The Alpha Protocol: Alpha Protocol Book 1 by Duncan Hamilton (free ebook reader for iphone .TXT) 📗

‘Cleanest reaction matter in the system,’ Bates said, with a smile that gave Samson no confidence.

Samson made sure the Marines remained vigilant every moment until they were ready to lift off, something that was delayed by their need to replace the reaction matter. He wasn’t sure if Bates was the discreet type—happy to keep their visit a secret in the hope of Navy contracts in the future—or if he would rush to the nearest tavern as soon as they left to tell the locals what had happened. Reaction matter had to be handled carefully, and replacing it was a job that couldn’t be rushed. Vachon needed time, and Samson had to resist his impatient urge to hurry the engineer along.

Samson had been willing to risk launching from the planetary surface with the old reaction matter—as he saw it, he had little choice. However, there was no sense in letting the opportunity to get a fresh piece pass by, and it was a relief not to have to rely on the old fragmented chunk to get them off the planet. Hopefully the new matter was as pure as Bates had claimed. As soon as they were in space, they could fire the old matter into a decaying solar orbit where it would burn up—the best method for safe disposal in isolated regions of the galaxy.

Samson breathed a sigh of relief when the call finally came that the reaction matter had been changed over and they were ready to launch. Samson had to remind himself to breathe as he powered the ship up—he could do without any new stressors, for a little while at least. His screen showed that all systems were functioning normally, and their power levels were improved by the introduction of the fresh reaction matter. All being well, they’d be at the orbital depot in a few hours and Samson would be firmly back in the chain of command, rather than how he currently felt—alone and adrift.

With his list of problems clearing, Samson found himself with headspace to spare, and as the Bounty lifted off, his mind wandered to Arlen. Samson had witnessed Arlen fire on them with his own eyes, but why would he have done that? There was no way he was going to fend off a naval boarding party single-handed. No one was foolish enough to think they could do that. Nonetheless, it was the only independent evidence as to the man’s character that Samson had. He thought on it as he watched Harper and Kushnir sit on the bridge’s deck, taking their newly acquired comms computer to pieces for the parts needed to upgrade the built-in system. Perhaps the years alone in space had simply left him cracked in the head?

‘Had the Sidewinder ever encountered the Bounty before?’ Samson said.

Harper stopped what she was doing and looked up. ‘No. Why?’

‘Probably nothing,’ Samson said. ‘I’m just curious to find out a little more about the previous owner. I can’t help but wonder how long he had those objects on his ship. And where he got them.’

‘You think that’s what the other ship was after?’

‘I do,’ Samson said. ‘It seems like too much of a coincidence. We just have to be thankful we were powered down when it arrived, otherwise we’d have been vaporised too.’

‘I wonder who they were. Pirates? A rival?’

The original owner? Samson thought. He was still afraid to say it out loud, though. ‘I want to know and don’t want to know, in equal measure,’ he said. ‘It would take a pretty substantial rival to have the firepower to destroy the Sidewinder so quickly. I struggle to see how a man like Arlen could have attracted that, unless they already knew he was carrying something very special.’ He sighed. ‘I don’t know. I can’t help but feel there’s something big here, and we’ve only scratched the surface. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. I’ve a hard time taking anything at face value these days.’

Harper blushed, and Samson reckoned it was time to change the subject.

‘How’s the computer coming along?’ he said.

‘Almost ready. We’ll be done before we’re in range of the depot.’

15

Samson’s first instinct when the depot came into view was to close the blast shield and rig for battle. There wasn’t much that could be done to the Bounty in that regard, and what could be done would be as effective as using paper for shielding. The depot’s Gauss guns could punch a hole through the Bounty and she would barely slow the projectile down. Making out his last will and testament would be a better use of the time. Everything rested on the upgraded communications system working. He was taking a big chance on Harper, but as he saw it he had few other options. Her survival was as tied up in this as his, and the rest of the crew’s. He was gambling that was enough of an incentive for her to get this right.

‘Broadcast the encoded distress signal as soon as we’re in range,’ Samson said.

‘Broadcasting distress signal now, sir,’ Harper said.

‘Very good.’ The navigation computer was guiding them in toward the depot, but he kept his hand over the throttle control. At the first warning, he would send the Bounty into full reverse, and they would have to come up with another plan.

The depot grew ever larger in the viewport.

‘Five hundred kilometres,’ Harper said.

They were on the border of the depot’s scanning and weapons range.

‘Four-ninety. We’re being scanned.’

Samson held his breath.

‘Welcome to Terran Union Depot Capsilan 2-B, TUS Harper. Please state the nature of your distress.’

Samson cast Harper a confused look.

She shrugged. ‘I had to give us some designation. I didn’t have time to give it much thought.’ She returned her attention to the comms system. ‘Damage to ship’s communications system and friend-or-foe identification transponder.’

‘Acknowledged. Proceed slow ahead to dock at airlock three and prepare for personal identification.’

Samson let the breath whistle through his teeth. ‘Thank God for that,’ he said quietly.

He took the