Free Ghostworld (Deathstalker Prelude) by Simon R. Green Page A

regular contact with the Darkwind after the esper and the marines have left; keep them up to date on what’s happening down here. And be prepared to relay information from me to the Darkwind . I’ll want the data from this new ship compared with existing records.”
    “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Investigator. I have been unable to contact the Darkwind from the moment we landed. There is nothing wrong with the comm systems, so I can only conclude it is either a result of natural conditions, or the interference is deliberate.”
    “What do you mean, we’re out of contact?” snapped Frost. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”
    “You didn’t ask.”
    “Computer, once this mission is over, you and I are going to have a long chat about which of us is in charge here. In the meantime, you will report to me, or the esper, or anybody else available, on any changes in our circumstances that might affect our mission, as they happen . And if I have any further problems with you, I will personally reprogram your data banks with a shrapnel grenade. Is that clear?”
    “There is no need to raise your voice to me, Investigator. I assure you, I have only the best interests of this mission at heart. I exist only to serve.”
    “Blow it out your terminal.”
    Diana looked aghast at the comm panels before her. Being cut off from the main ship was serious; it not only meant they were denied the ship’s superior computer facilities, it also meant they were on their own if anything went wrong. Diana hugged herself tightly. She’d never been cut off from the ship from the moment she joined its crew. She was used to its protection as a given, only a call away. Now she felt alone, naked, defenceless. She realised Frost was still talking, and forced herself to pay attention.
    “If something is blocking our transmissions, Odin, can you determine their position in relation to ours?”
    “Not at present, Investigator,” said the AI. “Without further evidence, it remains only a hypothesis.”
    “That settles it. Esper, I want you with me as fast as you can travel. The sooner we check this alien ship out, the better. And, esper, keep your eyes open on the way. Investigator out.”
    The silence that followed Frost’s signing off had a pronounced feeling of uncertainty. Not to mention unease. The presence of the alien ship could explain a lot of things, but for the moment it raised more questions than it answered. And the thought of leaving the pinnace and travelling through the metallic forest was not a comforting one, even with the marines for protection. Diana got to her feet and then stood there dithering, unsure what to do first. She’d wanted a little action, a little excitement, but this was ridiculous. A thought struck her, and she turned to glare at the comm panels.
    “Odin, why didn’t your sensors detect the presence of the crashed alien ship?”
    “Unknown, esper. Either the ship is shielded in some way, or it and its crew are simply too alien to show up on my instruments.”
    Diana frowned. “I thought it was impossible for anything to shield itself from your sensors?”
    “Impossible for any technology I am aware of. The alien ship’s level of technology is unknown.”
    Diana growled something under her breath, and strode down the cabin to the airlock. Even when the computer was talking directly to her, she couldn’t get anything useful outof it. At least the Investigator understood her worth. Just let her at that alien ship; she’d show them what an esper could do. She’d show them all.
    The marines accepted their new orders with hardly any fuss. Secretly, Diana thought they were probably just as bored as she’d been. The news of an alien ship didn’t throw them at all. They just nodded, checked the power levels on their guns, and led her off the landing field and into the metallic forest. They walked on either side of her, studying the surrounding trees alertly, their disrupters drawn and ready