Alpha One: The Kronan by Chris Burton Read Free Book Online Page B

Carter. Good to meet you. Unfortunately as you say, Enson Costello was unable to attend the TG competition.”
    “Must be kinda difficult for a guy to contend with being the villain of the peace, now that the wormhole has reopened. His failure could mean the loss of a lot of TG pilots.”
    Jake was annoyed, by the Americans brashness. He was obviously trying to provoke a response.
    “Steve just had a lot on. Like all of us, graduation is just round the corner.”
    “Heard he beat up on a civilian in a bar and he’s been kicked out of Alpha.”
    Jake tried to avoid losing his temper, opting for a conciliatory tone.
    “Steve Costello is a unique talent and it is fortunate for all of us that he elected not to come. He would have been a formidable opponent. He is not responsible for the wormhole re-opening. Alpha’s scientists got their sums wrong and they are to blame, not us. Look, I am pleased to meet an opponent, but can we just leave it at that for now. Let’s just get on with the competition.”
    “Suit yourself. I like to get to know my opponent. You should learn from that. Glad to have met with you Enson Carter.”
    The American returned to his seat and left Jake to continue his pondering.
    His mind soon turned to Carla. Last night had been full on. Their lovemaking was fantastic and yet the evening was beset with heated and meaningful conversation. They had not argued, merely bringing their emotions to the fore about the way they felt for each other, about their futures, the inevitable periods where they would be apart, the Kryl crisis, and about Steve. Their final embrace was charged with emotion as they recognized the strength of their relationship. He left her knowing that she would inevitably spend time with Steve. She assured him this was a good thing. Steve needed to be brought back to the fore. Jake was left with the uncertainty that scared him the most: he could lose her again to Steve. Yet she had assured him her relationship with Steve was long over. He believed her and he trusted her but he did not trust Steve. Jake knew he would take the chance to be with her again. Did he still have the power to get Carla back into his bed?
    Jake slept for a while, but was woken by a comm. link from Carla. Sure enough, it appeared Steve had already tried it on.
    “He was absolutely blind drunk and I could not get rid of him. I just waited for him to pass out and left him on the couch. I have locked the door. I am not sure I trust him Jake. I don’t know what’s happened to him.”
    “Do you want me to come home?”
    “Don’t be daft. I can look after myself. Tomorrow, when he wakes up and realizes what he’s done, I will sit down with him and make him see sense. He is throwing everything away. He is obviously worried about his court appearance.”
    “And the fact that I am here and he is there. Carla, be careful. I don’t trust him. I am worried he might do something really stupid.”
    “He has come pretty close to doing that already. If there are any issues, I will speak to the tutor. Steve’s priority is to graduate and get out there in a Jump Ship. If he can’t win the TG, at least he can be where he really wants to be.”
    “I am not sure, what he wants. If he loses the court case, he will be in big trouble. Are you still going with him?”
    “Yes. But I am not sure I am the right person...Don’t worry I will look after him.”
    Jake returned his seat to sleep mode. He still had two whole days of travel before he got to Titus 3 and at this rate, they were going to be two very long days.

    * * * *

    The shuttle banked over Titus 3, then came in quickly as the landing pad locked on, and drew the ship downwards. The small planetoid was an enigma. Despite a breathable atmosphere and a hospitable climate, it had a gravity pressure equivalent to ten times that of Earth. When you were caught in it, there was really only one place to go—straight to the surface. This made the small planetoid the perfect