Eden's Mirror: (LUMINA Book 2) by I.G. Hulme (interesting novels to read txt) 📕

ships we were tracking. It was quite a surprise to get welcomed by that gang of Outlanders!” He laughed grimly, taking the drink that Ryann offered.

“Well I’m sorry we got you into all of this,” muttered Ryann.

“These things happen,” replied the gruff man, seemingly unconcerned by their predicament. “Your father knows which sector we were searching. When we don’t come back I’m sure he’ll send out more ships. Five Interceptors against the Ghost-Runners?” He chuckled softly to himself. “The leader of this rabble, Grande, he seems a pragmatic man. He won’t want to see his people wiped out. This misunderstanding will not last long.”

“I admire your optimism,” said Ryann with a grim smile. “But sadly time may not be on our side. Do you remember their ship, the Ibis? Did you see it on the edge of the Halion Belt when you came in?”

Anders shook his head.

“No, but we were keeping our scans to a minimal, so it wouldn’t have been difficult to miss them. Why?”

“Well, they seem hellbent on bringing the entire Luminal fleet down on us,” muttered Ryann. “They’re trying to contact some more of their ships. They’ve got some sort of inter-system transmitter that they’re using out on the edge of the Halion Belt — Grande doesn’t think the Lumina will spot it.”

Anders looked on, a deep frown furrowing his brow. Ryann looked up as Ashe, Anders’ co-pilot sat down beside them.

“What the hell are they thinking?” she cursed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Those damn Outlanders are going to get us all killed. We have to do something.”

“If we could break out, get word back to the Defiance,” cut in Mara as everybody crowded around the table. “Angelique, you worked on the internal security systems back on the Defiance didn’t you? You know the routines — if we get you to a control node, do you think you could clear us a path through security to the docking bay?”

Angelique seemed lost in thought for a moment.

“If security here is as ancient as the rest of that station, then I might be able to get into the system, play with the power feed to the cameras, open a few doors, sure.”

“You said earlier that there’s no chance of breaking off this barge,” mumbled Ryann.

“That was before though,” she muttered. “Mara here’s amazing with power data control systems.”

Mara gave Angelique a grin.

“Be just like back on the Defiance.”

Ryann shot Mara a barely-concealed look of contempt.

“No, it’s too risky,” he cut in. “Any control nodes are going to be well guarded. Putting you in danger isn’t the answer Angelique.”

“What are you talking about Ryann?” she asked, stopping and staring at him with a quizzical expression; Ryann glanced away.

“Even if we make it to the docking bay and fire up the Marianne, we’re just going to be back where we were in the beginning — racing back to the Defiance, alerting every Luminal to where we are.”

“And you’d rather just sit and do nothing while those Outlanders bring the Lumina down on New Eden all by themselves?” muttered Kobo.

“Do nothing?” spat Ryann icily. “You think that just because I point out how bad your idea is, that makes me too scared to do anything else? Is that it?” Ryann got to his feet staring angrily at the young man.

“Sit down, I never said that,” sighed Mara, shaking his head wearily.

“You don’t tell me to sit down!” hissed Ryann, taking a threatening step towards him.

“Ryann! Sit down dammit!” Angelique’s voice made him jump as she got to her feet, stepping in-between the two men. “Ryann, what the hell’s got into you?” she murmured quietly.

Ryann stood glaring at Mara for a moment longer, and then turned away with an angry sigh, walking over to the window and staring off into space.

“I never said do nothing,” he mumbled.

“Well, I think Ryann has a point,” said Anders slowly, addressing the others around the table. “Maybe it’s safer for everyone, the refugees included if we sit tight until help comes from the Defiance.”

After a while the talk petered out and the group broke up. Anders stayed seated at the table, while Ashe, Torrens and Mara rested upon their bunks. Soon they were asleep, and only the sounds of their breathing could be heard in the room.

Ryann caught a glimpse of Angelique’s reflection in the window as she came over.

“Ryann, what the hell was all that about earlier on?” Her voice was a low murmur so as not to disturb the others.

He didn’t reply, he just stared out into the dark at the flotilla of refugee ships, his features tinged a sickly green from the glowing walls of the Halion Belt. Every so-often, brief flashes of plasma would illuminate the sea of ice crystals floating within the vapours making them shimmer and sparkle.

“Ryann?” repeated Angelique.

“How long have you known him?” asked Ryann in a disinterested monotone, still staring out into space.

“What? Anders?” asked Angelique in confusion.

“You know who, him!”replied Ryann, nodding angrily over to Kobo’s bunk.

“Mara? I’ve known him for ages — Since we started helping on the Defiance refit. He’s a friend, we worked together on the auxiliary control systems. I told you — jeez Ryann, what’s wrong?”

“You never told me,” he muttered gloomily, turning away from her. “Get some rest, things could get ugly tomorrow.”

He strode off, leaving Angelique alone at the window.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ASSAULT ON EDEN

“Whoa! What was that?”

Ryann glanced up from his bunk as he heard Mara call out at the window.

“What is it?” asked Anders, opening one eye and sitting up.

“I don’t know, looked like an explosion or something, off in the ice-field,” replied Mara without looking around. He peered out of the window, his hand pressed against the glass.

“Whereabouts?” asked Angelique, walking over to his side.

“The Halion Belt’s full of electrical storms — don’t be so nervous,” muttered Ryann, turning back on his side.

Mara shot him an angry glance, then went back to the window.

“I’m not sure what it was,” he said, talking softly to Angelique. “I think it was