Free Star Runners: Mission Wraith (#3) by L.E. Thomas Page B

Welcome aboard. In the next minutes, the Formidable will depart from the Tizona , and we will be underway. All outbound communications will be ceased, and all ship business not essential to our departure will be halted. Once departure is complete, onboard business will resume. We will curve approximately twenty minutes after departure. Thank you.”  
    Dull rumbling like distant thunder replaced the constant hum of the ship. As the engine’s intensity increased and rattled the objects in his room, Austin sat in his chair and surfed through the onboard Intranet. Although he had no viewport, he knew the sound signified the carrier was departing the Tizona and heading for their destination.  
    His new life was finally beginning.  
    *****

    Once Commander Horace gave the “all clear,” Austin left his quarters in a hurry. The corridor was not as crowded as before the Formidable departed from the Tizona . Only a few officers and crewmen still walked through the tight halls. With his satchel containing the tablet over his shoulder, Austin weaved through the corridor toward the center of the ship. He ducked under a control panel protruding from the wall, avoiding a pair of crewmen carrying equipment outboard. When he passed the enlisted crewmen wearing gray Legion Navy attire, they hugged the wall and saluted. Most were older than Austin.  
    Gotta get used to that, he thought.  
    The cramped corridor opened up to the main passage. The long viewport revealed the blackness of space over the Formidable instead of the gigantic bulk of the Tizona . He gripped the strap on his shoulder and leaned against the viewport. He stared into the void.  
    Below the field of stars stretched the carrier’s retrieval bay for all incoming traffic and the spot he would have to soon land his Trident. The bay in the center of the ship reminded Austin of a small football stadium. No space traffic was coming or going at the moment, but Austin knew that would soon change.
    Pulling himself away from the view, Austin made his way toward the orientation in the multipurpose room on the starboard side of the ship. Along the way, he passed the guarded hatch leading to the bridge. Two Marine guards wearing perfectly pressed dark gray uniforms flanked the bridge entrance. They stared him down as he passed.  
    Austin found the multipurpose room. A crowd had already gathered in the room, speaking quietly in the dozen rows of seats. He found David “Bear” Keller lingering on the back row and focusing on his tablet.
    “Hey man,” Austin said, slipping into the seat next to Bear. “Feels like school, right?”
    “Sure does,” Bear said, glancing up from his tablet. “Did you know this ship’s reactor can operate for as much as fifteen years without refueling?”
    “Uh, no.”  
    “Hey, what’d you think of your room?”
    “It’s small, right?”
    Bear lowered his gaze. “Look at me, man. I’m bigger than you. That room’s the size of a porta-potty.”
    Austin laughed. “I guess you’re right.”
    “You hear about Braddock?”
    “What’s that?”
    “Been promoted to Major,” Bear said, his eyebrows raising. “He’s leading the entire wing on this tour.”
    Austin thought of Braddock, his strong leadership skills exhibited at the end of the Battle of Atlantis. He nodded. “He’s a good man.”
    “Tough, but fair.” Bear exhaled. “I’ll miss Nubern, though.”
    Austin smiled. “I will too, man.”
    Skylar Kincaid strolled into the room, a tablet in her hand. Her face darkened as her eyes fell on Austin. She moved to the front of the room and sat alone.  
    “What’s up with you two, anyway?” Bear asked, leaning forward.  
    “I don’t know, man,” Austin lied, staring down at his tablet. “Why?”
    Bear shrugged. “I thought you guys were close.”
    “Not sure what’s going on,” he mumbled, his stomach turning.  
    “Women, right?”
    “I guess.”
    A Tarnex Squadron Star Runner stepped into the room and marched