Living in Freefall (Living on the Run Book 1) by Ben Patterson Read Free Book Online Page B

Talons?”
    Ericca grabbed the casserole ladle as she spoke. “They’re
too big for the Cargo bay, Josh, so we have them in tow.” She added another
half-portion to her plate. Mara took note of her. Ericca’s tone was soft, gentle,
and pleasant, but it still set Mara’s nerves on edge. Ericca’s effort to join
the conversation was understandable, but Mara would just as soon she didn’t.
    “Nobody would want those trucks in their bay,” Josh said,
responding to Ericca. He set his fork down and pointed to Freefall ’s
stern. “But consider this. They’re right out there in the open.”
    “What of it?” asked Riley.
    “I think they were meant to be captured. But I also believe
they are more than just disinformation . I think they’re being
tracked right now, and I believe Freefall specifically is the Confed’s
true target.”
    Ericca glowered at Capt. Kori.
    “They think this ship is a myth,” Riley said soberly.
“Honestly. An old freighter with special powers? Who’d believe that? They have
to think those stories are just crazy talk.”
    “Do they?” Josh asked. “Isn’t it wise to investigate a myth
to be certain it’s just that—a myth? Mr. Kori, if I’m overreacting, no harm, no
foul, but if I’m right, then we had better turn this situation around. If those
Talons are just disinformation, then fine, but if they’re Trojan horses, and we
make a beeline for home ...”
    Jordon eased forward in his chair. “ Freefall? ” He
moved to scratch his chin, then caught himself.
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Between here and home, are there any places for ambush?”
    “Yes, sir. Several areas put us at risk.”
    “So, Josh, you really believe we’re their target?”
    “Excuse me,” Ericca interrupted politely, “Mrs. Kori, you
always prepare such a lovely table, and provide a delicious meal. I thank you,
and I don’t mean to be rude, but there are things that require my attention.”
With that, she pushed to her feet.
    “Thank you, Ericca,” Mara said, forcing a smile. “Please. By
all means. We understand.”
    Ericca returned the smile, tossed her napkin onto her plate,
and walked out of the room.
    Though her doing so caught everyone off guard, Joshua
continued anyway. “ Freefall is most likely their target, her stealth
devise especially. I imagine they’ll prize her shield generators, weapons systems,
long-range scanner array, and A.I. computer mainframe as well. They’ll gut this
ship if they can, and set the rest adrift. And we’ll find ourselves plowing
some field on Parandi, or working some radium mine on some remote Confederate
moon.”
    Distaste shadowed Jordon’s face. “ Freefall , plot a
safe course through those places of ambush back to Providence, please.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Josh breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Captain.”
    Bothered and sullen, Jordon nodded once. “Your intuition has
never been wrong, Josh. And you’re right—we can’t afford to be predictable to a
ruthless enemy. I see no harm in checking out your suspicions before we head
back to Providence.”
    “Sir?” said Freefall .
    “Go ahead.”
    “The new course takes us away from Saigus.”
    “No, Freefall . Include the asteroid field in the new
path, will you? Make that our first stop.”
    “Yes, sir. This will bring us dangerously close to one
potential place of ambush, sir.”
    “Which is?”
    “Enri, sir.”
    “Is there no other way?”
    “Sorry, sir. Not without taking us fifty-three light years
out of our way.”
    “Finally,” Riley muttered under his breath.
    “Excuse me,” the captain said.
    “Nothing, sir.”
    “Go ahead, Riley. Spit it out.”
    He took and released a heavy sigh before bringing hard eyes
up to his captain. “Sir, you always play it safe. Take a risk for once. Enri
isn’t all that bad. It’s certainly nothing Ericca and I can’t handle.”
    “I don’t mind risk, Riley. I just don’t see a need to take
undue risk when it can be avoided.”
    “Excuse me? Why in