Maybe it was the image of how the ‘cat brought the King of the Aurochs to his knees when he was running out of control at Toromont’s Run that finally convinced Malo to stop and get something to eat. Despite the long run on the rainforest road, it had yet to start raining. Braden and Micah counted their blessings since a downpour was inevitable. The Old Tech wagons that Holly produced made the trip comfortable for the riders. The Aurochs would suffer the weather, although they seemed unperturbed as they raced through the rain along the well cared for road.
Zalastar wouldn’t allow anything less and was leading his people to be less afraid of humans and the other intelligent species. Braden and Micah had seen a number of Amazonians on their last trip. They passed one along the side of the road already on this trip, both waving in greeting. As they stretched their legs, a group of Amazonians approached. Bounder and Fray Strider watched the Lizard Men warily, the war fresh in their minds. The numerous attacks along the rainforest road haunted them.
When the shadows cleared and the Lizard Men were visible, Pik Ha’ar’s unique face came into focus. Braden and Micah rushed to greet him. The Lizard Men towered over the humans. Green, broad-chested, and heavily muscled, they were physically intimidating.
‘My friends, it is good to see you!’ Pik told them as he approached and offered his hand to the humans. ‘What brings you this way?’
They told him. He nodded, then waved another Lizard Man to him. They talked together in their unique soundless way before the other ran off.
The Hawkoids swooped in close to say hello to their old friend. Bounder and Strider also greeted the Lizard Man warmly. He nodded to them all.
‘We have had success developing what we call a “skin suit” to wear when we are outside the rainforest. We have tested this, albeit briefly. I will run it through its paces when I join you to save Micah’s father,’ the Lizard Man said.
“Pik! I don’t know what to say, but salt water is different than rain. I’m not sure about this,” Micah replied.
‘What I’ve learned from you is free will. We have the freedom to choose our own destinies, do we not?’ the Lizard Man asked.
“You do,” Micah conceded.
‘Then my choice is to come with you. I will be able to help. Is there any way I can get a blaster?’ Pik asked innocently.
Braden and Micah looked at each other and started to laugh. “No,” they said together.
“I’m sorry, Pik. The last time you had a blaster, it didn’t turn out so well,” Braden chuckled.
When the skin suit arrived, Pik showed it off proudly. It was made of a thin, rubbery outer coating to stretch and flex with its wearer. It contained spongy material on the inside that would hold water in. It had vents that could be opened as the user desired to let the suit breathe. The only thing he needed was water to moisten the interior, then he could put it on and be healthy in a drier climate. They didn’t know how long the suit would retain the water north of the rainforest, but the Amazonians hoped one fill would last an entire daylight.
Pik climbed into the front of the wagon with Braden and Micah, where he’d still be exposed to the rain, whenever it started to fall. The others piled into the back and they were off. Malo had only met Pik briefly on a couple different occasions, so he spent the happy reunion between old friends eating and resting. When they were ready to go, he was stiff, but knew that he’d work his muscles out as he ran. Only two turns remaining. His goal was to best Brandt’s record-breaking run.
And no one kept records, but the Aurochs all knew about it. The humble King’s exploits were fodder for the Aurochs’ trough.
A Rolling Stone Gathers Moss
It took Malo two full turns to make it to Greentree, the closest village on the north side of the Amazon. Braden and Micah confirmed that he had tied the great King’s record and should be so remembered!
Pik walked around in his skin suit, seemingly comfortable and healthy, although the villagers shied away from the Lizard Man. Braden and Micah kept him close to them, kindly introducing him to the good people of the village, hoping they would be more accepting.
The village Elder, Ditarod was in the fields, helping the Rabbits Patrice, Delavigne, Ferrer, and Brigitte. It wasn’t long before the five returned to see their friends.
The Wolfoids roamed among the people, greeting them with taps of their paws on shoulders, receiving neck and ear scratches in return. The Tortoid floated serenely throughout, nodding at one person or another as they passed. The Hawkoids stayed in the trees, perched where the people could see them and wave.
Bigotry was shunned and shouted down quickly as the menagerie that roamed the village of Greentree had risked their lives to save humanity, to bring peace to the south, making it possible for these people to return to their village. The story was recounted at every gathering by those in the know. A couple villagers from Greentree had died in the Amazon during the trip where they accompanied Braden to find the Overlords. Everyone’s sacrifices were remembered whether human or a human creation, even though the people had not yet been informed that was where the intelligent species came from. Soon, though.
As was the new custom, whenever Braden and his partner rolled into a village, there was always a celebration. Since they came to Greentree and Coldstream more often than other places, the celebrations tended to be more sedate. Braden always appreciated a warm greeting and a freshly cooked meal. It was the way of the Free Trader, something he’d always been and would always be, even though he now served the people in a different capacity.
They celebrated, although Micah was ready to go. Malo needed to rest in order to take them to Coldstream where they’d ask Brandt for help in getting the wagon to White Beach. No Aurochs was ever forced to pull a wagon, so the traders always asked and then pampered those who agreed to join the traders on the road.
A Hawkoid appeared in the distance, diving toward the village and back-winging to a landing on the branch with her parents.
Braden and Micah didn’t have to wait long before they could feel the ground shaking from the thunder of pounding hooves. Braden and Micah both chuckled, knowing only one Aurochs who could make the ground move.
People scattered as the King of the Aurochs slid into the Market Square.
‘You have returned!’ he said in his booming thought voice. The humans winced at the onslaught. ‘I shall join you as my friend, Caleb, needs my help. I’ve never been on a ship and you left me behind when you could have used my help on the Traveler, or so the little orange man has informed me. And you, and you,’ he said, dancing as all three ‘cats attempted to jump on his face and climb to the top of his head.
Another Aurochs ran into view, the Queen with Bronwyn riding her. When the great beast stopped, Bronwyn climbed down and ran to Micah, who no longer had to bend down to hug the young girl. Then Braden greeted her and pushed her to arm’s length.
“Have we been gone that long?” he asked. Bronwyn shook her head.
‘No, but the Queen makes sure that I eat, too well, I think. No matter where we go, it seems like everyone is trying to fatten me up!’ her thought voice still sounded like that of a little girl. She greatly preferred using the mindlink, because it allowed her to do other things, like hug the Lizard Man and the Wolfoids, pat Aadi’s head. She waved to the ‘cats, who nodded politely in return.
Braden was amazed how G-War treated certain people, when the one whom the ‘cat had known the longest was dismissed with a wave of one furry paw.
‘Get over it,’ G-War intruded on Braden’s thoughts.
‘Ass!’ Braden replied instantly.
‘If you get me wet on this trip, I will make you regret pulling me out of the water all those turns ago. I didn’t let you save me just so you could throw me back in,’ the ‘cat informed them all over the mindlink. Micah stifled a laugh with a snort.
Braden turned to his partner. “Did he not hear the part where we might have to swim to the ship? What part of swimming is so hard to understand?”
“He heard it and understood what Holly meant, lover, clearly, but he discounted it, knowing that you will move mountains to ensure his comfort.” She smiled. “And mine, by the way.”
He couldn’t argue with her logic, but that didn’t mean he was hiding a way to get to a ship at sea without a boat or without getting wet. There was nothing in his pouch or backpack that Holly had provided. He had a few turns to think about it, but he relied on the scientists coming from New Sanctuary to have a solution. There was no way they were swimming with their equipment. Dr. Johns was the one hiding a trick or two, he suspected.
“We shall see,” Braden said, feeling more hopeful than he had just a few heartbeats before. Thinking of Brandt swimming with a menagerie of creatures riding him as if he were a big, brown island made him laugh. He heard the others laughing, too, over their mindlink. The King of the Aurochs didn’t think it was very funny.
“We shall see, my large friend. No matter what the price, we’ll pay it to set Caleb free.”
They settled in for a celebration, eating and drinking well, because with the sunrise, they’d leave. Malo said that he was coming along, too. The Queen said that wherever Bronwyn went, she would go. Micah didn’t relish taking the teenager with them into harm’s way.
Not again, but Bronwyn wouldn’t be dissuaded. They figured if nothing else, they could leave her on White Beach with the Queen and encourage them to go back to Westerly.
With Bronwyn in the front of the wagon with Braden and Micah, Brandt pulling, two Wolfoids, the two Rabbits Ferrer and Brigitte, a Lizard Man, and a Tortoid, another two Aurochs running behind, and two Hawkoids flying ahead, they departed Greentree. Braden understood about the twenty breathing masks.
They hadn’t gotten as much sleep as they wanted, but that didn’t matter. Time was of the essence, and they left with the sunrise. Micah opened her neural implant to talk with Holly.
‘Holly, is there any vehicle of the ancients that might make this trip go faster? Once we’ve let the rest of the people know that Old Tech is alive and well, I would like to waste less time traveling when there’s an emergency,’ Micah pleaded with the AI.
‘Of course,’ Holly replied instantly. ‘We have everything we need to build hover cars. You could make the trip from New Sanctuary to White Beach in approximately one day using the vehicle,’ Holly informed her.
‘Do it,’ she ordered and closed the link. She looked away from Braden, hoping that he hadn’t seen her. She was ashamed, because she had talked Braden out of everything Old Tech, yet when it came down to it, she was the first one to give in completely.
The potential was immense, such as Old Tech to build schools so the children could get an education above and beyond anything contemplated since the war ended over four hundred turns before. People could learn how to do more with less, how to live like the ancients, and thanks to the safety protocols they’d put in place, they wouldn’t learn how to die like the ancients. That gave Micah some comfort for what was the impending revelation that she and Braden would deliver to the people.
Bronwyn looked at Micah closely, while Braden was lost in his own thoughts. “It’ll be okay,” the teenager whispered.
Mature beyond your years, and yes, you are right. I think it will be okay, because it has to be, Micah thought to herself. Brandt started walking easily, but it wasn’t long before he was running, not as fast as he was capable of, but fast enough that Malo and the Queen had to work hard to keep up. He maintained that pace until midday had passed and they found themselves approaching the fields where the water buffalo grazed under the watchful eye of their Aurochs shepherds.
They made a quick stop in Coldwater so Braden could trade for sweetened, smoked pork. Then they were off again, heading west toward the setting sun. Brandt slowed as darkness covered the Plains of Propiscius, but he didn’t stop. He kept going until almost midnight, when he finally pulled up next to a stream, drinking deeply even before the humans could unhook his harness. The other Aurochs joined Brandt muzzle-deep in the stream. Brandt suggested that Malo pull come the new daylight.
The others climbed out of the wagon and stretched. Pik unfastened his skin suit and waded into the stream, lying down in the cool water to rehydrate the suit and himself. The rest of the companions lined up alongside the stream, drinking and refilling flasks. No one talked. They were too tired. Most of them collapsed under the wagon, some slept inside.
And that was the routine for the next two turns until they reached River Crook. There, they stopped for nearly a full turn as the trio of Aurochs grazed and rested, even getting some special treats from the fields where a number of Rabbits were helping the harvest to greater and greater yields. It turned out that a couple of the master gardeners were Ferrer and Brigitte’s offspring. Braden could never keep them straight. There had been over one hundred Rabbits born on Vii to the few adults who transferred from the Traveler.
Of all the souls that Braden had touched, the Rabbits were the most gentle and loving. They reminded him of Bronwyn, an entire species just like her. But the Rabbits could also be fierce in combat when they had to be, to defend their loved ones. Braden wished that more people could be like Ferrer and Brigitte, who were simply happy to be alive.
The fireworks started when they talked with Zeller and Young Tom. They told Braden and Micah about the raiders and that Caleb had been injured. Even though it had happened nearly a full moon previously, Micah drew her sword and looked around, hoping to see her enemy. Tom’s new apprentice Darius looked shocked and then excused himself.
‘It was him,’ G-War told Micah. ‘He was one of the raiders, but Caleb forgave him and Tom doesn’t want you to know.’ Micah was furious and started going after Darius, who ran when he saw her.
Braden tackled his mate and almost got a handguard to the head for his efforts.
“It’s how Caleb wanted it!” he shouted at her. She continued to struggle, but not as vigorously.
“Caleb convinced Zeller who convinced Neeson,” Tom said, petting the large scraggly looking ‘cat at his side. G-War looked at the young ‘cat.
‘There must be something you can do for him? Maybe Holly…’ G-War pleaded with Braden. He looked at the ‘cat, knowing that G never asked for anything unless it was important. Besides food, that was.
Braden opened his neural implant and asked Holly if there was anything he could do. Holly made Braden look closely at the ‘cat’s leg, both sides, up and down, so the Artificial Intelligence could review the injury, before reaching a conclusion. ‘Yes, that can be fixed. On board the Traveler, there is everything needed to repair the ‘cat’s leg back to normal. Surgery to replace damaged bone with titanium components and cloning technology to replace the muscles, nerves, tendons, veins, and those kinds of things. Yes, that can be done and it will take approximately two weeks. The ‘cats have exceptional healing powers so it may take even less time.’
“I think you’re going to have to take a trip, Tom, to somewhere you never imagined existed, if you want to help Neeson. He can be healed, as good as new.”
The blacksmith started to cry as he hugged the ‘cat to him. Neeson struggled to extricate himself from the large man’s grasp. Zeller thanked Braden and Micah profusely.
“Once we get back, we’ll make everything clear. We told you that Old Tech exists. Zeller drives an Old Tech wagon. Well, that is a drop in the bucket to what’s really out there. I’ll leave it at that. WHEN we return,” Braden made sure to emphasize the word ‘when,’ “we will help you and Neeson and for that, all we ask is that you help us get the message out when the time comes. We don’t want anyone to be afraid of Old Tech or envious of it. It is just another tool to help them live better lives, that’s all.”
Young Tom tried to hug Braden, but settled for a handshake so they didn’t fall into a small campfire they’d made between Zeller’s wagon and their own. The Wolfoids, ‘cats, and Rabbits snuggled in close. Pik stayed farther away, because of the flames, not the heat. He liked it hot, but hot and
wet. Aadi stayed close to Braden and Micah, but remained on the outside of the circle.
The Aurochs were somewhere else. Arnie, Brandt, Malo, and the Queen were grazing and enjoying the free flow of the river, warily because of the threat from a rare cold-water croc.
Although Crabby and the other leaders from River Crook wanted some of Braden and Micah’s time, they let them be alone with their fellow Free Traders. With the morning, Braden and Micah would meet and greet everyone. They enjoyed the people from River Crook, and held a special place there because they’d helped the people to establish it.
They were always happy to see Yellowfin as he grew into a strong young man, barely older than Bronwyn, who caught him glancing in her direction on more than one occasion. She found ways to steer clear of the village and stay with the intelligent creatures she considered to be her best friends.
Once they retired for the night, Braden and Micah dropped the side of the wagon to create a bed for themselves. It was a feature of the Old Tech wagon that they appreciated and took advantage of on occasion. It came in handy when they had as many companions as currently traveled with them.
“How do we get into these situations? If I understood Holly right, the ship might have two mini-subs, enough for four total people, if they squeeze in tightly. Yet we have a small army with us. Who chooses who goes to the undersea world?”
“We do, as always, but I suspect there’s more that Holly isn’t telling us. I think since he allowed us to bring everyone as well as all the equipment, he knows of a way where no one is left behind. If the facility is as he expects, expanded and heavily populated with Bots and abducted humans, then we’ll need our friends if we are to win them over,” she whispered.
Braden figured the same. There was no way Holly would encourage them to take such a broad range of species, only to leave them on the beach.
“We’ll see what tomorrow brings,” Braden replied before kissing and hugging Micah, but going no further as Bronwyn was in the wagon, an arm-span away, along with the Wolfoids and the Lizard Man. Micah finally relaxed. If her father had forgiven Darius, then who was she to hold a grudge. And Arnie and Zeller had killed all three of the real raiders, which made Micah more accepting, too.
Free Trader Complete Omnibus Page 119