Star Traders (Corporate Marines Book 3) by Tom Germann Read Free Book Online

nods to himself. “They are organized enough that Eight sat down with me and reviewed some of the scenarios that we run. He had some good ideas in the immediate short-term and has updated statistics on different weapon and armor systems that are in use. They are even willing to act as enemy forces in a few sims so that we can differentiate our training.”
    The captain absorbs this and then sighs. “So they are trying to adjust in. No problems yet at all? Are you sure?”
    Terry answers before Patroe can open his mouth. “Bill, you need to stop looking for monsters where there are none. Or at least none that are not under control. They have been here for twenty-four hours and you think there would be problems already? Hardly. Ask that question after a few weeks in transit. They are being straightforward, so why don’t you give them the benefit of the doubt for now?”
    Patroe cocks an eyebrow at Terry and then looks at the captain. “What she said.” Then he goes back to eating.
    The captain nods. “Okay, Terry, I understand what you are saying. My concern is the safety of the ship. I know they are highly trained, but I just don’t want to see them go off because they are too highly trained and there is no enemy to fight. As long as they can stay focussed and not decide that we are the enemy, everything should be fine.”
    Patroe finishes the mouthful of food and looks at the captain. “I don’t think they are going to be a problem for us, captain. They spend a lot of time training in sim environments so they are always busy. Give it a few weeks, like Terry said, captain. We’ll have an idea by then if they could be a threat to the ship or crew.”
    The captain nods and then turns at the call of another crewmember, who joins them.

TWO WEEKS AFTER LOADING
    “O h my gosh! Eight, that was the best sim I have ever gamed through!”
    Eight smiles at Susie, the corporate research specialist that had been new to space. “Thanks, Sue, but really, this is a training sim designed to hone marksmanship and observational abilities. I mean, it is fun in that the bad guys are zombies and everyone loves shooting them up, but the training itself is sound.”
    Sue giggles. “Fine, you stay with that story and let’s discuss it over a cup of that good coffee.”
    Eight and Sue head out of the briefing room and walk off toward the mess hall.
    Derek quietly tugs on Two’s sleeve so as not to attract the attention of the other adults. “Psst, Two?”
    Two leans over. “What is it, Derek?”
    “Do you think that you could run me through that sim with some pointers later if you have any spare time?”
    Two smiles. “Yes, Derek, I should have an hour or so free later after we come out of the jump. I can run you through the whole sim again. I may even be able to partner up with you, if you want?”
    Derek grins. “I’d love that! You’re a crack shot and have reflexes like a cat!”
    Two nods at the door. “You need to get going and I need to finish clearing this sim. I’ll com you later.”
    Derek nods and then ducks out, on the run to his next duty station.
    Two gets to work clearing the sim from the computer program. The shipboard computer, while recently upgraded, is not meant to run large-scale sims like this and maintain them in storage, as doing so would noticeably degrade its capability. The ease of clearing the program from memory is a bit of a problem as it seems to indicate that the computers are not well protected. However, this is not the AI that controls the important functions of the ship, like the engine room and life support.
    However, Two is able to figure out three possible options to hijack this system and take over other ship systems, causing loss of life and of control of the ship. Time to file a system status review with the corporate AI onboard and get the last report ready for when we depart. She is so lost in the work that she does not notice the command team’s interest in her.
    Patroe and the