Free Colonization (The Seamus Chronicles Book 3) by K. D. McAdams Page A

actions now have me nervous.
    Henry remains stoic. I cannot tell what he is thinking, but I assume that he’s listening and observing.
    The pit I didn’t realize was forming in my stomach grows. I can hear each step dad takes. Every leaf or branch he pushes past rustles audibly. He is not that far away and the signs of life are clear, but only from him.
    We wait a lifetime. Even my sweat seems to be waiting. Dad’s noises soften and grow more distant but remain clear.
    For a while we hear nothing. Then the noises resume, louder and more quickly than before.
    “Secure the rafts and come on in. They are all asleep.” Dad says as he pokes his head through the bushes.
    Henry and I tie up the rafts. I don’t trust Liam to do it right and I want him to start carrying some of our supplies in to the fire ring. There are increasingly fewer reasons to doubt my brother. He still chatters incessantly and does not know how to sit still, but he is not screwing up the important things.
    As the last one to approach the fire ring I can see my family and the others crouch below the foliage and look off into the forest. The body language from those who stayed here is tense, while confusion grips those of us who went back to the plane.
    “There’s nothing out there.” I say above a whisper as I approach them from behind.
    “There was.” Grace shoots me a death look.
    “Are you sure?” I ask. My sister has seen more than a few ghosts in her day.
    “Seamus, there was something out there.” Mom speaks up and rises to a standing position.
    “Hold on, are you saying there is something alive on this planet?” Dad is trying to comprehend the ramifications of their statement.
    “Yes. We were pacing off distances from the monolith when it appeared. It was tough to see clearly because it didn’t stop moving. It actually seemed kind of frantic.” Mom begins to explain.
    “What direction did it come from?” I ask.
    “Over there, I think.” Grace points out past the monolith.
    “Is anyone hurt?” Henry asks the most important question.
    “Not directly.” Mom says.
    “What does that mean?” Dad asks, alarmed.
    “Whatever it was smashed the reactor and shut down the solar sail. As a result Sofie seems to be getting sicker every hour.” Mom explains.
    “I either need to repair the reactor or salvage another one then.” I declare.
    Sofie opens her eyes and struggles to eke out a smile. She looks awful and I worry about the long-term effects of radiation poisoning. The ibuprofen and anti-diarrheal are not going to help her.
    “It kind of sucks to survive the sore loser virus, and a trip through space, only to die from a bad sunburn.” Her sense of humor remains intact.
    “You’re not going to die. Actually this is a rare time where you can be grateful that you’re puking and not coughing.” I try to match her wit but fail.
    “Seamus why don’t you go have a look at the reactor and see where we stand?” Dad is trying to delicately nudge me towards something that could be helpful.
    I leave Sofie’s side and go to stand with my parents.
    “The leaves must provide some level of radiation shielding. I know that being underneath them is not comfortable, but keep her covered, and it should at least reduce the amount of radiation she absorbs.” I say quietly to mom.
    “That’s probably sound advice for all of us. I’m not exactly feeling energized.” Mom replies.
    She and dad listlessly look around our feeble camp for leaves. Dad walks to Grace and Remmie and bends over to whisper something. I assume he is telling them to stay covered and take it easy. Sofie doesn’t need to receive that direction.
    “Can I help with the reactor?” Henry asks me.
    “No. I think you should try and save some energy and think about how we can deal with whatever it is that destroyed it.” I say.
    Even if I can repair this reactor we are going to need another one. The second unit can be used it as a power source, but its’ main function