Free Starship Tomahawk (The Hive Invasion Book 2) by Jake Elwood

waving expanse of grass. In the middle of the grassy pocket, almost a kilometer from Nicholson and his team, stood a cubical structure maybe five meters on a side. It was made of metal, covered in ducts and pipes and tubes, and it made Nicholson think of electrical substations. A revolving light on the top of the cube flashed and blinked. He had no idea what it signified.
    A light breeze ruffled the hair on the back of Nicholson's neck, and sent waves rippling through the grass. The music faded away, then came back as the wind changed direction. It sounded like a dance tune, highly synthesized, the kind of thing teens loved and their parents hated. It seemed to be coming from the cubical structure.
    He took out his binoc and zoomed in on the cube. The image wobbled and shook, and he lowered the binoc, shuffling over until his shoulder was against the trunk of a tree. He braced an elbow on his knee and lifted the binoc again.
    With his arms stabilized the image finally became clear. The structure was human-made. He could read safety warnings stenciled on the side. He scanned the structure carefully. A large pipe near the base had a logo painted on it, and he could make out some text. It said, "Ariadne Water Services".
    "I think it's for pumping fresh water," he said, and handed the binoc up to Gillett. "Have a look."
    She stared for a long time, then lowered the binoc. She didn't speak.
    "Well?" he said at last. "What do you think?"
    "I think it's Soul of Love . Not the original, though. Somebody did a crap electro-pop remix."
    Nicholson turned to stare up at her.
    "Why do people do that?" she said plaintively. "The song is a classic. We don't need a horrible new version."
    The distant music faded. Someone spoke for thirty seconds or so, the words an indistinct mumble. Then a sprightly jazz tune started.
    "That's better," said Gillett.
    "You know, you're really no help at all." She gave him a hurt look, which he ignored. He reclaimed the binoc and scanned the horizon. The only movement was the waving grass. He stood. "Let's go check it out."
    The four of them walked to the end of the road, spreading out to make a poorer target. It was a pointless precaution, Nicholson was sure. This side of the crater was abandoned.
    He passed the last tree and took a step onto the grass. Red light flashed in a copse of trees on the far side of the bowl, the side of his face felt briefly warm, and wood crackled behind him. He hit the ground, not sure why but obeying his instincts. The others copied him.
    He looked back, and felt a chill run down his spine. A large branch just above head height on the closest tree was broken close to the trunk. The branch hung straight down now, and he saw a wisp of smoke rising from a blackened area on the stump of the branch. It took a moment for his brain to catch up.
    "Laser fire," he said. "Take cover."
    The four of them rose together, scrambling behind the closest tree trunks, then darting over the crest of the slope. Nicholson threw himself down on his stomach in the middle of the road. Gillett hit the ground in one ditch, Hudson and Parrish in the other.
    "Gillett. Inform the Achilles ." He twisted his head the other way. "Hudson. Crawl forward and take a look. For pity's sake keep your head down."
    Hudson nodded and wriggled forward.
    For a moment Nicholson just laid there, listening to the urgent thump of his heart. He could smell dust from the road, and his own sweat. There was also a vague greenish smell, the smell of rich soil and living things on all sides. The evening air was cool, and he found himself savoring the moment. Nature. Fresh air. Open spaces. I never knew I was missing it …
    Finally, gritting his teeth, he started worming his way down the middle of the road. He timed it so he reached the top of the crest at the same time as Hudson. The two of them lay still, gazing across the bowl, waiting for the distant laser to strike again.
    Nothing moved, and no weapon fired.
    "I think I see