Still Falling: Book 1: Solstice 31 Saga Read Free Page A

be able to triangulate passively transmission sources. I will have to find out if they can sense our Radio Frequency if I try to communicate with the BUGs before we risk it.”
    “How many SATs do they have? Can you tell?” Barcus was studying another display. He looked up as they cleared the edge of the ravine on the other side. The display sky showed markers and other meta-data regarding the SATs in his night sky. “Do you think it's a risk, moving within view of the SATs?”
    “My external temperature is the same as the rock around us. No thermal signatures. There is heavy cloud cover now. Perhaps a storm front.” Em was all business as she continued to brief Barcus on the information she had. She was in Escape and Evasion mode now. Before dawn, they would reach a cavern one peak over from where they were, in which they could hole up and reassess.
    “Em, I am looking at the specs of your BUGs. Impressive. How many do we have?” The view screen had an image of the tiny insect-like device in a large window.
    “We have 1,600 total, but they are usually deployed in pairs. They take about three to seven hours to recharge fully in the sun. So they can swap duty to recharge. All 1,600 fit in a container the size of a deck of cards. They were Chen's idea. She was a survival specialist.” Em sounded sad. “Chen made a hobby of modifications. She replaced all my leg joints with the new plasteel. They never get hot. Many upgrades improved my abilities greatly. My overland speed has been increased by 85%. Chen did lots of software upgrades as well. The latest AI with custom modules. More comm strength. Less power consumption. Better lens optics. Even better survival rations.”
    “Do we have any weapons?” Barcus knew weapons were supposed to be kept in the armory, but many of the best, most experienced pilots always kept some checked out
    “Yes. We have a Colt AR-79 rifle and a Glock 93 handgun. There are 10 mags of caseless for each. Also, over the last two years, she installed an embedded, 10mm BMG caseless long range projectile weapon. It's forward facing and good to about 5,000 meters. Auto-fed with 1,000 rounds in inventory. I also have two standard 5mm caseless auto feeders that are sound suppressed and have 5,000 rounds each. Ammo is compatible with the AR-79.”
    They finally reached the mouth of the cavern. The opening was low and wide. The cavern was dry and had a high ceiling. Em backed into the darkness and settled down with a view of the shelf where the STU crouched, barely visible, blending into the mountain.
    Snow began falling heavier before the sun rose. Em reported a cold front coming through and severe weather behind it. In three hours, the snow had already begun to drift and fill the spaces behind and beside the STU. Chen's cairn had disappeared completely shrouded in snow.
    Barcus fell asleep, oblivious to the snow that blew sideways. Em slowly reclined the command chair beneath him. She watched the STU. More BUGs were deployed to occupy two other peaks.
    Night fell as the blizzard continued. Barcus continued to sleep.
    “Barcus. Wake Up.” The sound of Em's voice was urgent. His seat had returned to upright from its earlier reclined position. The HUD was showing the view from one of the BUGs that were stationed on the opposite ledge near the STU.
    Barcus was still shaking off the grog. “How long have I been asleep?”
    “Six hours and 47 minutes. I was worried.”
    “Barcus, I don't think they have seen the STU, even though he is right there. With the snow, he looks like part of the mountain.”
    The snow continued to fall. Without the wind this time.
    “Em, are we going to be able to get off this mountain?”
    “Yes, we will.”
    You sound awfully certain of yourself, Barcus thought.
    “We will wait a few hours and go. I have a course planned for moving south,” Em said.
    “Open the hatch, Em,” Barcus ordered.
    “Why? It's -11 Celsius out there.” Em sounded concerned.
    “Just