Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

The S-Ring engaged, and Imperium shook from stem to stern. Her nacelles glowed a deep, sinister red as she glided forward. From beyond the gate’s hazy membrane, a horde of ghostly tendrils slithered forth. Wrapping around the starship’s hull, they pulled her inside.

As Imperium drifted through the nightmare, an opalescent tunnel churned around her. Scintillating shards carved rifts within a tornado of alien entrails. The wounds pulled themselves wider, revealing a bottomless, oozing abyss. Within is depths, countless bodies writhed.

“Set course for the Kerburen System,” said Eridani.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Lanchelle. She studied a map of the nightmare tunnel as it slowly rippled and heaved. On one side of her display, she performed a series of calculations. On the other, she carefully stacked dozens of navigation points. Lanchelle double-checked her numbers. “Course is set, Captain. Barring any turbulence, we should reach Kerburen System’s nightmare gate in forty hours. Gretchen, she’s all yours!”

“Great work, everyone,” said Eridani, and she sat back in her chair.

◆◆◆

Within her quarters, Eridani awoke with a start. Dreams of Thuraya faded faster than she could remember them, and she clutched her sheets. I miss you so much, she thought, and tears ran down her cheeks, disappearing into her tangle of hair.

Rolling onto her side, she pushed down the covers and stared awhile at her opaque viewports. With a sigh, she switched on a bedside light and retrieved her canteen from an overhead shelf. She sipped, and the shadowy film faded completely from the viewports. She smiled to see the stars again.

Someone knocked. Quickly composing herself, Eridani sat up and sniffed, wiping her sleeve across her eyes. “I have a doorbell.”

“I tried that,” said Torsha. “A couple times before morning chow, once about ten minutes ago, and again about two minutes ago. I just wanted to let you know we’re back in primary space. We have been for about an hour.”

“Thanks,” said Eridani, and she set down her canteen. She took a moment to stretch before retrieving her clothes from an embedded footlocker. She draped everything over her pillows and headed to the bathroom.

Torsha tapped the door a few times. “All right, I guess I’ll meet you on the bridge whenever you’re feeling up to it. I hope you’re okay in there.”

“No, please hold on,” said Eridani. “I just need a moment to get ready, and I’d like your opinion on something.”

“What is it?” asked Torsha.

“You’ll see. It’s something Katsinki and I have been working on for the past couple days.” Minutes later, Eridani pulled open the door and stepped into the ready room, dressed in a white, red, and navy-blue officer’s uniform with gold accents. “It’s a variation on the Falcon uniform. What do you think?”

“You found some boots,” said Torsha.

“The quartermaster helped me out.”

Torsha studied Eridani’s attire. “I like it, but I’m having a hard time picturing the crew running around in capes.”

“It’s a cloak, not a cape,” said Eridani. “It’s way too long to be a cape.”

Torsha raised her brow. “You’re missing the point.”

“I was thinking they could be for the ship’s officers, like a sign of their station.” Eridani gripped her cloak and moved it back and forth. “They really don’t work?”

“It’s your uniform,” said Torsha. “Why aren’t we using the normal Falcon colors?”

“We’re not a military vessel,” said Eridani. “It wouldn’t feel right.”

“Well…” Torsha took a step back. “I’d wear everything but the cape.”

“Cloak.”

Torsha rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

“Good enough for me,” said Eridani, and she closed her door. “All right, let’s go.”

“You’re wearing that out?”

“It’s fully tailored,” said Eridani. “It’s not going to fall apart on me.”

“No, I mean…” Torsha shrugged. “It’s kind of formal for this crew, don’t you think?”

“I want to see how they react,” said Eridani. “If nobody’s into it, I’ll save this thing for Halloween. If people like it, I’ll ask the quartermaster to place an order for the crew. People can wear them if they want.”

Torsha saluted casually. “All right, Captain. After you.”

“Please don’t get formal with me,” said Eridani. “You’re the only normal part of my life I have left.”

“You are dressed like a captain for once,” said Torsha. “It only seemed right.”

They journeyed up to the command deck. “Fortune favors us, Captain,” said Lanchelle. “We exited on the right side of Ruslheimur’s orbit. We could reach the planet in time for evening chow!” She turned to face Eridani and quietly whistled. “Nice duds, Captain! Did Falcon command send those over?”

Eridani smiled slightly. “They’re available for the asking. How soon will we be within scanning range?”

“About six hours,” said Lanchelle.

“Noted.” Eridani walked to her captain’s chair and sat. “Ops, status report, please.”

◆◆◆

“There’s been a spike in airborne toxins since the last time Planetary Index stopped by,” said Grostonk. “I’d strongly advise using a vac suit. The repair crew always keeps a few on hand.”

Eridani leaned over him, resting her weight on the back of his chair. “Is that halothane vapor?”

“Yup,” said Grostonk. “Hence the vac suit, unless you’ve been struggling with insomnia.”

“I’ve got my own suit, thank you.” She stood up and glanced toward communications. “Brady, please alert our mercenaries that it’s time to head down. Instruct them to meet me in the launch bay and inform them that ground-level atmosphere is laced with halothane.”

“Aye, Captain,” said Brady.

“Myeong, are you ready?”

“Aye-aye, Captain,” said Gretchen, and she stepped away from the helm. A junior pilot hurried to take her station, as Eridani and Gretchen exited the bridge. The doors closed, and the lift descended.

“I can tell it’s not legit Falcon, but I like the uniform,” said Gretchen. “Custom design?”

Eridani laughed and nodded. “Good eye! Yes, it is.”

“I’m not really one to wear them, but I might like to hang one in my closet as a memento.”

“I’ll let the quartermaster know,” said Eridani. “Why don’t you go on ahead. I need to stop by the mech hangar for a moment.”

“If that’s the suit you were talking about, you should know those things aren’t sealed,” said Gretchen. “They’re only good inside the ship.”

“I’m aware,” said Eridani.

“Okay,” said