Southern Discontent (Free Trader Series Book 7)

by Craig Martelle

  Cygnus Standing and Rainy Forest appeared from the darkness. Braden had told them to stay clear. They hadn’t listened as they crept closer and closer to the village during the fight.

  “It’s over,” Braden told them. Pounding hooves marked the arrival of the Aurochs. Gable slid to a stop and Micah vaulted from him. She hit, rolled, came upright, and ran into Braden’s arms.

  Recovery

  The Android stood by the tank, staring into the gel. It turned and walked with purpose toward the doorway. Tom and Zeller jumped off the gurney and followed. Zeller had never sheathed her blade. She carried it before her.

  In case it was needed to deal with another Android. “I hate these things,” she said within earshot of the creation.

  “You join Braden and me. If Neeson were awake, I expect he’d be a vocal member of the club.”

  It walked down the corridor a short way before entering a side room. Tom rushed forward and held the door while Zeller jumped to the middle of the corridor, assuming her fighting stance. The storage locker contained towels, perfectly folded and neatly arranged. The Android lifted a stack from the shelf, turned, and headed back toward the medical facility. It ignored its human shadows.

  “Hey!” Tom yelled. The Android stopped and turned its head to the side, listening. “What are you doing?”

  “The Hillcat called Neeson is almost finished. I am preparing to towel the gel from him before he gets rinsed and dried.”

  “We’re almost done?”

  “The rest of the procedure will take approximately fifteen minutes.”

  “That’s a relief. Don’t let us stop you,” Zeller replied.

  “You already have.” The Android faced the front and continued on its way.

  Tom ground his teeth, but followed. Zeller joined them.

  The Android unfolded two of the towels and placed them on the table. It carefully lifted Neeson from the tank and laid him gently on the towels. It removed the mask from around the ‘cat’s head, then toweled the majority of the gel from his fur. Tom looked sideways at how straggly the ‘cat looked. He also appeared to have lost weight, but that could have been the matted fur.

  In a space to the side, the Android put Neeson in a human-sized tub. He looked small, almost like a baby. It pulled at Tom’s heartstrings. The Android held Neeson’s head in one hand as he rinsed him using a tool that looked like a brush but sprayed water from its bristles. The Android worked efficiently.

  Neeson remained unconscious as the Android carried him back to the table where the final two towels were folded. It wrapped the ‘cat and briskly rubbed him. The final stage was a fan that blew warm, dry air onto the table where Neeson was lying, sphinx-like.

  The last thing the Android did was to pop a small capsule and wave it in front of the ‘cat’s nose. Neeson’s eyes slowly opened.

  ‘I feel different,’ he admitted.

  “Time to go, buddy. Not spending one extra heartbeat in this place.” Tom picked the ‘cat up. “You lost weight.”

  Tom and Zeller turned to the Android. “It was an easy addition to the procedure. Holly said it was necessary to return the Hillcat to his pre-injury condition.”

  Tom reluctantly held out his hand. The Android looked at it without taking it. Tom shrugged. “Just want to say thank you. I’m sorry that we had a run-in with some of your kind.”

  “I think you believe that I have motivations beyond my programming. I assure you that my purpose is different from the purpose of other Androids. I know what I am supposed to do. If you get injured in any way, I will be here, ready to do what I am programmed to do. The equipment will be cleaned and ready as it has been for the past thousand years and will continue to be that way for the next thousand years.”

  “I believe you,” Tom replied.

  Zeller was first out the door, sword held before her. She headed straight for the elevator, summoned it with her badge, and looked tentatively inside to make sure it was empty. Once Tom and Neeson were aboard, she gave it instructions on where to go. “Deck Ten, lowest level.”

  The doors closed and the elevator started down.

  ***

  Brandt chased the curious away by swinging his massive horns back and forth as he walked around Braden and Micah. G-War vaulted from the roof of the building, landed on Brandt’s back, and jumped to the ground. He raced to Fealona and the two ‘cats intertwined their bodies as they rubbed against each other.

  “I’ll be damned,” Braden said, watching over Micah’s shoulder.

  “How could you not know?” she asked.

  “Know what?”

  “Hopeless!” she declared. “You are hopeless. So what’s the plan?”

  “Ax? ‘Tesh?” Braden asked.

  “In Southport with an army of bodyguards.”

  Strider and Bounder nuzzled as Bronwyn stood, uncomfortably trying not to look at anyone. She settled for talking with Brandt.

  Treetis strutted through the area until Bronwyn scooped him up and cradled him in her arms.

  ‘Thank you for being a hero to us all, once again, but this time, you don’t have scars as a reminder of your bravery,’ she trilled softly into his mind.

  ‘It’s what I do,’ he replied. She smirked at his bravado before lifting him to the King’s face, where he walked up to assume his position on the Aurochs’ head.

  “Grab the spears and let’s go.”

  “What about us?” someone called out.

  “What about the fire?” someone else shouted.

  Braden held Micah’s hand, and together, they addressed the onlookers. “We didn’t start the fire and we didn’t raid someone else’s village to steal their property. We owe your village nothing.” Braden clenched and unclenched his fist.

  Micah stepped forward. “You’ve been led astray by someone who promised power. That person and his inner circle are now gone. You have to take control of your destiny. That means making amends with the people of Southport. It means establishing Dunk’s Town as a self-sufficient community. Put yourselves on the new trade route and find what you can provide, trade with others, grow, become more than you ever thought possible.”

  “How do we do that? We have nothing.” One man stood in front of the others.

  ‘G?’ Braden asked.

  ‘He was one of the raiders,’ the ‘cat replied. ‘He doesn’t know any other way.’

  “You went north, raided Livestel. How did you know? You traveled that whole way and then came back.”

  “We hunt for food. Nothing can live on the grass of the plains. It’s poison.”

  Braden looked at Brandt.

  “If you can hunt, you can trade. How about fish for venison? How about a way to smoke the meat, season it. How about wood-working? Few people have access to the good wood that you do.” Braden looked into the forest. Many trees were burning, but many more were not. Without a wind, the natural breaks were keeping the fire contained.

  “I’ve seen the construction of these buildings. Your people are gifted. There are many north of the Amazon who would trade well for someone to build nice homes for them. You could bring back wagonloads of food, clothing, and nice things for your families.”

  “We’ll have to think about that,” the man said, but the curl of his lip was gone. The hostility in the crowd was dissipating.

  “You can do whatever you want, except make war. We can never allow that. We can never allow the theft of weapons, especially Old Tech. You see the problems that will cause. I hate bringing the thunder. I would much rather be at home with my family.”

  Micah nodded and walked away. The choice was theirs if they wanted to join a greater society, one of free trade.

  “Load up the spears, separate them between the four Aurochs, and let’s go.” Micah waved her arm in the air to signal that it was time to leave.

  Bronwyn, the Wolfoids, and Micah separated the spears, tied them in small bundles, and passed them around. With the Aurochs’ consent, the group climbed aboard and left the villagers
to their own thoughts and conversations.

  They also left them with the responsibility to bury their dead.

  “They brought it on themselves,” Micah reasoned. Braden agreed.

  “I expect we’ll hear from them soon. They’ll show up in Southport with hat in hand. We’ll make sure that we send extra. Gailey will be ready for them. Nothing like a good meal to make people fans of trade.”

  “What do you think, G?” Braden asked.

  ‘I think Fea and I need some alone time,’ the ‘cat replied.

  “You sound like me,” Braden said.

  ‘Where do you think I learned it from? It doesn’t change the truth.’

  “No, it doesn’t, little man.” Braden hugged Micah as they rode on Brandt, with Aadi hanging onto one of Braden’s pack straps. G-War had chased Treetis away so he and Fea could ride together. The scraggly orange ‘cat sulked until Bronwyn had him join her on Cragmore. Bounder and Strider rode together on Tally. Gable carried the two pups, staying close to Tally, because they were friends and would remain together in Southport.

  The Hawkoids had taken flight and flown southwest in the intermittent moonlight. They agreed to meet the others at the ship.

  “I can’t wait to go home,” Braden admitted.

  “Maybe we can take a different route home,” Micah answered mysteriously.

  ***

  The elevator doors opened to the empty corridor they’d first passed through. They took a left and started walking, no longer conscious of how they’d adjusted to the ship’s spin while walking.

  ‘I feel good. I can walk,’ Neeson said.

  “Hold on,” Tom told Zeller. She stopped to watch as Tom slowly put the ‘cat on all fours. Neeson took a few steps, jumped into the air, and then jumped higher. He bolted toward the door to engineering, drifting to the side until he bounced off the wall. He didn’t care. He adjusted and accelerated. He didn’t slow when he reached the end, but leapt into the air and kicked off, racing back toward Tom and Zeller.

  The two held hands as they walked toward him, lifting them as he flew beneath. He ran nearly to the other end of the corridor, almost a full kilometer, before turning and running back. He caught up to Tom and Zeller as they opened the door. Neeson’s chest heaved with his efforts.

  “It is good to have you back,” Tom told the ‘cat.

  ‘It is good to be back,’ Neeson replied. ‘I’m sorry for all of it, for being a burden when I couldn’t fend for myself. I will make it up to you.’

  “A burden?” Tom looked skeptical. “It’s what friends do for each other. What do you say we get back in the matter transfer chamber and go home? I don’t know about you, but I could use a good puke.”

  Zeller elbowed the big blacksmith in the ribs.

  He looked back sheepishly. “You know we’re gonna.”

  “I guess so. My stomach already hurts.”

  ‘I’m oh for one in that department,’ Neeson stated. ‘Because I’m a ‘cat and we’re better at some things, maybe most things.’

  “Humility being your greatest trait.” Tom put Neeson over his shoulder as he climbed the ladder from the catwalk down to the engineering deck. “Are we supposed to wait for the scientists?”

  Zeller shrugged, pulled the comm device, and called Holly.

  “They won’t be returning for a while as they are starting to work with the systems in order to bring the ship back to life. They are taking the first steps in humanity’s return to space.”

  “But we’re already in space,” Zeller answered.

  “To explore further, Free Trader Zeller. Go beyond the boundaries of the Traveler and see what’s out there.”

  “You can count us out, Holly.” Tom gave Zeller the thumbs up before she continued. “Fire up the mat trans. We’re coming home.”

  Parting Ways

  Bronwyn sat tall on Cragmore. Treetis sat next to her. Zeeka circled lazily overhead. The King of the Aurochs was nearby, holding his head proudly as he watched the herd graze.

  “Preening?” Braden whispered.

  “Oh yeah,” Micah replied. A number of young men stood in a row. The Rabbits were trying to explain via Bronwyn what the farmers needed to do, but the men only had eyes for the willowy young woman. She was trying not to smile as she repeated what the Rabbits were saying, giving the young men their instructions.

  The twins held onto their parents while the Wolfoids gnawed on great slices of salmon jerky that the twins had discovered the Warden’s fabricators could produce.

  Gailey stood next to Vii’s first couple.

  “You have to leave?” she asked.

  “We do,” Micah replied, “but the Aurochs and Bronwyn will remain, along with Treetis and Zeeka.”

  “Treetis and Zeeka?”

  “That regal Hillcat and the Hawkoid circling overhead.”

  Treetis tried to act like he didn’t know they were talking about him.

  G-War and Fea pranced impatiently. “What?”

  ‘I’m really not sure you humans can be in charge of anything. You make a dog’s breakfast out of it all!’ the ‘cat retorted.

  “I don’t know how to answer that, G. I think we do okay, but your advice is always appreciated. Just like the sage words that Aadi shares.” Braden tipped his head at the Tortoid.

  ‘It is settled then,’ Aadi replied.

  “What is settled?” Braden wondered aloud, feeling more and more like he’d missed a meeting.

  ‘I shall go with Brandt and one of the cows as we return north with the Wolfoids and their spears. We will collect the wagon from where we hid it and return to New Sanctuary by way of Livestel.’

  “Damn. I did miss a meeting. Where was I?”

  “Oversleeping,” Micah replied.

  He did like the bed in the captain’s quarters. It reminded him of the presidential suite’s bed in New Sanctuary.

  “That leaves …” Braden looked around and started counting as he pointed. “Us, G-War, Fea, Skirill, Zyena, and it looks like that’s all who are coming with us on the ship.”

  “I think Chester and Hope will be joining us.”

  “Who?”

  “Future Free Traders. They only need someone to guide them.” Micah knew how to convince Braden.

  “Sounds good. I think your parents are going to be surprised when we pull up in the Warden.”

  “Just a lot.”

  Micah and Braden shook hands with Gailey, wished her well, and headed for the ship.

  Bronwyn and the Rabbits waved good-bye. Bronwyn thought about her new role as the anchor of the southernmost point on the expanding trade route. Southport needed a central market with stalls, a place to park wagons, keep horses, livestock, Aurochs companions, houses for visitors, and so much more.

  Is this what it’s like to be an adult? She scowled before realizing that the young men were watching. She smiled back at them, and they sighed in relief. I’m going to like being an adult.

  ***

  Tom and Zeller held their stomachs after the post-transfer power-puking. Neeson waited until he could jump to a clear spot on the floor of the matter transfer chamber. The wall slid to the side and they walked out, picking up their pace on their way to the elevator. They kept drifting sideways as they walked.

  “This is new,” Tom said, his lip curling in disgust.

  They reached the elevator and punched the button for the top floor. They waited until it arrived and then ran from it, opened the door, and shamelessly bolted into the sunshine.

  Tom picked Zeller up and swung her in a circle. “That wasn’t so bad. Maybe we can go up there on vacation?”

  She punched him in the chest and laughed.

  “No way in hell I’m ever going back there.”

  “Never say never. If you got hurt, I’d carry you up all those stairs so they could make you better.”

  “I believe you would.” Zeller pointed over Tom’s shoulder and he put her down. Neeson growled low in his throat as he saw a small domestic rabbit. He t
ore into the undergrowth. The ‘cat’s scream announced to the world that he’d made a kill.

  ***

  “Take us out, Holly,” Micah ordered. Braden leaned over the railing. Hope and Chester were on deck, beaming and waving at the small crowd gathered on the pier. The old man sat in his usual spot, fishing. His pole bent and he set the hook before dragging his catch in.

  He held it up for those on the ship to see, nodding once. When he looked at the biggest fish he’d ever caught from the pier, he thought he saw bite marks on its side.

  Chlora and Rhodi appeared next to the Warden as it slipped out to sea. They chittered happily before swimming up the well deck. Rex waited in deeper waters.

  ‘South, my friends! We are heading south on our way to the Eastern Ocean!’ Axial told them.

  This is the end of Free Trader 7 – Southern Discontent

  If you liked it, please leave a review – buyers look at books with a single digit number of reviews with skepticism, so please, drop a few kind words for the Free Trader:). And I’ll start Free Trader 8 as soon as I have at least ten (10) reviews of Southern Discontent.

  Blurb:

  All he ever wanted was free trade. Instead, the raiders brought war.

  Braden and Micah bring the band back together to recover stolen Old Tech. They find a new community, robust, but challenged. Will free trade solve their problems, or will the raiders continue to assert control?

  Holly has an opinion, too. The chase begins, Wolfoids, Hillcats, Tortoids, Hawkoids, and Aurochs all get involved when it comes to restoring peace on Cygnus VII.

  The Free Trader returns in the seventh installment of the Free Trader!

  Bonus Content!

  This is the original outline that I wrote for this story a long time ago. You’ll see that I deviated it from it a bit as the story unfolded. Sometimes we need to limit the side tendrils and other distractions. You get to see what I thought of the story in the summer of 2017 and what the final product looked like in the winter of 2018. There will be typos and misspellings and bad grammar, but it’s the rough draft outline. I hope you like seeing into my process.