[The Frontiers Saga 02] - The Rings of Haven (2012) by Ryk Brown

Author:Ryk Brown [Brown, Ryk]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ryk Brown
Published: 2014-06-13T06:00:00+00:00

The front door of Tug’s home swung open wildly as Nathan burst out onto the front porch, stumbling down the steps. Jessica came running out of the house right behind him, with Jalea and Tug close on her heels.

“Nathan! Where are you going?” Jessica yelled.

“We’ve gotta get back to the ship!” Nathan muttered as he walked out into the amber twilight. “We’ve gotta get outta here, now!” He suddenly realized he was headed nowhere and stopped dead in his tracks. His mind was spinning. He had to clear his head. He needed to be able to think more clearly. His people, his ship, and his world were all in danger, and he had to do… something.

Nathan spun around to face the others. “Jalea, call Tobin and tell him to pick us up.”

“Of course,” she responded.

“Jess, round everyone up. It’s time to go.”

Jessica looked around. They were all standing right there, even Vladimir and Danik who had heard the commotion and come back from the far end of the compound.

“Good, you’re all here,” Nathan said, as he saw Vladimir and Danik approach.

“Tobin is not answering,” Jalea informed him.

“It’s just as well, Captain,” Tug assured him. “A ship coming out here at this late hour would surely raise suspicion.”

“Okay,” Nathan said, thinking of another plan. “A ride, then. Can you give us a ride back to town?”

“To what end?”

“We can meet Tobin there, at the spaceport.” Nathan was beginning to sound desperate.

“And if he is not there?” Jalea asked.

“We can wait for him,” Nathan said.

“It would be safer for you to wait here, Captain,” Tug assured him. “Away from the very types that would hand you over to the Ta’Akar for the reward.”

“Jalea?” Nathan pleaded. “Anything?”

“He is not answering, I’m afraid.”

“Jess, raise the ship,” Nathan ordered, becoming slightly more rational. “Tell them what’s going on, and see if they can raise Tobin on the comms.”

“Yes, sir,” Jessica answered. She began to step away slowly, passing in front of Vladimir. “Keep an eye on him,” she whispered.

“Do not worry,” Vladimir promised. He moved closer to his friend. “Nathan, what is wrong?”

“We’re fucked, Vlad,” Nathan admitted under his breath.

“What do you mean? Why?”

“If what Tug says is true, then every Tom, Dick and Ta’Akar in this sector is going to be hunting for us. And we’re too busted up to fight them all off, Vlad.”

“Then we will simply jump away again,” he told him. “And we will keep jumping. All the way back to Sol if we have to, ten light years at a time.” Vladimir put his right hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “And they will never catch up to us,” he promised, patting Nathan’s cheek with his other hand. “You worry too much, Nathan. We will be fine, you will see.”

Nathan looked his friend in the eyes. Nathan envied Vladimir his strength, his confidence. No matter what fate threw at him, Vladimir took it head on without hesitation. “I don’t know what to do,” Nathan admitted quietly to his friend.

“You will figure it out, Nathan.

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