The Legend of Banzai Maguire by Susan Grant

Author:Susan Grant
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-02-22T08:13:13+00:00

Ty gripped the bars and listened to the speech blaring from the security screens imbedded in the ceiling of his cell. No image accompanied the sound. Only white. White light. " 'Many may cry peace—but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!' "

Was this a new way for Kyber to feed propaganda to the prisoners? Hmm. The message of self-government didn't quite mesh with the Han prince's firm and absolute grip on his kingdom.

Ty waited for more, after the voice stopped broadcasting, but it seemed the show was over. Rocket-man, as Ty had come to call the rebel who'd been struck on the head, who'd shot the rocket at Kyber and Banzai, rushed to the front of his cell. He shouted down the corridor to Ty. "Did you hear it? That voice?"

Ty folded his hands over his chest and glared at the man. He'd since learned the agitator was harmless. An idiot, actually. A small-time crook. But even the most brainless of troublemakers could cook up stunts that could maim or kill.

Ty was glad there were bars between them. After having to go through seeing the pain in Banzai's eyes, knowing that he'd refused to help her, he was in a foul mood; he didn't trust his temper. "Yes. I heard it."

" 'We have it in our power to begin the world anew.' " The man threw his head back and laughed. "What do you think of that, UCE?"

"Do you really want to know?"

Rocket-man's head bobbed.

"It's a nice thought, but improbable. Starting the world over means unrest. Instability breeds more poverty, more pain. I've visited most of the world's cesspools of humanity. I see what it's like for those people. They haven't the power to begin anything anew, let alone being able to find a clean toilet to take a piss. Stability is the only fix. Stability produced by the UCE, the Euro-African Consortium, and, yes, even your Kingdom of Asia. But," he finished with a shrug, "that's only one man's opinion."

The outlook of a soldier paid to preserve that stability in key spots around the globe. The son of a man who had dedicated his life to keeping the peace.

Noises in the corridor grabbed Ty's attention. A couple of guards marched down the corridor. They rarely came around between the prisoners' meager meals, and now here they were, late at night. A guard unlocked Rocket-man's cell. "Come on," he said, and pulled the prisoner out of his cell.

"I… I have nothing more to tell you," Rocket-man yelled.

"Shut up. You're going home."

Rocket-man let out a whoop and pumped his fist at Ty. "I'm getting out!"

"I wish I were in your shoes, man," Ty admitted. Oddly, his full belly made imprisonment harder, not easier, to bear.

"I'll get you out."

Sure you will. "Thanks for the good thoughts."

"Look for the shadows!" Rocket-man called over his shoulder. "When they come, run!"

"Shut up." The guard shoved him on ahead. On his way past Ty's cell, he crashed his studded baton against the bars.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.