Free Trader Complete Omnibus

by Craig Martelle

  “They are taking a two-day break and then they’re going to run the rest of the way here.”

  ‘As only the Aurochs could. A Wolfoid would die trying to run through that desert.’

  “Just like I thought I would the first time I went across. But now with the oases established, almost anyone can make it as long as they adhere to the basics—travel at night, carry as much water as you can, and stay on course.”

  ‘When they arrive, we go to Ankhmar without delay,’ Treetis said.

  “They’ll need to rest, but as soon as possible, we’ll go west, between Cameron and Whitehorse, directly to the Hillcats’ home. And then what, little man?”

  ‘And then we tell them what they’re going to do.’

  “And they’ll listen just as much as they did last time, which is why you left,” Braden countered.

  ‘This time, they have to listen. All we’ve seen and heard. They will be able to take their place as the leaders of Vii. They will stop the fighting. They will prevent it from happening again.’

  “If they would only care to. They’ve had the power all along, but what I’ve learned of ‘cats? They don’t care.” Braden crossed his arms as he locked eyes with Treetis. The two stared unblinkingly. Braden’s eyes started to burn, until he thought he couldn’t continue. Treetis blinked and looked away.

  ‘Maybe so. We’ll convince them to care, because if the ‘cats do it right, human minions will bring us food for all eternity.’

  “That’s crazy talk,” Braden replied, shaking his head.

  Treetis smiled as he looked into the distance. Not so much, he thought.

  Braden looked at his empty hovercar. No one wanted to undertake the journey again, least of all Braden. With Bounder and Strider’s assurance that they would watch the twins, he headed out alone with a doe and small buck strapped on the outside. The afternoon sun was already blazing.

  He hoped that he’d arrive before nightfall. He didn’t want to stumble around in the dark trying to figure out where everyone was.

  His mood improved as he engaged with the AI.

  “Holly, back on Earth, what was the relationship between Hillcats and humans?”

  “There were no Hillcats on Earth. They had a much smaller domestic cat and then some very large wild cats. There were a few in between, but only the domestic cats held sway. They were of the same breed as the small, non-sentient cats on Vii,” Holly explained. Braden chewed the inside of his cheek as he listened. The ‘cats had been giving hints for as long as he could hear them that they intended to take over.

  He had always thought that was just talk, because ‘cats could never organize themselves or agree on anything. And then there were the times when they were so lazy, they couldn’t be bothered to get out of the way of a stampeding Aurochs.

  “Humans fawned over their cats. There are records of competitions where the cats would be put on display and those with the finest traits would win great acclaim.”

  “So humans always did what their cats told them, even when the cats weren’t sentient, or maybe we only thought they weren’t. I’m going to have to think on this, Holly.”

  Braden tried to recall the fragments of conversation he’d gotten from G-War so he could piece it all together. Where had they been? More importantly, where were they going? He leaned back and disappeared into his own thoughts until he fell asleep.

  ‘Master Braden has returned,’ Aadi declared. The hovercar approached in the twilight, slowed, and stopped. The doors remained closed. No one got out as the ‘cats started to yowl at the smell of mostly fresh meat, partially cooked from the run through the desert in the daylight.

  Micah hurried to the vehicle. Braden was slumped over in the driver’s seat. She activated the door and it popped open. He jumped, then pressed his hand against his chest. “Don’t scare me like that!”

  “My looks scare you?” Micah said in a low voice.

  “No.” He didn’t have anything better. He had just woken up.

  “We better get dinner to the furries or they will get out of control.” Micah started undoing the bindings. Braden jumped out on unsteady feet, blinked to clear his eyes, and joined her. They each carried one carcass as ‘cats yowled and darted around their legs. One tripped Braden and he went down.

  They pounced on the deer and he left them to it. Micah was able to get hers strung up, but barely, before getting mobbed.

  “Treetis said something about mankind serving ‘cat-dom. And then Holly said that domestic cats have been doing that to humans since Earth.”

  “I can’t imagine ever being a slave to ‘cats,” Micah said, looking quickly away from the meal they’d put out for the Hillcats.

  “Me either!” Braden stated. “This is the last one, G. Make sure everyone knows that the next time they eat, it’ll be what they catch in the hills north of the Great Desert.”

  ‘They look forward to it. We were made to hunt,’ G-War growled in his thought voice. ‘And we were made to be pampered. It’s a balance that only ‘cats can maintain.’

  “We used to have two children. Did you lose them?” Micah said, arms crossed as she wondered why Braden didn’t tell her that he’d left the kids behind.

  “Bounder and Strider are watching them, along with a few ‘cats and a Tortoid. I think they’re safer where they are than traipsing around the desert.”

  ‘Tomorrow evening, we leave. The mountains themselves will bow to the pounding of our hooves as we cover more ground faster than ever before,’ Brandt claimed.

  “Make sure you leave something in that field for next time. We’re going to come back through here, hopefully fairly soon, but we won’t be racing like this time. It’d be nice to take it easy, but then again, the Great Desert isn’t a place where taking it easy leads to a long life, unless you’re a Tortoid, that is, and then taking it easy is the only way to go.”

  ‘We will be ready when the time comes,’ Brandt replied.

  “You are the greatest of all, Brandt Earthshaker, King of the Aurochs.” Braden bowed deeply and swept his hand in a wide arc until he smacked a furry body. “Oops. Sorry about that.”

  An all-black ‘cat snarled at him and ran off when G-War hissed his dismay. ‘I can give him a hard time, but not you.’

  “Thanks for coming to my rescue, G.”

  G-War sneezed and walked away. Fea sat down, regal in her manners, and watched her mate go. ‘Sometimes, he needs you to stand up to him,’ she said softly. ‘I’m coming, my scruffy little love monster.’ She stood, tipped her head to Braden, and trotted after the Golden Warrior.

  Braden wasn’t sure where he needed to take a stand. They were in the middle of the desert and focused on the same objective.

  Getting to the other side.

  Skirill and Zyena twisted around each other as they flew free.

  ‘It’s nice to play,’ Skirill said, choosing to speak over the mindlink that he and Zyena had solidified over the years.

  ‘You deserve it. So much has happened to bring you to this moment.’

  ‘The last time I saw Awkar and Teelech, they looked down on me, treated me like dirt.’

  ‘And now they fear you.’

  ‘I’d like to think they respect me,’ Skirill replied. ‘We are going somewhere incredible, all of us, and that means the Hawkoid Nation, too.’

  ‘Dragging them through the dirt and dust of the land, until they see where you’re taking them. Only then will they fly again.’

  ‘Where we’re taking them, my beautiful creature who hails from the star in the sky.’

  The Hawkoids continued their display of aerobatic prowess.

  ‘Do you see what I see?’ Zyena asked.

  ‘Fat rabbits who have spent their lives becoming a proper meal for hungry Hawkoids?’

  ‘Exactly.’ Skrill turned into the wind and slowed nearly to a stop, before tucking his wings back and diving. Zyena was right beside him as they arrowed toward their unsuspecting prey. The Hawkoids reached a magnificent speed.
They crashed into the rabbits simultaneously, killing the creatures by virtue of the impact alone.

  Their curved Hawkoid beaks tore into their prey, ripping the flesh, which they threw back and gulped down.

  The net flew straight up in the air. Zyena reacted first, jumping and beating her wings one time before the net fouled her, and she fell back to the ground.

  “I’m going to be rich because of this pair!” a young woman called, barely old enough to be considered such. She held her arms wide in triumph and smiled at the sky.

  But First, Bring the Pain

  Brandt shook his mighty head. Braden jumped back to avoid getting clocked by the massive horns.

  ‘We will cross the Great Desert as no one else can,’ Brandt bellowed.

  “Can you cross it by yourselves after this?” Braden wondered.

  ‘Why do you ask? Are you not coming back?’

  “You should be able to go where you want, without restriction. If the Aurochs can cross the Great Desert without any human assistance or interference, what would that mean for your people?”

  ‘Are you opening up all of Vii to the Aurochs?’ Brandt asked.

  “It was always open to you, but you couldn’t get there because you didn’t know. Now you do. I don’t want any of your people to take unnecessary risks, but it is up to you where you go and what you do.”

  ‘Thank you,’ Brandt said far more softly than usual. ‘I will talk with my people. Maybe some will decide to stay in the north in the area you call Warren Deep.’

  “If G-War has his way, then the ‘cats will be in place to help your people talk with mine.”

  ‘That would be best. I think there are some humans who would eat an Aurochs, if given the chance.’

  “That is a bridge I hope we never have to cross. I would hate to see you bring the thunder and the pain.” Braden stroked his friend’s massive nose, seeing the scar where G-War had once embedded a claw to stop the King’s rampage when he was running out of control while the twins were inside the wagon.

  Micah sat astride Brandt’s neck. The ‘cats were crouched on Aurochs’ heads throughout the herd.

  “I’ll be with you the whole way. When the herd has to stop to drink, I’ll help with the spigots. If there are any problems, don’t hesitate to ask.” Braden looked away. He felt like he was cheating, being in the comfort of the hovercar while the others were outside.

  Micah slid from her perch and landed lightly on the ground. “I’ll ride with you,” she told her partner. “Sorry, Brandt, maybe I’m getting too old to ride an Aurochs, but my backside hurts and we haven’t even started yet.”

  ‘I am not offended,’ Brandt replied in his thunderous voice. ‘My furry little friends will keep me company.’

  ‘For the time being,’ G-War suggested.

  Brandt nodded once and worked his way into the desert. He started to run, slowly at first to let the herd fall in behind him. Twilight was coming. It was still warm, but would cool off with the darkness. Then, Brandt picked up speed, pounding quickly across the hard, dry earth.

  Braden and Micah hopped in the hovercar and raced beyond them to get in front of Brandt, to lead him on the shortest path out of the desert.

  In the morning, Braden and Micah were both asleep, cradled in the comfort of their hovercar seats. The sun peeked over the mountains to the east, declaring that morning had arrived. Braden opened one eye and realized that they were still traveling. He looked out the back window to find the herd running behind.

  “How long to the lake, Holly?” Braden asked.

  “I am sorry to say that it will be another three to four hours at this rate. The herd is slowing down.”

  “I don’t blame them.” Micah yawned and stretched as much as she could within the confines of their vehicle. “I think they need to take a break and get a long drink.”

  ‘Brandt, I think you should stop the herd and make sure all of them get water,’ Braden said.

  ‘That would be welcome. It has been a long night.’

  ‘But we’re close. A few more hours and you’ll be in the north, a place with wide open land, filled with grasses and bushes.’

  Braden stopped the hovercar, letting it settle to the ground before he and Micah climbed out. The herd settled in around them. Each barrel had a spigot from which a neighboring Aurochs could drink. None of them could drink from their own barrels without taking them from their backs. And there was no need. They each carried to support the herd. Crossing the Great Desert wasn’t something an Aurochs, or anyone, could do alone. Even Braden had a team when he crossed the first time.

  “Drink what you need. There’s plenty for all,” Braden said. The ‘cats looked crossly at the humans until Micah filled a dish from the hovercar and went from head to head to let the ‘cats drink. They weren’t pleased that the water was warm, but they weren’t too vocal about that because they were hungry and Micah had nothing to feed them.

  Which, of course, in ‘cat logic, was one hundred percent her fault.

  Kacherin circled lazily in an updraft. “Where have they gone?” he screeched. He had intended to welcome the Hawkoids, Skirill and Zyena, to their nesting area, show them the whole flock.

  None of the others knew.

  “Then we must look for them.”

  The others didn’t want to go. Kacherin flew at them, sharply banking before he ran into each. “What have we become?” he cried.

  He made one more pass.

  “We need them, to show us what we used to be.” The Hawkoid turned on one wingtip and dove toward the grasslands below. The others followed, but at a distance. They were afraid.

  Hawkoids knew the unreasoning, irrational side of fear.

  Kacherin was angry and felt the fear fade away as he picked up speed. He looked at the land and in his mind, he sectioned it off for exploration. He screeched as he flew.

  There. A movement. He headed that way, rising higher into the air to stay out of the range of a human’s thunderstick. He screamed again and was answered by a muffled cry. A small wagon carrying two bundles being pulled by a young girl.

  She didn’t carry a weapon. Kacherin dove at her, nearly knocking her down. She ducked and started to pull the wagon faster, but she couldn’t run. The wagon was too large, and she was too small.

  The other Hawkoids flew in after seeing that there was nothing to be afraid of. They relentlessly bombarded the girl until she dropped the wagon and started to run. Kacherin landed on the cart and used his powerful beak to undo the knotted ropes.

  The others returned after the girl had been driven off. A couple flew back and forth to keep her from coming back. The cart creaked under the weight as more landed and helped rip the bindings away. Skirill and Zyena blinked at the brightness when the covering was finally removed. They shook themselves free.

  “I want to talk with her,” Skirill said ominously.

  With the herd watered and the sun rising slowly in the air, it was time to get going. The mountains were clear in the distance. Not too much farther to go, but it wasn’t getting any closer while they stood there.

  “Head out, Brandt. We’ll be right behind you.” The Aurochs started trotting. Braden and Micah ran to the hovercar, jumped in, and sat there.

  “Holly?” Braden asked. “Why won’t the hovercar start?”

  “Working on it,” Holly replied.

  ‘Could you please come back, Brandt? Not the herd, just you, if you would be so kind. It looks like we may need a ride,’ Micah said.

  They waited. A single figure detached itself from the rapidly forming dust cloud and grew larger as it approached. The ‘cats were perched on the top of his head, looking unhappy.

  “Catch up if you get it working, Holly. We’re out of here. Button it up so if anyone casually stumbles across it, they won’t be able to get inside.”

  “I am despatching the bot from Oasis Zero Four to effect repairs. It will be a few days before the hovercar is operational again. I am afraid that you are on your ow
n until then. Please accept my sincere apologies, Master President.”

  “We’ll make do, Holly. See you when we see you,” Micah replied. They closed the doors to the hovercar and stood outside waiting for Brandt, King of the Aurochs.

  “I feel like we should say a few words over the loss of our stalwart companion.” Braden twisted his mouth as he looked for the words.

  “It’s a machine.”

  “But I’ve spent a lot of time in it. It made this crossing less painful. We were able to bring food in, take people and friends out. All kinds of good stuff.”

  “And it’s still a machine. If we lost Holly? That would call for words. The hovercar? Not so much. And it’s not lost. Holly will get it fixed. Don’t worry about it. You’ll get to ride in air-conditioned comfort once again. Come on. It’s time to go.”

  Brandt slowed to a stop and dropped to a knee to allow Micah to climb aboard. Braden followed and off they went.

  Brandt breathed heavily as he plowed through the rising desert heat. Micah looked worried when she made eye contact with Braden. Sweat was already streaming down her legs because of being in contact with the Aurochs.

  ‘I’m worried about all of them. Maybe we should wait until tonight?’ Micah said using her thought voice.

  Braden nodded slowly. “How are you holding up, Brandt? What about your people? We can stop if we need to.”

  ‘There is no shade and we are almost out of water. Waiting will not be best. Next time, we need to go from oasis to oasis and run at night. I’m afraid that we are committed.’

  “I’m sorry, Brandt. It looks like we’ve asked too much of your people once again.”

  ‘Not you, my friend. We knew what we were doing. The prince explained and asked if we would join his crusade. We believe in what he’s doing. Here we are, side by side with you all to make Vii a better place.’

  “I thought it was shaping up.” Micah sounded apologetic. “The bigger the world becomes, the less we can control.”