Blackjack Wayward (The Blackjack Series) by Ben Bequer Read Free Book Online Page A

called Earth, it’s in the Sagittarian arm of the Milky Way galaxy.”
    He thought for a moment. “Those names mean little to me. But it is no matter. My people had reached the pinnacle of civilization, after many wars of unification, and were united as one. A single powerful force that ruled our star system, and several others.”
    Which was interesting, and contrary to what he had just said about a “peace-loving people,” but I said nothing, content to enjoy the fragrant wine and let him continue.
    “It was at this highest point in our culture’s history when the Lightbringers came and ripped our world apart. We fought, of course, but we were unprepared, and what is left of our people now exists here.”
    He paused, watching me, and I suppose, wondering what was going through my mind.
    “For a time, we were scavengers, much like the people you first encountered in that gulag. But in the time since, we have endured, and then thrived, despite much toil and hardship. We have been preparing for this moment since our arrival here, and soon we shall achieve what no other race in Shard World could ever hope to: freedom for all the peoples of this place.”
    “Sounds nice, but what do you need me for?”
    He smiled, “We, in fact, do not need you, but you will make things much easier.”
    Then he went on to talk endlessly about his culture and his people. I have to be honest, I zoned out for much of his dissertation. It wasn’t just the drink, which by then was starting to get to me. The wine had a kick even the crew’s grog had lacked, and the bottle seemed to have no end to it. Drovani was content to keep pouring the stuff into my glass, and for my part, I was content to drink it. The drink had little effect on Drovani himself, and he matched me drink for drink.
    In any case, he went on about his people and their gods and their foods and whatnot, and the only thing that sparked any interest was that their gods were living. In fact, much of what I managed to retain made his people seem much like the Mesoamerican peoples of Central and South America, with their strange rituals and customs, down to sacrifices and stepped pyramids, but somehow intermingled with futuristic technology like high-tech communications and interstellar travel.
    It was evident, the more he spoke, that Drovani’s people were a warmongering tribe, simply more successful than some of the others in Shard World.
    Talk then turned to his pantheon of gods, and like those of the Aztecs or Mayans back home, the Vershani gods were living members of their culture, not just avatars; much of the struggle that went on among the Vershani resulted from the whims and infighting of their gods, and the Vershani efforts to appease them. Our present mission had much to do with that, though he was rather nebulous and when pressed, he found an excuse to change the subject.
    “Forgive me for boring you with my culture,” he said, eager to move on to something else, reaching for a wrapped bundle that lay nearby. “I have a gift for you, Blackjack. Something to help you in our fight tomorrow.” With much pomp, he reached into one end of the oblong package and unfurled the wrapping, revealing a pair of sheathed swords, the silver etched, decorated scabbards attached to a similarly adorned leather belt. He handed it to me and I wrapped the belt around my waist.
    “Test them,” he said, taking a step back to give me room.
    I drew one, then the other, revealing a twin pair of flawless blades, so sheen they were slightly translucent, despite their heavy feel. The balance was perfect, and they left a long trail behind them, a particle effect that faded after a few seconds.
    “Wow,” I said, impressed.
    The blades were heavy and thick, almost as if designed for a man my size. Each one would correspond with the equivalent of a bastard sword, large enough for a strong man to wield it single-handed, but long enough, in blade and hilt, that a smaller man could use them