go and find someone who
can work on Ivan. We’ll meet later at one of the local saloons
before we leave.’
    ‘ Be careful, Captain,’ said Sara.
    ‘ Don’t worry about me; I can look after myself,’ he said with a
wry smile.
    Michael pushed
the trolley through the exit door and stepped onto the platform.
The rest of the crew followed after him. He was instantly met by a
bulky man with a bald head and a deeply lined face.
    The man
cleared his throat before speaking. ‘Welcome to our space station,’
he said. ‘My name is Budo. I’m the owner of this docking
platform.’
    Michael stared
into Budo’s muddy eyes and wondered what he could possibly want.
‘Did you receive our transfer of guild credits?’
    ‘ Yes, yes,’ said Budo with a sly grin and cold eyes. ‘I
received your payment for the first twelve hours. I wanted to
explain our terms before you enter the station.’
    ‘ What terms?’ asked Sara sharply.
    ‘ If you’re not back within twelve hours we will confiscate your
ship.’
    ‘ What’s this rubbish you’re talking about?’ asked Ajax
gruffly.
    ‘ It’s our policy,’ said Budo. ‘Your ship is ours if you don’t
leave within twelve hours. You can, of course, pay for an
extension; however, such extensions must be paid in full before
your time is up.’
    ‘ Your rates are nothing short of robbery!’ snapped
Sara.
    Budo shook his
head and sniggered. ‘You are welcome to leave if you think you can
find a lower price on another platform.’
    ‘ We’ll be back in less than twelve hours,’ said Michael as he
pushed the trolley around Budo.
    Ethan sealed
the Out Drifter’s exit door and switched on the triple quantum
encryption lock and the automatic security system. The crew then
crossed the platform and arrived at the service elevator doors.
Generally elevators could take them anywhere within the space
station.
    Michael pushed
the trolley into one of the elevators. ‘I’ll contact you after Ivan
is repaired,’ he said to the crew as the elevator doors slid
shut.
    ‘ WELCOME TO ELEVATOR 57,’ said a robotic monotone voice from
the control console. ‘WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO?’
    ‘ Elevator, take me to someone who repairs androids.’
    ‘ THERE ARE NINE POSSIBILITIES.’
    ‘ Who gets the worst reviews?’
    ‘ THOMPSON VEGA, LEVEL 114, APARTMENT 331’
    ‘ Take me there.’
    ‘ WOULDN’T YOU PREFER SUNORDER CAVA CORPORATION? THEY HAVE
REMARKABLE REVIEWS AND OFFER THE HIGHEST