Mission To Mahjundar (A Sectors SF Romance) by Veronica Scott

Author:Veronica Scott [Scott, Veronica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-08-15T05:00:00+00:00

Mike didn’t waste time gloating over the escape, but led his party away from the river, deeper into the mountains. Not wanting to camp in the open, he was determined to reach the shelter Saium had promised before night fell. Sure enough, in another hour of riding, as the first spatters of what promised to be a hard rain began to fall, Saium led them to the huge cave he remembered using as his base camp many years ago. Mike and Johnny stabled the horses in a large room off to the side of the entrance, harvesting what fodder was available in the immediate area of the cave. Saium arranged accommodations in the other chambers and started a cooking fire and dinner, after which he joined Mike and Johnny as they stared out the mouth of the cave at the leaden sheets of rain.

Shalira laughingly refused to stir from the roaring fire, clutching her blanket closely. “There’s no attraction to me in proximity to the downpour.”

After making sure the fire was burning steadily, with a minimal amount of smoke, Mike clapped Saium on the shoulder. “Guess you were right about this cave having natural chimneys. I was dubious about making a fire in here, but I’m a believer now. You know these mountains like the back of your hand. We never would have made it without you today.”

Standing a little taller, his eyes gleaming, Saium snorted. “I roamed all over the Djeelaba as a boy. I loathed being confined and following orders.” Rubbing his chin, the guardsman said, “So then of course, I spent several decades cooped up in the city, constrained in every way on a daily basis by the palace protocols.”

“Good thing the storm didn't hit earlier, while we were trying to ford the river.” Mike pulled his collar tighter at his throat, glad the Sectors uniforms were water resistant.

“Mountain gales usually go on like this for a day and a night,” Saium told them. “We rest here tomorrow. Her Highness is a strong-minded woman, but I think she’ll benefit from the respite.”

“She’s been through a lot,” Mike agreed. “Still, if we can ride tomorrow, I’d risk it. Finishing our mission and getting off the planet in one piece is the safest thing for all of us.”

Saium watched the rain falling in sheets. “The day after will be clear, and we can travel onward. You’ll need to explain to me more exactly where this crashed ship of your comrades’ is.”

“The fix isn't too clear,” Mike admitted. “The beacon bounces off these mountains, making the signal erratic. Mineral deposits, no doubt. Which is why Command had to go to all the trouble of sending Johnny and me out here, rather than homing in on the distress beacon and doing a straightforward extraction. Care to make a rough guess how many days’ ride it’ll be to the general area, based on what we told you before?”

Closing his eyes for a moment, Saium wrinkled his brow, lips moving soundlessly as he calculated.

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