The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos Read Free Book Online Page A

earlier. He had two black eyes and a patch of burned skin on his neck.
    â€œI know for a fact you’re not supposed to be roaming the halls,” he said, so calmly Mason wondered if he was in shock.
    â€œWe’re last years,” Mason said. “My sister—” He was about to say his sister was captain now, and he was going to help her no matter what, but that would’ve sounded terrible with Tom standing right next to him. “We need weapons.”
    Ensign Michael nodded and entered the armory, stepping carefully over the fallen soldiers; Mason hadn’t quite looked at them yet, and he didn’t plan to. Ensign Michael unlocked one of the still-glowing panels on the wall and swung it open. There were more weapons inside, unscathed.
    â€œHand P-cannons,” he said, pulling out three handheld photon cannons that resembled ancient handguns, back when humans made their weapons out of explosive powder and projectiles. The plastic barrels glowed, a swirling mixture within that shifted between green, white, blue, and yellow. “They pack a punch. But promise me that if I give them to you, you’ll hide and use them for defense only. We should have these Tremist dogs cleaned up shortly.” His voice was watery and he was sweating through his suit. The black fabric was stained darker under his armpits and around his neck.
    Mason hoped he was right, but he didn’t see anyone around to help carry out that threat. They were on their own.
    â€œPromise me,” Ensign Michael said again.
    â€œWe promise,” Tom said. The lie came so easily that Mason wondered if Tom had a lot of practice.
    â€œGood. Now go hide.” He looked down at the floor. “I have to take care of this.”
    Mason took his P-cannon and left with a nod to Ensign Michael. He needed to find his sister. Now. Tom and Merrin followed him, turning on their P-cannons. The handheld devices whined to life then quieted. Mason could feel the heat of it in his hand. The trigger was touch-sensitive, so pressing harder would create a more powerful energy burst. He planned on squeezing as hard as he could.
    They passed windows on the way back, but they only showed more dark space. It was impossible to see the Tremist ship from this angle. Mason was heading toward the bridge, since that was the most logical place to find his sister. Merrin and Tom seemed on board, since they didn’t ask where he was leading them. This part of the ship was quiet, but he could hear shouts from many corridors away and the constant background hum of weapons. The air moved hard, briefly, ruffling his hair; an energy weapon had probably cut through the Egypt’s hull, creating a hole that sucked at the atmosphere until the auto-sealer could plug it. They’d been told on day one not to panic if there was a stiff and sudden breeze.
    In the elevator, Merrin stepped to the front. “I should go first. I’m the best with a P-cannon,” she said. “Last year I won the competition.”
    That was true, but Mason had come in second by 1.5 points, and he figured they were about equal in skill. The night before the contest he hadn’t slept well because David Schatz, the cadet who slept in the bunk above him, was snoring loud enough to vibrate the water in the glass Mason had on his shelf. He wanted to go first, but if she truly was a better shot, it wouldn’t make sense.
    â€œWe move fast,” Mason said. “Once we’re in there, take out your targets as quickly as you can. Don’t hesitate.” It wasn’t much as far as plans went, but Mason didn’t know what to do besides assaulting the bridge while they had surprise on their side.
    â€œWorry about yourself,” Tom said.
    The door opened on the corridor that allowed access to the bridge, the same one Susan had dragged him across not so long ago. The first doorway to the bridge was just twenty feet away, across the hall to the left. The