Coletti Warlords: Reality Bites by Gail Koger Read Free Book Online Page B

resulting feedback will knock out all the power in the ship,” Zarek instructed.
    “Yes, sir.” Opening the heel of my boot, I took out a wad of explosives and stuck it on the wall.
    The transporter room door began to glow.
    The idiots were now trying to burn their way in? I quickly pushed the timer on my watch and grabbed my backpack.
    Crack! The power died.
    Zarek channeled energy into my mind.
    An inky blackness blossomed around me. Poof! Jaylan and I had been teleported inside an old shuttlecraft that looked like it had been made from leftover parts.
    “I’ve got to learn how to do that.”
    “Once you’re fully Coletti, teleporting will come easily to you.”
    “Gee golly, that makes me giddy with excitement.”
    “Your sarcasm will not be tolerated.”
    I jumped about a foot when a sharp pain zapped me in the butt. “Ouch!”
    “Have I made my point?” His question was a rumbling growl.
    “Yes, sir.” Colettis were sure into spankings. Rubbing my sore butt, I eyed the patched-together control panel and mismatched seats. “I’m a bit surprised this piece of junk can even fly.”
    “It should be capable of getting you to the nearest habitable planet.”
    “If you say so.” I patted Jaylan’s face. “Wakey, wakey.”
    “You will pilot the shuttle.”
    “Me?” Was Gramps nuts? “I don’t know how to fly a spaceship.”
    “Take a seat, and I will show you.”
    “Yes, sir.” I slid hesitantly into the pilot’s chair. This should be fun.
    Zarek merged with me. Thousands of images and memories suddenly spun through my head.
    “Whoa! I can’t—”
    “You can and will.” Zarek grimly forced the knowledge into my mind.
    A kaleidoscope of images and data slammed into my brain. Just when I thought my head would explode into a million pieces, everything abruptly clicked into place. Holy cow! I knew how to fieldstrip a laser cannon, and I could even pilot a warbird. How cool was that?
    Zarek’s stern voice broke my glee. “Focus on the task at hand.”
    “Yes, sir.” My fingers danced across the control panel, and the engines sputtered to life.
    “The skills I have implanted are necessary to ensure your survival.”
    “Why do I have the feeling you’re not telling me everything?”
    “Launch the ship. Now.” Zarek’s command was edged with impatience.
    I quickly touched the targeting screen. A laser bolt flashed out, destroying the landing bay doors on Mog’s ship. Time to see if this rust bucket could fly. I tapped an emblem on the control panel.
    With a tremendous roar, the shuttle catapulted out of the landing bay, slamming me back against the seat. “Yee-haw!”
    An endless fall of stars filled the dusty view screen. I had always wanted to go into space, just not with a couple of really cranky warlords.
    “Keep up this line of thought, and you will see how cranky I can get.”
    I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end at the menace in Zarek’s voice. “It won’t happen again, sir.”
    “Good. Input these coordinates into the navigation computer. Thirteen point twenty-five mark thirty-five.”
    I did as instructed.
    “Baylon is a frontier planet with only one spaceport. The inhabitants are a warlike race, and they take offense easily.”
    Huh, kinda like the Colettis. I winced when he zapped me again.
    “When Jaylan wakes, you will complete the mating bond.”
    “No. I won’t.”
    “If you wish Hank Benson to live, you will do as I command.”
    I shot to my feet. “You captured Pops?”
    “Wulf took him into custody.”
    “If you hurt him, I will kill you.” Agony exploded in my head, dropping me to my knees.
    “Do not think because you are kin, I will tolerate your threats.” Zarek’s warning held a note of chilling malevolence.
    My breath coming in jagged jerks, I struggled to control the pain. “Please…don’t hurt…my father.”
    “Obey me, and he lives.”
    “Yes, sir. Mate. With Jaylan.” The relentless pressure vanished, and I sagged in