Lost Planet 02 - The Stolen Moon Read Free

to the immediate problem of getting Lilli under control. “Hey, you think we could spot her now that you’ve hacked into the camera system?”
    Parker tilted his head in thought as he followed Chase into the hall. “Hmm. Not right now. I’ve only got access to the bridge and the engine room cameras, and there aren’t really that many cameras in the hallways.”
    A trio of boisterous engine room ensigns with their identifying green badges came around the corner of the hall. “Hey, Parker,” called out one with a cheerful grin. “You still joining us for a game of Questlords tonight?”
    â€œI dunno, Cutty—I’ll send you a message later today,” Parker called over his shoulder. A flicker of jealousy passed through Chase. It hadn’t taken Parker long after arriving on the ship to make some new friends and establish an easy familiarity with the crew. Not that Chase wanted to play some nerd game with a bunch of dorky ensigns. Parker turned back to him. “Have you mentioned to Maurus or anybody what Lilli’s been doing? It’d be easier to find her if more of the crew is helping you look.”
    â€œNo,” said Chase quickly. “I don’t want her to get in trouble. I won’t tell the captain unless I have to.”
    â€œGuess it wouldn’t make you any more popular with her either.”
    Chase snorted. “I don’t know if there’s anything that can do that.”
    The next step he took was into sudden and complete blackness.

 
    CHAPTER TWO
    Surrounded by the dark, Chase froze, not knowing if the lights had gone out or he’d gone blind or something worse. “Parker?”
    â€œRight beside you.” Parker’s disembodied voice sounded oddly muted by the darkness. A moment later his fingers squeezed Chase’s shoulder.
    Chase’s heart raced so loudly in his chest, he was sure Parker could hear it. “What just happened?”
    â€œI’m not sure. Power trouble? There should be emergency backup lights along the floor. I don’t know why they’re not coming on.”
    â€œDo you think it’s out in the whole ship?”
    Parker didn’t answer for a moment. “Do you hear that?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe sound of nothing. There’s no airflow coming through the vents. The whole ship’s mainframe must have gone down for the life support systems to crash.”
    â€œYou mean there’s no more air?” Chase asked in a panicky voice.
    â€œThere’ll be a couple of hours’ worth of oxygen in the system. I’m sure this won’t last that long.”
    They stood there for a minute, listening to their own breathing and waiting to see if the lights would come back. “Let’s try to get to the canteen,” said Chase finally. He took a step, sliding his foot out first to make sure he wasn’t going to run into something. As they inched their way down the hall, his other senses sharpened, and he could hear distant sounds of shouting, the whoosh and crash of a door slamming.
    Suddenly he noticed something much closer, a sound that didn’t quite fit: three sets of footsteps, not two. Adrenaline surged through him and he stopped, heart pounding. Parker’s grip on his shoulder tightened.
    â€œWho’s there?” asked Chase, sounding bolder than he felt. No one answered, but whoever it was had snuck up on them without a sound. “Lilli, is that you?”
    Brief silence. “Yes,” came her scratchy voice from the right.
    Parker groaned. “Good grief, Lil. Thanks for the heart attack.”
    Chase reached out in the direction of her voice, but his hand found nothing. “Are you okay? Come with us to the canteen. I’m sure the captain’s going to make an announcement any second now to let us know what’s happened.”
    â€œUm, not with the power out he won’t,” said Parker.
    â€œThey’ll fix