Space Station Crisis: Star Challengers Book 2 by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, June Scobee Rodgers Read Free Book Online Page A

sailing toward the console. He activated the comm. “We read you, CMC, over.”
    After a brief pause, a familiar voice with a British accent said, “This is Collaborative Mission Control to ISSC. Stationmaster, we’ve been trying to get some intel on that new cadet, but—hold on a moment—is that Cadet Wren? What the blazes are you doing there? Over!”
    “Major Fox! You don’t know how good it is to hear your voice,” Dyl said. “Over.”
    A video screen flickered on above the communications station, showing Fox, resplendent in a charcoal military uniform. “Am I to understand that your sister and the rest of the cadets are on the space station now? I must admit, I was dubious, but Stationmaster Ansari thought you might arrive soon. Over.”
    “Yes, we’re all here,” Dyl answered. “Only there are five of us this time. Over.”
    On the screen, Fox nodded without surprise. “Ah, yes. The newcomer. Can you reveal anything about your mission this time? These are very serious matters. Over.”
    King glided over to hover next to Dyl. “I’m afraid we can’t tell you much more than last time, sir, but we’re willing to help in any way we can.”
    Fox’s eyebrows lifted. “I see.” He looked disappointed, but squared his jaw. “I have no idea whether to regard this development as encouraging or ominous. In light of your arrival, I have a bit more research to do. Please inform Stationmaster Ansari that I expect a preliminary report from her within four hours. Over and out.”
    Dyl’s mouth hung open. “So, Fox is running Collaborative Mission Control? Well, I didn’t see that one coming.”
    Ansari looked amused. “I wanted to see your reaction—and Fox’s. That was the reason I asked you to answer the comm. After we escaped from the moonbase, no one could deny the destructive intentions of the aliens. Dozens of governments put together an international military force and space program. Because he was already in the military and worked with our civilian space agency, Major Fox was promoted to full-bird colonel and put in charge of the CMC.”
    King gave a low whistle. “So it’s Colonel Fox now? Props to him.”
    “The military wanted someone in command who had direct experience with the aliens. Colonel Fox and I have a history of working well together—I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have in charge down there, and even though I’m a civilian, he wouldn’t want anyone else running Earth’s only space station.”
    Song-Ye said, “At least he’ll believe us when we tell him we’re under attack by aliens.” JJ remembered the skepticism from CMC administrators when they had initially reported the alien base on the far side of the Moon. “I mean, if we’re under attack,” she hastily amended.
    Ansari nodded. “I’d better gather some information that I can report back to him in four hours.” She propelled herself over to the main comm station beside Dyl and pressed a panel button. “This is Stationmaster Ansari calling an all-hands meeting. Everyone aboard the station, please report to the Mess Module in fifteen minutes. I repeat, this is an all-hands meeting. I expect everyone to attend.”
    A voice responded over the station-wide communication system. “Uh, Stationmaster? This is Kimbrell. The Sat Team’s already here in the Mess. We were just starting a meal.”
    “Then you have just enough time to eat and freshen up before the meeting. Attendance is mandatory.” She switched off and gave a sigh. “I hate to do this to them—that team has been working around the clock on the satellite we’re about to launch.” She shook her head as she saw their mystified expressions. “That’s right, you’ve all got some catching up to do.”
    Tony ran a hand through his hair, looking completely at a loss. “Believe me, we know.”
    ***

Seven
    Stationmaster Ansari led them out of Central. “It may take you a while to learn your way around the space station and figure out how the