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

fucking open it,” he barked.
    The hatch opened, and he dropped through to the uneven ground.
    He could feel the cold now. The wind cut through his clothes like they were not there.
    He walked to the mouth of the cave and stood at the edge of the precipice.
    Just another step and it would be over.
    “What are we going to do, Em?” The realization and despair were back in his voice.
    Em took it as an actual question and replied. “Initially, we need to get away from the landing site. I am sure they will be searching for it when the weather clears. We will begin, as we have, with standard escape and evasion. We will find a secluded spot to hide for a while as we collect more data. We still have no idea what happened. We need to know.”
    “We need to know who these people are.” Barcus saw in his HUD a list appear labeled “Priority Tasks” where these items appeared.
    “Barcus?” Em's voice was very serious.
    “Yes, Em.”
    “I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. I promise.”
    Barcus smiled. Chen did a great job on this AI.
    “Thanks, Em. I know you will.”
    Barcus looked deep into the ravine before him.
    It would be so easy.
    “They're all dead, Em. Over 2,000 people. All dead. All my friends, everyone I know or care about. Gone...”
    So easy.
    “Barcus, I'd like to brief you on our current inventory and priority needs, starting with warmer clothes,” Em said.
    His hands and feet were already numb. He began to turn toward the EM when he slipped on the icy rocks. He started to pitch over the edge.
    Something clamped down hard on his flailing arm before he could fall to his death. Turning his head, he looked into black so dark that it was like a hole in reality.
    It was his maintenance suit.
    Em must have brought it out on remote.
    Barcus knew it had saved him. But he didn't mention it as he was set down farther back from the edge. The suit positioned itself between him and oblivion. It seemed to be a living thing just then, a powerful predator almost.
    Then the suit opened without a pause, and the tool returned. The feeling was gone. Realizing how cold he was, he climbed in.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    The Long Slide Down
     
    “The hostile environment protocols in this AI were so advanced that even now, 34 years later, in 2663, they are under consideration for new Emergency Modules. Even after all that happened.”
    --Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Emergency Module Digital Forensics Report. Independent Tech Analysis Team.
    <<<>>>
     
    Em wanted to wait until nightfall to exit the cave. It was standard ENE protocol. While they were waiting, Barcus explored the cave with some of the BUGs. Em showed Barcus the capabilities of the devices. They had full, high-definition audio and video. They could function as tiny local comm relays, and they were self-powered on minimal light.
    They then spent a few hours going over the full inventory of the Emergency Module, the range of capabilities of both its hardware and software. Barcus also configured his internal retinal HUD to remote access the systems within Em. Barcus had a basic maintenance retinal HUD implant. It didn't have any local onboard specialty hardware except the basic 3D vid and short range comms. With a full-time link to Em, his personal HUD was greatly enhanced. It was past nightfall when they were done.
    The descent itself from the mountain was harrowing for Barcus initially. It did, however, keep his mind off Chen and the rest of his friends.
    “What if this was all just a mistake? What if it was an accident? Should we issue a distress call? “
    “Barcus, they were targeting the life pods as they launched.” Em began playback of the descent. Adjusting out the pitch and yaw, Barcus could clearly see that high energy particle beams from the weapons platforms were destroying the life pods.
    “Do we know anything about the PT-137 craft we saw? It was so loud.”
    Em brought up several high definition images of the ship and