Scrapyard Ship 3 Space Vengeance by Mark Wayne McGinnis Page B
Authors: Mark Wayne McGinnis
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the rebellion, the uprising on the Craing worlds?” Jason asked.
Granger’s expression, if possible, looked even more dire. “After your attack on Halimar, the Craing Empire’s military mobilized. Anyone suspected of taking part in the rebellion, and I’m talking many thousands here, were publicly executed.”
Jason’s mind flashed to Gaddy, the young, idealistic Craing dissident who had helped transport them on Halimar. Had she and her friends been among those executed?
“ So, yes,” Granger continued, “the rebellion has been quelled for now. But discord is building. More than ever the people of the Craing worlds yearn for the kind of independence they see exists here on Earth. Another uprising is coming, Jason. Will it triumph? It’s hard to say.”
“ So what do you suggest we do now?” Jason asked.
“ The Craing Empire is on the precipice of even greater, unparalleled dominance throughout the universe. We cannot allow that to continue. Providing you, your government, and its military factions access to the interchange, and the ability to move about the universe with far more accuracy than the Craing, will somewhat level the battlefield.”
Jason continued to look at the virtual image hovering over Ricket’s bench. As it slowly turned on its axis, another aspect of the interchange came into view. And with that, Jason realized he was looking at something familiar.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Several rhinos helped lift and position Traveler onto a waiting hover cart. A circle had formed around Dira and Jason. Uneasiness was in the air. The rhinos, now without a leader, watched as Traveler, whom many considered to be their true leader, would soon be carted off onto the human’s ship. Jason brought his attention to the murmuring crowd of rhinos.
“ We will do everything possible to return Traveler to you shortly. Some of you are questioning whether you should be helping us at all. Truth is, I’d probably feel the same way. But we must continue to fight the Craing Empire. Do not forget, this is the same empire that has enslaved your home world. Your mates and your offspring are still at their mercy. That scenario has undoubtedly been repeated countless times across the universe, with other warriors, other species. Now, the Craing’s ability to move across the universe has been disrupted. But many Craing warships are still close. None of us will be safe until we rid ourselves of their last remaining fleet. We need your help. I need your help this one last time. I cannot force you to fight. You must decide amongst yourselves which course of action is best for you. Whatever course of action you choose, I consider you my friends, and I thank you for all you’ve sacrificed.”
Jason stepped in closer and walked the perimeter of the circle, his eyes meeting theirs one by one. “We leave here shortly. Our fleet of Craing warships will join with other fleets in the Alliance, and perhaps others will join the fight as well. We will make this stand against the Craing—this last stand together. We’ll rid ourselves of those bastards once and for all.”
Rustling Leaves stepped forward and raised his heavy hammer. He did not speak. One by one, each of the rhino-warriors also raised their hammers. Then the rhinos lifted their heads toward the sky and howled. A strange mix of noises, not unlike the howl of a wolf, an animal they had recently come to admire here in the habitat. Soon, heavy hammers were smashing together high in the air—the resulting sound so loud Traveler was even brought back to consciousness, briefly.
* * *
The new MediPod, nearly twice as large as the others, had been moved into Medical. Ricket stood at the device’s new interface. The clamshell commenced closing. Traveler, unconscious, lay quietly, his head bandaged. Several moments later, a vacuum-seal thump indicated the MediPod was indeed tightly closed and ready to begin.
“ Captain, as with the other MediPods, this process
Granger’s expression, if possible, looked even more dire. “After your attack on Halimar, the Craing Empire’s military mobilized. Anyone suspected of taking part in the rebellion, and I’m talking many thousands here, were publicly executed.”
Jason’s mind flashed to Gaddy, the young, idealistic Craing dissident who had helped transport them on Halimar. Had she and her friends been among those executed?
“ So, yes,” Granger continued, “the rebellion has been quelled for now. But discord is building. More than ever the people of the Craing worlds yearn for the kind of independence they see exists here on Earth. Another uprising is coming, Jason. Will it triumph? It’s hard to say.”
“ So what do you suggest we do now?” Jason asked.
“ The Craing Empire is on the precipice of even greater, unparalleled dominance throughout the universe. We cannot allow that to continue. Providing you, your government, and its military factions access to the interchange, and the ability to move about the universe with far more accuracy than the Craing, will somewhat level the battlefield.”
Jason continued to look at the virtual image hovering over Ricket’s bench. As it slowly turned on its axis, another aspect of the interchange came into view. And with that, Jason realized he was looking at something familiar.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Several rhinos helped lift and position Traveler onto a waiting hover cart. A circle had formed around Dira and Jason. Uneasiness was in the air. The rhinos, now without a leader, watched as Traveler, whom many considered to be their true leader, would soon be carted off onto the human’s ship. Jason brought his attention to the murmuring crowd of rhinos.
“ We will do everything possible to return Traveler to you shortly. Some of you are questioning whether you should be helping us at all. Truth is, I’d probably feel the same way. But we must continue to fight the Craing Empire. Do not forget, this is the same empire that has enslaved your home world. Your mates and your offspring are still at their mercy. That scenario has undoubtedly been repeated countless times across the universe, with other warriors, other species. Now, the Craing’s ability to move across the universe has been disrupted. But many Craing warships are still close. None of us will be safe until we rid ourselves of their last remaining fleet. We need your help. I need your help this one last time. I cannot force you to fight. You must decide amongst yourselves which course of action is best for you. Whatever course of action you choose, I consider you my friends, and I thank you for all you’ve sacrificed.”
Jason stepped in closer and walked the perimeter of the circle, his eyes meeting theirs one by one. “We leave here shortly. Our fleet of Craing warships will join with other fleets in the Alliance, and perhaps others will join the fight as well. We will make this stand against the Craing—this last stand together. We’ll rid ourselves of those bastards once and for all.”
Rustling Leaves stepped forward and raised his heavy hammer. He did not speak. One by one, each of the rhino-warriors also raised their hammers. Then the rhinos lifted their heads toward the sky and howled. A strange mix of noises, not unlike the howl of a wolf, an animal they had recently come to admire here in the habitat. Soon, heavy hammers were smashing together high in the air—the resulting sound so loud Traveler was even brought back to consciousness, briefly.
* * *
The new MediPod, nearly twice as large as the others, had been moved into Medical. Ricket stood at the device’s new interface. The clamshell commenced closing. Traveler, unconscious, lay quietly, his head bandaged. Several moments later, a vacuum-seal thump indicated the MediPod was indeed tightly closed and ready to begin.
“ Captain, as with the other MediPods, this process
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