by CJ East
Kinch stepped back to the group. “A jail won’t work. Five people guarding five inmates in this environment without superior firepower is madness. You won’t be able to maintain the colony for more than six months before systems start breaking down.”
Venkat lifted his hand high as if asking permission to speak. “Pardon my correction, but you may not be aware more colonists are in transit.”
“Yes, Viktor told me there would be two national teams of colonists expected to orbit in five months. Astronauts and Cosmonauts, both military. When they awaken, their first emergency orders will be to blow the other guys out of orbit. You had better hope the winners of this contest aren’t the Russians. They might not approve of your treatment of their comrades.”
Sashenka stared at Kinch with her steel blue eyes. “You speak as if you are not going to be here. What can this mean? Where would you go? Back to her? Your telepath?”
A blush of embarrassment flushed his cheeks. He adjusted the dagger in belt. “An entire race of people are defenseless. The dragons will attack their stronghold looking for me. I’m the only one who can stop them.”
Her eyes burned through him. “So the prophet returns to save his people and be their king? How will you get there? Take the last rover?”
“You will see in a moment. I’ll leave so you all will know the truth, as much as you can accept.”
Venkat’s sad voice trembled a question. “What about your friends? Are you forsaking us for these Martians?”
“Look. If you all haven’t figured it out yet, let me lay it out. There is no return trip to Earth. If there are any governments at all, we are the absolute last priority in their apocalypse. We can’t stay here for the next fifty years.” He pointed to the floor. “There is a tropical biosphere down there comprising hundreds of square miles in what they call the “Small Dome”. You can reach the entrance at the Cliffs of Orestes in under twenty hours.”
Pushpa responded with a laugh. “Even if we did believe your story, you are not having a compelling argument to make the hazardous trip. You stated the population was under attack by dragons and defenseless without you. What about this invading army? This biosphere appears to be rather dangerous.”
“It is dangerous, but life is dangerous. Each of us braved danger to get here. We’re adventurers, not domesticated cattle. You can be part of the greatest discovery mankind will ever hope to make. Or you can be safe and measure your life by ticking chalk marks on your cell walls.” He looked at Sashenka with pleading eyes. “Listen. I don’t yet understand it, but I know there is good there. The people following The Way, they practice love, peace and joy regardless of the danger. Come with me on the greatest adventure of your life.”
She was paralyzed by the directness of his offer. She looked to the others. Blank faces searched scanned for a reaction.
Kinch turned to the wall and spoke to Pythia with his inner voice. “Let’s go back to the king’s room in the Coccino palace.”
“Not so quickly. You almost killed us with your last attempt. I will get us to the familiarity of the king’s room.”
Kinch looked back to Venkat. “Hop up and toss my ear buds from the table. There may be something on there very important.” Kinch caught the small packet thrown over his head. He addressed Pushpa, knowing the decision would rest with her. “Don’t bring any technology, the barrier fries all electronics. Someone will be waiting for you on the other side of the blue door.”
A question appeared on the Doctor’s face. “But, those ear buds are electronic.”
He faced the wall and relaxed his mind. “I’m not passing through customs.”
Pythia advanced her dark cloud to the forefront of his mind. The feeling of movement tingled through his body as it burned a golden glow.
Pythia hissed a stern command. “Follow me!”
Kinch stepped forward and a gentle pop startled the colonists as if it were a bomb blast.
Kinch tarried a moment longer, searching their faces for a reassurance of the strength they needed to follow him to Middle Mars. He saw the fragile strength of Sashenka blooming like a titanium rosebud. He could count on her.
He turned to the wall with a familiar smirk, stepped forward, and disappeared before their eyes.
A gentle pop startled the colonists as if another bomb blast had ripped through the colony.
Post Script
Thank you for reading Orphans of Middle Mars. Below is a link to voice your reviews on Amazon. Please help the community of readers with your opinions as they consider purchasing this book. There is a link below to sign up for the email list. By signing up, you will receive a free download of the next release in The Chronicles of Middle Mars. In the second book, with the safety of the colonists secured, Kinch returns to the aid of the Coccino under the unwelcomed titles of Prophet and King.
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