ASTRO S2 - Part 2: The Order of the Templars, Manupulations, Greed of Profit E-Book

Martin Wintersberger

• Herausgeber: Astro Entertainment
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 63

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The next adventure with Astro and his friends is already waiting for you! Join the Mondians and become a crew member on the abandoned Space Station 236, deep in outer space. EPISODE 4: THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLARS Viktor and Lennard encounter two emissaries from the Order of the Templars. Astrolabius no longer understands the world around him! He feels torn between Don Boss and his friends. EPISODE 5: MANIPULATIONS The Corporation is making rapid progress. The artificial intelligence begins its mission. Tensions rise, as not all Mondians are convinced of Don Boss's true intentions. EPISODE 6: GREED FOR PROFIT At last, Lennard can put his plans into action. Astro's role within the Corporation grows ever more important. Don Boss makes Marvin an offer he can't refuse.

Leseprobe

Authors: Manuela Wieninger · Martin Wintersberger

Illustrations:Jia Ying Wu, Andreas Blanckenstein

Cover: Acht Schätze & Sasha Schlöglhofer

astro-entertainment.at

This work, including all its parts, is protected by copyright. Any use outside the narrow limits of copyright law is prohibited without the written consent of the author and is punishable by law. This applies in particular to reproductions, translations, microfilming and storage and processing in electronic systems. ASTRO and all persons appearing therein and their names, all actions, circumstances and laws of nature are fictional. Any resemblance to living or dead persons or fish is purely coincidental and unintentional..

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Copyright © 2020, 2025 Martin Wintersberger

First English Edition 2025 – Based on the 2021 Austrian release

Published in Austria by ASTRO Entertainment e.U.

Based on an idea by Martin Wintersberger

Translated from German with DeepL

All rights reserved

ISBN 978-3-99119-053-0

SEASON 2

SPACE STATION 236

Episode 4: The Order of the Templars

Episode 5: Manipulations

Episode 6: Greed for Profit

»THE MOON IS JUST THE BEGINNING!«

EPISODE 4THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLARS

Viktor Romaneschko had seen a lot on his long journey through the vastness of space. But the sight of this city, located inside an asteroid, made even him pause. He clung to his controls until his knuckles turned white. His research had not been in vain, as Don Boss had told him a few days ago. It had led him straight to this asteroid, home to a strange people. Lennard stood frozen beside him, turned to stone.

Viktor landed on the platform assigned to him. He secured the engines and switched off the shuttle. As Viktor stood up, Lennard watched him anxiously. Romaneschko left the spaceship and a warm feeling filled his heart. He felt his pulse normalise and he relaxed again. A smile played around the corners of his mouth. He realised how much he had missed travelling and adventure. These were the moments he lived for; this was where he belonged. When Lennard and Viktor had set off in a shuttle from Don Boss a few days ago, they had no idea what amazing discoveries they would make.

Just a few moments ago, they had been in space, observing the asteroid from their shuttle. Their on-board computer had sent a greeting frequency and a response was not long in coming; two alien spaceships were already waiting for them. The pilots positioned themselves in front of them and signalled to Viktor that he should follow them.

Lennard, who was sitting next to him, began to feel anxious. The head of the Lunar Station was no adventurer. He did not feel the urge to venture into uncharted territory. But he did not want to miss out on being part of this discovery. He had suffered so many setbacks in recent months that he finally wanted to feel important again. Now he regretted his decision. Viktor smiled at him: ‘Cordes, if the strangers wanted to harm us, we would have been dead long ago.’ That was no help at all to Lennard. Even though Romaneschko meant well, Lennard couldn't return his smile.

The strangers led them to a gigantic airlock that had been built into the asteroid. Viktor let out a surprised gasp. The airlock was only visible when you got within a few hundred metres of it. It remained hidden from the unsuspecting. The three spaceships had enough room in the huge airlock chamber. They passed through a total of three gates.

As soon as they passed through a gate, it closed and the one in front of them opened. Viktor felt slight vibrations in the shuttle. These were probably caused by the ventilation of the chambers or the engines running asynchronously. That would not be ideal right now. Behind the last gate, a view of a huge cave opened up. The alien spaceships each landed on a platform, and Viktor did the same. As he secured the shuttle, he saw from the cockpit how the two pilots left their shuttles without helmets. So they had indeed equalised the pressure in the airlocks. Viktor wanted to share this information with Lennard, but no words came out of his mouth. His interest was focused on something else entirely. The city in the asteroid captivated him too much.

When he left his shuttle, also without a helmet, he stood there, impressed, and let his gaze wander over the high walls on which stone buildings hung. A wide stone path led from the landing platforms further into the asteroid and to the facilities and houses. ‘Viktor, wait for me,’ Lennard awkwardly unbuckled his seatbelt and stumbled out of the shuttle. He stopped an arm's length behind Viktor. The two alien pilots approached quickly. They wore tight-fitting, light grey space suits and their broad smiles conveyed goodwill and friendliness. When Lennard saw this, he relaxed and took his place next to Viktor, and for the first time since they had boarded the shuttle, he grinned too. “We warmly welcome you!”

“My name is Marsha Kolm and this is Segal Murray,” the pilot greeted the new arrivals. She had shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes. Her companion had short brown hair and was only half a head taller than her. “We are the Order of the Templars.”

Viktor took a breath to reply, but Lennard beat him to it: “I am Lennard Cordes and this is Viktor Romaneschko. We are Mondians and come from the Lunar Station.” The Templars bowed and Marsha winked at them: ‘You must be hungry and tired from your long journey. Please follow us, we have plenty of food and a place where you can rest your weary limbs.’

Viktor had so many questions, but they would have to wait. His stomach was growling loudly and a rest would certainly do them good. They were only too happy to follow their hosts.

‘Shooting star, look! That was the fifteenth transport ship.’ Astrolabius watched every arriving spaceship with eagle eyes, absent-mindedly stroking his dog's head. Sometimes he caught Shooting Star's eye, and then Shooting Star would playfully snap at Astro's hand, who simply ignored it.

Astro liked to sit for hours on the narrow lawn on the promenade and watch the transport ships arrive. In the meantime, he had also found a strategically good spot. At the end of the promenade, near the TR 1.0.26 technical room. There he could watch the arrival of the shuttles undisturbed. Since Don Boss had been staying on the moon with his corporation, their number had increased enormously. This was probably also due to the construction of the AI probe.

At the moment, Astrolabius couldn't bear the presence of his friends; he preferred to spend his free time with Shooting Star. He didn't have to justify himself to his dog. Thinking about his last conversation with Oliver and Nolan made him angry and sad at the same time. He had apologised to Oliver. ‘I'm sorry I forgot your birthday, Oliver!’ ‘You really missed out, it was great! Collin even baked me a cake!’ Astrolabius handed him his belated gift.