by Will Crudge
“This is Lance Corporal Lisa, the team’s laser and optics operator.” Kara says. I shake her hand as well. Then I turn to the last Soldier standing there. He’s a younger man than Thomas, but not by much.
“Lastly, we have PFC Todd. He’s the team’s coms operator, known as an RTO.” Hand shaking commences, and then I turn to Kara.
“I’m sure you’ll be eager to see a few familiar faces, won’t you?” I say with a wink.
David, Kelley, and Jefe walk out of the crowd of looming commandos, and approach their commanding officer with open arms. Smiles abound, and they all proceed to exchange warm greetings. Even the stone-faced Fisters join in.
“I’ll need my love too, dear!” Shade, the mighty grandma panther appears out of nowhere, and approaches Kara. Kara’s eyes light up, and she reaches down to embrace the massive cat.
“I can’t believe you all came!” Kara says with tears in her eyes.
“Believe it, dear!” Shade says, as she closes her eyes to enjoy the warm embrace of Kara’s arms.
An hour later…
Kara and I sit alone in the CIC. All the others have gone off to their assigned posts, or gone down to the brig to finish debriefing the captives. I’ve elected to dress down to some simple lose fitting clothing, and Kara has changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top.
Kara kicks her bare feet up on the arm rest of the command chair, and just listens to me blab about our mission. I eventually arrive to the point of the story where she saved my ass, and I trail off.
“Darius was smart to send you!” She says. “I sense something in you… something that can’t be taught in a training temple, I suppose. I’ve only got a smidgeon of your genetics, so I wouldn’t know for sure, but I can tell you’ve walked a separate path than the rest of your kind.”
She’s a sharp one. She probably didn’t know too much about me before she disappeared into the black, so I assume she’s speaking from intuition.
“My path was very different, but that’s a story for another time.” I say with a more serious tone. “What interests me, is what path you’ve taken, as of late!”
Kara curls her lips back. I get the sensation that her story is going to be one for the record books.
I hate it when I’m right!
She goes on to explain that they had taken some damage from their blind jump, and it had taken a herculean effort to come back out into normal space.
By the time they’d gotten their primary systems back on line, they realized they were in uncharted space… Uncharted, but not unaccompanied…
Before she can get down to the meat of her story, the CIC blast door slides open abruptly. The CIC stays dimly lit, as a rule. It makes the displays more prominent, and keeps the command crew focused on task. But that means the well-lit corridor beyond tends to blind you when the door opens.
I see a bulky shadow standing in the threshold, and it silently comes into the CIC. My superior vision helps me focus on the form quickly, and before I know it, I’m standing with my fists drawn.
The Mwargoth seems to hover silently, and stares at me with its life-less eyes. Kara’s face fills my field of vision, and she pushes my fists down with her palms.
“No, Kat!” She shouts. “He’s here to help us! All of us!” She says sternly. I glare into her eyes, and something inside me resonates her words with my own sense of truth.
I step back slowly. Kara waits for a moment, and then steps back. The creature hadn’t moved. Its squid-like tentacles dangle loosely, and I can only guess it means it’s assuming a non-threatening posture.
“Why is this – thing - on my ship?” I say coldly while I shoot a look of utter distain at the monster.
“His name is Epilates… And he’s humanity’s best hope for survival!” Kara says with reverence.
At this point you may be wondering what I’m wondering. I look it up and down. Thoughts and questions fill my mind, and I almost feel the need to stretch my awareness into interdimensional space to satisfy my deepest query…
Does this thing have a penis?
The End
Katherine and Marbles are finished with their adventure. Their story may be over, but it won’t be the last you’ll hear from them!
Please also follow me on Facebook for news and updates, so you’ll be in the know, as far as when they will return to face down new enemies!
Please leave an honest review on Amazon, so other like-minded readers can join in on the fun! Thank you!
Haven’t read the War for Humanity Saga? Want to do it while saving money? No problem! You can grab the Omnibus Extended Edition. Read all three core novels and both companion stories while saving a bundle!
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-Will Crudge, Pendleton 2018
THE BOOKS OF HUMANITY WEAPON
War for Humanity
- Book 1: Sovereign Protocol: A Soldier’s Rise
- Book 2: The Battle of Tangine
- Book 3: United Front
- Kara’s Flight – Saga Companion Story #1
- Broadsword – Saga Companion Story #2
-Omnibus: Extended Edition (All five books in one! Save BIG!)
War Master Candidate
- Book 1: Katherine: The Monster Within
- Book 2: Katherine: Forged in Exile
- Book 3: Katherine: I Am Vengeance
- Book 4: Katherine: A Woman At War
- Book 5: Katherine: War Master
THE BOOKS OF HUMANITY WEAPON
War for Humanity
- Book 1: Sovereign Protocol: A Soldier’s Rise
- Book 2: The Battle of Tangine
- Book 3: United Front
- Kara’s Flight – Saga Companion Story #1
- Broadsword – Saga Companion Story #2
War Master Candidate
- Book 1: Katherine: The Monster Within
- Book 2: Katherine: Forged in Exile
- Book 3: Katherine: I Am Vengeance
- Book 4: Katherine: A Woman At War
- Book 5: Katherine: War Master
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Will Crudge is a long-time military vet, and a devoted family man.
He shares his home with his beloved wife, his amazing daughters, a cat, and a dog. He also shares headspace with his insanity. Although most people suffer from mental illness, but Will enjoys every minute of it!
