In the Orbit of Sirens (The Song of Kamaria Book 1) by T. A. Bruno

Author:T. A. Bruno [Bruno, T. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci fi, science fiction, space marines, space exploration, colonization, space colony, hard sci-fi
Publisher: Tom Bruno Author
Published: 2020-10-09T05:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-NINE

AT SUNRISE, THE SCOUTS began breaking down their campsites. Denton and Eliana worked together, separating the tent equipment and cleaning their area. George walked over to the nearby hover mule and plopped his gear onto its surface. As Eliana collapsed the tent poles, she turned to Denton and asked, “So, what were you two up to last night?”

“Us two? What do you mean?” Denton asked as he rolled the nylon tent into a cylinder, doing his best to play dumb.

“Don’t lie to me, Denton Castus. You can’t lie to an auk’nai or to a woman,” Eliana said, and shoved him playfully.

“Denton escorted me for a midnight stroll around the valley,” George said. “I was going to go alone, but he offered to walk with me. Nothing nefarious, Elly.”

“Something funky is going on here, and I’m going to figure it out.” She squinted her eyes and darted an accusing finger between them. “You just wait and see.” Eliana backed away from them and left to go instruct her team of medical staff.

“I think she bought it,” Denton said, and rubbed his hands together as he stood up from his task. George shook his head.

“So, what are you going to do with that gem?” George asked.

“I have an idea, but it’s a secret.” Denton winked and thumbed his jacket pocket to ensure the gem was still safely there.

“Keeping secrets from your partner in crime. That’s bad business.” George laughed. A sharp whistle from the sky interrupted them. They looked up to see an auk’nai circling above. George stepped into an open area away from Denton and waved his daunoren whistle. Dust and grass kicked up as Talulo landed in front of George. Denton and Eliana walked over to join in on the conversation.

“Morning, Talulo. What brings you here?” George asked.

“Talulo would like to help you learn the song of the jungle,” the young auk’nai said. “Easy to get lost in the jungle. Talulo knows the tune, and in return, you teach Talulo human ways.”

Denton remembered that information was a form of currency among auk’nai.

“Did Mag’Ro send you to do this?” Eliana asked.

“Mag’Ro does not know. Talulo does this for friends.” Talulo cooed.

“We can return tomorrow with supplies if that works well for you?” George asked respectfully. Talulo cooed again and nodded his beak, then launched himself into the sky.

“New scout tomorrow, then?” Denton asked.

“Sounds that way. We’ll have to take a smaller team, though. Kamarian jungles are dangerous. With fewer people, we can remain undetected more easily.” George kept his eyes on the auk’nai as he vanished into the tall blue canopy of the Azure Vault.

***

Hours later, the team returned from Apusticus and wrapped up their assignments. Night blanketed Odysseus Colony. Clouds hung in the air, blotting out the moonlight. The autumn breeze swept clusters of leaves around as if a maid were tidying up a house.

Denton walked to the Castus Machine Shop. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the raw gemstone he’d received from Talulo and Blek the night before, wondering if anyone would be awake at this late hour.

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.