The Acolytes of Crane (Theodore Crane, #1)(101)



The two groups split into different directions.

Mariah and I took the lightly guarded paths through the palace to approach the docking bay. We were focused on figuring out what type of ship it was. Specifically, I was in charge of locating the nomenclature of the vessel, while Mariah was to watch over with her rifle from a raised platform designed to allow access to energy level readings. We knew, from our previous scouting, that this platform was not considered a security risk and therefore was not guarded.

Once I found out the make of the ship, I could use my IPU to initiate an autopilot launch-sequence based on the make. Then we quickly needed to maneuver the vessel.

Mariah and I took a deep breath as we approached the docking bay. I looked over the gigantic space ahead of me. Three guards stood, each a wide distance apart, ramrod straight, with a rifle slung over his right shoulder.

I tried to find any clue that the holographic projection was in place. Everything seemed normal.

‘Did Nilo do it?’ Mariah asked.

‘That’s the problem,’ I sighed. ‘If he did a real good job, there would be no difference at all.’

‘I know,’ Mariah said resolutely. ‘I’m going out there.’ She handed me her laser rifle.

‘Mariah, no!’ I hissed at her. ‘You could get shot!’

‘It’s the only way,’ she said. ‘If the projection is working, they won’t see me. If not, I’ll just pretend I’m lost.’

I smiled weakly. ‘They won’t fire upon a lovely damsel in distress.’

‘You’re too kind,’ she returned my smile and grasped me by the hand. ‘I love you.’

Entranced, all I could manage was a dreamlike stance and a mumbled, ‘I love you.’

Letting go, she strolled out quietly into the open. My heart beat rapidly. For a while, I wondered about bringing her rifle into position, ready to shoot. But even with all my combat training, I was nowhere as good a shot as she. Still, I might have to chance it.

Within seconds, it was apparent that the projection was holding. The guards didn’t even blink as Mariah strolled about, like an alluring vision, right near the escape vehicle. She even waved vigorously about, soundlessly. Not a twitch from the guards.

Holding in her breath, Mariah quickly darted back to me, careful to leave silent footsteps. ‘It’s working,’ she whispered.

I nodded. ‘Time to move into position.’ Taking back her rifle, she clambered up to the platform.

Taking a deep breath, I consulted my IPU. ‘Hatch open,’ I commanded through my mind.

The colossal hatch in the ceiling parted, then steadily slid open. The sunbeams shone through aggressively.

The projection was holding. Again, no reaction from the guards. Thank goodness the hatch was a ruthlessly efficient, totally silent machination.

Now it was decision time on my part. Running silently, I arrived at the front panel of the ship. I typed in the password that I had obtained through the IPU, and the ship’s hatch opened. As on Earth, passwords were very poorly protected; really, placebos designed to lull people into a false sense of security. The hatch made a loud beeping sound, and I was stunned because I feared someone could have heard the noise, but nothing yet happened. I entered the ship regardless. There was no time to lose.


As the door closed behind me, I realized that I was alone. I prayed that we would succeed in our mission. Even though I was alone, I had Mariah, and my desire to reunite with my best friend, which was all the motivation I needed.

I ran through the ship frantically. The vessel itself was large but only a tenth the size of the Uriel. It was black on the outside and the majority of the inside was sleek and white.

I didn’t really have a clue where to look for the nomenclature of the ship, so I consulted my IPU. It explained that the ship’s make and model were located on the hatch door, which was ironic, because that is where I entered, and I was at that moment, on the opposite side of the ship.

I sprinted back to the hatch, but in haste, tripped on an operator’s chair. My knee slid across the slick floor. A grid of tiny blood spots immediately appeared on my sore knee. I slowly rose up from the floor and hobbled quickly. ‘Got it,’ I exclaimed to myself, ‘IPU, I need guidance on ignition and autopilot for a ZF-Targine.’ I took the direction of my in-brain advisor at the risk of alerting those that may have been listening in on the channel.

I started the ship and over the sound of the ignition, I heard a shot. It was a weapon. I knew that if I was hearing a shot from a rifle, that things were about to become unpredictable.

I programmed the autopilot to launch in four morgets, which was equivalent to two minutes. I ran to the hatch, hoping to see my team all present and accounted for, ready to disembark immediately. However, when the hatch opened, only Mariah was there.

‘Where are the boys, Mariah?’ I asked. She shook her head, unresponsive. She had a look of fear in her eyes. ‘Mariah please, what is going on? I need to know what to do!’

‘They should be right behind me. Something went wrong. The projection was up, and it was good. I saw it from my spot, but the captain heard something. He was startled, he ran out of his office. I had to do something. I—’ Tears ran down her cheeks. ‘I shot him in the leg.’

Suddenly, we heard a series of explosions. Turning quickly, we saw three balls of fire raging on the hangar floor, all strategically located far apart. Immediately, Dan, Liam, and Nilo materialized out of thin air, furiously running toward us. The guards were now yelling and shooting at the three of them.

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