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

“How about that,” said Malmoradan, and he pointed at Orin. The others turned to look.

Wide-eyed, Cajun stared. Nervously, he jumped but fell right back to the deck. Cautiously, he approached the exact spot Orin had occupied and jumped again. This time, he floated in place next to Orin. “Mon Capitaine, I’m startin’ to think this place is cursed!”

“No, it’s fine,” said Orin. He revealed his hands, wreathed in blue fire. “I was just practicing.” Slowly, he lowered Cajun and himself back to the deck.

“Cajun, you should’ve seen the look on your face,” said Malmoradan, and he laughed.

“Not funny,” said Cajun. “How was I supposed to know what was goin’ on?”

Casey shook her head. “Bad form, Orin. April asked you not to screw around with the gravity. That includes your own, and that includes Cajun’s.”

“Sorry,” said Orin. “I’m just nervous.”

“I forgive ya,” said Cajun, and he patted Orin’s arm. “Maybe find a different way to fidget, next time, ya hear?”

Shona glanced outside the embarking chamber. “Seriously. Where’s station security?”

“I don’t think they’re coming back,” said Malmoradan.

“April, can you sense anyone aboard besides us?” asked Casey.

April closed her eyes and projected her awareness. Almost immediately, she winced and returned to her body. “There’s a persistent frequency that’s disrupting my abilities. I’ll keep trying, but it might take a couple hours for me to adapt.”

“No need,” replied Casey. “We won’t be here that long.” She peered up and down the curved passageways beyond. “Hello!” she shouted, and her voice echoed. After a moment, she cupped her hands to her mouth and called out again. “Looks like Taranis already transitioned the station crew,” she said. “Well, they’re not dropping any supplies without a shuttle crew, so they must still be aboard somewhere. Let’s find them.” She activated her shoulder lamp and gestured toward the passageway. “Malmoradan, if you please.”

With a nod, Malmoradan switched on his own shoulder lamp and took point. He guided his comrades clockwise along a vaulted corridor with weathered state room doors on the left and maintenance panels on the right. Enormous, transverse frames joined the inner hull and the reactor core’s shielded bulkheads. Cool air rattled forth from the narrow vents at their feet, while florescent lights buzzed quietly overhead. Where the frames met the bulkheads, lamps sprang up from the deck, waist-high and protected by steel cages. Ladders led to the upper and lower levels, and circular hatches dotted the slab footpath, bright with access instructions and radioactivity warnings.

Cajun paused to study a warning placard. “Low-density degenerate-neutron radiation,” he read aloud, and his throat bobbed. Eyes wide, he raised his hand, prompting the others to stop.

“What is it?” asked Casey.

“Gravi-slugs, mon Capitaine. I’d wager the devil’s due they’re usin’ gravi-slugs, and those are notorious for runnin’ hot. Mind if we turn back and suit up before proceedin’? I rather prefer my DNA remain intact if it’s all the same.”

“April, I bet that’s what’s messing up your powers,” said Casey, and she returned her attention to Cajun. “Sorry, but that’s a no-go on turning back. I trust the shuttle’s scanners, and they showed the radiation was negligible.”

“Scanners can get a bad read, therefore we don’t exactly know if it’s negligible,” said Cajun.

“The station crew’s lived with it for years,” said Casey. “Plus, this is where the corporate officers and VIPs bunk when they visit. If it’s safe enough for them, it’s safe enough for us.”

Cajun only cleared his throat in response.

“If you’re that worried about it, get a KI-pill,” said Casey, and she continued onward.

“Edison?” pleaded Cajun.

“I’m on it,” said Edison. “Give me a moment to find it.”

Malmoradan hooked his thumbs through the duffle bags’ straps, and he glanced down at Edison. “Now you know why all the nullies I met ended up sterile.”

Edison sighed and shook his head. “Did you know that ‘nullie’ is also the name for a certain type of bird, indigenous to Taht’Alqamar?”

“Taht’Alqamar, as in the sudasau home world?” asked Malmoradan.

“That’s right,” said Edison. “Do you know of another Taht’Alqamar?”

“Some casinos use it in their names, but… No,” said Malmoradan. “And you ain’t got to be condescending about it.”

Edison passed Cajun his pill. “Forgive me, Malmoradan. It was the beginning of a poorly formed joke, it seems. Regardless, near as I can tell, you’ve met exactly two nullies, and both were very old.”

“That’s two more than you’ve met,” said Malmoradan. “Anyway, only a depraved corporate robot would subject any of their employees to rickety tech like this, especially just to save a few bucks.”

“I’m inclined to agree with you,” said Edison.

Malmoradan smiled. “I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

Time passed as they investigated the space station’s crew level. “Where the hell’s the shuttle crew?” asked Casey.

“I bet they’re headed planet-side,” said Mike.

“Doubtful,” said Casey. “According to the itinerary, the next supply drop isn’t scheduled for another three days.”

“All of this is highly unusual,” said April.

Cajun stopped suddenly, and Orin nearly collided with him.

“What is it?” asked Casey.

“Mes amis, somethin’s very wrong with this place.” He pointed to a nearby door.

Beyond it, two chairs rested at a table with plates of food and glasses of water. An old piece of meatloaf lingered at the end of a fork. Mounted to the far bulkhead, a wide-screen television displayed a log in a fireplace. From off to the left, romantic music echoed faintly.

“That’s three I’ve seen in such a state,” said Cajun. He pointed back the way they had come. “Two more right around the bend, ya care for a look-see.”

“What do you think happened?” asked Casey.

“Can’t say, but more than a few residences we passed been left open just like this one, like people got up and left right in the middle o’ whatever it was they were doin’. But nothin’s knocked over, no signs of hurry or harm, like they just… vanished.”

“Huh,” said Casey. “Shona, please document this.”

“Sure thing,” said Shona, and