Deep Space Intelligence : Complete Series by Gary Weston

Author:Gary Weston [Weston, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B00I95SKA0
Publisher: Gary Weston
Published: 2014-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 212

Thorne was in the middle of conversation with Elizabeth, his daughter Shannon by his side. They had been discussing some sort of ceremony for Clive. Grieving for someone or other was an almost daily event. As they considered what to do to mark Clive Thorne’s passing, Sam Thorne was summoned by the Masters. Elizabeth saw and recognised the blank expression pass across his face, as did Shannon. Thorne stood up and made his way towards the door.

‘Daddy, Don’t go. Please, don’t go, Daddy.’

‘Your daddy has to go, Shannon,’ said Elizabeth, holding the girl tightly to her.

‘No. They’ll hurt him. Like they hurt me.’

‘He has to go, Shannon.’

‘Daddy. Take me with you. Please, Daddy.’

Elizabeth held onto the crying girl. ‘He has to go. He’ll be ok, Shannon.’

‘No. They’ll kill him like they killed Uncle Clive.’

Elizabeth held Shannon close, the girl’s tears mixing with her own. Sam Thorne went outside and headed off towards the sea.

A few who saw him also recognised the signs, let Thorne go to meet the Masters, and all wondered if they would ever see the man again. None offered to go with him, for fear of becoming a meal for the Masters. It was just the way things were on that planet.

Thorne reached the edge of the green sea, having no real recollection of walking there. The Master told him to sit, so he sat, a few feet away from the lapping tide and the shape of the Master in the thick liquid.

The Master asked, ‘We wish to know how the newcomers are.’

‘As comfortable as can be under the circumstances, Master. We are concerned about supplies. Food will become scarce.’

‘Not for us,’ said the Master.

Thorne could feel the evil in that remark, as if humans were merely a dispensable commodity. It was hard to control his disgust and anger for the creature in front of him, hidden in the green liquid.

The Master said, ‘You need every effort in providing food for yourselves.’

‘Yes, Master.’

‘Of course, there is another alternative. Quite a delicious one, as it happens. Your Masters could cull your numbers down. Less human mouths to feed.’

Had Thorne a weapon in his hand, that Master would be dead, regardless off the consequences. It was as if the Master was goading him in order to punish him. Thorne forced himself to calm down, not wishing to give the Master the satisfaction.

‘We shall increase our food supply, Master.’

‘A very good idea, human.’

‘Sam. My name is Sam.’

More probing and goading. ‘And your brother was Clive.’

Thorne so wanted to rush at the creature and strangle it with his bare hands. Then he thought of his daughter. She had already suffered so much.

‘Yes. My brother’s name was Clive.’

There was a pause, then the Master said, ‘I have an important mission for you humans. We wish you to prepare the new ship. The big one.’ Thorne felt his memories of Syrup’s ship being carefully examined, then the Masters ideas on how the ship was to be modified filled his mind. The Master didn’t have to explain the purpose for the modifications.

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