Starflare Universe – Ghosts-12
334 Words
“Dave, talk to me,” said Joe. “Has the shuttle docked?”
Dave was hunched over the airlock controls. Joe was only an arm’s-length away but he could hardly make Dave out for the smoke.
“I think… yes, the shuttle has docked,” said Dave.
“Great. Blaze, take the first group through.”
“Yes, Sir,” Blaze replied. “You heard the captain. Time to earn our pay!”
The first group of eight to go over consisted of Blaze and seven of his troopers. They wouldn’t have their weapons drawn, but neither would they be completely trusting. Blaze had asked permission to suit up in armour but Joe had overridden it, partly to avoid seeming too aggressive but mostly because it would have taken too long. He needed to get his people off the Panther. Once that was done they could work out a strategy for reclaiming the ship, probably starting with venting the entire atmosphere.
“First group are in the airlock,” Dave said. “Cycling now.”
Joe moved closer to the small airlock porthole but he couldn’t see anything. The smoke had become so bad he couldn’t even see his hand in front of his helmet.
“Cycle complete,” Dave said. “Blaze, how’s it look?”
“Well, I can see for a start,” replied Blaze. “We brought some smoke with us but the shuttle’s systems are clearing it fast. Everything seems to be as promised. There’s tools and supplies. The cockpit is empty and we’ve locked the shuttle into manual mode. Come on over, the air’s much fresher here!”
“Thanks Blaze. Right everyone, time to leave. We should be able to get almost everyone over in two more cycles. Dave, Sasha and I will stay and come over in the third cycle. Dave, make sure everyone gets on there.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Joe took another deep breath as he heard rather than saw his crew find their way to the airlock and in. Just three more cycles of the airlock then they could start to make plans. They might have had to leave the Panther temporarily, but he sure as hell wasn’t abandoning the ship.
- Writer
