Test of Magnitude (The Torian Reclamation Book 1) by Andy Kasch

Author:Andy Kasch [Kasch, Andy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andy Kasch
Published: 2014-01-18T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“How can they be gone?” Brandon said. “And why? Why?”

Mip7 sat on the ground and rubbed his eyes for a long moment before looking up at Brandon and shaking his head.

“I have no answers,” he said, “only anguish.”

“Well I need some answers because I’m losing it, man. I didn’t risk my life in that battle up there for Tora. I did it for my people in those tanks on Amulen, and for the only other conscious Earthling in this godforsaken place, my friend and companion who we left ‘safe’ here on Banor. He’s supposed to be here! What did the attackers want with these Sheen, and why would they take Derek hostage?”

Mip7 didn’t answer. The two of them were back at Uden surveying the destruction after having spent the night in a hotel room at the spaceport. Brandon didn’t get much sleep. They watched the news reports in their room last night, and had learned about the attack on Uden then, including the abductions of Arkan9 and Derek. Up until just a few minutes ago, though, Brandon had been holding out hope that Derek was really hiding out in the bushes somewhere.

Now that they were here, that hope was quickly dissipating. Many of the shacks and huts were burned to the ground. The halcyon arc was gone. The modern building that housed the bar and arcade was only minimally damaged, however, probably from an errant laser. But Arkan9, Derek, and dozens of other Sheen were missing and confirmed by witnesses as taken hostage by the invaders. On the local hilltops, smoke from funeral fires could be seen. Mip7 explained to Brandon that the Sheen burned their dead, as was the custom with all Torians.

A figure approached them walking through the scattered pieces of burnt wood. When he drew close, Brandon recognized him as Nunon4, the Sheen whom Brandon had played the Othello-style game with by the campfire one night.

“Tulros,” he said, and sat down on the ground next to Mip7. Brandon sat down now as well. The three of them were almost in the same spot where Brandon had beaten Nunon4 at the game, near where the halcyon arc had been.

“Nunon4,” Brandon said, “I’m glad to see you’re safe. What can you tell us about what happened? I’m having a terrible time trying to understand it.”

“Lawlessness only makes sense to the lawless,” Nunon4 said, “but perhaps I can help you regain some balance. I saw the attack, from up there.” He pointed towards the hills. “I went up to watch the sunset. What I witnessed instead was the sun setting on the Erobian era of peace. Now there will be wars, I’m afraid, and troubled times.”

“You saw them land?” Mip7 asked.

“Yes. They landed in the village, right on top of our homes, destroying many of them. Most of those who were killed were burned and crushed right in their own house by the attackers’ landing craft. The others were shot with laser weapons when they came running up to see what happened.

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