AwayTeam (13 page)

"Reading atmosphere at seventy percent nitrogen, twenty-nine percent oxygen, the rest argon and carbon dioxide with a few trace elements. As far as I can tell it's suitable for us to breathe." Emerson turned to look at the commander. "Although, in a way, sir, that's probably more puzzling than there being no atmosphere. Are we expected?"

"Good question." The commander nodded. "Seems there's only going to be one way to find out. Cadet Braden, ready the men for the away mission. I want full arms and all protocols adhered to. Is that understood?"

Braden snapped to attention and saluted. "Yes, sir. Ely, Emerson, you're with me." Kale was still busy landing the shuttle. "Kale, you can join us when you're done."

"Sure thing, sir," Kale said, his study on the control panel.

Braden left the cockpit. Ely nodded to Emerson. They were both soon following him, Commander Okinawa in tow.

Their first stop, the weapons cabinet.

Chapter Fifteen

When Kale joined them at the designated meeting point near the shuttle doors, Commander Okinawa said, "Remember, even though this is considered a hostile situation, the rules of engagement still apply." He looked at each and every one in turn. "I don't want any accidents. Clear?"

All saluted, and said in unison, "Yes, sir."

The commander nodded, a smile crawled across his lips. "Excellent. Cadet Braden, lead the men out. I will take up the rear."

Braden pressed the door panel. It hissed open. The sweet smell of an oxygen rich atmosphere struck Ely, made him feel giddy for a moment. "All right, form a line. Cadet Emerson, you're behind me. Cadet Ely and Cadet Kale, you're both next. Watch everywhere. Be alert. Stay frosty."

"Yes, sir," Ely, Emerson and Kale said, falling into the order Braden had requested.

Braden saluted to the commander. "The men are ready, sir."

Commander Okinawa didn't reply. Instead, Braden stepped out of the shuttle, his gun at the ready position, checking all points before proceeding and gesturing for the others to follow when he seemed confident the coast was clear.

The hangar didn't disappoint. In fact, it was far more impressive than the glances Ely had caught of it from the shuttle's windows. The structure looked like it was made from living metal, veins of silvery-blue weaved and intertwined all over the walls, floor and ceiling. There was an eerie blue glow that emanated from the metal, and again strange writings could be seen over every surface. The thing was a large as any hangar he had seen or been in, the roof of it would have been more than fifty meters above them.

Their footfalls echoed.

Slow and sure, Braden led them toward the end of the hangar and the doorway that greeted them on the far side. At every moment he made certain their path was clear. The slightest sound or flicking of light would put him on high alert. Ely couldn't help but smile, comforted in the knowledge that Braden was there to make sure they all remained safe. That and the fact he could check out Emerson's butt, too. His boyfriend using the portable comm unit as a scanner, deep in his study.

"Halt!" Braden called out, about ten meters from the doorway. Well, Ely assumed it was a doorway leading into the rest of the structure. To say it was a door in any conventional sense was an understatement and Ely couldn't help but wonder what sort of creatures lived here, if indeed there were any aliens on board. So far no sign of any life.

The door they approached was hexagonal, with what Ely could only describe as something that resembled a flower opening to reveal the path beyond as soon as they were close. For a long while Braden stood silent and still. He went to Emerson and there was a brief and quiet discussion between them. Braden checking out readings on the comm panel.

"All clear, sir," Emerson said aloud. "As far as I can tell, anyway."

Braden nodded. He proceeded, leading them through the doorway. Somehow, and if it was at all possible, he looked even more cautious than before. But the room beyond was a spectacle to not only be admired, but be in awe of, as well. No longer was the metal present. Now the room, all multi-coloured and beautiful, looked as though it was made of glass. Everything was transparent, and the lighting added to the effect of creating its wonder.

As Ely was about to speak, about to utter how amazing he thought the place looked, a beam of light struck each and every one of the away team. A split second after that, and before Ely's eyes could adjust from the intensity of the light, Emerson disappeared. Gone within a heartbeat.

Ely couldn't mouth the horror he felt, pass the wind over his larynx to form the words of his shock. His Emerson had been taken.

"Emerson and Commander Okinawa are gone!" Braden said, rushing past Ely.

Ely was knocked form his reverie. He span on the balls of his feet to glance behind him, to confirm Braden's words for himself. It was true. Not only had Emerson been taken, the commander had been, too.

Before Ely could blink, work out what was going on and try and calm the many, many questions that now sang in his mind, Kale came to him, grabbing his hand. His touch welcome.

"Fall back!" Braden commanded. But by the time Braden got to the doorway, the flower-like apparatus closed, sealing off their exit and the shuttle.

They were alone.

Ely was numb. Kale's warmth all that kept him in the moment. His mouth agape, his eyes wide with disbelief. Finally, he said, "We've…got to…get them back."

Braden came up to Kale and Ely. "We've got to complete the mission first. Those were our orders."

"But Emerson and Commander Okinawa could be in danger," Kale said.

"That's right," Ely added, reinforcing his friend's words.

Braden looked flustered. His cheeks were red and he had that look of panic in his eyes. Being left alone in charge so soon wouldn't have been on his mind. Not so soon, anyway. "Look. There are three starships out there with over two-thousand hands on each. The captains of those starships are relying on us to do our duty, and by God, unless there are none of us left standing, that's what we'll do." But his words held no confidence, his gaze flicking around the room, like he was looking for a way out.

Ely narrowed his eyelids. "I don't care. I'm going to look for Emerson. He's the only one with the scanner. How are we supposed to find our way around here while we're blind?"

Kale tightened his grip on Ely. "I agree. We can't do our job without any idea about what it is we have to do. Emerson was the one reading for energy signatures and the like. We could be wandering around this alien spaceship or whatever it is for days and get nowhere."

Braden mouthed a few unintelligible words, before he said, "We must remain focused at the task at hand. If we can shut off the engines or power source, then perhaps Emerson and the commander will be returned."

"You don't know that." Ely snapped.

Braden's face hardened. "We don't know anything. That's the problem. So as a result, you'll all do as I say and follow our prime directive. The lives of the many outweigh the lives of the few. That's the way it is."

Ely couldn't contain himself. "That's bullshit, Braden. You haven't lost your boyfriend in a blink of an eye. I have." He knew that Braden was in charge, and to go against a superior was an offense. But still, he spoke the words anyway, feeling better for doing so.

"It's not about boyfriends, it's about duty,
cadet
Ely. Do you want me to put you on report for disobeying orders? Do you?"

"No, sir" Ely whispered. He let go of Kale, turning so that he was no longer facing Braden. He didn't want to add any more to his reply. Any more words out of his mouth would have truly got him into trouble if he spoke them. He felt sick, right to the pit of his stomach. All he could think of was Emerson, the instant he disappeared burned into his memory. His bottom lip quivered and his throat tightened.

To help clear his mind, he directed his attention to the room around him, look for any clues as to where Emerson and the commander could have been transported to. If that was indeed their fate. He shook his head. Yes, that was what happened. They had been transported, both alive and well, but lost somewhere inside this massive alien machine.

Ely tried to think of the positive. To do anything else right now would make him break out in tears, he just knew it. Braden was right. There were many people relying on them to shut off the energy field that trapped the ships that now orbited the alien device. But he couldn't help but think of Emerson. His Emerson. The man who shared everything, completed him in ways he never imagined.

Kale cleared his throat. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Granted, Cadet Kale."

"May I suggest we do both."

Ely turned around, facing the two men once more. Perhaps what Kale was about to say could convince him to change his mind. He sure hoped so, because he knew Braden wouldn't hesitate to pull rank. Then again, that was what he was there for. If there was no order, there would be anarchy. Ely didn't want that either. They needed to work as a team to get things done.

"Please explain," Braden said, his voice a mere quiver from his lips.

"Well, we need to locate the power source to shut off the energy field, right?" Kale began. Braden nodded. "So why don't we search for Emerson
and
the commander while we're searching for the engines? Kill two Martian sand rats with one stone, so to speak."

Braden looked at Ely. "Will that be okay with you…Ely?"

Ely's eyes had misted. He understood that the man had both a duty to perform, being in command, and feelings for his friends. In truth, Ely had been harsh on him. "Yes…Braden. I think that would be…just fine with me."

Braden stepped up to Ely, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder. "I'm sorry I sounded like a jerk earlier. I just…well, I just wanted to make sure--"

"No need to apologise," Ely said, a smile for Braden widening. "I'm glad you're in charge…I couldn't think of anyone better. I just want Emerson back, beyond anything, that's all."

"I know. So do I."

Kale let out a sigh of relief. "Good, I'm glad that's settled. Now, can we all kiss and then get on with this? The sooner we get out of this place the better, in my opinion. This machine or whatever it is, is giving me the creeps."

Braden smiled at Kale's words. "I will if Ely will."

Ely was taken aback. Sure, he had heard plenty of times when the men and women on away missions did more with each other than their duty, an act that bonded them and solidified morale. But Ely wouldn't have imagined in a million years that such a thing would have happened on his very first away mission. "Say what?"

Braden leaned over and planted a firm kiss upon Ely's lips. Parting them with his tongue and teasing a little, before disengaging. Ely couldn't help but smile, his lips tingling, his mouth awash with the taste of Braden's saliva, a slight tang tingled his tongue. He
did
feel closer to the man. Seemed that command technique worked.

No sooner had Braden straightened up, when Kale came into view and added his affection as well, grabbing Ely around his waist and pulling him in close. His kiss lingered a little longer than Braden's had done, his hold adding so much more sensuality. Kale tasted sweet.

When parted, Kale said, "I think we should go down that passage way over there. It looks like it leads to the lower levels and possibly an engine room. A good a place to start as any, I'd say."

"Agreed," Braden said. Both of them went to each other, embracing. Seconds later, the sight and sound of the two of them kissing filled Ely's senses with delight. They kissed like they were boyfriends, full of passion and wanting. That really did seal it. Kale and Braden were together. Ely couldn't help but think of how Carl fit into the picture now. Or was he only a fuck buddy to Braden?

Ely couldn't help himself. "Are you two going out together now?"

They parted. Braden's lips wet with Kale's attention. He patted Kale's buttocks, a gentle chuckle and a knowing smile the result. "We sure are."

"What about Carl, then?" Again, Ely couldn't help himself. "You know, the guy who'd been nailing you before we went on this away mission?"

Kale rolled his eyes. "Sometimes you are clueless, Ely. Didn't you know that he's just a dick for need? If you need, he'll come to your cabin and fuck you as much as you want. He's known all around for it."

"No. I didn't."

Braden came to slap Ely on his back. "The whole ship knows that. He's even been with Kale. Until we started this mission and I hooked up with him, that is."

Ely nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed he had asked now. "Um, did you try and open the door we came through? I mean, we'll need another scanner, won't we?" He decided it was time for a change of subject, redirect the attention to more important matters. Like finding Emerson.

Braden glanced at the flower-like entrance door. "Good thinking. Let's go."

"Yes, sir," Kale and Ely chimed together, adding their salute.

But before they could approach the octagonal door and try to open it, it did so of its own accord. In the distance, the wonderful sight of the shuttle. Ely couldn't help but feel a small spark of hope ignite within him. At least now they could get to their equipment. The search for Emerson and the power source all that much easier.

Then again, Ely couldn't help but get the feeling they were being tested. First there were free of the energy field, not trapped like the others. And now, on top of there being an atmosphere, things seemed to happen that required deeper thought.

Chapter Sixteen

Back in the glass room, they then proceeded down the passageway. Braden was in the lead, again cautious and taking things slow. Next was Kale, using another portable comm panel as a scanner, programmed to detect the largest energy source of the alien machine. Ely took up the rear, his weapon at the ready, too.

Ely hoped that there would be no surprises this time. He wouldn't know what to do if Braden and Kale were taken. Being alone in this place would be enough to send a man mad.

After what seemed like an eternity of traveling though passageways and rooms that looked like the first glass room they had entered from the hangar bay, Kale turned to Ely and asked, "So you've really fallen for Sonny, then?"