Free The Cartographer by Craig Gaydas Page B

cannons and neutralizers?” I repeated.
    “ Yes, a hand cannon is a compact sidearm designed to fire a maximum of ten rounds which explode on impact. A neutralizer is compact sidearm that can fire up to 400 fiber optic needles before the ammunition level becomes zero. The needles, engineered by Kamilian science officers, are embedded with trace amounts of a toxic plant found in underwater sections of Caelum designed to create a comatose state in the target. The victim emerges from the comatose state after a short time passes ,” he explained mechanically.
    “Well, that's good I suppose,” I quipped.
    “ G.A.R.D. units are also armed with an integrated EMP device used for situations where the scouting party could be engaged by hostile android units. Most G.A.R.D. units are also equipped with stun sticks designed to knock out hostile foes .”
    “Sounds like you can pack a punch yourself, Gard. You said `most' units so where is your stun thingy?” I asked, straining to see in the dimly lit room.
    Several more clicks later he finally responded. “ Well, I broke mine during a routine maintenance mission to Orgell .”
    I rolled over in bed and let my back stare at Gard for a while. Everything he said exhausted me and I found myself struggling with the facts. The fate of the last Cartographer weighed heavily on my mind. I was too young to die but my eagerness to learn more about the universe overshadowed my fear of death. After a brief mental struggle, I decided that, despite the dangers, I would embrace my role within the Explorer's League. My eyes grew heavy but I felt Gard's eyes boring into my back.
    I rolled over and peered into those unblinking eyes. “Good night, Gard,” I muttered.
    “ Goodnight, Nathan ,” he replied and his eyes went dark, leaving me alone with only the faint light from the neon lights casting their little green shadow army throughout the room.
    “Hand cannons,” I chuckled before falling asleep.

Making A Pit Stop
    I finished browsing through the files marked “Geology” and felt familiar eyes on the back of my neck.
    “Good morning Gard,” I muttered without turning around.
    “ Good morning, Nathan. May I ask what you are doing ?”
    “Just brushing up on intergalactic geology,” I replied.
    The doorbell interrupted us. I yelled my customary “come in” when Gard gazed at me through a series of whirls and clicks.
    “What?” I asked.
    “ If I could give you a word of advice, Nathan ,” he said mechanically. “ It would be wise to check the digital viewport to see who is outside your door before inviting them in .”
    “What the heck do I have to be afraid of aboard a secure Explorer's League vessel?” I asked. “Do you guys have intergalactic boogeymen?”
    Before Gard could explain further, Calypso entered the room. His demeanor was intense and his fiery gaze shifted from Gard to myself. I squirmed uneasily under their intensity.
    “How is your training coming along?” he inquired.
    “Gard has helped me cover most of xenoarchaeology and I started going through the geology section…” I trailed off when he crossed his arms and appeared dissatisfied.
    I glanced at Gard but he continued sitting in the corner staring at us through unblinking eyes. It didn't appear I was going to get much support from my android buddy during this particular discussion. God forbid I bring up Jesus or the Smithsonian which might cause him to blow a gasket from rambling on incessantly.
    “Is something wrong?” I asked.
    Calypso shrugged. “Well I hoped that you would be further along in your training, but I'm afraid we will have to conduct the field training portion sooner than expected.”
    “Why is that?”
    Calypso coughed dryly. “We were on a course for Caelum when the Argus detected a celestial body in the solar system of GX-771. Initial diagnostic scans picked up trace amounts of life on the surface of the planet, but we need to get closer to confirm. A scouting party needs to be