The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 by Elizabeth Price (good e books to read .txt) 📗

Among the stars the ship floated weightlessly. For the first time since visiting Juvin-que two years prior, Sedom was able to see the moon and other planets. She wasn’t certain if they held any life. She couldn’t remember nor did she care. At that very moment, she finally felt free. She could fly anywhere or everywhere she wanted to go. And fly she did, across her entire section of space, past moons and near the sun she woke to every morning.

She slowed her ship to a dead stop when she noticed another ship looming near one of Matrador’s moons. It hung there in space, much like a deadly vine in the forest, waiting to snatch and eat any unsuspecting victim.

The ship was the size of a large city, possibly able to hold nearly a thousand men. And there it was, drifting ever to close to her own beloved world. She could feel the ship, knew it from its’ harsh exterior. It could belong to no one else except the… “Marisheio,” she gulped, her hands shaking as they crossed the controls of her ship.

She was only beginning to learn her ship and was in no way ready for battle. Remaining out of sight, hidden by the shield of her mother’s moon, she sat and watched the battleship creep ever closer to Matrador. All she could think of was how to get home, back to Gathow, to warn Lolum and the rest. But there she remained, helpless to watch Matrador’s impending doom. Perhaps freedom was a farce after all?

“I want an army,” she mouthed to herself, certain that the Marisheio could hear even her faintest sigh. Her breaths as soft as the fine fuzz on the back of her neck, which she only began to realize was standing on end.

***

Terman strolled into the ship bay, pausing when he noticed Danstu standing by one of the computer terminals. He whistled his amusement, gaining Danstu’s attention.

“You weren’t joking. There must be a thousand ships here,” he said in awe as he glanced around the ship bay. “Who would have ever thought?”

“We have twenty-one hundred and sixty ships here in Gathow, so I’ve just been informed by the Chadon,” Danstu began, waving back to the ships, but his attention was on his computer pad. He glanced to Terman. “Not to mention a cloaked starship, parked somewhere in the Nevet system, with enough firepower to level a planet,” he added. “Only rumors… of course.” His eyes turned back to his computer. “And I have yet to learn what else the Narkoy stored around here. Looks like level four and nine have technology warehouses that I’m very interested in learning more about,” he mentioned.

Terman released a loud guffaw from his lips. “I can only imagine. With all of this at their disposal, I have no idea why the Narkoy didn’t fight back,” he pointed out.

A grimace appeared on Danstu’s lips. “Yes, well, the religious faction fled here and locked out the more militaristic Narkoy. Those who remained claimed to be peaceful and wanted nothing to do with all this,” he said, frustration clouding his words.

“And left behind one heck of a buried treasure,” Terman mentioned. “Wow, having all this just inches from your fingertips must be driving you crazy.”

Danstu momentarily looked up from his computer. “That isn’t the half of it. I also have a very frustrated Chadon, who just took off on a ship and we have no way to contact her. There’s a warship docked off of Nogoana and she just flew right into its path,” he grumbled.

“Do you need me to suit up?” Terman asked concerned.

Danstu waved away his concern. “Not yet. I think she needs a bit of a reality check. Having a warship pointed at her might shock her enough to make her realize what we’re up against.”

“Danstu, this is our Chadon, not to mention a child,” Terman pointed out.

Danstu’s attention turned back to his computer. “They haven’t seen her yet or they’d have open fire,” he mentioned, pointing to the computer in his hand. “She needs to blow off some steam. I know she wants a body for every one of these ships, but she’s asking for the impossible right now. In a few months… maybe.”

“This is what you live for, right?” Terman joked. Danstu glared at him. “If it helps, I have a lead on ten pilots, a nav expert and six artillerymen and one woman who could shake me down any day if you know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I get it. What you do in your off time is your business,” Danstu grumbled back. “Where are you finding these people?”

“Our old pal Roski. His team is pinned down in the forest somewhere and they can’t get a ship to them. I told them we’d come get them,” he returned with a grunt.

“The Underground? I haven’t contacted them. I’ve been meaning to, I just haven’t found the time yet,” Danstu returned, a mental note made mainly for himself.

“You might want to give them a call. They’re desperate for ships and supplies. The Marisheio kicked their asses pretty good not long ago. They’re having difficulty recovering,” Terman mentioned. “They need an alley with strong ships and by the looks of it,” he paused to wave his hand across the docks, “I think we have that covered.”

The sound of a ship’s engines rumbled through the bay. “Looks like she’s back,” Danstu scowled.

“Well then, put together a team so we can go rescue these rejects. I’ll catch up with you at sundown near the tunnels, once you’ve gained the Chadon’s permission. On that note, good luck,” Terman joked back. He hurried out of the ship bay just as Sedom’s ship pulled into its designated space.

The cockpit shield slid back without her request. Instantly she noticed Danstu waiting for her. The wind of the ship had