Free the North! (Free Trader Series Book 5) by Craig Martelle Page A
Authors: Craig Martelle
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nodded knowingly, blinking slowly. The Rabbits were pleased that the camp would be set up before the sun was too high. Everyone took their places and quickly, with well-drilled precision, the tent was erected. They didn’t even break a sweat setting it up. They took it easy with their water, rested well, and did it all again the second night out of Oasis 02.
With the third night came the expectation that they’d reach the oasis well before the sunrise. They watched the map scroll by as they approached, stopping near the outskirts and waiting. Braden wanted everyone to remain in the wagon in case a Sand Crawler had taken up residence in place of the one that G-War and Braden had killed.
They relaxed so well that they all fell asleep. Arnie and Brandt slept standing up to minimize the choice bits a Sand Crawler could bite into. They awoke when the warmth and light from the sun shined into the wagon. Brandt was still harnessed, so he simply started walking. He could see the oasis. Skirill and Zyena flew ahead to scout the area, tell them where the Gila Monster was, the status of the Seeders, and if they could see anything else.
Skirill flew in front while Zyena followed. He asked her not to fly low over the lake until the Seeders were taken care of. Tiskanay appeared to have not moved over the course of three cycles. Instead of three Seeders, there were now five. Skirill wondered what unlucky creature gave its life for the Seeders to multiply. They didn’t know if there were any Sand Crawlers, as the undergrowth was too heavy. The Development Unit was working in the field, shimmering under the morning sun.
They stopped the wagon on the edge of the desert and removed Brandt’s harness so he could take Arnie and the Rabbits to the fields for a healthy breakfast. The others prepared to enter the oasis. Braden was all business, vividly remembering the last time they entered and the Crawler’s scratch that put G-War out of action.
“G-War and I go first, Micah back and left, Zeller back and right, swords at the ready. Bounder with Zeller, Gray Strider with Micah. Aadi, you’re in the middle. If you have to thunderclap anyone, take care not to hit us,” Braden directed and cautioned. “Be wary, watch under the bushes and don’t let Tiskanay into your mind! Watch out for anyone who falls under the spell. Last time, she pulled Ava from my mind and G-War stopped me before I became her dinner.”
Micah squinted at her partner. “Who’s Ava? You haven’t thought about her before.” Braden was taken aback and the more he tried not to think about the lithe, brown-haired beauty, the more he couldn’t help but visualize her in the classroom when she told him to go without her. Micah’s stare turned cold. “I see,” she said softly, not taking her eyes from Braden’s.
He started to get angry. “Let’s go,” he spit, turning and stomping down the path into the oasis. G-War followed, suggesting that Braden slow down so they had time to react should any evil creatures raise their ugly heads.
Braden stopped and shook his head like a dog shaking rain out of his coat. “C’mon, G, let’s clear this place and get to the lake. I could use a swim.” When he turned back to the path, a single beetle stood in his way. He wanted to crush it under the heel of his boot, but Aadi noted that could bring more.
‘Beetles,’ Braden passed over the mindlink. ‘Aadi said not to step on this one as it could bring more.’ G-War pounced on the beetle and batted it into the underbrush. They waited, but nothing else appeared. Braden couldn’t relax. He sensed something dangerous. G-War assured him that he saw nothing ahead that was alarming. Braden couldn’t rid himself of the feeling. He continued ahead slowly, cautiously,
Bounder carried a bag with smoked javelina. It wasn’t very much, but it was half of their remaining supply.
When Braden heard Ava’s voice calling him, he scoffed. “Is that the best you have, Tiskanay?
With the third night came the expectation that they’d reach the oasis well before the sunrise. They watched the map scroll by as they approached, stopping near the outskirts and waiting. Braden wanted everyone to remain in the wagon in case a Sand Crawler had taken up residence in place of the one that G-War and Braden had killed.
They relaxed so well that they all fell asleep. Arnie and Brandt slept standing up to minimize the choice bits a Sand Crawler could bite into. They awoke when the warmth and light from the sun shined into the wagon. Brandt was still harnessed, so he simply started walking. He could see the oasis. Skirill and Zyena flew ahead to scout the area, tell them where the Gila Monster was, the status of the Seeders, and if they could see anything else.
Skirill flew in front while Zyena followed. He asked her not to fly low over the lake until the Seeders were taken care of. Tiskanay appeared to have not moved over the course of three cycles. Instead of three Seeders, there were now five. Skirill wondered what unlucky creature gave its life for the Seeders to multiply. They didn’t know if there were any Sand Crawlers, as the undergrowth was too heavy. The Development Unit was working in the field, shimmering under the morning sun.
They stopped the wagon on the edge of the desert and removed Brandt’s harness so he could take Arnie and the Rabbits to the fields for a healthy breakfast. The others prepared to enter the oasis. Braden was all business, vividly remembering the last time they entered and the Crawler’s scratch that put G-War out of action.
“G-War and I go first, Micah back and left, Zeller back and right, swords at the ready. Bounder with Zeller, Gray Strider with Micah. Aadi, you’re in the middle. If you have to thunderclap anyone, take care not to hit us,” Braden directed and cautioned. “Be wary, watch under the bushes and don’t let Tiskanay into your mind! Watch out for anyone who falls under the spell. Last time, she pulled Ava from my mind and G-War stopped me before I became her dinner.”
Micah squinted at her partner. “Who’s Ava? You haven’t thought about her before.” Braden was taken aback and the more he tried not to think about the lithe, brown-haired beauty, the more he couldn’t help but visualize her in the classroom when she told him to go without her. Micah’s stare turned cold. “I see,” she said softly, not taking her eyes from Braden’s.
He started to get angry. “Let’s go,” he spit, turning and stomping down the path into the oasis. G-War followed, suggesting that Braden slow down so they had time to react should any evil creatures raise their ugly heads.
Braden stopped and shook his head like a dog shaking rain out of his coat. “C’mon, G, let’s clear this place and get to the lake. I could use a swim.” When he turned back to the path, a single beetle stood in his way. He wanted to crush it under the heel of his boot, but Aadi noted that could bring more.
‘Beetles,’ Braden passed over the mindlink. ‘Aadi said not to step on this one as it could bring more.’ G-War pounced on the beetle and batted it into the underbrush. They waited, but nothing else appeared. Braden couldn’t relax. He sensed something dangerous. G-War assured him that he saw nothing ahead that was alarming. Braden couldn’t rid himself of the feeling. He continued ahead slowly, cautiously,
Bounder carried a bag with smoked javelina. It wasn’t very much, but it was half of their remaining supply.
When Braden heard Ava’s voice calling him, he scoffed. “Is that the best you have, Tiskanay?
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