Chapter 3
Logan
“Welcome, warriors, to the Brooklyn Dome,” Brooklyn’s Dome Leader Colonel Winstead said as he stood in front of the lift doors as they opened.
The Earth dome was located below the Earth’s surface. The only way in and out were several lifts designed to travel the distance. Logan noticed the lift they used had Drastan modifications to stabilize it and increase the velocity in which it traveled. He wondered what other Drastan modifications had been made.
He stepped forward and offered his hand which was the human way of greeting. Logan had to take hours of human culture classes as part of his requirement for taking on this mission.
“Dome Leader Colonel Winstead?”
The shorter human nodded as they gripped hands. “You can call me Colonel Winstead. You are Captain Coor?”
“Yes. These are warriors Lake, Powers, and Marque. I have also brought Medic Haggard to look in on your medical facility.”
The colonel briefly acknowledged them, returning his primary focus to Logan. “I have made accommodations for your men in the officer’s quarters and have set up private lodging for you in the dignitary’s ring.”
“Private lodging is not necessary. I will stay with my warriors.”
Winstead frowned but turned to the human warrior closest to him. “Lt. Vasquez, is there anything available that will accommodate all four Drastan warriors?”
“Yes, Colonel. There are several units available that can house up to six people. I can put them all in one of those.”
“Make it happen.”
“Yes, sir!” Lt. Vasquez rushed off to do his colonel’s bidding.
Logan watched the whole thing curiously. This colonel liked to throw his power around, giving orders and expecting them to be done without question. Most soldiers followed orders without question, but it was the attitude that the colonel had that he was better than everyone else that didn’t sit well with him. It reminded him a little of his own father. His father had loved giving orders but wasn’t good at following them. He put those thoughts away.
“I have a few of my people ready to give you a tour of the facility and there are refreshments prepared.” Colonel Winstead motioned for him to follow him.
“The tour and refreshments can wait. I would like to talk to you about the stolen deliveries so we can start our investigation.”
Winstead looked up at him with displeasure. “Right to work?”
“That’s why we are here.”
“Very well. If you’ll follow me to my office, we can begin with the debrief. I’ll have the refreshments delivered to us there.”
“Thank you,” Logan said.
As they walked to the opening ahead, he took in their surroundings. All the earth domes were designed and structured the same way. The dome had one multi-story center atrium with railed walkways circling the dome overlooking the atrium. Every ten feet, an opening appeared that led to a hallway or tunnel leading away from the atrium. Some of their shops were down those hallways and some of the hallways led to housing. They were on a level about fifteen floors up. The colonel stopped at the railing to look down. Logan did the same.
“My people have made great strides to make the dome a home,” the colonel told him.
Plants and trees grew in the atrium. Special lighting provided the UV rays needed. These were just for decoration. Logan knew there was a level for gardening fruits and vegetables to supply nutrition. Drastan technology was used to improve the UV lighting and watering system so the crops could be expanded for not only the dome dwellers but also the tribes living in the subway system.
“How’s the new Drastan crop system working out?” Logan asked.
“Fantastic. I had planned a tour for your people. Do you want to see that?”
“Maybe after our debrief.”
“Very well. My office is right this way.”
They followed him down a hallway. A door was opened to a room with couches and a desk with a human female behind it. As soon as they entered, the female stood looking at him but spoke to the colonel.
“Sir. The reports you asked for are on your desk. Would you like for me to take our visitors down for refreshments before they take the tour?”
