Coming Home (Free Fleet Book 2) by Michael Chatfield Read Free Book Online Page A

system cleaned by medical on a regular basis.
    It was the small things Henry reflected as he looked around the shuttle, quite a few of them would die far from home, some just before they could set foot on it.
     
    Chapter Changes
     
    Ursht followed Tik, one of the two Kuruvian’s Salchar had left behind to look after things in his stead. Tak his partner was back on AIH; Ursht had even come to call his planet and his system by it's acronym, Avar Interim Hermanti was too long of a name.
    “These will be the new mines of your people. Right now there are a group of miners that are already getting stuck into your dense planetary asteroid field. They have a contract to create a base for your people once they're trained to start.
    Ursht nodded. Salchar and Yasu had pressed a lot of things on him, one was to listen to everyone before making a decision, and to also learn.
    He had got a sleep training implant and was on multiple courses to try to make himself as good at his job as possible. It was still hard to learn everything Salchar and his people knew.
    The other tribal leaders said that Salchar was a dictator and, while that was true in some ways, he was only that way because of Avarian traditions.
    He has given me and the others under his banner the opportunity to better ourselves and our people, something that no dictator would want. Ursht studied the sky. It was not his first time seeing the asteroid field that orbited his planet. On any given night the sun reflected off of the asteroids, creating a sparkling sky intertwined with the stars of other solar systems.
    “Will we be permitted to create Planetary Rail Cannons?” Ursht asked as Tik studied him closer.
    “A planet is allowed to add anything that they desire to their own defenses. They will be under the control of the Free Fleet, unless AIH annuls their contract with the Free Fleet.” Ursht pulled out a data pad and gave it to Tik. “I think that AIH can be a supplier of weapon systems and power systems.” He said as Tik looked over the information.
    “These are all very technical things.”
    “Yes, which is why we need teaching and some assistance. We will be willing to pay for it. Our resource stockpile is rather extensive.” Ursht lifted his upper lip, a sign of challenge if it quivered, but it remained still, meaning a grin.
    “This is all rather thought out,” Tik said as he went over the data pads information.
    “We have one major resource on this planet numbers. We are strong and brave fighters, but that alone will not look after our children in this new multi-world society we have become a part of. We have already made bargains with the Chaleelians for Baroui, their highest yielding crop. We will be dependent on them for a long time until we get some growing towers, which Yasu and other people from Earth have talked about. Resources are a good thing to have, but every solar system is abundant in them. We need something that will make us relevant. Earth has many thinkers and makers. Making power and weapon systems is hard, however. If AIH gets a foot hold there, then we will have a 'one up' on them as Commander Salchar said.”Ursht said.
    “There are plans here for engines.” Tik said, his hands moving excitedly as Ursht grinned.
    “Well, we can't just be using the same old crappy haulers as before. Chaleel is also moving to be able to produce merchant ships.” Ursht said.
    Tik looked to Ursht, Ursht reading his hands as excited trepidation.
    “Well, me and Tak will be happy to do anything we can to help.” Tik said.
    “The terms are set,” Ursht said as he put his forearm forward. Tik, now knowing the Avarian physical method of agreement touched his forearm to Ursht's, both of them lowering their heads till they touched.
    They pulled their arms away and raised their heads as Tik gave Ursht his data pad.
    Ursht knew Tik had been studying AIH culture and interactions, so he knew that neither of them was now able to break their word, on