RED KNIGHT

a STAR FRONTIERS Novel

by Layne K. Saltern

Chapter 15

The tunnel was formed of transparent plastiglass, making visible the planet's black soil through which it traveled. It was all whizzing past me in a blur. The bubblecar's single rail hissed with its compressed gas propellant.

I called ahead on my chronocom. "Hey, Katrina. I was just on my way over."

She made no sign of acknowledgement. In fact, she seemed very concerned. "My door won't open," she said.

"It's probably just a malfun--"

"I feel dizzy," she moaned, drooping her head.

I pushed the bubblecar to bullet speed. "Katrina! Listen to me! I'm coming right over! Just hold on!"

The bubblecar stopped and I was in the air, sprinting to Katrina's door.

I triggered the opening mechanism. No response.

I pushed and tugged on the door. It wouldn't budge.

I slammed my full weight against it, doing more damage to my shoulder than to the door.

"Open, you stupid thing!" I cursed. "Katrina! Can you hear me?"

Then I stopped. I looked at my toxy-rad gauge.

It was glowing red!

"Katrina! There's a strong radiation leak in there! We've got to get the door open! Can you. . ."

I couldn't finish the sentence. I fumbled for my blaster, succeeding only in dropping it to the floor. My head swam in a rippling blur. The color of everything about me seemed to darken to a powerful red hue. I turned wildly in every direction, trying to get my bearings, but all I could see now was the color red.

Red. I threw out a fist and struck the door.

Red! I slammed myself into the door.

RED! I blacked out.

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