The Frozen Outpost (The Forever World Book 3) by Ethan Rhodes

Author:Ethan Rhodes [Rhodes, Ethan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Space Coyote Press
Published: 2024-05-07T00:00:00+00:00

14

The orbit patrol on Folis was less than remarkable. They let Zane pass by with only a reference to his old Scorpius credentials.

“How out of touch are they?” Julia asked. “They’re a Principal, for star’s sake.”

“Nothing’s changed,” Edward said, while Blade sped for the Bog of Recluse.

“What’s with the name?” Zane found no mention of the bog’s title in the network.

“It’s what the locals called the region. The bog is one of the largest in Folis, but also the deadliest. It’s teeming with scaled beasts, each hungrier than the last. It contains over a hundred species of animals that would love to kill you, and are extremely capable of it. Because of that, it’s rare for a human to visit, let alone build a house on the swampy grounds,” Edward answered.

“But you, Edward Boone, historical figure, and star traveler, thought it was a great idea to set up base there?” Julia laughed at the logic.

“Is it so different from Bartholomew Carnell’s decision to construct a Baroque-era estate in Little Knife, where the winters can kill you as easily as a two-headed Igarla?” Edward stood.

“What’s a two-headed Igarla?” Zane winced, not sure he wanted to know.

“Don’t worry, you’ll meet one soon enough.” Edward paced with anxious energy. It was an oddly human trait for a robot.

“This was a poor plan. I could be at home, reading a book by the fire,” Zane said.

“You can stoke your own hearth from now on,” Edward told him. “If you’d rather waste your life away than help me discover my truth, then so be it. Drop me off with Valiant, and I’ll do it myself.”

“A robot with attitude,” Zane huffed. “We’re on the job, don’t worry.”

Blade sliced through the clouds, lowering to the dark green landscape. Soon the murky ground was all he could see. Huge vegetation grew from the damp bog, and when they were closer, he spied small animals hopping from treetop to treetop, making them sway.

“There are no boats, no homes, no… anything,” Julia said. “Are you sure your place is here?”

“I guarantee you, my abode remains.” By the sound of his voice, Zane was sure Edward would have been smiling if he’d had lips.

“Where to?” Zane surveyed the swamp, searching for a place to land.

“May I?” Edward reached for the controls, and Zane gave up his seat after a momentary hesitation.

“Why not?” Zane and Julia stayed behind him, watching as the explorer guided Blade over a forest of massive trees. He then dipped as the bog opened up and sped a few feet above it. Bugs caked his windshield and camera lenses.

“Gross.” Zane tapped a button by Edward’s shoulder, incinerating any debris on the hull. The ship whistled through the moist air, the heat of its surface creating a foggy mist. When it cooled, Zane detected a glimmer of light ahead.

“Lee Siakam convinced me this would last forever, though I doubted him at the start. I built my home five years before I went missing, and rarely spent more than a week at a time in solitude.

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