Free Trader Complete Omnibus

by Craig Martelle

  “Maybe it’s the smaller that we make the world, the more we see. Looking at the vast distances and all the people, I think the world is a safer place. Still, what will it take to lift humanity onto that plateau called peace and prosperity?” Braden stopped to look at the two ‘cats. They were out of reach, but he wanted to touch the rough hair of his friend. “G-War has a plan. We’re with you all the way, buddy. You gave us a long time to try it our way. Now we’re trying it your way. The pure heart test was the catalyst to show us that it is possible to weed out evil before it becomes a cancer.”

  ‘It sees the light,’ G-War said, referring to Braden as he had for their first ten cycles together.

  “Stay loose, Brandt, and hold the pace. We’ll be out of the desert pretty soon, and then you can graze and drink.”

  The King of the Aurochs ran past the herd and took the lead. He could see their goal, but with each step, it didn’t seem to get closer. He clenched his jaws and encouraged his people to keep up.

  The ‘cats started to yowl their misery at being exposed to the heat. The bulls and cows huffed and snorted. Foam flew from their mouths with their labored breathing. Their tongues stood out, dry and cracked, as they pressed on.

  Braden closed his eyes, unable to watch the monumental efforts of the herd. Each step jolted through his body. Micah held her knees tightly against Brandt’s neck to absorb some of the impact. He squinted against the sun.

  And the pain continued. No one was free of its grasp.

  Zyena held the young girl down. Her terrified eyes looked through the female Hawkoid’s shadow. Skirill leaned close.

  ‘Why would you trap a Hawkoid?’

  She looked back and forth to see where the voice was coming from.

  ‘Answer me!’

  “Hawkoid feathers make the best decorations and the softest pillows. They are only good from a fresh kill.”

  Skirill felt sick to his stomach. ‘Hawkoids are intelligent, just like humans. Would you kill your brother and use his hide for decoration?’

  “Who’s talking to me?”

  ‘Me, a hand’s breadth from your face. I need you to take this word to every buyer or user of Hawkoid feathers. If we find you, we will finish you and take what is ours.’

  Zyena let the girl up. She looked ready to run. Zyena took to the air and beat her wings to hover above the girl.

  “But who knew you were intelligent?”

  ‘You do, and all of us. Stop this practice now.’ Skirill’s eyes bored deep into her.

  The Hawkoid Nation took to the sky in an impressive display. The girl cowered beneath the shadows.

  ‘Go and tell the others. This stops or we will bring the fury of the skies down on their heads! GO!’

  She turned and ran.

  ‘Fury of the skies?’ Zyena asked.

  ‘It was the best I could do. Braden is so much better at bluffing than I am.’

  ‘You mean Micah.’

  ‘Of course, my sweet,’ Skirill replied.

  Skirill and Zyena led the Hawkoid Nation toward the lake. The great birds darkened the sky as they soared with their wings wide.

  ‘Ess! Zee!’ the twins called in their thought voices while they vigorously waved at the sky.

  ‘Axial and De’atesh. It is good to see you. We’d like to introduce you to our people,’ Skirill replied.

  The twins continued to wave as the Hawkoids descended.

  ‘The others are not here yet?’ Skirill asked before flapping hard to regain altitude. It didn’t take long before he saw the herd. ‘I shall guide them in.’

  Skirill turned toward the Great Desert, Zyena close on his tail. The rest of the Hawkoid Nation landed around the lake. Treetis moved from his perch before he got knocked off by the beating of so many wings.

  Zyena overtook her mate and raced ahead, soaring high over the herd before turning and flying low. Skirill caught up and they flew wing to wing, turning slightly to the right of the direction that Brandt had been going. He altered course to follow.

  ‘This way will get you out of the desert sooner,’ Zyena told them.

  With their old friends, the misery of the last leg within the desert wasn’t so bad.

  The Plan, the ‘Cats, and Chaos

  After three days of casual grazing and relaxing, the herd wasn’t yet ready to go, but the Hillcats were. They had disappeared into the woods, which would probably take years to recover. Braden wasn’t sure how far away the squirrels and rabbits had run to escape, if any had.

  The ‘cats were happy to be free.

  And that was when G-War realized he hadn’t told them when to come back. It had taken another full day before the ‘cats were recovered and waiting by the lake.

  Ax and ‘Tesh were in continual motion. They could readily talk with any of the ‘cats, a gift from G-War, and that meant they were playing constantly. The prince had declared that should any harm come to the children, the offender would pay a heavy price.

  But they were ‘cats and didn’t internalize threats for longer than a few heartbeats, which suggested they actually liked the twins.

  ‘We need to keep going. The longer we’re away, the more time there is for power to warp the minds of men,’ G-War said ominously, turning his head from one side to another as he took in the scope of his influence. The Aurochs, Hillcats, Tortoid, humans, and the entire Hawkoid Nation were waiting for Prince Axial De’atesh to give the order.

  ‘Then we should go,’ Brandt replied simply in his booming thought voice.

  ‘If I may offer an opinion,’ Aadi started slowly. The others turned to face the floating Tortoid. ‘I believe the Golden Warrior is correct. We are on a mission to bring a lasting peace to this land. Time waits for no one!’

  “Says the one who is two hundred years old,” Braden said. “Are your people sufficiently recovered from the run through the desert?”

  Brandt’s thought voice disappeared as he talked with his herd. When he returned, the decision had been made. ‘We are ready to go.’

  ‘We are ready to help you see the way ahead, clear the way ahead. With the help of our friends the Hillcats, we can stop the capture of Hawkoids and start the acceptance of all Vii’s people,’ Skirill added, sounding more like Brandt and Aadi than ever before.

  ‘We have been with you since we came from space. Nothing will change that now.’ Bounder stood and shook. He looked at the ‘cats and sneezed.

  “What are we waiting for? Mount up and let’s get going. We’ll skip past Whitehorse. I’m not sure how they would take the herd passing through.”

  “Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to show them the future of their world?” Micah suggested.

  Braden stood and kicked a rock into the small lake. The stone splashed, and the water rippled outward. “We have changed the face of Vii, changed it to something that it used to be, but that it has never been. We are on the verge of once again opening the universe to the people. If G-War isn’t successful, we’ll never be able to take the next step because there will always be someone trying to hold us back. It started when we came ashore in Trent, when I didn’t understand what G-War wanted. Now, look at what he’s accomplished! Hillcats, Aurochs, Hawkoids, Wolfoids, Tortoids, and humans, standing shoulder to shoulder to bring peace!”

  Braden threw his hands up. Few of the ‘cats were watching him. Many had curled up and closed their eyes. Brandt tossed his head. Skirill and Zyena jumped into the air to fly the short distance to land on his horns, be closer to their friends. G-War and Fea were already perched on his head.

  They were ready to leave.

  “If only the Rabbits and Lizard Men were here to bring together all the sentient races. Everyone needs to have a seat at the table and a say in our future. But it starts by keeping those who would ruin our future from doing exactly that. We are treading on fragile ground. When will a person’s thoughts become actions? When will we need to act, and what will that look like? The ‘cats know. I trust them to help us to understand.”
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  ‘You should trust us, and you shouldn’t trust us. Wait until Ankhmar. All will be decided there,’ G-War told them. The group spread out, finding Aurochs willing to carry them. Bounder and Gray Strider moped from one to another, looking for a cow with a flatter back where the Wolfoids might better crouch. Braden felt for them, sorry that the hovercar had not yet arrived, but there was nothing he could do.

  He shrugged and climbed onto Brandt’s back. Micah was there already. Braden had no problem wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her close.

  The twins and their two ‘cats climbed onto Bandria. Neeson had partnered with a young bull. The ‘cat was too big to ride on the Aurochs’ head, but thanks to the wonders of Old Tech, he was fully recovered and probably more so. He said that he was bigger than before, when he had already been one of the largest ‘cats.

  He owed the humans his return to strength and didn’t take that lightly.

  Some of the other ‘cats were along because they’d been bored. Halfway through the Great Desert, they regretted their decision but were too lazy to hike back on their own. G-War promised them that the humans would bring food for each stop. And the humans let the Gila Monster eat most of it.

  G-War had told them to quit their whining. Neeson had to rough up a couple of the loudest complainers. The roar of discontent had subsided, and a fragile ‘cat truce had been declared.

  “If you would be so kind, please, take us to Whitehorse, Brandt.” Braden waved his arm in the air and pointed west.

  Skirill and Zyena launched themselves from the great king’s horns and flew in the direction Braden had indicated. Hawkoids filled the sky as they flew in a loose formation, being the eyes and ears of G-War’s army.

  Jocelyn, the raven-haired governor of Jefferson City, Warren Deep’s capital and the only major city to survive the civil war, sat astride her horse. A small contingent of advisors were nearby.

  Her daughter Leah trotted her stallion in a circle while her mother watched.

  “Why aren’t we going?” the young girl asked impatiently.

  “I’m thinking through the conversation we just had in Cameron. I don’t know what the people want as they asked for such a variety of things. I suspect they are up to no good. That’s the second time, which means that I have to do something about it.”

  “I know what that means—more time trapped inside.” Leah sulked.

  “More time to focus on your lessons. We can’t have you unable to read. We can’t have any children who aren’t able to read.” Jocelyn had been firm raising her daughter, even though managing the people’s affairs took the majority of her time.

  “What’s that?” Leah pointed south, where a massive flock of birds darkened the sky.

  “I don’t know. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “I think our friends have returned,” Leah said before spurring her horse onto the road and racing south.

  “Wait!” Jocelyn knew that she couldn’t hear. She bolted after her. The advisors were jerked from their reverie and encouraged their mounts to catch up.

  Jocelyn couldn’t catch her daughter until the young girl slowed. She turned toward her mother and smiled. Jocelyn was not happy. She had prepared a proper scolding as she rode, but Leah interrupted.

  “I hear them, Mother. Our friends are returning.”

  “Which friends?”

  “Braden and Micah, of course. The great flyers are with them.”

  “You mean the Hawkoids?”

  The young girl nodded emphatically.

  Jocelyn added to her daughter’s smile with one of her own. “What are we waiting for?” She tapped her mare’s ribs with her bootheels and the animal broke into a trot. The group headed south. “Please tell them that we’ll meet them soon.”

  The governor didn’t know how her daughter was able to talk with the sentient creatures. She only knew that she could, and that made her special in the best possible way.

  ‘The governor wants to meet with you,’ G-War said dryly.

  “How does she know we’re here?” Braden wondered.

  ‘Sometimes I wish you would think before you speak,’ G-War replied. ‘Accept that she knows you’re here and prepare yourself to meet her, which takes no preparation at all. I don’t know why I told you. You’re going to meet her on the road before we get to that dirty little town.’

  “He means Whitehorse,” Micah clarified.

  Braden hesitated to ask questions. “I hope they are doing well, but I have to wonder what they are doing down here.”

  Micah wondered that as well. She hoped they hadn’t found themselves in the middle of another power struggle. Maybe they were too late and had already missed the window of opportunity to stave off future wars. Her hand went to the hilt of her ever-present sword.

  “I don’t want to get into the middle of a fight. I left my bow in the hovercar along with the recharger for our blasters. Until it can join us, we are limited in what we can do.”

  “Don’t think the worst,” Micah said unconvincingly, although neither of them could do anything but.

  The Aurochs herd moved slowly across the grasslands. The Hawkoids flew in small groups, but still as one. The ‘cats were hyperaware of their surroundings.

  “It feels like we’re heading into battle. G, are you sensing an ambush?”

  ‘No,’ the ‘cat replied calmly. ‘We are appropriately intimidating. No one will cause us any problems, but into the vacuum we leave, others will rush. This could be good or bad. I will have to think on it and observe how the humans react.’

  “You won’t be alone. We’ll be watching, too, and I used to be good at reading people. I’m going to have to resurrect that skill, I think.”

  Micah nodded while she watched the shadows for movement, still not sure of what they were getting into.

  ‘The humans are on the road, five on horses,’ Skirill said, sharing the image in his mind with the others. ‘We see no others.’

  The King of the Aurochs ran faster, pounding the ground to make it shake. The rest of the herd followed suit. The Hawkoids flew in an ever-widening circle around the waiting group. Brandt slowed to a walk. Across a broad front, the Aurochs cleared the trees and approached the road.

  Leah leapt from her horse and ran toward the greatest of the creatures. G-War ran down Brandt’s face and jumped to the ground. The young girl dropped to a knee so she could be face to face with the ‘cat. Fea joined her mate.

  The horses skittered and pranced at the sight of the herd, but when they stopped, the horses calmed.

  Jocelyn was never alarmed. She slowly dismounted, handing the reins to one of the others.

  Micah leaned forward until she could grab one of Brandt’s horns. She swung agilely off his wide neck and landed lightly on the ground. Braden mirrored her movements.

  “What brings you down this way?” Braden asked without preamble.

  “I could ask you the same thing,” Jocelyn countered as she offered her hand. First Braden and then Micah took it.

  “You could,” Braden replied. “We’re here because G-War is on a mission to save humanity from itself. We believe in his cause, but it’ll take the resources of all the Hillcats. That’s where we’re headed. Or, in other words, business as usual.”

  Jocelyn laughed easily, her voice musical.

  The twins had climbed down from Bandria and now ran toward the newcomers.

  “I’m Ax and this is my sister ‘Tesh,” Axial told them. They two stood and watched the older child and the adults.

  “Hi,” was all Leah said. Jocelyn introduced herself.

  “I don’t think it could have been more opportune in having crossed paths. I’m doing some humanity-saving myself. At least that’s what I think I’m doing.”

  ‘Your concerns are well-founded. We will go with you and resolve them on our way to Ankhmar.’

  “What?” Braden said, suddenly alarmed. “How do you know that?”

  “I’m sure I can answer that,” Jocely
n replied. “There’s a group that is upsetting free trade by charging fees and strong-arming those who won’t pay.”

  Braden frowned. If anything galvanized Braden to action, it was the interruption of trade. “Do you need our help?”

  ‘It’s like I’m not even here,’ G-War said, looking at Braden. The Hillcat sat and exposed a paw full of long claws.

  “Sorry, G. You already said we were going. What do you say we get to it, Jocelyn.”

  She nodded before helping her daughter back onto her horse. Jocelyn climbed into the saddle of her own mount and motioned for her advisors to follow.

  They hadn’t said a word the entire time, and Jocelyn hadn’t introduced them. Braden wondered about that, but not for long.

  ‘She does not trust them, but we’re in the process of fixing that right now.’

  “I told G-War that I was behind him the whole way. That means I have to have faith that what he’s doing is best for us all. And I do. It feels like a weight is off my shoulders. I’m going to sit back and enjoy the scenery more.”

  Micah looked at him. “Of course you are.”

  Braden’s thoughts were troubled as he wondered about the curious advisors whom Jocelyn kept near but didn’t trust, and what G-War was doing about it.

  Who is in charge?

  Five horses with riders led the way as a herd of Aurochs followed.

  ‘It is killing you not to ask, isn’t it?’ G-War wondered. Braden started to laugh.

  “I appreciate that you appreciate that I haven’t asked.”

  ‘Two of my people are working the minds of the advisors. The good news is that they are not bad people, only self-serving. As ‘cats, we understand that mindset, but humans have to be less so. We have our volunteers who will join Jocelyn’s group. Her advisors will now be Servial and Alcatrix.’

  “Does she know?” Braden raised one eyebrow. “Will ‘cats be in all the positions of power throughout the known world?”