Readers may be asking, just what does Another P.O.V. mean. It is what it is, another point of view. The Attack that is, taken from the point of view of this new character. Also unless otherwise stated the quote at the beginning of each chapter is said by the character introduced in the chapter.
Mara had never
been one to get into to too much trouble, but after hacking
the computers and finding that the Elerian Prince would be aboard
she was excited. If she and Schala could grab just one of his
credit sticks, they would be set for life. Mara looked
herself over in the mirror in her quarters, Schala
sat near a com-terminal and was hacking the computer
system. “What do you think?” She turned to Schala.
Schala was
typing furiously and talking to herself, “One more... Got it!”
“SCHALA!”
“Huh, what?”
Schala glanced over , “Oh looks nice.” She remarked blandly
and returned to typing.
Mara had just
put her soft red hair back into a ponytail like she usually
did when they went out to do their usual business. She was
dressed in a white T-shirt, blue denim jeans, and tennis
shoes. She pulled on a brown leather jacket.
She and Schala always dressed alike when they were
up to something. Although Schala was nearly half a foot shorter.
Mara stood five feet eleven and a half inches and was thin as a
rail. Schala stood at five feet six inches and had her blond hair
cut
short. She usually liked to hack the security systems
before runs.
Mara turned
a chair around backwards and sat down next to the computer screen.
Both were avid hackers, and though Schala hated to admit it, Mara
was always better. The two had been on the run since they raided
and hacked a starship back on earth taking several thousand
in valuables. Luckily for them, no one really
knew what they looked like.
Schala thought it was crazy trying
to buy passage back to earth, but Mara, she was more
optimistic. Now that they had an opportunity like this
they could probably buy their freedom. One of the Elerian cred
sticks would have enough money on it to buy the Earth itself
if it were
for sale.
Schala continued to type away and
looked at the map she had hacked. “Well got it.”
Mara tried
to look but was just far enough back that she couldn't see past
Schala, “Well what's the best way in to his quarters?”
Schala grinned, “You're not gonna
like this.”
Mara was puzzled at first, then it
hit her, “You know I hate small spaces.” Mara
had been slightly claustrophobic all her life.
"Come on,” Schala retorted, “This
is an opportunity of a life time, you never let fear
stop you. Just a few steps ahead that's all.”
Mara forced a smile, “ Yeah, you're
right. This chance isn't...” Suddenly a high
pitched whine resounded across the station com speakers.
Mara jumped and Schala screamed.
“ What the hell...” Mara covered her ears. Schala
looked back at the com screen.
“Oh man!” she exclaimed. The
com screen was fuzzed out. She typed a few things
and brought it back. Mara looked passed Schala and uncovered
her ears.
In bold letters the screen read,
COM
SYSTEM DOWN UNTIL SHORT
RANGE
SENSOR NET IS REPAIRED, CHECK BACK AT 1400 HOURS!
“1400, that's almost five hours away.”
Schala looked back at her, “ Yeah
but the Elerian delegation is due in one.”
Mara looked at her watch, “ You're
right, let's get moving.”
The two stepped out of their quarters.
They were in habitat ring subsection Alpha.
Fortunately the Elerian quarters were not too far away.
However, to get there meant getting through several meters of ventilation
shafts. Down the hall was the access hatch for the repair
tunnels. Mara climbed in first and Schala followed.
After crawling what seemed like minuets, they came
upon a ladder an climbed up. About halfway up
Mara stopped. “There's the ventilation opening.” She
peered in , “Man, how did I let you talk me into this?”
“Just think
about the money.”
Mara reluctantly
climbed in and started to crawl. The shafts were much smaller than
the repair tunnels, but they weren't meant for humans so
it was only natural. After about ten minuets they
came to a dry spot and Schala tugged on Mara’s foot. She stopped,
“What?”
“We're here.”
Schala whispered.
“Why so...”
“SHHHHH!”
Schala snapped as she peered through the vent below. She pointed down,
‘ Security. Below a rookie officer in a red and white uniform stood
preparing a bed. Schala curled up and sat back on the vent
with her feet up so she could see below.
Mara did the
same as she checked her watch. “Only a few more minutes to wait.”
The time seemed
to go slow. Just as Mara sat up to check her watch again a violent
series of explosion shook the entire station. Schala bolted upright
nearly hitting her head and attempted to move but was not quick enough
as the vent gave way and she screamed, plummeting head over heals into
the room below.
Well that does it for Chapter 2.
Now just wait and see what happens as the other civilians and people deal
with the Aliens in Chapter 3: The long wait!