Read Twin Stars 1: Ascension for Free Online

was and why he was there and they had let him through. With their seniors likely on other duties, he could have blamed it on the inexperienced guards who seemed to be guarding the entrance to the command hub, but they still should have run a proper background check.
    Sloppy. So very sloppy.
    In fact, as he threaded his way through the corridors, his first real problem came when he ran into the simplest and oldest obstacle of all- a locked door.
    The command level where Colony Control was located had been completely sealed off from the rest of the hub by a large emergency bulkhead door dropped down from the ceiling to lock into place with the floor beneath it. It didn’t accept his codes, and there was still no answer from Colony Control itself- a giant black space now existed around the command center’s link systems, and that made him nervous.
    Could there have been another bomb here, as well? Had the bulkhead slammed down to deal with a breach? He shuddered at the thought, but if that were the case, command would have gone to auxiliary control and he should have been getting replies or messages from them.
    Instead- nothing from anyone.
    So what is going on?
    “A tough nut, isn’t it?”
    The voice came from behind him, and Tysen spun- startled.
    Behind him stood the too-tall Noble he’s seen earlier with the woman on the street, his short salt and pepper hair almost brushing the ceiling of the corridor. He had a surprisingly soft voice for such a large man.
    “Oh! Sorry sir, I didn’t hear you approach.” Tysen said. “I’m from the Star Guard Cutter- we’re trying to learn what’s happening here.”
    “A little out of uniform, aren’t you young man?” The tanned man had a touch of amusement in his voice as he stepped past the young officer and ran a white gloved hand along the bulkhead door.
    “Oh. Umm. Yes, sir.”
    Although Tysen had no idea to this man’s identity, or his rank, his bearing made it natural to defer to him- thus he had chosen a respectful title. He also had that air of leadership about him that Tysen had felt when he’d seen him earlier.
    Finished with the door, the man looked at him and smiled gently. “Don’t worry, my boy- your secret is safe with me. You have tried all means, then?”
    “Yes, sir. I tried everything- even the emergency channels, none of them work.”
    “I see,” the man nodded. “Most unfortunate. Luckily for us I have brought someone quite good at opening doors. Esther?”
    This was the first time Tysen had realized that there was another person there; he’d been so focused on the door and the Noble that he hadn’t even noticed a companion. Ironic, since she was the reason he’d noticed either of them in the first place. She had been standing behind her master when they approached, and he’d been so large Tysen hadn’t even been aware of her presence.
    “Sir Fawn?” The beautiful Squire said, stepping forward.
    “Be a good girl and open this door please, Esther.” He told her, gently motioning for Tysen to stand away from the door’s control panel. “We need to learn what’s happening on the other side.”
    “Of course, master.” She answered, reaching up to place her perfectly proportioned hand flat against the panel’s surface. “Engaging active Linkspace probe.”
    Lilacs, she smelled like Lilacs, Tysen found himself thinking as she passed.
    Tysen heard another chuckle from beside him, “What’s the matter, young man? I find it hard to believe you haven’t seen a Squire before.”
    Tysen blushed, suddenly aware of the expression he must have had as he looked at Esther.
    “Yes, sir. I mean, no sir,” he stammered. “I have seen one sir, but not one...”
    “…so beautiful?” Sir Fawn finished with an amused look. “Yes, you’re not the first to have that reaction to her. Don’t worry, young man, she’s more than just a pretty face, however.”
    “Oh, sir. I didn’t mean to imply…” Tysen protested.
    Sir Fawn raised a finger.