Rogue Colony (Galaxy Mavericks Book 6)

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Rogue Colony (Galaxy Mavericks Book 6) Page 14

by Michael La Ronn


  “I’m coming!” Tatiana Russo cried. “I’m coming!”

  “What took you so long?” Greta asked.

  “I’m so sorry,” Tatiana said, panting. “Florian asked for double French fries, but the chef had to start another batch. And the bakery across the court had just put their bread in the oven…”

  “Never mind,” Greta said. She folded her arms and walked to a picnic table overlooking the ocean.

  Tatiana followed and struggled under the weight of the bags.

  The table was covered in crumbs. Greta sat down at the table and Florian sat opposite her.

  Tatiana reached into one of her bags and pulled out a napkin, brushing off the crumbs with her hand in an awkward motion, the bags rustling.

  Then she set the bags on the table, panting, and she pulled out small bottles of hand sanitizer, handing them to Greta and Florian, who poured a liberal amount of fluid on their hands before rubbing them. Then Tatiana opened the bags and produced a crinkled white paper sack, opened it and set a turkey sandwich in front of Greta along with a can of sparkling water. Greta began eating immediately. Then she unfolded a salad bowl and set it in front of Florian.

  “Salad!” Florian cried. “Mama, no!”

  “I don’t want you eating any gluten on this trip, not with your sensitivity,” Greta said. “Besides, every time you eat greasy food, you get tired,” Greta said. “We’ve got a long day ahead of us and we don’t have anyone to carry you.”

  Tatiana reached into the final bag and smiled. She pulled out a box with a chocolate ice cream sandwich.

  “I figured you would want something sweet,” she said.

  Florian’s eyes widened. He snatched the sandwich from her, ripped the box open and brought the sandwich to his mouth. Then he looked over at his mother, who was giving him a death stare.

  “It is gluten-free,” Tatiana said.

  “Well, if you’re not going to listen,” Greta said, “go ahead and eat it. But don’t complain to me or Tati later that you’re tired.”

  Florian bit into the sandwich. Its chocolate, creamy gooeyness felt like velvet in his mouth, and soon crumbs and cream were all over his face as he devoured it.

  Tatiana sat down and tried to catch her breath. She rubbed her knees.

  “I think you forgot mustard for your sandwich,” Greta said, halfway done with her meal.

  Tatiana grabbed her turkey sandwich, pilfered through the bags and then sighed.

  “You really should have just grabbed a little of everything at the condiment table,” Greta said.

  “I’m sorry,” Tatiana said, bowing her head.

  “It’s all right,” Greta said. “It’s your sandwich, not mine, and we don’t have time for you to go back. Besides, after all you’ve been through today, your deserve a rest. With Florian’s meltdown at the aquarium and what not, your behavior is the only bright spot on this trip so far.”

  “Will Miss Annaliese be joining us?” Tatiana asked.

  “No,” Greta said. A harshness in her tone prevented Tatiana from saying any more.

  Tatiana unwrapped her sandwich and gave Greta a knowing look. Deep down, Florian guessed she was probably sighing with relief. One less person to have to take care of.

  Florian looked down at his salad and scoffed.

  “Eat,” Tatiana said. “It’s not so bad. I promise it will be filling.”

  Florian speared a clump of arugula and groaned.

  Tatiana was his nanny, hired from a middle class family back home. She was more like an older sister to Florian, taking him to school and doing his laundry and helping him with his homework. Sometimes they got along; other times, they fought incessantly because she always tried to stop Florian from doing what every normal nine year-old did: wreck havoc. She was one of the few constants in his life.

  A ship horn cut through the air. Down a hill nearby, a ferry landed in the dock, and a group of people crowded toward the ship.

  “We better go,” Greta said, standing. “It’s the last ferry of the day and we have an hour drive to Karen Beach.”

  Florian chewed a handful of salad. Tasted like crap. He was grateful for the interruption. Maybe he could sneak in a snack on the ferry. Surely it had to have a concession stand.

  Tatiana packed up his salad and put it in a bag.

  “Come on, let’s go,” Greta said. “They don’t have a first class, so we’ll have to hope it’s not standing room only.”

  They started down the sidewalk, passing through a seaside market. Seagulls wheeled overhead and several vendors in wooden stands sold fruit and drinks to passersby.

  In the shadows between two stands, he saw a man in a stocking cap leaned against a wall. He had a beard and his arms were folded. His face was unshaven, and his air was severe.

  A shiver went through Florian as their eyes met.

  Tatiana grabbed his hand.

  “We have to hurry!” she said, pulling him along.

  When he looked back, the man was gone.

  ***

  They stood in a long line to the ferry.

  “We weren’t fast enough,” Greta said. “I hope we’ll be able to board.”

  Tatiana craned her head to get a better look at the crowd.

  “I think we’ll be okay,” she said. “I read that the ferry rarely turns anyone away during the off-season.”

  Florian secretly hoped the ferry would turn them away.

  “I am excited to visit Mr. Macalestern’s birth and resting place,” Tatiana said. “He was always good to me and I would like to pay my tribute.”

  “Jan was good to you,” Greta said. “The town where he was born—you’ll absolutely love it, Tati. And the shopping we’ll be able to do!”

  Florian didn’t want to think about his dad.

  How cancer had taken him.

  Suddenly.

  One moment his dad was normal, working with Aunt Annaliese in the family company, and then…six months later, he was on a ventilator, unable to speak.

  Florian hadn’t been able to give him a proper goodbye.

  His mom had never been the same.

  And now he was going to visit the place where his dad grew up…

  He couldn’t get the image of his dad’s ventilator out of his mind, how he held his dad’s hand and told him not to leave.

  But then the ferry horn blared again and Greta took Florian by the shoulder and brought her close to him.

  “Jan would be touched that we’re here,” Greta said. “It’s going to be hard for me to see the grave. I…I…”

  “It’s okay, Mama,” Florian said. “I’ll hold your hand.”

  He took his mother’s hand.

  Tatiana took Greta’s other hand and smiled.

  Greta laughed. “I have the best family in the world, don’t I? If only Annaliese was here, then it would be perfect.”

  The line moved slowly toward the ferry. As they neared, Florian spotted a dark figure sitting on a rail next to the line.

  It was the man from earlier.

  Florian instinctively moved toward his mother.

  Tatiana didn’t notice.

  “Looks like we’ll get on easily,” Tatiana said. She pointed to a screen on the top of the ferry which read 50 seats still left.

  Greta sighed. “Thank God.”

  Did they notice the man?

  Probably not.

  He wanted to say something.

  Point at him.

  Call the police.

  But his mother wouldn’t believe him. After all, he wasn’t doing anything but sitting on the rail minding his own business.

  A lump caught in Florian’s throat.

  He stared at the man. The man noticed the stare and furrowed his brow.

  Florian didn’t take his eyes off the man.

  Clearly it annoyed the stranger. He hopped down off the rail.

  They made it to the ticket attendant, and Greta opened her purse.

  And then a dark shape passed between her and Florian.<
br />
  The man.

  He grabbed Greta’s purse, which was hooked around her shoulder.

  Greta gasped.

  Florian yelled.

  The man grunted and said “Hand it over, rich bitch.”

  Greta fought back, pulling the purse.

  But the man’s grip was too strong. Greta collapsed to the ground and soon, the man was dashing down the dock.

  “Stop him!” Florian cried.

  Tatiana helped Greta up. Greta pulled Florian in close.

  “Call the police, Tati,” Greta said.

  Florian trembled.

  He saw the purse in the man’s hand as he ran.

  He took off after the man.

  “Florian!” Greta cried. “Florian, stop!”

  But he kept running.

  Want to read the rest? Grab your copy of Orbital Decay at your favorite retailer by visiting: www.books2read.com/orbitaldecay.

  ABOUT MICHAEL LA RONN

  Science fiction and fantasy on the wild side!

  Michael La Ronn is the author of many science fiction and fantasy novels including The Last Dragon Lord, Android X, and Eaten series.

  In 2012, a life-threatening illness made him realize that storytelling was his #1 passion. He’s devoted his life to writing ever since, making up whatever story makes him fall out of his chair laughing the hardest. Every day.

  To get updates when he releases new work + other bonuses, sign up by visiting this link: www.michaellaronn.com/list.

  To support Michael on Patreon, visit www.patreon.com/michaellaronn.

  Connect with Michael

  www.michaellaronn.com

  [email protected]

  ALSO BY MICHAEL LA RONN

  Android X Series

  Android Paradox

  Android Deception

  Android Winter

  Eaten Series

  Season 1

  Season 2

  Season 3

  Nutrizeen

  The Last Dragon Lord Series

  Old Dark

  Old Evil

  Old Wicked

  Modern Necromancy Series

  Death Marked

  Death Bound

  Death Crowned

  Sword Bear Chronicles Series

  Theo and the Festival of Shadows

  Theo and the Solstice of Dreams

  Decision Select Novels Series

  How to Be Bad

  Short Story Collections

  Reconciled People

  LEARN MORE:

  www.michaellaronn.com/books

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Author's Note

  Preview of Book 7, Orbital Decay

  About Michael La Ronn

  Also by Michael La Ronn

 

 

 


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