Insurrection (Athena Lee Chronicles Book 5) Read Online Free
Author: T S Paul
Tags: Science-Fiction, Space Opera, Military, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult, Marines, Lesbian, special forces, space, engineer, Space Station
“Sir, we searched the entire bow area. We even put on suits and peeked outside. The Captain is not here. It’s possible he went aft. You did say he was friends with the engineer.”
McCoy nodded his head. “It’s out of character for him, but that might be the answer. Get with the armory team and make sure he isn't hiding in there. What’s the status of the crew? Did we get everyone in the bow?”
“No, sir. Including the captain we are missing about 20% of the crew. About half of that should be in engineering. We know from ships orders that they were conducting an engine tear down. It’s possible that the Chief called in crew early to get it repaired.”
Looking sharply at his man, McCoy asked “Just who else is missing besides engineering crew?”
“Sir, all of the Marines, Dr Smith and his orderlies, and several of the older officers.”
“So basically everyone from the aft section? We may have a leak! Put more men on the armory door, we need those weapons NOW!” The mercenary crewman ran toward the armory grabbing a few others as he went.
“Sir! Sir! All the kitchen staff is gone!” The man he sent for the women was yelling at him.
“What are you saying? Who is gone?” This day could not get any worse.
“I did as you told me and started rounding up all the women when we noticed that the kitchen area was dark. All the cook staff is missing and the food stores are gone. We checked, even those nasty emergency food bars are missing!”
“Damn it to hell! We have to have a traitor among us! When I find him I'll frighten his whole family! Send an armed party aft. We need to know what we may be facing.” Bracing himself, he headed toward the bridge, he now had to tell his boss the bad news.
___
Captain Pigot, along with Marine Lieutenant Mutai were watching the mercenary force that was on board their ship via closed circuit cameras. The captain had gotten lucky so far. The mercs had chosen to consolidate the bow section first before moving aft. As Lieutenant Mutai had predicted they were trying to break into the armory. That will be a surprise to them. The captain regretted not being able to save more of his crew. That decision was already haunting him.
Chief Kościuszko’s engineering crews were working overtime getting the fighting positions built. Working with the kitchen staff, they managed to find a storage place for all the food and ammunition. The small Marine force was outfitting the crew with body armor and giving basic shipboard fighting refreshers. The medical staff had set up a small aid station in CIC and the main hospital in engineering. The various other crew were laying out supplies and arming the weapons.
The captain called his officers together in Chief ‘Tad’s’ office. On the screen in front of them was a map of the ship.The sections had been delineated by color. All of the bow section including the holds were marked in red. Everything aft of hold three was marked in blue.
“We don’t have a lot of time, so listen up. We have defensive points here, here, and here.” The Captain was pointing on the map to the hatch to hold number three, the main corridor, and the access tube down the center of the ship.
“There are small units covering the emergency exterior access ports. I don’t expect them to hit us from outside. But we need to be covered. So far they have not spotted the cameras we set up. When they do, we will lose all intelligence so watch them closely. They have the rest of the crew locked up in the mess hall.” His face grew grim. “They separated out the women and have them locked up in hold number one.” He motioned to Lieutenant Mutai.
“Of the crew with us only about 10% have any kind of battle experience. Those that do are now our front line of defense. My Marines will be floating between stations when the fighting begins. Regardless of rank when they give you an order obey
McCoy nodded his head. “It’s out of character for him, but that might be the answer. Get with the armory team and make sure he isn't hiding in there. What’s the status of the crew? Did we get everyone in the bow?”
“No, sir. Including the captain we are missing about 20% of the crew. About half of that should be in engineering. We know from ships orders that they were conducting an engine tear down. It’s possible that the Chief called in crew early to get it repaired.”
Looking sharply at his man, McCoy asked “Just who else is missing besides engineering crew?”
“Sir, all of the Marines, Dr Smith and his orderlies, and several of the older officers.”
“So basically everyone from the aft section? We may have a leak! Put more men on the armory door, we need those weapons NOW!” The mercenary crewman ran toward the armory grabbing a few others as he went.
“Sir! Sir! All the kitchen staff is gone!” The man he sent for the women was yelling at him.
“What are you saying? Who is gone?” This day could not get any worse.
“I did as you told me and started rounding up all the women when we noticed that the kitchen area was dark. All the cook staff is missing and the food stores are gone. We checked, even those nasty emergency food bars are missing!”
“Damn it to hell! We have to have a traitor among us! When I find him I'll frighten his whole family! Send an armed party aft. We need to know what we may be facing.” Bracing himself, he headed toward the bridge, he now had to tell his boss the bad news.
___
Captain Pigot, along with Marine Lieutenant Mutai were watching the mercenary force that was on board their ship via closed circuit cameras. The captain had gotten lucky so far. The mercs had chosen to consolidate the bow section first before moving aft. As Lieutenant Mutai had predicted they were trying to break into the armory. That will be a surprise to them. The captain regretted not being able to save more of his crew. That decision was already haunting him.
Chief Kościuszko’s engineering crews were working overtime getting the fighting positions built. Working with the kitchen staff, they managed to find a storage place for all the food and ammunition. The small Marine force was outfitting the crew with body armor and giving basic shipboard fighting refreshers. The medical staff had set up a small aid station in CIC and the main hospital in engineering. The various other crew were laying out supplies and arming the weapons.
The captain called his officers together in Chief ‘Tad’s’ office. On the screen in front of them was a map of the ship.The sections had been delineated by color. All of the bow section including the holds were marked in red. Everything aft of hold three was marked in blue.
“We don’t have a lot of time, so listen up. We have defensive points here, here, and here.” The Captain was pointing on the map to the hatch to hold number three, the main corridor, and the access tube down the center of the ship.
“There are small units covering the emergency exterior access ports. I don’t expect them to hit us from outside. But we need to be covered. So far they have not spotted the cameras we set up. When they do, we will lose all intelligence so watch them closely. They have the rest of the crew locked up in the mess hall.” His face grew grim. “They separated out the women and have them locked up in hold number one.” He motioned to Lieutenant Mutai.
“Of the crew with us only about 10% have any kind of battle experience. Those that do are now our front line of defense. My Marines will be floating between stations when the fighting begins. Regardless of rank when they give you an order obey
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