Star Road Read Online Free Page B

though it was a constant 71 degrees in here. Not exactly pacing ... but he shuffled back and forth. Stopped. Looked around.
     
    Every move screamed nervous.
     
    Then Rodriguez said, “Let’s hope he’s not on our SRV.”
     
    “Amen, brother,” Sinjira said. The bartender placed a beer in front of her, but she ignored it and went back to studying the workers and passengers who filled the lounge.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    Annie knocked and then entered the director’s office.
     
    “What’s up?”
     
    Humphries stood next to his desk. Beside him was a shorter man. She had obviously interrupted their conversation, although Humphries had summoned her.
     
    The two of them looked at each other as if trying to figure out who was going to speak first. Humphries began.
     
    “Hello, Annie.”
     
    But that was all.
     
    “Sounded pretty urgent,” she replied.
     
    “Well...” Humphries looked at his companion.
     
    “What the hell is it?”
     
    “There,” Humphries said, “there’s been a problem along your route.”
     
    “A problem?”
     
    “Near the Omega Nine Terminal.”
     
    “And?”
     
    “An attack on the mining colony. Could be ... everyone was slaughtered ... or captured. It’s gone quiet.”
     
    “Quiet?”
     
    “No transmissions. Nothing at all.”
     
    “You think Runners?”
     
    “Who else? But nothing’s been confirmed.” Humphries took a slow breath. “Not even why someone would attack the operation. Nothing of any value there except for the ore, which they could’ve grabbed off a freighter once it was carrying it back.”
     
    “And they have a processing facility ... where?” Annie paused. “They’re not that organized. They couldn’t run smelters without the World Council catching on.”
     
    “Space is a big place ... and getting bigger by the day.”
     
    “So how’d you find out about this attack?”
     
    Another look at the man with him, and then Humphries tapped the large flat-panel screen behind his desk. It came to life, and after another gesture, a holovid started playing.
     
    A face appeared.
     
    Eyes wide with fright. Face streaked with sweat. Chewing his lip before he spoke.
     
    Was the guy injured ... or just totally terrified?
     
    “This is ... Thalos Station. We’ve been attacked.” A burst of static scrambled the hologram for a second, and then: “... wiping us ...”
     
    His eyes darted around. Time was obviously of the essence if he’s gonna get the pod out in time, Annie thought.
     
    The last word ended it, though.
     
    “... out.”
     
    The image on the screen froze for a count of three and then dissolved into a pixilated mess.
     
    Humphries tapped the screen again, and it went dark.
     
    “When did this come in?”
     
    No answer from either of them.
     
    “This morning? Just now?”
     
    Humphries lowered his gaze and shook his head. “Three days ago.”
     
    Annie took a step toward the man who was, on paper at least, her boss. He reeled back as she approached. “You knew about this, and you didn’t think to tell me until now?”
     
    “Orders, Captain Scott,” said the other man—who hadn’t introduced himself—speaking for the first time. “No one is to know about it. Other than the council heads, few do.”
     
    Annie scratched her head.
     
    Who the hell is this guy?
     
    “So, what now? You expect me to scrub the trip?”
     
    “That’s your call. As always. I’m afraid in this matter you can’t even consult with your company. You get to know what happened, but for now, that’s it. It’s classified.”
     
    “Great.”
     
    “Odds are they made their point with the attack, and they moved on.”
     
    ‘“Odds are?” Annie echoed. She whistled as she exhaled.
     
    “Probably retaliation for Delgato’s trial and conviction,” Humphries said.
     
    Annie considered that for a moment.
     
    “You know I love to gamble, but this…”
     
    “Like I said. It’s your call.”
     
    She raised a hand to end the