Free the North! (Free Trader Series Book 5)

by Craig Martelle

  The King was on his side, taking all the pressure off his knee. Braden got up and used his water flask to pour water through the knee brace. It cooled as it evaporated. Once dry, Braden did it again. He kept at it until he couldn’t stay awake anymore. His efforts helped them both.

  They drank heartily of their water, before Braden realized they’d go through it all in less than three turns. Since they didn’t expect to get to the Oasis 02 by morning, they needed to start conserving. Otherwise they’d arrive with no water left. If anything was wrong with the water at the oasis, then they’d be without and have to try to make it back to Oasis 01. He thought he’d keep it to himself, but knew that everyone had just heard his loud thoughts.

  Better that they know. No more water than they needed and when the time came, they’d head out as fast as they could go.

  As the sun was setting, they collapsed and packed the tent in no time at all. They harnessed Arnie and headed out, hoping that the terrain cooperated and that they’d make it to the oasis before sunrise.

  Halfway through the night, they knew they had no chance of making it. They were probably only going to cover half the distance. Brandt’s knee was starting to swell again, requiring Braden to loosen the straps on his brace. Everyone was unhappy, but at least G-War stopped complaining. Brandt probably threatened his small orange life. Braden didn’t care what brought the annoying noise to a stop, just that it stopped.

  That wasn’t to say the Golden Warrior wasn’t miserable. He was, probably more so than anyone besides Brandt. They traveled together in the dark, G-War using his eyes to keep the Aurochs from stepping where he shouldn’t. Brandt soldiered on, despite the agony he had to be in.

  They stopped early, counting on falling asleep before it became too hot so they could rest longer and better. It took them a while to set up the tent as they were tired, thirsty, and in foul moods. The trip so far had been short, but they all suffered in different ways.

  ‘My fellow companions,’ Aadi started, using a soothing tone for his thought voice. ‘The Great Desert is my home. For me, it is comforting to be here, but for others, the desert is harsh and unforgiving. Accept that you will never master it. You can only hope to survive it, every time you travel here.’

  The others stopped what they were doing and looked at the Tortoid, giving him their full attention.

  ‘I never imagined such things as you seem to do with great regularity, Master Braden. You defeated the desert when you had nothing. You now have everything, but the desert continues to fight you. Don’t let it win! Only through force of will can you best this wasteland. No amount of Old Tech will hold the desert at bay. Just you and your stubborn refusal to quit,’ Aadi ended. He floated downward and started digging his sleeping hole as if nothing had happened.

  Nothing had. The companions needed to do what they always did: whatever they had to in order to win. Braden crawled under the wagon, lying on a blanket in just his shorts. Micah was there, too, but not touching him. It was too hot for that. She wore just her shorts, too. Braden looked at how hard her body was. And the scars. He rolled to his side and traced a finger along the scars on her neck and shoulders. Her eyes fixed on his chest where the Lizard Man spear had sliced viciously. She did her best, but the scar was thick and jagged. His hand missed two fingers. Only the stubs remained as the laser cut cleanly through both at the second knuckle.

  She giggled as he tickled her under the arms, while his eyes took in all of her. “I’m nothing to look at,” she toyed. “Zeller is the good looking one from the village.”

  He knew how the game was played and this was dangerous territory. “I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I’m pretty sure that I’m looking at the best looking woman in the whole south.”

  Her expression turned cold. “No!” he blurted out. “I can never get it right, and you know what I’m thinking, too!”

  She threw out the bait like the expert fisherman she was. He took it and she reeled him in. She laughed heartily. He was confused.

  “There are more women in the north and then there are clones on the ship. You were supposed to say ‘in the whole universe,’ lover,” she guided him.

  “What if I don’t mean in the whole universe?” Braden taunted in reply. She pushed him playfully.

  They heard the others laughing from inside the wagon. Zeller was the loudest, snorting occasionally, which made Braden and Micah start laughing again.

  ‘Aadi, you are a genius,’ Braden said over the mindlink.

  ‘Indeed, Master Human. Tonight we rise again and the new daylight will show us the oasis. Fear not. The desert is done with us for now,’ Aadi said in a tired thought voice.

  A Refreshing Break

  As Aadi predicted, they arrived at Oasis 02 with the sunrise. They snuggled up close to the sparse vegetation while refilling their water stocks. It was only slightly cooler around the lake as only some of the vegetation had revived with the restoration of the water’s flow. Micah looked at the small lake and disrobed, slowly climbing into the water to cool off. Brandt lay with his front legs in the water. The Wolfoids and Hillcat lapped noisily while the Rabbits drank daintily, pink noses twitching.

  As Braden refilled their flasks, he watched as Zeller stripped naked and joined Micah. He looked away, but it was too late. Micah shook her head. “Shame on you, partner mine.”

  “What’s with you people from Trent?” he asked. “My life used to be so much simpler.”

  “And less exciting,” Micah responded. “We’ve had this conversation before.”

  “Yes, we have and I always reach the same conclusion. G-War and I used to have it so easy.” He finished filling the flasks and with his back turned modestly, removed his clothing and joined the women in the small lake.

  “You cleared this yourself?” Zeller asked.

  Braden felt proud, thinking back on Aadi’s words. “I did. I refused to let the desert beat me. We needed water. Max and Speckles needed water. G-War needed to eat. We came here from Oasis 03. Skirill burned himself up trying to find it. We made it late in the morning and spent the day in the sun clearing the sand away from the solar panels. Once they took in enough energy, the pump started and water began to flow again.”

  “Solar panels?” Zeller didn’t know. Those weren’t words anyone would know who didn’t work with Old Tech.

  “It’s Old Tech. The sun shines on them and it generates power. There’s a lake deep underground. The ancients not only knew how to find it, but how to tap into it, too. With the power of the sun, they brought the water to the surface and created this oasis. Without the ancients, we’d never be able to cross the Great Desert.”

  They floated in the lake until they were ready to sleep. Braden and Micah turned their backs so Zeller could get out, even though she said she didn’t care. Maybe Micah did and Braden didn’t want to risk his partner’s ire. They waited until Zeller gave the all clear and climbed into the back of the trailer, where the Wolfoids, Rabbits, and Hawkoids were already sound asleep. G-War was sleeping in the shade of Brandt’s head while Arnie was half in the water and sound asleep. Aadi hovered under the biggest tree, eyes closed.

  Braden started to climb out, but Micah pulled him back before looking furtively toward the beach. She pulled him close…

  ‘Really? Right in front of me?’ G-War said without opening his eyes.

  Afterwards, they slept like the dead, rousing only as darkness approached. The pump cycled the water out of the lake and it was clean and clear when they drank their last and prepared to go. The cooler water also helped reduce the swelling in Brandt’s knee.

  With a final look behind them, they walked into the darkness of the desert, on a direct line toward Oasis 03.

  Oasis 03 – Tiskanay’s Pause

  Brandt limped slightly when he ran, but it seemed the worst was behind him. The worst of it was behind them all. Their attitudes had improved and that changed how they approached their travel through the Great Desert. Braden’s plan had been too
aggressive. They needed to move slower, more carefully, using the least amount of energy.

  The desert couldn’t be dominated. One had to bow to it and accept its constraints, delicately and with respect. Otherwise the desert would do everything it could to kill you. Braden nodded to the darkness in deference to Devaney’s Barren, hoping that they intruded no further upon its peace.

  “How long’s it been since you had any cactus weevils, Aadi?” Braden asked.

  ‘Oh my, Master Human, you bring up such delightful memories. It has been many cycles, indeed,’ Aadi replied.

  “You think Tiskanay is still there?”

  ‘Of course. There’s no other place she’d be. The Seeders will still be there, too, I expect. Will there be a problem?’ Aadi asked. The others were listening intently. Besides G-War and Skirill, no one had been to the Great Desert before, let alone interact with the creatures to be found in Oasis 03.

  “Nah. Thanks to your sage advice, we handled everything just fine last time. I don’t think we’ll have any issues this time, although we have far less meat with us to share. Do you think you can spoof the Seeders again?” Braden and Aadi told the rest of the companions the story of their entrance into the Oasis and how they established a truce with the Gila Monster called Tiskanay. They described how the Mirror Beast dominated the oasis until they found out it was a simple Development Unit, a Bot who needed a reboot, which Braden did inadvertently.

  G-War chuckled at that, railing on the human’s misfortune and how they’d lost the ability to ask it questions once it was working again. They knew it was still working as they’d seen the images of the plush fields in the Command Center. The Rabbits and Aurochs were looking forward to eating fresh vegetables. Holly assured them that the Development Unit would leave them alone.

  Braden didn’t worry about it any further. Talk with Tiskanay, defang the Seeders, and then relax and reload for the final push to the north while Aadi met with the other Tortoids. Braden wanted to meet them, but Aadi was very clear that no outsiders were allowed at a Consortium gathering. Braden didn’t take offense, although Micah was a little put out. She had hoped that she’d meet the others, expecting that they’d be something like Aadi, filled with the wisdom of their life experiences.

  Aadi suggested that he might convince one or two of them to come to the oasis. They’d have to wait and see, but he asked them not to be disappointed, no matter what transpired.

  ‘Wait and see, he says,’ Micah told Braden in her thought voice. He nodded. ‘Think about it. A Tortoid told us to wait…’ They both snickered to themselves as they peered into the darkness. Arnie was walking at a brisk pace as Brandt followed closely behind. G-War rode on the King’s head, as usual, but with Arnie leading the way, he had an easy walk. At midnight, they switched. Brandt was happy to be doing something for the caravan.

  As they approached sunrise, the Hawkoids took to the lightening skies and quickly found a place to camp. Aadi nodded knowingly, blinking slowly. The Rabbits were pleased that the camp would be set up before the sun was too high. Everyone took their places and quickly, with well-drilled precision, the tent was erected. They didn’t even break a sweat setting it up. They took it easy with their water, rested well, and did it all again the second night out of Oasis 02.

  With the third night came the expectation that they’d reach the oasis well before the sunrise. They watched the map scroll by as they approached, stopping near the outskirts and waiting. Braden wanted everyone to remain in the wagon in case a Sand Crawler had taken up residence in place of the one that G-War and Braden had killed.

  They relaxed so well that they all fell asleep. Arnie and Brandt slept standing up to minimize the choice bits a Sand Crawler could bite into. They awoke when the warmth and light from the sun shined into the wagon. Brandt was still harnessed, so he simply started walking. He could see the oasis. Skirill and Zyena flew ahead to scout the area, tell them where the Gila Monster was, the status of the Seeders, and if they could see anything else.

  Skirill flew in front while Zyena followed. He asked her not to fly low over the lake until the Seeders were taken care of. Tiskanay appeared to have not moved over the course of three cycles. Instead of three Seeders, there were now five. Skirill wondered what unlucky creature gave its life for the Seeders to multiply. They didn’t know if there were any Sand Crawlers, as the undergrowth was too heavy. The Development Unit was working in the field, shimmering under the morning sun.

  They stopped the wagon on the edge of the desert and removed Brandt’s harness so he could take Arnie and the Rabbits to the fields for a healthy breakfast. The others prepared to enter the oasis. Braden was all business, vividly remembering the last time they entered and the Crawler’s scratch that put G-War out of action.

  “G-War and I go first, Micah back and left, Zeller back and right, swords at the ready. Bounder with Zeller, Gray Strider with Micah. Aadi, you’re in the middle. If you have to thunderclap anyone, take care not to hit us,” Braden directed and cautioned. “Be wary, watch under the bushes and don’t let Tiskanay into your mind! Watch out for anyone who falls under the spell. Last time, she pulled Ava from my mind and G-War stopped me before I became her dinner.”

  Micah squinted at her partner. “Who’s Ava? You haven’t thought about her before.” Braden was taken aback and the more he tried not to think about the lithe, brown-haired beauty, the more he couldn’t help but visualize her in the classroom when she told him to go without her. Micah’s stare turned cold. “I see,” she said softly, not taking her eyes from Braden’s.

  He started to get angry. “Let’s go,” he spit, turning and stomping down the path into the oasis. G-War followed, suggesting that Braden slow down so they had time to react should any evil creatures raise their ugly heads.

  Braden stopped and shook his head like a dog shaking rain out of his coat. “C’mon, G, let’s clear this place and get to the lake. I could use a swim.” When he turned back to the path, a single beetle stood in his way. He wanted to crush it under the heel of his boot, but Aadi noted that could bring more.

  ‘Beetles,’ Braden passed over the mindlink. ‘Aadi said not to step on this one as it could bring more.’ G-War pounced on the beetle and batted it into the underbrush. They waited, but nothing else appeared. Braden couldn’t relax. He sensed something dangerous. G-War assured him that he saw nothing ahead that was alarming. Braden couldn’t rid himself of the feeling. He continued ahead slowly, cautiously,

  Bounder carried a bag with smoked javelina. It wasn’t very much, but it was half of their remaining supply.

  When Braden heard Ava’s voice calling him, he scoffed. “Is that the best you have, Tiskanay? It is I, Free Trader Braden, and we have returned. We bring you a gift and beg your leave to rest in the oasis.” Braden stood with his feet wide apart, his bow in his hand and a confident look on his face.

  He heard the sand rustle behind him as Bounder made to pass, walking as if in a trance. Braden jumped into him, wrapping his arm around the Wolfoid’s broad chest, trying to force him to the ground. Bounder snarled and snapped at the human’s head. “Stop it!” he yelled. With a mighty heave, he pushed Bounder away from him. The Wolfoid looked at him, eyes clear. With a curt nod, Braden turned and nocked an arrow.

  He strode forward two steps and drew his bow full, aiming at Tiskanay’s head. “That’s enough. Stop, or I will kill you,” he growled.

  ‘Okay,’ came the tired, old voice of the Gila Monster. Braden raised his bow and released the tension of the string. He held the arrow in place, just in case. He walked back to where Bounder stood, taking the bag from him, returning, and then dumping its contents in front of Tiskanay.

  He finally noticed a pile of crushed bones near her. “A visitor?” he asked.

  ‘You called them horses. Two, with their riders, showed up a cycle after you, but they couldn’t speak with me. They didn’t know the secret of the Seeders. But they brought the beetles back,’ she stated without emotion. ‘Thank you for
the gift. I shall leave you alone. Beware of the Seeders. There are many of them, now.’

  “Skirill! I need you and Zyena to find all the Seeders.” Two horses and two men could provide plenty of fertile ground for new plants to grow. “You saw five. I suspect there are more. Find them, show us where they are, and take care. I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Braden said, pleading with the Hawkoids. They were perched at the top of the trees that were unique to the oases. They stood awkwardly on the rough, leafy branches, happy to get the call from Braden for their help.

  They beat their wings hard to avoid dropping low over the lake. Skirill led the way again. He spotted the larger three Seeders, the original ones they had seen on their first trip. There were two more growing in the sand between the older plants and the lake. Skirill used his keen Hawkoid eyes to look into the shadows beneath the larger trees.

  He flew just under the higher branches, perilously close to crashing as he swerved left and right. Zyena stopped trying to follow and settled for circling above the trees, eyes focused exclusively on her mate.

  Skirill saw a trail from Tiskanay to the lake and turned to cross it.

  There! He saw three more Seeders spread out to the side of the path. Had Braden and the companions tried to reach the lake, they would have been attacked. When Skirill shared the images, Braden asked Micah to get her blaster. She smiled as she jogged back to the wagon, Bounder by her side.

  She returned, having already dialed the blaster to the tightest flame setting. With Aadi in the lead, Micah put herself on the far side, away from the Seeders. If they shot their seeds into any of the warm-blooded creatures, there would be nothing that could be done to save them. The plant would feed on the body until it died, then plant itself where its host fell.