Free Insurrection (Athena Lee Chronicles Book 5) by T S Paul

up.
     
    Entering the code, the ensign listened carefully before opening the hatch. The lights were off inside the small room. Marine Private Diamond produced a small light from his pocket. He quickly scanned the room looking for threats. The ensign stepped out first, followed by the Marine private. The last three in her party were careful not to make noise. Private Diamond was proving to be a man of many talents. He handed her a stethoscope as she tried to listen to the door. It was dark but she smiled a thank you to him.
     
    “Mitch, it’s your bid, Hey! Mitch! Pay freaking attention! Bid or pass?”
     
    “Sorry, Craig. I thought I heard something.”
     
    “You heard all your credits going into my pocket is what you heard. Bid or pass?”
     
    “OK, OK, bid, bid.”
     
    “What about you Eddie? Bid or pass?”
     
    “I think Eddie has had too much to drink. He will pass and I will take what he has in front of him. You snooze your lose Ed.”
     
    “Hey you're gonna share some of that with the rest of us, right?”
     
    “Sure, sure. Split three ways.”
     
    “Deal the damn cards, Mitch!”
     
     
    Ensign Tisiphone looked whispered to Private Diamond. “There are four, and they're playing cards. One is drunk and asleep the others sound like they've been drinking.”
     
    The Marine quietly checked his weapon. “You open the door and I’ll slip out. I’ll get their attention with a flash bang, Then I need you to come out blasting. Don’t slow down just shoot them. The rest of you cover the door and watch for reinforcements. Once we're inside, get that door closed and input the code as fast as you can. Everyone understand? OK, let me out.”
     
    Private Diamond slithered out the door his pistol and knife at the ready. The Marine hugged the far wall out of sight of the card players. The three pirates were still arguing over the cards, money, and the bottle they were passing around. Pulling a flash bang grenade from his pocket, Private Diamond took a knee and rolled it across the floor under the table. Less than 3 seconds later the small bomb exploded in a bright flash of light and smoke. The four pirates fell backwards out of their chairs. They jumped up and stated yelling.
     
    Ensign Tisiphone burst out of the closet assault weapon blazing. The Marine private stayed on his knees, firing at the stunned pirates. The other crew members did as they were told and secured the door. As the smoke cleared, all four pirates lay dead in various positions. There was a sudden pounding on the door that cause the young ensign to jump. A few pirates had heard the explosion and were yelling for the four to open the door. “Ignore it,” she ordered the three volunteers. “Help Private Diamond get those bodies moved while I make sure the guns as still operational.”
     
     
     
    ___
     
     
    Giving the ensign time to get up the tube, Lieutenant Mutai waited before boarding the lift. He listened up the lift shaft for any sounds of commotion from above. He counted to ten then engaged the lift controls. His men had their guns at the ready, not knowing what was at the top. Halfway up to the next floor he heard a loud bang. This was followed by gunfire. The sounds of running and yelling closely followed. The doors of the lift opened to a now empty corridor. Sounds of banging and loud voices could be heard toward weapons. The ensign had been successful.
     
    With no time to lose he and his men crossed the hall to the bridge entrance. No guards in sight. The door had even been left ajar in the commotion. Very carefully he pushed the door open his pistol at the ready. A womans voice surprised him and he stopped.
     
    “Did you figure out what those idiots set off? Why we put up with those beach bums is beyond me. I’ve tried more than once to get Alvin to just kill them. What do you think, McCoy? McCoy, answer me Dammit!” Jenna turned in the Captains chair to find four Marines and several others pointing guns at her. She