SODIUM:6 Defiance by Stephen Arseneault Read Free Book Online Page B

we made our way to the next pod we ran into trouble. A static field dropped around us in the hallway and a holo-image of a Frekkin appeared before us. The image stated that we were now guests of the Frekkin Empire as they had claimed the Blake Adventure as salvage. We were trespassing and as such were being held in the field until such time as a Frekkin escort could arrive for a hearing.
    For two days we sat in our invisible cell, unable to communicate with the outside world. It seemed even the QE comm was not able to pass signals through to the QE link on the other side. We had attempted several times to use our static portable field to find a way out but success was not to be found. On the third day that changed.
    Lisa had come up with the idea that if we could reverse the polarity of the conduits we might be able to make a static field that went outward from a perimeter. Within the hour we had a perfectly square doorway in one side of the field. The only drawback was that we had to leave our portable static field in place in order to escape. Once out, we immediately began a search for the static field conduits that had held us in place and then for their power source.
    After a short search the controls for the static field were found and the field turned off. It was decided that James would then stay on the Saxon in case another emergency should arise. We picked up the portable field generator and continued our exploration. It took nearly two weeks to cover every sphere, corridor and deck on the Blake Adventure. Six more of the static field traps were sprung and six times we escaped. When we finally once again touched down on the planet I was happy to have left the cruise ship behind.
    For the next several weeks I struggled to keep my mind occupied. DaCuban was a beautiful planet, but there was only so much exploration of it that could be done before many of its features began to look the same. I was in need of a new challenge.
    After the full science crew had been evaluating the site for weeks their tasks began to wind down. Every attempt to discover some new bit of information about the two doors and their symbols proved fruitless. It was soon decided that a skeleton crew would remain behind while the main team returned to Earth. We were given the go-ahead to continue our exploration of the area surrounding the Flame Nebula.
    Our next stop was sigma Orionis, located just below Orion's belt in Earth's night sky. It was a 22 day journey from Alnitak and DaCuban. The clouds and debris that made up the reflectiveness of the Flame Nebula were a spectacular site as we traveled along. The scientists spent hours toying with the sensor feeds providing us with a kaleidoscope of colors on our holo-screens.
    As we approached the sigma Orionis system I slowed the ship until we could determine there were no threats. As we approached our scans told of 12 planetary masses orbiting the cluster of four young stars. The first eleven masses were too close or too distant to have life but the twelfth planet, although it was small, was perfectly situated in the habitable zone around the reddish D star of the system.
    As we closed on its position we began to pick up a low green glow surrounding it. A closer view yielded pinpoints of white light. The planet was almost 1,000 kilometers in diameter placing it on the small side. When we reached one quarter light year distance I brought the Saxon to a halt. Something about the planet was just not right as the multiple points of light were on the dark side, facing away from Orionis D.
    As we sat quietly our sensors began to pick up signs of activity around the planet. The activity was soon identified as star-ships arriving and departing from the dark sphere. I took the opportunity to move the Saxon to a position above the star and planets orbit. The red sun that was sigma Orionis D then reflected off the planet.
    As we moved to one eighth light years distance it became apparent that it was not a