Wings of Steele - Flight of Freedom (Book2) Read Online Free PDF

that's our best guess, keep us informed. We'll double back if you need us.”
    Gantarro saluted, “Don't let them sneak up on you Jack...” the communication ended and the screen winked out, switching back to a view of the Oceania sitting motionless in space.
    Jack turned to his officers, “OK, let's go...”
    “ Wait,” Lieutenant Giardo rubbed his forehead, “sir you can't go...”
    “ Sure I can.”
    “ Sir, a ship's Captain shouldn't be on a boarding party, that's a breach of protocols... it's too much of a risk.”
    Myomerr looked him square in the eyes and shook her head, “Tell me you just didn't say that...” she grinned, her fangs showing.
    “Remember our little chat Lieutenant; protocols are different on this ship... my ship, my rules.”
    Understandably, the Marine didn't want an unknown, potentially in the way if things went South, but he could see it was a losing battle. “Under protest.”
    Steele nodded, “Noted. But I'm still going.”
     
    ■ ■ ■
     
    “No offense sir, but what the hell is that thing?”
    “ This?” Steele finished strapping the thigh rig over his flight suit. “Sergeant, this is a one of a kind, custom made .45 caliber, 1911 semi-auto, charged particle blaster. He drew it from the holster and ejecting the magazine, cleared the chamber and handed it to the Sergeant as they boarded the shuttle with the other Marines. “Our Chief Engineer knows how much I liked my personal weapon, so he created something that looks, feels and shoots like it, but works with or without atmosphere.”
    “ It's a lot heavier than our sidearms... how's it shoot?” He handed it back to the Captain.
    “ It's a stainless steel alloy, not composite like yours...” he said, accepting it back, “I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. The Chief said it has less recoil than my original 1911 and the magazine holds three times the ammunition. I kinda like the extra ammunition idea.” He chambered a round and safetied the gun before re-holstering.
    They belted in as the Lieutenant secured the door. Vibrating as the anti-grav kicked on, the shuttle lifted off of the flight deck and headed out through the blue veil of the stasis field, passing out into the inky blackness through the Freedom's stern, the long hull of the Oceania visible in the distance ahead of them.
    The Freedom had taken up a position about a hundred miles from the Oceania, fighter patrols roaming the entire sector, a heavily armed Zulu drifting on station about halfway between the two ships.
    With the ore miner looming ahead, looking like a giant lifeless animal carcass, Myomerr steered the shuttle toward the open cargo hold below the hull near the front of the ship. “There doesn't seem to be a mark on her anywhere, Captain...” she adjusted her sensors, “it's kind of eerie.”
    Co-piloting, Maria reduced throttle and activated the shuttle's flood lights, illuminating the side of the Oceania and the dark opening of the cargo bay as they maneuvered under her hull. She glanced over her shoulder, “In we go...” The bay was small, a worn, four-man shuttle sitting to one side, its hatches open. Most of the rest of the bay was stacked with miscellaneous crates and assorted tools, but looking relatively unused. Easing in, they crabbed the shuttle sideways in the darkened bay to allow room for the Marines to disembark, the craft settling to the deck with a solid bump as Maria reversed the anti-gravity to land. “OK guys, no gravity out there, switch on your boots and don't forget your air...” She and Myomerr closed their helmet visors sealing their suits.
    The Marines unbelted, gathered their gear, and activated their systems before cracking the door, a whoosh of air escaping into the open, unprotected bay.
    Steele looked around, “Mic check everybody...” One by one as they stepped out of the shuttle they checked the comm systems with each other and with the shuttle. Jack signaled to Maria, “OK we're clear, button it up,