Taming a Planet (Trapped in Time Book 2) (33 page)

The slave jerked his head around and shouted, “Yes she does. I’ve seen her.”

The old man said, “Well…that puts you one up on the rest of us.”

Andy said, “Melody, step back. I need to put an end to this.”

Ophelia screamed and ran over and stood between the slave and Andy, “I won’t let you do this!”

Andy lowered the blaster and said, “Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t.”

Ophelia lowered her head, “Because he is right. He never beat me or hit me. I’ve treated him much worse than he ever treated me. He only did what he was taught to do by a nasty civilization. I know he sees it now. He doesn’t deserve to die, at least not for what was done to me.”

Andy kept the blaster raised and then he lowered it. He said, “Maxius, remove Ophelia.”

Ophelia screamed as Maxius took her in his arms and pulled her away. The slave said, “It’s alright. I deserve this.”

Ophelia stared crying and Andy said, “I told you we will not have slaves in our Community.”

The slave nodded, “I understand.”

“You leave me no choice but to free you and make you one of our citizens.” The man’s eyes went wide and Ophelia stopped screaming. “Unless you’d rather be shot by this blaster?”

“Oh no, being a citizen is more than I deserve.”

“You’re going to have to do your share of the work.”

“I bet I’m the best corn picker you have.” The entire room burst out laughing as the tension was released. The former slave said, “And when the time comes for you to go pay my former home a visit, I can lead you across the sea directly to them and save you a month of having to sail along the shore line.”

Andy smiled and walked over to the slave and extended his hand. The man took it and Andy asked, “What’s your name?”

“Zeck.”

Andy turned and said, “Let’s all welcome Zeck into our community. We’ll continue the meeting in an hour.” The warriors walked forward and all greeted Zeck and Melody gave him a hug. Zeck winced and Melody immediately apologized. Zeck smiled, “It is ok. You’re the first nice female I’ve ever had hug me.”

Ophelia stepped up after Melody and hugged him. Zeck was shocked and Ohpelia said, “Now you’ve had two. I don’t know if I can ever forgive you. But I want to thank you for saving my life.” Zeck nodded and she walked away.

• • •

Andy watched him staring at Ophelia and said, “I would have never called this. You were right, she wouldn’t allow us to kill him.” Andy looked at Melody who was standing under his arm, “How did you know?”

“Any time a woman says a man is driving her crazy, she has gotten too close. You could have stopped it if she had jumped up and gladly took the blaster.”

“She still made me sweat.”

Melody nodded, “Me, too.”

“Do you think they’ll be all right?”

“I don’t think they will ever be friends but they can now co-exist. That is enough.”

Andy nodded and went to talk with Harvey. Melody stared at Zeck and watched Ophelia leave the cave. Time may eventually force the two of them together. There are always consequences to bad behavior and Ophelia would always be known as the witch that tried to kill her slave. Most men would have little to do with her. Zeck would be known as a slaver who forced a woman to his will. Their reputations would eventually bring them together to share in their misery. Maybe then…

• • •

Andy sat with the other leaders and looked at Zeck, “My scouts tell me that the Destroyer fleet has a hundred and ten ships coming this way.”

Zeck tilted his head, “That tells me the message you sent worked.”

“Why is that?”

“The Commandant knows the wind will be changing in a few more months and that would allow you to go after him. He’s sending two thirds of his forces to stop you.”

Andy’s eyes narrowed and he looked at Mark who shrugged. “Two thirds?”

“The Commandant has four fleets. You captured one of them, which leaves three. He’s sending two of them here.”

Harvey looked at Andy, “That means if we’re successful, we should prepare to move on him quickly.”

Andy looked back at Zeck as he said, “Perhaps.” He waited a moment and said, “What would you do?”

“I’d send a fleet now.”

“Why?”

It would arrive in about six weeks if you go directly there. “They would not be expecting you and you’d have the element of surprise.”

Andy stared at Zeck, “Why should I trust you to take us there?”

“You really don’t need me to do it; you could do it yourself without my assistance.”

Andy laughed, “How do you know that?”

“Because I’ve seen you flying. You must have the metal that always points north and, if you do, just sail directly east. You’ll run into their lands.”

Andy smiled, “But we wouldn’t know when we arrived there to sail north or south.”

“As I said, I’ve seen you flying; you’ll just send some of those flying machines out and see.”

“You really would help us attack them?”

“Yes, I will.”

“Tell me why?”

“It would keep the body count down.” Andy’s eyes narrowed and Zeck continued, “Most of the people in that nation are slaves working to support the Destroyer elite. They have no chance of overthrowing the ones over them but they will be the first casualties if the Commandant knows you’re coming. He’ll force them to be a human shield in front of his forces. If you can get there and strike quickly, the deaths of thousands might be avoided.”

“You have a reason for wanting to do this?”

“I do. There is one particular slave that I intend to go ashore and rescue. I will take you directly there under the cover of night. All I ask in return is one of the blasters you use to go and try to save the slave.”

“Who is this slave?”

“Ophelia’s younger sister.”

Andy stared at Zeck, “You will have your blaster, but we will not mount an expedition while the Community is under attack.” Zeck stared at Andy for a moment and then nodded. “How long is it before the wind shifts?”

“About six weeks.”

“This leader of theirs won’t be expecting us before the wind shifts will he?”

“Probably not. His fleets wouldn’t arrive back before then if they were to leave now. Since he has no idea how far they’ll have to sail to find you, he’ll probably not start worrying until the wind shifts.”

“How long to get there against the wind?”

“Going directly, about six weeks.”

Andy looked at the leaders, “The Destroyer fleets will arrive in four days. If we can eliminate them in less than a week, we can immediately set sail and be there as the wind shifts.”

Zeck lowered his eyebrows, “Those hundred twenty ships are bringing more than twenty thousand warriors on board. I suspect they will also be bringing one of their advanced guns.”

“Oh?”

“It fires bullets at an unbelievable rate. I’ve seen one of them cut down a forest.”

Andy looked at Mark and said, “Change of plans.”

“WHAT?”

“I’ll discuss it with you later. However, Zeck has helped us a lot with his candor. Would you like to participate in the party?”

“I would more than you know but I don’t know if I’ll be able to walk in four days.”

“What about in a week?”

“If you can make it happen, I’ll crawl and swim to the ships.”

The leaders laughed and Andy said, “Thank you, Zeck. I’ll talk with you after our little soiree.”

“I wish you success.”

T
he Fleet Admiral was starting to worry that he had made a mistake. They had sailed for almost four weeks and had not seen a sign of civilization. There were only the high cliffs that ran along the shoreline. Could this new enemy be located inland from the site of the attack? No…no one in their right mind would live among the dangerous animals that inhabited the lands away from the ocean.

“Sire!”

“Yes.”

“The lookout sees something odd ahead of us.”

“What is it?”

“There is a huge part of the cliff that is missing. He says it looks like it has been cut out.”

The Admiral ran to the front of the ship and looked out over the bow. In a few minutes he saw the cliff started to look different. In a few more minutes he could clearly see that a massive amount of the cliff was missing. This had to be what he was trying to find. “Send up the flags and have all ships prepare for battle.”

The Ship Commander said, “The lookout says there is a small beach under that gap. Do you intend to land our forces there?”

“Not until I determine what we’re up against. Uncover the cannons and have the fleet form a line.”

“Yes Sire.”

• • •

Andy stood on top of the cliff with the cannon crews and watched the huge fleet start organizing into a long line. One of the ships sailed away from the line. That had to be the Flagship. The one commanding the fleet wanted a good view of what was coming. Andy looked at Annelise, “Can you still reach that ship with a cannon?”

“From this high up I might be able to hit the Commandant’s house across the ocean.”

“That ship is off the board. I don’t want it hit.”

Annelise looked at Paul, “Send word out.”

Paul sprinted away and Annelise smiled, “When do you want us to fire?”

“Start as soon as the first ship in that line draws even with our last cannon.”

Andy watched the tall ships sailing toward him and shook his head; they were incredibly beautiful. The first ship started firing at the cliff as it moved opposite the gap. The cannon balls exploded on the face of the cliff and he saw the ships start edging closer. The next ships fired and several cannon balls cleared the gap and landed just outside the southern Roman Wall. He looked at Annelise, “That’s enough; open fire.”

The long line of ships sailed majestically forward and suddenly there was a huge cloud of smoke that blew off the top of the cliff next to the gap that was followed by a loud thunder clap as the first ten ships at the head of the long line exploded. A moment later, another huge cloud of smoke appeared followed by a thunderous explosion and the next six ships exploded.

• • •

The Admiral turned white, “GET THEM OUT OF THERE…NOW!!!”

The flags went up and the long line of ships turned and began tacking away from the cliff. Cannon balls were landing all around he fleet and another four ships exploded. The Admiral fell on his back as a huge geyser of water blew up in front of his ship and doused him in water. “MOVE US AWAY, MOVE US AWAY!!”

The huge fleet began zig-zagging as it fought the wind to gain distance from the cliff.

• • •

Andy looked at Annelise, “Concentrate your fire on the ships that have been hit. Ignore the others for the moment.”

The twenty ships that had been hit were struggling. Twelve of them had lost one or two masts and the other had holes blown in the sides. The cannons roared and all of them were hit again. The explosions were gigantic and two of the stricken ships had their powder magazines hit and blew up in horrific blasts.

• • •

The Admiral watched the cannons on the cliff focus on the ships that had been hit and thanked the winds that the ones firing weren’t professionals. They should have continued to attack other ships but didn’t. He could have lost half his fleet but a hundred ships managed to sail out of the cannon’s range.

• • •

The Commander of the Destroyer ground forces watched and had a different perspective than the Admiral. Those who were firing the cannons on the cliffs were smart to finish the ships close to shore. They were making sure that none of the warriors on them were able to get into their boats and make it to shore. Whoever they were; they were a danger to the Nation. Slayer’s words ran through his mind and he felt fear in his heart.

• • •

Annelise yelled, “Cease fire.”

Andy looked at her, “Can you still hit them?”

“Yes but I want them to think I can’t.”

“Good idea. If they don’t turn south, hit as many as you can.”

Annelise nodded and yelled, “Load all cannons and be prepared to shoot.” Only half of the cannons had been used in the initial exchange. The other fifty lined up a ship and waited for the order to fire.

• • •

The Warrior Commander looked at the soaked Admiral, “Can they hit us this far out?”

“If they could they’d still be shooting.”

“What are we going to do?”

The Admiral saw his orderly come running up with a dry uniform and he took off his jacket. “It’s clear to me that their village is on the other side of that gap. Do you agree?”

The Warrior Commander didn’t want to say it but said, “I believe you’re right.”

“You’re going to have to go at them from ashore. I’m sailing the fleet south and you’ll launch your boats and climb the cliff. Once you’re on top, establish a position and we’ll send the rest of your forces in.”

“I’ll need the ropes and tackle to lift our guns.”

“You’ll have them. Get your forces ready to move out.”

• • •

Andy watched the Admiral’s ship start sailing away and Annelise tensed up, “Give them a moment to declare their intentions.”

Annelise said, “Move the cannon to track that ship!” Andy watched the crew elevate the barrel slightly and then the ship turned and headed back the way it had come. The rest of the huge fleet turned with it and sailed south. Andy walked over to the edge of the cliff and pulled his glider pack up over the edge. “Where are you going?”

Andy looked at Annelise, “I’m going up to keep track of their movements. Get your cannons turned and be ready to support our Archers if they make it this far.”

Annelise yelled, “You heard him; get the cannons turned.”

Andy released the glider and felt it snap together over his head. He grabbed the control bars and leaped off the cliff. He caught the sea breeze and rode an up draft over the top of the cliff and was immediately pushed by the hot air rising from the clearing below. He immediately soared high above the cliff and turned south. Annelise shook her head and prayed he didn’t do anything dangerous. She shook her head and chuckled. Anything you did at the moment was dangerous. Just be smart.

• • •

Andy flew south over the cliff and watched the Destroyer fleet sailing at their fastest speed. He began to worry that they were leaving and sailing away but ten miles south of the gap they moved closer to shore as each ship began dropping anchor. Fifty boats were immediately dropped into the water and the rowers pulled hard through the surf. He circled high overhead and saw another glider headed his way. Mark came flying in and Andy nodded to him. He arrived right on schedule and they circled and watched the hundred Destroyer Warriors arrive onshore and climb the cliffs with amazing skill. They had done this before.