Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

do something fatally idiotic, you should all know I’m Ellylle Fenmore, Eternal Vanam and Prime Minister of the Forest of Worlds. Here on Trionides, I have diplomatic immunity, and whether you live or die depends entirely on what you decide to do with Captain Cartwright’s shuttle.”

The constable gulped as sweat beaded on his brow. Leaving his weapon holstered, he carefully lifted his hand and pushed away Ellylle’s spiked outgrowth. “Looks like we’re done for the day, lads.” He led his squad mates and the repair crew back to the safety of the starport’s interior.

Ellylle watched them vanish beyond the doors and returned to her comrades.

“Who’s Captain Cartwright?” asked Reggie.

“Orinoco’s captain,” said Ellylle. “She’s important to him.”

They soon returned to Big Huey, and Ellylle pushed the cart up the ramp into the shuttle’s cargo hold. As the others joined her, she unloaded one of the crates. Stooping low, she ran her fingers along its sides near the top, leaving glowing trails of light where she touched. A moment later, the lid hissed and popped open. Thick clouds of vapor rolled out. “You already know what’s in the crates,” she said, and she retrieved a smooth, featureless orb. As she held it, a green glow slowly brightened from within.

Reggie’s jaw dropped. “There… there must close to fifty!”

“Forty-seven, counting this one,” said Ellylle. She placed the orb back into its container. “The one you first collected makes forty-eight.”

Zella cleared her throat. “Ye’re plannin tae send forty-eight planets back tae the stone age?”

“You’ve known my intent all along,” said Ellylle. “Don’t bother acting surprised, and don’t insult me with vulgar displays of fair-weather compassion. Once we get back to Old Siberian, set course for Frossivneff, and then for Earth. I’ll figure out the logistics for the rest of the world seeds later.”

“Sure,” said Lomomu. “I’ll start pre-flight. We should be back aboard Old Siberian by tomorrow morning.”

“Good,” said Ellylle. “You have all done great work, and I thank you. I could never have come this far without you.” She ascended the ladder to the upper deck and made her way to her room.

Zella sat heavily upon the cargo hold deck. She crossed her arms as she leaned over her knees. Reggie followed Lomomu to the cockpit.

Chapter 34

Earth Star

Warm water cascaded over Mike and Shona as they showered together. She turned away from him, and he reached up to lather a handful of shampoo into her hair. “There, that should do it,” he said, and he massaged her scalp.

“You can keep doing that if you want,” said Shona. She stooped low enough for the stream to flow over her forehead into her hair. “I won’t stop you.”

Mike smiled as he continued. “You make me feel very lucky. I just wanted you to know that. I know there’s a lot going on, but I feel happy right now here with you. Happier than I’ve felt in a long time.” He took a deep breath and gazed upon her for a moment. “I love you, Shona.”

She stood up straight and slowly faced him. “I love you too, Mike.” He leaned back as they kissed, and she held him close as the water splashed upon their skin. Steam swirled around them.

Mike paused suddenly and nudged open the shower curtain.

“What’s up?” asked Shona.

“I thought I heard someone knocking on the door.” They listened intently for a moment, and they both heard the knock that time. “Just a minute!” said Mike.

They quickly dressed into their bedclothes, and Mike pulled open the door. “Hey, Casey,” he said with a friendly smile. “Come in, come in! Please excuse all the steam.” He immediately noticed April’s tear-stained face. “Hey, what happened? Are you two all right?”

“No,” said April. She looked as if she had been about to say more, but instead shook her head. “No, we’re not.” They stepped inside, and Mike closed the door.

“Would you guys be okay if I called a team meeting in here?” asked Casey.

“Sure,” said Shona.

“I don’t have a problem with that,” said Mike. “April, what’s wrong?”

“Please rally Orin and Nimbus,” whispered April, and she sat down on the far side of the bed. “Shona, please ask John and Malmoradan to join us.”

“Did someone hurt you?” asked Shona.

“Please,” said April.

Shona took a deep breath. “Okay, sure.”

“I’m calling Edison right now,” said Casey.

Before long, most of Casey’s team had gathered in Mike and Shona’s hotel room. “Orin’s not answering his calls or his texts,” said Mike. “Does anyone know what room he’s staying in?”

“I’ll take us there, Mike Santos,” said Nimbus. “I remember which room Orin Webb is occupying.”

“Please hurry,” said April.

Nimbus led Mike down the hall, where they stopped before Orin’s room, and Mike knocked. They knocked again—loudly this time—and waited, but Orin didn’t answer. Mike held his ear against the door near the keyhole and eventually shook his head. “Can you hear anything?”

Nimbus regarded Mike curiously. “I didn’t develop superhuman hearing, Mike Santos. If you were unable to detect anything unusual, I’m equally as unlikely.”

“Can you try?”

“Yes, I’ll try, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up,” said Nimbus, and she listened awhile. After a moment, she stood up straight and gestured with upturned hands. “I hear nothing.”

“He should’ve answered,” said Mike. “Nimbus, I’m worried. How do we get this door open?”

“Shona could certainly smash it open, but I doubt we wish to draw that kind of attention.”

“We might have to,” said Mike. “Lucky for us, this place is eerily quiet right now. I doubt anyone’s around to notice.”

At that moment, hotel guests began filtering back in through the main entrance and side doors. Excited chatter filled the air. “It’s like a dream,” said an older man. “It’s so hard to remember details.”

“Like a shared dream,” said his son. “I’ve never experienced anything like it!”

The older man paused and glanced at Mike and Nimbus. “Having trouble getting into your room?”

Mike held up his key and obscured its numbered plastic keychain. “It’s these old-world locks. They’re a little tricky sometimes.”

“Excuse me, I