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

Terman turned to Zion, a look of shock on his face. He turned back to Danstu behind him. “What the hell did you get me into?” he barked.

Rosanheer raised his clenched hand to his shoulder, signaling for the men to be silent. “Movement in the trees.”

A pistol shot rung out, ricocheting off a tree near Danstu. The four men ducked behind the trees near them, taking cover. Zion glanced over at Danstu, noticing his panicked expression. “Where’s your weapon?”

“I don’t have one,” Danstu called back.

“Oh, sh—so much for being prepared,” Zion called back.

Rosanheer stood from his tree, shooting into the forest. Several shots whistled back, chipping away the bark of the trees that surrounded them. He ducked back down, taking cover again.

“How many?” Zion called.

“Eight,” Rosanheer called back.

“Ten!” called another man’s voice in the distance. “Now, make that eight!”

“Take two more off,” called a female’s voice.

Pistol fire lit up the night sky. “Do I hear two?”

“You guys the Tasgool?” called the same woman’s voice.

“Is that you, Tremble?” Terman called out.

“Terman?” the woman returned. “Perfect timing.”

Eight figures appeared through the trees, all but two wearing dark gray uniforms. The other two were Marisheio soldiers, both walking in front of the group with their hands raised. The only woman in the group shoved the two Marisheio soldiers in front of her to walk faster. “We thought you guys were never going to show,” she said, reaching out to give Terman a hug. “Man, are we glad to see you.”

“Too long, too long,” Terman returned. He guided the woman over to Danstu. “Danstu Keriney, meet Constance Tremble. She’s one of the best pistol shots in the galaxy,” he introduced.

Danstu shook her hand. “Glad to meet you.” He glanced over to the two Marisheio. “What’s with them?” he asked.

“A gift for the Chadon, as a show of our gratitude,” one of the other men in the Underground’s team spoke up.

“Are we taking prisoners?” Rosanheer asked Danstu.

Danstu turned to Zion. “Can we take prisoners?” he asked in Zion’s native tongue.

Zion stared at him for a moment, stunned the man knew his language and then nodded. “We have a holding facility on level three. It might be a good idea to interrogate them. I, personally, want to know more about this possible base.”

Danstu agreed. “Bring them.”

THIRTEEN

From inside her cockpit, Sedom glanced out of the window to see an orb hovering. Its dome was lit bright yellow. She slid the cockpit shield aside. “What?”

“Chadon, intruders in Gathow,” an orb called.

Sedom glanced up from the controls of her ship, squinting to see the orb correctly. Above her, the orbs were on full alert. “Report,” she called.

One orb flew down to the level of her head. “Six Underground and two Marisheio are entering through the south tunnels.”

“Two Marisheio? Great, just great! Detain, do not destroy,” she ordered as she pulled herself out of the cockpit. “If it isn’t one thing—“

Back within Gathow, the group was met by a hoard of orbs. Danstu turned to Zion for guidance. Zion shrugged. “Sortec is the only one who allows clearance. We’re going to have to wait.”

“What now?” Terman asked low.

“Sura teletan,” Sedom called out as she hiked up to the tunnel’s opening.

“Sortec, just in time,” Danstu called, bowing to her as she approached.

She sauntered over to the group, looking them over. “These must be the lost soldiers you were talking about,” she mentioned.

Terman introduced each of the people they rescued and Sedom patted each of their shoulders, foregoing handshakes. “Good to have you.” She turned to the two Marisheio who Rosanheer had kneeling on their knees. “What’s this?” she snarled.

“A present, Chadon,” Tremble returned. “They’re scouts for the new base. We ambushed a group of them in the forest. We thought these two might be of some use.”

“The base?” Sedom growled. She looked to Rosanheer then to Zion. “You know what to do,” she ordered.

Rosanheer and Zion forced the two Marisheio to stand. “Gladly, Chadon.”

“As for you, Cidele will be here any moment to assign you quarters. Welcome to Gathow,” Sedom called out.

She turned to walk away, suddenly hearing a loud commotion behind her. “Chadon, get down!” Danstu called, jumping on top of her.

From beneath Danstu, she could see Tremble pinning one of the Marisheio men to the ground. Zion was fast at work, attempting to pry a pistol from the Marisheio’s hand while Rosanheer blocked both her and Danstu from another attack. Danstu didn’t budge until Zion had the Marisheio’s pistol firm in his hands. Sixteen orbs dropped down, aiming directly at the Marisheio.

“Order one-two-six,” she called to the orbs from beneath Danstu. The orbs formed a circle pattern above, their weapons trained on the Marisheio.

Carefully, Danstu stood, allowing Sedom to stand. She jumped up from the ground, her eyes wide in panic. “Check him,” she ordered, pointing to the other Marisheio.

Two of the new men proceeded to remove the other Marisheio’s clothing, stripping him nude. Sedom wanted to turn away, but felt that if she did, it would show signs of weakness.

They found three more weapons on the second Marisheio, causing Sedom to question how thorough the new Underground soldiers were.

“Do you have this?” Sedom barked to Zion.

“Yes, Chadon!” he stressed back.

Sedom waved him on and then continued to walk back. Danstu followed close behind her. “Sorry about that, Chadon.”

“It happens,” Sedom grunted back.

“Chadon, how did you know we were coming?” Danstu asked as they past Cidele.

They paused for Sedom to talk to Cidele. “New recruits. Find them housing for tonight, then arrange something more permanent in the morning.”

“More?” Cidele quipped. “Fine,” she huffed, then continued trudging up to the new arrivals.

Sedom rolled her eyes while she continued to