Free Explorer X Alpha by LM. Preston Page A

and then put that thought away as he started to open his bedroom door. After he entered his room, he noticed everyone was there except Tacitus. They were all agitated with worried and angry expressions on their faces.
    â€œMan, oh man. Did they get Tacitus?” asked Dakota, who was pacing the room in front of Aadi.
    â€œYeah, they got him. Why didn’t he keep up? Dang, he was acting like he wanted to get caught. He just sort of slowed down and got disoriented,” said Aadi. He walked around Dakota, who was pacing.
    â€œFreaking dweeb. I knew we shouldn’t have taken him with us. How did he ever past the test to get on this ship? He acts like a retard sometimes,” said Damien, and then punched the top bunk and kicked the bedpost.
    â€œWell, hopefully he won’t talk. My father finds out about this, and I am dead meat in so many ways,” said Carter. He sat down on the floor and hung his head. He then crossed his arms and laid his head on his hands. “I gotta get rid of this key,” Carter said.
    â€œWhere did you get it from in the first place?” asked Scott. He pushed against the top of Carter’s head.
    â€œI got it from my dad when he volunteered to help make the key cards for the staff. It’s a card not assigned to anyone. I don’t know… I just don’t want to be the one caught with it,” Carter said and rubbed his arms while he rocked back and forth.
    â€œGive it to Dakota. He seems to be a collector of keys and things,” Aadi said. Then he took the key from Carter’s shaking hand and gave it to Dakota.
    â€œYeah, I’ll keep it safe,” said Dakota. Then he put the key in his pocket as he leaned against Scott’s loft bed and crossed his leg and arms.
    â€œCarter, get out now! Before, I decide I don’t like you anymore and I seriously hurt you,” said Damien and hit his fist on his bed.
    â€œYeah, I think that would be best. They may do a room check,” said Aadi.
    â€œFine. My room is right across the hall anyway,” Carter said. Then he opened the door and looked side to side. “The coast is clear. I’m out,” Carter said and left.
    â€œWhew. So, what’s the plan?” said Dakota.
    â€œThe plan is to sit tight and come up with a good story,” said Aadi. He leaned on the bed and scratched the back of his head.
    â€œDo you think they are interrogating Tacitus?” asked Scott, and then he hopped up onto Tacitus’s bed.
    â€œI hope not. He doesn’t seem strong enough to keep his mouth shut and not sell us all out,” said Aadi.
    â€œOkay, so what’s our story? Ideas, anyone,” said Dakota.
    â€œI say we tell them that we left the gym late and went to the bathroom. While one of us was waiting for the elevator, that door in the wall opened up, and we went to check it out. Then we heard a noise and headed back out the door,” said Damien and scratched his chin.
    â€œWhy do we even have to admit to being the ones in the lab?” said Dakota.
    Just then, the door opened, and Tacitus entered. They all looked over at him. Aadi waited for him to say something. Damien only scowled.
    Tacitus stood there for a moment, as if he was thinking of what to say, then bent his head. “Um, they just asked me what I had been up to. I told them that I fell against the wall, and this door opened up. They asked me what I saw in the door, and I told them I was too scared to investigate and was running to my room when they grabbed me,” said Tacitus with his head held low.
    â€œHmph, likely story,” replied Damien, then looked Tacitus up and down. He mumbled to Dakota, “I don’t trust this fool.” Damien walked close to Tacitus and sniffed him, pushed at him, and walked back to the front of his bed and re-crossed his arms. Tacitus stood extremely still during Damien’s intimidation tactic.
    They all seemed to relax a little.
    â€œWell, it’s