The capsule broke Frostfire’s orbit and sank beneath the same dense bank of cloud it had before.
Ghost Fort was visible against the Hanoi Range within seconds. Before Charley could work out if it was the same day or not the capsule had landed on the upper rampart again. Her instincts told her it was the same day, only now it was around noon. Jack must have been wondering where she was.
The side of the capsule slid open and Charley stepped out gingerly, still a little giddy from her whirlwind trip.
She looked up at Vinnie, who showed no sign of following her out.
Charley suddenly panicked, sensing she wasn’t going to see Vinnie again for some time.
“Why did you show me that?” she asked quickly.
“The Master has chosen,” Vinnie said. “The Master wishes you to choose also.”
“Choose what?” Charley asked.
“Choose between humans,” Vinnie said. “Or the Vom.”
And then it all made sense. “That golden spire - that was an alien warship. Whoever the Vom are, they’re preparing to attack humans. That’s why Emperor Galactus came to Frostfire.”
A blizzard of thoughts filled Charley’s mind. If Galactus was out here to set up a defensive perimeter, Charley and the rebels had done an excellent job of confounding his plans.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Vinnie said with a smile. “The Master believes you have chosen well so far. Be careful who you choose to serve, Charley.”
The capsule closed over Vinnie and shot into the air. Within seconds it had disappeared into the low cloud. Its noiseless travel was eerie and discomforting.
Charley shivered against the cold. What did it all mean? She could only assume that Vinnie’s “Master” was the ancient, sentient jellyfish on Bonesse. A creature that knew about this other species called the Vom. A species preparing to wipe humans out of existence. But Vinnie had advised Charley to “choose”, Choose what? The enemy? Charley had no love for the Imperials, having just battled with them for control of Frostfire. But if Vinnie believed she could turn her back on humanity, he was sorely mistaken.
The burning question in all this was why the ancient creature, Vinnie’s Master, had taken such an interest in her?
Did this creature intend to protect Charley if she chose to help the Vom?
All she could do was wait and see what transpired. With a rush of clarity she realized she would do what she had become accustomed to - follow her heart as a pirate. The answers would come. She just needed to let events flow toward her.
Hugging herself against the cold, she returned to the warmth of the keep. Her castle. Her home.
Something told her that she should enjoy it while she could.
Also by Blue Orchid Books:
AEGIS COLONY:
The Sands of Osiris (Book 1)
http://www.amazon.com/Sands-Osiris-Aegis-Colony-ebook/dp/B00SRGECZS
The Jungles of Verdano
http://www.amazon.com/The-Jungles-Verdano-Aegis-Colony-ebook/dp/B0158SLBEC
The Ice of Solitude
http://www.amazon.com/The-Ice-Solitude-Aegis-Colony-ebook/dp/B0179O73ZO
THE SPACE PIRATE CHRONICLES:
The Space Pirate (Book 1)
http://www.amazon.com/Space-Pirate-Rags---Riches-Saga-ebook/dp/B01895UW0K
The Pirate Captain (Book 2)
http://www.amazon.com/Pirate-Captain-Rags---Riches-Saga-ebook/dp/B0190IYZBC
The Pirate Commander (Book 3)
http://www.amazon.com/Pirate-Commander-Space-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B019S3IXNK
THE FLUX AGE:
The Lycan Society (Book 1)
http://www.amazon.com/Lycan-Society-Flux-Age-Book-ebook/dp/B0129QVD4E
The Pirate Commander (The Space Pirate Chronicles Book 3) Page 13