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

the personnel report, both Bloodtusk and Ostonk were transferred off Imperium right before Eridani took over, yet Ostonk’s twin brother remains aboard,” said Shulana. “Perhaps my rapport with Grostonk will help with our integration.”

Casey smirked. “I bet you’ll have fun finding out.”

Shulana blushed. “I wasn’t even implying that.”

“Implying or otherwise, please feel free to tell me nothing about it,” said Ikunku. “I’m heading inside. Unless there’s anything left?”

Casey shook her head. “No, this is the last of it. The transport crew should arrive in a couple days and tow Watchtower back to Earth.” Casey’s mag-boots clunked as she crossed the deck and powered down the ranch-hand. Taking in the cool, dark extent of the chamber, she wore a bittersweet smile. “See you soon, old girl.” She clomped back to the shuttle and switched off the overhead lights along the way.

◆◆◆

“There’s so much room,” said Shona, and she crossed through one of the doorways leading into Imperium’s primary mess deck. April, Orin, Mike, Nimbus, and Torsha followed. “It’s even bigger than Fox Mendes!”

“Imagine how big Saxony’s mess hall must’ve been,” said Mike.

“You employed the past tense, but Saxony wasn’t destroyed,” said Nimbus. “I expect her mess deck is the same size as it has always been.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” said Mike, and he chuckled.

“Told you it was amazing,” said Torsha. “And there’s gravity everywhere! I haven’t gone floating at all since I’ve been here.”

“Weightlessness never bothered me,” said April. “I wonder if I’ll miss it.”

“It didn’t bother me either,” said Nimbus. “I found moving through three-dimensional space without the aid of gravity to be a delightful challenge, one that required as much mental and physical agility as it did spatial awareness.”

“Well, I hate it,” said Torsha.

Across the way, Lanchelle disengaged from her peers and approached. She introduced herself with a bashful smile. “You’re… You’re the Rhyondan Rampart. Right?”

“I guess that’s what the t-net’s calling me,” said Orin. He smiled uneasily and shook her hand.

“I, uh, saw your videos,” said Lanchelle.

“I should really get around to watching those one day,” he said, and he introduced his companions. “Please call me Orin.”

Lanchelle’s crystals chimed faintly. “Oh! Um…” The chimes grew a bit louder. “Orin.” Shifting between shades of blue and purple, she glowed within her depths. Turning away abruptly, she returned to her table amidst teasing and laughter.

Torsha jabbed Orin’s chest. “Do not let that go to your head! I’ll make Eridani kick you off the ship if you do.”

April slipped her arm around Orin’s elbow. “She’s not in command anymore. Casey is.”

“Then I’ll make Casey do it!”

Orin laughed. “You know I don’t like being the center of attention—if you think that’s changed, ask Mike about the Cherry Grove Cantina.”

Torsha studied him suspiciously. “Mike, what happened at the Cherry Grove Cantina?”

“It’s kind of a long story,” said Mike. “Perfect for telling over evening chow.”

In the depths of Imperium, something thumped. Suddenly, stars streamed across the viewports. Including Lanchelle, several crew members abandoned their food and raced for the passageways.

“We’re changing course,” said April. She hurried to the aft bulkhead and activated the comm. “Casey, why are we in motion?”

“We’re getting underway. There’s a flood of UFO sightings pouring in from starfarers across the galaxy—spherical ships, pitch-black like the ziggurats that appeared here and on Arsenal Bay, about thirteen kilometers in diameter each.”

“How many?” asked April.

“Almost a hundred, and still counting,” said Casey.

“Do you know where they're headed?”

“Vector analysis indicates they’re converging on Sol System,” said Casey. “I’m sure that means Earth.”

“What’s the ETA?” asked April.

“Just over three weeks,” said Casey. “The United Planets Star Navy is recalling every warship in their armada, and Falcon’s pledged their own fleet to the cause. At those speeds, if even one of those spheres hits Earth… April, that’s it. Everything on the planet’s surface dies.”

“They’re asking for Orin,” said April.

“I don’t have any details, but BICOM says they’ve got a Hail Mary in the works that could amplify Orin’s powers enough to shield the projected impact sites,” said Casey. “I told them Orin hasn’t had any training, that he doesn’t know the limits of his power, but they don’t care.”

“What about Orbital Guard or Interstellar Defense?” asked April. “They’re stationed all over the galaxy. Can’t they intercept?”

“They’ve tried,” said Casey. “Those spheres are durable. Reports are still coming in, but so far nothing’s been able to penetrate their hulls.”

April watched Orin as he laughed and joked with his friends. “How far away is Sol System from here?”

“Ten days through the nightmare, and another six days to Earth’s point in the ecliptic.”

“That’s not a lot of time,” said April. “And the only person I’d trust him to train with is in the brig.”

Casey snorted. “Who, Schurke?”

“No, Lafuega,” said April. “I’ve spent time in each of the prisoners’ minds, and she’s the only one who seems to have a conscience.”

“Points for her,” said Casey. “Where would you practice?”

“I was thinking the mech bay. It’s about the right size for a training arena,” said April. “With your blessing, there’s an old ManiTow Cyclops I’d like to requisition to run a few MABAS Academy skirmish routines.”

“I’m fine with that.”

“Do I have your permission to enlist Lafuega’s aid?” asked April.

“Of course,” said Casey. “If she proves herself, I’d even be willing to consider inviting her to the team.”

“The team, huh? What are we calling ourselves?” asked April.

“Well, since the t-net’s already named Orin, I guess Orion Sky is off the table for him,” said Casey. “Which I’m kind of okay with, because the first time I heard it, I thought he said, ‘Orion’s Guy.’ Still, I’m fond of the constellation. How do you feel about Orion Force?”

April weighed the name in her mind. “It’s not already taken?”

“Surprisingly not.”

“I like it,” said April.

“Great,” said Casey. “I’ll add it to our IPF card. Do you want me down there with you while you talk to her?”

“No, I should be fine, though the offer is appreciated,” said April. “I’ll grab Orin and head over to the brig. We’ll let you know how it goes.”

“Good luck,”