Battle Beyond Earth: Insurrection by Nick S. Thomas

Author:Nick S. Thomas
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Sci Fi & Fantasy, Space Opera, Adventure
ISBN: 9781909149854
Publisher: Swordworks
Published: 2015-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Taylor looked around in all directions, making no attempt to take up any kind of defensive position, and that was making many of the marines restless. Then they heard a shriek that was shrill and echoed around the arena. Within seconds an Ejdar soared into view and landed twenty metres in front of him. The rider seemed to be assessing all those standing with him before lifting and blowing on a large horn. Trees all around the skirting wall of the arena began to rustle, and more than fifty of the creatures burst out into view, landing around them to encircle the combined forces at Taylor's disposal.

"What do we do?" Jones asked.

"Absolutely nothing." he said quietly.

There was an almost silent stand off as many of the Barbarlars leapt off their mounts and weighed up the foreigners. They looked highly suspicious and eager for blood.

"I bet they've never seen a Human before, let alone a Cholan," said Taylor.

"They don't look all that happy to see us."

"Would you, Jones? I remember the first time I saw an alien, and I wanted him dead, too."

A whole minute past as each side waited in a tense standoff. Taylor was expecting for one of them to come forward and announce themselves, but the silence went on so long he was starting to fear he had been wrong about them.

"This could turn ugly pretty quickly."

"Just wait, Jones, wait and see. I am betting whoever is in charge here will be curious enough to show their face and make a bit of a statement."

"Killing us all would be a statement," said Alita.

"That's not going to happen."

An even louder shriek rang out, and the huge Ejdar, Lord Coskun's mount that Jafar had encountered, swept in and landed halfway between his own troops and the encircled forces of Taylor. It was obvious he was the boss, and Taylor stepped forward out of the line towards him.

"This doesn't look good," said Jones.

Alita looked more uneasy than any of them as Taylor approached the huge winged beast and monstrous Barbarlar atop it.

"I am Colonel Mitch Taylor of..."

But he was rudely interrupted by the bellowing voice of the Barbarlar looming over him from a distance of two metres. Steam vented from the Ejdar. It bore its teeth and looked as if it wanted to eat him whole.

"You fired upon my ship. Explain yourself."

Taylor smiled and refused to be seen to be intimidated.

"Don't give me that honourable savage bullshit," he went on.

He strode forward and to the left side of the beast, reaching out to stroke its head. As he did, the Ejdar's jaw swung around as if to bite, but he had long seen it coming, pre-empting the beast by delivering a powerful hook with his right hand. It struck the creature on the nose. The sharp impact caused its head to crash to the ground, and it stumbled back slightly, throwing its rider. Coskun crashed to the ground beside Taylor, and the Ejdar retreated a few steps from them both.

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