Orion Colony Complete Series Boxed Set J.N. Chaney (books for new readers .txt) 📖

Tong would have to tell us how to defeat this virus—if it could be defeated at all. Didn’t that gecko alien say his people went into hiding until the virus died out? That would mean they couldn’t fight it.

The suns were already down by the time I reached the ground. I walked toward the tent Ricky and I shared. It was early for bed, but I was feeling every bump and bruise from the day. Just lying down for a while before actual sleep felt like a small slice of heaven.

My path took me by Arun’s tent. She was just stepping outside when I walked by.

“Doctor Allbright said you went to see her.” Arun looked down, squinting through the night to try to get a better look at my hand. “Are you okay?”

“Just a scratch,” I said, trying not to get involved in another conversation. I didn’t want to be rude, but honestly, I needed a shower and some rest.

“Actually, I’m glad I ran into you,” Arun said. “Elon and Stacy are on their way. We need to come up with a plan.”

“Great,” I said, edging past her. “You all have fun with that. I have a date with a hot shower and a bed.”

“We want you in on this,” Arun said as if she were already telegraphing my excuses and swatting them aside. “We need you in on this, Dean. Like it or not, people are starting to look up to you. After the show you put on in the cafeteria tent, and what you did with that alien beast that crashed through our gates—you’re a hero to these people.”

“I’m not trying to be anyone’s hero,” I told her with a shake of my head.

“And that’s what makes you the perfect hero.” Arun gave me a tired smile. “Come on. I don’t have the energy to argue with you. Elon and Stacy will be here any second.”

Arun waved me to follow and disappeared into her tent.

I sighed. Sleep wouldn’t be in the cards for me tonight.

The thing I hated most about this entire conversation was that we both knew I was going inside to hear what the plan was. The need to stay out of things was slowly evaporating. At the end of the day, I realized I would rather know what was going on and be part of the solution than a bystander kept in the dark.

“It’s hard to recognize you after your haircut and shave, especially in the dark,” Stacy said from somewhere behind me. “I’m used to seeing you with that long hair and beard. Kind of miss it actually.”

I turned around to see Stacy and Elon approaching down the dirt path to my right.

I ran a hand through my short hair and then over the even shorter beard that was beginning to grow back over my face.

“I don’t miss the hair, but I was thinking of bringing the beard back,” I said. “I don’t even recognize myself when I look in the mirror anymore.”

“I think we’re all changing inside and out,” Elon said, opening the tent flaps for us to walk inside. “After you.”

Stacy took the lead and followed. The inside of Arun’s tent was longer than it was wide. There wasn’t a bed, which led me to believe she was one of the few who still slept aboard the Orion. Her tent had a couple bookcases, hard-light emitters for Iris, and a desk on the far side of the tent with a chair for her and two chairs facing her.

No one really felt like sitting. Arun leaned against her desk while we all stood quietly, lost in our own thoughts.

“Where do we even begin?” Stacy asked all of us.

“We begin with what’s most important,” Elon answered. “We need to secure this base as well as we can. Boss Creed is leading the mechanics in reinforcing the gates and walls. The twin watchtowers he’s building will help as well, but we need better weapons.”

“I agree with everything you’ve said, brother,” Arun said, biting her lower lip. “However, we can’t forget about the expeditionary force led by Captain Harold. They never returned and it’s been over a week now. We have to send someone to find them.”

“Iris, have you been able to bring anything up using the long-range scanner you have in place?” Elon asked the empty air around us.

A moment later, the Cognitive materialized. Thanks to the hard-light emitters set up in Arun’s tent, she was able to take on a physical appearance.

“I have been unable to thus far,” Iris answered. “The communication section of the Orion Captain Harold and his expeditionary team were sent to recover is still there as far as I can tell.”

Iris brought up a map of the area around her. It floated above her open hand in a bright green light. On her map, the Orion appeared, as well as the mountains to the east and the communication section of the Orion.

“Tong’s people must have had some way to communicate and some kind of weaponry,” I said, pointing to the map over Iris’ hand. “I say we talk to our friend, but the best bet is to swing east to see what happened to Captain Harold, and then go south to where Tong’s people are sleeping.”

“If Ricky can get the crawler back up and running, we can make that entire trip in a few days’ time,” Arun said out loud.

“We?” Elon asked. “You should stay here and—”

“Not this time.” Arun’s voice was firm. “You went out on the last run and nearly got killed. It’s my turn to go while you stay and defend the base.”

Stacy and I shared a look before glancing at the siblings. Both their eyes were as hard as blue diamonds. Elon finally gave way.

“The only reason I’m giving in is because you’re right. I did go last time. I also know you can use a break from running the Orion. You look horrible,” Elon said with a sly smile to his older sister.

“Good,” Arun said,