Read The Awakening: Book 1 of the Evaran Chronicles for Free Online Page B

he saw initially.
    V flew next to Evaran and projected a three-dimensional overview of the main bridge concourse. Dr. Snowden noted that the map V projected had more detail than the displayed one from the segmented block. Evaran began walking around the projection with his hands behind his back.
    “Analysis. No active life-forms detected. Multiple inactive life-forms detected. Eighty-seven entrances, seven thousand hatchways—” said V.
    “I think that will be enough. Looks like we are walking,” said Evaran.
    They followed Evaran as he walked down the center of the main bridge concourse.
    Dr. Snowden took note of the architecture. The sides of the main bridge concourse had walkways accessible by ramps at evenly distanced intervals. There were various areas sectioned off in the main walkway that contained stands with unusual devices. Benches with strange shapes and an occasional odd-looking plant dotted the floor. The main bridge concourse was big. The most unusual aspect of the concourse was the small hatches high up on the walls. There were three rows, with each row having roughly five feet between each hatchway. The rows seemed to span the length of the main bridge concourse.
    After thirty minutes of walking, they reached the middle of the main bridge concourse and could see the bridge door in the distance.
    “Everyone, you may want to see this,” said Evaran, pointing to something on the ground.
    They walked to where Evaran was pointing. On the ground was a dead Krotovore. Around it were other aliens Dr. Snowden did not recognize. The Krotovore was missing a leg and two arms. Half of the chest armor was missing, with teeth marks around the edges. Green liquid had solidified around it.
    “It looks part eaten,” said Sanjay.
    “It was one of the security forces of the ship. You can tell by the designation on the chest plate,” said Evaran, pointing to the mangled chest armor. “Whatever got to it was strong enough to peel apart the armor. Probably something we want to avoid.”
    “Ewww. I think I’m gonna be sick,” said Emily as she grimaced and put a hand on her stomach.
    Dr. Snowden smirked. “I’ve seen better props than this.”
    Jay walked beside Dr. Snowden. “I dunno, man, looks pretty real to me.” He rubbed the back of his neck while looking up. He snapped his head back and pushed Dr. Snowden down. “Watch out!”
    “What the—” said Dr. Snowden as he rag-dolled to the floor. A spiderlike creature landed where he stood just a second ago. His eyes widened, and his heart began to race.
    “What the fuck?” shouted Jay as the creature jumped at him. He caught it in midair and threw it to the ground. He stomped it. Several more landed near him. He kicked the nearest one. Another one jumped at him. He dodged it. When it landed, he pivoted and stomped it. He shouted out in pain as one fell on his arm. It careened off him and crashed to the ground. He stepped back and kicked the creature, sending it flying. He turned his hat backward and balled his fists. His face turned red. He shook his head at the one he kicked. “Well, c’mon then, you little shits!”
    Sanjay took off running, with four creatures in pursuit of him. Evaran had turned to help Jay, but then turned back around to run after Sanjay.
    Dr. Snowden scrambled to his feet. He heard Emily scream. He turned to see two creatures had landed near her. Another was already trying to bite her. Emily held it in place with her outstretched arms. He bolted over to her and kicked the first one. Its sides busted open, spewing guts everywhere. He stomped the second one, causing its organs to fly out the back end. He yanked the third off Emily and threw it to the ground. It landed on its back. His eyes flared as adrenaline surged through him. It tried to flip over, but he got to it first, kneeling to slam his fists into its soft underbelly. It shuddered as black blood spattered out. He grunted as his vision blurred, and he raged that they would